Tommy V’s Urban Kitchen & Bar recently moved within Carlsbad’s Bressi Ranch, relocating across the street into the former Giaola Italian Kitchen space at The Square at Bressi Ranch. The move places the restaurant almost next door to Casero Taqueria, the Montellano family’s Mexican eatery.
Owner Francisco Montellano, his wife, Lupita, and their son Aaron oversee both concepts, and Executive Chef Luis Vidal both kitchens as well. Frank and I visited the new location to savor its Italian cuisine, especially the seafood entrées that distinguish Tommy V’s from other Italian ristorantes.
Their diverse menu extends beyond seafood with stone-fired gourmet pizzas, handcrafted burgers and house-made pastas offering something for every appetite.
Francisco began his hospitality career in 1986 at Tequila Sunrise in Tijuana. In 1994, he continued his culinary career in the United States at Joey’s California Bistro with the Maggiore family, rising from shift manager to general manager and helping open Tomaso’s. He continued building his expertise in restaurant and kitchen operations at Tuscany in La Costa in 2003.
In 2011, Francisco joined Tommy V’s to assist owner Melissa Maggiore and was promoted to general manager in 2018 after the Maggiore family relocated to Arizona. In 2020, he purchased Tommy V’s and now proudly owns and operates the restaurant alongside Lupita and Aaron.
The new location is brighter and airier, with a large square bar serving the indoor dining room, a climate-controlled indoor-outdoor patio, and an outdoor patio. A private dining room seats 12 guests and includes a television. Dinner offers more entrées, while lunch expands the selection of entrée salads. A striking glass-enclosed wine cellar showcases selections from Italy, Napa Valley, Paso Robles and beyond.
Eager to break bread with Frank and me, Francisco spoiled us with a family-style feast shared with Lupita and Aaron. We began with a piled-high arugula and blue cheese salad garnished with dried cranberries, fresh strawberries and walnuts, dressed with raspberry vinaigrette. Next was a Margherita pizza featuring thick slices of buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil and house-made crust cooked in the stone pizza oven.
The showstopper was Francisco’s Seafood Brodetto, a hearty fish stew brimming with scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels and calamari in a garlic wine tomato sauce. A generous portion of sea bass cooked to flaky perfection crowned the dish, which could easily be shared by two.
The fish-of-the-day special featured perfectly cooked Alaskan halibut atop garlic mashed potatoes with broccoli, carrots and red peppers. We also enjoyed rich fettuccine carbonara topped with optional shrimp, along with Shrimp Scampi Parmigiana accompanied by lobster ravioli.
During an earlier visit, we enjoyed my favorite pasta, house-made pappardelle with three-meat ragù and soffritto, the Italian version of mirepoix. The thick Bolognese clung beautifully to every wide ribbon.
We paired our feast with Tormaresca Torcicoda Primitivo Salento, whose red fruit, black cherry, plum, licorice, vanilla and tobacco notes complemented the dishes. Torcicoda was the first Puglian wine named to Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list.
For dolce, Francisco served a rich, creamy tiramisu and warm butter cake crowned with vanilla bean ice cream. The sinfully delicious butter cake is offered in limited quantities Friday through Sunday.
Francisco’s personalized hospitality was reinforced when a longtime customer, Bill Walsh, approached me during our visit. Bill’s grandson has 10 food allergies. After hearing the complete list, Francisco said he had the perfect dish: pasta primavera. Walsh’s grandson loved it, had no adverse reactions, and the family has remained loyal Tommy V’s customers for years.
Tommy V’s move across the street is a meaningful new chapter for the Montellano family. The brighter setting, impressive wine cellar and Chef Luis’ seafood-driven Italian cuisine elevate the experience, while Francisco, Lupita and Aaron provide the personal hospitality that inspires loyal customers.
After four decades in hospitality, Francisco has created a family legacy that continues to flourish in Bressi Ranch. Find more info at tommyvsurbankitchencarlsbad.com.
San Diego Food + Wine Festival unveils grand weekend
The 22nd annual San Diego Food + Wine Festival returns Nov. 1-8, welcoming more than 11,000 attendees for cross-border culinary experiences celebrating Southern California and Baja. The festival’s largest programming evolution in more than two decades introduces Icons + Legends on Nov. 6, showcasing acclaimed chefs and luxury wines and spirits.
The Grand Tasting follows Nov. 7 with more than 200 beverage producers, 80 chefs and restaurants, and the Chef of the Fest competition. Grand Fiesta moves to Embarcadero Marina Park North on Nov. 8, creating a seamless two-day waterfront celebration.
New culinary districts include Smoke + Fire, Sweet Street, Street Feast: Asian Market, and South of the Border. An expanded food rescue program benefits Rethink Food and the San Diego Food Bank.
— Rico Cassoni
Wine Bytes
• From Sept. 1-15, Cork & Craft, Glass Box, Nozomi, and Zen Modern Asian Bistro will donate $1 from each select menu item sold to Feeding San Diego during Hunger Action Month. The fundraiser supports local hunger-relief efforts, with every dollar providing two meals for neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
• Solare Ristorante hosts Keenan Winery owner-winemaker Michael Keenan for a special Napa Valley wine dinner Thursday, Sept. 3. Reception starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by a four-course dinner paired with five wines at 6:45 p.m. Guests will enjoy Keenan pour 3-liter bottles of his single-vineyard Estate Merlot Reserve. Tickets are $108++. RSVP at [email protected] or 619-270-9670.
• San Diego Restaurant Week returns Sept. 13-20 with more than 100 participating restaurants from Oceanside to Chula Vista offering multicourse menus starting at $30. No tickets or coupons are required, but reservations are recommended. Explore participating restaurants and menus online.
Rico Cassoni is executive producer for Taste of Wine and Food. He and founder/advisor Frank Mangio, a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator, are two of the leading reviewers on the web. Reach them at [email protected].
