SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A beloved trattoria in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood was recognized with a prestigious culinary distinction in Italy comparable to earning a Michelin star.
Cori Pastificio maintained the Three Forks (“Tre Forchette”), the highest honor given out by Gambero Rosso, an Italian food and wine magazine, in its 2025 Top Italian Restaurants Guide.
A total of 18 restaurants worldwide were selected for the award, with only five restaurants located in the U.S., including Cori Pastificio.
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The Three Forks distinction is often compared to the Michelin Guide’s star system, recognizing restaurants for their culinary excellence, outstanding service and curated wine program.
In contrast to the restaurants usually recognized by the Michelin Guide, Cori Pastificio is a trattoria that is traditionally more informal than a fine dining restaurant.
Cori Pastificio was founded in 2019 by a Sicilian-born chef. (Courtesy photo: H2 Public Relations)
As such, the North Park eatery places its emphasis on authentic food and warm hospitality in a casual setting.
Cori Pastificio, which opened its doors in 2019, offers diners a menu centered around freshly made pasta and signature Italian dishes such as seafood carbonara and parmigiana di melanzane (referred to as eggplant parmesan in English).
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According to the restaurant’s website, Cori translates to “heart” in Sicilian. It also serves as a tribute to the owner’s wife, Corinne.
It is a fitting name, as heart is at the core of the trattoria led by Sicilian-born Chef Accursio Lota. He adds the Three Forks to his already well-seasoned resumé.
Lota won the 2017 Barilla World Pasta Competition in Italy where he represented the United States. He also cooked at a private dinner for about 2,000 guests at Oprah Winfrey’s Montecito home, according to the restaurant’s website.
Lota is preparing to open a different restaurant concept, Dora, in La Jolla, which is scheduled to open sometime this summer.
Dining and Cooking