San Diego | Monello

Today I went with friends to explore Monello restaurant in downtown San Diego! 🍝 Located at 750 W Fir St, this Italian restaurant is most famous for its signature cheese wheel pasta. Even before entering, we were drawn in by its cozy lighting and elegant exterior. ✨ Right after we sat down and ordered, the server warmly reminded us: “We’re about to prepare the cheese wheel pasta—if you’d like to see the process, feel free to come over to the counter!” 👨‍🍳 My friend and I hurried over to watch. The chef wheeled out a giant wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano, almost as big as half the table! 🧀 He poured warm cream into the wheel and stirred quickly, melting the cheese from the inner walls into the sauce, then tossed in the freshly cooked pasta. Every strand was coated in creamy, stretchy cheese, and the aroma was irresistible～😋 Back at our table, our cheese wheel pasta arrived shortly. 🍴 The noodles were rich and velvety, with a subtle nutty flavor—absolutely delicious! My friend smiled while eating and said, “So this is how authentic Italian cheese pasta is made!” 💬 Besides the signature dish, we also ordered tiramisu and a salad, each beautifully presented. 🍷 Though not a large restaurant, the atmosphere is relaxed and perfect for small gatherings or dates. 💕 If you’d like to experience pasta made fresh at your table, remember to make a reservation in advance! 📞 #FoodExploration #SanDiegoEats #ItalianCuisine #CheeseLover #CheeseWheelPasta #Monello #FoodieDiaries #HandmadePasta