The closure marks a new chapter for the Milano Five hospitality group, which owns the Ambrogio brand. According to an announcement from the restaurant, Executive Chef Enea Sintoni, Sous Chef Filippo Giglio, and General Manager Mariana Dib will shift their focus to Ambrogio15's flagship location in Pacific Beach. The team plans to reimagine the menu and refresh the space, blending fine dining with the signature pizza that has made Ambrogio15 a local favorite.
This move is part of Milano Five’s strategy to streamline operations while preparing for ambitious future ventures, including the opening of Ambrogio15 at San Diego International Airport in 2025 and additional projects still in development.
Ambrogio by Acquerello opened in November 2022 in the former Semola Artisan Express Pasta space, which was itself a successor to PrepKitchen's La Jolla location. The space was transformed into a fine-dining destination, offering an exclusive tasting menu experience under the leadership of Michelin-starred chefs. Originally helmed by Executive Chef Silvio Salmoiraghi, the restaurant gained attention for its innovative seven-course menus. The restaurant earned recognition from the Michelin Guide during its tenure and brought a unique vision of modern Italian cuisine to San Diego.
The concept represented a bold evolution for the Ambrogio15 team, known for their modern pizzerias in Pacific Beach, Little Italy, Del Mar and Phoenix, AZ. It also demonstrated their commitment to bringing refined Italian cuisine to San Diego, earning accolades from critics and diners alike.
Milan-turned-San Diego residents Giacomo Pizzigoni, Andrea Burrone and Luca Salvi opened the flagship Ambrogio15 on Turquoise Street in San Diego's North Pacific Beach community in August 2016. Under the umbrella of their Milano Five hospitality company, the team expanded in 2018 with a stall within the Little Italy Food Hall and also opened a micro-version of Ambrogio15 within Del Mar Highlands Town Center's 20,000 square-foot, multi-restaurant food hall The Sky Deck. The Ambrogio boys launched new concept Semola Artisan Express Pasta in the Little Italy Food Hall in 2019 but eventually relocated the concept to the indoor/outdoor La Jolla space left dormant by the sudden and inexplicable closure of PrepKitchen. Milano Five also opened a wine room and grocery Ambrogio15 Enoteca in the space that last housed their Ciao Ciao Piadina concept in south La Jolla, but closed that business earlier this year.Ìý
For those looking for one last visit to Ambrogio by Acquerello, head toÌý7556 Fay Avenue in La Jolla. For more information and updates on Ambrogio15, visit .
Originally published on December 29, 2024.Ìý
