PeaceOut

For authentic Italian in the Gaslamp area, we liked this restaurant:
http://www.acquaal2.com/

I had eaten in their original location in Florence, Italy, and loved it, so we sought out this relative newcomer.

We liked its atmosphere, service and food. It would be within you $100 budget, if you don't drink too much!

I recommend it as a special place for a Valentine's Day meal.

MomDDTravel

Peaceout - me too!!! How I wish was in Florence

Tomsd

Have always wanted to get to Acquaal2 ("Aqua al two-eh") - and have even walked by a couple of times and talked to the Chef there (on the way to Padre games) - but yet to make it. It's very highly rated, and nice atmosphere - and we also liked Pana a Vino in the gaslamp.

In Little Italy - there are a number of fine dining choices - including a couple of our favorites - Buon Appetito and Cafe Zucchero. http://www.urbanspoon.com/n/27/2635/...ly-restaurants And after dinner - Extraordinary Desserts is just "sinful" - albeit une petit cher.

Tomsd

Correction: Cafe Zucchero is nice and has a great pastry/gellato case - but we had a most memorable dinner a few years ago at Vincenzo. As good as it gets - but haven't been there for a while.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/vincenzo-ris...%20restaurants