Located in the heart of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, Osteria Panevino's interior of terra cotta floor, colorful ceramics and marble brings in an atmosphere akin to a Tuscan trattoria. The works of art adorning the dining area are inspired by the hill towns of Firenze in Italy in medieval times.

The menu opens with starters of thinly sliced sushi grated octopus topped with olive oil, lemon and capers, and Dungeness crab cakes. Seafood aficionados could try the cioppino livornese which provides a delightful combination of clams, mussels, calamari, half lobster and fresh assorted fish sautéed with garlic, olives and fresh tomato sauce. For meatier main courses there's boneless beast of chicken stuffed with artichokes, broccoli and Fontina cheese or veal shank slowly braised with red wine and diced vegetables served atop saffron risotto.

Organizing those special events will no longer seem cumbersome as Osteria Panevino's customized menus are designed to cater for all tastes.