Accursio Lota, Chef & Owner
Sicilian-born Chef Accursio Lota brings a deeply personal, ingredient-driven approach to Cori Pastificio Trattoria in North Park and Dora Ristorante in La Jolla. A Barilla Pasta World Champion, Lota channels both his upbringing in Menfi as well as his time spent in some of Italy’s most acclaimed kitchens to create menus that balance tradition with a contemporary edge.
Cori offers a true neighborhood trattoria experience, where handmade pastas and a standout wine program — recognized by Gambero Rosso with Due Bottiglie — take center stage. At Dora, he turns to coastal Southern Italian flavors, using refined technique and peak-season ingredients that earned Tre Forchette recognition from Gambero Rosso. Together, they show the range of Lota’s cooking: same DNA, different tempos, letting the ingredients do the talking.
Try This!
Dora’s Fettuccine: With local sea urchin from Peter Halmay, lemon confit, and crostaceo butter is rich and briny, lifted by citrus — an elegant coastal Italian dish rooted in simplicity.

Dora Ristorante
9165 Theatre District Drive, La Jolla, California 92037 | doralajolla.com
Cori Trattoria Pastificio
2977 Upas Street, San Diego, California 92014 | coripasta.com