Dora

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Inspired by Family, Rooted in Sicily

Dora is named for Chef Accursio Lota's grandmother — a choice that says everything about what this restaurant is. Opened in La Jolla's Theatre District by husband-and-wife duo Chef Accursio Lota and hospitality visionary Corinne Goria, Dora brings coastal Sicilian cuisine to the Southern California shoreline with the same warmth and neighborhood spirit that made their North Park trattoria, Cori Pastificio Trattoria, one of San Diego's most beloved Italian restaurants.

The Chef Behind the Table

Accursio Lota was raised in Menfi, an agricultural town on Sicily's Mediterranean coast, where the rhythms of the sea and the land shaped how he understood food from an early age. By 18, he was already competing in Italy's top showcases for young culinary talent. He went on to train under Chef Sergio Mei at the Four Seasons in Milan, Chef Pino Cuttaia at the two Michelin-starred La Madia in Licata, and Chef Bernard Guillas at The Marina Room in La Jolla. As Executive Chef at Solare Restaurant and Lounge, he earned the restaurant a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand. In 2017, he took first place at the Barilla World Pasta Championship — a result that put his name firmly on the international map.

At Cori Trattoria, his modern approach to Sicilian cooking earned the restaurant Gambero Rosso's coveted Tre Forchette (3 Forks) distinction — one of only six U.S. restaurants to hold that recognition. Dora carries that same standard forward.

Where the Menu Lives

The cooking at Dora draws from the sea and the seasons: handmade pastas, Mediterranean seafood, and a contemporary lens applied to deep Southern Italian tradition. The restaurant's position next to the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse adds a theatrical dimension — thespian-inspired touches and specialty cocktails are part of the experience, alongside a pre-theater dining menu designed for guests heading to a show.

Lunch is offered on weekends, dinner runs through the week, and the space accommodates private parties and events — all handled with the same sense of hospitality that Lota and Goria have built their reputation on.