With the arrival of Marisi, downtown La Jolla has a fresh dining option that’s also looking to set itself apart from the sea of other Italian restaurants in San Diego. Opened by a group of five cousins, all La Jolla natives, the restaurant is now serving dinner Wednesday through Sunday.

Designed in-house, the 111-seat Marisi emerges in the former Wall Street home of Whisknladle, retaining the enormous front patio that’s now decorated in sunny colors with flowering vines hanging high above its tiled floor. There’s more intimate seating inside the space, which is dominated by a half-moon bar and an open kitchen anchored by a 10-foot hearth where much of the menu is cooked.