Cicciotti's Trattoria Italiana & Seafood

San Diego Restaurant Week Fall 2011

Restaurant 2: $10 Lunch at Cicciotti's Trattoria Italiana and Seafood.

We decided to visit this place for restaurant week because it was very cheap at $10 for lunch. Plus, the menu was almost the exact same as the $20 dinner with the addition of dessert.

While waiting for our food, the waiter brought out appetizer bread.  It was light and flakey on the outside, super soft on the inside and had a very light taste of olive oil.  We thought it was delicious and my dining partner could not stop eating the bread.  It came with some tomato bruschetta dipping sauce which was fresh and perfect as an accent to the bread.  I have to say that it was the highlight of the meal.

Our first appetizer was a lobster bisque.  Definitely a very average bisque that was lukewarm and contained a few small pieces of lobster.

Our other appetizer was the Ravioletti Pera e Gorgonzola, ie pear and gorgonzola ravioli.  A few sundried tomatoes garnished the plate.  The insides of the ravioli were sweet which contrasted with the saltier sauce surrounding around it.  We couldn't tell that there was any gorgonzala cheese in there though!  All in all, it was better than the bisque but not by much.

For our main course, I selected the Lasagne di Mare, ie seafood lasagne.  Presentationwise, it was swimming in a monotone orange sauce, which could have easily been dressed up with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or perhaps a quarter of the sauce!  Tastewise, I liked the flavors and little chunks of unknown seafood.  It could have used a little more filling but perhaps it's the style of this lasagna.

Our other main course was the Pappardelle Funghi & Gamberi Tartufati, mushroom and shrimp pasta.  This dish was just plain BLAND.  It definitely needed some salt and my friend added tons of parmesan cheese.  If the ownder decided to include fresh pepper or fresh parmesan, that would be a big plus to the service and class of the restaurant.

Overall, not too exciting of a place to visit but maybe next time (if there is one), try a dish that is not drowning in sauce.  Probably one of the reasons I avoid italian most of the time.