Pizzicotto

My sister, Alexis, Tyler and I went to Pizzicotto on a Sunday night for a 7:30PM reservation. The place was packed with an Italian birthday party. On the one hand, we were stoked to have found such an authentic spot. On the other hand, we had to wait outside until past 8PM to be seated.

If you go to Pizzicotto at a non-peak hour and have your choice of where to sit, go for the upstairs. The loft is definitely the coveted dining area. However, the whole little restaurant is very cozy and charming; cured Italian meats hang from the ceiling and racks of wine line the vaulted ceiling. Our waitress/hostess was this lovely little Italian woman who wore giant black-rimmed glasses and delivered the complicated specials like she had made them herself.

Prior to bringing out our meals, she served us house bread with a dipping sauce that contained olive oil, pesto and red chili flakes. So good! Our meals definitely took some time to come out (30 minutes or so), but we all agreed they were well worth the wait. I ordered the Salmon Balsalmico, grilled filet of salmon, served on a bed of steamed spinach, with aged balsalmic vinegar sauce ($14.95). The result was phenomenal: the fish melted in my mouth and the balsalmic sauce had a rich flavor that I only wish my Trader Joes balsalmic could deliver.

Also, noteworthy was my sister’s Tortelloni di Zucca, tortelloni stuffed with pumpkin in a creamy tomato, pesto and Parmigiano sauce ($13.95). An entrée as rich as this doesn’t generally appeal to me; however, I had the pleasure of finishing off her leftovers the next day and possibly preferred her dish over my salmon. It’s a toss up though - both are highly recommended!

FOR NEXT TIME: I probably would not go on a Saturday or Sunday night, but I would like to go back because it is such a kitch little restaurant! Also, I want to try the Fregola con Arselle, pan-roasted manila clams with toasted pasta grains, lemon, spices, tomato-white wine sauce; served with garlic bread ($12.95), appetizer. I bet their hazelnut gelato is good too!

Fork Rating for Pizzicotto:

Accessibility: 1 Fork (parking was tricky on top of the wait)

Ambiance: 4 Forks (it was a bit loud)

Authenticity: 4.5 Forks

Service: 3.5 Forks (mostly just because of the wait – I loved our server)

Taste Factor: 4.5 Forks