For those who are unfamiliar, this refers to a shredded zucchini pasta alternative that resembles linguini.

When questioned about “signature” dishes, Ercoli explained that the Zinguini is a must-try. Visible care went into these salads: Every element was presented thoughtfully and with purpose. The Buratta salad was served beside it: soft mozzarella cheese on a bed of arugula with cherry tomatoes, dressed with olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar. In fact, this plate is a reason to return to Caffé Delfini-if that’s all you ordered, it would be a satisfying meal. The goat cheese was possibly the best I have ever tasted: moist and slightly tangy. (Every element was so gorgeously arranged on the plate that it felt rather cruel to disrupt the styling, so naturally, I snapped a quick photo before taking the plunge.) Francesco De Angelis.Īn Arrostiti con Caprino Fresco antipasti plate was then introduced, consisting of roasted red and yellow bell peppers paired with a sliced round of goat cheese and handful of Kalamata olives, drizzled with olive oil and a sprinkling of parsley. Dipping it in olive oil signaled a reminder that it tastes considerably better-and fresher-that way than with a spread of butter. All in all, the décor is uncluttered, allowing guests to really enjoy each piece of the experience.įor sampling, a basket of thinly cut, homemade crusty bread appeared first on the table. The exposed brick wall adds a rustic feel and the collection of lamps provide mood lighting.

It appears as a print on the wall in the interior of the restaurant alongside an intricate model ship resting on a dark wooden cabinet. This picture is significant to the owners as it relates to a statue they discovered and adored while traveling in London. Ercoli attributed their longevity to the “joy” it has brought them (another response that reinforced the serenity often possessed by Europeans).ĭelfini is defined in English as “dolphins,” and consequently, the restaurant logo is a boy grasping the tail of a dolphin. Owned by Gianpietro Silardi and Alessandro Ercoli, who hail from Pomezia and have been friends since childhood, Caffé Delfini has been a staple in the community for 29 years. Alessandro Ercoli and Gianpietro Silardi. For all intents and purposes, the Palisadian-Post had arrived in Italy. Immediately, his words summoned up imagery of a windmill or lighthouse atop a rolling meadow, where children run freely, perhaps flying a kite. “The hills around Rome,” replied Francesco De Angelis, headwaiter at Caffé Delfini in Santa Monica Canyon. The best thing about dining in an Italian restaurant owned and run by real Italians is that when you ask where they’re from, the responses are laced with a certain romance and grace that somehow cannot be replicated by the all-American breed. Photography by RICH SCHMITT | Staff Photographer

Caffe delfini