La Ciccia, Sardinian Restaurant 291 30th Street  San Francisco, CA 94131
(415) 550-8114  www.laciccia.com

Sardinia, A not too small island in the Mediterranean, geologically among the most ancient bodies of land in Europe and home to a people separated by 100 miles of water from the main land, but from one another; connected for eternity.

We are, fortunate to have had great influences from many regions of Italy.  My early education was via an east coast Italian Club, comprised primarily of Italians from the South.  Here in the San Francisco Bay area, we have of course a large community from Lucca, from other portions of Tuscany, from Genoa, Abruzzo and many other parts.  The food of course is regional, is different, but always of the highest quality and made with … Love.  It may seem like a cliché to say – but with all of the glitz and shinny shinny in new tv style restaurants- there is something truly wonderful about being welcomed into a restaurant by it’s owner; the co-owner the chef, the wait staff family / either by birth or by association.  A place where more than one of the patrons admitted they arrive home from work / one of the tech companies busses, or simply slowing down in their cars to check for a seat a the bar.  If there is one; than it’s Dinner at La Ciccia that evening.

Slightly bitter yet bright escarole salad, oven roasted calamari with basil oil, thinly sliced prosciutto and a glass of Vermentino di Gallura “Thilibas” Azienda Agricola Pedres 2010.  Tasting the warm, sometimes smoky beginnings to the meal- a signal the work day is coming to a close but the evening is just beginning.  Your are home.

I ran into a colleague from www.Newstalk910.com who arrived at the bar just like that. He slowed down in front of the restaurant, saw a few seats, ditched his car at his home and walked the 5 blocks to dinner.  Familiar faces a restaurant owner from Berkeley, and a gentlemen who stopped by in his 1962 powder blue Mercedes to pick up take out; he normally dines at La Ciccia each Thursday at the bar but as he adopted a new puppy – decided to spend this Thursday at home. 

We were at La Ciccia for our friend Elise's birthday.  She chose the restaurant because she loves the food, loves Lorella and Massimilano the owners, and it makes her feel good to be there.  There were eight of us at the table- a large number for an intimate restaurant.  We were conscious of not taking over the room- but realized from the welcome smiles of the other patrons this is both a destination restaurant and a neighborhood spot. 

Elise chose the menu in advance with the help of Lorella, in addition to plates of beautiful warm oven roasted Monterey calamari , crispy slightly bitter escarole with anchovy, tiny olives, Pani Guttiau (a traditional Sardinian Flat Bread) we dined on courses of home made pasta, Semolina Gnochetti with Pork Bagna and Pecorino plus a tagliatelle with house made sausage.

** We did not have the Sardinian Seafood Sugo with Squid Ink- but will return for that.  The wine selection begins in Sardinia, and moves to other portions of Italy, ending in Piedmont – a bit of a giggle of course; and why wouldn’t they?   The dinner progressed, a presentation of wonderful Cabbage with a hint of sweet, chard and other dishes arrived- two whole roasted Branzino (presented then taken from the bone) pan roasted lightly breaded pork loin with saffron onions.  I was full; happy; the volume at our table increased- we waffled between clearing the dishes and just one more taste.  We were successful and happy in our meal.  The Birthday Girl beamed and was slightly pink when presented with a selection of Sardinian ricotta and saffron cakes, Semifreddu de Turroi *tasting slightly like a holiday eggnog and  a selection of Sorbetti and Gelati.  We shared all, passing and discussing nougat vs rum, the merits of pistassio and Chocolate, of Lemon Verbina and Grape and raspberry.  All of the while finishing our Carignano Isola dei Nuraghi “6 Mura” Azienda Agricola 6 Mura 2007 a wine from Sardinia made of 100% carignano, spicy warm flavors, perfect with both the pork and the desserts! www.6mura.it  *from their website is the line “the constant oscillation between rupture and reconstruction” I mean, who wouldn’t love to be part of this!

The dinner slowly came to an end; we talked of our next trips, both vacation and business, and of Sardinia.  Taking a short hop plane, traveling about via car, via train, enjoying the freshest of seafood, and the absolute delight of the people. 

I will return to La Ciccia again- and soon – as I will look for Sardinia for a future trip.  

Joel  * Listen to me each Saturday 10am-1pm on NewsTalk910

La Ciccia, Sardinian Restaurant 291 30th Street  San Francisco, CA 94131
(415) 550-8114  www.laciccia.com

Wines

Vermentino di Gallura “Thilibas” Azienda Agricola Pedres www.villaitaliawines.com

Carignano Isola dei Nuraghi “6 Mura” Azienda Agricola www.6mura.it

Tourism to Sardinia www.sardegnaturismo.it/en/