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Italian eatery offers romantic setting
Tucked away in the oftoverlooked Sycamore Plaza lies Alessio Ristorante Italiano, where authentic house-made recipes are served in a welcoming and elegant environment. From the outside, Alessio appears modest, with a simple green trellis and potted trees framing the small patio, perfect for al fresco dining. Once inside, visitors will find a chic interior decorated in warm earth tones, with wroughtiron details and rustic touches. Opposite the granite bar is a lounge-style seating area, with low tables and benches overflowing with pillows- a comfortable hangout on Friday and Saturday nights, when the restaurant morphs into a martini-and-music lounge. During the day, the lounge's long high-backed booths separate the main dining room from the bar scene.
This restaurant's raised ceiling depicts Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam," while a painting of boot-shaped Italy incorporating the Alessio moniker greets guests on the entryway floor. Just as the restaurant's design fuses the traditional with the modern, its menu presents classic dishes with fine-dining flair. General manager and partner Robert Ravi sang the praises of the restaurant's family recipe Tuscan lasagna and its allnatural, hand-cut filet mignon. But what is his personal favorite? The cioppino- a seafood stew of clams, mussels, calamari and the fish of the day served over pasta in a marinara sauce.
According to Ravi, fresh ingredients are the secret in Alessio's cuisine. "We buy fresh and we serve fresh," he said. "That's what makes it special." Appetizers like calamari fritti and pasta e fagioli (pasta and bean soup) are great ways to warm up the palate before digging into tortellini con panna e prosciutto (cheesy tortellini in a cream sauce with Italian ham and asparagus) or saltimbocca d'Alessio (veal scaloppini topped with Italian ham, sage and provolone in a marsala mushroom sauce). The less adventurous will find comfort in traditional spaghetti and meatballs, while those seeking lighter fare will enjoy the Veneziana (arugula, radicchio, hearts of palms and shaved Parmigiano cheese in balsamic vinaigrette). Ravi said he can close his eyes, point to any dish on the menu and feel confident the customer will love it. With most entrees priced from $13 to $19 and salads from $8 to $15, the goal is providing top quality at affordable prices. "That's our edge," Ravi said, "that we are providing a fine dining experience at a very reasonable price, but we're not sacrificing the service, quality or quantity." Hearty portions are large enough to share or take home, so be careful not to fill up on the warm dinner rolls served with garlic-infused olive oil. A "must try" is the pollo florentina, a colorful dish featuring sautéed chicken breast smothered in mushrooms, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil. With a new Sunday brunch, a "power lunch" menu for busy professionals, and its dual personality as a restaurant and a lounge, Alessio's food and form fit any occasion. Alessio is a great spot for working lunches, family suppers and romantic date nights. In a Nutshell Alessio Ristorante & Bar 2982 Cochran St. Simi Valley (805) 522-2022 Sunday brunch: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch: Mon.-Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner: Mon.-Thurs., 5 to 9 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 5 to 10 p.m.; Sun., 4 to 9 p.m. |
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