Restaurant Review: Ciccio Italian Cafe

VARIETY: Ciccio Italian Cafe offers something to suit everybody's tastes. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Growing up with a Sicilian family, I am well versed in traditional Italian cuisine. I learned to make a red sauce pasta when I was 5 years old and frequently make dishes from a collection of family recipes passed down through four generations.

Since moving to Rotorua, I have made it my mission to try every Italian restaurant in the area to see who measures up to my nonna and her famous pasta al forno.

Ciccio Italian Cafe was next on my list of places to try and with my sister down for the weekend, there was no better time to give it a go.

In the winter months, you can cosy up on the couch next to the fire and in the summer you can sit outside and bask in the sunshine or escape to the air conditioned comfort indoors. The decor is eclectic with chandeliers, gilded mirrors and an Adonis-like concrete torso gracing the entrance.

-The service is upbeat and efficient without being overbearing. We were promptly seated on arriving and after each course we were asked how it was and whether we would like anything else.

We asked the waitress to recommend a suitable drink and she displayed a keen knowledge of the drinks menu and suggested a red wine based on our main meal selection.

Our plates were cleared quickly and we didn't have to wait longer than 15 minutes between each course.

-The food menu was extensive, offering a selection of salads, pasta, risotto, chicken, steak, and seafood mains (including pizza during the lunch service).

In a cabinet near the back of the restaurant, Ciccio offers full cakes people can purchase to take home for a special occasion or just a cheeky treat.

For starters, we shared the mozzarella dippers which came with a plum dipping sauce.

For our main course, I ordered the spaghetti napoletana ($18.50) and my sister ordered the spaghetti meatballs ($25.50). Both had the same red sauce and my sister's meatballs were large and homemade.

For dessert, we shared a slice of the contemporary tiramisu cake which was creamy and decadent.

-The drinks menu has a generous selection of hot drinks, beers, wines, and non-alcoholic beverages. We tried the Farnese Sangiovese ($8.50 per glass) with our mains and were not disappointed. The subtle red complemented our pasta dishes and didn't overpower the palate.

-The prices are reasonable for how much you get. The main meals range from $18.50 (spaghetti napoletana) to $41.50 (garlic prawns topping a grilled steak). Ciccio also offer a small but diverse kids menu for $11 per meal. The starters and desserts are big enough to share, or if you would like to try a variety of meals on the menu, order two to share.

-Overall Whether you enjoy a buzzing, lively atmosphere at night or a casual, relaxed lunch, Ciccio Italian Cafe is the place. The staff are friendly and you are guaranteed to walk - or waddle - out satisfied.