CAFFÉ DELFINI
147 W. Channel Rd. • Santa Monica Canyon • (310) 459-8823
A return visit to Caffé Delfini gives diners a warm welcome by one of the owners, either Alex or Gian Pietro, who greet new patrons with a welcoming handshake or returning diners with a hug. This is part of the cozy atmosphere that has made the restaurant distinctive since it opened in 1990. The setting is accented with interesting artwork adorning the walls, tables with white linens and comfy armchairs, a small bar on one side and an open kitchen on the other. There is a separate room for private parties, which keeps dining in duos, trios or small groups more intimate.
Of great interest is the zinguine, a pasta substitution created by the owners. Made by shaving zucchini to make a totally new creation—pasta perfect for those with health interests or who are gluten intolerant—zinguine has become very popular. No wonder: it is delicious. Baked with tomato sauce and cheese, this makes a great beginning.
The excellent insalata di carciofini of shaved fresh baby artichokes with aromatic fresh arugula and Parmesan cheese ($16) is served with a vibrant lemon, garlic and mustard dressing. Other salads vary from a simple chopped butter lettuce with shaved carrots and sliced tomatoes simply dressed for $8 to a lukewarm insalata di mare with Manila clams, New Zealand mussels, shrimp and calamari for $22. More than a dozen salads are listed, giving something for any appetite.
Soups vary from a simple vegetable version with vegetable broth ($9.50) and an asparagus purée that is non-dairy ($11), to the zuppa di pesce with clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp, fish and even a crab claw in a lightly spiced tomato sauce ($30).
Mediterranean branzino, a striped bass, was outstanding. Baked with white wine and a bit of rosemary and garlic, the fish was flavorful and beautifully presented. With the fish came scrumptious roasted rosemary potatoes (the Italians have a magical touch with these) and tasty spinach sautéed with garlic and red-chili flakes.
Linguine with lobster ($25) was my daughter’s choice. What a treat to have pieces of lobster in your pasta all perfectly cooked and in a delectable light pink sauce. The dozen other pastas listed vary in price from $14.50 for angel hair with fresh chopped tomatoes, basil and a touch of garlic with extra-virgin olive oil to $22 for linguine mare with seafood and a choice of tomato or white-wine sauce. Fettuccine Bolognese, with flat egg noodles and delicate lean ground natural veal in a tomato sauce, is $17.
All of the chicken or veal dishes are served with those wonderful roasted potatoes and sautéed vegetables. These include free-range chicken dishes priced at $23, veal medallions for $28 and sliced New York steak with balsamic sauce for $35. The fresh-fish entrées of salmon, jumbo shrimp and branzino are at market price.
A bit of rich chocolate tartuffo and coffee made a fine finish to this delightful dinner.
Caffé Delfini is open for dinner Monday through Saturday beginning at 5:30 p.m., and 5 p.m. on Sunday. The restaurant offers delivery service and take-out as well as catering either at your place or in the private banquet room. Beer and wine are served, and valet parking is available.
Both of the owners are to be congratulated for providing a neighborhood restaurant with a prize-winning Italian menu for over two decades.
Dungeness Crab Alert!
King’s Fish House in Calabasas and Long Beach invites crustacean aficionados to take advantage of its Wild Oregon Dungeness Crab selection during Dungeness crab season now through the end of June, based on fishing luck and availability.
Steamed and tender Dungeness crab will be available at The Water Grill downtown. Call first to make sure that the crab has come in. Contact: (213) 891-0900.
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