The Future of Protein Dinner

Prepare to have your taste buds challenged and delighted as we embark on a culinary escapade to this gorgeous island off the east coast of Italy—Sardinia. We’ll explore the unconventional bites that make La Cicca in San Francisco a must-visit.

 

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Starting Strong
We kicked off our Sardinian feast with a plate of Burrata cheese adorned with Arugula, Anchovies, and a Truffles dressing. A bold introduction to the unique flavors that awaited us.

Seafood Sensation
Shaved Bottarga and Celery Salad followed—a dish that showcased the distinctive taste of dried mullet roe. The perfect precursor to the culinary adventure ahead.

Outrageous Octopus
Prepare for a visual and flavorful spectacle with the Baby Octopus stew in a spicy Tomato Sauce. Outrageous and a true showstopper on the table.

Pasta Perfection
Our journey through Sardinian cuisine continued with the rich and hearty Cavatelli Pork Sugo, setting the stage for the flavor bomb that was Fresh Fettucine with Seafood, Citrus Zest, all bathed in Squid Ink.

Secondi Triumphs
Seared Cod with Tomato, Olives, Capers, and Almonds graced our table—a perfect balance of flavors. Accompanied by a show-stopping Seared Lamb Tenderloin Tagliata Sardinian Saba, where Saba, akin to aged balsamic vinegar, added a rich and sweet note.

Amidst Friends and Laughter
Joined by two dearest and oldest friends, our lively conversation crescendoed throughout the meal. Laughter echoed, and we even earned a private stash of Mirto, an amaro-like digestivo, from the owner.

A Taste of Sardinia in San Francisco
Sardinian cuisine may not be synonymous with a classic red sauce joint or San Francisco, but La Cicca is changing that narrative. In the heart of the city, this Italian gem offers a unique culinary experience that might not be for everyone, but trust us—it’s all delicious.

For its bold flavors, unconventional delights, and a touch of Sardinian charm, La Cicca secures the #3 spot on our list of the 10 best Italian restaurants in San Francisco. Join us in redefining your Italian dining experience on the west coast. 🍝✨

The chefs and owners at Olmstead and Maison Yaki have graciously set up a fundraiser dinner to support a woman’s right to choose. Along with Greg and team they’ve invited some of their best chef friends to participate in making the Yellowhammer Fund charity meal extra delicious. There are two seatings and we think these tickets will go fast. A seat gets you all the food and drink you can consume plus a whole lot of feel good for your donation. Plus, you get to hang in a restaurant filled with a like-minded community all night. June 24th in Brooklyn at 5pm and 7:30pm seatings.

Walking around Arthur Avenue feels a little like a throwback to the days of my grandfather. Just off the boat from Italy, adapting to the “new” city by finding ways to make mozzarella and salami in these new urban conditions. We walk the shops and visit Mike’s Deli at least every quarter year BUT we rarely have more than our Italian roots to tell us the story of the streets we stroll. We wish we had Bronx resident and food aficionado with us on our visits. The 92st. Y’s Arthur Avenue Food Tour grants that wish. Susan will accompany you to her favorite spots while explaining some history of the neighborhood, Italian-American immigration and the food production. Saturday, June 18 @ 11am – 1:30pm. Meeting spot TBA.

Dinner, food science, your favorite chefs and helping kids. We should end this post right there. There won’t be a better sentence than that in the rest of this post. Despite that not even being a full sentence, we’ll fill you in a bit more. Jeff Salaway was one of the founders of Hayground school and he passed in 2001. His friends and family carried on his mission which is best summed up in the following quote. Jeff believed, “The growing, preparation and sharing of food is a primal human experience and the foundation of family and community.” Sounds a lot like what we’re always talking up. No wonder we were enamored by this event and the work the Hayground School is doing with kids. Although a seat at Hayground Chef’s Dinner is a steep one, it couldn’t benefit a more important cause. Teach a kid to fish Jesus once said. Or, was that Tom Colicchio? Either way, invaluable skills. Sunday, July 31st at 6pm in Southhold, New York.