By Gary Nager
For those of you who were hoping for the return of the original Ciccio & Tony’s in Tampa Palms when Ciccio’s Cali opened toward the end of 2013 a couple of miles from the old location in the prime former World of Beer space in the Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms, I have some words of advice: Get over it.
Ciccio’s Cali isn’t Ciccio & Tony’s and yes, I miss the full liquor bar and some of my favorite dishes from the old menu, but the prettier new eatery has plenty to offer, including improvements to some of the old dishes, for those who loved the healthy-food-with-pizzazz theme that still permeates every dish on the menu.
The Ciccio’s Cali concept actually started in St. Pete in 2002, but it took more than a decade for Ciccio Restaurant Group owner James Lanza and his gastronomically gifted crew to perfect and refine the concept enough to be able to open additional locations all with the same quality. When the Tampa Palms Ciccio’s Cali opened in December, a third link in the Cali chain opened shortly thereafter in Brandon.
[new_royalslider id="34"]
Manager Robert Garofano, the familiar face of Ciccio’s to many of us, is back running the show in Tampa Palms and although Robert says he, too, misses some things about the old Ciccio’s, but admits, “The food is still the most important thing and I know the food quality is as good as ever and is definitely more consistent.”
And no, I’m not going to argue. Our office already has plenty of favorites, including Ciccio’s improved thin-crust, brick oven pizzas (everyone’s raving about Tony’s chicken Marsala pizza, although I prefer the “make your own combo”), penne marsala and four-cheese pasta, many of the delicious, healthy salads (thankfully, no one messed with the lip-smacking balsamic house dressing), fresh “Bowl Culture” bowls with everything from perfectly seared ahi tuna to avocado glazed Buffalo chicken breast, all served with the freshest veggies over your choice of yellow, brown or sticky rice, or for a little more, faro, Asian noodles and even spaghetti squash. All three tuna bowls on the menu (the “Poki,” “Big Tuna” and “Hot & Crunchy Tuna” are awesome, but I like the heat of the Hot & Crunchy a little more, although the wasabi aioli drizzle on the Big Tuna and the spicy rayu ponzu sauce on the Poki should both be sold in bottles.
Other bowl favorites for our office include the Mexican (Chopped chicken breast, black beans, tomato, avocado, sour cream, cheddar cheese, crisp lettuce and choice of dipping sauce) and the Thai (chicken breast or grilled steak, crisp lettuce, scallions, cilantro, carrots, mango, crisp wontons and peanut aioli.
I really think the new stir fry entrées are a big improvement over the old menu, especially the chicken & baby broccoli (chicken breast, stirfry veggies, sliced jalapeños, cashews, baby broccoli and a Thai-style ginger garlic sauce that I could eat every day. And, speaking of Thai-influenced cuisine, the spicy Thai red chile and coconut curry stir fry entrées are not like anything you’ve had at Ciccio’s before.
There’s some new wrap sandwiches on the menu, although assistant editor Matt Wiley and I agree that our favorite so far is the Cali steak is our favorite so far. It features grilled steak, lettuce, black beans, corn, salsa, sour cream, guacamole and cheddar cheese and with Ciccio’s still-awesome horseradish sauce, it can’t be beat. Other wrap favorites in our office include the vegetarian (although you can add chicken) gyro made with white bean hummus, feta cheese, black olives, lettuce and tomato and the quesadilla wrap (with blackened chicken or grilled steak, black beans, roasted poblanos, cilantro and jalapeño jack cheese.
And yes, there are still Cali “Fit” and “Fish for Life” options. I’m not usually the biggest tilapia fan, but the herb-crusted tilapia in the Fish for Life is definitely yummy and I think the pieces of chicken in the “Fit” are better than the former sliced chicken breast.
Brunch, Too!
Considering how few real weekend brunch places we have in New Tampa, Ciccio’s Cali’s new brunch menu is available 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday and it is awesome.
From whole wheat pancakes to San Fran pretzel French toast, Monterey hash and Tex-Mex egg bowls make it a uniquely delicious way to start any weekend day, especially with live music in Ciccio’s beautifully redone courtyard and tasty mimosas and wine-based bloody Marys.
Tuesdays after 5 p.m., Ciccio’s Cali is proud to offer “$2 Tuesdays, with $2 “Cali Flats” (like mini tacos) and $2 glasses of sangria and select draft beers .
And, although I have no aversion to gluten, for those who are looking for dairy- and/or gluten-free options, Ciccio’s Cali has you covered, too. All of the dishes meeting those and vegetarian dietary restrictions will find not only plenty of options on the menu, but also for dessert, with literally the best gluten-free cupcakes I’ve tasted and chunky chocolate chip cookies that I’m not sure fits that category.
In other words, check out Ciccio’s Cali and tell them that Gary sent you.
Ciccio’s Cali (17004 Palm Pointe Dr..) is open every day for lunch and dinner. For info, call 975-1222 or visit CiccioRestaurantGroup.com.
No comment yet, add your voice below!