Il Dolce Awards

Il Dolce Restaurant Review:

Located in a renovated strip mall across from the northwest tip of The Triangle shopping complex, Il Dolce’s small yet light dining room emanates the scent of sweet wood smoke. Trained in making thin-crust pizzas in the Napoli style, chef and proprietor Roberto Bignes brings a taste of Italy to OC, along with a bit of his native grill-happy Argentina. The menu is long for such a tiny place, so start with the spicy beef empanada, crispy calamari with fresh marinara sauce or classically prepared bruschetta. Salads are refreshingly rustic, like the mixed greens with sweet Gorgonzola, candied pecans and Mandarin orange as well as the traditionally prepared salami, mozzarella and kalamata olive-starring chopped Insalata di Casa. Panini are good for lunch, but don’t miss the Italian and California fusion pizzas. We enjoy a pie with wood-fired blackness around the edges, mozzarella, Parmigiana, smoky prosciutto, peppery arugula and slightly sweet tomato sauce. Pastas and main courses like the free-range chicken piccata are full of quality ingredients and worth the fairly affordable prices. Desserts offer a mix of favorites and innovative treats such as blueberry pizza.