Boccali's

Boccali's Restaurant Review:

This casual mom-and-pop Italian spot tucked away at the east end of Ojai allows you to sit at picnic tables and eat pizza, and enjoy views of the orange orchards and majestic oaks. Pizza toppings include interesting options like sun-dried tomatoes, green chilies and roasted red peppers. Baked pasta dishes like lasagna, eggplant Parmesan and ravioli are covered in bubbling cheese, delivered piping hot to your table by friendly servers. Many dishes can be made with vegetarian sauce, and most of the herbs and vegetables are grown in the garden. (Don’t miss the summer tomatoes.) Side dishes include sautéed vegetables like zucchini, broccoli or mushrooms. The freshly squeezed lemonade and orange juice are made from local citrus. Save room for seasonal desserts, namely summer strawberry shortcake and winter apple cobbler. The huge lawn is often booked for parties, but they don’t interfere with regular restaurant operations. A tiny wine list includes several from Boccali’s own winery in the Ojai Valley. A second location in nearby Oak View (840 Ventura Ave., 805-649-1057) offers a similar menu.