Civico 1845

Civico 1845 Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: This airy corner restaurant pulses with good energy and cheer, as the affable Gallo brothers, native Italians from Calabria, have created their dream in Little Italy. Simple everyday objects and vintage cooking utensils line the walls, giving the eatery a homey vibe that complements the seasonal, home-style cooking.

Food & Drinks: The menu spotlights southern Italian cuisine with house-made breads and pastas, including penne with roasted zucchini and crispy pancetta, pappardelle with short rib ragù, and Calabrian chili pasta cradling Caledonian prawns and cherry tomatoes. Meat eaters might venture toward the Kurobuta pork sausage; ricotta dumplings, crafted with fennel sausage and black truffle shavings; or center-cut filet with Amarena cherry sauce. The menu also features myriad vegan takes on Italian classics. Caprese calda mingles oven-roasted heirloom tomatoes with rice mozzarella and arugula pesto. A tasty lasagna is composed of seitan ragoût and vegan Parmigiano cheese made from nuts. Millet “meatballs" are jazzed up with edible flowers and a trio of sauces. For dessert, consider the rich and creamy chocolate mousse with salted caramel ginger cookie crumbles. A notable wine list offers up Italian varietals produced especially for Civico 1845, along with solid Californian choices and imports from around the globe.