Dolci Cafe Italiano — Restaurant in California

On our date night this week we wanted to try something new and after driving around awhile entered Dolci late in the evening. The waitress was pleasant and the standard menu drinks and whatnot took place. Then Tony came out from the kitchen and offered us the days special - lamb chops.

I have to say, I've had lamb before but not like this. He gave me a knife but it wasn't necessary and i didn't use it. This lamb was so awesome it cut easy with a fork. ( minus the bone) it did not have any of the gamey flavor that most anti-lamb folks complain about. It was in a word - delectable. Truly mind blowing, the Mediterranean salad was spectacular with the appropriate amount of calmata olives and feta chese. My wife's ravioli was noteworthy as well with it's flavor and presentation.

At this time in our dinner we were already blown away and were ready to go to the yogurt place nearby when my wife asked if they had a brownie. Although they didn't they did have some gluten free chocolate cake. Now I'm no gluten free person and usually think those things taste like chalk but i have to say after biting into this gf cake i was sold. This may have to be the best dessert I've had at any Italian restaurant.

Overall opinion: my wife and i are huge Italian fans and historically thought il fornaio on Coronado to be the best. However, considering the taste and quality of the food, the environment, and the wait staff + chef we might have just found our new Italian home.

Having eaten at Italian restaurants at every chance we get we highly recommend dolci's. We will...

It's a small strip mall Italian style restaurant. Keep that in mind when you go to eat. The spaghetti and meatballs is a penne pasta with American meatballs (Spaghetti is a long, thin, cylindrical shape and meatballs aren’t Italian). The plates the waiter brought to the table were dirty and we got some clean ones off the menu table. The ravioli was a perfect portion 5 or 6 on the plate for lunch, just enough to fill without carrying your stomach for the rest of the day. It was a little over $50 dollars for 2 pasta plates and an appetizer of calamari. The food was on the table so quick like if it was pre made or reboiled heated. The calamari was okay, but, something I wouldn’t order again. I did feel rushed because the waiter was the only one on duty (although it’s a small place and he had bussers) there was no individual attention at all, just what to drink and your order. We had to do the rest, ask for the to go, pack it and go up to the register and get the check to pay. Marlon Brando, really? The painting should be Al Pacino! Meh….On to the...

Went here for the first time since moving to the area. The staff are very friendly and atmosphere is cozy. I think my salmon entree was done before the rest of the entrees because it wasn't very hot (or at least the veggies and sauce/risoni/pasta [unsure what to call what the salmon was on top of] were not) when it came out. The salmon was still hot in the middle when I ate it, so that was good.

We also ordered Tuscan Kale salad, Fettuccine Cartoccio, Cioppino, and a Napoletana (White Pizza). All of those came out (from what I could tell) freshly made (they came out hot!) and were all very good.

We also had their gelato (all 3 flavors- chocolate, vanilla, & pistachio). All 3 together are so good. I'm not a huge dessert person but that was simple and delicious. Great way to end dinner.

I wouldn't reduce the stars I'm giving them just because of those warm veggies. They were operating with reduced staff but doing their very best to be attentive to all customers.

I will definitely come here again and enjoy, probably, a pasta dish and more of...