Dicicco's

[monkey]

I got to eat at Dicicco's tonight as a pre opening guest of some friends. Dicicco's welcomed employees of the other businesses in the plaza and their friends for a soft opening to work in the kitchen and other employees. I believe they are scheduled to open to the public this Friday night. We all shared the fried ravioli appetizer, served with the red sauce. They were good, but they tasted like there were jalapenos in the ravioli. The flavor was good, but I didn't expect the spicy taste in an Italian restaurant. Yet, I would order it again. For dinner I had a combo plate with Lasagna and meat ravioli and it was very good. My hubby had Veal Parmesana and our friends had spaghetti and another combo plate. Everyone was very happy with their meal A couple of us added salads which would cost $1.99 with a dinner and was your basic greens, red lettuce, salami and a couple of slices of cheese. We had their Italian dressing which was a light vinaigrette and was good. It was a very pleasant experience and we are thrilled that a good Italian restaurant is in Oakhurst. Prices were fair and service was good, expecially since they haven't even officially opened up. I'm sure they will have a couple of bumps during their first weeks, every business does, but I hope you will try them and enjoy it as much as we did.

[Ironhorse]

I've always enjoyed the Dicicco's Restaurants. My youngest son worked at one of them for awhile. I can make a meal off of their Clam Chowder and french bread or garlic/cheese bread. Can't wait.

[Dodgergirl]

I'd like to try it soon, did you happen to get the hours/days?

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Diccos is good.. just avoid anything that is cooked in grease.... and the pizza.... Zit City!! but their Scarface is good. and their spaghetti is good too. Love their fresh bread.

[Summer]

Mama Mia!! I just can't wait for this place to open up. Haven't had a good Italian meal in Oakhurst since Andrades.

[Summer]

Anyone know when this place is opening up?

[monkey]

I've heard that they had to delay opening due to the County and permit issues, but that they are scheduled to open this Wednesday. This is all hearsy, so call them first to verify they are open before you go.

[Summer]

I see DiCicco's is now open. Anybody been there yet?

[Ironhorse]

Not yet, but I'm on "vacation" this week and I'm planning to stop by tomorrow for lunch or dinner and get some take out.

[tallcoolone]

Well, I took my Mom to lunch today around 12:45 to check it out.....They were quite busy, which I believed to be a good sign. Our waitress seemed rushed and kept apologizing for the long waits. I thought the food was good, not great, however. The food was hot and they delivered nice sized portions.

I prepare a lot of italian food, and found this a little bland for my taste. I ordered the Sophia pasta dish with whole grain pasta. It had shrimp, and was to come with a light tomato and basil sauce. There were maybe 6 shrimp and it was pretty oily. The whole grain pasta was done to perfection with a bit of bite. My mom had the lasagne. It was better -- nice flavor with the meat but the sauce was a little too tomato paste like, in our opinion. Her meal also came with a soup or salad and she chose the Minestrone. It seemed more veggie soup to us.

For the 2 of us, with iced teas & tip it came to $30. Lunch took us about an hour.

[Mysteefied]

I've been there twice, once the first week it opened, the second time a week later.
The first time was a bit slow on my food, but the rest of my party got their food pretty fast, they were working out the bugs, so I didn't hold it against them, the owner even came over and apoligized and comped my meal. everything tasted pretty good. I ordered the Manicotti.

The second time was better, food came in a good amount of time, I had the scarface pasta, which to me was SOOO GOOD! I am Italian, I have had the best food from my family, but this was DANG GOOD! I'd go back for more.

I do plan on eating there again and trying something different each time.

[LU]

My husband has been there three times... he wasn't fond of the spaghetti marinara.. the sauce was too bland. The following 2 x he had the Scarface (Chicken and Mushrooms in an Alfredo sauce). I went with him late last week and had Pene Pasta w/ marinara sauce... the pasta looked as it had been stirred w/ the sauce and there was about 1-2 tbsp. of sauce underneath the pasta, none on top. Very dry, very bland... even added salt & pepper didn't help. I'll make sure to mention to the server next time to have the chef add extra.

[monkey]

I've eaten there about 4 times. Once was pre opening to help break in the staff. I've always been pleased with the food, really glad that they offer wheat pasta for those of us dieting. It would be nice if they offered turkey meatballs, but I guess one can't have everything. The service has been a bit spotty, but I think they are still breaking in staff. It's always difficult for a new business that opens to tons of people while training staff, so I'm going to reserve my opinion of service. I've only had red sauces on my dinners as I hafta stay away from the cream sauces, I agree with LU that at times they can put more sauce on the pastas, but they have been nice about bringing me a small side dish of extra upon request.

[Kim]

We ate dinner there last night. Steve had the pasta Michelle, and I had chicken parmesan. Huge servings; Steve loved his, I liked mine but couldn't eat it all. It was a little too heavy on the cheese, but the sauce and chicken were good and I could cut the chicken with my fork.
I used to work with the grandmother of some of the DiCicco kids, and it was fun to see the pasta names and know that I've met those kids and heard grandma-braggings about them.

[Ironhorse]

We ate dinner there last night. Steve had the pasta Michelle, and I had chicken parmesan. Huge servings; Steve loved his, I liked mine but couldn't eat it all. It was a little too heavy on the cheese, but the sauce and chicken were good and I could cut the chicken with my fork.
I used to work with the grandmother of some of the DiCicco kids, and it was fun to see the pasta names and know that I've met those kids and heard grandma-braggings about them.


I didn't make it there today, for sure I'm going tomorrow. One of my son's used to work at the Madera DiCicco's, for Marco. He loved it there, and we'd get surpise late night snacks of the leftover bread, still fresh. We used to eat there a lot, myself, I miss it. My favorites were the pizza, lasagna, clam chowder and bread and garlic bread. Oh yeah, and the calzoni's!

[Yosemite Joy]

DICICCIO'S DELIVERS!!!

I got a pizza and pasta primavera, and it is delicious and hot and quickly here!!

YAY!!!!!!!!

They only deliver on weekdays as their weekends are way too busy to have time for prompt delivery. I am so happy, now we need a chinese place to deliver.

[monkey]

YJ, congratualtions!!! I just noticed your ticker. I hope you have a happy, healthy pregnancy and baby.
I'm glad DiCicco's delivers. I'll have to find out if they come out to my house. I LOVE thier chicken Cacciatori and it's on my diet!

[Yosemite_Wolf]

havent been to the Oaky DiCiccos, but the one on Abby in Fresburg is ok.. as long as you stay away from stuff like pizza and meatballs... lots of their stuff comes included with a lifejacket cos the food is swimmin in oil. but stuff like Scarface is good. and their Garlic bread is da bomb.
I try to follow a Mediterranean Diet.... and that includes foods low in grease and red meat. and lots of whole wheat grains...and LOTS of hummus and couscous

[CatdaBrat]

Speaking of meatballs, I enjoyed my spaghetti, but was kinda surprised that my side order of meatballs was just two little ones. They were good, but just two???

[RomeoFoxtrot]

During my last visit I dropped in as a single diner, within 20 minutes of closing.

I'd had a very long day and was look for an "OK, no hassle dinner."

Both the salad and the main course were FAR better than I expected.

I'm looking forward to taking my very Italian wife as soon as we can.

RF gives it two thumbs up!

Romeo

[LU]

Since my first post in September which I wish I could take back , I've been there several times (at least 15) and the food and service is excellent!

[Pierre.Carella]

Apparently, the previous customers never went in Italy. The reception is at "the head of the customer". It is not good to be a foreigner in this restaurant
We went in this restaurant on August 1st, 2008. We were 2 Américans and 2 French. Because we spoke in french, the waitress thought we were "tourists"..
Soft pastas. it is whorst for the children menu. Does the childrend stupid and have to eat anything ? A waitress who does not know "Carbonara pasta".
The meat is a solid carpet.
The service is automatically added on the invoice TWICE while, usually, it is at the appreciation of the customer.
To avoid absolutely.
___

Réception lamentable. il vaut mieux éviter de parler français dans ce restaurant. Ils ne connaissent pas la plupart des plats "Italiens" comme les pâtes à la Carbonara, etc. Le menu enfant est pathétique..
À la fin, ils nous inclus par 2 FOIS le service dans la note alors qu'aux Usa, il est à l'appréciation du client (entre 10 et 18 %)

[Iris]

As one who has yet to visit this restaurant, I feel that my objectivity is valid. I do not believe that one should have the expectation that "American" Italian dishes will be comparable to "Italian" Italian dishes (with regard to the children's menu being perceived inadequate, I have a feeling that special orders might have been accommodated if requested). What appears to be a sense (my French is quite rusty) that the server was biased against "foreigners" truly is not appropriate or fair. I have resided in Cambria and Monterey, as well as in Oakhurst and the majority of "locals" value all visitors and appreciate the diversity that they bring to the area. Perhaps your party might have chosen to speak to the Manager to resolve what was likely a communication issue. I hope that you will return to this area in the future!

[Dodgergirl]

I personally don't care for Diciccos myself and after a few times, decided to not go back... at least for awhile..
But, your post brings up an interesting point, why are most 'children's menus' filled with chicken strips, fries, burgers and the occasional pasta? My kids would eat off the regular menu because most of the kids choices were lacking. My daughter actually would get upset if fettucine alfredo wasn't available. The belief that children don't eat vegetables and salads is a myth, it's all on what they're brought up eating.
(OK, a shameless plug) Actually where I work during the summer months has a good childrens menu. The menu has child size prime rib, spaghetti (two ways), some fried stuff... (chicken and fries) and even a good old PB&J! Most come with fresh fruit which is so much better than the typical menu. There is even a child soup and/or salad option.

[BGW]

As a food server, I would like to add that I am opposed to automatically adding the gratuity to the check for any reason other than for a large party of say 8 or more. In the cases where the gratuity is clearly shown, the guest still has the option of not paying the amount listed and may choose to pay a lesser or higher amount or the may choose to not leave a tip at all depending on the quality of the service they received. Having the gratuity added to the invoice twice sounds like a mistake and not something that is a common practice. I am truly sorry your dining experience was not as you had hoped.

[Pierre.Carella]

Dear "Iris"
My answer was not personnal to you...
When I go to a French restaurant, it is to eat French, when I go to a Japanese restaurant, it is to eat Japanese, when I go to an Italian restaurant, it is to eat Italian. I do not come to eat fashionable Italian American. We have to respect the culture of the country of origin.
I am journalist. I live between Paris and San Jose in alternation for 17 years. I speak English but with a French accent. Most of the restaurant owners respect me in Usa as any customer.
Other thing, I am French but I like the USA for a rare detail in France: the reception. It was not the case in this restaurant.
The reception was common. No glass of water, I had to ask for it. For the coffee, it was necessary to ask for it every time.
The menu is common and adapted to the American "culture". The purpose is not the quality but to make business. Only
Did you see the menu a child ? Common. Does the children are good enough to eat hamburgers or pasta and drink Coke ? How to develop the taste to them ?
We were 2 Americans and 2 French which spoke in French. The waitress took us for of vulgar tourists.
Yes, pastas were soft, the escalope lasts, etc. The flat dish soaked in the sauce, etc.
At the time of leaving, the swindle. It belongs to the customer to decide on the gratuity. I hold the note at your disposal. It was TWICE charged to us.
We deducted automatically the service and we left. Our American friend threw the money on the ground and treated the waitress of swindler. She deserved it...

[Ironhorse]

To assume that an American/Italian restaurant wouldn't serve food adapted to American tastes is somewhat naive. Unless they advertised, which they don't, "Authentic Italian food", I wouldn't expect it to be like the Italian food made in Italy. And if I'm understanding that one of the party actually threw their money on the floor, that is unbelievably rude, regardless of the circumstances, they should have shown more class. It doesn't appear that any attempt was made to rectify the complaints with the manager, whom I have always found more than gracious in dealing with problems. That should have been the first step if no satisfaction was obtained from the server or host/hostess. And yes, they are more than willing to make special child sized plates from the adult menu.

[Pierre.Carella]

Not need to be naïve to find a true Italian restaurant in the USA. I know some in San Fancisco, San Jose, New York, etc. Dicicco's is just a chain of "restaurant" as McDonald, etc.
It is the restaurant which thinks that the children "bulge" on the place to eat.
Cheers...

Ps / On the contrary, the reception and the service in Best Western Hotel in the same city is superbe...

[monkey]

I've eaten at DiCicco's many times. No it is nothing like a restaurant in Italy, but I don't expect to find authentic Italian food unless I'm in a big city like San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, etc where there is a large Italian population. It's usually the same with any ethnic restaurant. For example, the California rolls found at a Japanese restaurant would never be found in Japan.
I've always enjoyed my meal and service and found the managers/owners to be very accommodating. I'm sorry you had a bad experience, that is not the norm.

[Dodgergirl]

I've eaten at DiCicco's many times. No it is nothing like a restaurant in Italy, but I don't expect to find authentic Italian food unless I'm in a big city like San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, etc where there is a large Italian population. It's usually the same with any ethnic restaurant. For example, the California rolls found at a Japanese restaurant would never be found in Japan.
I've always enjoyed my meal and service and found the managers/owners to be very accommodating. I'm sorry you had a bad experience, that is not the norm.

They have California Rolls in Japan? :rofl:

[Ironhorse]

DiCicco's is not a chain to be compared to McDonalds, that's ridiculous. It is a small chain, family owned and operated. Granted, they have 19 restaurants, but to compare them to something on the scale of McDonald's is still ridiculous. Since they've been in operation since they started their first restaurant in 1956 or thereabouts, they can't be too terrible. And most of their employees have been with them for years. Besides, the food's better at DiCicco's, LOL

[Mysteefied]

"Our American friend threw the money on the ground and treated the waitress of swindler. She deserved it..."

That is seriously the RUDEST thing I have ever heard of! You and your snobby friends should be ashamed, here you are complaining of the service and yet you lower yourself to the standards that you complain about. You behaviour embarasses me as a human being, you should go back and apologize, If you did that at leaving, It makes me wonder what you did to that poor server as she was serving you!

SHAME ON YOU!!!

Perhaps you WERE the vulgar tourists that you suggest she was treating you like...sounds to me like you earned the title!

[Ironhorse]

"Our American friend threw the money on the ground and treated the waitress of swindler. She deserved it..."

That is seriously the RUDEST thing I have ever heard of! You and your snobby friends should be ashamed, here you are complaining of the service and yet you lower yourself to the standards that you complain about. You behaviour embarasses me as a human being, you should go back and apologize, If you did that at leaving, It makes me wonder what you did to that poor server as she was serving you!

SHAME ON YOU!!!

Perhaps you WERE the vulgar tourists that you suggest she was treating you like...sounds to me like you earned the title!

Exactly! Well said.

[Iris]

"Our American friend threw the money on the ground and treated the waitress of swindler. She deserved it..."

That is seriously the RUDEST thing I have ever heard of! You and your snobby friends should be ashamed, here you are complaining of the service and yet you lower yourself to the standards that you complain about. You behaviour embarasses me as a human being, you should go back and apologize, If you did that at leaving, It makes me wonder what you did to that poor server as she was serving you!

SHAME ON YOU!!!

Perhaps you WERE the vulgar tourists that you suggest she was treating you like...sounds to me like you earned the title!


Upon reading the gentleman's (a term which is quite loosely applied, I assure you), description of the behavior of his party I was appalled! Never have I heard of such unspeakably demeaning and despicable behavior directed at anyone. How dare they! They are very lucky that matters were not taken into other patrons hand's to "take out the trash", which would have been my inclination. Thank you Mystee, for your "right on target" comments!