News & Reviews
Ristorante Coronado NOW OPEN!
The newest in the Vigilucci's Restaurant Group, Vigilucci's Ristorante Coronado features an exceptional menu of certified prime steaks, fresh seafood and Italian favorites, complemented by an outstanding wine list. The restaurant's patio overlooks bustling Orange Avenue, while indoors, elegant decor including a wall-to-wall waterfall, ocean and Point Loma views, and a cozy lounge with piano bar enhance the dining experience.
GOURMET MARKET COMING soon TO CARLSBAD
SEAFOOD AND STEAKHOUSE NOW OFFERING BRUNCH
The Seafood, Steak and Chop House is now offering brunch from 10:00am – 2:00pm every Sunday. Come in to enjoy some of Vigilucci’s signature brunch items including Uova al Tartufo con Asparagi, two eggs sunny side up over fresh asparagus topped with butter and truffle sauce served with potatoes au gratin, fresh fruit and a toasted English Muffin, the 8oz New York Strip & Poached Eggs or the Capicolla Eggs Benedict. Click on the Seafood and Steakhouse Menu for a full list of Sunday brunch items you won’t want to miss!
Vigilucci’s Seafood, Steak & Chop House Opens in the Heart of La Jolla
Vigilucci’s Restaurant Group opened its seventh restaurant in La Jolla in late 2007. Adding to the company’s repertoire of fine Italian dining, Vigilucci’s Seafood, Steak & Chop House will be located in the heart of the La Jolla Village at 909 Prospect Street, formerly Cendio.Vigilucci’s Seafood, Steak and Chop House will boast an elegant, yet casually upscale atmosphere where everyone is welcome. The lunch and dinner menu will serve the finest steaks, fresh seafood and pasta. Menu items will be prepared with an Italian flair, which will set the new restaurant apart from other fine steakhouses in the area. The menu will be comprised of over ten unique homemade pasta dishes, a risotto of the day, along with a multitude of fresh fish and seafood. It will also feature the highest grade cuts of beef, including Filet Minot and bone-in New York, as well as lamb, veal and pork chops. Entrées will start at $16. Lunch and Sunday brunch will also be served.
Restaurateur Roberto Vigilucci says, “Most people think of pasta when it comes to Italian food. In Italy, Italian food means much, much more. Our vision is to expand conceptions of Italian cuisine and offer our diners a menu filled will deliciously unique sophistication.”
READ SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE REVIEW OF SEAFOOD, STEAK AND ChOP HOUSE
Vigilucci’s Restaurant Group Announces New Executive Chef -The Flavors and Ambience of Italy Come to San Diego-
There’s no doubt about it – his last name screams ‘Come-a-get-a-fine Italian food!’ Vigilucci’s Restaurant Group announces a new addition to its fine family of San Diego-based restaurants: Executive Chef Nicola Calamari. And, with the addition of a new, private courtyard to Vigilucci’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, San Diegans will enjoy both the flavors and ambience of Italy in their own backyard.
Calamari has brought his talent in creating authentic Italian flare to two of restaurateur Roberto Vigilucci’s popular restaurants -- Vigilucci’s Ristorante & Pizzeria and Robbie’s, located next to each other on North Highway 101 in Leucadia.
“We are proud to bring aboard a master of the culinary arts who not only understands, but is passionate about authentic Italian cooking,” Vigilucci said.
Born and raised in Lucca and Florence, Italy, Calamari took his first job at the age of 16, working in trattorias in Florence. Calamari came to the states in 1996, where he worked for a variety of chefs who showed him how to adapt his recipes to American cuisine. Like many native Italians, he first honed his skills from the greatest chefs he knew – his mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt – who showed him how to incorporate savory spices into delicious dishes. Additionally, he worked at Italy’s five-star Grand Hotel.
“When I arrived in the U.S., I realized that some of the spices I used were not available here,” Calamari said. “I quickly learned to adapt.”
A traditionalist when it comes to Italian cuisine, Calamari is not one to fuse, say, peanut butter with tomatoes and basil. Instead, he focuses on what he does best: Creating meals that tempt any palate. Calamari, who comes to Vigilucci’s from Il Fornaio in Del Mar, is already enjoying the challenge of preparing meals for two distinctly different restaurants. His goal is to add to the menus his personal recipes, always using only the freshest ingredients possible.
Prior to coming to San Diego, Calamari worked in Los Angeles’ most posh areas at restaurants like Chianti Cucina on Melrose, Prego Ristorante in Beverly Hills and Niki Blair in North Hollywood. Calamari also helped open I Cugini in Santa Monica.