Cioppino

Despite my food blogger status, I’d never heard of Cioppino before last week. Forgive me…

I was planning on going to Osteria 2350 but when I drove past and saw Cioppino brimming with people and Osteria’s waiters twiddling their thumbs I made an executive decision to explore other options.

When I picture a chophouse it’s dark and romantic in its decor and heavy scents fill the air. Cioppino has hints of that with its rich burgundy interior but its ceilings are high and airy which make it more closely resemble a store front than a restaurant.

I’ve been on a vodka-water kick so when I saw they had Boyd & Blair I decided to give it a whirl. Typically I drink Ketel One and I’ll probably stick to that. Yes, Boyd & Blair is made in PA and yes it’s made with potatoes but it reminded me of the cheap tequila I used to drink in college. And I had my fair share of that in college… ask my mother.

My dining partner and I decided to split Beef Carpaccio, Tuna Tartara and Scallops with risotto in a lobster cream sauce. While we waited the bread basket came. Sarah would have been impressed (I think). This freshly baked bread was amazing and accompanied by some very frothy butter.

Next came the Beef Carpaccio and Tuna Tartara. I’ve never had Beef Carpaccio and I’m totally sad about that. The combination of thinly sliced beef, salty capers, roasted peppers and Parmigiano-Reggiano was to die for. I could have eaten the whole place myself. The Tuna on the other hand was mushy and lacked any real flavor depth.

The Scallops were sweet and buttery and cooked to perfection. The risotto on the other hand was beyond al dente and not very rich and creamy. The lobster in cream sauce though was yummy! So yummy that if I weren’t so full I would have asked for more bread to dip in it.

I’m on the fence about Cioppino but next time I visit I think I’ll sit in the bar and take in the woody aromatic cigar bar atmosphere and live music…

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