Ristorante Ciccarelli Esplanade

This was our fifth time in Viareggio and have eaten out in a few of the restaurants along the promenade where you not only get great food but there’s a buzz from people passing by. However this restaurant is set at the end of the promenade on a nice quiet Piazza and attached the Hotel Residence Esplanade. On speaking to restaurant manager Giuseppe he said that the restaurant has certainly benefited from adding the newly outside dining area and you can clearly see why as it’s the first place you see before reaching the top end of the promenade. As we sat down there were only three or four tables free but these were quickly filled by passers by . The menu is set out in a typical Italian way Antipasti , Primi , Secondi & Dessert. On talking to our waiter Sasha who looked after us superbly throughout the evening we decided to start with a Mixed Tuscan Meat platter including cured pork lard , bacon & a crouton with mixed liver. The quality of the produce was excellent.

TUSCAN MIXED MEAT ANTIPASTI

For our pasta dishes we opted to have one each and they were both excellent. The first being a fabulous Spaghetti with mussels & clams. The other was an amazing Black Tagliolini Pasta with clams & grey mullet roe.

SPAGHETTI ALLO SCOGLIO

TAGLIOLINI BLACK PASTA & CLAMS

We didn’t order our mains at the start as our waiter advised us to see how we we felt after our pasta courses to whether we wanted to share a main which they had a couple on the menu that could be easily shared or to have a main course each. We opted to have a main course each and chose a delightful light and crispy Tempura of Squid , Prawns & Vegetables. We also chose a stunning Beef Tenderloin in a Valpolicella sauce with diced raw vegetables

TEMPURA SQUID , PRAWNS & VEGETABLES

BEEF TENDERLOIN

It was then time for dessert which were both an absolute treat a Almond SemiFreddo with a chocolate sauce and a delicious Cheesecake

ALMOND SEMIFREDDO

CHEESECAKE

This brought to an end to a fabulous evening where the food and service was excellent. Therefore if your in Viareggio I would highly recommend a visit especially if you would prefer a delightful quieter setting. I for one will definitely return the next time I’m in the area