Trattoria Da Cicero

My husband and I had very high expectations. Reviews and pictures of the menu were really promising. Also a local friend who lives in Viareggio had recommended it. So despite the fact that the restaurant is quite pricy we decided to have a try. Unfortunately we got a bit disappointed. We started with the antipasti - antipasti misti dello chef e insalata calda di mare, which we enjoyed although the mussels in my plate didn't taste so fresh. The main disappointment derived from the pasta dishes. As first dish I ordered spaghetti alle arselle, since it is one of the most famous dishes of the restaurant) which is made with a sauce of small clams and my husband had "spaghetti frutti di mare e pomodori" sea food and fresh cherry tomatoes. Both sauces were too salty (especially mine with the little clams was terribly salty) and both tasted like some "heavy" fats had been used, some artificial condiment. Italian cuisine usually avoids those artificial "emulsionanti" and privileges the use of Extra vergin olive oil. Olive oil makes food healthier and, to my palate, more satisfying. We did not order a second dish.

Highly recommend. We had the house seafood appetizer which was composed of exquisite choices all different from eachother, the octopus in particular was cooked perfectly, not too hard or mushy. As a first dish we had Tagliatelle with lobster, also for two, the sauce was amazing and lobster was fresh and sweet, great quality. Finally, we finished with a frutti di bosco tart and a chocolate soufle with vanilla gelato. The service was outstanding, I literally never had to pour myself wine because the server was always attentive, Lucca helped us pick a wine as we weren't sure of which one would we like best, his care and delivery was outstanding.

The place was absolutely cosy. If you ever stop by there you will experience the harbour atmosphere, lots of billioneire yachts moored in front of the restaurant. We had an amazing food experience, where I highly recommend the raw fish plate and the the risotto. The antipasto of the chef is worth as well. The missing star is about the super oily first dish, which cover it up the fish taste a little bit. About the price be ready to spend at least half 100 bucks, of course you paid for the quality and the Italian experience service. Thank You the pic: The raw fish, yummy right ?

The food is pretty good (and very fresh), however the service could be a bit better - the waiter (who seemed quite old, and so should be very experienced) didn't bother to explain anything on the menu, gave me a strange look when I asked for a non-alcoh. beer, and never bothered to produce a smile or even try to be friendly. Overall he wasn't too bad, but this still a big contrast with the service you get in some other places (of the same level) in Viareggio we visited..