Cibo Italiano 29941 Aventura, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

"Hidden gem alert! So surprised and impressed with the range of offerings that this shop offers and definitely the quality of the food. The freshly piped cannolis and homemade pappardelle (with Bolognese ragu with grass fed Niman Ranch ground beef and organic ground pork) the best texture and flavors...on par, if not better, than establishments I tried in New York City. I never liked cannolis (too hard, too thick, too sweet) but the light crisp shell and perfectly balanced sweetness of the filling of THIS cannoli blew my mind. The ambience is cosy and the owner Gisella shows her commitment to the highest standards by not only the food but by the way she greets customers herself and wipes down tables personally between parties. Looking forward to return (to try the Nutella bread pudding, carbonara, risotto, homemade ciabatta, seafood, and more cannolis!) and, most of all, to bring my family to enjoy a decent Italian dinner together in a warm, relaxed setting."

"Stumbled on this restaurant while looking for something to have for lunch, and wow was it awesome. I had a cup of the butternut squash soup, so flavorful and creamy! I also had the pumpkin risotto…I swear I was in heaven. It was so rich and creamy but not overwhelming, flavors outstanding!! Im sure this is a seasonal flavor of the risotto, but I’m also sure that any “regular” risotto here is just as amazing! I also noticed they have a small section of cookies, pastas, pasta sauces, etc… There are desserts there as well as bottled drinks and frozen foods. Great variety of everything. 20/10 definitely recommend!!!"

"Delicious, unique, and cost-effective. FOOD They have a comprehensive menu with something for everyone. Tastes very authentic and has unique flavor combinations I haven’t experienced elsewhere. Definitely not fast-food prices, but for date-night quality food, the prices are very reasonable. Tips are included in the price of the food, European-style. You order and pay at the counter and they bring the food out to you. Portions are reasonable and both lunch and dinner options are offered. They also offer meats and cheeses for purchase, deli-style. Mostly pastries for dessert options, and again, not your typical selection. Granted, I was there during a time that wasn’t very busy, but they brought my hot dessert to me on the last bite of my meal. I never felt like they were watching me as I ate my food, yet they were paying attention enough to deliver my dessert as I was finishing my meal. STAFF The staff is friendly, quick to give a smile and willing to start a conversation if there’s no line. They are helpful and the service is quick. I’ve been here with a large group and by myself and both experiences were equally as pleasant. ENVIRONMENT Comfortable seating both indoor and out. There are seating options both for large groups and for individuals. On a whole, the indoor seating is better for large groups and the outdoor seating is better for one or two persons. Eclectic, but simple style inside. Peaceful and homey feel. They also sell canned/jarred/bagged food items stored in a few non-obtrusive racks on one of the walls. Overall, a very pleasant dining experience and definitely somewhere I want to share with others."

"The experience and food was simply amazing. The flavors were simple and played well with each other. The minestrone had a made-from-scratch taste as opposed to the canned/sodium flavors of most other places. The portions are enough for a meal. Not too much, not too little. The customer service was very polite and friendly. Price is also very reasonable for the quality and amount of food you receive."