One of the most respected Italian chefs in Southern California, Giuseppe Ciuffa is the creative gastronomic mind behind Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering, the Museum Café as well as Caroline’s Seaside Café. In 2014, Ciuffa led a partnership that opened chic Italian eatery Bottega Americano in San Diego’s East Village. In honor of his recent return to the kitchen at Bottega, and the launch of the restaurant’s new fall dinner menu, check out our Q&A with Chef Giuseppe and some of his selected dish highlights below.
Photography by Sergey Kolivayko/Field Guide.
What can you tell us about your recent return to the kitchen at Bottega?
I have always been the actual Culinary Director of Bottega Americano since the very beginning so I am not just coming back but instead I am diving deeper into the day to day operations to assure top of the line quality along with our creativity and originality. I was also very inspired by a recent trip to my hometown of Cori, Italy and I brought back some really good ideas especially for our pasta program. I will also enhance our focus on the seasonal changes and offerings from our local farmers.
Which dishes on your new fall menu are you currently most obsessed with?
Right now I am making dozens of new things but the one dish I am totally obsessed with is our Cappellacci Pasta filled with pumpkin-apple mustard and Amaretti served in a black truffle butter sauce with sage garniture and Reggiano.
Bottega Americano – Fall Dinner Menu 2016 Highlights
AMUSE BOUCHE
Smoked Ricotta Crostini with Chocolate Persimmon
ANTIPASTI
Wood-Fired Shrimp with Castelvatrano Olives, Roasted Tomatoes & Braised Kale
Smashed Avocado Bruschetta with Truffle, Pecorino & Basil
Di Stefano Burrata with Speck, Mostarda, Aged Balsamic, Giuseppe’s Olive Oil,
Seasonal Fruit, Arugula & Toast
INSALATE
Arugula with Reggiano, Lemon & Giuseppe’s Olive Oil
PASTA
Special Pasta: Cappellacci with Pumpkin-Apple Mostarda, Truffle Butter, Sage & Reggianio
PIATTI
Sea Bass with Roasted Baby Carrots, Root Vegetable Puree, Toasted Wheatberry & Shellfish Brodetto
8 oz. Flat Iron Steak Tagliata with Fingerling Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Arugula,
Truffle Oil, Reggiani & Aged Balsamic Vincotto
PIZZA
Margherita with Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella & Giuseppe’s Olive Oil
Fennel Sausage with Cauliflower Panna, Goat Cheese, Mozzarella,
Roasted Tomatoes, Kale & Lemon Zest
DOLCE
Tiramisu with Lady Fingers, Mascarpone, Espresso Soil & Spiked Creme Anglaise
Lemon-Ricotta Cheesecake with Marshmallow Cream,
Chocolate Bark, Walnut Moscavado & Honey Comb
Black Magic Chocolate Shell with Budino, Black Magic Cake,
Milk Crumb, Amaretti & Cinnamon Mascarpone
Learn more about Chef Giuseppe Ciuffa and his restaurants at his CHEF’S ROLL PROFILE.
Bottega Americano is a restaurant, bar and marketplace situated in the heart of San Diego’s East Village, which combines the classic taste and style of Italian cuisine with the innovation, energy and freshness of California to create a “classically new” dining experience. The menus are prepared at interactive culinary bars, including a salumeria with Italian meats and cheeses, a pescaria with oysters and crudo, a wood-fired oven for handcrafted pizza, a pasta bar featuring from scratch pastas and tempting dessert bar. Located at 1195 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, please call (619) 255-7800 or visit bottegaamericano.com for more information.
