Wine Country Times

Santa Rosa's Cibo Rustico Pizzeria offers a relaxed atmosphere, indoor and outdoor covered seating (where man’s best friend is welcome), and a delicious variety of Italian dishes and pizzas for even the most discerning of pizza lovers.

Ray Dargenzio came up with the idea for Cibo Rustico in 2011 and worked for several years to refine his concept and bring it to life. The restaurant’s doors opened to customers in 2015. Over the years, and through the challenges of 2020, the restaurant and staff have kept the restaurant running and serving pizza to loyal customers.

“Cibo stayed open for to-go service the entire time of COVID-19, and we adjusted to outdoor seating,” Dargenzio said.

The restaurant serves a wide variety of 12-inch pizzas, many sans Mozzarella. There are pizzas for meat lovers, vegetarian options, salads, appetizers and pasta dishes too. Not to mention the indulgent desserts.

Pizzas include the Cibo Star, an eight-pointed star shaped pizza with a stuffed crust, buffalo mozzarella, prosciutto, sausage and basil; the Vegetable Garden pizza with garlic basil pesto, asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, musrooms, and more. There are also a few more traditional options, like pepperioni and Margherita pizzas too.

“[We have] fantastic, loyal customers and a great staff,” Dargenzio said. “We adjusted to outdoor seating. We adapted as fast as we could to challenges and kept the pizza rolling out to all our great loyal customers.”

In addition to delicious pizzas, their pasta offerings include fontina and asiago cheese ravioli, pesto penne, Fettucine Alfonso (with whole prawns and linguine pasta), Marinara Penne and Polpette e Spaghetti, with marinara-doused Mama Rosa’s meatballs. Dessert options include a three-layered mouse with white chocolate, hazelnut and wafers; a caramelized brown sugar topped vanilla custard; and fresh-to-order Nonna Zeppole (“Grandma’s Doughnuts.” The restaurant also offers a variety of red and white wines, beer, and non-alcoholic options too.

In freer times, the restaurant is also a party venue, inside Santa Rosa Vintner’s Square. Staff can cater private events, business events and meetings too.

Café Rustico Pizzeria is located at 1305 Cleveland Ave., Suite C, in Santa Rosa. It is open Wednesday through Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., and on the weekends from noon to 8 p.m.

To learn more, visit ciborustico.com, or visit facebook.com/ciborusticopizzeria. To make a reservation, call 707-623-9906, or reserve online at their website.