Cafe Firenze (Moorpark, Ca)

So, I am kind of cheating here but I have to share...
Last night we went out to dinner with my mom and my sister for my sister's birthday.  So it was not a date but it is a perfect date place!  So much so that after we posted on Facebook how great the restaurant was one of our friends said they went there for Valentine's day the night before.
The restaurant is called Cafe Firenze, and the owner and chef is a winner of the television show Top Chef, Chef Fabio.  And he really is in the kitchen, he even served some of the plates last night.  Knowing that he is a Top Chef winner my expectations were high... and they were met.

Photo From: http://www.ironcupcakemilwaukee.com/2009_05_01_archive.html

My mother ordered the Burrata Salad for the four of us to share as an appetizer.  The salad was magnificently flavorful, and how often can you say that about a salad?  There was a vinaigrette over the arugala, sun dried tomatoes, and roasted mushrooms, with these soft lumps of burrata cheese.  The cheese was velvety and a treat in every bite.  After a great start we all ordered pretty different dishes.  My Love and I had read a review while we were waiting in the car for my always right on time mother and sister to arrive.  Someone had raved about how great the Lobster Mac and Cheese was and so that is what I ordered.  It was a good choice.  The mac and cheese was made with orecchiette pasta and a white cheese (I am not sure what type and it is not currently on the online menu).  In the pasta there was shredded and large chunks of lobster.  It was so good I ate every bite.  Oh! And I almost forgot the bread and tapenade mix they bring to your table when your seated, it is excellent.  There are two differet types of bread and the tapenade/marinara type mix that is awesome.  Anyways,  My Love ordered the Seafood Stew, which is cioppino.  Shrimp, calamari, mussels, and clams in a tomato and wine sauce with seasoning.  To begin the calamari was the most tender calamari I have ever had!  Everything we ate was the most well prepared food I have ever eaten.  The broth itself was worth the $13 price tag for the entrée.  My Love shared, letting me dip some bread into the broth.  My sister ordered the Lamb Shank that was literally falling off the bone, when the Italian waiter with a  heavy accent, served it.  Along with her Lamb Shank was gnocchi that was again cooked perfectly.  Finally, my mother ordered the Roasted Chicken which I didn't try but my mother and My Love said was very good.  Since it was my sister's birthday the waiter brought out a small Flourless Chocolate Cake with a candle in it.  My awesome sister shared, and WOW.  The cake was served hot and had a melty, velvety middle and cold vanilla gelato on top.  If I wasn't so full, and my mom wasn't paying I would have ordered another for myself.

Photo From: http://www.cafefirenze.net/

To sum it up, the dinner was not a romantic one but easily could have been.  The decor is gorgeous, lacking no detail.  Filled with warm colors, deep red curtains, cozy booths, chandeliers and beautiful wood bar pieces.  I would definitely go back with My Love, when we can afford it.  This is not an inexpensive place to go.  Plates range from $12 to $30+.  However, they offer a 5 course Chef's table for $50pp without alcohol or $75pp with accompanying wine.  I wouldn't mine trying that and I think the price is worth it for the amount and quality of food you get.  Speaking of the amount of food, this is definitely not one of those places where you buy a $25 plate and get a slice of steak on a quarter sized salad of sprigs.  


Destination: Moorpark, CA


Points of Interest: 
Cafe Firenze http://www.cafefirenze.net/

Burrata Salad

Lobster Mac and Cheese

Seafood Stew

Lamb Shank

Roasted Chicken

Flourless Chocolate Cake