Ca' Bianca: So much better than that other White House
Written: Aug 23 '05
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Pros: Lovely surroundings, yummy food, reasonable prices
Cons: Santa Rosa's too far for us to nip over for a meal
The Bottom Line: If I keep eating like this, my Bottom Line will keep getting bigger and bigger...
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| Penguinlady's Full Review: Ca'Bianca |
On our recent wine-tasting trip to Santa Rosa, we asked our B&B host for a dinner recommendation. He suggested that we try Ca’ Bianca for authentic Italian food. Since I’m a pasta addict, we took his advice, and we’re glad we did.
LOCATION
Ca’ Bianca is located at 835 Second St., Santa Rosa, California. Phone 707/542-5800. (It is the particular arrogance of the wine country that their business card doesn’t include an area code; you’re supposed to know it intuitively.)
The restaurant is about two blocks south of Fourth St., a major thoroughfare, so it’s easy to find. Parking is available on the premises.
Not too surprisingly, Ca’ Bianca is in a large white Victorian house. The name is Italian slang for Casa Bianca, or “white house.”
HOURS
Ca’ Bianca is open for lunch, and for dinner from 5:00 pm daily.
MENU
Ca' Bianca serves fairly simple, traditional Italian food, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that it’s a typical red-checked-tablecloth restaurant. The food has a level of sophistication that you don’t find in most neighborhood joints. Here’s a sampling of their offerings:
Antipasti: Tonno Marinato, thin-sliced tuna with olives, celery, and lemon, $9; Salsicce e lenticchie, Italian sausage served with lentils; $8; Antipasto misto, a mixed appetizer platter, $10; Clams and mussels, $8; Caprese, a salad of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil dressed in olive oil, $8; and Carpaccio de carne, thin slices of beef, shaved parmesan, and capers, $8, among others.
Insalate: Arugola, arugula salad with apples and crescienza cheese, $7; Cesare, $7; Spinaci, spinach, caramelized red onions, goat cheese, and walnuts, $8; and a few more.
Primi Piatti (pasta first course): Gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce, $14; Raviolini stuffed with parmesan, butter, and balsamic, $14; Rigatoni with Italian sausage, peas, mushrooms, tomato, and cream, $14; Ravioli stuffed with salmon, mascarpone sauce, $15; Spaghetti frutti de mare, spaghetti in a mixed seafood sauce, $15; and several others.
Secondi (main course): Pollo Ca’ Bianca, pan-roasted breast of chicken topped with caramelized red onions, spinach, and fontina cheese, $18; Salmone, pan-roasted salmon in a lemon and ginger crust,, $20; Maiale, sautéed pork loin in a lemon and caper sauce, $18; Agnello al forno, roasted lamb shak served over polenta, $19; Brasato de carne, braised beef served with polenta, $19; Saltinbocca alla romana, thin pounded veal topped with prosciutto and sage, $19, and other similar offerings.
They also have daily specials, as well as a tasting menu which allows you to select from two choices each for an appetizer, secondi, and dessert.
OUR MEAL
I was in a pasta mood, which I almost always am. So I selected the caprese, arugula salad, and the pasta special, farfalle in a light tomato sauce with seafood. I love the idea of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil - what’s not to love? - but am almost always disappointed by this nearly-tasteless cheese. This was no exception; the flavor came from the fresh basil and tomatoes and the cheese functioned as a filler. My arugula salad was wonderful, though, and I scarfed up every last leaf. My pasta was nice but not terribly interesting, although I enjoyed the obvious care that had been taken with cooking the farfalle; it was as perfectly al dente as any I’ve ever had.
Penguinman opted for the carpaccio di carne and was in raptures. I tasted it and must admit that it was superlative: see-through thin slices of beef that twirled around my fork like spaghetti, with generous thin slabs of fresh Parmesan and a handful of capers. Heaven. He also ordered the Saltimbocca all Romana, and was in heaven again. The veal was perfectly cooked, and the prosciutto and sage set it off beautifully.
I ordered a panna cotta for desert. It’s a very fine custard, much finer than our custards or flans. This one was flavored with lemon and served with strawberries. It was a lot richer than I expected it to be; I usually order it because it’s a peculiar combination of lightness and richness. This was certainly the latter, but it wasn’t very light.
Penguinman is still talking about his superb meal; he says it’s one of the best Italian meals he’s ever had, and certainly one of the most authentic, if the food we ate in Italy five years ago is any example. I enjoyed mine, but it wasn’t as distinctive as his. I think the secret is to pass up the primi piatti and just go for the protein. In Italy, they have both, after the insalate or antipasti, and it’s just too much.
The wine list is extensive, as you’d expect in a restaurant in the middle of the wine country, and our server was quite knowledgeable and happy to make recommendations.
AMBIENCE
Ca’ Bianca is in a restored Victorian mansion that was built in 1876. It was a private residence until about ten years ago. The main dining room is in the former parlors and side porch, and the restoration was clearly done with care and respect. The tables are covered with white tablecloths, the service is excellent, and as we finished our meal, the young manager’s family of wife, two kids, parents, and grandparents were seated near us at a big table where he joined them. It gave the pleasant sense of a really nice and thoughfully designed family restaurant.
COST
As you can see from the prices above, you can eat very well without taking out a second on your house. Our bill, which included a glass of wine for each of us, came to between $50 and $60, not at all unreasonable for a meal of this quality in these surroundings.
MORE INFORMATION
You can get additional information at www.cabianca.com.
SUMMARY AND VERDICT
We enjoyed our meals at Ca’ Bianca enormously, Penguinman more than I. But that’s because I foolishly chose the pasta instead of a secondi. My meal was also very good but not as interesting as his. He swears that it’s the best meal we’ve had in that part of the state, and he’s probably right. Five stars.
Thanks to Megugrrrl for adding this listing so fast.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations An excellent choice for authentic Italian cuisine in pleasant surroundings at reasonable prices. What''s not to love?
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