Cibo! - Oxford

This restaurant is fantastic. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. They have a large selection of Italian antipasti and I chose the bruschetta al pomodoro followed by the capricciosa pizza. It's hard to find a good pizza restaurant in Oxford, but this one surprised me. The pizza was amazing - bright, tasty, with a crispy crust topped with capers, ham, mushrooms, olives, and artichokes, creating a wonderful combination of flavors. For dessert, I had the chocolate nemesis, a perfect way to end the meal. The rich, creamy texture of the chocolate cake was divine. Overall, a super pizza and a great dining experience. Highly recommended.

The gorgonzola and smoked mozzarella soufflé ($5.95) appeared unassuming, resembling a twisted pastry, but was delightfully gooey inside with a subtle smokiness from the mozzarella. It was complemented well by a tangy-sweet walnut dressing. The risotto arlecchino ($6.95) had a perfect balance of flavors with butternut squash, sweet paprika, and sage, not too salty and packed with mushrooms. The fettuccine alla panna ($10.95) main course, with chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, red peppers, and pepper, was described by my friend as simple yet expertly executed, a classic pasta dish done right.

I had to travel to Oxford for work, and while I didn't have much time to explore the colleges, I did get a chance to try a few restaurants. Portabello Oxford served a delicious smoked trout and salmon mousse with a creamy texture that complemented the fish well. The grilled squid fillet with sautéed baby spinach was cooked perfectly, although I wasn't a fan of the crimson crust. For dessert, the vanilla poached pear with ginger ice cream and chocolate sauce was average. Overall, the three-course dinner option priced at £16.95 was a good value.