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Fiano’s Restaurant and Bar
By Bonny Small
More good news for San Juan Capistrano – Fiano’s Restaurant & Bar brings another great dining option to the heart of downtown. Owner Sid Serafini has created a go-to spot for delicious lunches, cozy dinners and, with the addition of the patio area, alfresco dining within shouting distance of the Jewel of the California Missions.
The menu, developed by Executive Chef Jaime Carachure, certainly leans to Italian classics, but incorporates a generous helping of local ingredients and California influences. The starters highlight the chef’s attention to detail, offering eight versions of Bruschett – we loved the Margherita, which was mounded with the traditional freshly diced tomatoes and basil. The Fig Jam Bruschetta topped with Point Reyes blue cheese, crispy bacon, and drizzled with red wine reduction was outrageously good.
I’m a big fan of stuffed mushrooms, which infrequently appear on menus anymore, so when I spotted Fiano’s version, petite portabellos overflowing with Italian sausage and parmesan, I was thrilled and conversation came to a full stop as we gobbled them up. Another revelation was Fiano’s Chicken Salad, which is a beautiful composition of sliced grilled chicken breast, red quinoa, dates, micro-thin apple slices, and jicama batons over a bed of baby field greens tossed in champagne vinaigrette – fabulous.
The kitchen turns out a fantastic salmon entrée, either grilled or blackened, in a light lemony sauce, rounded out with tasty rice pilaf and perfectly grilled veggies. The lasagna, made with sheets of house-made pasta and a scrumptious meat sauce, was a definite favorite at our table. Oh, and the Chicken Piccata? Delish!
For a decadent finish, I recommend ordering Fiano’s Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding – and extra spoons! Chef Carachure’s recipe is the perfect marriage of texture and taste, with warm chocolate pockets and delicate hints of orange.
The “Tasty 12,” available Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to close, features a selection of delicious entrees for just $12 each, which seems like at least a dozen good reasons for a midweek visit.
