Singing Cipollina's Praises
Cipollina is the epitome of Austin culture and cuisine. You’ll see the servers snapping photos for well-dressed couples on dates right next to a group of friends in denim and tees. This West Austin Bistro is classy without being fussy, and the food is some of the best you’ll find in this price point. Whether you’re looking for a laid back pizza or a delicious Italian pasta dish, you’ll find it at Cipollina.
The food is fantastic and comes out in hefty portions; you can leave completely stuffed or opt for a to-go box. The side dishes aren’t neglected, from the delicious Brussels sports to roasted fingerling potatoes. The pasta plates are also made with care, and they offer a wonderful variety of ravioli, pasta, risotto, and antipasto. The appetizers are mouth-watering too, with my favorite being the calamari, which is served with a chunky marinara sauce and a delicious aioli that I crave immediately after leaving until my next visit. I adore the pancetta affumicata pizze (it even sounds fancy!), which is a wonderful combination of caramelized onions, bacon, spinach, and cheeses. From time to time they will offer a special pizza with pears, onions, and cheeses that is absolutely worth trying.
If you try nothing else at Cipollina, you must order the cappelletti spritz – your mouth deserves it. This cocktail is a combination of capelletti red aperitif with aranciata and proseco. It is such an amazing combination of sweet, sparkling, and they serve it with a lime, which gives it a twist of tanginess. It is perfection. Why do people drink mimosas when they could have this? Such perfection. And ladies, it is a gorgeous pink color, so if you’re looking for a delicious feminine drink, here we have it!
From the exterior, Cipollina is gorgeous, a quaint little brick façade with cascading ivy. Small tables adorn the front, and if you like eating in this blistering heat, you have that option as well. It is a bit of an oasis in West Austin. And when you’re done, you can pop over to Caffe Medici for a quick espresso. Just off of Enfield on west Lynn, it is centrally located with ample parking and in a delightfully walkable neighborhood.