Delizie
- Coldwell Banker
- Saffron Restaurant
Delizie : An Exquisite Michelin Star Italian Restaurant
Welcome to DELIZIE.
Our menu features Polpette Al Sugo, Salmone Alla Griglia, Cinghiale, and more! Don’t forget to try our Tortelloni Con Asparagi and the Fusilli Alla Calabrese! Find us at San Carlos Avenue. We’re not far from Bianchini’s! Order online for carryout or delivery!
Our Story
“Delizie”, meaning delicious, is an enthusiastic endeavor to preserve sacred family traditions and bring delight to peoples’ plates far beyond Italy’s borders.
Hailing from Calabria, the infamous “toe” of the Italian peninsula where the mountains meet a breathtaking coastline, owner Francesco Ruggiero brings to life the richness of this southern region’s culinary heritage, introducing and reacquainting others with an irresistible array of savory flavors and vibrant aromas.
Renowned for its sausage (soppressata) and chili peppers (pepperoncini), Calabria is a region full of strong and intense emotions, a defining characteristic that has found its place within the cuisine, boasting a distinctive and recurring spice.
In contrast to northern Italy, much of the south has only been sparsely disturbed by outsiders and has managed to preserve its true character. Wanting only to share original Calabrese traditions, Delizie has taken the same approach with its food.
Using a combination of carefully selected imports and fresh, locally grown ingredients, you can indulge to you heart’s desire in a variety of homemade pastas and traditional dishes such as melanzane ripiene, fusilli alla calabrese and bracioline di vitello.
To render the meal complete pair your food with an appealing wine chosen from a list featuring Italian and Californian wines that best suite your palate.
The restaurant itself maintains a cozy, relaxed, yet elegant feel that invites others to join in the ambience that comes to life when the simplest things are brought to the table: good food, wine and people.
Italians are well known for bringing a strong energy to the table, a way of life that has been shaped by holding a great respect for culinary craftsmanship, a genuine love of food, and an appreciation for the time spent enjoying it with family and friends.
With an intimate décor, a small friendly staff made up mostly of family members from Calabria, and traditional yet creative dishes, Delizie strives to bring you the entire experience.
The Owner
Francesco Ruggiero arrived in the States in 2006 from Scalea, a small coastal town in northern Calabria. Full of aspirations and good intentions towards securing a modest future here.
As a graduate of a prestigious music conservatory in Italy, he furthered his studies as a trombonist under a mentor at The Julliard School shortly after arriving in America.
While Francesco still affirms his passion for music, as life would have it he found himself following a different career path; that of a restaurant owner. Having worked in the restaurant business as a manager for several years, he began envisioning having a place of his own. An optimistic vision that gave way to “Delizie”, a restaurant created in honor of his strong Calabrese roots and to share in the delights of all that has been learned growing up in an Italian kitchen.
In addition to years of experience working and learning about the dynamics of the business, what seems to bring light to Francesco’s potential as a restaurant owner is his upbringing in Calabria, in an Italian kitchen where generations meet to pass on the secrets of their culinary craft and bond heartily with one another.
It is here he developed a strong sense of family and a deeply rooted love and appreciation for food, absorbing all that his grandmother generously shared with him. For all that it represents: a valued connection with the land, pride in the skill used to cook, the joy of tasting new and familiar flavors, and the bonds that form in the kitchen and around the table: culturally food becomes an integral part of one’s passion for life.
From the Official Website.
Top Reviews
Jillian L. | Yelp 
Delizie is a cute Italian spot right in the heat of San Carlos.
The staff was super friendly. We sat outside in their patio area. After looking at the menu we all decided on different entree. You can tell the food was fresh because it took awhile to come out. Well worth the wait though!
The appetizers were delicious. The focaccia bread was sore and warm. We also tried the calamari, the caprese and the Burrata e prosciutto which was delicious as well! The calamari had a sauce that was balsamic I believe but it was so amazing paired together.
They had music playing outside which was a nice touch to dinner. Each pasta had so much flavor. My friend got the octopus over a butternut squash sauce and melody potatoes and absolutely loved it. I’m more of a pasta girl & mine was amazing! The chunks of sausage in my Fusilli alla calabrese was so flavorful in each bite.
I highly recommend this place if you’re looking for an authentic Italian dinner.
Jill F. | Yelp
My husband and I love Delizie – I ordered the Salmone Alla Griglia – truly exceptional. Perfectly cooked salmon on a bed of equally perfectly cooked asparagus risotto – oh my goodness – miraculous really – the flavors and textures – so complementary and divinely delicious – savored every bite.
I would order this dish again and again. The owner/staff are genuinely kind, warm and welcoming – they remember us from past visits which is so nice! The decor is beautiful and just a wonderful vibe / ambiance/ atmosphere. Many thanks to everyone at Delizie for a wonderful (as always) evening
Brad L. | Yelp
I had my 50th birthday dinner at Delizie 2 weeks ago. Francesco and his staff were nothing short of amazing. This is truly a remarkable southern Italian experience. You are treated to a home cooked meal in an intimate setting. We’ve had the privilege of getting to know Francesco over the years. He treats us like family. The food is prepared Calabrian style. Give Delizie a try!
Adrina A. | Yelp
I’m so sad that I haven’t been to Delizie until now! Where do I start? The restaurant’s aesthetic is so lovely! On one side, you have a beautiful brick wall and the other side is full of wine and a more modern chic style; best of both worlds! The service was amazing; so friendly and helpful & patient since it always takes me forever to order.
We ordered a couple appetizers to start with and an Italian wine our waiter recommend. The wine was 100% amazing! Ended up getting a bottle!For the main courses we had a seafood gnocchi & ravioli. For dessert we shared the tiramisu. All of the food was excellent! Lastly, I came on my birthday and my friend told the waiter; They sang the birthday song in Italian. I’ll never forget that! Can’t wait to come again.
Ann T. | Yelp
There is music and friendly family owned atmosphere. The owner genuinely cares about you and always interacts with you. I like that! It is so nice to have music to accompany your meal especially during COVID. The spaghetti imperial is delicious along with a salad, a glass of two of Chianti and dessert with lemon cello.
Chinita M. | Yelp
Delicious and authentic meals with top notch ingredients and service. We felt at home! The weekly live music and the vibrant outdoor seating are a must. We tried three different pastas, a risotto and a few desserts and we loved it all. A great place to dine. Can’t wait to visit again so we can explore more of the menu.
Darren M. | Yelp
After more than a year, my original review still holds up well. I am a Delizie fanatic more than ever! This time, I am attaching some mouthwatering photos of my favorite dishes. Thanks to Francesco, Giuseppe, and Rolando for staying awesome. Cheers to the next 10 years of Delizie Cucina & Vino!
Catalina Q. | Yelp
Always come here and I feel like family. Service is excellent and the food is delicious, with a menu not typical of other Italian restaurants. Regional cuisine from the owners home town makes this place special. New items are added all the time. They also have a great wine menu. There is music on Friday and Saturday nights outside, just like a summer in Italy. I love coming here.
Samantha S. | Yelp
Delizie is truly a culinary gem hiding on San Carlos Ave. Owner Francesco is from Calabria in southern Italy and both the food and hospitality here are amazing. Love the house made pastas and ragus — literally everything is good here and the limoncello cake is to die for. Wine list is deep and well thought out.
Came here early one Wednesday and was treated to Francesco playing in a small jazz band out front that included the owner of the restaurant next door. Perfect for special occasion or casual — enjoyable high end dining experience without the fuss. Love love love Delizie!
ND S. | Yelp
I’ve been here twice in one week–once with a friend and another with my family. The owner and staff are friendly and hospitable. This week, we ordered the calamari, the artichoke beignets, carbonara, ravioli, gnocchi, rigatoni and tiramisu.
The service is prompt and all the dishes were incredibly flavorful and satisfying. Both times we were served complimentary dessert and dessert wine. Thank you for your generosity! We will be back. Support your local business and come to Delizie!
Niveditha S. | Yelp
We went here without reservations but they did make the accomodation for us. The bread and olive oil dressing were beyond amazing! This was truly some of the best bread I had eaten. An extra portion will cost you $3 however. For appetizer we got the Caprese Antipasti. The vinagerette and the cheese was top quality.
They had quite a few vegetarian options as well. I got the tortellini con asparagus, which was excquisite. My partner got the Pesto Rigatoni (not listed on the online menu) which was also amazing. It had a subtle addition of pistachios which really took this dish a class apart.
For dessert, we were celebrating a friend’s birthday and we ordered the chocolate lava cake. It was a little overcooked and the lava didn’t come out. But the server did waive off the dessert price for us. The staff here were so efficient and were wonderful. Would love to go back here again.
Arvi K | Google
Such an amazing atmosphere and Rolando was very helpful with food substitutions. Amazing food! Tiramisu was authentic and delicious. I never tried a Limoncita before, was a great drink in addition to the salad and gnocchi. Thank you for such a wonderful experience.
Trudy Cederman | Google
Delizie is one of my favorite places to eat in San Carlos. The food is delicious! It’s super close to the San Carlos Caltrain station and has a combination of indoor and outdoor seating. Francesco (the owner) and all of the staff at Delizie are incredibly friendly. I’ve never had a bad experience there, for dine in or take out.
Some of my favorite dishes: Burrata e Proscuitto, Fusilla all Calabrese, Tortelloni con asparagus. Highly recommend you try Delizie!
Rita Costa | Google
We always have an amazing experience visiting Delizie. I live in Florida and every time I come to California I make time for dinner at this charming and cozy restaurant. True Italian, delicious dishes, amazing focaccia and impeccable service. I love the Risotto with Porcini, accompanied by a good Primitivo and the Cannoli with Alla Siciliana!!! Highly recommended!!!
Rejane Marques | Google
Delizie is simply a wonderful discovery. A charming typically Italian restaurant, with fantastic service and exceptional dishes. We loved every minute of our experience there. Our dinner was fantastic. 100% approval from our family! Family restaurant and at the same time very cheerful on Wednesday nights when they have live music. We loved our Experence
22deeboi | Google
My girl and I decided to try a new Italian restaurant and we’re not disappointed. The food was amazing from start to finish. We had ordered the baked cauliflower for starters and were not disappointed. Light started with a lingering taste that was delightful. The homemade focacia was also delicious.
I had ordered the ravioli and to me, was the best ravioli I’ve had anywhere in the states. Authentic Italian dishes all around. Thank you Joe for serving us and for your great quality of food. We will be returning
Sumita Fleming | Google
Delicious food and exceptional service! The artichoke stuffed with ricotta in a light marinara was delightful, gnocchi was fresh, and salmon served on bed of barley was cooked to perfection! Highly recommend this little place with big heart!
Mei Fu Lee | Google
We didn’t know this was a Michelin starred restaurant until we sat down and saw a poster when we were leaving. With no expectations of here, we had an amazing dinner and would definitely come back again.
We came on a Tuesday night and got seated immediately. It is a small location and it seemed pretty crowded when we got there. Our servers were so nice and really attentive.
We ordered the farfalle al salmon and fusilli alla calabrese. The salmon was sprinkled into the pasta, rather than a whole salmon on the side. For dessert, we got the lemon cake.
We wanted the tiramisu, but they said they ran out. 🙁 This place would be good for a nice Italian dinner, especially for a cute dinner date. Since I didn’t go on the weekend, I’m not sure how crowded it gets here. I can only assume it can get packed here. I would definitely come again and try their other pastas.
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