When in Marbella....
The newly refurbished Cibo Trattoria is the location for this month’s food review. This stunning restaurant on the Golden Mile offers an authentic Italian dining experience. With a new and celebrated Italian chef, a take on traditional Italian cuisine with slight modern twist is on offer meaning everyone can enjoy their familiar favourites cooked with a new unique approach!
Having lived in Italy myself for a little over a year, I consider myself somewhat well-informed on all things Italian (particularly the food), and was therefore very keen to put this eatery to the test! Arriving at the venue, I was first struck by the stylish modern design and gorgeous bar which make this restaurant feel much more luxurious than most other Italian trattorias. Discussion around the table immediately turned to the extensive menu. The new ‘giant cocktails’ caught our eye straight away and between myself and my colleagues we decided to order the Mega Pornstar… well, it was after 8pm! The giant sharing cocktails are tailor made to the size of your dining party and served with a ladle so you can scoop a serving into your own glass, ensuring that everyone can sample the delicious drinks in “almost” equal measure. Back to the food, we quickly decided as in true Italian style, to share a selection of starters and main courses, ‘when in Rome’ as they say…
To begin, Roasted Crayfish arrived at the table, cooked to perfection and dressed with a beautiful homemade garlic and caper butter, this dish spoke for itself; simply delicious. We then sampled the Smoked Provola, a traditional soft Italian cheese. Packed with a smoky, salty flavour, the oozing oven baked cheese was served with cherry tomatoes and basil pesto and was the perfect accompaniment to the fresh bread rolls. So moorish, I wish I could’ve had this starter all to myself! Last but definitely not least, a portion of the Crab Arancini. Not normally a huge fan of crab, I was unsure of what to expect from this dish. A temptingly golden and crispy breadcrumb arancini was served on a bed of creamy sweetcorn sauce. The dish was perfectly paired with pesto and sun dried tomatoes complimenting the arancini filling which was incredibly flavoursome and had an ideal hint of chilli, perhaps I’m now a crab convert! I think it’s safe to say we all thoroughly enjoyed the starters, leaving us eagerly anticipating our main courses.
Onto the next course, we sampled a classic Italian pasta dish; Ravioli de Burrata. The pasta was perfectly cooked and really delivered on flavour. The burrata created a beautifully luscious interior which was heavenly creamy and almost melted in the mouth. The combination of tomato sauce, pine nuts and spinach transported me back to the streets of Italy. The addition of black truffle added a new and modern dimension to the dish, subtle yet effective, it elevated this traditional ravioli to new heights. The next dish was Lobster Risotto. The delightfully vibrant rice arrived at the table with a generous helping of fresh lobster placed on top. I couldn’t wait to tuck in! The lobster bisque made the risotto lovely and rich, just the kind of warm comforting dish we associate with Italy. I can safely say it was my favourite dish of the evening by far! Of course, we also had to try something from the grill, and naturally the grilled lamb cutlets were in order. The cutlets had been marinated in a gremolata sauce making them perfectly succulent and juicy. The tender lamb was served with mashed potato and an aubergine confit, a homely meal which left us all very satisfied.
Of course, as always on these food reviews, it would be rude not to sample a few deserts… the red berry pavlova was remarkably fresh and airy and yet still delectably chewy in the middle, the sign of a perfect homemade meringue! The yogurt sorbet was refreshing and delicious alongside the juicy red berries. For those with a sweeter tooth, this next one id for you. The ‘Coppa Choco Pistaccio’ an incredible combination of chocolate custard and pistachio cream which was simply exquisite. Underneath were the interesting addition of caramelised Rice Krispies which added a lovely sweet crunch to the creamy dessert. It was amazing, for sure the desert to sample at this restaurant.
More than content, we finished our wine as this delightful dining experience came to an end. However I won’t be away for long, as I discovered that Cibo now serve breakfast…. See you in the morning!
@cibotrattoriamarbella