Il Pizzico: Finally, Truly Authentic Italian Food

Italian food: it seemingly everywhere and the average Joe knows what it is.  There's pizza, pasta, and anything else that's covered with tomato sauce and/or cheese.  I, like many adventurous people, understand that way of thinking is wrong.  Italian food is very diverse and regional, just like many major cuisines.  Don't believe me?  Let me introduce you to Il Pizzico.

At first glance or thought of this place, you might think it is your typical pizza joint.  Wrong.  But don't worry that's my family thought too.  Looking at the menu, there is no spaghetti and meatballs or fettucine alfredo.  I see this as an opportunity to try something new and exciting.  Oh, did I mention that they make their own pasta?  Yes, every pasta they serve here is made in house: spaghetti, ravioli, tagliatele, bucatini, penne, rigatoni, gnocchi, and maltagliati.  I bet you didn't even know half of these.  And finally, there is nice modern decor in the interior.  

We start with two appetizers: prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella dressed with olive oil and grilled calamari with balsamic vinegar.  The mozzarella made with water buffalo milk is rather dense and packed with flavor you won't find in regular mozzarella made from cow's milk.  The calamari was a appetizer special for the night and had a very nice grilled taste.  

Mom: Spaghetti allo Scoglio (spaghetti with mussels, shrimp, calamari, and scallops in a tomato sauce)

Seafood and pasta: a good combination.  Fresh shellfish and handmade pasta: an amazing combination.  Not to mention a light tomato sauce that complements each element of this dish.  The pasta itself is dense, starchy, and cooked al dente: a true sign of homemade goodness.  Before serving, it is lightly tossed with the pasta and seafood in a pan so that every element is incorporated together.

Sister: Ravioli di funghi al pistachio (mushroom ravioli with pistachio cream sauce)

This is the most unique pasta I have ever seen.  Homemade pasta filled with diced mushrooms and served with a sauce made from something I would have never expected.  This dish traces its roots to Sicily, where pistachio nuts are cultivated.  The pasta itself was soft and complemented the mellow mushrooms stuffed inside.  The sauce is both creamy and aromatic.  This is Il Pizzico's best selling dish, which explains why it was the best dish of the night.

Dad: Grilled Mahi Mahi 

This was one of their dinner specials of the night.  A thin slice of fillet that is grilled, topped with onion crisps, and served with roasted potatoes.  The fish itself wasn't fresh at all, which was shocking for a special.  Maybe he should have just stuck with a pasta.  Oh well as least there are potatoes to help fill the void.  

Me: Duck Breast in Cherry Sauce and Balsamic Vinegar

This is another dinner special offered that night.  This is rift on the French classic, canard à l'orange (duck in orange sauce).  So I will call this anatra alla ciliegia.  The breast was crisped on the skin side, cooked medium, and then thinly sliced.  But there wasn't that much skin on this piece, but it made up for it in the meat.  The cherry glaze and fresh sour cherries gave the dish a sweet and sour taste that goes well with the duck.  Sour cherries are usually used for cooking unlike its sweet counterpart.  It's served with broccoli rabe and potatoes.  I liked this dish quite a bit, and I don't even like cherries.  

I think that this is a lovely place in a location which can kindly be described as a "shithole."  If you are familiar with the intersection of Gude Drive and 355, you know what I mean.  When you're sandwiched between a car repair shop and a gas station, next to the Metro line, and near the industrial part of town, it would be a little uneasy for most people to come by.  The parking lot behind the restaurant is also sketchy, which probably explains why there aren't many luxury cars parked even though the clientele can certainly afford them.

But despite this, the pastas and service make it worth the trip for me.  I mean what other restaurant serves truly authentic Italian or even makes their own pasta?  This place is a prime example of a hidden gem.  But now that I have mentioned it, it's not so hidden anymore.

Il Pizzico
15209 Frederick Ave
Rockville, MD 20850