Calamari
MARCH 2018 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM 33
length in coins. The large open kitchen
is left of the dining area, and includes
an impressive brick pizza oven. The
kitchen and the bar areas are brightly
lit, while the lighting above the tables is
provided by suspended chandelier-type
lamps suspended above the tables provide
subdued lighting for a nice dining
ambience. The concrete floor, as well
as the entire interior of the restaurant,
appeared very clean and well maintained.
David and Miguel immigrated
from Mexico to the United States over
20 years ago seeking the “American
Dream”. Their goal was to work hard
to eventually fulfill their dream of
owning their own restaurant. Shortly
after they arrived in the states, each
of them secured jobs working as chefs
in different Italian restaurants. Their
exposure to and experience with
cooking Italian cuisine ultimately
inspired their desire to open Famiglia.
Miguel was the Head Chef for La
Veranda Italian restaurant in Clayton
for fourteen years before he and David
decided to open their own restaurant.
Together, the brothers have over 40
years of restaurant experience, a majority
with Italian cuisine. As local residents,
Miguel and David preferred to open
their restaurant in a location where they
could serve their community. They spent
months looking for a suitable location,
and then several more months designing
and planning, before the brothers set
about constructing their restaurant. The
actual construction took approximately
four months to complete, and Famiglia
opened its doors for the first time on
Friday, June 16, 2017, just two days
before Father’s Day. The brothers hosted
a subsequent Grand Opening on August
9, 2017, which was attended by the
mayor of Pinole and other Pinole City
leaders.
Although there hadn’t been
much pre-opening advertising, David
and Miguel were pleasantly surprised
when their restaurant was filled and
overflowing with customers on Father’s
Day 2017! They hadn’t anticipated the
overwhelming business considering that
they had just opened two days prior.
But in spite of a sparse staff, they handled
the high volume of customers with
finesse! Now, months later, Famiglia’s
popularity as a favorite local family
restaurant has steadily increased, and
reservations for larger parties, especially
on weekends, are highly recommended.
Famiglia’s menu includes all of
the traditional Italian courses: Antipasti
(appetizers), Primo (including Pizza and
Pasta), Secondi (entrees), Dolci (desserts),
and Bevande (drinks). There are fewer
selections in each category on Famiglia’s
menu than one might find in similar
Italian restaurants; however, the variety
of menu offerings includes something
that will surely appeal to all tastes!
Following are some examples of
menu selections for each of the courses
offered at Famiglia. In the Antipasti
category, there are homemade soups,
several salad choices, and popular
appetizer selections such as Calamari
Fritti, Carpaccio Cipriani, Bruschetta,
and Pane con Aglio (Garlic Bread
with olive oil, herbs and parmesan). In
the Primo category, there are eleven
pasta dishes, including spaghetti with
homemade meatballs, Linguini Alle
Vongole (Linguini with Clam Sauce),
Fettucini Alfredo, Gnocchi del Giorno,
and Ravioli Al Formaggio. Several
of the pasta selections offer a choice
from several homemade sauces, and
all pasta dishes may be enhanced by
adding Chicken or Prawns for $3 or $4
respectively. Five choices of oven-fired
personal pizzas, including the traditional
Italian Margherita, Pepperoni and
Mushroom, are great options for those
who may prefer pizza over pasta. In
the Secondi category, options include
Lasagne Al Forno, Melanze Alla
Parmesana (eggplant and penne baked
in marinara sauce), and a steak, chicken,
veal, and two seafood options. Four
desserts round out the Dolci category,
and the Bevande include coffee or tea,
iced tea, a selection of soft drinks, and
San Pellegrino. The average menu price
is approximately $14, with Antipasti
ranging from $3 - $8, and Secondi
entrees ranging from $17 - $20.
My guest and I visited Famiglia
for dinner on a Thursday evening
around 6:00. There were four to five
tables of diners already seated when we
arrived, and there was a steady flow of
customers until just before 8:00, several
of whom ordered food “to go.” We
were warmly greeted by Miguel, and
seated at a table near the bar counter
which provided a good vantage point of
the entire restaurant. Miguel provided
us with menus and shared information
about some of the most frequently
ordered items, which included Calamari
Fritti, Fettucini Alfredo, Lasagne,
and a selection of brick oven pizzas,
which have become very popular with
customers. After bringing us water and
a basket of freshly baked focaccia and
Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11:00 – 9:00 | Fridays and Saturdays 11:00 – 10:00