Cafe Deco remains a favorite, despite the naysayers
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| Calamari Fritti. Rebecca Lo / For China Daily |
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By then, the rest of my friends had arrived and we decided to try a few starters before the main attractions of pasta and pizzas.
Calamari fritti was served in a small metal pot and came with a wedge of lemon. I liked how the creamy aioli complemented the deep-fried squid's natural sweetness, and admittedly popped more into my mouth than my fair share.
Pan-roasted scallops were topped with generous slices of Parma ham and accompanied by a simply dressed mesclun salad. They were savory and succulent, with the seafood's tenderness offset by the crispy, robust ham.
I was determined to try Cafe Deco Pizzeria's signature dish of Moroccan lamb pizza, as lamb on a pizza is something I've never experienced. The lamb was juicy and its gamey pungency was offset by dollops of mint yogurt. I particularly loved the baby spinach that gave the dish a splash of color and enhanced texture.
Beef ragout rigatoni was a hearty accompaniment to the pizza. The pasta's ridges and hollow center were full of the rich and meaty tomato-based sauce, and the sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano gave the dish bite.
We finished with rocky-road calzone, an inventive take on the traditionally savory Italian pie. Topped with a yummy chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of tiny marshmallows, its flaky pastry went well with the vanilla ice cream on the side.
I concluded that despite Cafe Deco Pizzeria's lack of an Italian chef, it was still delicious soul food that I can return to again and again.
