Civico 1845 Now Open | Bringing Contemporary Italian Classics - Vegan Included - To San Diego's Little Italy

June 27, 2015

Straight-from-Italy brothers Dario and Pietro Gallo have opened the doors to Civico 1845, serving up authentic Italian cuisine that is anything but “old school.” Situated in the heart of San Diego’s Little Italy, Civico 1845 (pronounced CHEE-vee-ko), provides a modernized Italian dining experience –with an array of vegan dishes included. Located at 1845 India Street at the former Zia's Bistro space, Civico 1845 is a contemporary Italian restaurant that features fresh flavors and revamped versions of Italian classics. The Gallos’ southern Italian roots serve as the inspiration for much of the restaurant, both in its cuisine and design.

Scratch-made pastas, breads and desserts are just the start of the authentic Italian menu that focuses on locally grown and seasonal ingredients. With Head Chef Alfonso Pisacane at the helm, Civico 1845’'s signature dishes include the Piatto del Nostromo - octopus and calamari, served with curly frisée, celery root, sun dried tomatoes, fingerling potatoes and Italian extra virgin olive oil; Ziti Zucchine e Pancetta - handmade penne pasta tossed with slow roasted zucchini, crispy pancetta and Pecorino croutons; and Scialatielli Civico - handmade Calabrian chili pasta topped with Caledonian prawns, cherry tomatoes and wild rockets.

Vegan lasagna

Proving that Italian dining doesn’t have to be heavy, Civico 1845 also offers a special vegan menu. Guests with dietary restrictions can enjoy dishes such as the Piccolo Calzone filled with vegan ragout, almond ricotta and homemade mozzarella; vegan ravioli stuffed with spinach and ricotta, ladled with San Marzano sauce; and Pizza di Scarola, escarole pie topped with black olives and Sicilian capers. Gluten-free items are also available.

A vegan himself, Pietro Gallo serves as kitchen manager to ensure adherence to vegan guidelines - "Most people read ‘marinara sauce’ and think tomatoes, which are vegan friendly," explained Pietro. "What they don’t realize is that the sauce is often made with butter, which is not vegan at all,” he said. “We’re working with a number of vendors to make sure that our vegan menu is absolutely, 100 percent vegan.”"

Now open for lunch and dinner, Civico 1845’s seasonal menu includes a variety of meats and seafood, in addition to classically inspired pasta dishes. Guests can enjoy an extensive Italian wine list, as well as selections from California and across the globe. Italian and craft beers are also available.

To view the menu or make a reservation, visit civico1845.com.