Il Cibo del Papa
Restaurants
By Aina Mihejeva.
21.05.2014
Ciro’s Pomodoro, an Italian restaurant on the top (seventh) floor of the Galleria Riga mall, was adored by young and old. Delicious meals, great terrace views, chamber concerts, Dewar’s – it all created a great atmosphere.
The Latvian version of the popular international chain was opened by local businessman Edgar Beitans, who is known to have owned a number of well-known establishments in Riga including the Black Cat Restaurant, the Belgian bar Bon Vivant and Oyster Bar.
But now the expensive Ciro’s franchise has been replaced by Il Cibo del Papa, and the restaurant has taken on a refreshed Mediterranean feel.
Chef Andrey Kudravets remains unchanged. Also preserved is the nightly live entertainment after 8pm. Smoke a cigar on the terrace, part of which is glazed creating the feeling of a floating garden, right on top of the building. You certainly wouldn’t know you’re in a shopping mall.
There are no radical changes from the restaurant’s previous incarnation. In place of the traditional Ciro’s photo galleries is an image of da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” with its connections to both the finest Italian art and, well, eating.
Another religious reference is in the name. Il Cibo del Papa means “food of the Pope”, implying food and wine even the Pope would love. The wine list apparently includes rarities served at feasts and celebrations at the Vatican.
Dishes range from succulent oysters to a wide range of pizzas, pastas and salads. Seafood is fresh, making the risotto with mussels, scallops and shrimps in a “pomodoro” tomato-based sauce tasty at under €10. Baked scallops with mashed parsnip, saffron, grilled asparagus and trout caviar (€10.50) is also delicious.
