Ready for Italian! Try Cicchetti's in the Forum. Officially and affectionally known by the folks who frequent there as the "OC".  This has got to be one of my top five favorite local restaurants. Locally owned and operated Cicchetti's menu is great. Of all the folks that I know that eat at Cicchetti's, no one has had a bad meal here. 

And no, you don't just have to order pasta! Italian doesn't have to be just red sauce, pizza and pasta. Their menu always sports great seafood selections and their soups are fabulous. But my current favorite of all favorites....the Chicken Franchaise. And the appetizer white bean dip, oh...makes my heart skip a beat! 

The Chicken Franchaise is sauted in a little olive oil, and it does have a little flour, but it's egg battered and topped with a lemon sauce (which is basically lemon juice). It comes with spinach, but I substitute it for...you guessed it, green beans. And the white bean dip...got to have those healthy carbs...is out of this world fabulous.  

When I first started eating at Cicchetti's, I used to order the pesto chicken pizza, but I ended up taking off all the topping and eating only one slice of pizza bread or ordering another pizza with a side of grilled chicken. Then one day, after a conversation with the server, I discovered that the chicken they use on the pizza is the Chicken Franchaise...so I now order that instead. I don't even miss the pizza bread.

OK...so you miss the cheese, just ask for a spoonful of parmesan on the side.

Their pizza bread is handmade and very thin like a cracker, as a matter of fact they serve it as a "cracker" in thier bread presentation. The "cracker" also comes with the White Bean dip, so I get a little taste of it when I eat the bean dip. Yes, you can, remember everything in moderation. 

Once while dinning with a friend, we tried the white bean dip and need I say more, I fell in LOVE with it. For me, the white bean dip is worth giving up the bread they bring before the meal.  If your tempted to eat it first, just ask them to serve it with dinner...or order that white bean dip...with your meal.

The white beans are perfect for healthy carbs and the portions for this and the entree are gracious enough for two meals, serve with two chicken breast.  

Cicchetti's soups change everyday.  Last winter my favorite was the Lemon Chicken Orzo. Orzo is the pasta that looks like rice. This soup is really lemony and you get chicken as well, however, I sometimes order a side a chicken or other protein if the protein portion is small. Remember, the orzo has been hanging out in the soup liquid for a while now, and its absorbed all it can hold, so you don't have to worry so much about further swelling, just take it slow, make sure you eat the chicken and your set. 

I have ordered other selections at Cicchett's such as fish, meatballs, and other chicken dishes. There's always a way to eat at your favorite restaurant, just get creative, ask questions and find something that works for you...

So...if you're looking for great Italian...visit the Osteria Cicchetti over in the Forum...yes, you can...you have many more meals to go!