New restaurant owner and executive chef Frank Cirikovic is the type to leave his busy kitchen and stop by tables to ask customers whether they enjoyed their meal.
That personal touch is not lost on customers at his new Cugino’s Restaurant in Rocky Hill, who praise that attention in online reviews, and leave comments such as, “All of the food is homemade and everything we had was delicious.”
Another customer wrote: “If you’re looking for a new and special dining experience, then look no further.
Restaurant owner and executive chef Frank Cirikovic opened his new Cugino’s Restaurant in Rocky Hill. (Courtesy)
Restaurant owner and executive chef Frank Cirikovic opened his new Cugino’s Restaurant in Rocky Hill. (Courtesy)
Restaurant owner and executive chef Frank Cirikovic opened his new Cugino’s Restaurant in Rocky Hill. (Courtesy)
Restaurant owner and executive chef Frank Cirikovic opened his new Cugino’s Restaurant in Rocky Hill. (Courtesy)
Restaurant owner and executive chef Frank Cirikovic opened his new Cugino’s Restaurant in Rocky Hill. (Courtesy)
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Restaurant owner and executive chef Frank Cirikovic opened his new Cugino’s Restaurant in Rocky Hill. (Courtesy)
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“Hidden in an inconspicuous shopping area on the Silas Deane Highway in Rocky Hill is a little gem of a restaurant called Cugino’s, reminiscent of the small and special eateries of Europe,” he wrote.
“The setting is intimate, the service is great, but most importantly, the food is to die for. A special note are his pastas which are made from scratch and prepared flawlessly on demand by Frank the owner, a gregariously larger than life character who treats his customers like family.”
Restaurant owner and executive chef Frank Cirikovic opened his new Cugino’s Restaurant in Rocky Hill. (Courtesy)
A 30-year veteran of the restaurant business, Cirikovic has opened and sold several Cugino’s restaurants throughout the state from Seymour to Hartford and in New York from since 1998.
He opened in Rocky Hill, now his one and only, three months ago, drawing praise for his Northern Italian cuisine, pizza and special dishes.
“I like to work for the people, the customers,” he said with a strong accent.
Cirikovic grew up in Montenegro, a sovereign Baltic Nation near Italy, and sharing much of the same cuisine. As a youngster he watched his mother make polenta, cornbread, pasta Pasta e fagioli and in later years during work years in a restaurant closely observed the chefs and sous chefs.
He came here in 1998 and in 1999 opened his first Cugino’s in Seymour on Route 67 and sold it three years later. From there, success was rapid. He opened a new Cugino’s in Hartford on Pratt Street and at the same time opened Terramia Restaurant across the street and later sold both. Eleven years ago he opened a Cugino’s in the Buffalo, N.Y. area and later sold that.
The new restaurant in Rocky Hill is fine dining, white table cloths and plain, elegant surroundings including five tables in front for outdoor dining. The restaurant serves about 80 and also has a private event room.
Restaurant owner and executive chef Frank Cirikovic opened his new Cugino’s Restaurant in Rocky Hill. (Courtesy)
Cirikovic makes everything from scratch, even the pastas (including ricotta gnocchi), and the soups that rotate, including Italian wedding, Pasta e fagioli, tomato bisque, lobster bisque, chicken and vegetables.
His house vegetable is a mix of yellow and green squash, three different color peppers, spinach, cherry tomatoes wine and butter cream.
Some of his popular menu items are pork Pork osso bucco, chicken Milanese, made with red onion, cherry tomatoes, truffle oil, balsamic glaze.
The extensive, seasonal menu offers ribeye steak, Norwegian salmon, lamb, and seafood.
As for the desserts, Cirikovic makes them all himself: Tiramisu , cannoli, gelato, and crème brûlée.
“Every day it gets better and better,” he said of business, noting he chose Rocky Hill because he loves the community.
Restaurant owner and executive chef Frank Cirikovic opened his new Cugino’s Restaurant in Rocky Hill. (Courtesy)
The restaurant is located in a plaza at 2132 Silas Deane Hwy. They are open six days a week, closed on Sundays, but may reconsider that schedule. He’s already had former customers from Hartford visit to dine.
Dining and Cooking