Post Views: 125
Italian Tradition Meets Modern Dining at Apicio Ristorante & Enoteca
Writer / Ashley Dykton
Photographer / Robert Jones
Inspired by the mantra, “Chi mangia bene, vive bene” — those who eat well, live well — visionary owner and chef Emilio Cento’s newest venture, Apicio Ristorante and Enoteca, is an upscale restaurant focused on creating a guest experience centered on gathering together around classic, traditional Italian flavors. Recently opening its doors in early December, Apicio Ristorante and Enoteca offers guests an authentic taste of Italy without the international flights, bringing the flavors of the old country right to Zionsville.
Cento didn’t attend culinary school but instead embraces the traditions of his heritage, using his 30 years of culinary experience to craft his dishes. His culinary background stems from growing up and working in his family’s various restaurants across central Indiana, from Beech Grove to Greenwood to Carmel to Broad Ripple. Cento’s earliest culinary influences were the women in his family — his mother, aunts and grandmother.
Apicio Ristorante and Enoteca is Cento’s personal venture. Previously, as a joint owner and chef of Convivio and Caffè Buondi, Cento felt it was difficult to be present and give those restaurants his full attention.
Apicio Ristorante and Enoteca was born from a desire to return to the kitchen and build a more personal connection with guests. As a resident of Zionsville, Cento saw an opportunity to bring this venture to the place he calls home.
The restaurant’s name, Apicio, is derived from the Italian translation of Marcus Gavius Apicius, the legendary Roman gourmand of the first century C.E. Apicius not only wrote what is considered the first cookbook but also believed food was just as important as wine, atmosphere and company — that the experience of gathering together was just as important as the meal itself.
Cento and his staff strive to create an authentic Italian experience from the moment guests walk through the door. Apicio Ristorante and Enoteca focuses on providing a space for people to gather and enjoy one another’s company. The dining room is designed to encourage connection, with circular booths that bring everyone together and make conversation easy. The space also features a cozy, modern upscale aesthetic with subtle nods to Roman architecture.
Apicio Ristorante and Enoteca’s menu includes refined traditional Italian recipes such as bolognese and puttanesca, alongside chef Cento’s inspired creations. With decades of culinary experience, Cento has crafted a menu that embraces tradition while offering ingenuity and innovation. The menu also pays homage to family traditions, with dishes named after the people who inspired or originally created them.
All of Apicio Ristorante and Enoteca’s pastas are made in-house, with gluten-free options available upon request. Traditional favorites are offered, and for those willing to explore new flavors, the Vincenzo features squid ink pasta complemented by shrimp, lobster, crab and a lobster cream sauce. Apicio’s Filetto is an 8-ounce peppercorn-crusted filet complemented by a brandy cream sauce. The menu also includes authentic appetizers such as fresh bruschette and cozze al vino blanco — sautéed mussels with fresh garlic, white wine, olive oil and lemon. Desserts include tiramisu, gelato, cakes and millefoglie, a puff pastry featuring house-made zabaglione and mixed berries.
Apicio Ristorante and Enoteca also offers a carefully curated wine list and signature-designed cocktails. The restaurant utilizes Napa Technology’s WineStation, an advanced preservation system designed to maintain the quality and flavor of wine.
Apicio Ristorante and Enoteca is located at 3311 S. U.S. 421 in Zionsville.
For more information including full food and wine menu, hours, pricing, reservations, gift card purchases and the exclusive black card, visit Apicio Ristorante & Enoteca’s online at apicioindy.com or call them at 317-344-0100.
Dining and Cooking