Reviews from NW Tucson Magazine

Vitello’s Ristorante Italiano has been in Catalina for 8 years located at 15930 N. Oracle Road, Suite 178. The restaurant has had a lock on the top spot in the “Tucson’s Favorites” ranking of the Citizen’s online restaurant guide for several months.

Specializing in Italian cuisine Hatem Rdid, who owns Vitello’s with his wife, hail from Palermo on the island of Sicily. Vitello’s has a very family-friendly feel. The kitchen bustles like a family preparing a holiday meal for relatives. You’d barely pull up your chairs when the waiter will set down a large plate of complimentary bruschetta. Their menu, which includes pizza, calzone and panini, paints a broad brush of Italian cuisine, with a variation of vegetarian options including Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, Funghi and Peperoncino. How could this little-known Catalina eatery really rate with all the lofty, lauded dining options this town has?

Try their Fried Calamari, a mix of baby squid and small but longish halos of larger squid thinly battered in a delicate breading. Equally as good is one of their starters, the Toasted Cheese Ravioli, stuffed with just the right amount of ricotta cheese and toasted to a golden brown. The Vitello Mezzaluna is wonderfully unique, a sweet yet piquant meld of breaded veal medallions and prosciutto in a dastardly rich, vodka-laced, creamy tomato sauce. Fradivola del Mare, shrimp and scallops in a spicy tomato sauce with linguini. This is not just marinara with some added heat. It had its own complex identity, one that played well off the subtle, soft scallops and linguini. As for the shrimp, they are infused with the flavors of wine and garlic. Vitello’s Tiramisu simple, homemade, exceedingly rich but not overly sweet dessert is to die for! The lady fingers are dipped just long enough in the espresso, and the marscapone in the filling is expertly balanced to the sugar. Other desserts include Cannoli, Mudpie, Spumone, Chocolate Mousse and Fried Ice Cream. All the food is fresh and made to order. They offer also many catering options: pickup, delivery or full service, serving SaddleBrooke, Rancho Vistoso, Catalina and part of Oro Valley. One visit will leave you coming away from Vitello’s staggered by its artistry for balanced flavors and textures and spot-on execution.

If this has left you wanting a great meal deal or you have any questions please give us a call: 520-825-0140 or visit us at: www.vitellosonline.com.

We will have you shouting Hoopla! for more.