Roberto Vigilucci
He Saw a Need for Classic Italian Cuisine
Story by Barbara Brill

The restaurant business is not an easy one. It's tough, risky and often demeaning because it's notorious for failures.

Just ask all the ordinary people who followed their dreams. The 40 percent of all owners of new restaurants who failed within the first three years in business. And, out of those who failed, half didn't make it through the first year.

The statistics are staggering, but in North County, Roberto Vigilucci has made a dream come true. And, more than just once.

He opened his first restaurant, Vigilucci's Trattoria, in Encinitas in 1994, and since that time has added Vigilucci's Cucina in Carlsbad (1999), Robbie's in Leucadia (2001), Vigilucci's Seafood and Steakhouse in Carlsbad (2002), Vigilucci's Pizzeria & Paninoteca in Encinitas (2004), and Vigilucci's Osteria in Oceanside (2006). (He also had a pizzeria in Cardiff, which he sold in 1999.)

And, if that's not enough to keep a dreamer happy, Roberto also runs a catering business.

This is not an ordinary young man who knows how to succeed in business without really trying.

Roberto works hard. He's dedicated. He keeps a sharp eye on everything. And, he started off knowing about quality and tasty Italian food and about the restaurant business.

"I was brought up on my mother's excellent cooking while growing up in Milan," said Roberto, who also spent his summers in his grandmother's kitchen in Tuscany.

At age 20, he traveled the world, ending up in the United States in 1986, when he started working in restaurants in California.

"I did every job, from dishwasher to waiter to manager," he said, pointing out that these experiences put a lot on the table when he decided he wanted to open a restaurant.

"I saw there was a need for classic Italian cuisine in North County, and I was determined to serve top-quality food with exacting standards of service," he said. When his first restaurant opened, it became an instant winner, and the others, all with different menus and décor, have followed in the same footprint of success. Praises are common, such as the one from Dr. Allen Moore, who frequently drives from Capistrano Beach to Carlsbad with his wife, Ginger, to eat at Vigilucci's Cucina.

"In my opinion, Vigilucci's serves the best Italian food in the most comfortable setting in Southern California. And, the prices are fair. We make a point of taking out-of-town guests there, and they are never disappointed. It is worth the drive." Although Italian food is what Vigilucci restaurants are known for, Roberto veered off when he opened Robbie's, which features California cuisine, such as Roberto's favorites, miso-glazed Hawaiian ahi, Baja fish tacos and BBQ baby back ribs. Robbie's also has live jazz and blues music, and it has become a favorite spot for locals to watch sporting events.

Roberto admits that pasta and veal dishes are his favorites, and that he, along with his chefs, select the menu items, all of which list Roberto's favorites. They include: Gamberoni al Basilico e Prosciutto, Polenta con Funghi e Gorgonzola, Caprese, Panino alla Toscana, Langostini alla Griglia, Calamari Luciana, Linguine con Camberoni, Cioppino, Aragosta alla Diavola, Prime Filet, Agnello ai Ferri, Piccata al Limone, Pollo Fiorentino, Saltimbocca alla Romana, Pizza alla Bismark, Penne alla Salsiccia, and Tartufo al Caffe.

Three of my favorites are: Farfalle Mare e Monti, Linguine ai Frutti de Mare, and Medaglioni ai Carciofi. But, everything I tasted so far made me feel as though I was back in Italy.

Buon Appetito.

Vigilucci's Trattoria
505 South Coast Highway, Encinitas, 760-942-7332.

Vigilucci's Cucina
2943 State St., Carlsbad, 760-434-2500.

Robbie's
530 North Coast Highway, Encinitas, 760-634-2365.

Vigilucci's Seafood and Steakhouse
3878 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad, 760-434-2580.

Vigilucci's Pizzeria & Paninoteca
534 North Coast Highway, Encinitas, 760-634-6743.

Vigilucci's Osteria
608 Mission Ave., Oceanside, 760-966-1203.

(Travel & Real Estate 2006)