[Editor’s Note: It appears that the result of Covid 19 has struck another restaurant enterprise.]
Occasionally we invite knowledgeable people with discriminating taste to write a dining review. Ivan Drechsler and his wife April live in Tubac and are active in that historic village 47 miles south of Tucson.
Ivan has a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from Cornell and taught Restaurant and Hotel Revenue Management for eCornell, the online offerings of that school. He and April have owned and operated Tubac Country Inn since 2005.
Serendipitously, a week after we received Ivan’s excellent Ragazzi review, four of us from Tucson drove down to Tubac and, with Ivan and April, enjoyed a truly fine Italian lunch. The photos are from this second meal. I can report that we were all glad we made the trek. Satisfaction on all counts. Our individual comments follow Ivan’s review.]
April and I recently hosted my two sisters. Karen arrived from New Orleans and Tisa from Waitsfield Vermont. We were having a small reunion and needed an intimate space to share our stories and catch up with each other over dinner. We decided on Ragazzi and am glad to report, we made the right choice.
We were greeted and immediately sat at a large corner table for four in the interior of the restaurant (They also have outdoor patio dining). The table was set with linens, and we were brought glasses full of ice and individual bottled waters. As soon as Karen read the menu, she let out a sigh and said “Veal Picata, my absolute favorite!”
Ragazzi Breakfast & Lunch
The menu has a decided Italian flare, yet their fabulous breakfast items feature Eggs Benedict, Banana Foster French toast, Biscuit and Gravy, Fruit Platter plus nine different two egg omelets all coming with hash browns or home potatoes. Also they have inspired Mexican breakfast specialties, such as Divorced Eggs (two eggs over medium topped with green and red sauce).
Ragazzi’s lunch specials are fantastic, as well. They bundle soup or salad and entrée into a more than reasonable price for what you are getting.
Dinner Offerings
Getting back to the dinner menu, they have for example, a ribeye steak with shrimp and fettuccine alfredo, lobster ravioli with shrimp, a sea bass with shiitake mushroom sauce, parmesan mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach.
So Karen went with the Veal piccata and I, the Chicken Picata, with Patty having their deep dish spaghetti meatball offering and April went with the Shrimp Scampi (sautéed in white wine, garlic, butter, herbs and comes with a side of Fettuccini Alfredo.
[Editor’s note] Ragazzi menu spells Veal piccata and Chicken Picata. Don’t know if this is a typo, but there doesn’t seem to be any difference. Online cooking sites spell it Piccata, a lemon, parsley, and butter sauce usually served with veal or chicken.]
The Minestrone was freshly made with a wide assortment of vegetables and perfectly seasoned.
Ragazzi Service
The one thing I must comment on is the service. Our waiter was gracious, attentive and anticipated our needs exhibiting the great skills of his profession. And there is a consistency, since I personally have eaten their regular breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Wines
The wine selection was quite international featuring Chile, Argentina, Spanish, Italian, Australian and California, most by the glass and with a reserve list strictly by the bottle. We choose a cabernet “Celina Reserve” from Chile, served at the right temperature, it was a great compliment to the meal.
The meal was presented in a timely and professional manner. Karen had quickly been transported to food heaven with her first bite of veal and my expectation where not only exceeded by the chicken, but instead the Fettuccine Alfredo side dish, which today the memory still hits my food notes. The meatballs and spaghetti were deep and savory; and April’s shrimp were large and perfectly prepared.
Ambiance
Ragazzi offers classic Italian music at night and coffeehouse medley for lunch and breakfast. Not live, but pleasant. It’s always in the background and never interferes with dining conversation.
Whether you are here overnight or just for the day, I highly recommend Ragazzi and so does my family! They are located in the De Anza Plaza just south of the main entrance to Tubac Village.
Unfortunately we are not dessert eaters and are loath to pay for after dinner drinks when we have them at home! But they do have a nice selection and full bar.
I give Ragazzi a solid 4 Saguaro rating … very good.
Comments from those of us who dined here with Ivan & April a week later.
Ms. Rosemary
The Insalata Caprese ($11.99) was beautifully presented. The mozarella was soft and mellow. The balsamic vinaigrette was tangy and sweet at the same time. The tomatoes, unfortunately, weren’t ripe enough – were hard. I had to use a knife!
The meat balls in my side dish ($4.99) were tender, flavorful and the sauce was excellent. Lot’s of spicy flavor, not like tomato paste out of a can. The server was gracious and attentive. Nice cloth napkins; provided separate salad and main course forks.
Bathroom Was Clean, But …
The bathroom’s decor needed a bit of upgrading to match the lovely ambiance in the rest of the restaurant. Better lighting. Baseboards. New lighter paint and maybe some flowers on the vanity. It was clean but it didn’t match the rest of the restaurant’s dining atmosphere.
Neighbor Roy
I really enjoyed the trip Sunday. I found the restaurant to be functional. Our waitress was efficient and prompt.Very soon after we were seated, our waitress brought two baskets of fresh baked breads. One type was garlic and there other a toasted rosemary. The breads came with balsamic vinegar and olive oil for dipping. Very good!
The food was exceptionally prepared. I had the Gamberi e Cape Sante ($20.99); sautéed shrimp on a bed of noodles with broiled asparagus. It included an excellent soup. I highly recommend this dish. In the 45 years I have lived in Tucson, no one has prepared shrimp like this. They were fresh, juicy and never frozen. This is the way a true artisan would do it. I would rave on more–but just try this dish, you will not go back to other restaurants where they use frozen fish.
Ms. Karen
My Pinot Grigio white wine was good and ample pour. Salad was good, Sauces were great. The Calamari was good but the marinara sauce for Calamari Friri Antipasto ($12.99) was extraordinary. Fresh bread was yummy. Eggplant was good, although I thought a bit tough. Rosemary says that they are, but that is not what I remember.
Jim
I truly enjoyed my Veal Marsala Carne ($20.99). It came with a fresh salad and Caesar dressing. It was good but not great. However, my Sauvignon Blanc from Francis Ford Coppola Vineyard in CA was wonderfully fresh and smooth. Just the right notes. Was my Veal as good as Vivace, one of our very few 5-Saguaro rated restaurants? It’s been a couple of years since we dined at Vivace. But I’m thinking of taking my lovely wife there for her birthday later this month. I’ll let you know.
Ragazzi International Cuisine
40 Avenida Goya
Tubac, AZ 85646
(520) 399-2040
Also Green Valley
Ragazzi Trattoria
101 S La Canada Dr # 52
Green Valley, Arizona
(520) 399-2040
