Situated in the same shopping center as the celebrated Paul Martin’s on Eureka Road is the newly opened Cibo 7 Ristorante Wine Bar & Spirits, featuring European-inspired food and an impressively lengthy wine list.

As my husband and I walked up, we couldn’t help but notice the cozy patio seating, which looks like the perfect spot to enjoy not only the spring breeze but some conversation and a Sangiovese, too. We opted to settle inside on this trip, at a generous table draped in a stylish black tablecloth with deep red napkins. The restaurant is shrouded in dark tones and rich wood (think ornately carved mirrors and elegant high-backed black leather chairs), with crystal chandeliers and pale-red brick walls evoking an old-fashioned decadence.

The staff was attentive and friendly; we realized just how perceptive they were when our waiter dropped by and mentioned that the owner noticed we’d skipped the wine list—and said if there was something we’d like to try, it was on the house.

We started with the perfectly bubbly and chewy house-made flat bread, which was topped with a layer of crispy manchego cheese, tart pickled red onions, rich chorizo, fresh cilantro and a delicious saffron crema. 

Maybe it’s because I’m Italian, but I couldn’t help but order the ultra-soft, house-made sage gnocchi. The dish came to the table in an individual cast iron skillet—the presentation just as warm and hearty as the tender Mary’s Free Range chicken coq au vin, bacon confit, earthy oyster mushrooms and delectable and dusky coq au vin jus. 

My husband opted for the pan-rendered Muscovy duck breast, served with creamy Grass Valley white polenta, chorizo-braised collard greens from Tin Roof Farm in Loomis and a vibrant blood orange-chipotle glace.

The dessert menu came out next, and along with our French-pressed coffee, we tried “breakfast for dessert”—cornbread seared in a cast iron pan just enough to crisp the edges (the slight caramelization was perfect), with a generous scoop of faintly tart but über creamy buttermilk ice cream and a chewy piece of brown-sugar candied bacon. It was so good that I’ve been craving “breakfast for dessert” for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert ever since.

Editor’s note: Since the writer’s visit to Cibo 7, the menu has switched over to their spring offerings, which include the pictured Seared Diver Scallops and Formage Blanc Agnalotti. 

Cibo 7, 1465 Eureka Road, Suite 100, Roseville, 916-789-8585.