Dolce At The Highlands Re-Launching As Amici’s Ristobar

We are happy to share the news that the beloved restaurant Dolce at the Highlands, located in Carmel Valley’s the Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch, will reopen as Amici’s Ristobar at the end of June 2018.  Meaning “friends” in Italian, Amici’s captures the spirit that owners, Chris and Louise Lischewski and Eric Nielsen, strive to embody in their restaurant.

Dolce originally opened in February of 2016 but experienced an unexpected tragedy when founder, Dr. Anthony Smith, passed away suddenly in late 2017. Close friends and business partners with Tony, the Lischewskis and Nielsens honor him by taking full ownership of the restaurant, creating new energy with an updated menu, refreshed design and the name – Amici’s.

When the restaurant reopens as Amici’s Ristobar, guests will be greeted by a neighborhood-focused Italian restaurant with more approachable and relaxed decor, a casual-upscale vibe and a revamped outdoor patio. Like a true family, diners can expect to find the same familiar faces that managed the restaurant prior, including Chef Rhoelle Gabriel, General Manager Courtney MacDonald, and the same front-and-back of house teams.

The New Menu

The new menu, created by native San Diegan, Chef Rhoelle Gabriel, is inspired by her time at Andrea at Pelican Hill and the owner’s travels through Italy.

Chef Rho combines the bright flavors of Southern Italy with fresh, seasonal California produce with dishes like Eggplant Parmigiana in a Jar, with pomodoro, basil pesto and burrata, Roasted Octopus with cannellini beans, cherry tomato, spicy breadcrumbs, handmade pastas like Linguine Frutti di Mare Cartoccio, served in a parchment paper pouch with crab, mussels, shrimp, clams, scallop, shallot, pomodoro, chili, white wine, and fresh herbs, and a variety of pizzas from their wood burning oven.

We’re looking forward to it!

See you there!