Boccaccio’s Bargain

Victor Colucci hasn’t remained in business all these years by bucking trends.

His stylish Boccaccio’s is a 30-year-old institution, where patrons dine on fine French-Italian cuisine amid candlelight and giant arched windows overlooking a serene Westlake Lake.

The opulence comes at a price: A couple can expect to spend nearly $100 with tax and tip for the Boccaccio’s dining experience.

Such a lofty tab is understandably out of reach for many restaurant-goers, and, according to Colucci, it’s an indulgence that goes against a recent change of current in the restaurant business.

“It used to be people didn’t mind paying 40 to 50 bucks a head, but now they are more cautious,” he said. “Eating habits have changed. People are getting into more casual dining.”

Colucci further explained:

* Many restaurants now place an emphasis on big platters with lots of food.

* There has been a down-scaling of upscale restaurants.

* People are reluctant to spend the big bucks unless it’s for a party occasion.

The 60-something Colucci remains the ever-flexible businessman.

“Trends have changed,” he said. “And if you’re not with the trends, then you are out of it.”

To accommodate the less-expensive-is-better wave, Colucci just introduced a $19.95 prix fixe dinner. The three-course meal consists of appetizer, entree and dessert.

Colucci said he first saw the prix fixe dinner special employed at upscale eateries in New York, his hometown and where he still maintains an apartment on the Eastside.

“The prix fixe dinner has been very popular in New York for the last 2 to 3 years,” he said.

Besides the dinner’s attractive price, Boccaccio’s patrons will appreciate the no-restriction ordering policy: It is available every night at any hour.

Choices for each course will change about every two months. Currently, appetizers include pate Campagna, French tomato bisque, baby greens salad and diced tomatoes with balsamic dressing. Entrees are veal ravioli with crushed walnuts and marscapone sauce; steak-frites; poached Norwegian salmon; breast of chicken with smoked ham, fontina cheese and green peppercorn sauce. Desserts include a fresh fruit tart with cream anglaise; cream caramel with almond biscotini; New York cheesecake with raspberry sauce; chocolate mousse cake.

“It is a business builder,” Colucci said of his dinner special. “It permits us to bring a lot of people in that have never been here because they always had the preconception that Boccaccio’s is very expensive.”

DETAILS

Boccaccio’s is at 32123 W. Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. Hours: 5-9 p.m. nightly; 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Call (818) 889-8300.

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Plan ahead: If you’re one of those organized types who like to make notations in your month-at-a-glance calendar, then reach for a writing utensil.

Pencil in July 25 for “A Taste of Camarillo” outdoor wine festival. The annual event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at Cal State Channel Islands, and proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo.

About 60 wineries will pour samples, while 40 restaurants, caterers and specialty vendors will serve up the noshes.

Fifty lots of wine will be auctioned, many of them select varieties not sold in retail outlets, and Latin jazz rhythms will be provided by the Estrada Brothers band.

Advance tickets went on sale this week for $45. Tickets will be $50 the day of the event. The campus is at 1878 S. Lewis Road, Camarillo. To order tickets or for more information, call 482-8113.

Rodney Bosch writes about the restaurant scene in Ventura County and outlying points. He can be reached at 653-7572, fax 653-7576 or by e-mail at: rodney.bosch@latimes.com.