Dolce VT Pulls Into Burlington 

• Dolce VT

The weather outside may be frightful, but that isn’t keeping a delightful new food truck from feeding Burlington. Dolce VT is now serving in front of Pine Street’s ArtsRiot on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. According to chef-owner Stefano Cicirello, the days and hours may expand as word gets out about his business. He may even start serving weekend brunch.

Cicirello isn’t a new face on the Burlington food-truck scene. He and his sister, Susie Ely, debuted their truck at ArtsRiot’s South End Food Truck Stop in September, not long before the end of the Friday night event’s season. Dolce VT also served food at a number of autumn events, including the Champlain Mini Maker Faire.

Despite the cold weather, Cicirello says, “I wanted to get out there. I had a food truck in my driveway!” Following a few repairs, the big black truck is back up and running, ready to sweeten up the South End again.

Cicirello explains that the name comes from the business’ origins as a dessert truck and reflects his background in sweets. Before moving to Burlington, the Bennington native was pastry chef at Manchester fine-dining destination the Reluctant Panther Inn & Restaurant. He originally devoted the truck solely to pastries, but “I realized pretty quickly I couldn’t really make that much off $4 croissants,” he says.

Despite Dolce VT’s Italian name, Cicirello calls its cuisine “internationally influenced with Asian flair.” Still, his roots show in menu items including arancini and truffle-scented fries, both served with herb aioli. Last week, the “Asian flair” appeared in the form of quick-pickled veggies on a chicken sandwich. The fried thigh was flavored with spicy chipotle and honey and served on a crusty ciabatta roll. Dessert options included a fried apple pie and coconut macaroons.

As the truck’s popularity grows, expect to see more ambitious sweet offerings, too. Cicirello says croissants and panna cotta will soon land on the rotating bill of fare.