Gastronomy 2005 part II

January food fete...

Dopo in Piedmont Avenue Oakland, Jan 31 with Betty and John. A seasonal menu, we tried the Antipasti platter for 3 -- a definitive foodie moment came with the scallop and garlic sausage. There was a collective yummm. The Barbera (from the affordable Italian wine selection) was enjoyable. Worthy of a third trip, if not to see what the Spring menu will bring. A peanut size restaurant, as described elsewhere, staff does not rush you off and service is not intrusive. Kitchen are Alums of Olivetto, for food afficionados provenance in Bay Area cuisine counts. Jojo, Barraka, Eccolo, Myth, see earlier field notes, were brought into dinner conversation -- typical of Bay Area food snobs/cognoscenti/foodies, talking about the next meal or recent finds.

Myth in the Jackson square area of San Francisco, Jan 14, with Bill, Francesca and Steve. Large dining room with many booths, allows for leisured pace with cocktails, appetizer, entree, dessert --no one peering over your shoulder with the slight hint of hmmm have they asks for the bill? The scallops were outstanding, the sweet breads a house speciality was overpowered by the garlic breading, but the New Zealand lamb delectable . Wine selection spare and well thought out to pair with the menu selections. Great place to spend time with dear friends. Worth a return trip, hopefully they've dealt with the draft coming through the front door, albeit it was also one of the coolest winter evenings in SF.

LaCoCo on Piedmont Avenue. Jan 10, with Mom, Ted and nephew Justin. It could not have rained harder...And a comforting spot to have warming meal. The house specialty fetucine with calamari, their accommodating kitchen to redux a child portion of the "white sauce" (al fredo with no meat) not linguine with clam sauce, and mom's favorite linguine piled high with clams. Dessert of tiramisu was a knockout.