Friday, December 15, 2006
Sociale: Northern Italian Eatery. A painter paints, a musician plays, a writer writes, but a movie actor waits (Mary Astor) And she might had added a cook COOKS!. In this upscale restaurant the diners look like they hit the gene pool lottery. The passions of owner David Nicol & Chef Tia are all gathered together like fingers that make a fist. Drive is considered aggression today; they know it as purpose. Benvenuti Amici (Welcome Friends) points the way to this eatery located at the end of a romantic "hideaway" cul-de-sac (3665 Sacramento St; Lunch T-Sa 11:30-2:30; Dinner M-SA 5:30-10; Closed Sunday). David serves the "ladies who lunch" organic, seasonal food from updated old Italian family recipes. Nicol believes you're nothing if not excited by what you are doing. Since its opening on September 4, 2001, he has welcomed the opportunity to explore food & wine & good conversation. Philip, retired technical writer & bon vivant), who sold his soul to the devil (did he have one to lose?), dines here frequently & steered Zontar (brain-damaged lawyer -- is that redundant?) and me into the BEST choices:
Fried Olives: Don't pass up the delectable fontina stuffed breaded olives over a bed of greens (9) or the Zucchero Salad (persimmons, Arkansas black apples, pomegranate w/ a light sherry mustard vinaigrette(9). Philip says skip the Dungeness crab (it's slid downhill).
FIRST COURSE: You can't fail with the Bolognese lasagne, layered with fresh pasta,veal & port, bechamel & pecorino-- the best in the City.(16). Under NO circumstances order the Wild Boar ravioli (my mistake): too greasy & swimming in a puddle of olive oil -- was there formerly a live wild boar in this soggy mess? No jolt to the senses -- sorry David & Tia! Try instead the pappardelle w/braised duck, porcini mushrooms & peas & you won't be sorry. It's a house favorite with the locals in the neighborhood.(18).
SECOND COURSE: Next concentrate on the generous portion of no-fail "brick" chicken served with goat cheese gratin in a pomegranate reduction: SUPERB! (19). The house specialty is Fish Stew: roasted tomato & fennel make the snapper, prawns, scallops, fingerling potatoes sing!(25) If you were to have a Last Supper, this would be it!. As an aside, try the healthy portion of broccoli di ciccio(5).
CHEESES & DOLCI: Try the Italian gorgonzola: sweet, soft & aromatic or the Boone Bouche (2 selections for 9). For sweets, you cannot fail with the devilishly delightful goat cheese cheesecake w/ lemon curd & blackberries or the chocolate truffle cake (8).
David, owner & sommelier extraordinnaire, will guide you around the large, eclectic wine & beer menu (thank you for having the non-alcoholic Claushaler & non-alcoholic wines, especially for drivers this holiday season). This place is worth a detour & share your sentiment with wisecracker Philip! Email david@caffesociale.com with questions.
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