VENTICELLO: NOB HILL TUSCAN CHARM; JACKIE MASON: MR. POLITICALLY INCORRECT AT OXFORD CAMPUS, 1992!

Venticello, Nob Hill, 1257 Taylor (at Washington);(415)922-2545 has as its motto: Chia Mangia Bene, Vive Bene! (Whoever eats well, lives well). It may have rustic Italian charm but the chef is Irish: Seamus Cronin, and he's tweaked the menu. I spoke briefly with the surrogate chef Martinus, who hales from south central Mexico. He was very warm, gracious and busy! This restaurant enchants, with cable cars clanging up the hill; wood-burning stove all fired up, it has an authentic Tuscan feel. This is an enchanting place for a marriage proposal (there was one the night Zontar and I arrived), celebration of an anniversary (ditto), a place even to take your date to meet her parents!

The restaurant caters to Nob Hill (some call it Snob Hill) neighbors. The most striking thing is the floor-length oak framed mirror, where you can adjust your tie, or just tie one on! Saturday nights are crowded and noisy so be prepared to sit cheek by jowl, so it's better to come on a Sunday night. I spoke with a retired couple who frequent this place once a week and had enjoyed the pork medallions with rum syrup ("excellent" and "presentation was good"); polenta with portobello mushrooms drizzled with balsamic; and herb and goat cheese ravioli in a fresh roma tomato, basil, garlic sauce. They also enjoyed the brownie with ice cream.

The last time I ate at this upscale restaurant, I had spaghetti and old-fashioned meatballs. I recollect asking my date, "What's so special about spaghetti and meatballs?" "The price", he said simply. They were the best I had ever tasted (outside of Italy, of course). Now the new signature dish is spaghetti carbonara! And it is equally a great comfort food special. Hats off to Seamus Cronin:

Here's what I recommend:

Appetizer: Shaved Beef tenderloin with caperberries, wild arugula, aged parma in a white truffle vinaigrette. (9)

Salad:
Radicchio cup filled with roasted beets, tomatoes and arugula in a tarragon caper vinaigrette. (9) EXCELLENT!

Mixed greens with bell peppers, olives, mushrooms, brersola and feta cheese in a tuscan vinaigrette. (10) VERY TASTY, FRESH, ORGANIC VEGETABLES.

Spaghetti Carbonara: spaghetti in a pancetta cream sauce. (17)

Grilled pork tenderloin medallions with balsamic rum syrup. (23)

Sauteed chicken breast with wild mushrooms and marsala wine. (23)
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We shared our reminiscences about Jackie Mason LIVE AT OXFORD, ENGLAND CAMPUS; 1992.

Jackie Mason is the quintessential New Yorker. Here's some of his schtick!

Don't tell a Jewish girl she looks too Jewish, you might wind up under a truck!

The way to achieve status is to go to college. Once they need you, they won't persecute you! That's why every son became a doctor, unless a little retarded, then a lawyer. If his/her mind doesn't work at all, then an accountant.

Question: Rabbi and comic similar?
Answer: Most people who come to the Temple or church would rather hear jokes than a sermon! Only time people comes religious is when they're about to die -- they turn to religion. The cat dies, that's it! But if the sister dies, she goes to heaven, or Pittsburgh, somewhere! People want to be entertained in church because they don't want to be there in the first place.

Question: Any subject so distasteful, can't laugh at?
Answer: You won't say the same thing to grandmother as a friend. I use no vulgar language. No 4-letter words. We all censor our thoughts. England is the most polite society in the world. Hay hello, and people start apologizing. "So sorry"!

Question: What is your favorite Jewish food?
Answer: Gentiles are always looking for a drink; Jews are looking for rolls and butter. Never see a Jew in a bar unless he got lost looking for cake and coffee. For Jews, life is a ritual about eating.