Anthony M.
Yelp
So, my wife and I were mulling over some place to eat yesterday (Saturday) and I found this place on Yelp. We decided to give it a try for the first time. I called them up and "Dolly" answered the phone. I inquired about dess attire, if shorts and T-shirt were acceptable and if reservations were required. Dolly said, "the dress was casual, shorts and a T were acceptable.' Although reservations were not required, they were advised." So, I made a reservation.
Upon arrival we were greeted promptly. The hostess seated us on what we learned later was the booth (bar) side. A wall at bar back seperated two sides of the restaraunt. The other side being the "table side". No sooner than we sat down, some obnoxiously loud baffoon strolls in and on his way to sit at the bar, begins shouting in greeting to another patron at the end of the bar. I thought, oh brother is it going to be one of those kind of nights?
I got up, approached the hostess and asked if there were any seats open on the table side and we were seated immedietly on the table side. If being subjected to potentially loud atmosophere doesn't bother you then sit on booth (bar) side. If you want a more quiet and relaxing dining experience, sit on the table side. Now to my review.
All in all the ambiance was very nice. It was a bit dark, but still nice. Our wait person named Prescious, was extremely helpful with our questions about menu items and was very attentive without hovering. Dolly, with whom I spoke to on the phone and not our wait person, was also a pure delight, and extremely attentive. My wife commented that she was "absolutely beautiful."
On to our meal.
We ordered the Fried Calamari as an appetizer to start and I must say it was cooked to PERFECTION! The seasoning was perfect with just a hint of heat (a toddler could eat it). The crunch was no less perfect and the bite melted in my mouth. We ate half of it before I remembered to snap a pic. This dish was 5/5.
My wife ordered the Stuffed Calamari which are calamari steaks stuffed with crab, shrimp and mozzarella cheese and topped with a Rosetta sauce. Her dish also came with mash potatoes and veggies. Now, this isn't the type of dish my wife would normally order, but she wanted to try it. Nope, she didn't like it. Not because of the flavor, it was loaded with flavor, but because it was a bit to heavy for her. This would be more my type of dish to order. I tried it and it WAS THE BOMB! Give that 5/5
Finally, I ordered a House Special which is not on the menu, it should be, but it isn't. Blackened Halibut with Jumbo Prawns. It came with mashed potatoes and veggies like my wife's dish did. The mash and veggies could be a meal all in their own. Nothing but pure deliciousness. The jumbo prawns were butterflied, nearly lobster tail sized and came with a delicious butter sauce for dipping. The blackened Halibut melted in my mouth and was FULL of flavor. I give this dish a 6/5.
All-in-all this restaraunt has Bay Area quality, freshness and taste. There is a Chef behind the scene that has mastered food consistency, not only in the quality and freshness, but also in the preparation. EVERYTHING was prepared and cooked to perfection. No inconsistencies like undercooked/overcooked to be found.
The US and California in particular, is a melting pot of ethnicity. If you have mastered culinary skills in a particular food type, genre or culture, it doesn't matter your ethnic or, national background. We also had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Pam. What a delight she was. Pam, you are doing it right. In closing all I can say is...WHOOOAAAAHHH NELLY THAT FOOD WAS THE BOMB DIGGITY BOMB! BACK IT UP AND BOMB AGAIN!