Very pleasant surprise here despite one disappointment with wine.
Eileen and her brother Peter had not been there in years, remembered it as good, but the neighborhood apparently no longer is. Not to worry: Free valet parking.
Both the menu and wine list looked good, we came at 6:30 on Thursday and it was hopping. Eileen had a caesar salad followed by a pasta and sausage special. The caesar was mediocre, the only disappointment. The pasta and sausage was outstanding, two giant pieces of sausage a little smaller than footballs. We asked if the sausage was home-made. No, it’s made across the street.
Peter had a salmon special that he loved. I had the crispy fried half duck, absolutely outstanding, the skin as crisp as the best Peking Duck, the meat, both quarters, still completely moist and tender.
Wine: The on-line list is reasonably priced, most wines available btg, nicely chosen, but doesn’t list vintages. The draw for me was Guado al Tasso for $85! Unfortunately it wasn’t on the list we were handed.
We went with glasses. This is the first time I remember not asking to see vintages on glass wines. Our waitress was very pleasant, very efficient and running her legs off. It just wasn’t important enough. Turns out every one of our four glasses was better than good.
Librandi Ciro Bianco (Greco grape) - Almost water white, but surprisingly aromatic, quite floral with a hint of quince. The palate was fresh and vivid, the texture light a solid, really nice, a big glass for $13 (glasses seem to be at least 6 ounces).
Argiolas Cannonau - soft broad aromas of red plum with a hint of smoke; medium in body, smooth, a hint of herb and garrigue. Nice! $14
PrimaDuca Primitivo de Manduria - This was the WOTN. The aromas featured red raspberry and roses, the palate had the telltale texture that in California becomes Zin brambles. The tannins were abundant but fine, a strong background to ripe red fruits, now with a hint of black raspberry. Helluva glass for $13.
Terre de Trinci Sangiovese (on the list as a “Super-Tuscan”, which it apparently is not). This was very good, but oddly the least of the 3 reds, although the most expensive at $17. The aromas were closed, but had some nice hint of black cherry. The wine was light to medium in body, with a healthy dose of acidity and very low tannins. It was pleasant, but nothing more.
Good food, excellent service, a pleasant place in every way, including the budget.