This outstanding appetizer salad of organic heirloom tomatoes, and a tumescent pannacotta laced with garden basil was one of many flavor-intensive summer dishes I enjoyed at Main Street Garden & Cafe last week.
Our main course— a wood-fired pizza topped with lamb sausage, yellow taxi tomatoes and basil salsa was a showpiece. Classic, thin crust, delicious, toothsome — authentic Italian pizza. The gorgonzola studding the pizza was the exact perfect counterpoint.
If you haven’t stopped by here (the former Theo’s) for a few months, you’re in for a treat. The new owners are quite serious about presenting gorgeous, simple Italian country-style dishes.
We’ve been loyal fans of Main St ever since it morphed over from Theo’s, and they’ve had some ups and downs with chef rotation, but the chef (who previously had been sous chef) is wonderful, and has really grown into his job. He’s very imaginative, and does everything just about perfectly. The new owner is Italian-born, with all the charm and gracious hospitality that they are known for. He also knows his way around wines, and we were incredibly impressed with the Thursday night prix fixe and wine pairing menu a couple of weeks ago (I think they do this every Thursday). For the quality of the food, this is a very reasonably priced restaurant, and I wish it got a bit more attention, from both the press and consumers. Also, their outside patio is great for summer dining.
See Bob … Christina writes about more than those places you listed!
Well, I am amused by the commentary that my initial note inspired; Talk about straying from the original topic, this exchange earns a triple gold medal. So, I will return the topic to my original note that Christina’s blog has fallen short on food from other restaurants. In keeping with that statement, I will list 5 restaurants and a dish from them worthy of foodies trying. I know I am being retro and avoiding caffe talk, but relax and chew on list. The list is not a top 5 group, just a selection of good eats. Since, I visit restaurants regularly through my job and dine out nearly every meal, I have a pretty good feel for what is out there in terms of local food. I feel that almost every local restaurant has at least one dish that stands out and deserves to be consumed. Note, I am pleased Christina praised Main Street Garden Cafe, a new/old take on simple delicious Italian country cuisine; don’t miss the salads, especially the kale or heirloom tomato, Joe Bastianich could do no better.
Sanderlings at Seascape Resort, The chicken sandwich at the bar is in my opinion the best of the area. A grilled chicken breast, with layers of arugula, aioli, on a delicious bun.
A Pinot noir, maybe Alfaro or Soquel, will change the way you feel about red wine and chicken.
Manual’s: the Beans, better yet, have the beans with the carne asada or the chile relleno–drink a zinfandel with your order as Manuel would have done.
Engfer’s Pizza: pizzas come from a real wood fired oven, The Hot Corralitos Nights version steals the show, Corralitos sausages, jalapeños, and spinach–add some garlic and fresh tomatoes and you now have pizza nirvana; have it with the bargain priced Ridge Petite Sirah–perfect.
Barolo, yes Barolo. The co-owner is the god-father of all the Italian, quo Italian restaurants of this area–Cafe Lucio, Bella Roma, the defunct Limoncello, Cafe Mare, the old La bruschetta and the original Star Bene. Order the crab spaghetti pasta, always perfectly cooked, but be sure to ask for an addition of greens–broccoli rabe, spinach, kale– what ever they have and spread some dried peppers on it as well I like it with A full bodied Zinfandel like Klinker Brick Zinfandel or its cousin, an Italian Primitivo because I cannot afford a plane ticket to Puglia.
Ma Maison French Restaurant. here is the real deal. A Frenchman, Lionel, without attitude, who gladly modifies a dish without feeling the integrity of the dish is compromised. I love his pate Maison and the cassoulet is the best I have consumed this side of Keller’s Bistro next to his famed Laundry mat! Go for for Lionel’s French wines, way under priced, especially the Rhone reds which pair wonderfully well with his cassoulet.
Thanks Bob for this thoughtful and mouthwatering line-up. Now hopefully you’ve inspired some of my readers to get out there and dine well.
Christina
Oops! Typo above on my part, note it is Engfer’s Pizza, sorry Liz!
Hey Bob – I fixed your typos. xoxo Christina