We had a great evening at Barlago!
PHOTOS
Barlago Italian Kitchen!
Heidi, Laura, Julie, Terri, Joyce, Mary, Susan, Rebecca, Andrea, Marge, Lorna
Paste Bolognese (tagliatelle, beef, pork, pancetta, fresh herbs, ricotta salata)
Paste Carciofo (penne, artichokes, roma tomatoes, pesto, goat cheese)
Chicken Parmigiana (herb-breaded chicken breast, penne marinara, imported provolone, fresh basil)
Bistecca (grilled flat-iron steak, crispy roasted Tuscan potatoes, wild arugula, salsa verde)
Salmon Alla Griglia (grilled salmon fillet, Brussels sprouts, sautéed kale, pancetta ragout)
Tiramisu
RATINGS (on a 1-5 scale, with 5 being the best)
Food & Drink - 4.22 (range: 3-5)
Ambiance - 3.77 (range: 2-5)
Service - 3.77 (range: 3-5)
Overall - 4.00 (range: 3-5)
COMMENTS
"My favorite was the carbonara, followed by the bruschetta!"
"Very pleasant."
"Good value."
"Food was very good."
"I'd return."
"Noisy." "Loud."
"Bait and switch." (editor's note: the online Restaurant Week menu was slightly different than the one we received at the restaurant)
"Tasty."
REVIEW
Overall, I thought this was a very nice restaurant. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the wall decorations were interesting and casual, a 'la Oakland Casual Chic, perhaps. We sat at a large wood table in the middle of the room, which was great for our group of 11. The restaurant is actually larger than I had originally envisioned, as later, someone pointed out that was at least one other room, and maybe two, off to the side. Although not as loud as some of the restaurants we have frequented, it was definitely a little loud for me - if we were a group of 4, I think it would have been fine, but for larger groups, it ends up being a little challenging to hold a normal conversation (this is a trend I think we need to buck!). Tell me I'm just not getting old, please. ;-) The servers and managers were friendly, and gracious and accommodating with our fun-loving group (e.g., a couple of late arrivals, some indecision when making menu choices, etc.). There was one substitution that ended in an extra charge, and I wish we had been informed of that earlier. There was also a slight mix-up in their tipping practice, but we got that cleared up as well.
It was Oakland Restaurant Week, and it was their website that first introduced me to Barlago, and was what brought us here, although we were free to order off the regular menu as well. In our group, six of us selected the $20 Restaurant Week menu (Mista Salad, any pasta dish, and a glass of red/white wine), four chose the $30 Restaurant Week menu (bruschetta, any entrée, and either a cocktail or a glass of wine), and one chose off the regular menu. There were 6 pastas and about 6 entrees to choose from. While no wine connoisseur, I thought the house wine that came with our specials was quite nice. I had my heart set on one of their "craft cocktails," but due to a change in their Restaurant Week menu, I will have to return another time for that. I enjoyed my food, although truthfully, I didn't think it was anything outrageously spectacular, although maybe that was just my ordering habits or my peculiar palate, as others in our group seemed to really love their food!
At least several in our group are enthused for a return visit, and I'm happy that Oaktown Crawl could introduce them to this new-ish spot right here in Oakland. I'm definitely going back as well - what do I have my eye set on? The cocktail I mentioned earlier (tequila, watermelon syrup, habanero tincture, spicy ginger shrub, fresh lime juice, and smoked salt water - who knew?! ) - and maybe something from the Antipasta menu - the Gamberi (gulf shrimp, cannelloni beans, and a lemon scampi sauce) is sounding darn good right about now!
As always, the company and the conversation were great! I'd like to send a special Oaktown Crawl welcome to Marge (brand new member) and Julie (my sister, and special guest) - it was fun having you both there, and I hope you can return.
Until next time, when we continue our quest to eat our way through Oakland, one restaurant at a time.
Your crawl leader, Susan
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