363073 Mon Jan 22 23:29:01 -0800 2007 5 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 2216880 So, Pizzaiolo got a new pastry chef...and she is fantastic. I have written about her before, but 3 friends and I ate there tonight and it was the most amazing finish to a meal that was unbelievably great, too. But this post is about her, so I will just say that the pastas were fantastic, esp. the house made tagliatelle, and the meatball pizza is still warm in my belly. The salads were wonderful, and service efficient and informative. For dessert we decided to give it our all and had 4 of them. The rosemary icemilk with blood orange granita was my favorite. The ice milk was infused with rosemary flavor but still smooth and understated enough that the rosemary was an accent. it came came with delicately made cocoa nib shortbread cookies. We also had the amarretti and apple galette that tastes like apple pie but is lite and flaky and served with lemongrass gelato. So subtle and smooth that you get the lemongrass at the end and compiments the warm galette perfectly. We had a bittersweet chocolate tart with salted caramel sauce and rum whipped cream-decadence. The last dessert we had was profiteroles with olive oil gelato and lime gelato. So, so wonderfully good. If you haven't had olive oil gelato go to Pizzaiolo now and get some. To die for. I keep on loving this place no matter the wait (there was none!) Mon Jan 22 23:29:01 -0800 2007 14119 Doodleboomer 1 2217888 I completely agree -- I had her desserts for the first time two weeks ago, and was blown away. The apple fritters were wonderful, and all of the different gelatos she makes are outstanding! I'm so thrilled that they finally got a pastry chef, and from what I've seen, the desserts change on a very frequent basis. I can't wait to go back and save room for dessert. Tue Jan 23 10:33:48 -0800 2007 2216880 13525 JasmineG 1 2219856 We are going for the first time tomorrow night. Can't imagine an olive oil gelato, but can't wait to have the experience. In fact, after reading about Pizzaiolo on the boards, I am very excited about going period. We got a reservation, but do they have a bar so we could go early and have a glass of wine? Would love to have a look around and get the feel of the place. Thanks. Tue Jan 23 18:41:46 -0800 2007 2216880 42334 Cerise 37 2 2219869 Not really -- there is a bar, but it's very small and is usually pretty packed with people waiting for a table and/or eating. It's not really a good place to wait if you already have a reservation. Tue Jan 23 18:46:31 -0800 2007 2219856 13525 JasmineG 1 2220460 We had a reservation on Friday and they suggested we eat at the bar! Things were very disorganized. I don't usually find it that way. On to the desserts- they're fantastic! Haven't had one that I wouldn't go back for. We had the apple galette with saba ice cream Friday. So good!! Tue Jan 23 22:36:40 -0800 2007 2216880 10708 Oakland Barb 1 2224241 We had a reservation for 7:00pm but arrived at 6:30pm. We wanted to have a drink at the bar, but it was already full and the hostess said she could seat us. We started with a glass of wine (Gavi) and I was impressed with the wine list. Since this is a dessert post, I won't go into the meal.( It was excellent) They did not have the olive oil gelato on the menu tonight, but our waitress confirmed how special it is. One of the helpers suggested the ice milk with tarragon. Not only an interesting savory taste but a great palate cleanser. I know it's all about the food, but I also liked the ambience and buzz that pizzaiolo generates. We will recommend it and go back. Wed Jan 24 21:18:53 -0800 2007 2216880 42334 Cerise 37