Anyone tried the new restaurant at 14th and Webster? [Disco Volante, Oakland]

[missvile]

It's in a beautiful green building. Menu looks good.

[Robert Lauriston]

The other night I had a great dish of grilled squid with farro, baby favas, almonds, and pesto ($13). To me that sounds overly complicated but the flavors and textures worked very well together. For the price I expected an appetizer portion but it was more entrée-sized. The house Grüner paired very nicely.

[Robert Lauriston]

Got out of a play and it was almost 11 so finally gave this place a try.

House wines are a Grüner Veltliner and a Chinon for $6 a glass / $15 a carafe, both good and excellent values.

Avocado tacos (2 for $7 on the late-night menu vs. $12 on the regular menu) were huge and delicious, they tempura and fry the avocados so they're warm and have a crunchy coating, also throw in some slaw and bean puree. Could have used a little more salt.

Sausage with lentils and vegetables ($10 vs. $13) was really good.

Burger with cheddar and bacon jam ($10) was big, tasty, and cooked precisely medium-rare as ordered. Fries and the optional pickles were just OK. At the regular price of $15 you could do better elsewhere.

The late-night prices are a great deal. There was a $5 cover because the Broun Fellinis were playing but they didn't play loud for most of their set.

[hyperbowler]

Mua's kitchen closes by 11 on some weekdays, so I stopped here for a late dinner last night. They serve a restricted menu after 10 that includes soup, salad, the burger w/ bacon jam, and the sausage.

One perk of eating here is they have Firebrand soft pretzel's for $2. Despite eating them at night, one they've wamed them up, they're better than the fresh pretzels I've eaten at the Temescal Farmers market from Octoberfeast or Starter Bakery.

[localfoodrules]

Yes, Disco Volante, I've had the hamburger and the kimchee sandwich. Both were excellent. They are open late and have music 7 days a week which is cool. Decor is also pretty cool. Be sure to check it out.

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Disco Volante
14th St Webster St, Oakland, CA 94612

[Robert Lauriston]

This is the old Gaboja Sojubang space. Interesting wine list, good prices.

Swung by yesterday thinking to try it, but lunch is only on weekdays. Are they keeping the kitchen open until closing?

http://www.discovolanteoakland.com

FWIW, "disco volante" is Italian for flying saucer, but there's nothing very Italian about the place.

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Disco Volante
14th St Webster St, Oakland, CA 94612

[kevin.dickerson]

What isn't Italian about panna cotta? The menu is a healthy mix of New American and Italian-ish cuisine. That feels right to me. It's a dangerous label to call a restaurant "Italian." I feel like almost every restaurant in America that serves "Italian cuisine" is really serving a cheap, starchy garbage with a lot of red sauce on top, and I don't think that helps anyone. Thinking about cuisine with attention to herbs, sauces, and creative choices for meat fits with me, and I think it fits with Oakland.

I just wish the house-made sausage casing and crust of the pretzel bun weren't as tough, because it isn't meant to be eaten by picking it up. It's just too tough to cut with the knives you are served at the table, or your teeth. Which is a shame, because the inside of the sausage is tender, moist, perfectly seasoned, and well-complemented by the stone-ground mustard. (And another negative: it doesn't come with bacon jam, like their five-star burger.)

Also, their fries should have their own award category.

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Disco Volante
14th St Webster St, Oakland, CA 94612

[Robert Lauriston]

The panna cotta and Castelvetrano olives are the only Italian things I see on the menu. I don't care, it's just not what I'd expect from the name.

[psb]

Maybe the owner is a Thunderball fall. It's the name of the bad guy boat. It's a cool name.

[bbulkow]

Flying Saucer was a seminal restaurant in the Mission for quite a while.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/35349

My first thought would be italian too, but if it's cal without the ital, that makes sense too.

[shanghaikid]

disco volante? the lunch menu is the same for a couple of weeks. a bummer to pay for parking while eating there. sanddabs may be my choice if i go. just a seafood thang.

oh, the open sign is always on but they only open till 2 for lunch.

[missvile]

They are now open for dinner and are serving food late at night, which is such a welcome addition to the Oakland restaurant scene. I had amazing scallops, creamy chicken liver mousse, and a delicious burger with bacon jam.