What a treat!

[essvee]

Can't believe we never made it to A Cote before. Seems like it's been there for, like, 15 years or so? We went to Citron a couple times but somehow never wandered next door. IT might still be in the top 100. It seems as if it hasn't lost a step.

We had chanterelle and corn fritters, which were the only misstep. Nothing wrong with them per se, but the chanterelles were not to be tasted. Came with a nice old fashioned sauce remoulade, which didn't enhance the dish much.

Mussels and frites came next, both superb. The mussel broth was creamy with a hint of Pernod (I asked the kitchen to flame the Pernod; they don't usually) and a nice chile hit at the end. Just wonderful. The frites were soft and crisp and herbed and salted just right. Aioli was good but superfluous.

Flatbread with pancetta, figs and Crescenza was a revelation. The flatbread itself was like what pizza dreams about being, so light, a touch flaky, but definitely not pastry. The cheese was creamy and pungent, the pancetta and figs salty and porky and sweet. I could have eaten the whole thing myself.

Ordered a croque monseiur just for shits and giggles. Buttery and crisp and gooey.

Had the mascarpone semifreddo for dessert and I exclaimed aloud with my first bite. Pure cream. But somehow subtly denser than ice cream. Came with truly ripe raspberries, such a rare treat outside of someone's back yard. My wife had a very nice peach and brown butter tart with anise ice cream. Mine was better.

Can't imagine it being better, besides the fritters, which were fine. What a nice dinner. Can't believe we waited 15 years to go.

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A Cote
5478 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

[Robert Lauriston]

À Côté's mussels are the best. Not only cooked perfectly, but they source better mussels. Amazing wine list.