After scouring the internet the greater portion of an hour, it became apparent that there is a dearth of restaurants in the Marina/Cow Hollow area that accept reservations for large groups and offer kid-friendly fare. Thankfully, however, recent memories of the newly transformed Emporio Rulli Gran Caffe inspired a phone call to the General Manager of what is now called Ristobar. I explained that for our youngsters' sports awards dinner, we would need one table for the kids and another for the adults so he promptly offered their private room in the back of the restaurant. It would be an ideal (read inconspicuous) spot for us to deliver speeches and hand out trophies. Not having to order off of a pre-set or limited menu was a plus, too.
Last night's meal surpassed expectations, as our party of 15 sat comfortably at neighboring tables carefully tended to by our chipper, knowledgeable and easy-going server Michael. We ordered many plates to share, and each was successful, save perhaps, for a plate of wilted chard, kale and spinach that wasn't wilted enough for my liking and made me grateful for having a strong set of teeth. Mind you, many people in the group didn't have an issue with it. In addition to our sharp server, the efficiently run kitchen scored high marks. All of our dishes were delivered in well-paced succession so that there was always something to go with our wine (and raspberry sodas for the kids). All in all, ours was a relaxed and enjoyable two-and-a-half hour meal that literally left a good taste in our mouths.
Enjoy the slideshow of the items we sampled. Would you believe that between the children and the adults, we shared four orders of the Anatra, or duck leg confit with mushrooms and huckleberry reduction ($15), but they went so quickly that yours truly didn't catch a single snapshot of it? Clearly one of the best things on the menu.
Comments