A16 is good or I Dream of Broccoli

It took two weeks of waiting and 20 minutes of looking for parking, but we finally arrived at a much-anticipated dinner at A16. And it was good.  Even if it is in the Marina.

As I expected, and as I had heard from numerous sources, we waited about 20 minutes after our reservation time to be seated.  That was fine with me, I was in no hurry and I needed time to pick out a wine by the glass from their interesting wine list consisting of mostly Italian red and whites- I was delighted with the choice of a Campania white.  The hostess was friendly and kept checking with us to make sure that we knew that we were next to be seated.

I was so excited about the menu, I was really looking forward to the pizza and the burrata, which I had heard so much about.  Our waitress was friendly, informed and competent (and cute, my companion noticed), and when she listed the specials I almost cried, Broccoli with Tonnato Sauce, oh how I love vegetables done well.

Fresh Burrata Cheese with olive oil, sea salt and crostini - Such a simple dish, but so amazingly flavorful.  The subtlety of the cheese with the fruity olive oil was wonderful.

Broccoli with Tonnato Sauce - How I dream of this dish everyday, the broccoli perfectly blanched and the tonnato sauce creamy, lemony, salty but not fishy with the perfectest crunchy breadcrumbs on top.  I will go back just for this.

Beet and Fennel Salad - Roasted beets with thinly sliced fennel, olive oil, salt, pepper, vinegar.  This dish was great, as I do love the beets, but it wasn't that different than I make at home.  I liked that the dish was beets, like they said, not a couple of beets on some greens.  It was beets and fennel and that was it.

Pizza Margherita - tomato, mozzarella, basil, olive oil.  Wonderful crust, smoky, crispy, chewy, reminded me of the calzone I ate in Paris, I was transported back a few years from the crust alone.  Topped with light, fresh tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella.   Simple and truly wonderful. [Romana is pictured to the left]

Roasted Lamb Riblets and Lamb Sausage with arugula - Lamb falling off the bone, great lamby taste, not gamey, full rich flavor.  Also, any food with the great word "riblets" in it is an instant winner.

Rigatoni with Broccoli Rabe and Chiles - Short rigatoni tubes extra al dente (way too al dente to me), tossed with olive oil and the spicy broccoli rabe/chile mixture, green and fresh tasting, but SPICY!

We had a bottle of Sicilian red suggested by the Sommelier, who was helpful if a tad awkward, and it also was excellent.  I really need to start writing the names down.

Dessert for me was blood orange, pistachio and vanilla Gelato, biscotti for my friends. 

We had a great time overall, although the room got a little loud at times, but the service was very good, timing was right and the food was almost all perfect, especially that heavenly Broccoli!!!  Next time, I hear that I have to try the tripe.

A16
2355 Chestnut between Scott and Divisadero
(415) 771-2216

Comments

[jen]

Those lamb riblets are wonderful, aren't they? I just crave that meal. They change their menu quite often and when I was there this weekend, the dish was only lamb sausage - no riblets.

By the way, if possible ask for a seat out on the patio. We sat out there this weekend for the first time (we usually opt for the bar, but it was full) and it was really a different experience than the loud dining room. Completely enclosed, so it's not really exposed to the elements.