Master Dilettante

In this age of fast food, mass market franchise restaurants and celebrity chefs, the decent family and neighborhood restaurant is hard to find. My new favorite Italian restaurant is A Bellagio in Campbell. Not only is the food authentic and delicious, but the service is unparalleled. I’d already written a Yelp review and felt compelled to update it after lunch today:

You MUST eat at A Bellagio regularly. I mentioned before that the food is outstanding and that the service is impeccable. Just when I thought the service was great, the owner today went above and beyond the call of duty and completely blew my mind.

Three friends and I arrived for lunch and, to our chagrin, discovered that it was closed due to some construction work on the the air conditioning system. The owner immediately recognized me from past visits. After a moment in which he registered his disappointment that they were closed for lunch, he immediately exclaimed, “Never mind! Come sit down! We’ll serve you lunch!” Again, THEY WERE CLOSED! And yet the owner of this authentic, neighborhood family joint opened the restaurant just to serve me and three friends!

But wait! There’s more! Yes, the air conditioning was under repair, but he turned it on just for us, so that my pregnant friend (see Patricia N.’s review below) would be comfortable. AND he then insisted that we not even pay for the meal!!! We, of course, insisted the opposite and left a generous amount (we didn’t receive a bill) and tip for the waiter.

This generosity takes customer service to the ultimate level. Of course, I wouldn’t presume anything when visiting, but know that it’s a great place with a great, homey feel. Coupled with the excellent food, A Bellagio is my favorite Italian place. Whoever you are, you must try it!!!
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Original Review:
Delicious Italian food coupled with impeccable service in a personable, neighborhood restaurant.

I’ve been to A Bellagio twice now and experienced delicious meals both times. I haven’t the education to classify the region of Italy from which the food hails, but everything I’ve tried has been delicious.

Last night, I tried two specials, an appetizer of mozzarella and tomatoes topped with prosciutto; a particular name exists for the dish, but that name eludes me at the moment. Just like mozzarella caprese but with prosciutto to boot. I didn’t ask, but the mozzarella was soft and creamy and light and undoubtedly made on the premises. I also had a dinner special of rigatoni with a prime rib meat sauce. That’s right, prime rib. Fantastic.

I’ve sampled other dishes, and everything I’ve tried I’ve enjoyed.

The wine list is plentiful. And the desserts are quite tasty. I’ve sampled the chocolate torturo, the chocolate mousse, the zabaglione and the cheesecake. All were excellent.

I’ve been here twice with a Campbell friend who dines at the restaurant once a week. The owner and wait staff all know him and provide friendly, efficient service. The owner poured us complimentary limoncello shots, too.

An excellent Italian choice, in the neighborhood of Campbell or any other neighborhood for that matter.

See all of my reviews on Yelp!

I’m going to continue to post my restaurant reviews both on Yelp and here. This week, “the dinner club” checked out Pezzella’s on El Camino in Sunnyvale. Here’s my review:

My colleague John C. tells me my Yelp reviews are too long to read, so I’ll keep this one relatively short.

Pezzella’s is a great neighborhood Italian joint, with hearty, tasty dishes. The ambiance and decor are casual; it’s a place for family & friends, not dates.

Everything served is traditionally American Italian. The garlic knots (twists of bread slathered in garlic and butter and tomatoes and herbs) are off-menu and worth trying. The chicken Parmesan (which I just about always get), the mozzarella caprese, the baked rigatoni — all are classic and delicious. The wine list is serviceable, and the service is friendly.

I’d repeat here for a casual dinner with good friends.

See all of my reviews on Yelp.

(Photo courtesy Yelp user Anthony M.)

My brother and sister would like to see my Yelp reviews here, so I shall oblige.

I have a standing weekly dinner with three buddies. Each week, one person picks and pays. This week, Jason H. picked Junnoon in Palo Alto. Here’s my Yelp review of it:

Tasty, although certainly not authentic Indian. (My ex-roommate Shanthini R. would concur, I’m certain).

Junnoon occupies the space formerly occupied by a bad sushi restaurant just off the corner of University & High in downtown Palo Alto. The interior has been redecorated with modern furniture and rich colors, and the lighting might be good for a first date, I would think. The ambient noise is just right — not so noisy that conversation is difficult and not so quiet that the conversations of adjacent diners are conspicuously audible.

While waiting for a table, we tried the mojitos, which obviously aren’t Indian. But the bartender made a very good one here. And once seated, the waitress immediately brought roti and a addictive dipping sauce with peanut and coconut.

The menu markets. Conforming to the wisdom described in the book Mindless Eating, each item is described with positive adjectives.

For appetizers, we ordered the Darjeeling Steamed Wontons, Bombay Crab and Cob Cake and Tangy Semolina Shells. All were just a little bit different and interesting and good but not particularly special. I’m not sure what about the wontons and seafood cakes were Indian, if anything. The semolina shells reminded me of deep fried risotto or mac & cheese.

For main dishes, we ordered the Tandoori Black Pepper Steak, Old Delhi-Style Chicken (tikka), Rice-Flaked Sea Bass, Prawns in Coconut Mustard Sauce, and Junnoon Chicken Kaathi Roll (egg-washed paratha bread filled tandoori chicken tika and mint chutney). I thought the pepper steak was tough and tasteless, but one of my fellow diners (a beef fanatic) liked it best among all the entrees. The Delhi-style chicken was the most traditional dish we sampled and my favorite. The sea bass was okay, I recommend against the prawns and the Kaathi roll was different and worth trying.

Overall, I thought the service was great, the food good and the prices a bit steep for Indian. If I really wanted Indian, I’d go to Amber or (formerly) Sue’s in Mountain View.

See all of my reviews on Yelp.