Dinner last night to celebrate friend’s bday at one of my all-time favorite Italian restaurants. Via del Corso re-opened in 2021 after long-lived and beloved Corso shut down citing financial difficulties due to the pandemic. (I had not known that the former Corso owners also owned Rivoli on Solano, which also sadly shuttered during the pandemic.) Thank goodness for chef/owner Peter Chastain and Via del Corso!
Our favorite place to sit is at the bar (there’s also a chef counter to watch the action from) - always a very lively spot where we often end up chatting with the regulars.
One of my favorite cocktails here (EVOO Martini - Olive Oil-infused gin), from one of our favorite bartenders, Vito. Much vino - both red and white - was thrown our way due to my friend’s bday and also because Vito is just that kind of bartender. (He will do [quite generous] half-pours, which is always my favorite.)
Three of us shared:
*Crostone con Stracciatella e Fichi - Grilled Bread, Stracciatella, Jimenez Farms Black Mission Figs, Saba and Rosemary
*Zucchini Marinate - Marinated Thin Sliced Summer Squashes, Pinenuts, Mint, Whipped Ricottas
*Pulpo in Purgatorio - Octopus Braised with Tomato and Onion, Hot Pepper and Castello di Volpaia Vinegar
*Spezzatino d’Agnello ai Fave - Spring Lamb Shoulder Slow Simmered with Fava Beans, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Rosemary, White Wine, S. Marzano
*Spinaci - Sauteed Spinach, Garlic, Parmigiano Reggiano
Oh, and complimentary amaretti for the bday boy.
Everything was excellent, as always (seriously, I’ve never had a dud here), but my favorite dish may have been the fichi crostate - so fresh and creamy. (That also may have been just because i was starving when i got there and it was my first bite.) We also had copious amounts of their good bread and butter, to sop up the delicious octopus and lamb sauciness.
I’m a little shocked we didn’t get any pasta because theirs is legendary and often (if not always?) house-made. And there is always an option to get half an order, which i love. So, so, SO good. Don’t be like us, always order pasta.
If you haven’t been, GO. Rezzies are usually required but if you get there early enough you can snag seats at the bar. There’s also a parklet but then you’d miss out on all the conviviality inside. Making new friends is part of the experience here, in addition to the beautifully prepared food that transports you straight to Italy.
