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What
kind of base campy eater doesn’t want to peek at Hill’s
new restaurant? Not me. When I saw Picco was open, I had to summit up.
Service:
Friendly and efficient. The staff is professional and informed. They have
a lot of people poking their nose in and asking questions about this new
eatery while they juggle a bustling dining room, lounge and bar.
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Atmosphere:
Fun and lively. The bar attracts the non-geriatric Marin set. The music
ranges from rock to reggae at a level that is comfortable for discussion.
There is a cool lounge area in back and a private dining room for a small
gathering/party. Contemporary artwork lines the walls above the cozy booths
in the main dining room. Clientele are dressed in business casual, flirty
dresses and jeans. |
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Raw
halibut with Greek basil, shiso, radishes, soy and Puglian olive oil ($9.95):
Fresh, delicate slices of local halibut topped with crisp, mini radish
matchsticks, perfect baby leaves of opal basil and tiny snips of chives
(whoever sorts the micro greens and slices the veggies with such surgical
precision is probably moonlighting from one of the plastic surgeons' offices
across the street.) The soy and Southern Italian olive oil pulled all
the tastes together swimmingly. |
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Albacore
"ceviche style" with three chilies and cilantro sprouts ($9.75):
This local tuna rested in a pool of tangy citrus sauce flecked with chilies.
Cilantro sprouts crowed this fusion of flavors. Don't think caliente when
you see the red confetti, the chilles are flavorful, but don't peg on
the Scoville meter. |
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Avocado
buschetta ($5.75):
Perfectly ripe, sliced avocados were fanned out over Panorama toast and
drizzled with balsamico. I wanted them a little saltier so I asked for
some of their Maldon salt (the best salt ever.) They were nice
enough to bring me out a little ramekin of these little sodium pyramids
to perfectly balance out this fruity toast.
Cherry belle radishes simmered in butter ($4.95):
I wasn't sure of the intent on this one. They arrived hot with the outer
layer cooked, but the interior crisp. I wondered if they would be better
either raw (and without the butter) or cooked more (so they resembled
a faux creamed onion - albeit red.) They were fine rolled around in some
of that Maldon salt, but they didn't hit my radish spot (which was already
taken by that delish halibut dish.) |
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Mini
burgers ($10.95):
No, these are not pac men that are eating their powerballs, they are sliders
done right. I loved these little babies. Not only did they have the correct
ratio of meat to bread, but the roll stood up to the meat without dominating
it in the texture department. The rocket was tender with a slight pepperiness.
The truffle cheese, onions and aioli balanced the flavors out to a mini
burger perfection. Their meaty goodness turn me into a Pac ghost, I goobled
them down. |
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Beverages:
Check out their wine room. If you're not up for a bottle, they offer wines
by the glass. |
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Cheeses
($19.95):
Pepato (sheep's milk with peppercorns), St. George (cheddar
style cow), Bucheret (aged goat), Mt. Tam (triple cream
cow), Blue (it's really white - crumbly cow cheese) All these
cheeses are from local producers and are served at the perfect temperature
and degree of ripeness alongside slivers of medjool date, quince paste
and walnuts. A plate of toasted Panorama walnut bread acts as a delicious
cheese transport system. |
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This
restaurant is all about small plates for sharing. I’m all
for the idea of sharing as long as that means that I can get a LOT of
those yummy small plates.
They focus on fresh, locally produced, organic ingredients.
The meat is Niman ranch, the oysters are Hog Island, you get the idea.
Head down to Pico. If you're a Larkspurian
or Corte Maderite, it's a great addition to the neighborhood. It's "Boulder"
than Java or Roxanne's (the former residents of this
building.) If you must travel to get here, it's worth a trek.
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Three
carrots out of four
Picco Rocks! Because they have
just opened, they are only tackling dinners. Their
menu will expand as they settle into their rhythm. I am anxiously
anticipating their risotto (which will make it's appearance
on the menu in a couple of months.) While I'm waiting, I'll
have a few more mini burgers. Or maybe go to their excellent
pizzeria
next door. |
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"Great!" |
Picco Bathroom Rating
Don't be deceived by the picture of the tomato on one door and the
picture of the zucchini on the other (I think that those are vestiges
of the raw food restaurant that used to occupy this space) they
are two large, unisex rooms which are clean and well stocked.
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Entire contents copyright ©
2005 by BunRabCo. All rights reserved. |
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