Weekend dining, August, Coquette, Domenica (partial menu included)

[jodyrah]

Of the three, August was far and away the standout. We had the 4 course tasting w/ wine pairing. We were told the menu changes every 2-3 days so what we had probably won't be on the menu but hee goes anyway:

1. crispy fried sweetbreads topped with (Ithink) balsamic dressed baby green s. Husband and son loved it, I substituted their wonderful gnocchi.

2. Squash tortelloni with grilled shrimp , beans and toothpick haricot vert. This was my favorite. Delicate pasta, perfectly grilled shrimp with a light, creamy bean sauce.

3. Wild boar ragu with chanterelles. Decadently rich and oh so good.

4. Nougatine layered with chocolate mousse, a light cho. sponge, topped with a sligthly salty coffe ice ceam. A delightful combination of salty and sweet.

Sat lunch: Coquette

I had the sweet corn soup with crab and tomato. The bright yellow creamy soup captured the essence of fresh corn with a hint of heat. The cool crab and tomato were a perfect foil.

Husband and son had the (tempura) friedd oysters atop tomatoes, greens and what looked to be a light creamy dressing. They loved it. I was lucky enough to get an oyster and it was superb. Tempura done right, light, delicate, crispy. I could have eaten a dozen .

Son and I both had the halibut with chanterellees in a light , flavorful mushroom broth.

Huband had redfish risotto. This was actually 2 small fillets, pan fried, atop risotto. Overall the dish worked although the risotto was a bit lacking in flavor.

No dessert since we had dinner res.

Domenica

Italian Rambla is the best description I can conjure.
The rest. was loud and packed at 7:30.

The menu:

pizze: $13 8 varieties

sorted salumis and cheeses

Chef's Affettati Misti $25
platter of assorted salumis, imported cheeses, marinated olives, roasted vegetables

Antipasti small/large plates
$6-14
chilled heirloom tomato soup, crabmeat salad
sicilian meatballs
wood grilled shrimp
arugula, gorgonzola picante, pistachios, tomatoes
Burrata mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, grilled bread
baby lettuces, beets, balsami, pancetta
octopus carpaccio
fried squash blossoms stuffed w/ goat cheese
bresaola, arugula, parm. reggiano

Primi small/large plates
$9-18
fazzoletti pasta, guanciale, heirloom tomatoes
spinac & ricotta gnocchi, almonds, brown btter
anolni, canterelles, pecorino
tagliatelle rabbit ragu, summer squash
risotto, English peas and pancetta soffritto
lasagne bolognese
linguini, shrimp, bottarga, chilies, mint
stracci oxtail ragu, fried chicken livers
spaghetti olive oil, garlic, parm.

Secondi

pesce
monkfish, eggplant, artichokes, olives 23
whole pompano fennel and salsa verde 26
fritto misto of shrimp,calamari, crab and oyster 15/20
gulf fish peppers tomatoes and cabbage 18

carne
braciole di capretto slow roasted goat with canterelles 23
paneed Louisiana veal w/lemon, arugula 21
berkshire pork coppa borlotti bean, basil, honey 23
guinea hen local San Marzano tomatoes and rapini 19

Contorni $6
garlic roasted rapini
rosemary roasted potatoes
zucchini gratinato
soft polenta
local heirloom tomatoes
borlotti beans stewed with bacon , herbs

Dolci $8

Although our appetites were lacking, we managed to consume:

prosciutto, tomato, buffala mozz., arugula pizze Very thin, crisp crust, toppings were not cooked, mozzarella was all but invisible.

margherita pizze tomato, basil, fresh mozzarella. Light hand on sauce and cheese. If you grill your crust and make your own sauce, it will be better than this. Instead, order:

Burrata mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, grilled bread. The large seems at first glance a bit pricey, $14 for 3 dollops of room temp. cheese, some tomatoes and a few small pieces of bread. The mozzarella is silky, creamy and buttery. The tomatoes sweet and juicy. Just wonderful. I could have just eaten this.

Fazzoletti pasta (large) guanciale and heirloom tomatoes. The guanciale lends a rich pork flavor. The flat zigzag pieces of pasta tender but I wouldn't order it again nor would I order again:

spinachh and ricotta gnocci with almonds and brown butter. Te tiny gnocchi were very light but bland. The tiny bit of almonds added some, but not enough.

Lasagna Bolognese This was deceptively filling. A small casserole, paper thin pasta, bechemal, bolognese sauce. Very nice.

Since we all had fish for lunch, we ordered:

Braciole di capretto, slow roasted goat with chanterelles. Husband and son really enjoyed this. I was at my limit and had but a bite.

Borlotti beans stewed with bacon and herbs. Intensely smoky. Would have been outstanding had the beans been cooked a bit more and less salty. Chef said they use Benton's bacon.

Your meal as anywhere, will be determined by your choices of which there are many. Service was very good.

[wish I never left]

Great report, Jody. Thanks!

I have a slightly different take on that redfish with risotto at Coquette. I thought each component was wonderful, but that a bite of the risotto along with a bite of the redfish was even better.

BTW, does anyone know what's going on with lunch at Coquette? I have a friend who's coming to town this week and he told me that his reservations for lunch there were canceled by the restaurant.

[jodyrah]

Great report, Jody. Thanks!

I have a slightly different take on that redfish with risotto at Coquette. I thought each component was wonderful, but that a bite of the risotto along with a bite of the redfish was even better.

BTW, does anyone know what's going on with lunch at Coquette? I have a friend who's coming to town this week and he told me that his reservations for lunch there were canceled by the restaurant.

Our Coquette meal was Sat. lunch. We had resv. They were taking walk ins. as well. They were serving downstairs only and were full by 12:30. Perhaps they overbooked and had to cancel your friend. I'd give them a call.