CLOSED 5330
College Ave./Bryant Ave., (510) 655-1700. L-D Tu-Sun. Reservations
advised.
What a treat it is to experience a small but interesting menu combined with wine pairings selected from small-production wines by a knowledgeable staff of sommeliers. On my recent visit to The Barrel Room, France was the featured wine (the country changes periodically). You can choose one of the many pre-selected flights and have your waiter suggest menu items to pair them with, or opt to have your waiter choose a special wine for each course you select (more than 50 wines are available by the glass). A selection of beers and ciders is also poured. We shared selections from the eclectic menu of rustic wine-friendly cuisine, and started with a glass of Italian Prosecco to open up out palates. Our small plate was creamy pancetta-wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese and walnuts—enhanced by a mineral-heavy Chenin Blanc--but you might consider Brie in puff pastry with roasted grapes or spiced duck confit with spicy glaze a l’orange. We followed this with a bowl of delicate cauliflower and leek soup made a bit crunchy with toasted walnuts, and paired it with a big wine from the southwest of France—an intense, smoky white with a creamy finish. About now, I realized I was losing track of the exact wines and just gave in to enjoying the experience. While large plate temptations included porc aux pruneaux and boeuf bourguignon, we opted for a homey cassoulet with duck confit and Toulouse sausage—something we rarely see on local menus—and a burgundy-style red wine with raspberry notes. We loved our side of Basque pureed potato cakes with smoked paprika aioli paired with a Cabernet Franc with a green vegetable note. Dessert was a soft pistacio torte with apple sabayon made delightful with a Moscadello with apricot and caramel notes. Our extremely knowledgeable waiter’s delicious descriptions greatly enhanced my enjoyment. Decor is spare and sleek--a pressed tin ceiling, a polished concrete floor--and the varied seating is in front of large windows with a sidewalk view, at the bar, and on a banquette with small tables facing a wall of wines. Diners can also purchase wines by the bottle to take home and/or join the wine club.
Another Barrel Room is located in San Francisco.
Way more things to do in Oakland.
More ideas for exploring Northern California.
image ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
What a treat it is to experience a small but interesting menu combined with wine pairings selected from small-production wines by a knowledgeable staff of sommeliers. On my recent visit to The Barrel Room, France was the featured wine (the country changes periodically). You can choose one of the many pre-selected flights and have your waiter suggest menu items to pair them with, or opt to have your waiter choose a special wine for each course you select (more than 50 wines are available by the glass). A selection of beers and ciders is also poured. We shared selections from the eclectic menu of rustic wine-friendly cuisine, and started with a glass of Italian Prosecco to open up out palates. Our small plate was creamy pancetta-wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese and walnuts—enhanced by a mineral-heavy Chenin Blanc--but you might consider Brie in puff pastry with roasted grapes or spiced duck confit with spicy glaze a l’orange. We followed this with a bowl of delicate cauliflower and leek soup made a bit crunchy with toasted walnuts, and paired it with a big wine from the southwest of France—an intense, smoky white with a creamy finish. About now, I realized I was losing track of the exact wines and just gave in to enjoying the experience. While large plate temptations included porc aux pruneaux and boeuf bourguignon, we opted for a homey cassoulet with duck confit and Toulouse sausage—something we rarely see on local menus—and a burgundy-style red wine with raspberry notes. We loved our side of Basque pureed potato cakes with smoked paprika aioli paired with a Cabernet Franc with a green vegetable note. Dessert was a soft pistacio torte with apple sabayon made delightful with a Moscadello with apricot and caramel notes. Our extremely knowledgeable waiter’s delicious descriptions greatly enhanced my enjoyment. Decor is spare and sleek--a pressed tin ceiling, a polished concrete floor--and the varied seating is in front of large windows with a sidewalk view, at the bar, and on a banquette with small tables facing a wall of wines. Diners can also purchase wines by the bottle to take home and/or join the wine club.
Another Barrel Room is located in San Francisco.
Way more things to do in Oakland.
More ideas for exploring Northern California.
image ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
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