Camino

»monday nite madness at Camino

A few of us went back to Camino to take advantage of the Monday Nite $29 prix fixe crab special on-going for the month of January. Simply put: it was impeccable.

First of all, the place was packed -- it was a vibrant crowd. So if you plan on going there, you'd be wise to make a reservation. Or just drop by after 9.

Second, while the tables and environment are simple, don't be fooled: the food...+READ A few of us went back to Camino to take advantage of the Monday Nite $29 prix fixe crab special on-going for the month of January. Simply put: it was impeccable.

First of all, the place was packed -- it was a vibrant crowd. So if you plan on going there, you'd be wise to make a reservation. Or just drop by after 9.

Second, while the tables and environment are simple, don't be fooled: the food is as delicious as it gets.

Then the crab: Fresh Dungeness crab is roasted in the wood oven for just the right amount of time, to give it a smokey quality, but without overpowering the delicate flavor of the fresh crab. And not dry. And at the same time, bathed in salt, pepper and garlic. Served with a chicory salad and a farro with black trumpet mushrooms medley to complement the flavors. Outrageously delightful. And for an additional $11 you can add another half crab to the plate.

On to the duck: It was the best I've had in the U.S. and on par with that amazing duck I had many years back in Prague. Moist, slow cooked, served on a bed of smoked lentil salad...it was outrageously tasty.

Then dessert...I'll stop here. Go and find out for yourselves.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (3 Replies) (by escargot3, created January 17, 2011)

We had a textbook Roman style Puntarella salad at Camino last Monday. Thin slivers made curly by a bath in ice water, dressed in an anchovy/lemon/olive oil emulsion. It came underneath the Salt Cod fritters which were also mighty tasty.
Anabelle at La Tercera has grown this for years and is IMO the best local source for it. REPLY (10 Replies) (by flavorenhancer, created October 15, 2010)

Oh man, that was one heck of a meal. We had the Oktoberfest $30 prix fixe menu too. Such a deal for $30 when you see the same entree on the menu for $25 (the prix-fixe items were also on the regular menu). The set menu comes with the aforementioned salad and dessert. We also got salt cod fritters that came with one of my favorite fall vegetables; Puntarella. It is Roman,not German, but damn was...+READ Oh man, that was one heck of a meal. We had the Oktoberfest $30 prix fixe menu too. Such a deal for $30 when you see the same entree on the menu for $25 (the prix-fixe items were also on the regular menu). The set menu comes with the aforementioned salad and dessert. We also got salt cod fritters that came with one of my favorite fall vegetables; Puntarella. It is Roman,not German, but damn was it tasty. An Alsatian Riesling and a German Pilsner were both well matched by the food.
Even with all this bounty, the thing I woke up thinking about this morning was the smoked prunes that came with the pork. Sweet, earthy, falling apart soft and super-smokey. They were the perfect accompaniment to the hunks of smoked pork shoulder and the 3 grilled sausages (whoever says Camino under delivers on quantity has not tried this particular dish).
We had not been to Camino for their Monday night special menus before this, but we'll be back for more.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (6 Replies) (by flavorenhancer, created October 12, 2010)

I totally agree with Ruth here. It seems that restaurants must WANT to have that loudness. There must be some customers (maybe those who have nothing interesting to say to one another) who don't mind it or even like it. It's also possible that people feel intimidated if they don't like the loud noise, since it's all over the place these days.

The worst thing (and I can't remember if Camino...+READ I totally agree with Ruth here. It seems that restaurants must WANT to have that loudness. There must be some customers (maybe those who have nothing interesting to say to one another) who don't mind it or even like it. It's also possible that people feel intimidated if they don't like the loud noise, since it's all over the place these days.

The worst thing (and I can't remember if Camino does this or not since it's been a while since I was there) is the restaurant playing loud Rolling Stones music AND having bad acoustics so that talking has to become yelling when the place is full.

Nothing worse for digestion (or enjoyment) of food than a wall of noise AND music while eating.

I wonder what'd happen if a poll were taken in the places where the Chron awards a bell or a bomb....There MUST be some reason the restaurants do this....no ceiling acoustical tiles, slate floors, plaster walls. I mean they're consciously creating loud noise.

I wish there were enough folks who were angry enough to stage a BIG boycott.

End of rant.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (52 Replies) (by oakjoan, created February 11, 2010)

»So good, so good

Last night was my second visit to Camino in as many months. If I could afford it, I'd go weekly. On both visits, the food was flawless and the service the same. It's a warm, rustic, inviting space with a great vibe. Everyone's smiling, helpful, and knowledgeable. They're a well-trained crew. Last night we had the grilled crab and it was excellent. It came w/braised fennel and a...+READ Last night was my second visit to Camino in as many months. If I could afford it, I'd go weekly. On both visits, the food was flawless and the service the same. It's a warm, rustic, inviting space with a great vibe. Everyone's smiling, helpful, and knowledgeable. They're a well-trained crew. Last night we had the grilled crab and it was excellent. It came w/braised fennel and a delicately-seasoned vinaigrette over escarole, radicchio and chicory. The opener was a soup made of two types of pureed beans and some crispy pancetta on top. And, for me, the dessert was a perfect finish...blood orange sorbet w/candied grapefruit peel on the side. What can I say? I love this place.-COLLAPSE (by lacerise, created January 26, 2010)

»Unacceptable Noise Level

My husband and I ate dinner at this restaurant on a weeknight a few weeks ago and had a good meal--however, the restaurant was full and the noise level was just unacceptable. Diners are seated next to each other at long tables, somewhat narrow, tables. The people next to us had to speak very loudly to hear each other and so did we. My ears rang when I left. We won't go back. REPLY (52 Replies) (by janewebster, created January 24, 2010)