Albona Ristorante Istriano

Gayle and I braved a Friday Night rainstorm and an Occupy protest to come to the City and have Dinner at Albona with Ben P. and his lovely wife Amy. Both are moving to Miami next month, and this was a chance to talk about this exciting new chapter in their lives and to catch up since our last dinner together. I'm also hoping that after his move, Ben starts writing reviews again and otherwise enhances the Magic City by his hard work and wicked smart personality. To get him started, Gayle and I presented him and Wifey a copy of Scarface (which includes a digital "F Bomb" counter).

Since we're from the Midwest, all 4 of us arrived early for our 7:30 PM dinner date. Some good neighbourhood parking Karma and a keen eye for locating the understated entrance also helped. Gayle and I also learned quickly that Ben is a "regular" here, or as he joked, it's one of the few situations where his association with a restaurant is a good thing. The practical upshot was that we were well taken care during the evening, starting with a glass of Prosecco when we first sat down. That high level of service continued through 2 appetizers, a couple bottles of excellent red wine, the main courses, dessert, and being greeted and thanked by the Chef at the end. You would think that Ben and Amy were VIPs here, but I did make sure that we split the check despite all that charm, class, and wit that was flying around.

The dining room was well appointed, intimate, and was very conducive to the engaging and enjoyable 3 hour dinner conversation that ensued. Our lives intersect in various places (like St. Louis Park, MN) and it was fun to talk from various common frames of reference. The food was also fabulous, and when you combine that with the ambiance, the service, and the company, times like this make me wish I could throw in a 6th Star for Gestalt.

Get out of the Fishermans Wharf tourist ghetto with just a two-block walk towards North Beach, literally and figuratively. The Istrian restaurant feels old-school San Francisco. Dishes are all typically Venetian or Istrian, so like Italian food married to a touch of the Balkans. Rich and hearty gnocchi with a thick sirloin sauce or lamb roast with juniper. If you can't fully leave the Wharf behind, try the dungeoness crab salad appetizer.

Amazing meal. North Italian, Istrian. Great date place, and prepare yourself for a highly family-like feeling dining here.

Find it! You will (probably) love it! Unique menu. Very small inside so call ahead if you have a group.

Heaven - definitively heaven!