In search of a really good dinner prior to the Sunday departure of a visiting antipodean friend, we visited Postrio - the Puck establishment on Post St. near Mason.
If you haven't been to Postrio, the Beagles give it a hearty Òthumbs upÓ but with one warning: the price tags there are not for the faint of heart.
The food - outstanding. The menu is diverse, interesting, and written with care to detail about preparation and accompaniment. Every meal was superbly prepared, delicious, and expertly presented.
The service - outstanding. Our waiter was always available but never pestering. After the main, we were having a vigorous discussion at the table about a unique mint chutney served with the lamb. We were mystified by a second green vegetable flavor in it. Our waiter overheard us, and within a few minutes he appeared with Chef de Cuisine Jordan Grosser. Jordan chatted with us for about ten minutes, giving us a detailed explanation of the preparation of the condiment and answering our incessant questions. BTW Ð the mystery flavor was a small amount of jalapeno.
The wine - excellent. The wine list may be the biggest list I've ever seen. The second thing you'll notice is the quality of the list - there isn't a mediocre wine in the whole thing. But what you'll REALLY notice are the prices. Don't go if you're expecting a 'deal'. There are far more 'hundred-plus-plus' price tags than there are prices under one hundred dollars.
At our table both lamb and duck were ordered. We decided on Domaine Drouhin from the Willamette Valley - in part because of recommends I had read on this forum and another.
The wine was excellent. A definitive 'Pinot nose', but not at all barnyard. Although the wine was a 2005, it was soft and supple - enough tannins for a good backbone, but smooth and full on the palate. The middle of the palate had lush red fruit, and a medium long finish. It got a thumbs up from all at the table.
Two of us had a pear-based dessert, and chose glasses of a superb Beaumes-de-Venise from Jabboulet for dessert wine. Soft and silky, with hints of orange and perfume, it made the perfect ending to a great dinner.