Bistro Don Giovanni

Finding enough babysitters for 6 children is a challenge; if by some miracle of planning, or an excellent organizer (like Audrey), this actually occurs, then coordinating a dinner for 11 at a restaurant everyone will enjoy is a miracle. After a miraculous dinner at Bistro Don Giovanni, I now know miracles do occur!

We started with an appetizer of fritto misto, with calamari, rock shrimp, fennel, summer beans and aioli for $14. This was devoured by the table and we could have easily eaten another if we did not order main courses.

The table also shared this delectable proscuitto and melon for $13 that was exactly as it should have been, with paper thin slices of proscuitto and ripe melon.

Several people had dined here before and they ordered the beet and haricot vert salad, with a roquefort dressing that was literally fought over by those who had not ordered it!

For the main courses, we ordered the seared salmon with buttermilk mashed potatoes and tomato chive butter. I had to taste this dish to appreciate how delectable the perfectly cooked fish and tangy mashed potatoes were. If you are a salmon lover, this is THE dish to order here!

I ordered the spaghetti with clams, which I ordered extra spicy. The clams were wonderful and plentiful, and the fresh tomato and garlic were tasty, but even my spicy upgrade was not enough to kick this dish up to extraordinary. It was good and fresh, but the flavor profile was not spectacular.

The duck confit with risotto was spectacular. The duck confit was tender and flavorful, and the risotto was done as it should have been to a creamy rich consistency. This was the winner with everyone.

The "regular" here ordered the steak ($25) because he said that he rarely orders steak, but loves it here. There is a reason why a non-steak eater eats it here!

The fig and proscuitto pizza with caramelized onion, gorgonzola and balsamic ($15) was a symphony of sweet flavors which worked well together.

For the non adventurous eaters, there was a standard pepperoni pizza.

Desserts were universally loved, like the fresh fruit crisp with vanilla bean gelato ($7).

The raspberry gelato with cookie ($6).

The tiramisu ($6).

The butterscotch pudding ($7).

And last, but not least, the "Bostini" Trifle, with vanilla custard, choclate cake, shipped cream, caramel, and toasted almonds ($9).

None of our desserts was finished, not for lack of taste or desire, but we were all stuffed with the contentment great food and time with friends and family.

The back of the restaurant abuts a vineyard and has a beautiful garden, there is no better way to spend a vacation!