This is a bit of a twist on the theme since I’m sure you are expecting a post about one of Lamorinda’s fine restaurants — of which there are many. In fact, there are so many superb, gourmet-quality restaurants in the area now, that there is hardly a need to venture to San Francisco for an exceptional dining experience. With that said, one of the truly wonderful aspects of living in and around the Lamorinda area is its proximity to a diversity of culture. And, with that comes fine dining. So, this post will share a superb dining experience that we had last evening, just a short 10-15 min drive from Lafayette in the charming Rockridge district of Oakland.
- A Sumptuous Meal at A Cote’
A Cote’ is located at 5478 College Avenue in Oakland’s Rockridge district, just a short drive from anywhere in Lamorinda. Featuring a bar that serves a selection of about 50 eclectic wine selections from around the globe, as well as hand-crafted cocktails (more on that in a minute!) — all designed to complement the restaurant’s ever-changing small plate (Tapas) menu of enticing food choices.
I’m not going to even pretend to be a food critic, so this post really isn’t meant to relate details of the food experience… sharing details about the olfactory and taste sensations we experienced while dining. That’s way too esoteric and I’d probably do a poor job of describing the food for anyone who takes that sort of thing seriously. I know what I like, and A Cote’s food is exceptional. If you want to read a professional review, you’ll find some here.
So… back to the experience of dining at A Cote’! When you walk in, it feels like a neighborhood restaurant… inviting, intimate, and clearly a local hang-out for people living in the immediate area who can literally walk to dinner. If you are lucky, you’ll find Michael Moreno behind the bar, better known as “Mikey” (pronounced Mike—eeee or some of you may prefer “My Key” 
). Regardless, at about 6’5″ tall and surely 250+lbs, he is clearly on center stage when behind the bar. You’ll find him actively engaged in conversation with the bar patrons, perhaps explaining the esoteric differences between the “Kekoporto” red wine from Hungary and Petit Manseng from southern France. Heck, I’ve always considered myself to be a pretty serious wine person with a substantial cellar, and I get totally lost with their wine list. It’s part of the A Cote’ experience, and a great reason to engage Mikey or any of their knowledgeable servers in conversation about wine pairings. You’ll also find Mikey crafting hand-shaken drinks all evening long, truly part of the “show”! Given his size and endearing personality, you can’t miss him when he’s shaking a Cosmo or martini overhead, and then slamming the shaker down on the bar as he personally samples each drink with a small straw before serving it. (Don’t worry… finger over the straw, not his lips!) It’s a show, and definitely worth getting there early enough to grab a seat at the bar.
The food last night, as always, was exceptional… from the flat bread, to the chicken tortoloni, the pork tenderloin with apples… to the special A Cote’ chocolate dessert that we shared with friends. Finally, the service was warm, inviting and always attentive. Our server knew the menu and all of its subtleties, as well as being knowledgeable about their wine list.
So… one of the extraordinary qualities of living in the Lamorinda community of Lafayette, Orinda or Moraga, is the proximity to other richly diverse cultural experiences within a very short drive. In this case, the Rockridge district’s wonderfully eclectic mix of shops and restaurants can be reached within minutes. Don’t miss A Cote’!
