Went to the new Spago's in Palo Alto last night. Summary: Liked it a lot, some degree of sticker shock. Spago's is in the location of what was Stars up until a few months ago. The layout is unchanged; a few murals have been added for decor. Last night (Wednesday) it was busy. We arrived around 8:30 for a 9pm reservation with plans to wile away some time in the bar for drinks & some snacks. Their by-the-glass wine selections in the bar ranged from about $6 to $9. I had a glass of whatever zinfandel was on the list, $8.50. It was a nice wine. We took a table in the bar area as we waited and the server brought out a bread basket. Good bread, although fancy to the point of parody. One was a Olive-stuffed wheat bread, there was a super-yummy crunchy flat bread, some breadsticks, some white (sour perhaps? didn't try it), and others. There was a limited bar menu (different from the main menu, mostly pizzas) but we didn't try it. Around 9:10 we checked on the reservation, and were seated a few minutes later in the main section of the restaurant. Service was prompt, a little shaky at times, but trying really hard to be good. Each time we needed something our server was either already there bringing whatever it was, or within easy signalling distance. I shared a scallops appetizer and ordered the rack of lamb as an entree. The appetizer -- "Maine dayboat scallops with warm potato, black trumpet ragout and caper raisin sauce" -- was a plate of 4 large (perhaps 1" diameter) scallops, a good size to share. PERFECT scallops, melt-in-your-mouth tender and the sauce a good addition. A bit expensive, $13.00. The lamb -- "Tamarind glazed rack of lamb with sweet and sour eggplant and spicy apricot sauce" -- was also excellent. It priced at $24.00. The lamb -- 4 medium-to-largish-sized cuts -- was likewise VERY tender and the sauce done well. My cohort had the "Roasted saddle of monkfish with Brussels sprouts and balsamic brown butter" and has been talking about it all day. I took a taste and agreed that it was great. Our other comrades both had the "Angel hair pasta with mild mushrooms and shaved parmesan cheese" -- they liked it but I didn't get much other feedback. The menu had all sorts of more interesting dishes (duck, quail with pancetta oyster stuffing, salmon, bass with rosotto, rare tuna, honey glazed squab, steak, and a veal chop) so I was surprised they went for boring ol' pasta. I could have cooked them pasta. But no way could I have made monkfish like that. :-) The desserts all looked good (as we saw them going to other tables) but we weren't in a dessert mood. So all in all, a nice experience. I -really- enjoyed the food. It was too pricy to make a frequent hangout, but I'll go back for special occasions... Allan
San Francisco Bay Area, CA