The Dining Scene

Borgo: A Quaint Slice of Italy Next to a Deadly Intersection

People are always coming up to me on the street and asking, "Gene! Where do you recommend I go to for a delightful evening of Italian dining?"

It’s true. Happens every day.

Well, my first reaction is always, "Whattsa matta wit’ you?!!! Don’t you know about Borgo, my favorite Italian restaurant, located on the corner of Fell and Laguna?!!! Jeeezzz..."

Last Sunday Kimberlye "Almost Famous" Gold (looking sexy in a tight dress) met me at my place so I could take her out to dinner at Borgo for this column. Borgo was a great place to chill after I rescued her from two homeboys who were aggressively coming on to her in front of my house. Why, if this was back in New Yawk... mutter, mutter, grumble, grumble... oh well, back to our lovely dining experience:

If you somehow survive crossing the corner of Fell and Laguna (Good Luck!) you’ll enter this lovely Ristorante Italiano, where jeans and underwear hang from a clothesline, and letters from irate former customers adorn the walls. (Owner Sergio has a sense of humor.)

The place isn’t too big, isn’t too small (as Goldilocks once said, "It’s just right!") The music varies depending on the night, sometimes on the hour. I’ve usually heard traditional Italian music there, but one Saturday night it was kind of Techno-ish.

Kimberlye and I started with a bottle of Kinderwood merlot, which runs about $20 a bottle. Not bad at all. We were then treated to an "appetizer surprise", which wasn’t on the menu, consisting of an onion (with ratatoutille in it) and mushrooms covered in marinara sauce, eggplant, smoked salmon, prossciutto ham, artichoke hearts, and olives. Mmm Mmm Good. It was probably big enough to order as an entree, but not for me: I’ve got to eat so I can grow big and strong and protect my baby from obnoxious homeboys. Appetizers run from $8.50 to $10 and Sergio makes a special custom-made one for nearly everyone who walks in (unless it’s really crowded.)

Our first entree was another specialty dish made just for us: fresh pasta with porcini mushroom (which Kimberlye said tasted like a mushroom stroganoff) and gnocci (fresh tomato dumplings). The dish also had lasgnetta rolled and filled with prosciutto and mozzarella (all homemade.)

Our second entree was also special (i.e. not on the menu.) This one was my favorite: Sicilian-style halibut with roasted potatoes and brocolli. The halibut was covered with sundried and fresh tomatoes, capers, sauteed onions with white wine and tomato sauce. Entrees range from $12 to $15 (special entrees run around $18.)

Pasta dinners are around $10.

I’m not a dessert man (too busy being a drunk), but Kimberlye had Tiramisu (a liqueur) and sponge cake sprinkled with cinamon nutmeg.

What can I say, folks? Drop what you’re doing now and head down there for old world Italian charm. Until next time... Ciao!

If you wish to read more by Gene Mahoney, click here!