Desco, Wood-Fired Italian in Oakland

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The newest addition to the East Bay's blossoming Italian scene is Desco, opening tonight in the former space of Paul Ferrari's handsome but short-lived Borgo Italia. Desco is the new project from Donato Scotti, chef and owner of Redwood City's acclaimed Donato Enoteca and La Strada in Palo Alto.

Desco's dinner menu will retain some of the influences of its former incarnation, like wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas and house-made pasta, but Scotti has designed a menu that dives deep into Italian regional dishes, like the Casonsei ravioli from his native Bergamo. The menu is sourced from organic and sustainable local farms and features antipasti like fresh local fish crudo, smoked duck, lamb prosciutto and rabbit terrine. Other options include traditional salads, warm starters, and entrees like the Angus loin tagliata with grilled potatoes and balsamic. One uncommon new addition is Sotti's schiacciate: a rustic, pizza-like dish where the dough is stretched into an oval and topped with ingredients like fresh crescenza cheese. Here's the full dinner menu.

Desco will have an all-Italian wine list on hand, with 50 selections, 20 of which will be available by the glass. They'll also have beer, aperitifs, and a cocktail list that includes Italian favorites like a Negroni and a Venetian Spritz with aperol and prosecco. (Here's the full drink menu.)

The 50-seat dining room retains the sky-high ceilings, wood furnishings and original brick walls of its predecessor, with picturesque sidewalk seating that accommodates 28 and a 10-seat copper bar that provides the restaurant's focal point.

Although Desco will be open for dinner only for the next two weeks, look out for lunch and an afternoon happy hour with Italian bar snacks coming soon. Hours will be Sunday-Thursday from 11 am-10 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 11 am-11 pm.

·Borgo Italia Closing, Getting Donato Enoteca Makeover [~ ESF ~]
·All Eater Insides [~ ESF ~]