Risotto

What is Antioch? Fancy and posh; not really, however, the city government believes the city is a retirement community with many golfing options. Although I don’t have the facts to back that up, I am fairly sure Antioch is just another bay area commuter city. Over the next few post, I will be exploring the city, the good parts and the not so good parts. I have been living here for nearly fifteen years, and hopefully can guide you through our city.

My first topic will be the Risotto restaurant, 4605 Golf Course Road at Lone Tree Way, the second restaurant at that location, and the second Italian joint in town, Olive Garden was the first, Vinette (the original at this location), and then Johnny Carino’s. Of course others may have come and gone, but these are the major choices.

This weekend my Wife and I were going to the new fat-free-all-healthy-completely-organic frozen yogurt shop in the same plaza when we decided to dine at the Risotto. Walking into the building is quite a pleasant experience; a country Italian truck to the right displaying seasonal ornamentation, a handful of Italian wines, and a choice variety of other fun-to-look at items. To the left was a wonderful looking dessert cabinet. Straight ahead was a grandiose bar.

The wait was trivial, and the hostess shuttled us to our table, in the main dining area. While we were dining, there were at least ten other parties and the room was generally quiet.

The new Risotto décor is so much better than the original. The art is more Italianesque and the original deconstructive architecture was removed covered by linens hanging from the ceiling. An Italian restaurant should be Italian; the original was not, but Risotto is better now.

The menu has a curious slow dining label, warning the hasty American population that this restaurant will serve its food when it likes. I found that entertaining, however, there service was not especially slow. We had a pleasant conversation while our food was being prepared. And the spinach pear salad was delightful, while the linguini carbonara was equally wonderful.

Absolutely no complaints.  Risotto has become a wonderful dining experience. Risotto would be a wonderful location for a prom dinner, a night out (as their bar is well stocked), or a simple dining experience.