An Appetite for Value

The ailing economy hasn’t diminished our appetite for dining out, so it’s great to see establishments such as Quattro Restaurant and Bar at the Four Seasons hotel in Palo Alto responding to the economic crunch with some great deals that make fine dining affordable, even in these tight financial times.

At Quattro, the onset of spring inspired a fresh new value-driven tasting menu. For $55, diners can enjoy a five-course menu that showcases the restaurant’s seasonal Northern Italian cuisine (and also showcases executive chef Alessandro Cartumini’s superb pasta dishes). The tasting menu changes daily depending on what’s seasonal, but diners can expect fare such as:
Raviolo (a perfectly rich and velvety combination of organic egg yolk, parmigiano and prosciutto); Sea Scallop (seared and served atop a bed of sweet pea risotto, with freshly plucked pea tendrils and preserved lemon); and Beef Tenderloin (the succulent beef comes with spring onion, fava beans, Thumbelina carrots and a sauce that will have you wishing you could lick the plate clean!). For an additional $28, diners can enjoy the wine pairings chosen by the restaurant’s sommelier with each course.

This five course tasting menu is just one of the initiatives taking place at Quattro to appeal to budget-conscious diners. Here are a few more deals to help foodies sate their appetite without breaking the bank:

Uncorked Fridays:
Each Friday, diners are encouraged to bring wines from their personal collection to enjoy with their dinner. All corkage fees will be waived, and the folks at Quattro will even make suggestions about which dishes will best pair with your chosen wine.

Sunday Supper:
Every Sunday evening families can enjoy steaming platters of family-style Italian specialties (chef Cartumini even serves up his mama’s famed meatball recipe! Adults pay $25 per person and children under the age of 18 just pay their age.

BYO Wine Dinners:
On the second Friday of each month, the restaurant is hosting a special “Uncorked” event that sees the chef prepare a seasonal menu designed to be paired with a particular wine. This Friday May 8 the chosen wine is chardonnay – so raid those wine racks and treat that notable bottle to some cuisine worthy of the vintage you’ve been saving!

For more dollar-saving dining deals, keep your eye out for upcoming issues of The Wave Magazine!

Quattro Restaurant & Bar, 2050 University Ave., East Palo Alto (650) 566-1200 www.fourseasons.com