Hungry T's Eating Journal

Friday, Jan 13 - l'Astra

I get a call from R and K, who I meet at R's office for a wine tasting. I get there late, the Barolo is almost gone, and the tasting had become a party. I am able to ferret out a glass or two, see some old friends and meet some new ones. Everyone is pretty hungry by 8, so we try to score a table at Doug Fir, which is naturally packed on a Friday night. Roughly an hour wait, and that is only for half our group. R has seen this new place, l'Astra, down the street and says he's been wanting to try it out. Always looking for new places to try, I agree.

We wander a few blocks down to 7th, behind Ozone Records, and find the charming little restaurant. Sitting outside are Ben and Shannon, who we are to discover are the owners (it turns out they used to own Sunday down on SE Holgate before opening l'Astra). They welcome us in. Turns out the close at 8, but they seem more then happy to serve serve 11 more covers. We all agree to tip REALLY REALLY well. I order one of the specials, chicken/pancetta ravioli with rosemary oil. The kitchen is somewhat open (let me back up, the space is VERY small, maybe 5 tables total) and as we continue to talk, I notice, out of the corner of my eye, that Shannon is rolling my pasta. Amazing. And, it tastes fantastic. The sandwiches that some of my neighbors get look killer, toasted in a great looking panini press.

I get coffee, as they are still fairly new and awaiting their OLCC permit. I also get a slightly sweet cream of walnut soup, which consists of poached pears, walnuts, riesling, and cream. Mmm.

The menus are typed on an old, manual typewrite which is proudly on display near the register. The menu changes weekly. And the music is great. All vinyl, played on an old turntable. The last record they put on is by one of my favorite bands, Yo La Tengo.

Overall, I haven't been more pleased with a restaurant in quite a while. Good food, good company, good music. What else could you want?

posted by Hungry T @ 9:55 AM