Dinner Downtown

Although San Francisco for decades had a strong list of jazz clubs, over the years many had to close or change format. It's starting to look like downtown Berkeley is shaping up as the next jazz location with: Jupiters, Anna's Jazz Island, and Downtown Restaurant with regular jazz schedules. Last weekend was the first annual Berkeley Jazz festival, with over 15 stages within a handful of blocks, mostly hosting Latin Jazz.

We ended up at Downtown Restaurant which we've always walked by and never tried. Guro Melacio Magdaluyo happened to be playing that evening with Que Color. He was filling in for the regular winds (sax/flute) guy who was out playing with Huey Lewis.

Downtown Restaurant has a supper club where for about $40 per person (depends on who's playing) you get a starter, entree, and dessert plus get prime seating for the music slated that night. There aren't too many places in the bay where you can get a fine meal to go along with the fine music. Yoshi's used to be one of those places, but alas ever since it moved to Jack London I find it a bit overpriced. Downtown had the feel of really nice club, a place for people can linger and chat.

What we had:

Panacetta salad
Steamed mussels & clams
Fried seafood and vegetables with ailoli
Seared Ahi Tuna
Duck Breast w/peachers
Peach turnover
Blueberry Bombe

To drink:
Diet Coke
Uptown Mojito
Taylor Fladgate 10 year Port, Portugal -The Taylor Fladgate 10 year Port was rich with plum and dark chocolate flavors with a very nice dryness.