DESCO--Oakland (Italian cuisine)

A surprisingly tasty destination in old Oakland, DESCO serves up the happiest happy hour (everything is $5) and some spectacular dishes for lunch and dinner. Located at 499 9th Street, this bistro-style restaurant has something for everyone. Housemade pastas, craft cocktails, hand-stretched pizzas and fresh salads sprinkle the menu with color and flavor.

This is one of my go-to places for happy hour due to the price and quality of the items on the happy hour menu. For these reasons, I think I've visited DESCO more than any other place in Oakland.

Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.

http://descooakland.com/



Potato Chips. One of the happy hour or anytime-hour items, the housemade potato chips are so fresh and crispy, I could devour a whole bowl by myself.

Negroni. An excellent craft cocktail with sweet vermouth, gin and campari. This is also on their happy hour menu for just $5.

Arancini. Great balls of risotto, diced veggies and cheese. These are formed, coated with bread crumbs and fried until golden brown and delicious. These are great with the spicy pepper sauce they serve it with and a handful of lightly dressed arugula salad.

Ouovo. This tangy pickled egg is served with a tuna mousse, pickled fennel shavings and usually some house-fried potato chips. Another one of my happy hour favorites.

Polpette Frita. Another snack item during happy hour. These are fried balls of breaded ricotta cheese served with some lightly-dressed arugula and spicy pepper sauce.

DESCO pizza crust. Sliced and topped with buffalo mozzarella, heirloom tomato, arugula, olives, and proscuitto di parma, this was an excellent plate for sharing. The crust was nice and crisp, the proscuitto di parma and mozzarella were flavorful and the greens, olives and arugula balanced it all out with sweet, tart and sour.

Risotto Carnaroli. With Sangiovese braised piemontese oxtail, this creamy risotto crept up at least three notches with three large pieces of falling apart tender, succulent and delicious oxtail. Topped with a savory tomato sauce, I was very impressed with this dish.

Speck Pizza. One of their handmade pizzas topped with smoked proscuitto, sweet onion and gorgonzola. Another well balanced dish that was fit for sharing.

I don't always find places that I want to visit over and over again but this is definitely one of them. The value plus quality can't be beat and I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for an excellent quick meal, slow meal or happy hour beverage.