Dopo
Oakland, CA 94611
Phone: (510) 652-3676
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Echo Avenue
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm , Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-11pm, Sat 5:30pm-11pm
Editorial Review for Dopo – by Scott Hocker
The Scene
Sleek and sophisticated with maize-colored walls, warm lighting and abstract prints dangling from metal fixtures, this tiny cafe is a fitting addition to Piedmont Avenue's restaurant row. Well-heeled ladies and crunchy East Bay types are coddled by extremely professional servers.
The Food
A former cook at Oliveto, Jon Smulewitz assembles food from an Italian menu as tiny as the space itself. Antipasti misti (a trio of small bites) changes daily, but prototypical examples include meaty, roasted porcini with pea greens; pristine shrimp with chickpeas; and a mini-fritter of big-eye tuna with barsan olives. Pastas are a revelation. White-on-white spaghetti with cauliflower and ricotta proves monochrome works, and Dungeness crab tortellini napped with butter and snipped chives sings. Crackly, chewy pizzas are a wondrous exercise in restraint, especially the spicy peppers and sausage option, coated with vibrant tomato sauce. Desserts, like chocolate almond torte and lemon tart topped with creamy sabayon, are simple and delicious.
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoDopo doesn't take reservations. Dine at off-peak hours to avoid a wait.
The ExtrasIf you find yourself forced to wait, take a seat at one of the two tables in front of the restaurant and nurse a glass of wine.
User Reviews for Dopo
03/09/2008 Posted by 1253willyg
Dopo is the kind of restaurant I could eat at a couple of times a week. Simple, honest, inspired food served in an unpretentious, warm room with an open kitchen is truly inspired and reflects the ideals of market cooking. My favorite preparations include the salume, the pesce crudo, and the antipasti. Some favorite dishes I've had (there's many) include marinated swordfish with pistachios, breadcrumb stuffed baked anchovies, fried veal involtini, and anything on the salume menu. I'm a foodie- meaning I eat out quite often, and when traveling I'm obsessed with eating and learning about a local culture through food. In my trip last year to Rome and Sicily, I ate lots of delicious fish preparations, most memorably smoked tuna and swordfish. Jon cooks in the style of Italian food as it is eaten in Italy. Dopo is my favorite restaurant in the Bay Area, hands down. Naysayers on citysearch- small portions?, too pricey?, having to wait? Good things are worth waiting for, what is the big rush anyway? Dopo offers a great value for the level of food that they serve. You should probably go to pasta pomodoro or some lousy red sauce "Italian" joint and get your fill on overcooked, underseasoned pasta dishes and free refills on the sodas. Don't try to come off like you really know what's good when you might not be the best judge.
Pros: truly inspired, market-driven food
Cons: closed on sunday, could use some fish or meat entrees
02/21/2008 Posted by bennie27
Wow!! My father-in-law took us here for our first time two weeks ago and I've been thinking about it ever since. He remembered it from about 3 years ago and said it still hadn't lost any charm. We were greeted by Graham, the host, right away...who was super friendly.. We waited the 20 minutes outside in the cold, but it was definately worth it because we knew what to expect beforehand and enjoyed a really nice bottle of wine that Graham recommended we try. Once seated in the cozy dining area, our passionate waitress spent a lot of time explaining each and every item on the menu, down to each ingrediant. We tried about 5 things and loved everything!! The Octupus Spaghetti is nothing like I've had before and took me by surprise..the flavors are just so distinct and different, and well put together. The calzone was my favorite dish...very flavorful...Even the young Owner/Chef took time to come over and say hello..There was a hustle amongst the staff, but I thought it matched the demand of their popularity and success...can't blame them for trying to make everyone happy in such a small venue.. Overall I'd say if you aren't too pretentious, Dopo will become your new favorite restaurant in the Bay Area!! It's definately ours...and I can't wait to go back...love the food and the prices are much less than many others around who have nothing creative to offer!
Pros: Knowledgable, Friendly Staff, no pressure to leave quickily, Great Unique Food, Charming
Cons: The wait outdoors when it's cold..tip: order wine to hold you over
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