Description: We arrived at Poggio, in picturesque Sausalito, expecting a really wonderful meal at this heavily recommended Northern Italian restaurant with Executive Chef Peter McNee. The entrance/desk area is crowded, with little room for people waiting for a table, and chaotic. We eventually were led to our reserved table, which seemed a bit crowded too. The waitperson explained about the specials for the evening, stressing the first course of mozzarella with various "fillers"; this was confusing as we thought each was a separate plate but found, when we ordered it, that it was a plate of one serving of each described dish. They were too highly oiled, which tended to cover the taste of the individual ingredients.
The second course of salads was better. Mine was greens with salata ricotta and peaches, well dressed; a friend had a more vegetable salad with summer squash and green beans that was excellent also. My daughter had the endive with gorgonzola, hazelnuts, and apples, which she loved.
The main courses were very good. I went for the house lamb meatballs (a first course size), not usually a favorite of mine, but these were terrific, accompanied by a tomato chard sauce. A friend had the halibut with wax beans and lemon butter and thought it wonderful while David had the grilled scallops (again, a first course size) with basil which looked great. Andrea had the spit-roasted hog with figs, escarole, and pancetta, a "wow" of a choice.
The desserts were very disappointing. Andrea and her partner ordered the Afigato, a combination of coffee and ice cream, which was so-so.. David and I shared the peach tart which was very dough-y and not very peachy. A sad end to a good meal.
Then when the check came, the total on the Visa slip didn't match the total on the bills. How could that happen? Anyway, a strange end to the meal.
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