Dopo For Dinner

Last week I took my friend Karlya out for a belated birthday dinner; we made plans for dinner at 6 at Odesso on the corner of Piedmont Ave. and Pleasant Valley.  Odesso just received a great review in the Chronicle so we were both excited to sample the famed house-cured meats and Italian flavors.  Odesso was too loud for a conversation, so we strolled the two blocks down to Dopo.  (Dopo and Odesso are sister restaurants.)   I have patronized Dopo several times for lunch and I have a weakness for the beef and arugula sandwich with garlic aioli. As soon as we walked up to Dopo's doorway, we were warmly greeted by Graham, (a family friend of the owners) and were escorted to a small wooden table perfect for an evening of chit chat and catch up.  We decided to try a multitude of small plates, a roasted beet and fennel salad, a crudo of swordfish with fresh pesto on a fried slice of lemon, a ragu of sausage with toasted walnut crostini and a seared scallop.  Every bite was delicious and I was overjoyed by the service that night.  From Graham who graced our table to check in, to the bus-person with the huge grin, we felt well taken care of.  This type of old fashion service is what many businesses lack.  When dining out is a luxury, satisfying service and food is a must.  I am happy to plug Dopo as a place to go for dinner in Oakland.