Range

I know this seems like a string of rave reviews, but I can't really say many negative things about Range either. For us, the whole experience was positive, and we will definitely be back again.

We had reservations on a Friday evening, and had a good time walking from the BART stop looking for a small restaurant, that ended up being fairly large inside. We liked the sleek interior, with the mirrors and wood accents in the back dining room. The bar also looked like a fun place to enjoy your meal, although it was cramped like the rest of the place. We also enjoyed the paintings they were displaying when we were and asked about the artist on our way out - her name is Leslie Andelin - and they had information ready to distribute, which we appreciated.

Anyway, the food (clearly more important than the art) was great. We started the meal with the appetizer special, which that day was a housemade ravioli served in a butter and chive sauce. It was simple, but heavenly. Also fattening but worth every calorie. We devoured it and wished we had ordered two.

Our entrees were great - I ordered the braised lamb with a fava bean puree and barley. The lamb came out sliced, arranged over the puree and was cooked to my specifications. The meat was flavorful, tender and overall, very yum. I really enjoyed the barley with the lamb as a contrast in texture as well. Dan ordered the Dayboat Scallops with pancetta and leek puree and while he was worried that he wouldn't be satisfied with them, he still remembers them a couple of months later, which tells you something. They were pan seared but not overdone or crispy, and so were delicate but not falling apart. Apparently, quite the tasty dish.

I had been eagerly anticipating dessert since we arrived, as I had read several raves about the Meyer lemon pudding cake. So, when the dessert menu arrived, all we really had to decide was if Dan was going to get anything (as we have already learned, I do not share well). He ended up ordering the ice cream puffs, which were sadly not memorable at all. We can't even come up with what flavor the ice cream was. Honestly, it's not that important, as the pudding cake lived up to everything I had read about it. TO. DIE. FOR. It comes out as a very moist dessert, with two layers - one layer of pudding and one layer of cake. It's nice and tart, while being very sweet and light. It was honestly one of the best non-chocolate desserts I've had in a long long time.

Something else of note - I don't honestly remember our server. This could mean that he was helpful without being intrusive, or not very responsive. Reading reviews from around the time we were there, it could be either. Honestly, you should just try it for yourself. And save room for dessert.