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First, there was Pappo. Then came Bagan, and Havana. Now there’s a new fine-dining option on the Island. And guess what: It’s in the West End!
That’s right folks, Acquacotta has finally opened for business on Webster Street, after an interminable two-year wait. But let’s focus on the good stuff: fine Italian food from chef/owner John Couacaud, who has done time at Oakland’s famed Oliveto and Prima Ristorante in Walnut Creek during his more than three decades in the restaurant industry.
The sample menu on Acquacotta’s website includes baccala montecato (salt cod whipped with cream and potatoes), acquacotta (Tuscan vegetable soup), grilled tuna with cannelini beans and spinach and top sirloin grilled and sliced over leeks and potatoes. Bottles of wine are less than $40.
Couacaud stumbled onto Alameda a few years ago, and liked it. There’s “a lot of attractive things about small-town life, 15 minutes from San Francisco,’’ he says.
He tried to open a place in San Luis Obispo, but when that didn’t work out he decided to return to the Bay Area, in part to be closer to his kids. Trying to find a space in San Francisco or Berkeley seemed like too big a project, Couacaud says. “Little did I know,” he jokes.
Acquacotta is in the old Coffee for Thought spot, walkable for West Enders. They’re not taking reservations right now, Couacaud says, though they hope to take reservations for large parties after a few weeks.
The restaurant is at 1544 Webster Street, 523-2220. They’re also online at http://www.acquacotta.net/.
Speaking of restaurants, if you’re looking for an excuse to get out, the West Alameda Business Association is bringing you Wine & Dine next Thursday, April 17. Participating restaurants include Acquacotta, Café Le, East Ocean Seafood Restaurant, the New Zealander, Otaez and the Pasta Pelican. The evening kicks off with a reception from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. with wine from Rosenblum Cellars and appetizers, in the upstairs banquet room at Otaez. Then, dine out at any of the participating restaurants. After dinner, your ticket can get you half off drinks at the Fireside Lounge. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the night of the event, and are available at any of the participating restaurants or by calling 523-5955. More information is available here.
The Alameda Unified School District’s finance chief laid out the impacts of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal for next year, and they are grim. Under the proposal, the district could lose more than $4 million in state funding for the current year and 2009-2010. And that’s not counting the $650,000 it will lose when the new Nea Community Learning Center charter school opens next year, taking an anticipated 250 students off the district’s rolls.
If the governor’s plan were to be enacted, the district could face layoffs and even the loss of five days of the school year, district chief financial officer Tim Rahill said, though it could allow the district to take money out of “categorical” programs – money that is designated for specific programs that can’t be used for any other purpose.
Declining enrollment and increasing costs – Rahill said worker’s compensation costs, for example, will probably rise – will also impact the district’s budget.
“Alameda is facing a state budget crisis. We are facing the opening of a charter school. Also, we’re experiencing declining enrollment,” Rahill said.
He said parcel tax dollars generated by the passage of Measure H could also be used to help cover the cuts, if the board wishes to use those. This year, the district is slated to get $4 million in Measure H tax funds, and it has only budgeted $1.2 million of that.
Schwarzenegger has proposed a number of additional taxes to bridge $31.3 billion in budget shortfalls between the 2007-08 and 2009-10 fiscal years.
The district wants your input on its budget situation. They’ve scheduled budget workshops for February 11 and April 2. We’ll update you when times and locations are available.
If the governor’s plan were to be enacted, the district could face layoffs and even the loss of five days of the school year, district chief financial officer Tim Rahill said, though it could allow the district to take money out of “categorical” programs – money that is designated for specific programs that can’t be used for any other purpose.
Declining enrollment and increasing costs – Rahill said worker’s compensation costs, for example, will probably rise – will also impact the district’s budget.
“Alameda is facing a state budget crisis. We are facing the opening of a charter school. Also, we’re experiencing declining enrollment,” Rahill said.
He said parcel tax dollars generated by the passage of Measure H could also be used to help cover the cuts, if the board wishes to use those. This year, the district is slated to get $4 million in Measure H tax funds, and it has only budgeted $1.2 million of that.
Schwarzenegger has proposed a number of additional taxes to bridge $31.3 billion in budget shortfalls between the 2007-08 and 2009-10 fiscal years.
The district wants your input on its budget situation. They’ve scheduled budget workshops for February 11 and April 2. We’ll update you when times and locations are available.
posted by Michele Ellson at 9:00 AM on Jan 28, 2009
1 Comment:
Great to hear it's finally opening, met the owner recently and it's been a long process, now its time we step up and support a the new restaurant and enjoy a night out. In the past it’s been a walk to Park St for a night out and maybe now we can alternate to Webster as well. Vince
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