In search of a really good dinner prior to the Sunday departure of a
visiting antipodean friend, we visited Postrio - the Puck establishment
on Post St. near Mason.

If you haven't been to Postrio, the Beagles give it a hearty Òthumbs
upÓ but with one warning: the price tags there are not for the faint of
heart.

The food - outstanding. The menu is diverse, interesting, and written
with care to detail about preparation and accompaniment. Every meal was
superbly prepared, delicious, and expertly presented.

The service - outstanding. Our waiter was always available but never
pestering. After the main, we were having a vigorous discussion at the
table about a unique mint chutney served with the lamb. We were
mystified by a second green vegetable flavor in it. Our waiter
overheard us, and within a few minutes he appeared with Chef de Cuisine
Jordan Grosser. Jordan chatted with us for about ten minutes, giving us
a detailed explanation of the preparation of the condiment and
answering our incessant questions. BTW Ð the mystery flavor was a small
amount of jalapeno.

The wine - excellent. The wine list may be the biggest list I've ever
seen. The second thing you'll notice is the quality of the list - there
isn't a mediocre wine in the whole thing. But what you'll REALLY notice
are the prices. Don't go if you're expecting a 'deal'. There are far
more 'hundred-plus-plus' price tags than there are prices under one
hundred dollars.

At our table both lamb and duck were ordered. We decided on Domaine
Drouhin from the Willamette Valley - in part because of recommends I
had read on this forum and another.

The wine was excellent. A definitive 'Pinot nose', but not at all
barnyard. Although the wine was a 2005, it was soft and supple - enough
tannins for a good backbone, but smooth and full on the palate. The
middle of the palate had lush red fruit, and a medium long finish. It
got a thumbs up from all at the table.

Two of us had a pear-based dessert, and chose glasses of a superb
Beaumes-de-Venise from Jabboulet for dessert wine. Soft and silky, with
hints of orange and perfume, it made the perfect ending to a great
dinner.