 The few blocks that make up Rockridge's gourmet ghetto boasts Oliveto, Citron and Market Hall, making À Côté just one of many culinary hotshots on the stretch. The first interaction one might have with this stylish Cal-Med tapas restaurant is not the gracious host, the roomy granite-topped bar or the warm twinklings from the wood-burning oven. Instead, the mostly walk-in business (reservations are granted for early or late seatings only) translates into a line of exuberant clientele milling outside the front door. Once inside, the room’s warm earth tones surround a mixed crowd enjoying a wide variety of small dishes. Almost everyone starts out with the utterly addictive french fries, salty and crisp served with a dense aïoli. Plump mussels arrive in a Pernod-spiked broth, followed by an evolving menu of salads, flatbreads and fish like seared sturgeon with purple and orange cauliflower, crispy shallots and capers, and a Meyer lemon beurre blanc. Afterward, indulge in the dessert selection, such as a thoughtful cheese plate accompanied by walnut toast, sliced apples and poached figs, or a pear-brown butter tart with pistachio-cardamom ice cream and rum sauce.
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Splurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area. Also, check out our picks for the Top 40 Cheap Eats in the U.S.
