Covid-19 Takeout

Italian Fine Dining Takeout – Acquerello at Home, San Francisco

Last month, I had the pleasure of trying the Acquerello at Home takeout menu. During Covid-19, this SF Italian fine dining destination is offering tasting menus to enjoy in your own home. The menu is quite different each week, and I was fan of the menu I tried. There was some assembly required, including stovetop and oven heating. It was more complicated than the average fine dining takeout but still quite approachable for the novice home cook! The meal for two came packaged carefully with detailed instructions on how to prepare.

Acquerello at Home Takeout, July 2020
Acquerello at Home Takeout and Dessert Trio, July 2020
Acquerello - Poppy and honey gougeres with fava bean
Poppy and honey gougeres with fava bean

The first course was a fresh vegetable and speck ham salad. The cucumbers and melon were a little unripe, and the sharp heat of the Fresno chili (perhaps accidentally not pickled) was a little off-putting. The savory speck ham contrast was nice though.

Acquerello - Cucumber and heirloom melon, speck ham, pickled fresno chili and basil
Cucumber and heirloom melon, speck ham, pickled fresno chili and basil

I hadn’t had fresh pasta for the first fourth months of covid lockdown, so I was especially excited for the tomato and ricotta raviolo! The raviolo required boiling, and the balsamic brown brown butter sauce warmed in a sauté pan. It was worth the effort – such delicious, buttery indulgence and that parmesan center!

Acquerello - Slow-roasted tomato and ricotta raviolo, Parmesan "yolk", balsamic brown butter
Slow-roasted tomato and ricotta raviolo, Parmesan “yolk”, balsamic brown butter
Acquerello - Slow-roasted tomato and ricotta raviolo, Parmesan "yolk", balsamic brown butter
Slow-roasted tomato and ricotta raviolo, Parmesan “yolk”, balsamic brown butter

Following this course was another winner – braised beef short rib with grilled Jimmy Nardello peppers and smoked potato purée. The short rib was tender and comforting, served with the jus. In season Jimmy Nardello peppers added a sweet flavor and texture contrast. A dense, creamy smoked potato purée finished this comforting dish.

Acquerello - Braised beef short rib, grilled Jimmy Nardello peppers, smoked potato purée
Braised beef short rib, grilled Jimmy Nardello peppers, smoked potato purée

The tasting menu dessert was a bright coconut and passion fruit parfait. Fresh baked biscotti finished the menu. This would have been a great ending as is, but the dessert trio add-on was fantastic and highly recommended. The trio had a nice balance of chocolate indulgence in the tart, with the flakiness of a classic vanilla millefoglie, and bright fruit from the yuzu raspberry cake.

Acquerello - Coconut and passion fruit parfait with strawberries and lime. Biscotti.
Coconut and passion fruit parfait with strawberries and lime. Biscotti.
Acquerello - Millefoglie with vanilla, mascarpone and caramel. Chocolate tart, guanaja cremeux and almond rocher glaze. Yuzu and raspberry cake, macaron and gimauve.
Millefoglie with vanilla, mascarpone and caramel. Chocolate tart, guanaja cremeux and almond rocher glaze. Yuzu and raspberry cake, macaron and gimauve.

A wonderful takeout, which we paired with a younger 2015 Barolo.

Acquerello At Home Menu, 7/22 - 7/25
Acquerello At Home Menu, 7/22 – 7/25

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