Nosh

Nosh on the Town: Centouno in Jack London Square

By Emilie Raguso
Centouno. Photo: Emilie Raguso
You can’t go wrong with Centouno’s torta fritta appetizer, traditional Italian fried dough served with cured meat ($14). The restaurant’s philosophy is that “the ingredients should do the talking.” Photo: Emilie Raguso

Come along with Nosh as we explore the East Bay food scene in photographs. This week we focus on Centouno in Oakland’s Jack London Square.

Owner Fabio Dalle Vacche has teamed up with his mother, Luigina Delfino — who’s been cooking for 40 years — to launch a cozy, rustic and stylish Italian restaurant on Broadway just north of Jack London Square. Dalle Vacche drew inspiration from his family’s trattoria, just outside Parma, Italy, and has state-side experience opening Borgo Italia in Old Oakland and consulting for restaurants in New York City. Dalle Vacche goes out of his way to make diners comfortable. Dishes are “an homage” to Delfino’s long culinary history, and reasonably priced to boot. Via the restaurant website, “Using only the best ingredients, her recipes are unassuming, delicious and served the way she does in her own kitchen. Not distracted by unneeded garnish, the food is rustic, cooked with love and speaks for itself.” See the initial menu here to get a sense of the offerings, but items do change.

Centouno, at 101 Broadway, at the Embarcadero in Oakland, opened in December, and Nosh was invited for a complimentary meal for two to try it out. If you’ve sampled the spots we feature, please let us know about your experience in the comments below. (Photographs by Emilie Raguso.)

Centouno. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Centouno is located on Broadway where it meets Jack London Square in Oakland.
Centouno. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Cozy, rustic, comfortable and chic: Centouno hits all the bases.
Centouno. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Fresh bread is served with olive oil and a balsamic glaze. You’ll want to eat it all.
Centouno. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Fabio Dalle Vacche offers Italian comfort food in small-plate and family-style formats at reasonable prices.
Centouno. Photo: Emilie Raguso
The wine list has Italian along with California and New World selections, all of which are offered by the glass. There are several beers on tap, including ones from Centouno’s neighbor, Linden Street Brewery. The building housing Centouno is a historic structure built in 1909 and some of the original brickwork remains. Via the restaurant website: “Once known as the Overland House because it was the venue where travelers completed their overland journey before setting sail on the Pacific, is was also a favorite haunt of author Jack London.”
Centouno. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Mushroom risotto and slow-braised osso buco — which takes 11 hours to prepare — are among owner Fabio Dalle Vacche’s recommendations.
Centouno. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Lightly coated, deep fried apple rings with a touch of sugar pair well with refreshing lemon sorbet.
Centouno. Photo: Emilie Raguso
The 22-seat private Taverna dining room at Centouno is available for reservations. The restaurant has seating for more than 100 and the dining room includes rustic Old World Italian-inspired décor with reclaimed barn wood accents throughout.

See more restaurants featured on Nosh on the Town.


Related:
Nosh on the town: Vientian in Oakland (02.20.14)
Nosh on the town: Bourbon & Beef on College Ave. (01.09.14)
Nosh on the town: Barkada Bakery in Oakland (12.31.13)
Nosh on the town: Bleecker Bistro in Berkeley (12.24.13)
Nosh on the town: FuseBOX launches Sunday brunch (12.10.13)
Nosh on the town: Desco in Old Oakland (12.03.13)

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