Biba's Italian – Conclusion: Hype Hurts!

I haven't gone a chance to write quite a bit lately,  I was really looking for some culinary inspiration  - something that would really motivate my palate if you will; to write something exemplary. 

So it's quite to my disappointment that when I finally went to such a place that should have helped me get there - a place yet un-experienced through the duration of my Sacramento culinary travels - I was quiet surprised that it was all hype compared to all the stories that I'd heard.

 

Now please don't think that this was a take-down piece, I have no intentions of trying to hit someone's bottom line, or get blackballed by the foodie elite, but after so many people asked me "How was Biba's!!??!!" I knew this had to be written. 

First impression: the building you approach, this Bavarian-isk chalet, is quite different than what you see when you walk in the door. The first thing I heard when I walked in the room was "New York, New York" playing on the piano. The first thing I noticed was the wooden bar area that looked like the scene when Richard Gere picks up Julia Roberts, "at the bar" in Pretty Woman - and Biba herself sitting at the end of that very bar, seemingly holding court. If I wasn't sure it was her all I'd have to do was look at her 8 foot tall portrait above the piano, and I'd be confirmed.

Upon walking through the surprisingly empty bar area we were seated at a corner table in a large white room, surrounded by mirrors and 1990's deco art - I heard recently that they've come

through the design shift to upgrade their look, and had me wondering whether not this was the upgrade/facelift?? 

So on to the food, the whole incentive for the eating at this place was that a friend of mine was craving Italian, so although not a huge pasta fan myself, I thought, "If I was to eat some killer Italian, where would I go?" - I've been hearing, like a lot of other people, about Biba's Italian restaurant for almost 15 years - it's a Sacramento institution! 

So it was my night to try, to see what everyone had been talking about....that right there, that hype, that almost too much excitement for what is just a restaurant and nothing more, 

is what ruined the evening.

Spaghetti alla Carbonara con Prosciutto Affumicato

Spaghetti with shallots, smoked pancetta, fresh corn, egg yolks and Parmigiano- Reggiano cheese

$16.00

The pasta as good but not great (personally Pasta Dave's pasta is far fresher), the pancetta was nice and smokey - if slightly overpowering - the corn (when you could taste it) was crisp and fresh.

Petto d' Anatra alla Griglia con Fichi

Grilled breast of duck with figs and honey served with a saute of summer vegetables

$29.50

While tender and juicy, there is a little too much fat for my taste on the edges, but the fig sauce was fantastic and it was finished with grilled peaches, and garlic grilled vegetables? I though this was an odd combination - both things (duck with fruit and vegetables) great on their own did not marry well on the plate - the garlic overpowered the fruit and became more reminiscent of a microwave dinner side than the cuisine-style they were attempting.

Zuccotto Fiorentino

Chocolate coated, dome shaped, rum scented pound cake filled with whipped cream, chocolate, almonds and hazelnuts

$9.00

 

Huge, (what does rum-scented mean anyway?), 

creamy, lot's of flavor (almost too much was going on on this dish to make it pleasant)

The service was what you'd expect at a place like this, old school - and literally older, and very attentive. The clientele was pale, much older, and of a noticeably high socioeconomic income bracket - making my very tall personage and fabulous ethic friend hilariously stand out. 

So there it is, I finally went to Biba's and unfortunately that was the experience - I would stay that I'd go back to hang out at their very Italian movie set style bar - if the drink's weren't $11 for something as simple as Maker's Mark Manhattan - there are wayyyy too many great places in Sacramento that serve fantastic alcohol for far cheaper (Golden Bear, Shady Lady, Red Rabbit).

So here's hoping my experience is abnormal and that others have a fantastic time - although hype hurts, there's got to be something that everyone was hyping about to begin with - a little Italian Magic still left in this spot.