I've eaten at Scopa a couple of times, both for dinner. I have no intention of detailing both meals (sometimes I shut off the critic in me on a Friday) and I don't have pictures because I sat at the bar both times (where the bartender took good care of me). The menu changes often and it's one of the toughest places in town to get into. I will however point out one dish which has a special place in my heart, Tripe.
I love a well made tripe dish. I've often made reference to Diavola in Geyserville as having a superlative tripe when Chef decides to offer it. Of course I can blabber on about the tripe stands in Florence as well. I'm pleased to say that Scopa also has a wonderful tripe dish, although more Southern Italian in preperation than Diavola. The addition of chili peppers adds a wonderful spicy component to the dish. The whole, squatty pepper is presented on top of the dish with a warning, eat at your own peril. The addition of some grilled bread is offered with the steaming bowl of tripe. The tripe itself was tender, incorporated well with the tomato based sauce, and had no 'stink' that lesser tripe dishes are known to have. I really enjoyed my tripe.
Be warned, Scopa is a small restaurant in the Healdsburg town square and can be nearly impossible some days to get a table or one of the less than 8 seats at the bar. They do take reservations. I tend to eat when they open at 5:30.
Sounds like it's worth checking out. We've been to Diavola, but not when they've had the Tripe available. We have had the Beef Tongue, Sweetbreads, and Marrow Bone. All were delicious.
Posted by: Taripie | February 24, 2011 at 09:56 AM