Modesto is the Besto!
One is never sure what adventure awaits once the wheels touch down. Arriving to see Straight No Chaser at the highly acclaimed Gallo Center for the Arts, we deliberately left some time open to be surprised. Jackpot!
Modesto’s marketing department is top-notch, weaving together its car culture (as portrayed in American Graffeti), its commitment to the arts, and the agricultural bounty that is the Central Valley of California. The Result? The Almond Blossom Cruise. Almond as in the epicenter of the world’s production. Cruise as in “draggin’ 10th” in your hot rod. Combined with top talent and serious production value (George Lucas hails from here), The Almond Blossom Cruise is a GPS-based app that leads one on a tour of orchards, farm stands, state parks, a covered bridge, and views and insights into one of the largest agricultural production and distribution hubs in the world. Sciabica’s California Olive Oil is a major producer and offered a down-to-earth tasting experience at their factory store – world class EVOO. Downtime on the Cruise is filled with music from local talent. Not sure our Cruisin’ Corolla turned any heads, but very cool experience.
Laid out in the classic alpha-numeric grid pattern (meet you at 10th and I), Modesto’s downtown is human-scaled, clean, and very walkable. Confirming my suspicion with a quick map search, Modesto is the Central Valley’s hub for live entertainment. Reminiscent (on a smaller scale) of Bourbon, Beale, or Rush Streets, there are many live music venues and restaurants spilling onto the streets on and near the main “drag” of 10th street. Our destination, the Gallo Center for the Arts, boasted world-class acoustics and vaccination verification protocols. We even left with a souvenir Prosecco Sippy-Cup! (Andy)
But…what’s for Dinner?
We found two great choices: Galletto Ristorante and Surla’s.
Culinary Notes (Jen):
Galletto – Execution, perfected:
Often a restaurant will attempt one or more of these things, and not be able to pull off perfection. Galletto aced them all. First, atmosphere: an indoor/outdoor room replete with plants, warm, light, well spaced and an overall delight. Second, a well-executed frito, enhanced by buttermilk dredge and semolina flour with cayenne and spices, served wonderfully hot, shatteringly crisp, and including tidbits like olives (a revelation). Third, a mastery in restraint in the pizza funghi – everything in balance to celebrate a chewy crust, savory slices of mushroom done to a ‘T’, a light cream sauce and topped with peppery arugula. Mangiare!
Surla’s – Creativity, personified:
With a tag line of ‘never trust a skinny chef’ we were bound to be delighted, yet Chef John Surla took his Asian Fusion to a whole new level. A menu well-balanced to comfort with familiar favorites for familiar palettes yet enhanced by Filipino flavors and textures throughout. Our lumpia appetizer was a case in point – crispy egg roll skin wrapped around shiitakes and chicken and finished with sweet chili and scallions – an absolutely perfect dish. Diced sirloin topped a rich risotto, and a hoisin plum sauce lapped perfectly cooked short ribs. With a chef committed to local produce, true to his roots, and willing to let creativity rule, Surla’s was a real treat!
Sommelier Notes (Andy):
Galletto’s wine list was organized in a way I hadn’t seen before. Rather than by geography or varietal, the wines were first classified by body (light, medium, full). Each of these classifications were split into “Fruit Forward” or “Terrior” (essentially old or new world). Following the main list was an exclusive set of offerings that topped out at $2K if memory serves. Bravo!
Surla’s wine list was very short…and very good. It featured some fine and well-aged California Cabernets, including reasonably-priced 2010 Freemark Abbey that we enjoyed to the fullest!
George Lucas Plaza, by Betty Saletta
