Ristorante Due Rose, Pinole, CA.

You probably wonder why I go to this Italian restaurant so much. The reason: the risotto. Mmm. It changes often depending on ingredients and it's not on their main menu. Their wait staff either tell you or you have to ask. The specials usually come with a soup which changes too. Today's soup was butternut squash and the risotto was steak and asparagus.

My mom got the bruschetta for the two of us but I don't particularly enjoy the one here. I think the best bruschetta I've had in the East Bay within ten to fifteen minutes of my house is from The Dead Fish in Crockett. My soup and risotto were delicious as always. My mom got the salmon special. I personally don't think salmon is an exciting fish and it's hard for some restaurants to cook it right but I tried it anyway. Overall, I thought the dish wasn't that great - the salmon was overcook, the veggie side was boring and the potatoes left something to be desired.