December 23rd is my birthday, and most of the country is focused on Christmas but my friends and family always take a little break in the holiday preparation to see to it that I have a very Happy Birthday. Days before my birthday I started receiving birthday greetings and they kept coming until the BIG day. Flowers arrived a couple of days before and the morning of my birthday my husband gave me a beautiful gift with my coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice with a splash of pom juice. My phone rang off the hook all day. My husband and I are the only members of our family in California but with the invention of Skype we are able to experience special occasions or any occasion with family and friends around the globe. I was very please to spend some time with my son, sister, nephew and family on Skype on my birthday. 
The plan for the day was to chill out until time to go out for dinner. My birthday dinner destination was going to be a surprise, all I knew was that it was someplace that I have never been. My husband went to the gym and I hung around the house until he returned with a light lunch and a Red Devil Cake from Baked, I love that cake and that little bakery.I read a book, napped, talked on the phone, Skyped and did nothing at all until time to get ready for dinner. About six o’clock I pulled myself together and we started out to dinner. In the car we started driving up Harrison St. turning on 21st St. crossing So. Van Ness making a left turn on Valencia, I couldn’t figure out where we were going. When he turned on 24th St. towards Noe Valley all I could think of was restaurant Incanto but I knew that couldn’t be it because we’ve dinned there before. I was totally confused w
hen he made a left turn on Castro St., I saw a couple of restaurants and through the process of elimination I finally figured it out. We parked a couple of blocks away on Castro St. after driving around the block several times and walked to restaurant Contigo.
hen he made a left turn on Castro St., I saw a couple of restaurants and through the process of elimination I finally figured it out. We parked a couple of blocks away on Castro St. after driving around the block several times and walked to restaurant Contigo. Contigo is a Spanish and Catalan restaurant where the menu features rustic dishes inspired by the flavors of Barcelona. The food is cooked from scratch using local organic ingredients. It’s a small restaurant with table seating in the dining room, the covered 
heated patio, the kitchen counter or Cava bar. We were escorted to the patio where there were several large parties with cute little children so we opted to sit in the very comfortable seats at the cava bar. The cava bar seats four so we sat beside a lovely couple, we became fast friends and they gave us tips on ordering our food. The restaurant was really busy, the staff were all decked out in San Francisco holiday outfits with a touch of the holidays and the whimsy. The waiter at the bar was moving really fast, he was decked out is a very decorative holiday vest. I made friends with the wait staff really quickly telling everyone it was my birthday, those of you that know me know why. Our waiter was from Barcelona and he was pleased to learn that we had been to Barcelona more than once.
heated patio, the kitchen counter or Cava bar. We were escorted to the patio where there were several large parties with cute little children so we opted to sit in the very comfortable seats at the cava bar. The cava bar seats four so we sat beside a lovely couple, we became fast friends and they gave us tips on ordering our food. The restaurant was really busy, the staff were all decked out in San Francisco holiday outfits with a touch of the holidays and the whimsy. The waiter at the bar was moving really fast, he was decked out is a very decorative holiday vest. I made friends with the wait staff really quickly telling everyone it was my birthday, those of you that know me know why. Our waiter was from Barcelona and he was pleased to learn that we had been to Barcelona more than once. We or
dered several small plates starting with the cana de cabra goat cheese a la planxa with arugula, persimmons and toasted hazelnut vinagreta. Followed by the Bacalao – house cured salt cod with potato, 
garlic and toasts. Then, Hog Island clams “cal pep” style with Jamon (Spanish ham) garlic and manzanilla sherry. Last, Albondigas – pork and jamon meatballs in tomato sherry sauce. This meal was enjoyed with a nice crisp Rioja Alta, Hermanos pecina, reserve, 2001!
dered several small plates starting with the cana de cabra goat cheese a la planxa with arugula, persimmons and toasted hazelnut vinagreta. Followed by the Bacalao – house cured salt cod with potato, 
garlic and toasts. Then, Hog Island clams “cal pep” style with Jamon (Spanish ham) garlic and manzanilla sherry. Last, Albondigas – pork and jamon meatballs in tomato sherry sauce. This meal was enjoyed with a nice crisp Rioja Alta, Hermanos pecina, reserve, 2001! The cana de cabra was outstanding, the goat cheese was toasted and creamy on the inside, the persimmons sweet complimenting the peppery taste of the arugula. I was a being a little daring when I ordered th
e Bacalao. The last time I had Bacalao (someplace else) it was way too salty, this was just right with the smoky taste of the house cured cod and the cream
iness of the garlic and potato, really good. The clams and jamon was so delicious, the sauce had all of the savory flavors of the ham, fennel, butter, sherry and clams. I sopped up that sauce with a nice piece of rustic bread. The meatballs were excellent, they were light with a little brightness from the cilantro and that sauce was simply awesome. The food was outstanding, we did not have a miss all of our dishes were hits. We didn’t have dessert because I had my Red Devil Cake at home and a couple of neighbor friends were coming by our place for a little wine and cheese. I will definitely go back to Contigo, my hubby did a great job with the suspense of the evening and in his restaurant selection; I think I will keep him!
e Bacalao. The last time I had Bacalao (someplace else) it was way too salty, this was just right with the smoky taste of the house cured cod and the cream
iness of the garlic and potato, really good. The clams and jamon was so delicious, the sauce had all of the savory flavors of the ham, fennel, butter, sherry and clams. I sopped up that sauce with a nice piece of rustic bread. The meatballs were excellent, they were light with a little brightness from the cilantro and that sauce was simply awesome. The food was outstanding, we did not have a miss all of our dishes were hits. We didn’t have dessert because I had my Red Devil Cake at home and a couple of neighbor friends were coming by our place for a little wine and cheese. I will definitely go back to Contigo, my hubby did a great job with the suspense of the evening and in his restaurant selection; I think I will keep him! 
December 23, 2010 will go down in history as being one of the best birthdays ever !! Thank You Friends and Family for making my day so very special - - I felt the love!
