Omnivore - Johnny Cash eats Mex-style duck confit

I had another terrific lunch at Eclipse di Luna with my friends Brad Lapin and Eric Varner Friday. The menu of small plates was changed about three weeks ago.

One of the really spectacular newbies is this tamale filled with duck confit, topped with an intense mole. Even if the duck confit and mole were absent, the fluffy, savory tamale would be worth ordering alone.

Another newbie is a pair of sliders made with ground veal. You’ll encounter tastes of manchego and blue cheese along with sharp house-made pickles. We also tried a new dish of braised lamb in a smoky, spicy tomato sauce topped with bits of apricots and scallions.

I also ordered the octopus with fingerling potatoes and capers, among my favorite regulars here.

Another highlight of my visit was meeting  Johnny Cash, out front of the restaurant while waiting for Brad and Eric. He is a Goldendoodle and the coolest dog I’ve encountered in a long time. He turned out to belong to owner James Erlich. I would have dog-napped him but I live with someone who says he has no objection to my getting a dog as long as I also sign an apartment lease somewhere.

(Photos by Cliff Bostock)