Fresh linens create a clean slate on which diners can enjoy the Italian delights of Scala Mia. Our visit came on the heels of that birthday, and judging from the smiling patrons, the restaurant is none the worse for wear. The space is modest, almost cozy, its width but three big steps from one wall to the other.
Plaster cherubs chaperone the diners throughout the establishment.
No ambient music graced the garlic-charged air. Given the tight geometry of the place, music might well have interfered with conversation. Despite its name, the kitchen is not particularly addicted to garlic, using it adeptly in most but not all of its creations. The menu is large, representing all the traditionals that have been mainstays at Bay Area Italian eateries. Appetizers and salads are the best parts, though portions are generally not intended for sharing.