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Restaurant reviews by jillduffy
Member since: September-30-05 Username: jillduffy Gender: Female Age:28 Jill Duffy has left San Francisco and so no longer writes reviews for this site. You can read about her other culinary adventures at: http://jilleduffy.blogspot.com Total reviews (180) Contact: jillduffy jillduffy's: Rss feed |
Herbivore is like a little black dress: you can dress it up or down, and even people who don't wear dresses (like macho men) appreciate it for what it is. Herbivore is a vegetarian grill restaurant with an abundant, albeit scattered, menu comprising a shwarma, a burrito, an Indonesia noodle dish, and vegan desserts. Despite its mixed bag of tricks, Herbivore turned out a yummy and cheap dinner for my friend and I the other night. We had drinks, an appetizer of zataar on toasted bread, one dessert to share, and came out just over 50 bucks. I could have done without the grilled seitan in my shwarma ($7.25), or perhaps tempeh instead, but my friend's lentil loaf (more like lentil patty, really) with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy was lovely ($9.95). Both came with salad, and I was happy to see Blue Moon and Fat Tire on tap. Service wasn't particularly strong, but not poor enough to keep me from returning. |
Herbivore Cuisine: Vegetarian |
Western Addition | 7/23/2007
Golden Era is a vegetarian Vietnamese (mostly) and Chinese restaurant in the heart of the gritty Tenderloin. Enter to find leaflets in multiple languages about the Grand Master' a bleach-haired woman who promotes a religious vegetarian lifestyle. The pamphlets feature small cartoon barnyard animals that have dialogue bubbles reading, Thank you for not eating me,' and I'm praying for you!' It's freaking phenomenal. The food is great. Mock meat aplenty, including a vegetarian beef pho, and a fake chicken that G.E. seems to be known for. I was going to piddle my pants from excitement about the cult literature that I spaced on my take-out order and got a basic Vietnamese vermicelli with tofu and fried roll (number 31 on the menu for $6.50). Bargain eats in a great conversation piece of a restaurant. |
Golden Era Cuisine: Asian Vegetarian |
Tenderloin | 7/23/2007
I had late lunch/brunch at Cafe Rain Tree over the weekend, and I've got to say it's pretty mediocre. However, it's the kind of diner you might find yourself going to again and again for the convenience, and dare I say it, the mediocrity. If you're not interested in eating outstanding food but just need to fill your belly with something reliable, you can get a full egg breakfast for about $7.50. From the $7.50 menu, I had an omelet that contained sliced chicken-apple sausage, spinach, and mushrooms; also on the plate were homefries and an English muffin. It was more food than I needed. Boyfriend had an egg dish as well, though his looked more like bubble-and-squeak than omelet. It was a has of egg, baby-fist-sized artichoke hearts, feta cheese, and some other mixed ingredients. |
Cafe Rain Tree Cuisine: American (Traditional) |
Inner Sunset | 6/20/2007
The first music concert I ever went to was Pink Floyd at Yankee Stadium, floor seats with back stage passes; and the first deep-dish pizza I ever ate was Zachary's. These two experiences have one thing in common: they set the bar too high. My standards for a great live music show will forever necessitate fireworks and flying inflatable pigs. My standards for deep-dish will forever require crusty cornmeal edges, spicy Italian sausage chunks, flavorful tomatoes, and forkful after forkful of plentiful ingredients. Now for the real showdown: Zach's or Little Star? Although I should probably sit down with a slice from each place and really let them go head-to-head, it's mostly a wash... but maybe Zach's comes out slightly on top. |
Zachary's Chicago Pizza Cuisine: Pizza |
Oakland | 6/19/2007
If a restaurant is all gimmick, it's difficult to enjoy eating there, even if there's substance lurking somwhere behind the gimmick. Green's is a vegetarian-only restaurant, but that theme in no way mars the dining experience. My friend and I shared a sampler appetizer platter, which was a bit light on food considering the $13 price: 2 wedges of strawberry-colored beets, 2 wedges of dark beets, 1 crostini slice with fresh soft cheese, 1 mini-size filo packet with delicious leek filling, and about 1/3 cup of faro salad with a handful of cut asparagus. Everything on the plate was delicious, but there's wasn't too much of it to go around. However, the entrees were not light on food. Spring pea and asparagus ravioli were done exceptionally well--the filling was toothsome as dense cheese and all the flavors were light to balance the palette. I was won over by pearl cous cous with huge pistachioes and soft cherries, the bed for a brochette (skewered and sauced vegetables with firm tofu). Int |
Greens Cuisine: Vegetarian |
Marina | 6/13/2007
I can't review Piacere without noting that my meal was comped (journalistic integrity first). Located far far away in a land called San Carlos, I happily recommend P. to locals, but am not so enthusiastic as to persuade city folks to drive there. One of my favorite features is P's wine-by-the-glass list because it includes a short description - helpful to a person who knows a little about wine but can't judge by the name whether to expect vanilla or cherry or earthiness. Highlights: simple bruschetta for char flavor on the bread and deep red tomatoes. Veal and pork meatballs ($7.50 for 4) were gratifying, though a tad dry, and paired with a thankfully uncomplicated sauce. Braised short ribs and papardelle ($25) fell apart with my fork, but I couldn't eat 1/4 of it and was glad of it when I came down with a touch of illness later (it happens). Low points: bland calamari fritti ($11.50) and banana bread pudding blemished with chocolate sauce and gelato. |
Piacere Restaurant Cuisine: California Italian |
San Carlos | 6/10/2007
I've noticed a dearth of Lebanese food in San Francisco (except a few more generally Mediterranean take-out spots), so when I heard about Ararat, I took note and added it to my list of places to try. Working my way through a sampler appetizer platter ($15), I couldn't stop telling Boyfriend, "This is hands-down the best babaganoush I've ever had. It's bright, lemony, and super fresh." The tabouleh was just as good. What I liked about it was it tasted distinct from other taboulehs, having a rougher chop, bringing the parsley's texture to the fore. We also tried some shrimp in a spicy paprika sauce, served in a clay pot, but this dish was certainly not the highlight of the meal. A ground and spiced lamb plate with Lebanese rice was succulent, albeit mildly oily. The interior of the restaurant is somewhat lackluster, but it's comfortable; the food is affordable; the service was friendly. Not a date-night restaurant, but a good cozy spot for regulars. |
Ararat Cuisine: Mediterranean Lebanese |
Castro | 6/10/2007
Giddy up on that Cowboy salad! For about $10 after tax, I was expecting a great salad, but I wasn't expecting the two pounds or so of it I received. This was a mighty salad, ready to feed two easily for lunch. With huge slices of tender chicken breast and a sweet-spicy dressing, this was one salad to remember. Romaine, black beans, white corn, roasted red peppers -- a few of these ingredients seem less than groundbreaking, but the chicken-lettuce-dressing combo was phenomenal. There are a few tables and chairs, and although I took my lunch to go, I was enamored with the white porcelain bowls as big as an arm's circle given to the eat-in crowd. I'm looking forward to returning. If anyone has tried to pulled pork BBQ sandwich ($8 or so) with slaw, let me know how it is. As good as the salads? |
Mixt Greens Cuisine: Californian |
Downtown | 6/10/2007
The dining experience should be enjoyable. And restaurant owners need to have a sense of humor, especially if they are going to require their diners to order food with names like "I Am Fabulous." Give me a dish called "I am pissed at my boss" or "I am having a bad hair day." Lighten up a little. C.G. just feels stilted. I tried 3 dishes there the other night with a friend and left feeling slightly nauseated and pitifully unsatisfied; it's not that the portions were small, but everything was completely unappetizing, from the presentation to the frigid temperature. "Raw" food can be room temperature. It can even been heated to about 100 degrees F. So why was everything stone cold and dead-looking? The "pizza" ($10) consisted of sprouts that had been pressed into cracker formation, covered in sliced cherry tomatoes, and drizzled with two sauces. "Samosas" ($8) at least had four little blobs of zesty mint chutney, whic |
Cafe Gratitude Cuisine: Raw Vegetarian |
Inner Sunset | 6/6/2007
Vino Locale is odd. It's a wine bar that's in someone's house. The house hasn't been converted too much (not even close to as much as, say, Blue Plate), so you get the feeling of being in the living room, dining room, etc. There's a small bar that overlooks the kitchen, and the bathroom has a claw-footed bathtub, which is brimming with wine corks. I have yet to find a California wine bar with low vino standards, so let's adjourn to the food. Billed as "slow cooking," there's not much on the menu that's cooked or needs to be heated for more than a few minutes. A large group of us visited a few months ago and shared a cheese plate, crostini sampler ($9 for about 4 people), and a few people ate sausage sandwiches on baguette. The set up is awesome if you've never lived anywhere eclectic, but frankly the whole "in an old house" set up ain't new to anyone who lived in a struggling city (Buffalo, NY, for example, has a bunch of similar places). Would return only for a |
Vino Locale Cuisine: Californian Small Plates |
Palo Alto | 6/4/2007
Salt House has a cramped menu, and it's a bit overpriced for lunch, but I would indubitably return for another glass of house-mixed Sangiovese ($8). Tinkled from a draught into a little medicine bottle (which effectively held TWO pours of wine) and given to me with an elegant wine glass, this vino was smooth as Michael Jackson and purple as a hickey. Fabulous. I ordered the appetizer merguez ($11) for my lunch, and it turned out to be just enough food for me. These finger-sized sausages were soft--not just delicate, but truly soft. A smokey paprika-like Spanish background was accented by hints of something lemony, but not citric. The dish was served on a bed of chickpeas (one of my all-time favorite and sorely underused foods) and diced peppers, celery, and chamoula (a Moroccan spicy sauce). Mark my words: I'm going back for another glass of Sangiovese and the 15-dollar cubano! |
Salt House Cuisine: American |
SoMa | 5/31/2007
Mondo specializes in simple grilled sandwiches, pizzas, and a few other light lunches. I'm a sucker for simple Italian food, but what makes my review neutral is the overwhelming amount of bread I had to chomp through in order to each a sandwich. My suggestion to Mondo would be to adjust the thickness of the foccacia. I don't mind small-to-moderate portion sizes, and I don't mind the concept of "adorned bread" (isn't that the loose translation of "pizza"?), but what they're dishing up right now is just too much dough! I do enjoy the simple green salad served with the sandwiches, as well as the short beer selection and complimentary self-serve lemon water. Thin crust pizzas and wine are served in the early evening, and if I were to return, I'd definitely go at 5 for happy hour. Overall, it's the kind of place where you get the feeling you should order the most popular menu item (a prosciutto sandwich) and leave everything else behind. $7-$9. |
Mondo Caffe Cuisine: Italian Coffee Shop Deli |
SoMa | 5/29/2007
There's not much in the way of pub grub this side of town, but I was determined on a recent Friday night to find something. We settled on Kezar and were impressed that the bar was nothing like how we imagined it to be on the inside. It seems like it's going to be a jock-heavy sports bar, and sure enough the game was on, but the crowd was mellow and the interior wasn't looted with memorobilia -- instead all the walls were painted black and some images of skulls decorated the wall above the bar. Food service was slow, but not painfully so. Be wary of the menu and stick to pub foods, like burgers (the lamburger was nothing to write home about, but for only $7.50, who's nit picking?). Turkey and veggie burgers ($7.50 and $6.50) also dot the menu. Thick-cut fries were good, but aren't the right variety for leaving the skins on, which dissipate upon frying. One big upside: Kezar serves a Maredsous 10 for only $6! |
Kezar Bar and Restaurant Cuisine: American |
Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley | 5/29/2007
Pomelo has THE most homecooked tasting food I've ever had in San Francisco. The meals Boyfriend and I had during dinner service were both eclectic and classic, daring yet refined, and simply the freshest food that has passed my lips from a restaurant in ages. My ayacucho ($16) was a vibrant plate of wild black cod atop red pepper coulis, served with 2 quinoa cakes and a pile of onions that had been cooked with what tasted like a balsamic and red wine vinegar reduction. Boy had a soothing beef daube (he's a Francophile) called avignon' ($14) that came with a roasted tomato whose flavors were condensed and juicy, and the freshest gnocchi I've ever tasted. They were pillowy and soft, a bit sticky on the roof of the mouthjust gorgeous! If I've succeeded in sharing my experience accurately, Pomelo will have to open 7 or 8 new locations to meet demand. Read my reviews. I rarely rave like this. The set up is a kitchen with a few tiny tables crammed in; it's like being at an intimate party. |
Pomelo Cuisine: Eclectic |
Inner Sunset | 5/24/2007
For a while, I preferred Park Gyro (for the plentitude of hot sauce and fresh falafel) just a block away on 9th at Lincoln, but Boyfriend has been bringing home these platter-sized dinners from Yumma lately that are so scrumptious, I've been swayed. Yumma is small and mostly offers carry out; the staff is mostly straight-faced, but friendly enough and extremely generous. All the shwarma meat spins right in eyesight, and it's juicy, spiced well, and flavorful. Salads are massive and meaty. The rice is nicely drizzled with a fruity olive oil that makes each grain taste plump and luscious. I'm hoping a special I saw on the menu board (Jerusalem wrap) will return: pickled vegetables, eggplant, potatoes, shwarma, and at least two more of my favorite foods, all wrapped in warm lavash. |
Yumma's Cuisine: Middle Eastern |
Inner Sunset | 5/22/2007
$2.50 for a simple shredded chicken enchilada a la carte. I was so happy to have found a place that can satisfy the occasional craving I have for a soft corn tortilla and some deep red spicy sauce for less than $3 and fewer than 1,000 calories. I don't always need a whopping burrito (have you seen those commercials for SoyJoy: "I JUST need A SNACK."? I sympathize!). This place used to be called Si Senor until a few weeks ago, and the interior hasn't changed much. But $2.50 for a petite lunch? I'm all over it! |
Caramba Cuisine: Mexican |
Downtown | 5/21/2007
Cortez, located inside a hotel, has a modern but fun interior. The sculpture-style light fixtures in primary colors reminded me of Tinker Toys. For $77, my theater date and I had two drinks each (she wine, me Chimay white) and three small plates to share. Great attention is paid to detail at Cortez, so I enjoyed munching on a little complimentary bar bowl of popcorn that tasted of special salt or was it olive oil instead of butter (?). Big tuna sliced thin with pickled watermelon rind was sublime, with just a background hint of wasabi in the rind. Cold marinated asparagus with frisee and fresh farmer's cheese tasted lemony and light. The crab cake was also divine, but my opinion may be biased, as I have been homesick for this kind of food lately. They sure do mean it when they call them small' plates at Cortez, and at about $11 per dish, I would only come on special occasions. |
Cortez Cuisine: Tapas Mediterranean |
Downtown | 5/16/2007
Two carnitas tacos on handmade tortillas with cheese, beans and lettuce: $4.95. My positive review of Pancho's stems from the fact that I find it hard to nit-pick a fast food joint. I got two heaping mounds of carnitas posing as tacos for less than $5. What's so wrong about that? It may not be great, but that's what you get for 5 bucks. Pancho's isn't in my hood, so I wouldn't visit it frequently, and I would probably go neutral on the review had I eaten there more than once. The thick handmade tortillas lack seasoning, and the carnitas lack succulence or spice -- one or the other would have been nice. The salsa bar is good, though, with pico de gallo, sliced jalepenos, and both red and green salsas. Chips seem homemade because they are just slightly coated in oil, but they're super thin and crispy. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat at Pancho's, but I wouldn't go out of my way to avoid it either. |
Pancho's Salsa Bar and Grill Cuisine: Mexican |
Inner Richmond | 5/6/2007
It's called Medicine because why? "Good for you, but tastes bad"? Oh I'm kidding. But I am only lukewarm on this place. For about a year I had walked by it and wondered in awe what was up that mysterious elevatorthe eatery isn't visible from the street, so you can't judge the menu or seating or anything. Only when we arrived did I realize you can access the restaurant from the 3rd level of Croker Galleria too, to poke your head in and scope out the place (it's café-style seating, which I would have never guessed) before committing to some pricey veg. food (meat add-ons available). Let's define "pricey," because it's been a common drawback but is totally vague. For 3 people, we paid $42 for lunch + drinks. That's reasonable considering the large portions of rice and noodle dishes ($9 range). The real problem was when we all asked each other how the is the food, the response was "Bland. You?" "Bland, and you?" "Mine's good, but blan |
Medicine Eatstation Cuisine: Vegitarian Japanese |
Downtown | 5/3/2007
I didn't know to request a table outside to see the film, but I still really enjoyed FC's sophisticate décor, exhaustive wine list, and some very tasty morsels. I was hesitant to order the simplistic fried calamari appetizer, but the plate in its entirety was immaculate. Hama Hama oysters, in tandem with squid, were battered very lightly and fried, yet the oyster nugget stayed remarkably soft, moist & delicate; a truffle mayo introduced an upscale element but wasn't needed. Tuna tartar with Asian flavors was served with crisp wanton noodles. 4 of us passed around nibbles of our entrees ($25-ish); my monster pork chop with braised apples, endive & risotto gallette (I'll eat anything masquerading as cake) was the clear winner. One diner had the thinnest slices of duck I've ever seenwe all thought it was steak. Boyfriend had seafood chowder with scallops, cod, and if I recall halibut served with a puff pastry shaped like a fishtail. We shared 3 desserts (about $7.50 ea.): crepes, crème b |
Foreign Cinema Cuisine: Californian Mediterranean |
Mission | 4/9/2007
You're paying for atmosphere at the Bubble Lounge, which is fine by me. I'll gladly take velvety couches and low-level house tunes for a $10 glass of bubbly. Open until 2 a.m. most nights (even Wednesdays), the spacious lounge is dim, low-key, and moderately quiet. A considerate D.J. kept his house beats to an acceptable volume when I was there, which I definitely appreciate. A refreshing flute of Gloria Ferrer 1996 cuvee ran about $10 or $11, but we also tried a couple of sparkling wine cocktails, such as the sweet and fruity "Bubblicious" (Prosecco, peach liqueur, peach puree) and a tickling "Ruby Red" (Piper champagne, Chambord, raspberry Stoli), each at about $11. The two barkeeps on staff weren't completely on their game, despite that the bar was not crowded, so it took a little more than eye contact to grab their attention. Recommended for a girls' night out or that very special third date. |
The Bubble Lounge Champagne Bar Cuisine: Small Plates Dessert |
Downtown | 4/5/2007
Little salty fishes bathed in fine olive oil, lightly bubbling Prosecco, a soft hunk of foccacia... the appetizers and drinks at Rose Pistola made my mouth water. I was less enthusiastic about the crispy zucchini strips ($7, which were cut into round chips instead of long fingers). And I wish I had splurged on the $36 cauldron of cioppino instead of a $17 cracker-like pizza slathered with so much Gorgonzola it could only be described as very unpleasantly acidic. I picked off the bits of asparagus and caramelized onions and nibbled off the crust, but spent more time stealing my friend's side of grilled asparagus, which was also coated in an uncomely layer of cheese, unfortunately. I have to say that I went into Rose Pistola completely open-minded but came out agreeing that its weakness is it's overpriced. I'd return for drinks and overpriced appetizers, but would rather sup on similar dishes at restaurant with more soul. |
Rose Pistola Cuisine: Italian Seafood Pizza |
North Beach | 4/2/2007
Home is a bit on the casual side, but I was really surprised at how good the food was. I didn't eat anything special (a cobb salad with chicken, egg, bacon, avocado, and tomatoes-$12), but I felt like I got a good sized meal that was light, yet filling. I also shared an order of corn bread with honey butter that was absolutely melting like a warm chocolate cake. Boyfriend had an enormous plate of homey pot roast with horseradish cream, which he devoured. Home's beer options left something to be desired, but I ended up with a Pyramid Heff for about $4, so it's not terrible. Home isn't the kind of place to take someone special, but it will probably become a new staple for me on nights when I want to go out with my significant other for some inexpensive but dinner-service food. Besides, since Home is a little bit crowded and noisy (noisy meaning people talking loudly -- not techno music-noisy), it made me feel like I had actually 'gone out' that night. |
Home Cuisine: American (Traditional) |
Castro | 3/12/2007
I had a big business lunch at Two recently and have to disagree with the expense issue. For 9 people, after tax and tip, we rolled out at just over $200, which is very reasonable for a nice lunch in my opinion. Upon arrival, we were given a few baskets of spicy-cheese flatbreads and mini chive biscuits that were buttery, flaky, and dangerously good. I really enjoy the menu and had a hard time settling on a small portion of farafelle with sauteed cauliflower, anchioves, capers, and olive oil coated bread crumbs ($7). Although I would have preferred more anchioves (I couldn't really see them), the dish had a nice sharp flavor to it. Sausage pizza seemed to be the popular order. Service and decor is nice enough for a business lunch. |
Two San Francisco Cuisine: Californian |
SoMa | 3/12/2007
Let me tell you about pork meatballs. They are god's greatest gift to me. And at Il Cantuccio, they come on a pillow of polenta, nestled down in the warm, yellow softness, dotted with green peas and cooked cherry tomatoes. These golfball-sized breaded wonders were luciously white on the inside, tender to the touch. During a very quiet Wednesday night dinner with friends, I also enjoyed a long strip of salmon ($19) with a zesty tomato and caper relish served with smashed potatoes and sauteed broccoli. The portions were spot on. My friend's homemade tagliatelle with red sauce and chicken tasted comforting and mild. Another friend had crepes stuffed with ricotta and spinach swimming in white bechamel sauce; she nearly collapsed from cheese nirvana. I've said it before and I'll say it again: There's something so right about simple Italian food. Keep it up, Il Cantuccio! |
Il Cantuccio Cuisine: Italian |
Mission | 3/8/2007
It's difficult to justify spending $20 on a plate of Mexican food--even when it's stellar--since finding something equivalent for $4 in this city is a cinch. My trip to T.A. was on the company dime, with such a large crowd that the appetizers were predetermined and the menu selections limited. The quantity of food was massive. Each entree was decently portioned, but then an array of sides and sauces was laid on the table to accompany the dishes: salsa, guacamole with fresh hunks of avocado throughout, pico de gallo, silver-dollar corn tortillas, two kinds of beans, rice, cabbage, and queso blanco with pickled cucumbers, carrots, and onions. My cheesey chile rellenos were very pretty on bed of fire engine red sauce ($17 on the menu). As someone else mentioned, there's a sports bar feel, and the restaurant is as massive as the portions, which isn't quite my speed. I'm undecided about whether I'd return on my own, but I'd definitely look forward to another company-sponsored dinner. |
Tres Agaves Cuisine: Mexican |
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach | 3/5/2007
There's something extremely gratifying about simple, clean Italian food, whether Tuscan or Sicilian, northern or southern, Florentine or Roman. And while I don't know enough about the subtleties of the different regional cooking to distinguish between them all, I do know a heart-warming sausage sandwich when I see it. South Beach Café is probably the most down to earth Italian café this side of Market. The menu is plentiful, with lunch items all in the $5-$7 range, an enormous selling point when you take a gander at what you get for 6 bucks. Sandwiches and entrees are served with mixed greens on the side, with bread for entrees too. My sausage-wich had nothing more than thickly sliced links, fresh tomato, and melted mozzarella on a really crust length of bread. Others at my table noshed on ravioli and manicotti, both hearty veg. options served in little round daubes, straight from the pizza oven. A return visit is in order to try the thin pizza and maybe to just hang over the bay view. |
South Beach Cafe Cuisine: italian |
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach | 3/1/2007
Eureka! I've found where all the hip kids are hiding downtown on weekdays! They're at Boxed Foods, packed into a tiny shop on Kearny, all lined up to order organically produced sandwiches and salads. I'm not the most fashionable girl on the block, but I instantly wanted to be friends with the crowd at Boxed Foods--the kids both behind the counter and in front of it. While waiting for my baked tofu salad with glass noodles, baby spinach, and wasabi peas ($8), I eyed a girl who had 1960s beige boots that had a fold-over collar above the ankle. One fellow had a half metallic shirt (remember on Project Runway the Cher outfit Bradley made?). The prep-ster taking my order chatted with another guy about his $400 bicycle (how stylin'). And the babe who handed me my food was a smiley, perky contrast to what one expects from the too-cool. I also was instantly gratified by the aqua tiles, wall-sized chalk board menu, and curvy bar that serves as a waiting area, piled high with magazines. Love it. |
Boxed Foods Company Cuisine: American |
Downtown | 2/28/2007
"Inoffensive!" I'm not sure that's how I would ever describe a wine, but that's what the very kind gentleman at Que Syrah kept saying about a number of bottles he suggested my friends and I try the other night. Personally, I was more curious to know what an "offensive" wine might be, something with a little more attitude: "I'm from the VINE, biotch! In your FACE, Pinot Grio!" Nevertheless, I was talked into a huge pour of the inoffensive Piccolo Cru Rosso di Napa for $9, but don't quiz me on the year or vineyard or anything more specific than that. It was a semi-complex wine with nice structure, highly drinkable without food. The wine bar is unprentious and comfortable, and the music is even less unpretentious, as "inoffensive" as elevator jazz muzak. I'm planning another visit soon and am looking forward to taking the house's suggestions, inoffensive or not. |
Que Syrah Cuisine: Wine Bar |
West Portal | 2/26/2007
Am I ashamed to admit that I had gelato for dinner tonight? Not really. If you're going to Naia, I absolutely must persuade you to at the very least try the panna cotta flavor. I've had three or four other flavors, and I really just can't get over how creamy, thick, rich, sticky, and sensual the panna cotta is. Just taste it. And true, it doesn't have cookie bits, nor peanut butter swirls, nor Scharffenberger 62% chocolate, nor hazelnuts, but it's divine. Coming Friday (Feb. 23) the crew at Naia is going to introduce their new flavor of the week, a little competition that allows regular Joes and Jills like you and me to suggest new flavor concoctions. This all spun out of last year's flavor of the month contest. Keep your fingers crossed for my Vietnamese coffee flavor, or carrot cake and cream cheese, or magic cookie bar gelato, as I've sent in a few original creation nominations. |
Naia Cuisine: Dessert Gelato |
Castro | 2/21/2007
Playing by far one of the best sets of music in all of pub-and-bar land, I was rather impressed with San Francisco Brewing Company when I visited on a recent Friday night. The advertised happy hour of $1.75 pints apparently didn't hold up for my $2.75 Anniversary Ale, which was dark, malty, and served barely below room temperature. The menu is all comforting weekend bar food, like baby back ribs, wings, burgers, nachos, steak sandwiches, and curly fries (all for about $6-$7 or less per dish), though salads and lighter ("girlier"?) fare, like edamame, are also available. There are two separate seating areas: one a little more run-down looking and one covered in old wood with plenty of proper talbes and cutlery for noshing. |
San Francisco Brewing Company Cuisine: Pub food |
North Beach | 2/12/2007
My first trip to Stella's was on a Friday afternoon, with a few minutes to kill before meeting some people for happy hour. It's a little old-school bakery that transports you to some Golden Age era when the food wasn't necessarily perfect, but it was meaningful. I had the server weigh out a few of Stella's cookies for me, sold by the pound, and spent about $3 on a few things to try. There were biscotti with every different kind of nut, some with dried fruit, some chocolate dipped. There were little almond-citrus tea cakes, and petite fours, and some little empanada-shaped darling thing covered in white icing and dappled with candy-colored round sprinkles. Biscotti taste dry as they should be without too much crunch or chalky texture. In fact, I hardly felt the need to dip the anise biscotti in coffee at all, it was so soft. The east-coast transplants will love Stella's; it's just like the old bakeries you find in Brooklyn, with an 80-year-old Italian matriarch running the show. |
Stella Pastry Cuisine: Italian Pastry Coffee |
North Beach | 2/10/2007
Eddie Rickenbacker's is not for children. It's not for thin-skinned persons, easily offended persons, or generally anyone who can't take a little bit of grit. It's owned by a guy (Eddie) who literally lives in a recliner that faces a TV, all of which can be viewed from the Second St. window. You can walk by early in the morning and see big old Eddie, snoozing and drooling in his overstuffed La-Z-boy. An enormous orange cat is another regular here, who roams the floors and sidewalks ready for patrons to pet his oily kitty fur. Co-workers and I go to Eddie's for beer and the not-on-the-menu "gross cheese." Just ask for it. The waitress will chuckle, doodle something in her note pad, and return to your table in 5 minutes, or 25 minutes, with an icy cold ramekin of Handi-Snacks cheese and two or three baskets of crackers. It's deplorable, but the whole experience is also wildly entertaining if you have a sick sense of humor or are inclined to sarcasm of the greatest degree. |
Eddie Rickenbacker's Cuisine: American Pub Fare |
Downtown | 2/9/2007
Out the Door, the take-out side of The Slanted Door, has open a location in the Westfield shopping mall. I happened upon the eatery on an off day, but the management has since made amends by refunding the cost of my meal. Other than that, it's nice to see some quality food in a food court. There is a take-out service area in additional to some seating tucked away from the rest of the food court, its own little dining room. See my review of the Ferry Building location for more mouth-watering descriptions of the dishes. |
Out the Door (Westfield) Cuisine: Vietnamese |
Downtown | 2/9/2007
Has Boudin's lost touch with San Francisco? I remember a friend of mine heralding Boudin's years ago when she first moved here, while I still lived on the other coast. This chowder-in-a-bread-bowl staple doesn't really hold the torch for casual SF food like it once did, aside from having a marked presence in SFO airport (because sour dough bread is such a token souvenir? puh-lease). It's a strange set of circumstances, really. Boudin's is now a strong chain store, with locations in not only the airport, but also the malls, including Macy's downtown and Stonestown. The food is extremely consistent, fairly priced, and speedy. But when was the last time you ever heard of anyone eating there? Who ever suggests it? (I feel as if I am trying to talk myself into going there again!) And yet, it survives. The last time I went, sandwiches were decent, though the pizza was unspectacular and overpriced. It'll take me a little more time and some clam chowder to hash it over. |
Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe Cuisine: Bakeries |
Downtown | 2/6/2007
To put it simply, you really have to go to Tommy's Joynt once in your lifetime if you've spent any significant portion of it in San Francisco. I went a few months ago by myself when I was hungry and in the neighborhood killing time before a book event. From the flashy 1970s painted sign on Geary to the mildly sports-bar exterior, I thought it was essentially a big sandwich shop that had booze. I couldn't have been more wrong. The clientele, at 6 in the evening, were SF's oldest old timers, dawdling men who were 102 if they were a day, and women fashioning the "nun slouch" pantyhose look. Early bird special? Yes please. I ate a sausage, which was little more than a hot dog, on a bed of pucker-inducing sauerkraut with a roll and a plain, peeled boiled potato. I dabbled bits and drips of hot mustard from a miniature mustard pot onto my sausage. I sat in a creaky wooden chair. The table was set with a red and white checked plastic tarp. And the whole room, huge as it was, felt warm |
Tommy's Joynt Cuisine: American (Traditional) |
Downtown | 2/6/2007
There's something to be said for the reliable creperie. Having grown up more around Greek diners, pizzerias, delis, and bagel shops, it's taken some time for me to truly grasp the concept of the creperie being akin to "the diner." But something has finally taken hold. I wanted simple food the other day for lunch with a few friends and was indecisive about whether I wanted sweet (French toast?), or savory (tuna sandwich?) or light (soup and salad?). We ended up at the Creperie at less than 10 bucks a person for a full lunch. No one felt rushed. No one complained that the food was less than perfect because expectations were for decent food, not spectacularly reinvented plates. It's busy enough to people-watch, and the turn-over is quick enough to let you snag a table every time. I went halves with one of my pals and got to nosh down on half a tuna on 9 grain and two triangles of buttery French toast with strawberries. Sweet success. |
Squat and Gobble Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners American (Traditional) |
West Portal | 2/5/2007
Harvest & Rowe uses all organic food stuffs, but really shines a light on salads and soups. The $6.75 4-toss-ins salad feels light in the hand and is equally light in the belly, but I guess that's the true price of "organic." For about $8 or $9, you can find more a substantial salad, like a Cobb or one with ahi tuna, though my appetite says to grab a big fat oatmeal cookie, too. |
Harvest & Rowe Cuisine: American Bistro |
Downtown | 2/5/2007
Mocca wins "Best Smelling Restaurant" in my book for its fresh, meaty aromas. A friend and I went here during our workday, and he ate a tri-tip sandwich that dribbled with juice while I slowly fiddled with a creamy cappuccino and some chocolate-dipped madelines. The main dishes sounded pricey for an everyday lunch at Euro-sized portions (meaning "small, but appropriate for what a normal person should eat"). Fresh fruit salad, hearty tomatoes and cheese, cold calamari marinated in oil and vinegar are piled in plain view as you wait in line at the counter for cafe-style service. With tiny tables scattered around, a bit of clamoring and clanging from the counter/kitchen, and the luscious smells wafting through the back of the cafe, Mocca is distinctly European in flair (and price). I like to think of Mocca as a place where I'd treat myself to a great lunch after doing some Union Square business -- though on an average day, my pocketbook would rather not shoulder the burden. |
Mocca On Maiden Lane Cuisine: Italian Bistro |
Downtown | 2/4/2007
Amici's is the go-to pizzeria at my office, so I've tried many of their pies delivered but have not eaten inside this particular location. The pizza is good, but not great. The large pie is a scant 15" and runs about $20 for a plain one. The topping choices are plentiful, and the crust is generally crusty, albeit a bit on the doughy side at times. Overall, Amici's is certainly not a destination eatery, but it's reliable, affordable, and well-run. Great for a pie if it's the most convenient pizzeria near you. |
Amici's East Coast Pizzeria Cuisine: Pizza Italian |
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach | 2/4/2007
I don't give negative reviews of places I've only been to once, but I seriously considered it this time. I ate at Emmy's, in the hipster strip of Mission St. in Bernal Heights, going on two years ago. Four of us went because I had heard about the DJ booth, cheap red wine, and underground vibe. I was embarassed when two of my friends couldn't eat their burger dinners because the food not only undercooked, but stone cold in the center. The tiny dining room is so dark they had to tilt a little candle to inspect the meat. They both sent the plates back to the kitchen to have them return five minutes later still runny and pink -- and it was the same meat and bun as before (both were cut in half and bitten), which is a huge health dept. no-no. If it hits the table, you cannot put it back on a cooking surface, which may be overlooked unless the diners have put their mouths on the food. The waitress was apologetic, but said the "organic meat is cooked to the chef's discretion." Never again. |
Emmy's Spaghetti Shack Cuisine: Italian |
Bernal Heights | 2/4/2007
Blue Plate has an appetizer menu that I just couldn't steer myself away from, so I chowed down on small plates rather than commit to a single large one. A warm lentil salad ($8) was served with wilted bitter greens, roasted red pepper bits, and rosemary hazelnuts, though my plate literally had two hazelnuts and a sprinkling of what appeared to be Spanish almonds. (The menu changes daily, so if you see a similar lentil salad with a few alterations, don't think that my review is off on what was written and what I think I ate.) Dungeness crab hush puppies ($12)were marvelously delicate, light, and sweet, nested around a fluffy ball of frisee and served with piquillo pepper tartar sauce. I picked through a slightly dry side dish of quartered brussel sprouts with toasted pecans ($5), too, that would have benefited from more brown butter and sage. My friend had a tender, yet char-crusted pork chop with bratwurst and braised cabbage that was divine. The wine list is a work of art. |
Blue Plate, The Cuisine: American (Traditional) Californian |
Bernal Heights | 2/4/2007
Ever have one of those days when you rediscover something awesome and kick yourself for forgetting how good it is? I gave my a** a solid punt today! Since Cafe Trieste opened its new location around the first of the year, Ive been meaning to swing by and grab one of their creamy lattes or a cappuccino on my lunch break. Its always on the back of my mind, but theres never a convenient time. Today I went in. The smell made me want to stay, to linger, to read a newspaper, to listen to the women behind the espresso machine with her beautiful European accent, to watch Academy of Art students pass by on the sidewalk And the free samples of something deliciously dubbed "the almond corner" really enticed me to stay. But I had to get back to the office. $3.60 and one doppio caramel latte later, I was kicking myself yet again for leaving. |
Cafe Trieste Cuisine: Coffee Shops |
SoMa | 2/1/2007
DeLessio opened on Broderick and Oak a few months ago, though I had only ever zoomed past it in the car. Since its Market St. counterpart tallied up a few good reviews, I decided to investigate. From the pictures and website, I envisioned a small specialty market; but behold yet another massive grocery store. DeLessio earned props from SF Weekly for having the best prepared foods to grab on the go; while the selections seem plentiful, the location doesn't quite support the claim since it's not in a pedestrian area. The food? I picked up two tiny cupcakes for $1.50 each and have to admit that one of them cracked the mold in its decadence factor. A chocolate brownie that no light can escape was the base for peanut butter mousse, salty and sweet, topped with a towering cap of meringue that held its stiffness but was the texture of fresh marshmallow inside. The self-service area loses points for me. Keep my baked goods out of the germ fest that is the salad bar! |
DeLessio Market Cuisine: Deli Bakeries |
Western Addition | 1/29/2007
This cash-only, no frills dive is one of those reliable spots where you can count on the food being excellent. Throw service and ambience to the wind on this one. I'm a sucker for fresh spring rolls, the snap of the rice paper, the bright taste of a mouthful of mint leaves, so for $4.95, I couldn't pass up the cold shrimp rolls served with peanut sauce. Charbroiled pork vermicelli ($5.95) stood the test of freshness with a bed of lettuce, mint leaves, cucumber, and bean sprouts below a mound of room-temperature noodles. Thin strips of grilled pork were still warm on top, and the fish sauce (served on the side in my take-out box) tied all the flavors together. Leftovers aplenty--I only survived about half the dish, and I'm 5'8" with a healthy appetite. A charbroiled beef rice plate ($6.75) filled the belly of my dining partner, who managed to eat the whole thing. Having eked out a feast for about $10 each, I'm setting my sights on becoming a regular here. |
PPQ Vietnamese Cuisine Cuisine: Vietnamese |
Inner Sunset | 1/29/2007
Kara's Cupakes have the best bang-for-your-buck value in the City's cupcake portfolio. I went out of my way to the Marina today in search of Kara's Fleur Sel, a chocolate cake filled with caramel goodness, topped with soft chocolate ganache, and finished with fleur del sel. Sadly, there weren't any left, and I was abruptly informed that a fresh batch wouldn't be ready "for a while." I opted instead for Kara's Karrot and a Raspberry Dazzle, and here's where the value starts to show. I'm somewhat skeptical of the value of organic ingredients, but here, every single ingredient, from the cream to the butter to the chocolate, announced its superior quality. What happens when a great baker uses the best dairy products, the freshest eggs, and high quality flour? For one, the cream cheese on the carrot cake was soft like whipped egg whites, silky, airy, and calming. The raspberry buttercream atop the chocolate cake on the other tasted perfectly smooth as well. These are the best $3 cupcakes. |
Kara's Cupcakes Cuisine: Bakeries Dessert |
Marina | 1/28/2007
A sucker for sweets, I highly enjoyed the warm, soft, and gooey egg custard baked buns and egg custard pancakes at Ton Kiang when six of us dined at Ton Kiang this weekend. For less than $100 for the lot, we ate heartily: pork sui mai, shrimp sui mai, shrimp and spinach, stuffed mushrooms, Shanghai dumplings, steamed BBQ pork buns, chicken dumplings, shrimp long noodle, sesame balls, pot stickers, and on and on. Some of the dumplings were smaller than I've had at take-away dim sum joints, but the freshness of the rice paper skins made up for the size. Most dishes cost around $3.00 for 3 pieces, though some were in the $5-$6 range; but bear in mind that dozens of servers are working the room, clanging about with their porridge cars and trays of stacked steamers. I would certainly return in a heartbeat, making sure to leave room for the deep fried salt and pepper prawns (with heads) and Chinese doughnuts. |
Ton Kiang Cuisine: Dim Sum Chinese |
Outer Richmond | 1/28/2007
About a year or two ago, I got hooked on Sheng Kee's red bean pastries. Once I realized that, for about a dollar, I could sneak a Chinese dessert on my way home from the markets when no one else was around to witness it, I went on a five or six week spree. Sheng Kee is very clean, and the majority of baked goods are individually wrapped for quick self-service. Although some items are kept behind the counter, you can easily poke your way through such exotic snacks such as hot dog buns, tuna fish and ketchup buns, lotus pastries, moon cakes, egg custard buns, baked BBQ pork buns, and more. The set up is especially inviting to those who don't speak any Asian dialects (since it's self service, so you can take your time inspecting foods, and all the signs are listed in English in addition to other languages). I've never had a bad experience with the staff either, who were speedy and friendly. |
Sheng Kee Bakery Cuisine: Asian Bakery |
Inner Sunset | 1/28/2007
Chris1 (see review below) made me chuckle out loud with his comment about taking his grandmother to the eye doctor and stopping off at Lakeside for a meal. I've been to Lakeside at least twice, both times because a grandmother put her foot down and demanded that a family celebration be held there. It was sort of a "that's just where we go and just how we do things in this family" kind of attitude. The funniest part was, even she (the grandmother) complained about the service! While we were there! All in all, Lakeside is essentially a diner, with some comfort food, some typical American dishes, and nothing special to write home about--unless writing home means writing to your grandmother. |
Lakeside Cafe Cuisine: American |
Lake View | 1/26/2007
I cannot enthusiastically tout Blue Danube's drip coffee, but in my heart of hearts, I also cannot slam a decent independent coffee shop. This mellow little space seems to be a haven for Inner Richmond locals, but is not a destination-seeker for the rest of us. The espresso drinks aren't bad, but have been at times bitter or scalded. Light fare, like BLTA sandwiches, are prepared and heated on the spot, but sweet snacks (always my coffee shop selection), like cookies and bars, are to the best of my guesstimation trucked in from the same place that trucks 90% of all the other Rice Krispy treats in the city. When it's wrapped in cling wrap, it's probably not fresh from today. And while I did appreciate the opening of a wine bar for evening diners who were waiting for their table at Burma Superstar across the street, I also find it a moot point for me since I've vowed to stick to Mandalay (California at 6th. Ave.) from now on. |
Blue Danube Coffee House Cuisine: Coffee Shop American Bistro |
Inner Richmond | 1/26/2007
Elizabeth Faulkner's Citizen Cake sometimes seems like the kind of place that everyone knows about, but hardly anyone who lives here goes to, kind of like the Empire State Building or Statue of Liberty for native New Yorkers. Citizen Cupcake, too, is right before our very eyes, with its sandwich board outside Virgin Records on Market street beckoning us to ride two sets of escalators to her magical fairyland of what I'm going to call "shopping fare": the quick bits and bites you eat during a five-hour Union Square extravaganza. A single mokka cupcake ($3.50) was all I needed yesterday to inspire me to stop by more often. This fluffy and moist dark chocolate cake left hardly any oily residue on my finger tips. Powerfully coffee-flavored buttercream rose from the little cake in a proud swirl, decadently decorated with crunchy cacao nibs. That nearly gritty texture of buttercream plays with my memory of childhood, but it's so adult in its coffee flavored punch. Treat yourself! |
Citizen Cupcake Cafe and Bar Cuisine: Dessert French (Bistro) |
Downtown | 1/26/2007
Admit it. You've never had oxtail and you don't exactly know what mire poix means. It's OK! We all have to start somewhere. If you are new to great food, let the good people at Boulette Larder feed you. No reservation needed; nearly everything can be packed to go or weighed by the pound; and you'll experience some of the more sophisticated flavors that all the foodies are raving about, for about a third of the price of a fine dining experience. On the menu lately you can find side dishes of chickpeas ('garbanzo beans' to you SF natives) with brown butter and greens, rapini with pomegranate molasses, and heirloom squash puree with tahini. All the meats dazzle with aromatic seasoning, wafting through the air the moment you walk in the door. Also, fines herbs, specialty salts, and other French-Californian ingredients are sold by weight. Finally, if you're already in the know about offals or grey salts or Spanish chickpeas, go to B.L. early on Sun. and order the beignets! |
Boulette's Larder Cuisine: Californian Bakeries |
Embarcadero | 1/25/2007
When I lived in the Haight, Balazo was the place to go for a quick burrito. There's ample seating up a half flight of stairs and to the back of the restaurant if you're eating there, but if you're ordering to go, give yourself a few extra minutes. They're not super speedy with the "para llevar" orders. Balazo makes a decent burrito, though I concede that it's not my favorite by a shot. However, they do serve a juicy grilled zucchini side dish that's authentically flavorful, yet simple (though rarely seen on Tex-Mex menus, which is odd seeing as the squash family is native to the sandy soil areas of North and South America). Sparkling relief-impression brass brings life to the spacious interior. Overall: a reliable Haight Street stop. |
El Balazo Cuisine: Mexican |
Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley | 1/24/2007
Lulu Petite gets a positive review from me for having a great egg sandwich on the lunch menu. The bread was soft and full of grains. Roasted red peppers provided all the sauce that was needed, though a dash of something else (aioli?) gave it a little extra zip, too. I remember cheese and soft scrambled eggs that brought me back to childhood. I only found this sandwich back in the days when I avoided meat (fear not, SFSurveyors!, I've since come to terms with it): I was in a situation in which I had to scour the Ferry Building in search of a lunch that A) I could hold in my hands, B) didn't have meat, C) wasn't deep fried, and D) costs less than $10, since that's how much I had leftover after shopping at the Farmer's Market. Some people really do have special needs when it comes to eating, and I was thrilled to have such a memorable sandwich in my hour of need. (See www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/lulu_petite.php) |
Lulu Petite Cuisine: French (Bistro) |
Embarcadero | 1/23/2007
Absolutely stunning little pieces of artwork, these cakes are so impressive that if you've never been to Miette, take a minute to browse through the online photo gallery. If you're less than adventurous, start out with a French-style macaron (I recommend lavender) for $1.50 and nibble it slowly. Take your time to appreciate the texture, from the chewiness, to the delicate and microscopic crisp exterior, to the crystallized dust of sugar. Miette also has old-fashioned cup cakes (rich chocolate with marshmallow top), which would make a great Valentine's Day surprise for your honey, or just a great sweetheart treat any day of the year. |
Miette Cakes Cuisine: Organic Bakeries |
Embarcadero | 1/23/2007
Do I dare dis a pastry? Pastries are near and dear to my heart, and I will go out of my way for something special. Andersen's wasn't anything special, I'm very disheartened to say. A walnut cream cheese stick was so dry I didn't need anything between it and my fingers to stay clean, including when I stuck my finger into the slowly hardening cream cheese ribbon. Because many of their other treats are visually impressive, and because there were a few other customers who seemed to be stocking up for a blizzard the day I visited, I will return and give Andersen's the benefit of the doubt that I had a baked good that simply should have been pulled at the end of the previous day. However, one other wrinkle is that the counterstaff helping me couldn't identify what type of nuts were in an oatmeal nut cookie. "I'm allergic," he shrugged, "so I don't eat them. I don't know." No matter what the counter help can or cannot eat, they need to be informed about all the products. No excuse. |
Andersen's Bakery (Crocker Galleria) Cuisine: Bakeries |
Downtown | 1/22/2007
Sushi is usually at its best when the restaurant serving it is at its smallest. Miyozen in Emeryville dares to counter that impression. A group of nearly 40 people arrived at dinnertime on a Sat. night to be seated entirely in our own section at one long table (pieced together of smaller tables). In the main dining area, the food is served conveyor belt-style, a nice gimmick if you're new to the sushi experience. The space can seat well over 100--it's huge. As for my food, hotate sansai, chewy sliced scallop meat marinated in a sesame dressing ($5.95), is a wonderfully contrasting dish that I'd order again and again. The chewy bits of scallop, delicate in taste, against the richness of the sesame oil really whet my appetite. In my two-item Bento box ($12.95), I savored a small serving of grilled mackerel and five thick slabs of mauve tuna sashimi atop daikon "noodles." Rice and two gyozas were included as well. A dainty scoop of ginger or green tea ice cream (I opted for the slightly |
Miyozen Sushi Cuisine: Japanese Sushi |
Emeryville | 1/22/2007
The online menu has changed dramatically since I had a girls' brunch here more than a year ago, so it seems like someone's tweaking Park Chalet until they get it right. As with Beach Chalet, Park Chalet is truly stunning, but not truly mouthwatering. The set-up is spacious, with enormous windows overlooking an outdoor picnic-style seating area, serenely sweet with dogs and children frolicking in the grass. "Mummy! What's that sparkling beverage you so enjoy?" Unfortunately, the food is overpriced with small portions and mostly unflavorful. But my review remains neutral for those rare occassions when a gorgeous and tranquil setting is more important than a well-seasoned bowl of orzo and chicken salad. Park Chalet would be a perfect setting for a wedding reception or after-wedding brunch. Just make sure to hire an outside caterer. And servers, too. |
Park Chalet Garden Restaurant Cuisine: American (New) |
Outer Sunset | 1/21/2007
Since reading the last two Anthony Bourdain books, I've had an insatiable appetite for Vietnamese noodles, soups, spices, sauces, and that sweet condensed milk coffee. So I treated myself to a quick and flavorful lunch at Out the Door today. Lemongrass pork with vermicelli ($7.75) tasted blissfully fresh, with slender slices of cucumber and carrot mingling against cool bits of chopped lettuce, fresh mint, mung beans, and peanuts. The bite-sized cuts of pork left me 100 percent satisfied with lunch, but entirely curious as to how they manage to cook it so evenly while obtaining a richly dark chocolate-colored exterior. A few hot little condiments are provided right at the counter for a quick grab-and-go. Caressing my paper cup of coffee (if you've never tried it, Vietnamese coffee is fantastically sweet, like a dessert, not to mention strong), I savored the walk back to work, revived by a fresh and filling lunch. |
Out the Door Cuisine: Vietnamese |
Downtown | 1/19/2007
I have a hankering for street food more than I'd like to admit. But San Francisco isn't so ripe with dirty-water wiener sellers and pretzel men. So I have to rely on the alternatives. Enter Sophie's. A friend dragged me here for crepes once before a movie at Kabuki. He insisted that I not eat lunch and that we splurge on something special. My crab and avocado crepe, for about $6 or $7, was plentiful and not at all flimsy, served in some sturdy cardboard instead of a paper cone. I could walk all over hell and back without spilling a single luscious lump of seafood. Mayonnaise was liberally squirted from a picnic style bottle all about the chunky crab meat, much to my enjoyment. The next time in the neighborhood, I'll try to remember to save room not for lunch, but for dessert, given the fantastic experience everyone else has had here with the gooey, chocolatey crepes. |
Sophie's Crepes Cuisine: Crepes Dessert |
Japantown | 1/18/2007
Back in July, I had a very strange experience with Yoogo Gelato. My sister and I needed a quick pick-me-up while we were wandering in that Chinatow-Northbeach border and stopped into grab a scoop. We got the moccha gelato, but here's the thing: It tasted distinctly like chocolate and green tea rather than chocolate and espresso! And not for the better. Since I really enjoy desserts -- especially gelato that's the real deal -- Yoogo goes on my list of places I'll probably avoid in the future. But don't let my one off experience dissuade you from trying it for yourself. The shop is pretty clean and customer service wasn't bad. Just don't order anything with a coffee flavor. |
Yoogo Gelato Cuisine: Dessert Gelato Crepes |
Chinatown | 1/18/2007
My experience at Lulu comes entirely from one night at a party hosted there. I did not get the full dining experience, but I can weigh in on the finger foods. Pizza was thin, crisp, and topped with an array of thinly sliced vegetables, my favorite being zucchini. The unpalatable fried risotto balls tasted like latkes that had been left unsalted, rolled into golfballs, battered heavily, and deep fried until a beautiful but deceiving crust developed. Several crostini were served, but the bread was cut too thin and too dry to fully enjoy. The wine we were served was mediocre. All in all, I wasn't wowed by anything, though the pizza earned a better than average rating. I would try Lulu's for a seated meal if someone else were insistent on going. |
Restaurant LuLu Cuisine: Mediterranean French |
SoMa | 1/15/2007
Take a look at the photo of Triptych. That's about how large it is (photo isn't cutting off much). Now look closely at the walls. That's right, it's an aluminum shed. I only mention this because I dined here during the Artic freeze of 2007, and was a bit cold throughout my meal. Even the artichoke salad starter suffered a chill. I bit a slice of fried artichoke to be hit with an unexpected little burst of cold oil. Seeing as some reviewers disliked the pork in particular, I ordered a special: linguine and shrimp in a lobster creme sauce. The server warned me, when I asked for the "pasta and lobster special," that it was actually "with shrimp, in a lobster creme sauce" ($19) -- I'm still annoyed that there wasn't an inkling of lobster in the sauce at all. Maybe just the taste of boiled shells. My partner enjoyed a beautifully cooked piece of lamb. After 1 starter, 2 entrees, 2 house drinks, 1 dessert and tip, we paid $100, which is more than the place is worth, I think. Lacks polish. |
Triptych Cuisine: Fusion |
SoMa | 1/14/2007
A.G. Ferrari isn't an every day stop for me, but once a year or so it's worth the splurge to pick up some specialty Italian groceries, like imported coffee, olives, or holiday cakes (I hear they carry a "drunken panettone" for about 30 bucks). As for lunch, there are better deals to be had in almost all the SF neighborhoods where there's an A.G.F.: Soma, Laurel Village, and Castro, off the top of my head -- but if you're unfamiliar with the area, it's a solid winner for freshness. The sandwiches are a bit pricey for a hunk of bread with meat and cheese (or tapenade, or artichoke spread, or roasted red peppers, etc.), but the ingredients are pretty much guaranteed to be high quality. The $5.99 to $8.29 panini/panino menu can be a bit overwhelming, though. If you thought you knew exactly what you wanted when you first walked in, be prepared to be lured by other combinations. |
A. G. Ferrari Foods Cuisine: Italian Deli |
SoMa | 1/12/2007
Only recently, I started visiting this Russian deli for a few reasons: 1) they are open late, so I can pick up a couple of staple items at 8 p.m. when my local vegetable market is closed; 2) they carry the same staples that I might otherwise pay double for at Andronico's, like kefir yogurt, milk, cheese, and bread; 3) the interesting meat case always leaves me wanting to try something new, like smoked Hungarian sausage, deeply red and chewey looking. I have been spoken to in both Russian (which I don't speak) and most recently English, which made me feel more comfortable about returning to order meats and cheese by the pound or to ask questions about the immense sausage selection. Family-friendly. Good bottle beers from Eastern Europe. Nice availability of cured, smoked, and dried fish. |
New World Market Cuisine: Russian Deli |
Outer Richmond | 1/12/2007
" This shop seems small, almost worth passing by for three years without ever trying, but the menu is vast! Working Girl serves 8 special salads, 21 specialty sandwiches, alongside a mix-and-match menu of basic deli sandwiches--and that's just lunch. For little more than $8, I had a large black forest ham sandwich with all the fixings, including pickles and red onion, and a monstrously rich brownie (don't be fooled by the simple square-cut brownie; it's chocked full of rich, gooey, dense fudge). The pastry selection is fair, but I was won over by the fact that they serve fat-free fro-gurt, so I'll definitely return, and soon. All the counter staff were sincerely friendly and answered all of my pesky quesitons in good nature. |
Working Girls' Cafe Cuisine: Deli Bakeries |
SoMa | 1/9/2007
This shop seems small, almost worth passing by for three years without ever trying, but the menu is vast! Working Girl serves 8 special salads, 21 specialty sandwiches, alongside a mix-and-match menu of basic deli sandwiches--and that's just lunch. For little more than $8, I had a large black forest ham sandwich with all the fixings, including pickles and red onion, and a monstrously rich brownie (don't be fooled by the simple square-cut brownie; it's chocked full of rich, gooey, dense fudge). The pastry selection is fair, but I was won over by the fact that they serve fat-free fro-gurt, so I'll definitely return, and soon. All the counter staff were sincerely friendly and answered all of my pesky quesitons in good nature. |
Working Girl's Cafe Cuisine: Deli |
Downtown | 1/9/2007
What catches my eye when I walk past Umbria every day on my lunch hour is the sidewalk seating, teeming with customers sipping Pinot Grigio and nibbling soft torn bread dipped in olive oil. What catches my nose is the bread and how is smells saltless, like Florentine bread. I recently tried Umbria by calling ahead and asking if they'd serve me take-out (they would). I ordered a chicken Caesar salad, which admittedly isn't the best menu option to review. So be it. The service was very kind and friendly, with an overly attentive maitre'd (I suspect he was the owner) greeting my entry and exit with large swooping hand gestures and a maitronly bow. The salad was large, not overly dressed, and delightful to eat without a knife, as the chicken had been shredded into large chunks, which easily and evenly worked their way throughout the romaine lettuce. But for almost $13, it was overpriced. Given that Pazia--my favorite local Italian place--is just around the corner, I probably won't return. |
Ristorante Umbria Cuisine: Italian |
SoMa | 1/8/2007
Mehfil has excellent take-out lunch specials for about $4.50-$7.00 (cash only), depending whether you go vegetarian. With a new menu daily, the food is typically made from good quality ingredients. The rice (biryani) that comes with the lunch deal taste fresh, light, and airy, but the portion is sizeable! For weight-watchers, I've lately seen salads on the special menu, such tandoori chicken over green salad. The sit down lunch, equally filling for about $11 or $12, has the benefit of very efficient service, nearly as speedy as the take-out service. Because Mehfil specializes in lunch service, they have become super stars between noon and two, running such a tight ship that caters perfectly to the local office worker crowd who need to be in and out in about an hour. Pay special attention to the wonderfully descriptive and informational menu descriptions, too! |
Mehfil Indian Cuisine Cuisine: Indian Pakistani |
SoMa | 1/8/2007
Chicken is never my first, second, or even third choice on any menu; and the inclusion of mushrooms in a dish has never been a selling point. But Delfina has a roast chicken with royal trumpet mushrooms ($18) that was described upon first bite by my table-mate as "transcendent." This bird tastes as if it had been cooked in veal stock, then finished in a quart of demi-glace. I do declare those trumpet mushrooms a new vegetable unto themselves, almost asparagus-like in texture. We shared a first course of spiced merguez with lentils and pickled onions ($8.25), which I wish had been my main. I ordered a ravioli of prosciutto and marscarpone in lemon and butter ($14) that was really a dish for white wine drinkers. Divine, I suppose, but not the right choice for me. The espresso I sipped while waiting for a made-to-order cake had chocolate notes and depth rarely found outside European coffee houses. What surprised me was Delfina's un-prestigious interior design: clean but not glamorous. |
Delfina Cuisine: Italian |
Mission | 12/16/2006
The Bagelry has the best bagels in San Francisco. Chewy, dense, and often still warm from the oven, these are Long Island/New York style bagels done well. Sandwiches, juice selections, and cream cheese options (please don't call it a "schmear" -- no one actually says that in New York, and I worked in four different bagel shops and delis in my youth there) are solid. |
The Bagelry Cuisine: Bagels |
Russian Hill | 12/14/2006
'wichcraft is Tom Colicchio's (a la Top Chef) sandwich joint, recently opened behind Westfield. I read about this place in a magazine that complained it was overpriced, with sandwiches in the $9 range. I said to myself, "I'm willing to pay $9 for a really good sandwich. Whats the big deal? I bet Ill even be able to squeeze two lunches out of one." So I marched down to Mission and 5th, shelled out the obligatory $9, and selected the slow roast pork with red cabbage and jalapenos on a toasted hunk of bread. I have to give the mag credit: $9 was too much. I would have expected to pay between $6 and $7. Nonetheless, I'm headed back to try the marinated white anchovies with soft-cooked egg, roasted onion and frisée on country bread ($8.50). Check out the menu online. One other complaint: the employee who made my sandwich didnt cut it properly. If a sandwich is wrapped twice (once in flimsy paper, once in butchers paper), you have to slice through the flimsy when you cut the sandwich in |
wichcraft Cuisine: American Bistro Deli |
Downtown | 12/11/2006
This miniscule Vietnamese shop opened only a few months ago, in fall of 2006. It's located in a convenient spot for Clement Street shoppers, being just two steps south of Clement on 6th Ave. I had a pork sandwich for $3 that was warm, tender, and full of fresh Vietnamese flavors, like sliced jalapenos, cilantro, and lightly pickled julienned carrots. I'll be back for more sandwiches on the weekends, and hopefully for quick take-home dinners too. Fast, friendly--a bargain. |
Little Vietnam Cafe Cuisine: Vietnamese |
Inner Richmond | 12/10/2006
Tikka Masala. Pros: 1. Never crowded. 2. Affordable at about $6 per dish, especially given that the cost of Indian and Pakistani food is mostly just proteins and spices. 3. Convenient location, with another just opened on Haight Street. 4. I recommend the palak paneer for its subtly spicy heat. Cons: 1. Not the friendliest motely crew of line cooks and cashiers. 2. Diner-like, meaning rickety tables and unadorned space (which might be a "pro" is you're tired and just in the mood for some warm curry). 3. I still like India Clay Oven on Clement Street better. |
Tikka Masala Cuisine: Indian Pakastani |
Inner Sunset | 11/28/2006
Top 3 reasons to try Absinthe: 1. Stainless steel cup of immaculately thin-cut French fries for the table served with our Sunday brunch, gratis. 2. Specialty cocktails range from sassy old man drinks (quote from Hemmingway abound on the drinks menu) to flirty champagnes, blushed with liquers, fresh fruit juices, and syrups. 3. Excellent and professional waitstaff, the serious-yet-witty type more commonly seen in Europe. The food was not the focal point of my experience at Absinthe, but that's okay. There are some restaurants that are more San Francisco institutions, where old locals, notorious figures, and politicians go, like Zuni Cafe or Hayes Street Grill, and Absinthe captures a similar crowd. I hope to return for drinks and schmoozing with the elite society. I'll grab dinner later around the corner when I can hunker down with something little less polite. |
Absinthe Cuisine: French Brasseries |
Hayes Valley | 11/16/2006
I definitely appreciate the mixed atmosphere of Koh Samui and the Monkey: clean and simple but accented with heavy chairs and solid wood tables, gold trimmed artwork, and rice paper window covers. I agree that the dishes are more expensive than take-out Thai at $8.50-$10 on average for a lunch plate, but I wasn't appalled either. The sauce on the sweet and sour prawns ($8.50) over rice, with pineapple, peppers, onions tasted a bit too homemade to me, in the sense that I'm pretty sure the recipe is a homecook's: ketchup, sugar, vinegar. Too ketchupy? Too sweet? Once I realized it was house-made, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what about the balance was off. The waitstaff appeared minimally (take order, deliver food, refill water once, bring check, take money), and I was in need of a little extra water while analyzing that ketchup sauce. When reading the menu, I wanted to see more dishes with more vegetables, though the standard options go on for two-plus pages. |
Koh Samui and the Monkey Cuisine: Thai |
SoMa | 11/16/2006
I see a pattern forming. A group of 11 of us had reservations, but had to wait more than a half hour for a table; had to ask repeatedly for water; had to request the vegetable sides that came with the entrees; had to remove a broken wine glass from the table myself after telling both the server and the porter about it. Etc., etc. Those of us who had been to Italy remarked that dining at Bella's will make you feel like you're back in the Mediterranean! The food is great, but you have to work for it. The wine is great, but enjoy pouring it yourself. Although the dining room is rather small and not many people need to be on staff, I suspect Bella's could use at least one extra hand Thursday through Sunday, when tables are full. Prices ranged from about $11 (pastas) to $20 for fish or meat. I had homemade gnocchi that were soft as marshmallows with calamari and a tomato sauce. I snagged a bite of breaded pork that was very good. I probably won't be back and would not recommend. |
Bella Trattoria Cuisine: Italian |
Inner Richmond | 10/23/2006
For about $20 an entree, you can get a pretty good American meal. I easily made reservations for two on Friday afternoon for Friday evening, though we were seated in a remote window seat, away from the hustle and bustle. The noise wasn't nearly as bad as I was anticipating based on other reviews. For dinner, I ordered an appetizer in meal portion (huge) of mussels, clams, and snapper in a saffron tomato broth while Boyfriend dug into mashed potatoes, roast chicken, green beans and a skyscraper of friend onion rings erected on top. Service was phenomenal. I would -- make that "will" -- return for the sour cherry bread pudding with brandy caramel sauce. Heavenly. Spoon in hand, prepare to fend for your fair share, as this pudding is not for one. |
2223 Restaurant Cuisine: American (New) |
Castro | 10/23/2006
If I lived in the neighborhood, I would probably frequent Viva a few times a year for the reasonably priced yet massive plates. The menu is extensive, so friends/family/visitors have many options. Classic American-Italian favorites, like cheese ravioli in pomodoro sauce, are served by the heapful. I had gnocchi in pomodoro, but wished I had ventured into the gorgonzola and pinenut sauce instead, which was a great combination done simply, but well. A huge carafe of fruity burgundy ($14) was more than enough vino for three people. We shared a slice of raspberry cheesecake, which was a little dry and certainly nothing to write home about. Viva's strength is a comfortable atmosphere and ample menu. It's a safe bet for a finicky crowd. |
Viva Restaurant Cuisine: Pizza Italian Seafood |
North Beach | 10/17/2006
Jimisan is a winner. The fish is fresh and the sushi rolls hold a nice balance of temperatures, an important factor for me. The prices aren't rock bottom, but they're not bad. Typical rolls went for about $4-$7 and specialty rolls fell in the $7-$11 range. Portions seemed big, so order a few pieces to start before you get too ambitious. Very friendly service. Highly recommended over Ebisu and Kiki's, both of which I adore and both of which are just a block away. Ebisu has great interior, but is pricey; Kiki's is cheap. Jimisan is somewhere in the middle. Sushi in this neighborhood is easy to find, but hard to have loyalty for. I'm thinking Jimisan has my steady business for a while. Please note that I did not try anything from the hot menu, but I'll update this review when I do! |
Jimisan Cuisine: Sushi |
Inner Sunset | 9/18/2006
You've all convinced me. I'm officially a fan of Dottie's. We found the line tolerable at 2:15 on a Saturday afternoon, skipping the hip brunch rush for a lazy, extra-late breakfast. I had a hugely full plate: sweet potato, caramelized red onions and gruyere tart (more like a wedge of pie) with two eggs, two biscuits, and a heaping bowl of mostly fresh fruit: $8.95. I left behind half an egg, one biscuit, and much of the fruit. The bottomless pit Boyfriend couldn't knock off his plate either: two eggs, deliciously fat slabs of bacon, homefries, and FOUR monster slices of sinful French toast: $10.95. We sat at the counter and ogled the grill man, who poured extra goop on top of the already cooking Fr. toast: the secret to a delectable breakfast. ? Actually, there's a second bit to the Fr. toast trick: grill man also poured a few tablespoons of what appears to be cinnamon sugar on the toasts too, while it's still cooking. I had a great time. Reminded me of old school diners |
Dottie's True Blue Cafe Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners Breakfast |
Tenderloin | 9/18/2006
Ah, I get it. Hotei is the hot food branch of Ebisu. You can order sushi here too, but it's preferable to go across the street (to Ebisu) for cold foods. I'm in agreement that the noodle soups are yummy. The place is large and comfortable, albeit a taste on the dark side, lighting-wise. However, I don't go to Hotei often, so my suggestion is to not make any special trips in search of this place. If you're in the 'hood and its menu sounds like what you had in mind for a late lunch, have a brothy bowl of ramen and relax. Not pricey, decent service. |
Hotei Restaurant Cuisine: Japanese Noodle Shops Sushi |
Inner Sunset | 9/13/2006
Crepes on Cole is by far my favorite creperie, which to me are sort of like San Francisco's fusion of diner and deli. The tun sandwich is a winner, and know that all sandwiches come with a nice salad, homefry-style potatoes, and a hunk of baguette and butter.Decent espresso, fresh-pressed carrot juice,and other drinks and light fare. I've had everything from eggs to desserts here, and I'm usually very satisfied. It's diner food, done light. Keep that in mind and $10 cash in your pocket and you'll be smiling too. |
Crepes On Cole Cuisine: French Californian |
Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley | 9/8/2006
Normally when I get a burrito, I try to eat only half (oh dainty me) but end up eating 3/4, then going back for the final quarter within two hours. Then I got a Taco del Mar burrito. I ate, literally, one-third of this monster. I chose pork mole, then had the burrito-ista add some hot sauce, and mother of god it was great. $5.99. A measly order of chips was provided. I doubt they are homemade, but they were salty and crunchy and I don't ask a whole lot else from chips. The menu is a little confusing. Specials (meal plus drink and chips) are advertised, but the meal a la carte is not always, so you're looking around for the Baja bowl asking yourself, "What is a Baja bowl, and why do I have to order it with a drink?" The downside of this place is that I'm it seems rather chain-ish, though I don't know its proper status. I'll probably be back for fish tacos, or another burrito if I can find someone to split it with me. |
Taco Del Mar Cuisine: Mexican |
SoMa | 9/6/2006
"I think I ate about a cup of mayo at that place," said my friend after we left Picaro. Hey, that's all right by me. I dig mayonnaise, but be forewarned that mayo dips will be served squarely on top of most of your food. We ordered widely, from rabbit stew to spicy potatoes, and everything satisfied that grease-tooth you sometimes get when drinking beer. Non-grease food consisted of asparagus and the bunny stew, which was richly dark broth-wise. I'd love to tell you the cost of the dishes, but I wasn't really on the ball that night. I think most plates run in the $8-$12 range. Some of the non-meat items were slightly less, if I recall. Fried calamari was decently chewy and decently tender. The space itself is much bigger than I thought it would be. This place goes all the way back to a patio, so there's ample room to find a table, even if it looks crowded from the front windows. |
Picaro Cuisine: Spanish Tapas |
Mission | 9/6/2006
Everything at Range is right. I dumped my pocketbook, however--$115+tip for 2, but that includes a $30 bottle of CA pinot noir that I got good and tipsy off of. The Hemingway drink was interestingly sour and bitter (dark rum, grapefruit & lime juices, marachino cherry juice) for $9.50. Appetizers: venison with a gorgeous char of peppercorns on top, but buttery and rare bottom for Boyfriend. Puree of white bean and gruyere soup for me, with croutons cutting through the creaminess. Big plates: I ate only half my roast chicken, which I ordered solely for the pecan bread salad. Think more salad than bread salad, more greens than bread stuffing. Boyfriend drooled over and couldn't stop talking about his bavette steak with horseradish sauce, served with roasted turnips and baby onions. Desserts: chocolate souffle with nibs was heavenly. Huckleberry crepes came with creme fraiche ice cream, but I swapped it for cardamom ice cream and licked up every bit. Scandinavian-esque decor, sleek! |
Range Cuisine: American (New) |
Mission | 9/2/2006
I adore going to the Boulangerie on Cole Street, so in a weekend of venturing out (and curiosity), I perchanced upon the Boulangerie on Polk Street to find it had the exact same fare as Cole and the exact same chalk board signs before all the pastry baskets. Hmm. Private Eye jduffy decided to skip over to Filmore to investigate further. Lo and behold, all three appear to be under the same ownership. Fortunately, the quality of the food is consistent across all three stores (in fact, there are six locations in the city, all owned by "The Bay Bread Group" -- I didn't know that). Cole Street still owns the winner's circle, but it's nice to know I can find a decent macaroon in at least two other hoods. See my review of the Boulangerie de Cole for more on the food. |
La Boulange de Fillmore Cuisine: Bakery |
Upper Fillmore | 8/31/2006
Boulange de Polk had been on my reserve list, so I finally trekked out last weekend to the Polk. I love the Boulangerie on Cole Street and was excited to try a new one. Surprise surprise, it's the same shop. The look of the dining area is different, but the offerings and chalk board signs are the same. I was disappointed, yet that feeling was immediately quelled by none other than delicious pastries. Pastries save the day yet again! The pain au raisin is a bit dry for me, but perfect to pair with a cup of coffee or an espresso. I still prefer the location on Cole for a different neighborhood vibe, those immense "Big Sur-style" wooden tables, and the vibrant orange painted walls. Polk St. location felt a bit more cramped and -- dare I say it? -- yuppyish. See my review of Boulange de Cole for more on the eats. |
Boulange de Polk Cuisine: French Bakeries Dessert |
Russian Hill | 8/31/2006
Four friends. Four dishes. One appetizer. Free dessert. No drinks. Generous tip. Leftovers to take home. $60. Not bad! Even the picky eater among us was a huge fan of the Mandalay special noodles ($7.25): Burmese flat noodles with mild coconut chicken, yellow pea powder, lime leaves, cilantro, and crispy noodles -- really creamy and delicious, tossed table-side by one of our wonderful servers. Another favorite was the basil spicy chicken ($8.25), which was surrounded by long tender slices of peppers, onions, and smothered in a delicious sauce. The basil beef was served with fragrant ginger cut almost into straws. Burma Superstar is officially too crowded now in my book. It's just impossible to eat there unless you arrive by 4:45. Since Manadalay is literally three blocks away, I have no reservations about skipping Burma Superstar from here on out. So long Clement Street! Hello California. |
Mandalay Restaurant Cuisine: Burmese Chinese |
Inner Richmond | 8/28/2006
I've been here twice, though neither time recently... though I'm dying to go back. The food is delicious. I remember slurping down a huge bowl of noodles and broth chocked full of everything. The owner was delightful indeed. She recommended I try the same dish but spicy , and it was awesome. I think the noodle bowls cost about $8 or $9. In traditional Korean style, about a million (OK, I guess it was really only 11) miniature dishes are laid on the table to start: little spicy fishes with the heads still on, kim-chee, garlic something-or-other. It's really fun to experiment with all the extras. |
Wang Daegam Cuisine: Korean |
Inner Richmond | 8/25/2006
I tried La Fonda when it first opened and was not satisfied. An unwanted chili pepper odor infiltrated everything, and the salsas weren't great. The price was up there too, if I recall, something like $7 or $8 for a burrito (I'd like to pay about $5 or $6). |
La Fonda Taqueria Cuisine: Mexican |
Inner Sunset | 8/23/2006
Ciao Bella is very good gelato, but take heed that it is a fairly large company. However, because it's a large company, you can get their goods in your (upscale) grocer's freezer, too. I prefer the creamy flavors to the fruity sorbet-like ones. |
Ciao Bella Cuisine: Gelato |
Embarcadero | 8/17/2006
This soup bar has several locations. I have been only to the one on Second Street near Mission, but I'll review here since they are all the same and this is where all the other reviewers ended up. The soup ain't that good, unfortunately. In my opinion, it seems to be the thickening agents that are used. Sometimes the soup has a gelatinous look to it. Sometimes it tastes a little like raw flour. Still, it's cheap, reliable, and serves a good lunch portion, so I understand the draw. However, my recommendation is to go to Whole Foods (4th and Harrison) and get something to go from their soup bar. It's a little pricier, especially any of the soups from the seafood section, but the quality is there. |
San Francisco Soup Company Cuisine: Soups |
Downtown | 8/17/2006
You really can't tell from the outside how gorgeous the interior is. The food is priced extremeley reasonably given the ambience. A party of four of us barely dented our wallets with a $70 tab including drinks. Try the appetizer of beef over lettuce in a lime and mint dressing. Also noteworthy is a curry dish of chicken and sweet potatoes. |
Khan Toke Thai House Cuisine: Thai |
Outer Richmond | 8/15/2006
I've eaten at Ayola twice now and find the small menu to still have a good amount of options for a quick, warm, and filling lunch. Try the Troy salad, a Greek salad topped with spicy and lean gyro meat, which could be beef or lamb or a combination of both--who's to say? An olive oil based dressing isn't needed, and thankfully, it's served on the side. The gyros are fulfilling as well. 7-inch wraps go for $5.75, and big appetites can get a 9-inch one for $6.95. Ayola also serves Greek sides, like hummus, tzatziki, and my personal favorite, tabouleh with pita for reasonable prices (about $4). |
Ayola Cuisine: Greek Mediterranean |
SoMa | 8/15/2006
What I liked best about Chou Chou (pronounced "shoo shoo") is the modern, eclectic interior. Boyfriend and I were able to share both an appetizer (smoked salmon on crisp, warm flatbread with creme fraiche, capers, red onions) and a dessert (a slice of soft chocolate almond tart) alongside individual mains and still have enough food for a filling meal. I had an enormous bowl of mussels in a light garlic and white wine sauce, served with delicate little fries. Boyfriend (who won for sure) ordered rack of pork over mashed potatoes with a morel sauce and sautéed spinach. We had drinks, too. Try the cote sud cocktail ($7) for something refreshing, cool, and lavender-y different. Wines by the glass were about $8. Our bill only came to around $75 (less tip), which is close to what we aim for on a date. Overall comments: wonderful treat, close to our 'hood, modern decor. I'll be back for the casolette! |
Chou Chou Cuisine: French (Bistro) |
West Portal | 8/11/2006
Even though Blissful Bites is just steps off Clement Street, it seems like it is somehow off the beaten track. This petite bakery specializes in sweets (formerly known as "I Love Chocolate," if I'm not mistaken) rather than bakery breads. Try the Venetian nut cake if you're not feel super chocolately, or the chocolate peanut butter cookie sandwich if you are. On my next visit, I promise to update this review with news of an opera cake I've had my eye on. |
Blissful Bites Cuisine: Bakeries Dessert |
Inner Richmond | 8/8/2006
Updated 9/11/06: Holy Gelato is a welcomed addition to the Inner Sunset. Some of the flavors are pretty stellar, like rice pudding, espresso, and vanilla bean. Update: the freezer's temperaturehas been adjusted, and the gelato is now a wonderfully smooth and sticky substance again! The Jameson flavored gelato was pretty knockout-good, sprinkled with cookie chunks. |
Holy Gelato! Cuisine: Ice Cream Dessert |
Inner Sunset | 8/6/2006
When I lived in this neighborhood, we referred to this place as Commie Cafe. Oh c'mon. It's funny. We'd go because it was open late and the staff was friendly about filling our cups, even when the register cash was on the verge of being pulled. The coffee itself often tastes burned, so it's not a top spot for me (but I'm picky on coffee). Huge glass bowls of salad always look comforting, and scones aren't bad. |
People's Cafe Cuisine: Coffee Shop |
Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley | 7/21/2006
I wouldn't go out of my way for Cafe Abir. In fact, the few times I've been, it was out of the way, and somewhat less enjoyable as a result. It's an OK coffee shop. Frankly, I could take it or leave it, but I wouldn't actively avoid it. |
Cafe Abir Cuisine: Coffeeshop American Bistro |
Hayes Valley | 7/21/2006
Peasant Pies has 2 SF locations, this one in the Inner Sunset and one in Noe Valley, but you can also find their pies wrapped and stickered to go in Whole Foods and other high-end grocery stores. The shop is small and tranquil, cozy and warm. They serve savory pies, sweet pies -- both sized for one -- soup, and espresso drinks. A savory pie is completed encrusted in a pie crust, which was not as rich as I worried it might be. Instead, the crust was a little chewy, a little dry (in a good way), and wonderfully dotted with black pepper. I had a curried potato and yam pie as well as a Moroccan lentil pie made with brown lentils. Both were full of complex, layered flavors and a kick of spiciness. Peasant pies would be especially yummy and comforting on a foggy SF afternoon. Fantastically cheap: $2.55 for a pie, $2.35 each for two. |
Peasant Pies Cuisine: Bakeries French |
Inner Sunset | 7/19/2006
It's not dining coutre, but I, a former Long Island girl, can't help but gravitate occassionally to a 24-hour diner. Milkshakes and sodas in big shapely glasses. It's the kind of place you might go to break up with someone. |
Video Cafe 24 Hours Cuisine: Coffee Shop Diner |
Outer Richmond | 7/10/2006
My friends in the WP neighborhood complain of Bursa's bad service. After two years of procrastinating, I decided to test the waters. The service, I thought, was fine. I ate here on a busy Friday night, which was considerably less busy after 8:15 (San Franciscans out in the avenues tend to eat early, I think; large senior crowd). The owner of Bursa is a self-taught chef, I believe, and he makes phenomenal lamb. I had the stuffed eggplant ($13), topped with pine nuts and a feta that tasted so mild it reminded me of queso fresco. Three of us shared an appetizer sampler platter ($13) that contained lemony sauces in abundance, falafel, dolmas, and chickpeas made every which way. Portions run large, accompanied by a light salad and the best rice I've ever had in a Mediterranean joint--fluffy grains perfectly separated, mildly nutty, and warm. The wine and beer list was familiar yet comfortable, meaning, well average. The best part of Bursa is the pistachio colored walls. |
Bursa Kebab Cuisine: Mediterranean Vegetarian |
West Portal | 7/9/2006
I cringe when I walk by the sign outside Flames most days that reads, "Fish and Chips and Fries." So, do I get two orders of fries? I'm giving Flames a positive review, but I'm going to admit that I've only been there once for a milkshake. Permit me to warn you that Flames does not make milkshakes. They have very large cups that they put soft-serve into. It's not a milkshake, but it's the biggest ice cream you'll ever get for $4. |
Downtown Flames Cuisine: American |
SoMa | 7/8/2006
Updated 5/22/07: Adios, Si Senor! It's now Caramba and aye! is it improved! |
Si Senor Cuisine: Mexican |
SoMa | 7/8/2006
I adore Madeline. I love the concept. I love cafe-style eateries. And I really love French pastries. Coffee is good. I had a chicken pasta salad recently that was such a filling little dejeuner. I love the little round tables on the sidewalk. Oh, and holy cannoli! Someone at my office ordered a huge carrot cake from Madeline that made me weak in the knees! |
Cafe Madeleine Cuisine: Bakeries Coffee Shops |
SoMa | 7/8/2006
A cool atmosphere sometimes makes me wary of a restaraunt's food. Osha delivers, though. Appetizers are presented decoratively. Main courses have good flavor, color, textures. For a good lunch with drinks, plan on spending $13-$15 per person. |
Osha Cuisine: Thai |
SoMa | 7/8/2006
I've had something vegetarian from Cha-am, something that had potato in it, something for about $7, if I recall. But what was it? And why haven't I been back? I don't remember the meal being bad, but then again, I don't remember the meal. |
Cha AM Restaurant Cuisine: Thai |
SoMa | 7/8/2006
Take-out is a better deal than sit-down, and you can usually snag a seat by the fountain in the plaza outside. Let's just say I enjoyed the food slightly more when someone else was paying and having been back on my own dime since. |
Maya Restaurant Cuisine: Mexican |
SoMa | 7/8/2006
Boyfriend grew up around the corner from this place and swears by it. I think it toasts up some pretty tasty subs, but toasted bread alone never really wins my heart. Sub Center pleases cheese-lovers, to be sure. There's no such thing as "easy on the Swiss" here. The spot is pretty fun on summer afternoons, with rickety tables and a steady flow of traffic. If you were raised in this neck of the woods, you're likely to run into former school friends or kids wearing your alma mater sweatshirt. |
Submarine Center Cuisine: Italian Deli |
West Portal | 7/8/2006
You're in West Portal, maybe killing some time before a movie. You want to eat some decent sushi. You go to Fuji and make sure you have at least 60 minutes because of slightly slow service. OR: You're not in West Portal. You're looking for a really good sushi meal somewhere new. You don't go to West Portal. You instead click the "sushi" finder on SF Survey and look for a more highly recommended spot. |
Fuji Cuisine: Sushi Japanese |
West Portal | 7/8/2006
Though Toreador is not for me, I probably would recommend it to someone looking for good Mexican food in a fun atmosphere. Pricey? A little, but dishes are plentiful and often contain fresh ingredients, like crab. The salsa has the crispness of fresh lime juice, though the tamales are a bit too mealy. |
El Toreador Fonda Restaurant Cuisine: Mexican |
West Portal | 7/8/2006
Darla's slogan is, "Possibly the best burger around." How could you not love such humility! That "possibly" just melts me. Burgers are good, though Boyfriend says they're too small. I haven't been for brunch, but the menu outside always sounds good. Save room for the petite brownie that's served with your meal -- even when you order take out. |
Darla's Cuisine: American (Traditional) Coffee Shops/Diners |
Inner Sunset | 7/8/2006
Greasey diner food. Don't go unless you like grease, which some people genuinely do. Hey, that's your perogative. |
Johnny Rockets Cuisine: Hamburgers Coffee Shops/Diners |
Upper Fillmore | 7/8/2006
Anyone interested in coffee shop culture needs to visit Trieste. The North Beach location is a great stop for coffee, people-watching, reading, and resting your feet. There's another location right on the waterfront in Sausalito that has killer cheesecake. |
Caffe Trieste Cuisine: Coffee Pizza |
North Beach | 7/8/2006
After brunching recently at Citizen Cake I will say 1) my waitress was not snooty nor rude. 2) I didn't find the food over-priced. 3) The interior alone was worth a visit; it reminded me of Scandanavia brought to Vermont, with enormous windows scaling the length of the cubic building and high wood-exposed beams soaring above. Yet it all overlooked Gough Street on Sunday afternoon when all the seniors from out of town come to the opera. The Betty Dutch pancakes, souffle style and topped with a thin coating of silky apricot jam, dazzled my texture-sensitive palette. My eating partner had a healthful-sized Chinese chicken salad with cripsy wonton noodles, red and white radishes, and a peanut emulsion dressing. Something from the dessert case in front accompanied us home. I'd definitely go again. |
Citizen Cake Cuisine: Californian Bakeries |
Hayes Valley | 7/7/2006
If you love love garlic, then this is a novelty restaurant worth visiting exactly once. If, on the other hand, you feel garlic is overused already, be sure to keep a cushy 2-block radius between you and The Rose! |
Stinking Rose Cuisine: Italian Californian |
North Beach | 7/7/2006
Coffee Bean is decent. The joe is a bit weaker than Peet's, but it's still passable. |
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Cuisine: Coffee Shop Dessert |
Upper Fillmore | 6/26/2006
As a superbly uneducated dim sum eater, I've begun brushing up on my Chinese bites at Wing Lee's. For $0.80, the baked BBQ pork bun was pretty delicious, although maybe a bit on the ketchupy side. Lotus cakes are dense and dark. Pork and shrimp sew mai, at 3 for less than a dollar, are meaty and toothsome, made with soul. Good to know: Wing Lee's has two storefronts right next door to each other on Clement at 6th Avenue. The shop on the corner has meats and noodles, while the shop two steps down is the bakery. Don't get too caught up in the first shop without visiting the other. |
Wing Lee Bakery Cuisine: Dim sum Chinese |
Inner Richmond | 6/26/2006
I agree with the majority of other reviewers. Go if the company is paying. Fairly unmemorable and overpriced food. Do what the rest of us do at the Ferry Building: grab some Cowgirl Creamery cheese, an Acme baguette, and a cup of Peet's coffee, then hang on the benches out back. I'll even share my basket of figs. |
MarketBar Cuisine: American (Traditional) Seafood Italian |
Embarcadero | 6/20/2006
Cookies as big as your head. Try the Russian tea cookie, an almond flavored cookie rolled in powdered sugar. The $4 tuna sandwich, a bomber of a sandwich on nutty wheat bread, is pretty reliable. Skip the Caesar salad due to heavy, greasey dressing. An online ordering system let's you cut the lunch queue. Anyone interested in the restaraunt or catering business ought to read up on the history of Specialty's. They have an interesting and possibly ongoing saga with customer service. |
Specialty's Cafe & Bakery Cuisine: Bakeries Deli |
Downtown | 6/20/2006
Here's a quick list of things I've tried from Bittersweet: brownie bite, spicy hot chocolate, truffle, bar chocolate. First, the brownie bite was delectable. It's a tall block covered in smooth rich chocolate ($1.75). Inside, the brownie is fairly dense, but not like Angelina's. Spicy hot chocolate, which I tried due to a magazine review in either 7x7 or San Francisco, kicked me in the back of the throat with a little too much black pepper. The sweet, peppery, hot combo is amazing, balanced with hints of rose -- but too much black pepper. I only drank about half (OK, two-thirds) of one 8 oz. cup. Truffles are dark and creamy like cold butter. As for the bar chocolates, there's some stuff you can get cheaper at Trader Joe's, like Villar's. Fog City on Market has just as good a selection of European chocolates, but Bittersweet carries more Latin and South American brands. Check out Bitter's web site -- they offer chocolate tasting events or private choco-tastings for $30 a head. |
Bittersweet Chocolate Cafe Cuisine: Desserts Coffee Shop |
Pacific Heights | 6/20/2006
Park Gyros, which opened in early 2005, nails the tasty kebab challenge every time. Falafel wraps ($5.50) work well with kick of heat from the hot sauce on every table. This establishment is fast-food take-out style, but there are many two-seaters lining the giant windows that look out to the park entrance and Canvas Cafe. One chicken kebab wrap will fill you better than a super burrito for $6.25. They offer sides of falafel, dolmas, and other great fillers too. Plus, keep an eye for those super coupon mailers because Park Gyro often advertises a two-for-one in there, meaning you can get two nice big fat juicy gyros for about $7. Great for vegetarians, but also lots of chicken, fish, lamb, and other meats available. |
Park Gyros Cuisine: Mediterranean |
Inner Sunset | 6/17/2006
Go for small plates and drinks. Skip the big meals. Empanadas had a delectable, doughy crust, almost like the corn on a corn dog. Conchinita pibil -- wow -- layered with flavors and textures. Small plates, my friends, means small plates here, so don't think you're ordering a full meal. The presentation was more refined than I expected. Strange space, not usually crowded, no major complaints about service. |
Eldo's Grill & Microbrew Cuisine: Southwestern |
Inner Sunset | 6/17/2006
I've vowed to stop eating at Crepevine. There's so much better food in this neighborhood that I hate wasting a meal out at here. Plus, I'd rather go the extra mile (or 20 blocks) and head to Crepes on Cole, which I think is better. If you're desperate for a quick big salad, Crepevine will do you right for about $7. Don't order anything related to eggs benedict, otherwise known as that mash of eggs and sauce and avocado on a mushy English muffin. |
Crepevine Cuisine: Crepes Salad American |
Inner Sunset | 6/17/2006
I'm giving a positive review with the intention that I will go back and give Sociale a second try. I ate there on a Friday night, with reservations, and maybe my hopes were too high, but Sociale fell flat. The atmosphere was phenomenal outside in the intimate garden, where very few diners were sitting and where we were not offered a table. The dining room was only about 1/4 full, yet Boyfriend and I were seated with a view of the kitchen door and bar. The food, to be frank, was OK. I ordered fried olives based on another SFsurvey review and found them very interesting, quite salty, and served a top a bed of undressed greens. Pasta with seafood ($17) was not aldenete and only had two types of seafood (clams & mussles). The olive oil on the dish tasted of high quality (peppery, like a cold-pressed Tuscan oil), but was over powered by garlic, as was the mint. I was picking out whole cloves of roasted garlic all night. Lastly, our server didn't know chowder from cream soup. |
Sociale Cuisine: Italian |
Presidio Heights | 6/17/2006
"I don't like Chinese food," is what my eating partner used to tell me -- until we went to Nan King Road. Crispy veggie spring rolls ($4.50) were ample for two and had wonderful thin crispy layers of fried rice wrapper. Spicy garlic prawns ($9.50) tasted like a dish you would expect at a Thai restaurant, full of flavor and not at all oily. The cooks didn't skimp on the prawns or the vegetables either. I ate a huge bowl of Shanghai noodles called Double Happiness. Fat as thick udons, these noodles still had a little bite to them, but were lightly coated on every inch with this amazing barbecue type sauce. For $6.50, the Double Happiness is a deal, and for an extra buck or two you can add more meat, although the original dish does contain five enormous chicken won tons. I didn't get the sense that Nan King's food is authentically Chinese, but it also (thankfull) didn't suffer from the grease or MSG sometimes associated with more ethnically strong creations. Great food, awesome prices. |
Nan King Road Bistro Cuisine: Chinese |
Inner Sunset | 6/17/2006
A pastry-lover at heart, I skipped the savories at Rigolo. I can say good flaky things, however, about an almond croissant and an apple pastry and an espresso. My friend had some overpriced chowder served with a hunk of baguette and said it was all right, but that she probably wouldn't have it again. Still, I love Laurel Village, and the outdoor sidewalk seating is improved by porch heaters. Rigolo is the neighborhood's biggest cafe (A.G. Ferrari is across the street, but it's a deli-come-gourmet grocer; Peet's is up the block, but with limited seating and fare; Noah's Bagels is nearby, but gross), so make use of its people-watching scene and have yourself a European afternoon of espresso, nibbly things, and some relaxing. But no need to go out of your way to try it. |
Rigolo Cuisine: Italian Bistro Bakeries |
Presidio Heights | 6/13/2006
In 2005 (or maybe late 2004) Boulette Larder opened across the way from Frog Hollow, and ever since the competition came into the picture, the line has been much shorter. Frog Hollow sells not only baked goods and coffees, but also some selected fruits as well as fruit preserves, conserves, and jams, which you can sample at the front of the shop. During the peak season, you really do need to pay $4 per pound for some Frog Hollow peaches. They are exquisite. Their fruit-based pastries are really their third specialty, after the peaches and conserves. Try anything with blackberry or peaches, since they will only be available when the fruits are perfectly ripe. |
Frog Hollow Farm Cuisine: Bakeries |
Embarcadero | 6/13/2006
Acme has excellent breads, which is par for the course in San Francisco. Baguettes are always crusty on the outside, chewy in the middle. I recommend the "twinkle roll" not for its fairy-winged name, but for its size: a perfect two-meal deal for a one-girl home. Though not available daily, pick up some pumpkin rolls when they appear on the counter. They're deep orange colored soft rolls spotted with currants and nuts. Acme is also very appropriately priced, so it doesn't have to be a special treat to pick up a loaf. |
Acme Bread Co. Cuisine: Bakeries |
Embarcadero | 6/13/2006
This east-coast eater loved the ambience at Little Star, but the decor reminded me more of NY than the pizza. I went with three other people who all voted Little Star over Zachary's in Oakland. I was the odd man out (Zach's just blows my pizza mind). We shared a Little Star pizza, which was good (though I'd like to go again to try a different pie too), as well as a salad and some wings. The salad greens were somehow thick, almost too green, almost too earthy. Chicken wings, on the other hand, were amazing, with crispy skin bright with the flavor of flame-opened black pepper. Good beers. Interesting champagne mixed drinks. And though it was crowded, the dining room could easily hold another 8 tables, giving diners ample distance from their neighbors' tables. |
Little Star Pizza Cuisine: Pizza |
Western Addition | 6/11/2006
After reading many positive reviews, I finally tried Tartine for myself. Pastries are my favorite food group, so I opted for their two mainstays: a breakfast roll & an eclair. The eclair was pretty delicious -- not the least bit spongy with a very dark layer of chocolate on top. But it was still an eclair, not a house specialty. That's where the breakfast roll comes in. 25 percent of my food enjoyment comes from texture. These gigantic rolls, covered in cruncy coarse sugar, pull apart like a traditional coffee roll, but contain flaky layers inside too. The sugars and light orange syrup melt together in the center, resulting in a natural caramel-type chew. Although I didn't try the croque Mssr., francophiles beware that these are not traditional croques. Instead, expect a chewy slab of batard topped either ham or some other vegetable (black s**ttakes and asparagus were on the menu when I visited) and smothered in gruyere and croque sauce (the typical roux). One downer: expensive! |
Tartine Bakery Cuisine: Bakeries |
Mission | 6/11/2006
I'm changing my review from neutral to positive after two more decently good experiences at 21st. Try the Buffalo Cobb salad if you've got room in your belly for boneless Buffalo fried chicken, avocado, hard-cooked egg, cherry tomatoes, bacon (hold the bacon for me), and bleu cheese. American food has a slight California influence here, with salmon burgers and veggie burgers available for non-red meat eaters. Lunch plates are a little high: $9-$13, but homebrew beer is only around $4 a pint. Watch out for the ice tea--they say it's unsweetened, but I'm sure there's a lingering raspberry flavor in there, even if the sugar content is nil! |
21st Amendment Cuisine: American (traditional) Pub Food |
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach | 6/4/2006
Please note this review is based on only one visit. The bruschetta had thin sliced tomatoes rather than plump dice found traditionally on the appetizer; plus the herbs were dried out and barely existent. I had a Chef's salad, which was topped with four heaping handfuls of shredded mozzarella pizza cheese. I had to push all the cheese to the side, it was so overwhelming. Cold meats on the salad consisted of ham only, dried on the edges. Significant other ordered chicken parmigiana -- very average, he said, with seriously overcooked pasta. Bread for the table was offered mid-meal. I won't be eating here again, but won't give a negative review since this was based on one visit. Finally, our server had mentally quit his job ages ago, although the other server in the room seemed very attentive and helpful. |
Ristorante Capri Cuisine: Italian Pizza |
Castro | 6/4/2006
Raisin danishes are pretty good here. Cakes are not only tasty, but also affordably priced. Order two or three days in advance for whole cakes. |
Schubert's Bakery Cuisine: Desserts Bakery |
Inner Richmond | 6/4/2006
Since moving to the Inner Sunset more than a year ago, L'Avenida has become my staple burrito joint. My suggestions is to try the carnitas. Fear not the pork! It's tender, very flavorful and slightly spicy. Tostadas fit the bill if you're trying to convince yourself that you're eating light. The tacos are enormous -- definitely a meal all its own. L'Avenida's horchata is good, albeit a little grainier than I like. Average meal with beverage: about $9. |
L'Avenida Taqueria Cuisine: Mexican |
Inner Sunset | 6/3/2006
What to say about this place? How about, "Masala: It's OK, I guess." I'll take Masala over Naan 'n Curry, but I still don't feel like I'm getting a great deal or the best food. Chicken masala is good with a nice creamy sauce. An eggplant dish turned up bland. It's worth trying a few times if you live nearby, but I wouldn't make any special trips here. |
Masala Cuisine: indian |
Inner Sunset | 6/3/2006
Although Ebisu stole my heart, it also stole my paycheck, which is why I finally tried Kiki's just down the block. The sushi is just as good, but at half the price (well, maybe not quite half, but it's cheaper, that's for darn sure). Plus, I frequently find 15% off coupons in my mailbox for Kiki's. Simple interior, simple service, fresh fish, good value. |
Kiki's Japanese Restaurant Cuisine: Japanese Asian Sushi |
Inner Sunset | 6/3/2006
Subs are good, but what's this fascination with toasting bread in this town all about? Be sure to grab a side of fries, which are shaped like fat chips. These are the best fries in the neighborhood, hands down. |
Yellow Submarine Cuisine: Submarines Sandwiches |
Inner Sunset | 6/3/2006
UPDATED 2/4/07: Tart to Tart has reopened after being closed since late September 06. The floors look great, but it seems the remodel ws more facelift than overhaul. The gnarly smell is gone though... Tart to Tart is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, as other reviewers have noted, it's a great hangout/people-watching late-night kind of spot. On the other, it has the unmistakable odor of food waste disposal and cleaning products (any one who has worked as a dishwasher knows what I'm talking about). Must try: chocolate pecan torte. lime custard and meringue tart. the big cookies. Pass over: any of the decadent "death by chocolate" type cakes, which Tart to Tart wrongfully refrigerates (although you could take it home and let it come to room temp.). blueberry almond cake, which tends to be dry. the fat chocked chocolate cookie, also dry. Most desserts are in the $3-$4 range and are hefty portions. |
Tart to Tart Cuisine: Bakeries dessert coffee |
Inner Sunset | 6/3/2006
My beef with Naan 'n Curry is A) it's over priced, B) it's not very clean, and C) the food isn't quite flavorful enough. Still, it smells amazing when the wind is just right in this neighborhood, filling all of Irving Street between 5th and 9th with the simmering aroma of ghee and curry powder. But at $9 a dish, I'm going to skip Naan 'n Curry and order take-out from another place that has better food, even if it's a little out of my way. |
Naan 'n Curry Cuisine: Pakistani Indian |
Inner Sunset | 6/3/2006
Beard Papa's is a Japanese bakery that has finally reached San Francisco. Its specialty is cream puffs, airy baseball-sized pastry filled magically with lucious custard. The vanilla flavored ones suit me just fine, but you can also, theoretically (the more ecclectic flavors haven't quite made it to the SF location as of this writing) choose pumpkin, milk tea, green tea, or other flavors, which rotate weekly. The chocolate powder dusted on top of the chocolate puffs has a purple hue, and the chocolate cream isn't as dazzling as the vanilla. If you've seen business people scurrying late to the office with a little yellow cardboard box, it's probably filled with a dozen Beard Papa treats (about $20 for a dozen). Eclairs, among other sweets, fill out the menu. Fun and yummy. |
Beard Papa Cuisine: Japanese Bakeries |
Downtown | 6/3/2006
Clementine makes me feel rich. The interior is so refined and would definitely impress a date. Go early on a weekday to make the most of the $25 three-course pre fixe, and be sure to order the French toast in caramel for dessert. Our server treated us like royalty, although at the end of the meal, slinking down to our actual class, he brought us two petite glasses of cosmos: "Someone ordered a cosmo and the bartender made too much. Here. Try it." The exterior is shaded by low-branched tress, so it's easy to pass Clementine unnoticed, but definitely take the time to find it -- and order that French toast! |
Clementine Cuisine: French (Bistro) |
Inner Richmond | 6/3/2006
Family-friendly (read: loud children) may make you shy away from Bambino's before 7 p.m. But stop in after 8 and this restaurant is a winner. Mid-priced Italian food, when cooked well, is an excellent value. Bambino's doesn't stick to a strict classic Italian lineup, but dishes like orange and pear salad (served with candied pecans and cambozola cheese atop crusty bread) should not be skipped. Main dishes run $13-$18, with crisp thin-crust pizzas (although slightly oily) making for a less expensive option. Above all else, eat your fill of bread and olives before the meal. Bambino's provides a basket of three or four kinds of delicious and warm breads, high-quality olive oil for dipping, and house-marinated olives, which have an aldente freshness to them as well as lemon and rosemary overtones. Comfortable, affordable, filling, and no need for reservations. |
Bambino's Ristorante Cuisine: Italian Pizza |
Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley | 6/3/2006
I'm angry at myself for skipping over Zazie's for so long. They serve a pre fixe three-course meal most nights for about $20 from a limited menu. The pate was delicate, buttery, and slightly sweet, and the fish bouillabaisse was served perfectly -- a spicy sauce is spread over small pieces of toasted bread, which you can flip into the broth to adjust the heat to your liking. Pots de creme were too rich to finish, even when shared, but the apple crisp was heavenly. Service was top-notch: friendly, respectful, and knowledgeable about the menu. Atmosphere is distinctly French-Californian, just what you'd expect in Cole Valley. |
Zazie Cuisine: French (Bistro) |
Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley | 6/3/2006
Based on the bistro-like atmosphere and intimate high-walled booths on side of the establishment, I really wanted to like the food at the Fillmore Grill. But that was not the case. I ate there in winter 2006 and had pretty sub-par service, with entrees arriving minutes after the appetizers hits the table, before we had a chance to finish them. Fillmore Grill is for meat-lovers -- vegetarians should skip it entirely. I ordered the classic burger, but with chicken instead of beef, and the kitchen was very obliging. The pickles on the burger had been, I believe, marinated in house using cloves. Pickles are my weakness, but these tasted awful. And vinegar-drenched whole cloves ended up in my sandwich too. I likely won't be eating there again. |
Fillmore Grill Cuisine: American |
Pacific Heights | 6/3/2006
Who could resist any place that serves affogato (espresso with vanilla ice cream)? Pazzia actually has two locations: one in the Soma and one in Florence. Ask your server (and the servers are very good looking). They have a business card with a Florentine map pointing out the location. The last time I ate there, I simply ordered the mussels (appetizer) as my meal, served in a garlic & white wine bath: I could have used more bread to soak up the broth. Heavier dishes, like stuffed raviolis with cream sauce, come in smaller portions and I say thank goodness for that. Especially with pasta, you really don't want to feel forced to eat too much of it. A little goes a long way. The insalate choices are wonderful. Don't pass up classic caprese (tomato, basil, mozzarella plate). Make reservations at lunch time if your party is four or more. Average plate: $15. |
Pazzia Caffe Pizzeria Rosticceria Cuisine: Italian Pizza |
SoMa | 11/20/2005
I've only eaten at the Gold Mirror once, but given the controversy of other reivews, I'd like to add my opinion. G.M. suffers from an exterior that does not do it justice. From the look of it outside, I thought it would be just a step above a diner. The interior, however, has a unique feel to it that soared over my expectations: homegrown classy. For a starter, we shared calamari. Four of us debated about whether it was the best calamari we had ever had (I said it was). It was barely battered and tasted like it had been pan friend in oil rather than submerged in a vat. I ate spaghetti with clams and was relieved that the portion was not overwhelming, but certainly ample. Those who ordered non-pasta dishes ($17-$22) seemed very pleased with their mains-- steak that melted in the mouth, grilled halibut tender to the touch-- though the sides of rice and vegetables received less enthusiasm. The wine list seemed slightly overpriced. Desserts were simple and wonderful. |
Gold Mirror Italian Restaurant Cuisine: Italian |
West Portal | 11/20/2005
Despite several locations, Gordos still doesn't excel at making burritos. Cheaper, better burritos with more ingredients in a regular size (as opposed to super) and with free chips can be found in at least three places that come to mind. When it comes to burritos, you usually want to find a good staple that's close and cheap. If your staple is Gordo's, seriously consider trying the other hole-in-the-wall spots around Taraval, or L'Avenida in the Inner Sunset -- or just head out to the Mission for the best. |
Gordo Taqueria Cuisine: Mexican |
Outer Richmond | 10/12/2005
$9-$18 plates of warm, delicious Italian food--that's what you get at Spiazzo. Spaghetti with clams is more than you can eat, but simple and elegant using a sparse number of ingredients to let all the flavors stand out (clams, garlic, tomato sauce, pasta). The capellini, the simplest dish you can order, is a classic blend of tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and al dente strands of pasta. Bruschetta is served two ways: with diced tomatoes and with a mushroom topping. For dessert, try the gelato, which comes wedged on a dark, velvety chocolate brownie. |
Spiazzo Caffe Cuisine: Italian |
West Portal | 10/12/2005
I'm not a huge pizza fan in general, so I've tried several dinner items at Milanos, including salads (on the less-than-thrilling side), garlic bread, and eggplant parmesean subs (decent), as well as their pizza. On the weekdays, they have ridiculously cheap pitchers of beer (like a buck or two, I mean, insanely cheap beer). It's a good spot to get rowdy with a group of friends or co-students. The waitstaff couldn't care less that you're there, but on the flip side, they will let you hang out all night, undisturbed. |
Milano Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant Cuisine: Pizza Italian |
Inner Sunset | 10/12/2005
Thai Noodle House is cheap cheap cheap. Vegetarian red Thai curry is a winner (about $6). Chicken with cashews is flavorful and full of garlic overtones. TNH is also open late. Big warning: don't eat the soups. I'm not a picky eater by any means, meaning I'll eat it if it's edible and I'm hungry, but I ordered a lemon grass and coconut soup once that was so bitter I didn't eat three bites. The staff was very kind, asked me if I wanted to save the soup for later or order something else; I said no thanks, I just didn't like it; they didn't charge us for it. We tipped well. I'll return, definitely, but not for soup. |
King of Thai Cuisine: Thai |
Inner Richmond | 10/11/2005
Biggest complaint: really bad, really loud music. Second complaint: I liked Sushi Rock before I actually found out what good sushi is. The portions are big, the price is on the cheaper side for sushi, but it's not great. I got sick on my last (forever last) visit. Once I ordered off the hot menu--a vegetarian noodle dish--and after 25 minutes of cooking, they forgot to add the noodles; they added the noodles, but those need to cook another 10 minutes in the hot broth. Oye. |
Sushi Rock Cuisine: Japanese Sushi |
Polk St./Van Ness | 10/8/2005
What's missing from the other reviews is that The Grove is a coffee shop. It has expanded to offer more food, wine, and beer, but it's essentially a cafe/coffee shop. The seating is cafe-style, and there's plenty of it, including outside tables, indoor window benches, and overstuffed leather chairs by the fire place. Lattes are fantastic. The cookies are as big as your head and flat as Oklahoma, and are the perfect complement to coffee. Mochas are rich without drowing out the espresso. I've had some soups from The Grove and found them all filling. But the coffee and sweets--that's where it's at. You can find berry pies by the slice, such as blackberry, as well as cheesecakes and chocolate (flour-based) cakes. Great atmosphere. Great coffee. |
The Grove Cuisine: American Bistro Coffee Shops |
Pacific Heights | 10/8/2005
Cheap food, great teas (they carry lots by Stash), and beer in the bottle. A small falafel in a pita runs less than $5. Chicken gyros, for another two bucks or so, are reliably huge. All Blue Cafe's sauces, the tahini and some other spicier mixtures, make a simple meal even better. You can also get a cheap sandwich super fast here, so it's a great spot for locals on the run. |
Blue Front Cuisine: Middle Eastern Bistro |
Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley | 10/6/2005
If you love cress, figs, chanterelles, and other high-cuisine produce, Millennium does those special ingredients up beautifully. Plates all fall in the $19-$21 range, which isn't bad for an upscale restaurant, especially if you're excited by fanciful ingredients. The wine list is top-notch and all organic. The menu changes seasonally; get the Creole black and red bean chowder if they have it ($6.50). The tasting menu dinner costs $65 per person, takes two hours, and includes wine pairings. Service is exceptional and most importantly, totally down to earth and made me feel at ease. Millennium is located inside the Savoy Hotel, and the restaurant, with vaulted ceilings and hanging fabrics, feels like an old New York steakhouse. O the irony. |
Millennium Cuisine: Vegetarian |
Downtown | 10/6/2005
Exposed brick walls and large-canvase paintings give Zebulon its SOMA style. Luch is decidedly better than dinner, as the happy hour crowd is really noisy; plus, lunch is cafe style whereas dinner is a semi-disorganized sit-down service. A mediocre-sized Caesar salad or veggie sandwich will run you $6 or $7. There are a good number of California cuisine vegetarian options, like eggplant and roasted red pepper with chevre. My boss seems to love the curry chicken salad. If you're ordering for the office, boxed luches come with an enormous cookie, on par with the cookies at Specialty's just one block down. |
Zebulon Cuisine: American Californian |
SoMa | 10/6/2005
L.B. can be a weekly staple in your dining. It's quick, affordable, and flavorful. The woman who works there most days is lovely, though somewhat reserved. The atmosphere is quaint and comfortable. I never feel crowded. Tea, you must order plain hot tea. Pad Thai noodles are just what you expect and just how you want them; the noodles just barely have bite to them. Red Thai curries: awesome. Spicy prawns ($7.50) come mixed with vegetables, delicious and not overly garlicky. |
Little Bangkok Cuisine: Thai |
Inner Sunset | 10/2/2005
Reverie is my favorite coffee spot because of the near-yuppy style garden out back. This small cafe started serving food and wine about a year ago. Pastries are always on hand, as are salads, sandwiches, and other light fare. Lattes and house coffee are wonderful. Staff is very friendly. |
Reverie Coffee Cafe Cuisine: American (New) Coffee Shop |
Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley | 10/2/2005
To be fair, not one of my friends likes Pluto's. That said, I'll eat there alone. Salads are huge, and who can beat $4 for a dinner-sized one loaded with beets, orange wedges, raisins, apples, jicama, grilled fennel, and so forth? I've been asking the staff for a year if the spicy BBQ sauce will ever be sold retail; it's perfect with the onion rings, and equally good as a condiment for a sandwich. The sides, like stuffing or mashed potatoes, tend to be a step above my mom's yet equally homey. There's one downside: Sometimes Pluto's smells like grill cleaner, a very distinct odor that you might not pick up if you've never worked in food service, but is unmistakeable to anyone who has. |
Pluto's Fresh Food for a Hungry Universe Cuisine: American salads |
Inner Sunset | 10/2/2005
Best downtown burrito joint. Best. Cooks take half an avocado, split fresh before your eyes, scoop out the inside, and fling it into your tortilla. Great value. The location is awful (6th and Market), yet I'll often walk a mile and a half out of my way for a black bean burrito. So so good. Tip generously. These guys bust their humps. |
Taqueria Cancun Cuisine: Mexican |
Downtown | 10/2/2005
Free chocolate caramel square for walking through the gift shop. That's why I go if I'm in the neighborhood (how cheap am I?). Here's the problem with the ice cream: By the time the server finds you, the fudge has melted half the ice cream. Soupy. Take the out of towners, for sure, and take yourself if it's been too long. Good nostalgia splurge for the kid in you. Decent diner-style coffee for the old lady/gent in you. |
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop Cuisine: Ice Cream |
Fishermans Wharf | 10/2/2005
True, Delica is more about presentation than flavor, but the atmosphere sold me, as did the panko-crusted scallops and salads topped with shrimp cakes. Portions--thank goodness--are on the small side; much of the food probably wouldn't taste as good if you have two pounds of it. I'll splurge for the $10 bento box lunch every few months, being sure to choose a box that has green bean salad in ginger miso dressing. |
DELICA rf-1 Cuisine: Japanese Deli |
Embarcadero | 10/2/2005
There's too much going on at C.F., in both the restaurant and the food. At a big chain, you can bet that everything you're eating was frozen just a few hours ago. I've had three or four different cheesecake flavors, and two or three bites of each was all I could handle. Too much. Too heavy. Too big. And what the hell is with the whipped cream? "Hi. I'll have four gallons of heavy cream for dessert." Gross. |
Cheesecake Factory, The Cuisine: American (Traditional) Dessert |
Downtown | 10/2/2005
There's so much to say about Slanted Door that's likely been said before. It has a long history. Let me cut to the chase. Yes! You want imperial rolls. In fact, you want all the appetizers. You want grapefruit jicama salad and you will eat every candied walnut on the plate. You want shaking beef. You want carmelized prawns. You want anything with eggplant in it. For dessert (you will have dessert) you want coffee and creme brulee. No reservation? Sit at the bar; you can order food there too. |
Slanted Door, The Cuisine: Vietnamese |
Embarcadero | 10/2/2005
Relatively inexpensive, fresh, grilled food. At Asqew, you order a skewer from the list, which might be vegetables only, seafood and veg, or meat and veg. The range of options is pretty broad. Then you order a base, such as salad, mashed potatoes, jasmine rice, polenta. The skewers are served atop your base, and sides are available. Try the BBQ chicken if only for the BBQ corn that comes with it (or just order a side of BBQ corn), and though the corn is typically overcooked, the sauce is great. Shrimp are good, but again, sometimes overdone. Swordfish, a strong grilling fish, works well with salad or jasmine rice. Mashed potatoes are heavy and buttery, and go great with almost any skewer. Free refills for soda. Beer and wine available. Often crowded, but that's the Haight for you. |
Asqew Grill Cuisine: Californian |
Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley | 10/2/2005
Olive Garden is where you go when you're ready to die. The interior is as roomy as a rest home cafeteria, and the chairs come equipped with wheels. Is it fair to review a retaurant where you've only eaten once? No, unless it's Olive Garden. With big chains, you can expect a certain amount of consistency. The Olive Garden is just as good as Applebee's, Chevy's, Sizzler, or Chili's. It's honestly not worth a review, and it's not in any danger of losing customers. You'll always know someone who wants to go to the O.G., and you'll always know that it's OK to turn them down. |
Olive Garden Cuisine: Italian |
Outer Sunset | 10/2/2005
I'm disapointed to see so many poor reviews, as India Clay Oven is my favorite Indian spot in the city. I do agree that the waitstaff and owners aren't overly friendly, but that doesn't make the food taste any different, and the food is great. Naan, warmto the touch, is served in large, chewy semi circles. The mint/cilantro chutney and "purple stuff" (tamarind sauce?) is always so fresh and never quite the same, sometimes spicier, sometimes sweeter. Whether it's take-out or dining in, we always get prawns jal frezie, a potpouri of vegetables, tomatoes, and prawns, served either spicy or mild. Ordering "spicy" is borderline unenjoyable; "medium-spicy" makes my mouth happy. Chicken vindaloo is served in an almost creamy sauce, very hot and very spicy. Other favorites are the chana masala (chickpea/garbanzo dish) and saag paneer. The spinach is wonderfully smooth and the cubed farmer's cheese tastes mild (not pungent) but holds up until biten, that is, it doesn't fall apart. |
India Clay Oven Cuisine: indian |
Outer Richmond | 10/2/2005
I LOVE Rosamunde. The selection of sausages is above and beyod. Never been? Here's the deal: Pick a sausage from the gourmet list (see other reviews), pick two free toppings from beef chili, onions, sweet and hot peppers, or kraut. Ketchup and specialty mustards (like wasabi mustard) are also available at no charge. The sausage is grilled in about 5 minutes, and your sweet French roll is toasted on the grill too. $4 for most dogs. Even the vegans are happy: Tofurky. |
Rosamunde Sausage Grill Cuisine: Hot Dogs |
Lower Haight | 10/1/2005
Nirvana: don't bother with a meal. The drinks are knock-you-down strong, and the inside space is hopping with gorgeous, young Castro boys. The back patio is where it's at if you are looking for some down time. It's lushly decorated with flora and comfortably heated by lamps and tiki torches. Seriously, stick to drinks and maybe the appetizer sampler plate. Tofu satay is excellent. The entrees, however, are bad Asian knock-offs. Don't be fooled by the amorous "Asian-fusion" adjective. Noodle dishes are overcooked, and essential flavors, like shrimp, vegetables, chicken, and spices, are lost in the mushiness. One drink, two or three straws, and the appetizers, and you're good to go. |
Nirvana Cuisine: Pan-Asain |
Castro | 10/1/2005
Boulange has great big wooden tables for sharing as well as two-seaters tucked against the wide windows over looking Cole St. The cafe is so very French, a great Sunday brunch spot if you're feeling nostalgic for your last European vacation. Coffee is served in wonderful porcelain bowls with saucers. Lattes and such arrive in tall, clear glasses. The coffee-fixing station has serve-yourself silverware as well as jams, Nutella, butter, mustard--all manner of delicious condiments for your sandwich or simple baguette. When Parisians eat breakfast, it's often just bread and coffee or hot chocolate, a meal not to be overlooked. Boulange has chewy rolls, bigger than your fist, baked with hazelnuts, apricots, apples (the "breakfast bread") or raisins and walnuts. Tartines, classic French salads (like nicoise), brioche, quiches, pastries, croissants, and of course, croque monsieurs fill out an overabundant menu of delicious snacks and meals. Enjoy the comforts of Cole Street. |
Boulange de Cole Cuisine: French Bakeries Dessert |
Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley | 10/1/2005
Boisterous, jovial, and warm, PJ's is a great place for a little celebration. What PJ's does best is large plates of seafood served with warm, cozy sides. The appetizers, such as oysters and calamari, are also wonderful. PJ's menu changes slightly seasonally, from what I can tell. I remember sole, swordfish, and shrimp that were piping hot and perfectly un-fishy off the grill. Sides of wilted spinach and smooth mashed potatoes come to mind as well. I'm looking forward to the award-winning fish bisque's return to the menu this winter, as it was the best soup I've ever had. Sure PJ's is a tad pricey, but it's most fun for special occasions or a good date--though not a new date due to the noise level. Don't go once a week, but make the trip on your significant other's birthday, especially if s/he is a seafood fan. |
PJ's Oyster Bed Cuisine: Creole Seafood |
Inner Sunset | 10/1/2005
Sushi should be served at room-temperature, and Ebisu's is. Sushi should be bite-sized, fresh, and mostly without a smell. Ebisu's is. Ebisu has the freshest sushi around, hands-down. There are indeed a few places in the neighborhood that are very close seconds (and cheaper) but they simply are not of the same exceptional quality. The atmosphere is worth it, so long as you hunker down in the traditional Japanese dining room at the back. Take off your shoes and relax. Dinner doesn't have to take 45 minutes, and at Ebisu, it doesn't. There's no harm in a long, slow meal. The fatty tuna is exceptional. Eel, when served atop or in sushi rolls, is still warm and tender, not chewy. Of the designer, artistic rolls, try the catepillar, which gets its name from the delicate strands of seaweed on top. |
Ebisu Cuisine: Japanese Sushi |
Inner Sunset | 9/30/2005
Overrated. Often, Magnolia has a rank smell to it, which I know from living around the corner for a year. I've eaten there three times and had the same meal three times (salmon burger) because nothing else ever sounded or looked good. It's glorified British pub food, and we all know the Brits aren't exactly exaulted for their gastronomics. I always wanted Magnolia to have great food because the atmosphere seems like it could bolster that. But it just doesn't. The beers are good. That's about it. |
Magnolia Pub & Brewery Cuisine: Organic Pub Food |
Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley | 9/30/2005
Only order the dish if you think it's going to be phenomenal. Menu listings that sound average, are. The specialties, however, are special. Try the Vietnamese-style tiger prawns. They come with the heads and shells still on, submerged in a garlicky dark brown sauce, which the rice just drinks up. Take-out orders are 10 percent off, so if you're self-conscious about biting the heads off shrimp in proper company, cash in on the discount and bring your food home. Service is friendly. |
Yummy Yummy Cuisine: Vietnamese Asian |
Inner Sunset | 9/30/2005
Why are my co-workers gah-gah over Paragon? Probably because they can expense the meal. Somewhat overpriced for what the food is, Paragon offers a fairly limited menu of American fare. Friends seem to love the mushroom cigars, grilled cheese lunch, mac-n-cheese side dish, and mojitos. The nicoise salad is interesting, though pass on those fried capers. The Caesar salad is unmemorable, as is the Beet salad and Heirloom Tomato salad (were those even heirlooms or run of the mill beefsteaks?). The calamari is above par, served with not only friend squid but battered and fried fennel and green beans too. Paragon is the mid- to up-scale lunch place for business people near SBC Park. No. It's for the up-scale people who forgot to wear their ties today. If the company is taking you to lunch at Paragon, save room for dessert. You'll appreciate the warm and cold choices (homemade ice cream sandwiches, warm banana bread pudding) and solid coffee based drinks. |
Paragon Cuisine: Californian |
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach | 9/30/2005
Take your SF visitors to Taylor's, as they will delight in the very California, gourmet-style burgers. The menu isn't vegetarian-friendly. Often greasy sides will fill your belly and leave you wishing you walked the rest of the Embarcadero. Best milkshakes? Possibly... but I'm not totally sold. Original flavors like blueberry and white pistachio keep me interested though. |
Taylor's Automatic Refresher Cuisine: American (Traditional) Hamburgers |
Embarcadero | 9/30/2005
Two words: corn scone. The cherries in the corn scones ($1.75) are tart, not overly sweet, and the corn tops are dusted with sugar to balance the tartness. Can't find good coffee in the Inner Sunset? Arizmendi is your best bet. $1.50 for a medium. Fresh baguettes are reliably always in store (though sometimes over baked just a tad), sold by the pound. Shortbreads to die for. Closed Mondays and closed after 7 all other days. |
Arizmendi Bakery Cuisine: Bakery |
Inner Sunset | 9/30/2005
Whether you're a Californian or an east coaster looking for a nostalgic deli experience, go to Angelinas. I implore you. Though not a traditional east coast/Italian deli, Angelinas is everything you love about California freshness and more. The fruit salad has figs, melon, fresh berries, and in season fruits. The tuna salad is fresh and complex. The deli meats are sliced thin and perfectly piled on fat slices of bread or rolls. Definitely have a cup of coffee (they use powdered chocolate in their mochas, which is my only complaint). And you'll need two people to eat one of their dense brownies--chocolately but not overly sweetened with sugar. Fantastic! Seaonsal pies are also on the menu, as are varied savory salads. Angelina's is so very San Francisco, yet tucked away to be special to the neighborhood locals. |
Angelina's cafe & deli Cuisine: Italian Deli |
Outer Richmond | 9/30/2005
Vegetarians are happy at Q. So are meat eaters and beer aficionados. Try the mussels appetizer, but order the fish tacos as a full (though light) entree instead. The Vegan Journey Grill should keep all vegetarians quite happy with the large plateful of perfectly grilled vegetables, incluing yams. The dishes are plentiful and homey. All the food is warm and nostalgic and hot. Skip the ribs, if you're a barbecue fan, but savor the tator tots, mac-n-cheese, or calamari if fatty cooking is what you desire. Weekends tend to be busy, but go ahead and kill a half hour at the bar with a Boont--all the better to enjoy the boisterous atmosphere. Have the apple crisp for dessert. It's delicious. |
Q Restaurant Cuisine: American (New) |
Inner Richmond | 9/30/2005
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