Absonot's Profile
La Lengua Chronicles - My Project for 2012
Pastores also happens to have the most insanely delicious chicken enchiladas, so consider ordering those when you go!
Lunch spot in downtown San Mateo
Any particular cuisine, price point or ambiance you're looking for?
Drinks before Benu?
Other bars within 2-3 blocks:
Pied Piper (Palace Hotel, Market @ New Montgomery). This is an historic bar in SF, features
a mural by Maxfield Parrish. You may be joining a lot of tourists here, but it makes for positive energy. We had a drink here before our Benu dinner, and I can tell you the walk to the restaurant takes about 5 minutes (in heels).
House of Shields (across the street from the Palace on New Montgomery). Also historic (opened in 1908), was recently restored and has a breathtaking interior featuring wood carvings, paneling and an intricate chandelier. Likely to be a bit more loud than these other options, but the drinks are good.
Bar at the St. Regis Hotel (3rd @ Minna). Probably obviously the most posh/quiet option, and the most consistent the vibe you'll get at Benu (although not identical). If you're more likely to want wine than a cocktail, this may offer the best selection.
Enjoy your evening!
-----
Pied Piper Bar
Market New Montgomery, San Francisco, CA 94102
Benu
22 Hawthorne St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Melody Cafe, Modern Middle Eastern in Bernal Heights
We stopped by there Friday night right before they were closing. The guy there could not have been nicer about having to turn us away, and the menu looks small but solid.
He recommended the breakfast especially, maybe as an enticement for us to come back the next morning, who knows.
Every time I've passed this place it's been empty, so I'm glad it gets some love on this board. We will have to make a point to go soon (and report back).
Wedding Caterer Under $80-100/pp
TOTALLY agree that Ann Walker is the best. I found her for our wedding in '09 through chowhound, and my guests still talk about how great the (affordable) food was.
Brunch at Baker and Banker
Haven’t made it here for dinner yet, but I can tell you the brunch here is pretty amazing. And it’s popular – we weren’t seated for our 12:30 reservations until about 12:50. Luckily it was a lovely day and waiting outside was no issue.
In a flash of brilliance, my three friends and I started by splitting a cinnamon bun and a sticky bun four ways. Both of these pastries are huge, so it was a great way to get a satisfying taste of each without blowing our appetite. Both are amazing, neither too sweet. The cinnamon bun was my favorite – an elegant, fluffy yet slightly chewy bun with a perfect amount of cinnamon icing glaze. Truly wonderful, and I noticed they sell them in the bakery next door.
Entrees: I ordered the house smoked trout, which was served on a potato latke with horseradish cream and pickled beets. It was a dainty, very pretty plate. It wasn’t exactly filling, but I didn’t feel deprived either.
My companions ordered the brisket hash, Tabasco Eggs Benedict, and the burger. I only tried the burger but I was told that the hash was delicious (tip: ask for a side of toast, as it’s a bit stewy). My friend loved the biscuits on the Tabasco Benedict , which were fluffy and flaky, but he was hoping for more Tabasco flavor in the Hollandaise.
The 4505 burger was cooked a perfect medium rare and was very good, although my husband found it a bit too salty. I loved the bite I had, but I’m more of a salt lover. So take that for what’s it is worth.
After having dined at both The Meetinghouse and Quince when it was here, I must say the current décor is my least favorite. It’s very dark and seems too casual for the food. But maybe at night it’s a different vibe. We definitely want to come back for dinner. If I lived in the neighborhood I’d be very happy to have this option for brunch.
Masa's or Fleur de Lys?
I'm planning a birthday dinner and have narrowed it down to Masa's and Fleur de Lys. Does anyone have recent experiences at either of these places that could offer insight on which would be best for our needs?
There will be 4 of us - we definitely want a "special" experience and will probably opt for a tasting menu. We want a comfortable yet exciting/innovative experience and, obviously, wonderful food. Not interested in stuffy, just want a place where we can feel pampered by the service and intrigued by the food.
We've all been to Fleur de Lys, and are considering it because it seems like a solid bet: great food, comfortable yet special surroundings, intuitive service. None of us have been to Masa's, but know from its past reputation that it is supposed to be an incredible place --- but how is it right now?
Coi, Saison, Benu, La Folie, and the Ritz have all been discounted for various reasons - these really are the two I've narrowed it down to.
So does anyone have strong feeling of support or scorn for either of these places?Any insight is much appreciated.
Thank you!
-----
La Folie
2316 Polk St., San Francisco, CA 94109
Masa's Restaurant
648 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Saison
2124 Folsom St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Benu
22 Hawthorne St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Cotogna review
Just enjoyed a great late afternoon early diinner there. Walked in around quarter to 5 - the bar is open, but they don't start the menu until 5:30. We sat, enjoyed a glass of wine, and watched the staff prep for the Saturday night dinner.
The copper bar where we sat was comfortable, and afforded a great perspective on the space. I'm sure it's loud when at full capacity, but the simple (yet tasteful) furniture sat glowing in the late afternoon sun, and the brick walls made the place feel warm, cozy, and special.
Once dinner service began, we enjoyed: sausage and padrone pepper pizza, summer succotash, tortellini al a amatriciana. The pizza was great - the crust had great flavor, and while I would have preferred a more crispy crust, it was definitely impressive. What impressed me most was the restraint of toppings. It was an excellent balance of heat, sauce, savory meat, and spicy green arugula. It was a great example of how less is more.
The succotash was the real star. Grilled corn, wax beans, and cherry tomatoes. It was simple, breathtaking,and evocative of so many great summer meals. I loved this side. PLEASE order this if it's on the menu.
The tortellini reminded me why I always made sure I order a pasta course when I go to Quince. These folks know how to do pasta. The tortellini is stuffed with the typical amatriciana ingredients, and the sauce itself? Pretty much just butter. But that's a good thing. It was an elegant, hedonistic, and super satisfying dish. My husband and I split it, which I think was good. A person tackling this dish alone may feel overwhelmed (albeit happily so).
Long story short, this place is great and I will come back again - probably later in service when the energy level is higher. Its quality and creativity is special.
Where to buy Austrian schnaps in Bay Area?
I just read about Austrian schnaps in Saveur and I'm dying to try some - made by Hans Reisetbauer or Golles specifically. Anyone have any suggestions where I might find them?
Menu with the best burrata?
Beretta has a caponata with burrata appetizer, it's pretty good.
Le Garage has "jumped the shark"
You are absolutely right -- getting last minute reservations at any of those restaurants is incredibly difficult. They're very popular, and booked often months in advance. And some restaurants are not so popular...and have tables available last minute. This is nothing new.
But the mere fact that a restaurant is listed on Open Table is not evidence of its imminent demise. That's the only point I was trying to make.
Le Garage has "jumped the shark"
So all restaurants on Open Table are only there because their customer base is declining? Like French Laundry, Quince, Benu, Coi, etc.?
Restaurants use the service for many reasons and it has its pros and cons. But if you assume a restaurant is bad because it's on Open Table, you're going to miss out on a lot of really great restaurants.
-----
The French Laundry
6640 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599
Benu
22 Hawthorne St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Le Garage has "jumped the shark"
Why would being on Open Table be a sign of imminent demise?
Recs for a higher-end Sunday lunch in SF
My three recommendations would be Absinthe, Nopa and Zuni.
All three do a brunch/lunch hybrid menu on Sundays, so I'm not sure how varied the lunch options would be. But Nopa and Zuni are both known for their burgers. And Absinthe has a new chef who is doing a "Sunday roast" that varies each week.
I believe all three are open straight through the day, although at Nopa, I think you can only get bar food from 2:30-6.
All three have a great cocktail program too, fyi.
-----
Zuni Cafe
1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Nopa
560 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Absinthe Brasserie & Bar
398 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
where to buy Pizza-flavored Goldfish in SF?
My husband loves them, but the company appears to be phasing them out, as they are getting harder and harder to find.
Does anyone know a good source? Preferably in the city, but I'd be willing to go as far south as San Mateo.
...and I'm not talking about the FlavorBlasted(R) Pizza flavor (apparently these are "disgusting"). He just wants the regular pizza flavor. Any leads are welcome!
3 nights in SF, where to eat?
You'll do yourself a favor by being a bit more specific about what you're looking for in terms of cuisine, atmosphere and location...it's helpful to know what you're looking for.
But I can tell you that for me, right now Commonwealth is a place I can't wait to get back to. It's one heck of a restaurant with great service, an interesting menu with impeccable execution. I haven't had a better dinner in a loooong time. SF casual dress code, but you can still spend a bunch if you indulge.
Also, if you will be here over a weekend, I'd recommend the brunch (Sat & Sun 11-2:30) at Nopa.
-----
Nopa
560 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Nopa Brunch Report
No, it's only on weekends. Also, I double checked the dates they WON'T be doing brunch, and it's 9/18 and 9/19, not the 11th and 12th (oops).
Nopa Brunch Report
Wow. Today Nopa debuted their brunch service, and they hit it out of the park.
We got there a half hour after they opened, and the place was already almost full (although the bar area was pretty much empty). There's no question they'll be doing a great business every weekend here on out.*
The menu is a great mix of sweet and savory, classic and innovative. And yes, the burger's on there! There's also a breakfast cocktail menu, of course.
We started with a smoked trout/farmer's cheese/pickled onion/bagel plate and the tomato salad. Both were outstanding. The smoke trout was mild, and the flesh was moist. The tomato salad (if I had to guess I'd say they were Early Girls) finally provided me with the first truly delicious tomato I've had all year. And the feta they use is so creamy and perfect.
For mains, I got butter basted eggs with white corn polenta cakes and a zucchini/corn succotash. I've never had butter basted eggs before, but our server explained the technique and i was sold. It creates eggs that are very uniformly cooked, and the white is velvety but not gooey. Really special, and a treat for anyone who likes a runny yolk without any chance of snotty egg white (sorry, but that's the only way I can describe it).
My husband ordered the merguez sausage with lentils and 2 poached eggs. The lentils were cooked perfectly, the sausage was juicier than any merguez I've ever had.
The portions are huge, so go hungry. You'll leave happy. Add this to the top of your brunch list.
*I remember reading somewhere that they are closed next weekend (9/11&12) for a private event.
-----
Nopa
560 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Nopa Customer Service
It's a sad fact: for a business owner, currying the favor of people who have influence is always a smarter choice than treating customers equally. Building that network is more valuable than satisfying customers who may or may not be tourists who never eat there again.
I'm not excusing it -- there is no denying that seating a walk in celebrity over an every day person who's been playing by the rules and waiting for their turn is clearly rude. But I'm not shocked. Disappointed, perhaps.
I wonder if snubbed customers received a comped dish or bottle of wine to compensate for being skipped over? That gesture could go a very long way.
Report: Super Duper Burgers (Market & Castro in SF)
I enjoyed the chicken sandwich there a lot. It was perfectly cooked and even juicy, with a nice chipotle sauce. The staff is really nice and the layout is very efficient...although we did not like the fries. May have just been a bad batch. Also, the burgers seem to be on the small side.
MiniBar: How Many Calls Before You Were Able To Get A Reservation?
I'm hoping to go here in October, but 30 days before the dates I have open are a Sunday and a Monday (Labor Day) -- when the restaurant is closed. Should I try to call that Saturday then...which is 32 days before? Or will I need to wait until that Tuesday?
Driving from DC to Boiling Springs - what route offers best food?
Sounds wonderful. I've never been to this part of the country and am looking forward to checking it out. Thanks again!
Driving from DC to Boiling Springs - what route offers best food?
TACOS!!! Your post made my day, thanks so much.
Breakfast near Dulles?
Taking the red eye from SF and will be coming into Dulles around 8am, then driving north toward Leesburg. Are there any good places for breakfast around there?
We're not looking for anything fancy, just trying to avoid a chain.
Thanks in advance!
Driving from DC to Boiling Springs - what route offers best food?
According to Google maps, I can drive from Dulles airport to Boiling Springs via 15/Gettysburg, or 67 & 81, through Hagerstown. Which route offers the best lunch options? If both are equal, then which is the prettiest drive?
I realize 15 is probably much faster, but we aren't in a big hurry and happy to see the scenery.
Any type of food is fine, although we live in SF and would love the chance to try local stuff we can't get back home. Big plus if it has great beer.
Thanks in advance!
Hoosier in search of a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich
Checked out this place yesterday -- is it new? I used to come to this store fairly frequently and never noticed a sandwich counter.
Anyway, the sandwich definitely did not satisfy the pork tenderloin craving, but I didn't expect it to. I just happened to see a picture of it on Yelp and was sold. I also got a vegetarian bbq sandwich for my husband and we split both. The verdict was that the bbq sandwich was fantastic, the pork tasted like it had been fried a long long time ago.
But thanks for the tip -- I will definitely be back to this deli! However, the search for a pork tenderloin sandwich Hoosier-style continues...
NY Times: Bernal Heights: May 6
If you haven't been to Liberty Cafe in a while, I recommend going. While it may no longer be the best on the neighborhood, it's really improved over the last few months.
Hoosier in search of a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich
I am from time to time struck with an insatiable craving for a pork tenderloin sandwich...does anyone know where I can find one in the Bay Area? I'm willing to drive.
To clarify, I'm talking about a sandwich that features a piece of pork pounded thin (nearly to the diameter of a dinner plate), breaded, and then deep fried. Served on an unimpressive white bun.
NY Times: Bernal Heights: May 6
Yeah, they love alliteration.
I was surprised to read about the planned tea room...any Bernal people have ideas about the location?
