I'm with you on that, Robert. I thought the oysters were impeccable.

glad you enjoyed it as much as I did.

I think it would help if you go thru the Denver posts and make a list of a few options you've read about,and then ask for help in making a selection.

ah good suggestion. might be so. thanks.

I just opened a thread to read a new post. When I did, all previously read posts also were opened, as if unread. In particular, it's on the SF board, re. the dish of the month.

the joy of Banh Xeo is the contrast between the hot crispy crepe and the cool, crisp flavor of the bean sprouts, plus the medley of flavors of the shrimp and bits of pork (which I forgot to mention in my report on Quan Bac). It's a rainbow of fresh flavors.

ps- it was completely crispy. nothing soggy.

I started the Bahn Xeo adventure at Quan Bac last nite, and really enjoyed it. I had it there 2 or 3 years ago, so it's not a new tasting experience. It was just as good a preparation as i remembered: fresh ingredients, several large and flavorful shrimp, and lottsa veggies. The platter of greens served with it was plentiful -- not as varied kinds of herbs as I am used to getting with an order of pho, but perhaps that is typical for this dish. I especially appreciated the accompanying dipping sauce (fish sauce) which was not too sweet, and the house made chile sauce.

Ruth, Downtown Oakland has changed. There are many areas near bart stations that are well-populated at nite.

For example: close to 19th St bart is Make Westing bar, open till 2am. And that intersection is jumping with other late nite spots. Yes, there is crime. But the same is true of other areas people hang out: eg the Mission

I'm excited about this DoM. Does anyone have a few recommendations of places to try in SF & Oakland?

On my list: Bodega Bistro, Quan Bac, Tay Ho

I think it sounds like fun, especially if your bag is checked thru to Portland and your plane arrives in SF on time. But a lot depends on your age, $, and your idea of fun. I'd prefer an hour or 2 of adventure to sitting in the airport.

-Wood Tavern makes fab cocktails.

sorry for some typos and omissions. i meant to say the former mayor was seated across the room from me.
definitely not at my table...

I haven't been here in several years, tho it used to be a "go to" destination. Last nite, they proved themselves back in the game.

Arrived without a reservation at 6:30, but we quickly got a table in the bar section. We shared several apps, and each was innovative and impeccable:

-Sea Scallops with Brandade Corquettes -- tender, flavorful. With a sprinkle of garlic chips on the side. Server kindly noted that the dish has 3 scallops, and asked if we wanted to augment that with an additional scallop, so we each could have 2.
- Glazed Quail on a bed of wild rice, with king trumpet mushrooms, a few very tasty walnuts and a drizzle of rhubarb sauce.
- I enjoyed sweetbreads circled with mini-sized ravioli filled with spring-time fresh fava beans, and a very delicate japanese mushroom whose name I can't recall.
-For the non-meat eater: Artichoke Soup. with burrata, mint, soem preserved lemon with an amarnth grinissini laying across the bowl.

Oh and dessert --- I'd run back there just for the dark chocolate mousse, with passion fruit sorbet on top of a Valrhona chocolate disc, with housemade marshmellow (which I loved, tho I never eat them).

Service was attentive, 'cept for having to ask to get my water glass refilled.

I really enjoyed the meal, and of course the beautiful space. Even tho former Mayor Willie Brown was seated across from me so I couldn't avoid looking at him...but this isn't a forum for talkin' politics.

where?

Miss Ollie's is more crowded since the MB rave review. But not crazy crowded. And that bottle of Hendrick's gin along with a nice selection of rum now on the wall, makes the wait...pleasant.

But it is definitely slow food. And a great mix of people.

OKONOMIYAKI (especially since I've never had it)

yo Syd, anything in particular to recommend

CHAWANMUSHI

BANH XEO

It's interesting to see how they've been able to morph from 1 kind of establishment to another and still stay afloat.

BB, Juhu only serves beer/wine. So I was just suggestin' a pre-dinner drink.

and i completely agree with Robert, the carnitas at Dona Tomas are excellent, as are the margaritas.

My suggestion if there's a half-hour wait or more:
walk across the street and have a margarita at Dona Tomas.
just sayin'...

I was wrong. I just read MB's article and see that Miss Ollie's is making that coconut vinegar sauce in the bottle on the table. It's true: It ain't got the kick.

Freehouse has a good burger, but it's not quick.

wow, that;s amazing, rubadub. just shows that even people who are hyper-sensitive to the spice can be able to enjoy if it's in the right environment of other flavors.

we're talking about 2 different sauces. The bottle that was available for the tables is not house made. I forget the brand, and tho not full-on hot, it was nice. I was not familiar with it. The one you're talkin' about, Robert, is the house-made sauce. That's the killer.

yo rubadub, that's so interesting that you tasted cilantro. i was with someone who hates the stuff, but didn't experience that flavor in the chicken last nite. they almost "inhaled it" with glee. i myself thought it tasted of sage.

perhaps another month's activity could be for one of us to accurately identify all of the ingredients in Miss Ollie's fried chicken.

The yellow stuff in the bottle was tasty, but it's not the house made hot sauce, which I asked for. As Robert saidd, it's killer sauce.

enjoyed the fried chicken tonite, as usual. and "the Martinique" -- an island cocktail that was refreshing but not especially sweet.

Really hot hot sauce. Easy parking. Great Oaktown crowd.

fried chicken today at Miss Ollie's