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Great pupusas. Excellent combo platter with a pupusa, yucca and meat pie (pastel) for only $8.50. Service was very friendly which surprised me. I don't expect service to be especially attentive when I go out for pupusas, but the service at Balompie was great. Water glasses kept full, they checked back to see how our meal was, brought us a sample of cebada when we asked what it was (similar to horchata, but made with wheat). Two of us ate for under $20!
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Balompie
Cuisine: Pupusas Latin American
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Mission |
9/28/2007
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So hard to resist...
I had heard friends rave about the salted caramel, so we stopped in last night after a big dinner...only looking. Of course, they offer you samples as soon as you walk through the door (GREAT service, friendly, attentive) and seriously, how can you say no to ice cream, especially when you're standing that close! The lavender and honey was amazing if you like flowery foods.
I'm already looking forward to my next trip to Bi-Rite.
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Bi-Rite Creamery
Cuisine: Ice Cream Dessert
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Mission |
9/28/2007
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We had a wonderful meal at Roy's last night, although the service was very slow. Luckily, the conversation was good so the wait wasn't unbearable. We started with drinks at the bar, which were excellent. If you like lychee, the caipirinha is brilliant, although at $10 I would expect nothing less.
The rack of lamb was delicious and was served with intriguing potato dumplings that got rave reviews from everyone at the table. Roy's does a limited selection of sushi and the spicy tuna roll, although not noticeably spicy was one of the best sushi rolls I ever eaten.
The melting hot chocolate souffle is not to be missed. This is one of the places I would go back to some night just to have dessert, it was that good.
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Roy's
Cuisine: Hawaiian Seafood
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SoMa |
5/26/2007
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This was my first Hofbrau experience. I didn't even know what Hofbrau meant until today. Apparently, it has something to do with steam tables and meat. LOTS of meat. Roast beef, turkey legs, roast chicken (whole, 1/2, 1/4), ribs, corned beef, sides like mac and cheese, salads, baked potatoes, rice pudding covered with a layer of cinnamon, pie. I had the roast beef sandwich on a french roll. The roast beef was sliced thick and piled high, but if you like your roast beef rare, then order chicken.
The food isn't fabulous. It's good, hearty meat & potatoes fare (but mostly meat). The service is friendly and the decor is awesome if you like that weird, identity crisis feel that family-owned places tend to get after they've been around for half a century...ionic columns, Grecian urns, bust of Chopin, chicken statue, "crystal" chandeliers, scalloped trim cut out of wood paneling...the big menu and the sign outside are reason enough to visit...and if you're there, you might as well eat.
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Chick 'n' Coop
Cuisine: American Hofbrau
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Outer Sunset |
3/18/2007
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I can't believe this place has no negative reviews. I hated it.
I just don't like being ignored when I walk into a restaurant. That's not great service, it's indifferent service. Indifferent I can get that from my cat.
And it wasn't clean. My table was sticky, the floor was sticky.
I don't mind the do-it-yourself table setting concept. In fact, I kind of like it, but can't things be more organized so you don't feel like your snooping around your hosts kitchen looking for more napkins? And they don't have enough squeeze bottle sauces to go around. I saw some sauces on a few tables, but who wants to disturb other diners to see if they're done with the sauces?
Ugh.
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Tasty Curry
Cuisine: Indian Pakistani
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Inner Sunset |
3/7/2007
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I must start trying some of the other sandwiches here, but I crave the pork! It's just so good. Flavorful meat on a crusty roll. This place is never crowded, but it probably should be. The service is good, the sandwiches are good, the garlic curly fries are good, and they use Mitchell's ice cream in their shakes.
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Toasties
Cuisine: Seafood Deli
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Inner Sunset |
1/19/2007
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I went here the first time because PPQ across the street was packed.
The Pho was delicious and I've been back several times. I also like the tapioca drinks here.
It's a wierd, lit-up space, but the food is good.
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Pho Hoa Hiep
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Inner Sunset |
1/19/2007
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I rarely eat eggplant. It's one of the last things I would normally order, but on the recommendation of two different people, I had the moussaka. It was delicious, very rich and flavorful. I would order it again if the lamb chops didn't look so good.
The pita with four spreads and the zucchini cakes were also good and the restaurant is beautiful.
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Kokkari Estiatorio
Cuisine: Greek Mediterranean
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Downtown |
9/10/2006
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The Gyro pizza was a bit of a disappointmet. Not exactly what I was expecting and not as flavorful as it could have been, I think. But the #4 Green Special, with pesto, broccoli, feta and artichoke hearts is DELICIOUS!
I haven't eaten in, yet, but I will soon. I like this pizza.
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Irving Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza Italian
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Inner Sunset |
9/10/2006
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Yes, it's expensive and yes, there's a line. Is it worth it? Sure, why not. It's great for a special treat after a show at the Metreon or make it part of your excursion to SFMoMA or the Museum of Crafts. I'm not sure I'd make a trip downtown just for a cream puff, but then I'm more of a beignet guy.
Everyone raves about the vanilla, but I loved the milk tea. You have to get a vanilla and a flavor of the day. I mean, if your going to stand in that line, don't just get one. That would be silly.
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Beard Papa
Cuisine: Japanese Bakeries
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Downtown |
9/10/2006
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Excellent! We actually arrived about 10 minutes before they opened and were graciously ushered in and seated. Service is friendly and attentive and the sushi is excellent. We tried the fish tempura, tuna sashimi, rainbow roll, and eel and all of it was delicious. The surprise starters and a simple fruit plate at the end of the meal were an added bonus. I'll definitely be back.
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Hana Sushi Bang
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
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Outer Richmond |
9/10/2006
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I enjoyed my dinner at Viva. The service was excellent and felt very personalized. I had a gift certificate and the place was nearly empty (we ate kind of early), so I don't know if we got better service than normal, but it was excellent none the less.
The food wasn't outstanding (except the bruscetta, which I loved!), but it was good. The bagna calda is supposed to have a hint of chile, but I missed it. It could be improved with a couple more hints, I think. The pastas were fine...I had the pescatore. It's serviceable Italian fare, but I don't know that I would go back unless I was in the neighborhood.
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Viva Restaurant
Cuisine: Pizza Italian Seafood
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North Beach |
9/10/2006
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It's a great space with a massive bar. I enjoyed my margarita. The service was good, but the food is only okay, nothing to write home about. It's just so...nice. I couldn't get over the leather-clad menus! I'm used to eating at taquerias where you have to wipe the guacamole off the menu if you want to read it. It's a great place to relax with friends, have a drink and an appetizer.
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Leticia's
Cuisine: Mexican Tapas
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Upper Fillmore |
11/11/2005
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Not a big lunch crowd here, but the food was terrific, as was the service-both very homey. Large portions of fried pork (chancho frito) with a delicious slaw. Empanada de platano, which I shouldn't have ordered, but I feel obliged to try this wherever I find it. At Oye! Managua, I had the meat filled empanada. And my meal was served with a tasty little wedge of deep fried cheese that alone would warrant a positive review. It sort of reminded me of eating at my grandma's house, if she were Nicaraguan and lived in an aquarium. Big portions, not fancy but delicious, all surrounded by fish painted on the walls and ceilings.
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Oye Managua
Cuisine: Central American Nicaraugan
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Bernal Heights |
11/11/2005
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Give me a pickle and I'm happy. I stopped for lunch, the service was good, the food was great. I had the Rachel, like a Reuben but with Pastrami. I'll be back.
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East Coast West Delicatessen
Cuisine: Deli
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Nob Hill |
11/11/2005
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My first time at Papalote. It's good, but it's not my favorite place for Mexican food or burritos. I guess if I'm feeling like I need to be eating healthier, Papalote will be a good option. I had the pork burrito with hot salsa. It's a big giant thing and the hot salsa is HOT. It was tasty, but it wasn't an amazing burrito. My friend said the chicken in his burrito was good, but that overall the chicken burrito was bland.
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Papalote
Cuisine: Mexican
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Mission |
10/17/2005
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I'm just not a fan. I went back tonight because my friend wanted to eat there and I did enjoy my crepe, but it's too expensive and nothing that came to our table went to the right person. I think the secret is keep it simple and ask for a sauce, or just go for dessert.
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Ti Couz
Cuisine: French Dessert
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Mission |
10/16/2005
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When my budget is tight, I go here for the BBQ pork fried rice, a huge plate (enough for two meals) for under $5.00! Tonight, though, I ordered the tasty pot stickers and the tangy spicy chicken (or something to that effect). The chicken was okay, with big meaty mushrooms, but wasn't really tangy or spicy. Next time, I'll try the General Tso's chicken or stick with the BBQ pork fried rice. The service is usually good, but tonight I had a long wait for my food. I think that's an anomaly or else they were waiting for me to eat the last three pot stickers before bringing my chicken. It's a big bright place with plastic chopsticks and fabric napkins and lots to choose from on the menu.
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Red Jade
Cuisine: Chinese
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Castro |
10/12/2005
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Fun space, good pizza, and Great service. It's a great deal if you go during the 2 for 1 happy hour. Otherwise it's at the upper limit of "reasonable" ($10.00+ for a pizza for one?). But the pizza is very good. Crispy thin crust, good selection of toppings, lots of veggie options. I'll absolutely be back.
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Pizza Inferno Restaurant & Bar
Cuisine: Pizza Italian
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Upper Fillmore |
10/11/2005
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Haven't been to Mitchell's, yet? What are you waiting for? Wondering if it's worth waiting 30+ minutes for a two-scoop cone that's going to cost you over $4? Of course it is. Just look at the menu. Avocado and Mexican Chocolate? Just accept it, grab a magazine and a sweater and take a number. You won't be disappointed.
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Mitchells Ice Cream
Cuisine: Ice Cream Dessert
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Mission |
10/9/2005
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Don't be misled by the goofy name (that's three o's in Goood). This place serves some seriously delicious chicken. You can also get Mediterranean standards like shawarma and falafel, but the chicken...oh my. And what a bargain! Half a chicken, a simple but tasty side salad, delicious pita bread (thick and coated with olive oil and herbs) and a side dish (I recommend the potatoes or hummus) all served up on a giant platter for under $10! And the chicken....the open flame chicken is marinated in an herb mixture that gets cooked on and becomes this delicious coating. You smell it as soon as they set that big ol' platter in front of you and you know you're in for a treat. They also have a garlic lemon rotisserie chicken that I'll be trying soon. Good service, friendly staff. Not a lot of seats, so you may have a short wait, or you can get your chicken to go.
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Good Frikin' Chicken
Cuisine: Mediterranean
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Bernal Heights |
10/9/2005
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I went at about 10am on a Sunday and had to wait about 20 minutes. It's worth it just for the beignets and coffee. What a great way to start the day! Order a cup of coffee while you wait, you can grab a newspaper next door, relax. The food is very good. I kept seeing these golden biscuits go by and wishing I has ordered biscuits, but I had the cinnamon raisin toast and was not disappointed. It was so good. The coffee was good, too. I think it has chicory in it. Service was excellent. Friendly, efficient, fast.
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Mabel's Just for You Cafe
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners Bakeries
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Potrero Hill |
10/9/2005
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I like Chevy's. I love the salsa, I love that sweet corn side dish. The food is good, the tortillas are fresh, what's not to like? So it's not real Mexican food. Get over it. It's Fajitas, it's Tex-Mex! And for those of you who spent enough time in Texas to be "insulted" by the phrase Tex-Mex, you've got Diana Kennedy to thank. She used the phrase at least a decade before Chevy's existed ("for the record", and it was coined even earlier) and she made it trendy to be offended by fajitas. But then she was born in England and she isn't "authentic" Mexican either. Can't we finally admit that Tex-Mex is a valid regional cuisine of the USA, influenced by geography, economics, immigration and a host of other things, just like other "authentic" cuisines. Maybe you could stop being insulted and be proud. After all, your from the state that gave us fajitas and fajitas are damn tasty. And when you're in the mood for fajitas, who in The City does them better than Chevy's?
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Chevy's Fresh Mex
Cuisine: Tex-mex Mexican
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Embarcadero |
10/9/2005
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Huge portions! Good service. Chava's is brightly lit and spacious, with a big menu of Mexican dishes, including pozole and menudo (weekends only), ceviche and milanesa and chilaquiles, all reasons for me to give it another try. We had the whole fried fish which was overcooked and dry and the carnitas (deep fried pork) which was okay. The rice was boring...I never expect it to be great at Mexican restaurants and it never is. The giant tortillas are handmade. I wasn't impressed by the food this trip, I but may give it another shot...maybe for breakfast.
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Chava's Mexican Restaurant
Cuisine: Mexican
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Mission |
10/8/2005
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Yamo has changed hands again. It's now known only as Yamo and is neither Thai nor vegetarian (although you can get many of the dishes without meat). This is a tiny space with only nine counter seats (you can watch everything-no secrets) and it was a little too warm for the sweater I was wearing, but the service was great and the food was tasty. The food is now Burmese and I thought it was good. I had the mango salad (thinly sliced fresh mango over shredded cabbage, onion and celery...spicy, sweet, sour, cool...delicious), the fried rice (with little shrimp and onions...mild flavors, but well done. I'd ask for more spice next time), and pot stickers (which came from the freezer I was sitting next to, so I didn't expect great things, but the dipping sauce is good and you get six in an order). Appetizers are $3.50, everything else is $5.25. The hightlight for me was the service. If it stays this friendly, I'll keep going back.
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Yamo
Cuisine: Burmese
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Mission |
10/7/2005
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Nothing fancy, just a basic burger at a reasonable price. I like the turkey burger combo (with fries and a coke). You pick your own toppings from the condiment/salad bar (which has jalapenos along with the classic hamburger toppings). Service is not great. It's okay, but I often feel like I'm interrupting something...a phone call, a conversation...counter service only. The television is always on and the tables are clean.
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Sliders Diner
Cuisine: Hamburgers Diner
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Castro |
10/7/2005
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**Sadly, I think City Blend has stopped serving Yucatecan food**. I''ve seen the sign in front of this coffee shop that says Yucatecan Food. I've been skeptical. It was my mistake. If you love panuchos like I love panuchos, do yourself a favor and Eat Here! They have a solid selection of traditional dishes like cochinita pibil and brazo de reina and tamales wrapped in banana leaf (excellent). They also serve enormous burritos stuffed with cochinita, relleno negro, or escabeche. It's not the best burrito in the Mission, but it's not bad and where else can you get a "yucatecan burrito"? Worth it for the novelty alone. City Blend is still a coffee shop (they roast there own and the pastries look delicious), so it has that informal relaxed feel. There was a live (loud) homage to Vicente Fernandez on Sunday afternoon with customers in the audience often singing along. I think it's a weekly thing. If I have to choose between Mi Lindo Yucatan and City Blend, I'm going to City Blend.
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City Blend Cafe
Cuisine: Mexican Yucatecan Coffee Shops/Diners
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Mission |
9/28/2005
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I took my friend here for his birthday, and it was a great choice. Intimate, warm space, it feels like a special event the minute you walk in the door. The service was attentive without being formal and we gave our waiter high marks for not only recommending a wine, but bringing us a taste. The food was outstanding. You have limited options with the three course special (soup or salad, choice of three entrees, and any dessert on the menu), but everything we tried looked and tasted delicious. The penne pasta with smoked chicken was excellent. The skirt steak was cooked perfectly and came with some of the best mashed potatoes I've eaten (lots of black pepper). For dessert we had the Sumi sundae and the mixed berry crisp. I want to eat at Sumi for MY birthday, but I don't think I can wait until December to go back.
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SUMI
Cuisine: Fusion
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Castro |
9/25/2005
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I am not a cheesesteak aficionado. That being said, I could be way off-base here, but I thought the sandwich was just okay. It's huge and bit expensive (a large cheesesteak, order of fries and a coke for $12). The fries are homemade (I think), but they were undercooked and oily, the ketchup had a weird taste and both people working there seemed a little angry.
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Super Subs Sandwich Shop
Cuisine: Cheese Steaks Deli
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Hayes Valley |
9/20/2005
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Excellent experience at Fattoush. We had the M'sakhan (chicken/onion/spice mixture wrapped in lavash and served with a saffron yogurt sauce) and the chicken Sambusak (with spinach wrapped in filo and served over tahini herb sauce). Both were excellent. Nicely presented, flavorful. The babaghanouge was also very good.
We were there at 6:30pm on a Friday night and the place was pretty much empty. I've been told Fattoush is usually busy, so not sure what's going on. They deserve to be busy. It's NOT inexpensive (one appetizer, two entrees, and two glasses of wine=$53+tip), but it's not overpriced. I'm looking forward to going back for brunch.
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Fattoush Restaurant
Cuisine: Middle Eastern Mediterranean
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Noe Valley |
9/17/2005
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Good selection of beers, Irish or otherwise, in a friendly neighborhood place. Friendly staff. Sports and news on the TV's, 80's music on the jukebox (that alone is worth a positive review). Ask and they'll bring you some dense, tender Irish soda bread with your beer. Fish and chips are very good. The fish is coated in light crispy batter and served over a big pile of hand cut, skin-on fries sprinkled with dried parsley for a bit o' color. The slaw is creamy (a little too creamy for my taste) and served over a bed of nice greens. It's not a lot of fish for $9.95, but it's all good and it was more than enough to fill me up. If you have a big appetite, they have all you can eat fish & chips on Monday nights! Pub Trivia is on Wednesday nights and, of course, there's a pool table and dart boards. I'll definitely be back to try some of the other offerings. And they currently have a live jazz brunch on Sundays at noon.
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The Napper Tandy
Cuisine: Pub Food
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Mission |
9/13/2005
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It's too bad they don't have the candy kitchen any more, but this is still a great place to eat. The ice cream is Mitchell's and if you order a large shake, they bring you the extra that won't fit in the glass. It wouldn't say this place is cheap ($5 for a chocolate shake!), but I've never been disappointed by the food. I wish they were open later than 9pm, though.
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St. Francis Fountain
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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Mission |
9/13/2005
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This is a cute little diner in the Mission that serves a great mix of standard diner fare and mexican/salvadoran dishes and latin influenced dishes, like the omelet with cheese and loroco (a flower used in Salvadoran cooking). Unfortunately, it's a dish that doesn't live up to it's potential and the same can be said of the Red Cafe. The omelet had plenty of spinach and loroco, but was topped with a single slice of cheese (cheddar?) on top that melted a bit, then cooled and looked like plastic. Not so appetizing. They should grate the cheese so I don't know how little I'm getting or put it inside the omelet. The hash browns are shredded potato...unseasoned and under-cooked. And the breakfast came with choice of bread. So, the food isn't bad, but it's not worth the $6 - $7.50 for an omelet or $5.50 for basic buttermilk pancakes.
They're open 7 days a week from 7am to 3pm. They don't do dinner.
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Red Cafe
Cuisine: Mexican Coffee Shops/Diners
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Mission |
9/12/2005
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This is one of those places that has over 200 items on the menu and you don't have to count because they're all numbered. You don't go to these places expecting the food to be exquisite, or at least I don't but I do expect the food to be good and it was. I had the tender greens sauteed in garlic. Lots of garlic, tender crisp baby bok choy that still had nice color, served hot...it was good. The house combination fried rice was also good. Not too salty, lots of meat. And it's inexpensive.
They also have a Quickly tapioca milk tea franchise at the front of the restaurant, so I stop by here often just for the pearl tea. The tapioca is optional, so you have to ask for it.
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Dak Win Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
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Mission |
9/10/2005
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Really good burritos al pastor. Greasy...grease running down your hands greasy, but that's not until you get to the end and pull of that last bit of tin foil. The burritos are huge and they could probably do with a bit less rice and beans, but they have lots of options...meat, what kind of tortilla, hot sauce or mild, three kinds of beans, and of course the salsa bar and yes, the salsa verde is delicious. I would buy that stuff by the jar! Also, the service here is pretty fast. There's often a line, but it moves quickly. I like this location better than the one on 18th St.
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El Castillito
Cuisine: Mexican
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Upper Market/Church Street |
9/8/2005
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How many times have I walked right by this place?! This is my new favorite spot for pupusas! with cheese and loroco. And save room for the plantain empanda...mashed up sweet plantain wrapped around some kind of sweet creamy filling flavored with cinnamon and deep fried...ohhhh yes.
The place is clean, the service is friendly and efficient, and the food is good. Even the refried bean were flavorful! The horchata, however, needs some work. Mine was watery and weird tasting. I'm still giving them a thumbs up though and hoping it was just a bad night for horchata.
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La Santaneca De LA Mission
Cuisine: Central American Salvadoran Mexican
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Mission |
9/7/2005
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It's good, for the price. It's self-serve, which was a little confusing the first time. You order at the counter and they bring the food to your table, but anything else you need, you get it yourself. Plates, glasses, silverware, drinks, water, FREE chai, etc. Condiments are in the fridge with the drinks. The food is spicy and the naan is hot. And the decor is weird, in a good way.
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Naan 'n Curry
Cuisine: Pakistani Indian
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North Beach |
9/7/2005
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A feast for the eyes! A visual smorgasbord! Crap plastered all over the walls and ceilings. Dangly mini-lights and babies in hammocks, collections of baseball caps and coffee mugs and soccer pennants and plates and..., no less than 4 televisions, sombreros, stuffed fighting roosters, and autographed photos of Alex Garcia, Pele, and Bill Clinton! And the burritos are very good, too! The regular burrito includes cheese AND SOUR CREAM! This was my first time at El Herradero, so I was no doubt over-stimulated by all the memorabilia (an alter in the corner under the TV AND a miniature Dutch girl dolly...who wouldn't be?), but I'm thinking I love this place. They have there own parking lot! Right next to the building! I don't know why this place isn't packed. They do need to lift all the glass tabletops and clean the plastic table cloths underneath, but apart from that, I've got no complaints.
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El Herradero Restaurant
Cuisine: Mexican
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Mission |
9/7/2005
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Not the best burrito in SF and they now charge 50 cents for chips, which is just wrong. It should be a given, a fact of life: You're born, you die, and the chips are free. It's true they don't skimp on meat, but the burritos are just okay.
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El Farolito
Cuisine: Mexican
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Mission |
9/6/2005
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I love places like this...sort of stuck in time, but not in a contrived way. The Palace is past it's prime and a little worse for the wear, the carpets need cleaned and the tables might, too, but the service is good if you don't mind ordering at the counter and being called honey or sweetie. Menu is all on one big board, so it's easy to make up your mind. The salads are iceberg lettuce but the dressings are homemade. The steaks are good. It made me kind of sad though...no, not sad, melancholy. This is the kind of place I could go and eat, then sit and write in a journal or read for an hour or two.
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Palace Steak House
Cuisine: Steakhouse
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Mission |
9/2/2005
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Boudin's at the Wharf now includes the full service Bistro Boudin on the second floor and the Bakers Hall on the first floor, for fast service sandwiches, salads and soups. I haven't tried the Bistro, but I work in the area and Boudin's Bakers Hall is now one of my favorite lunch spots. It's the Wharf, so it's always busy at lunch, but the line moves fast and the sandwiches are great! I wish they would charge the same here as at their other locations, but compared to what's available for the same price on the Wharf...I'll pay the markup before I eat another awful crab sandwich. I recommend the Tuscan Chicken with black olive spread. If the tables are all full, get it to go and you can eat lunch and watch the sea lions at Pier 39, a short walk away. You can also take the bakery tour, shop in the gourmet marketplace (nice stuff, pricey), grab a loaf of sourdough to take home, and have a cup of Peet's Coffee.
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Boudin Sourdough Bakery
Cuisine: Bakeries American Bistro
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Fishermans Wharf |
9/2/2005
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I've been here a few times and I still don't see what the fuss is about. The casual atmosphere is fun, but the food was kind of boring. It could be so much better.
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Chow
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Upper Market/Church Street |
9/2/2005
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I was never a big fan of steak until I had it here. Amazing. Delicious. Cooked perfectly and sizzling in butter...
Don't expect "presentation". The food isn't tall or decorated, it's just good, really good, and portions are generous enough to share. It's expensive, but I've never had a dish here I didn't enjoy, and the service is top-notch.
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Ruth's Chris Steak House
Cuisine: Steakhouses
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Polk St./Van Ness |
8/20/2005
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Really good! They start you off with a flat bread and hummus that was very tasty. The falafel were delicious, the spiced duck breast with grilled peach was excellent. It's served with a pomegranate molasses that was very tart, but a good match for duck. My friend had the grilled lamb chops which were also delicious, but when they arrived at the table, only one of them was warm...our only disappointment.
Save room for dessert, I enjoyed the sesame napoleon. Mascarpone, not overly sweet, with an amazing cardamom syrup. Perfect with a cup of coffee. Our waiter recited the specials and the desserts as a sort of theatrical monologue. So even if you don't plan on ordering dessert, ask to hear what's on the menu so you don't miss the one-man show (and hope that you get the same waiter we did).
It's really loud, so don't plan on intimate conversation with your dinner companion. Service was excellent.
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paul k
Cuisine: Mediterranean
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Hayes Valley |
8/20/2005
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What's with places getting dinged for not being "authentic". "Asian" covers a lot of geography and cuisine and Betelnut looks to all of them for inspiration. Why complain about creative chefs or concepts? There's a word for it...starts with an 'F'. You haven't been duped. Get over it.
Now that I've vented...had lunch here today. The firecracker shrimp and the chili crusted calimari was both very good, if you like the heat. The "skillet" steamed buns were okay, but tough on the bottom. The satay-o-chicken was boring and so was the dipping sauce and not even the cutesy name could save it. The samosas-excellent! Light crispy, flavorful. The green papaya salad was good and a nice cooling contrast to the spicier dishes. Ahi Salad-we orderd two and two went uneaten. Bad texture, bad taste, just bad. Service was fine, except the waiter never checked back to see if all was okay.
Tiny pot of jasmine tea - $5.
Not bad overall, but it's a lot of money to spend on "Not Bad"
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Betelnut Pejiu Wu
Cuisine: Pan-Asian
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Cow Hollow |
8/18/2005
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Love the Sunflower! The pot stickers are fantastic little balls of sticky rice stuffed with pork and deep-fried to a crispy golden-brown. Really good. I like the pork vermicelli with imperial rolls. I order it frequently. I've tried the Pho, as well. It's good. I've had better.
There's only one kitchen, but they have two dining rooms. The one on 16th at Valencia is a little more cafeteria-like and garish. I prefer to walk around the corner to the dining room on Valencia at 16th where the lighting is more flattering. Have a glass of wine, relax, and for heaven's sake, order the pot stickers! I don't know why this place isn't a bigger hit.
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Sunflower Authentic Vietnamese
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Mission |
8/14/2005
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I've been going back and forth between neutral and positive. The schnitzel was fine and I'll admit I'm no schnitzel schnob, but I was expecting something more, something fabulous. It was fine. The pork chop was a bit dry and overcooked, although it had a nice flavor. The seasonal vegetables were fine, but were just past perfectly cooked. For dessert, a chocolate cake (flourless, I think?) with chunks of apple in it...it was dense, but not rich...it was odd. Not a normal menu item.
I want so badly to LOVE Walzwerk. It's got a lot going for it. It's a fun place to eat. It's unpretentious, kitschy, cool. Great metal chairs, little crocheted doilies on the tables and a mix of funky salt and pepper shakers. Think homey industrial. Good selection of beers. I'd try it again.
It's small, so go early or make a reservation.
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Walzwerk
Cuisine: German
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Mission |
8/14/2005
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Walls painted dayglo colors and paintings of maya indian that I think might fluoresce under black light, but I don't go here for the decor, I go for the Panuchos. Hand made corn tortilla stuffed with refried black bean and deep fried, then topped with lettuce and turkey, tomato, avocado, a bit of cabbage and a bit of pickled onion. MMmmm...panuchos...and Mi Lindo Yucatan does them nicely. My only complaint was that the pickled onion had a weird fermented taste. Panuchos aren't boldly flavored or highly spiced, so dip into the habanero salsa the waitress warns you about and drizzle some on top. The habaneros don't just add heat, they add a wonderful distinct flavor. Be brave.
I also tried the Pavo de Relleno Negro which is turkey in a black sauce with chorizo and hard-boiled egg. Relleno negro refers to the mixture of spices, seasonings and chile that flavor the dish. It's pitch black and tasty!
It was served with rice that was disappointing and went uneaten.
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Mi Lindo Yucatan
Cuisine: Mexican
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Noe Valley |
8/14/2005
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The best tacos in the Mission!
Walk up to the sidewalk stand and don't be shy or you will never get to order!
You can take your tacos inside, but I prefer to eat mine on the sidewalk...reminds me of being in Mexico.
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Taqueria Vallarta
Cuisine: Mexican Taqueria
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Mission |
8/14/2005
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