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EXPLORE Western SoMa in SF
The good, the bad and the ugly...sometimes you just have to put convenience above anything else. Here are some places within a stone's throw of my home in SoMa...and a few deserve stones...
213 Places
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Ed’s 3-star review: They keep the hot side hot and the cold side cold...though I am sadly not talking about the dearly departed McDLT from McDonald's. God, I miss that burger. No, I'm talking about how they pack up the pho (noodle soup) when you order it to go. They have the broth and the hot ingredients in a Styrofoam liquid container, the cold noodles are in a little burger-type container and the bean sprouts and hot peppers are in a little baggie. It's quite an operation, but it works. You put it all in a bowl at home, and it can be pretty tasty especially if your fridge only contains a piece of moldy cheese and a half-empty Diet Coke bottle. I usually have the $5.50 Curry Chicken Noodle Soup which has a couple of chicken pieces (still with the bones) bathing in a curry-infused broth. But they offer the usual suspects when it comes to Chinese and Vietnamese dishes - lots of rice plates, chow mien, even BBQ sandwiches. I have to admit none of the food I've had is all that outstanding, but it ain't disreputable either. It's perfectly decent for a quick meal, and since it is technically my neighborhood Asian restaurant, I come in here often to make orders to go. I can't remember the last time I actually sat down and ate there though. FOOD - 3 stars...decent, just decent AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...a lunchroom...though they gussy it up during the holidays SERVICE - 4 stars...really nice and attentive TOTAL - 3.5 stars...if you're in the neighborhood -
Ed’s 4-star review: My Friday evening visit to 54 Mint was quite unexpected. Jamie W. was out of town, and I was fully intending to defrost a Steamfresh dinner bag at home. But something made me walk through Mint Plaza, perhaps a need to validate myself with a fine meal. I'm worth it, dammit. I entered on a whim finding bustling activity all around me in a white-on-white setting with a long counter. Fortunate for me, there was a solitary stool at the end that had my name written on it. It took a while to situate myself since it was one of those semi-backless stools, and there were no hooks for coats underneath the counter. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to order off the chalkboard menu since most of it was in Italian, but luckily, one of the casually attired servers handed me a menu. So many tasty-sounding items, so little patience. I needed a drink, so I order a $12 flute of Prosecco because I like Italian champagne (see photo). To me, it has more body than its French counterparts but enough fizz to satisfy my parched throat. For some reason, a kale salad really appealed to me, so I went with the $12 Cavolo, a salad with kale, fresh Parmesan cheese and a lemon vinaigrette (see photo). It was a bit on the salty side thanks to the cheese, but the kale was warmed to wilted the fibrous leaves. Nice body to the greens, very tasty first course. For my entree, I did order off the chalkboard and had the $20 Maialino in Porchetta, which I think translates into "piglet". What it tasted like was a thin slice of pork, a bit heavy on the fat but with a crunchy outer skin. Savory and juicy with a simple potato puree on the side (see photo). I thought I was done, but kept seeing all these desserts pass by me with alarming frequency...the freshly made tiramisu, the poached pear. the flourless chocolate cake. I settled on one of their simplest desserts, a $12 slice of Lemon Tart that was modest in presentation but packed with puckery goodness with just a small dollop of whipped cream and two little raspberries (see photo). It was the perfect ending to the meal. Despite the traffic congestion in the place, I was pretty satisfied. FOOD - 4 stars...solid peasant fare but with an upscale twist and no major sacrifice in flavor AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...busy and crowded, especially around the counter, but not intolerable SERVICE - 3.5 stars...pretty attentive all things considered TOTAL - 4 stars...definitely worth a return if I can save a few shekels...total price of the meal just for l'il ol' me was $72 including tip -
Ed’s 3-star review: Am I trendy enough for 111 Minna? ...I need to know...I NEED TO KNOW! I know you're shaking your heads...but I'll show you! I'm as cool as you, gosh darn it. But wait, you're making me Queen of the Prom? Why, thank you...I feel so loved and terribly popular now. I'm so glad I paid full retail for my gown. But gosh, isn't that a bucket of pig's blood above my head? (SPLASH!)...hmmm, tastes good...Grandma! Grandma! Get a spoon, it's suppertime. I was here for Wordpress's 5th Anniversary Party last week. It's not that I'm a cool blogger or anything. I just heard there were free drinks being poured if you just say "B2" to the bartender. Turned out to be true. It wasn't horribly crowded. In fact, no one was sitting on that weird couch in the front room..nope, just me and Jamie W. downing our respective third cups of gin-and-tonic. All of a sudden, the funky art started to look really good...very 3-D like it was performance art or something. It also turned out to be Sketch Tuesday as well. Hey, can anybody sit down and doodle? My turn! My turn! I guess if I'm looking for a miniature portrait of a buxom comic superhero, I know where to look. And don't you love how people look past you at a gathering like this...like you don't quite exist until you get in their way? Otherwise, it's a lofty place...oh I don't mean uppity, I mean like an Oriental Warehouse loft. It probably helps if you're skinny and wear your hair greased toward the side...that seemed to be the prevalent fashion statement here. Truth is, I've been here before when I was trendier...but I am trendless now. I'm searching for a bandwagon...do you have any recommendations? DRINKS - 4 stars...sure they were good...they were FREE! AMBIANCE - 4 stars...coolness extremus SERVICE - 3 stars...bartender had to serve masses of budget-conscious Gen Y'ers...how would you feel? TOTAL - 3 stars...sorry I have to leave it at 3 since my I didn't get my groove on...but maybe if I could sell a sketch or two? -
Ed’s 4-star review: What is it with these new restaurants with just the address number as their sole identity? I just went to 1760 on Polk and now here's 1601. Whatever happened to great restaurant names like House of Prime Rib or Swan's Oyster Depot? Maybe the owners could have gone with something more creative like Ceylon Palace of Eats or Sri Lanka Yo Mama? But the sterile name does appear to fit the zen-like, West Elm-meets-SoMa warehouse loft vibe the interior emits when you enter the portal (photo: http://bit.ly/19j2tXL). I had no idea they served Sri Lankan cuisine here, and frankly I had no idea what that meant. I know it's an island south of India, so I assumed there would be curry involved, but that would trivialize chef Brian Fernando's culinary creativity into an unnecessary stereotype. There is definitely a European influence, and the Spanish tapas-style presentation reflects that. Jamie W. and I came on a pure whim based on a blogger post he read. I was surprised he was willing to sacrifice his beloved Chipotle burrito bowl for one night, so I seized the moment and had us come here. It's on a strangely desolate corner in SoMa at 12th and Howard, and there was only one table occupied when we entered with just two people at the bar. Uh-oh, we thought, but we gave it a go and was immediately drawn by the 17 plates on the "Short Eats" menu (photo: http://bit.ly/16bCHK1). The term "Short Eats" is actually a term they use for appetizers to go. However, something tells me they are probably not as immaculately presented as Fernando displays here. Based on the waitresses recommendation, we jointly ordered six dishes, and they were quite diverse and flavorful albeit small in portion. First up was the $9 Raw Kale Salad with Toasted Coconut Meat, a slice of Parmesan and a Black Citrus-Garlic Vinaigrette (photo: http://bit.ly/16hP6Fu). It was refreshing with a nice bite and the saltiness of the Parmesan providing a nice contrast. Next was a true Sri Lankan specialty you won't find anywhere else in the city, the $9 Traditional Hopper made with a Soft-Cooked Jidori Egg (photo: http://bit.ly/16q4Kj7). It's an unusual bowl-shaped creation made of fermented batter of rice flour, coconut milk and a dash of palm toddy with a perfectly cooked egg in the center. it was a deceptively simple dish sharpened by the addition of Sambols, a red chili paste on the side (photo: http://bit.ly/17LU5SM). Third in line was the $8 Crispy Okra served with Dessicated Coconut in a Cashew Nut Curry, which was right up Jamie's Kentucky bluegrass roots and quite tasty to me, too (photo: http://bit.ly/1fbL7Ce). The two comparatively main dishes came in a one-two punch. The first was the inevitable $15 Crispy Skin Pork Belly with Yellow Corn Mallum and Tarragon (photo: http://bit.ly/15FhoOH). Inevitable because I hardly ever pass up a chance to eat pork belly, inevitable also because every restaurant in the city appears to feature some variation of it no matter what the cuisine. It was very good, just small, with the pork rind and corn kernels nice touches. The second plate was the $13 Lamb and Pork Meatballs with Sri Lankan Cinnamon, Cilantro-Almond Relish and Straus Yogurt (photo: http://bit.ly/156uiXB). A little more sweet than savory as I expected, but quite an exotic twist on a comfort food standby. The $8 desserts were an afterthought for us but nicely presented. The better of the two was the Banana Fritters with Coconut Nectar, Yogurt and Treacle (photo: http://bit.ly/1aNweDg). That's because the fritters were crunchy bite-size treats easy to devour. By the way, I never knew 'treacle' was an actual syrup since I've read the word more frequently used when the author finds something so sentimental that it's annoying. The Ceylon Tea Semifreddo with Almond Streusel, a house specialty, was too sweetly soupy for my taste (photo: http://bit.ly/18dsnNI). Throughout the meal, I sipped on a refreshing $4 Fever Tree 'Bitter Lemon' Soda (photo: http://bit.ly/1aNwZwd). All in all, the dishes were primarily just north of bite-size but on the upside, we tried a bigger variety of food than we would have expected. Most were solid and a few made me want to Sri Lanka yo mama. FOOD - 4 stars...creative takes on an unfamiliar cuisine, small portions AMBIANCE - 4 stars...serene if a tad desolate due to the location SERVICE - 3.5 stars...attentive enough, not that warm except for the smiling host in front TOTAL - 4 stars...definitely worth a visit for a food style unavailable anywhere else in the city -
Ed’s 3-star review: The dearth of good ramen houses in the FiDi is a sad situation. Not Afghanistan-level sad, but probably Jersey Shore-level sad. My dreams of a fantastic noodle shop stateside were actually fulfilled...but in New York with the Pork Belly Ramen at David Chang's Momofuku. But San Francisco?...where are you? You can imagine how my hopes were instantaneously dashed when Jamie W. made me aware of a new operation in the ghetto side of the Westfield Shopping Centre. It's a chain. Oh yes, there was the unmistakable air of assembly line production about the place the moment you see it. And of course, it was abuzz with customers downing ramen and other predictable dishes, mostly clutches of young, squawky Asians looking for something quick and an excuse to sit down and text. Nothing looked terribly exciting to me, so I went with the $7.50 bowl of Chicken Ramen (see photo). The noodles were decently al dente, but the uniformly separated chicken pieces tasted packaged in the worst way. Jamie had marginally better luck with the same-priced Beef Miso Ramen probably because the meat at least tasted like it was marinated in soy to give it flavor (see photo). I probably should have gone with the pork but the photos make it look like they process the pork into a roll and slice it like Pillsbury cookie dough. I may end up going there again for the convenience, but it would be nice to see a little more effort in the execution. Focus of this operation appears to be on turning over the tables with speed and efficiency. That they do very well. FOOD - 2.5 stars...generic ramen, could be worse AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...definitely not the orchestra section of the Westfield SERVICE - 3.5 stars...service was speedy and efficient TOTAL - 3 stars...squeezing it over to three because there is a lot on the menu to try if you want to -
Ed’s 4-star review: Make no mistake. AK Subs is a manly man's place with man-sized sandwiches. No femmie quiches here. Forget Miss Manners. Only grunts will do. I didn't wear my tool belt and hard-hat when I came in earlier this week, but they decided to serve me anyway because I could demonstrate a pit pump. Located on one of the city's most pedestrian-unfriendly corners, it's a bigger place than you'd think. Several tables actually, and they even have a little parking lot but only if you come up on Harrison. 8th and Harrison is where everybody is gunning to get on the bridge or anxious to get off. You put your dispensable life in your own hands when you try crossing around here. But who cares? Lots of subs and grilled sammies, nothing more than $5.50. It's a deal. I go for the $4.15 T.B.'s B.L.T. (pictured), and it's a damn hearty sandwich for the money. I like the equally cheap Poor Sub, which has slices of mortadella, bologna, salami and American cheese on a sourdough roll with lettuce and tomatoes. Geez, I have to come back for Omar's 3-Egg Omelette for just $2.53. So don't let me forget my wife-beater shirt, dude...and oh, I need to belch next time. SAMMIES - 4 stars...good and such a deal for the price AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...better than you'd think at this corner SERVICE - 3 stars...they do it without fuss TOTAL - 4 stars...great deals for breakfast and lunch for the working guys...and gals, I guess -
Ed’s 4-star review: Amber is not the kind of place where you would find Bollywood movie posters plastered all over the walls nor kaleidoscopic windows in rainbow colors nor waitresses in saris and red bindis on their foreheads. Oh no, this is the kind of place that caters directly to the clientele who stays at the Four Seasons across Yerba Buena Lane. The Indian decor appears more like a throwback to the days of British colonialism with everything quite whitewashed and tastefully appointed. So given the circumstances, imagine my and Jamie W.'s surprise when we discovered the food to be quite good and flavorful. But it ain't cheap. We started with the $11.95 Duck Tinka Kebab, three skewers of succulent duck breast, pan-fried and marinated in yogurt and red chilies (see photo). It came with a creamy, saffron-infused dipping sauce with dill and capers, but honestly, the duck was so good it didn't need the sauce. Next came the $22.95 Awadhi Lamb Biryani, which actually looked like a big chicken pot pie when it came out and turned into quite a production. Crack the biscuit-like shell on top, and there is a hefty amount of basmati rice with a generous amount of lamb chunks flavored with saffron and rose water (see photo). Delicious and hearty enough to share easily as an entree. However, we knew we couldn't pass up the house specialty, the $19.95 Butter Chicken, which was quite a pot of rich, tomato-based sauce filled with shards of tender Tandoori chicken breast (see photo). The texture was velvety smooth but with a nice kick of spices and quite an ideal complement to the lamb biryani. As if that wasn't enough, we also ordered a simple basket of the comparatively inexpensive $3.25 Tandoori Naan, no-frills but perfectly baked. We were both sated and tapped out because it turned into quite a bit of do-re-mi when the bill came. This is definitely the socioeconomic opposite of a place like Chutney in the Tenderloin. FOOD - 4 stars...elegant Indian food, plentiful portions but plenty of ka-ching for the Four Seasons crowd AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...colonial India, bit sterile...seems to attract amorous couples with its mood lighting SERVICE - 3.5 stars...polite and unobtrusive, a bit stiff TOTAL - 4 stars...a bit of pip-pip in their Indian cuisine -
Ed’s 5-star review: The Metreon continues to be a weird place in search of a commercially viable identity. I think the movie theaters are its only economic saving grace. Certainly not the ill-conceived Farmers' Market, the most ridiculous use of the former Discovery Store space that could have been imagined. Certainly not the ghost town of a food court, most of which is closed and the tables of which enterprising families from the Mission use for their kids' birthday parties. The Sony Store, along with its Playstation Store, high-tailed it several months ago, which leads us to this entry..."Environmental Journey: Robert Cameron's Aerial Photography of our Pacific Rim". I'm sure you've seen all those "Above (insert locale)" coffee-table books that your mama bought so you don't leave rings on her walnut, claw-foot table. Well, there was a photographer behind them who just passed away three weeks ago at the age of 98. His name was Robert Cameron, and several of his best works are on display in the former Sony Store, which let's face it, was designed to look like an art gallery space. Where once there were expensive flat-screen TVs, camcorders, and home theaters are now white walls covered in fifty-five gigantic photograph reproductions that range in size up to six by ten feet. For the most part, they are stunning and some almost surreal in their geometric design. The focus of the images is on the Pacific Rim, including several unusually striking San Francisco shots like the one looking up Ocean Beach and the one where the silty water is encroaching upon the southern reaches of the bay. You can also see grand overhead pictures of Maui's Seven Sacred Pools and the Getty Center down in LA. The organizers ask for a $5 donation, and the exhibition is supposed to last until the end of March. I say check it out on the way to the movies and see these images the way they should be seen. Otherwise, your mama will yell at you. -
Ed’s 3-star review: I have to admit that I thought the concept behind this restaurant - lip-syncing gender illusionists strutting on top of a bar serving as their runway - was on the cheesy side, clearly designed to attract tourists too afraid to go into a Castro bar. But it's all done in such a harmless manner that it's hard to resist. It is not the most ideal of places, and if you are a party of three like we were on a particularly crowded night, you are squeezed onto the bar regardless of whether or not you have a reservation. I have been here twice before, both times with work colleagues, and remember thinking each time that it was rather pricey given the bar atmosphere and also a hefty cover charge for the entertainment. Since my last visit over two years ago, the restaurant has responded by providing a fixed price menu, $30 per person for an appetizer, main dish and dessert or after dinner drink. When you multiple the dishes by three, you have quite a feast, and the food is surprisingly good given the restaurant's priorities. For the appetizers, we ordered a particularly succulent chicken satay, a concoction called an "Asia-dilla", a transplanted quesadilla filled with smoked duck breast, jack cheese and scallions; and the best of the trio, hearty crabcakes with a green papaya salad. For the entrees (though everything is served on small plates making them indistinguishable from the appetizers), we shared tender filet mignon slices served with finger potatoes cut into star shapes (for no apparent reason); lamb medallions with a not-too-overpowering orange sauce; and a quartered ahi tuna burger. They also do a fine job on their standard selection of desserts: a flourless chocolate cake and their showpiece, the banana beignet split for two. Believe me, you will be more than stuffed as you watch the "girls" perform at 15-minute intervals, three in a row in an appropriately tongue-in-cheek manner in some revealing get-ups. In some though not all cases, the show becomes a is-he-or-isn't-he episode of "The Crying Game". It does get noisy, as the bar is the centerpiece and the surrounding tables are generally filled with groups of rowdy, camera-toting tourists. But give it a try as you may be pleasantly surprised by the experience...at least the culinary experience. FOOD - 3.5 stars AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars SERVICE - 3 stars ENTERTAINMENT - 3.5 stars OVERALL - 3 stars -
Ed’s 5-star review: It's never a happy occasion to find yourself in an auto repair shop waiting to hear the verdict on your beloved hoopty. Mine is a 1993 Acura Integra that was sitting idle in my garage for over a week since I was on vacation. It's certainly old enough to have had a bar mitvah and lose its virginity to an aggressive Saab named Miriam. Too bad we didn't throw the party before it was in critical condition since I could have used the Shabbat candlesticks to say a prayer. Circumstances were bleak. I was pumping gas at the Chevron at 6th and Harrison close to 11PM when I found the car wouldn't start. What's worse, I didn't have my cell phone or a pair of socks on. So I had to scamper back to my place, call Larry's Towing Service, and receive the instant diagnosis that it had nothing to do with a dead battery. My dreams of a simple jump were dashed, and the driver took me to ATS just as they were closing for the night (actually several hours after their real closing time). Andy took my car in, and he and his wife Shelly were kind enough to drive me home. After testing everything in the car the next day, he concluded the internal computer needed to be replaced, no small feat considering the car's advanced years. But after several days of relentless searching, he found one and gave my old Acura a second life. Sure, it was expensive due to the nature of the problem, but he gave me a significant discount on his labor and was thoughtful in keeping me abreast on the state of the repair. Kudos to Andy and Shelley for running a tight business and giving medical attention to an Acura with one too many face lifts. -
Ed’s 4-star review: So was 'A' taken?...I mean what's with the alphabet branding? ...and what about overachievers who feel peckish? Would they feel comfortable dining in a place called 'B'? ...and what about your friends who show up pissed two hours late because they thought you meant B44 in Belden Place? ...and what about your attention-deficit spouse fuming because he (and let's face it...it's a 'he') thought you meant A16 in the Marina? A16...B44...B...hell, what's the difference? But enough about the name...the isolated location makes it feel a bit, well, sad. I don't think I'm the only one who forgets the place is up in the setback on the elevated part of the Yerba Buena Gardens that nobody walks by unless they're completely drunk on the way from Moscone Center to the Metreon. It's a nice enough place, prairie-style and open-air...but somehow lacking, oh I don't know....charisma? How else do you explain last Saturday when throngs of people are lined around the block for Fan Fest at Moscone West and just across 4th Street, nary a body at this place? It's a shame because the food is pretty darn good. Brunch is the deal. I had the $13 Poached Eggs over Catfish Fillets and Purple Potato Mash. Delish...even though the fish was retaining a bit of water. Jamie W. was having the $8.25 Chicken Salad Sandwich, a winner as this is apparently one of their specialties. It consisted of chicken mixed with olive oil, citrus, basil, thyme, rosemary, red onion and a "touch of mayo". Definitely not what you'd get at Lee's Deli. They have a nice terrace that wraps around a Moscone Center skylight, but be careful as it gets blinding on a sunny day since they seem averse to putting up the patio umbrella. It may be better to try the indoor tables where you may notice that most of the chair arms have broken off...hmmm, IKEA anyone? FOOD - 3.5 stars...good food, especially that chicken salad...brunch is a good deal AMBIANCE - 4 stars...nice and airy though Siberia may be close by SERVICE - 3 stars...gee, do they have a lot of turnover?...the waiter was nice but oh so new TOTAL - 4 stars...I feel generous here, more 3.5...but I say give them a try despite the bad generic name and the remote Himalayan location -
Ed’s 4-star review: I keep missing chef Brandon Jew's culinary trail because I tried Adesso in Oakland after he left and now Bar Agricole after he left. Was it something I said, Brandon? Actually Jamie W. and I didn't come here to eat since we just finished dinner at the new Sri Lankan SoMa eatery, 1601 Bar & Kitchen (review: http://bit.ly/HRbxgN). Besides, Michael Bauer said this place had lost its foodie mojo ever since Jew left earlier this year and the freshly promoted sous chef had not found his footing yet. Now it could be a bunch of Bauer ballsac for all I know, but we did know that the consistent hallmark in Bar Agricole lies in its vaunted cocktail menu. With this, Jamie and I both heartily agree. The place is quite a scene no matter what hour you show up in the evening, even though we were reassured by the hostess that the bulk of the bar crowd would be seated soon. Never happened. The bar was two deep most of the time we were there, and we could only manage a bit of space at the very end of the bar near the stairwell to the kitchen (photo: http://bit.ly/1hBRHWv). All the seats were taken, and no one looked ready to leave. No matter since the bartender treated us with respect. The attentiveness was what impressed me about the service here. Considering the douche factor could be astronomical at a place this popular, I think they show exemplary grace under pressure (photo: http://bit.ly/1aQfDSj). All cocktails are a flat $11, so that ironically made the choice harder. Jamie went for the smooth-as-silk 'Ti Punch, a tropical concoction with rhum agricole, cane syrup and lime peel (photo: http://bit.ly/19Znivu). Mine was the puckery-good Planter's Punch which consisted of white agricole, lime, grenadine, grapefruit and bitters (photo: http://bit.ly/19fMfOU). Both drinks were just the refreshing after-dinner libation that we wanted. We scanned the noisy interior to see what people were eating (photo: http://bit.ly/1fxXVCj). We saw the $80 Whole Roast Duck pass by, and it looked luscious. But $80...sheesh. The rest of the menu looks pretty appetizing, so I'm sure I'll give it a go once I find my own footing which at my age could be quite a while. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...lovely libations most fitting for after dinner AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...a bit of a scene and quite noisy SERVICE - 4 stars...no complaints about the bartender, they're aces TOTAL - 4 stars...come here for the food (as if I knew), stay for the drinks -
Ed’s 3-star review: I'm such a fan of its older sister operation a few blocks east on Folsom, Basil Thai (http://www.yelp.com/biz/basil-thai-restaurant-and-bar-san-francisco?q=Ed+U), that I didn't make a point of coming here when the location changed its identity from the Public House, which I would describe as a pre-NOPA NOPA-type of upscale eatery. The brick-wall warehouse loft vibe is still here, which makes the presence of Thai cuisine a bit of a head scratcher. So how does Canteen compare to its accomplished sister? Well... have you ever seen that "Brady Bunch" episode where Jan is so jealous of Marcia that she tries out for cheerleader despite showing the graceless moves of an elephant in heat. Marcia! Marcia! Marcia!... well, Basil Canteen is not that awkward, but it doesn't quite measure up either. The ingredients are similar, but the execution somehow lacks confidence, that level of polish that I was hoping I'd experience. Jamie W. and I enjoyed a free plate of roasted peanuts seasoned with green onions. We ended up sharing three dishes. First up was the $10 Crab Fried Rice, pretty good with the scallions but a bit stingy on the crabmeat (see photo). The second dish was also in the "pretty good" range. It was the $13 Praram Rong Song, which was grilled skirt steak in a pool of curried peanut sauce accompanied by an abundance of green - broccolini, asparagus, snap peas, green beans, cucumber slices (see photo). It was certainly flavorful enough but just a remarkably uncreative dish. But I have to reserve most of my marginal disappointment for the $10 Kana Moo Grob (see photo). The sight of "pork belly" on a menu always puts me in a happy place, but I didn't like how they crisped up pieces like pork rinds which made it quite difficult to enjoy the fork-tender meat on the inside. It came on a bed of sauteed broccoli. All the food was reasonable enough but being blown away was definitely not in the cards that evening. The place was remarkably empty since it was a dark Sunday night at Slim's, but the echoes of the staff in the kitchen were quite audible. FOOD - 3 stars...reasonably good Thai but overshadowed by its big sister down the street....Marcia! Marcia! Marcia! AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...like the cavernous loft though we did catch it on a quiet night SERVICE - 2.5 stars...a bit awkward, not sure why...well, he did take back his offer of a free refill on our Diet Cokes TOTAL - 3 stars...as Marcia said when she broke a date with Charlie for the football captain, "Something suddenly came up." -
Ed’s 3-star review: When I first moved to my neighborhood almost fourteen years ago, I remember how impressed I was with Basil Thai as a go-to Thai spot so close by. In fact, my first review nine years ago attests to that enthusiasm. Unfortunately my most recent visit reflected a gradual decline that I've been noticing with what was once very attentive and helpful service. The food has also lost a bit of its luster in the intervening years, and to top it all off, I am disheartened to find their health inspection score drop to 54, which ranks it as one of the lowest graded restaurants in the city while it rates an impressive average of four stars on Yelp. I wonder how many of those diners paid attention to the score. Jamie W. and I sure didn't when we came here last month. Even though we came late in the evening, I couldn't help but notice that the complimentary shrimp chips were nowhere to be found on our table. I always thought of those chips as mandatory for all guests but I guess not. It wasn't until I brought it up after we ordered that they handed us a small bamboo basket with just a few in it (photo: http://bit.ly/1QQqNIa). Since it was late, we ordered a dish each to share. Jamie went for the $12.50 Pad-Se-Ew because he loves the flat wide noodles that are pan-fried with pork, Chinese broccoli, peppers, tomato, and black bean sauce (photo: http://bit.ly/1PfkNHT). It didn't disappoint taste-wise as that's one of their signature dishes. I went for the $13.95 Grilled Eggplant stuffed with minced chicken and cabbage and then ladled in a basil green curry sauce (photo: http://bit.ly/1ipRg3p). It was my first time trying this dish, and i have to say it was rather lackluster with not enough heat to provide some kick for sport. Even though they were closing in a few minutes, we noticed how the staff has become less attentive over the years, and it took a while to get the bill. I think Basil Thai is capable of better than this particular dining experience, but I think they need a wake-up call on how some of their more long-standing customers are feeling about the place. Once I saw the '54' though, I can tell you I'm probably not returning until that score moves up dramatically. FOOD - 3 stars...feeling some slippage here but the big shocker is the '54' health inspection score AMBIANCE - 4 stars...still feels the same as it originally did...spacious and a bit dark SERVICE - 2.5 stars...here the slippage is more pronounced TOTAL - 3 stars...sad to downgrade a neighborhood favorite but sometimes you just have to throw a Thai iced tea in someone's face to make them wake up and smell the basil -
Ed’s 2-star review: Papa, can you see it? Leave it to the Japanese to come up with a unique way to mix their native ingenuity in packaging with some semblance of European old-world charm. In fact, the cream puff has a double-crusted shell --- the hard exterior is European, and the softer inside is Japanese. I imagine the combination makes it easier to package than the standard open-shell choux that real bakeries use. But honestly, it just looks like a molded fritter. Papa, can you taste it? The filling is custardy with a hint of vanilla unless of course, you get the chocolate or green tea variations. Personally I find the whole tasting experience rather generic. It's not disgusting, just wholly unmemorable. There is obviously some master plan to make this chain the next Krispy Kreme, but it seems inherently self-limiting to produce these cream-filled eclairs, disguise them as cream puffs and expect people not to get tired of them at some point. Papa, can you serve it? The service is efficient, and the lines are managed to the best of the staff's abilities. I have only tried the place once, but once was enough. I prefer my calories in a heartier form. In fact, I think I'd rather see "Yentl" than have another puff. Papa, watch me...pass this place by!!! (...then the orchestra swells... and the end credits roll) FOOD - 2 stars...yawn AMBIANCE - 2 stars...made little impression on me SERVICE - 3.5 stars...efficient OVERALL - 2 stars -
Ed’s 4-star review: Just back from an extended engagement at Bimbo's 365 Club, here is the dulcet duo of Chris Daly and Gavin Newsom...give them a hand, ladies and gentlemen... GAVIN: "You don't bring me flowers...You don't sing me love songs." CHRIS: "You hardly talk to me anymore...when you come to the Board meetings...after combing your hair." GAVIN: "I remember when...you couldn't wait to veto me...used to hate to agree with me...now after stabbing me in the back." CHRIS: "When its good for you, Gav...and you're feeling all right..." GAVIN: "Will you just roll over and shut your fat mouth...and you don't bring me flowers anymore." I don't think they have karaoke at the Flower Market Cafe, but maybe they should. That way, they can ward off the Academy of Art who still wants to take over the space for their sculpture studios. Now I'm all for the artist...but doesn't the Academy have enough property all over the city? Their signs are, like, everywhere. Can't they sculpt in the Tenderloin and leave the pretty flowers alone? Gee, I haven't even tried dinner here yet. I never think about 6th and Brannan as an intersection I want to hang out at in the evening, but ti sounds like they have quite the trattoria set up. Me? I came here for lunch with my friend Mary....and even though I've lived in SoMa for five years, I have to admit this is the first time I've tried this spot. It's quite popular, and today being such a nice day, the patio section was quite a nice treat. I don't think they have that exciting a lunch menu - sandwiches, burgers, salads and pizzas - but I managed to order a $10.95 Flower Market Salad in a momentary lapse of sound judgment when I actually considered healthful nutrition over my obsession with appetizing fats and carbs. I didn't have to worry because the ingredients were quite fresh-tasting - mixed greens, Mandarin oranges, avocado slices, dried cranberries, candied pecans and big clumps of goat cheese - all of it lightly tossed with a raspberry vinaigrette. Damn tasty for cow food. I should come back just in case the Academy of Art has its way with the property. That would be a shame because a flower market is just a good thing for a city to have. Besides, I hear Gavin and Chris (the cafe is in his district) are coming back for an encore engagement ...and they need more cowbell. FOOD - 4 stars...fresh salad does a body good, even mine....but need to come back for a little mambo Italiano AMBIANCE - 4 stars...actually pretty nice...not sure why I'm so surprised SERVICE - 3.5 stars....a bit slow on the uptake but serviceable TOTAL - 4 stars..."Well, you think I could learn how to tell you goodbye...'cause you don't say you need me...you don't sing me love songs...you don't bring me flowers anymore." -
Ed’s 5-star review: First things first, if you're working off an all-you-can-eat sensibility and think that "Man vs. Food" is the height of culinary aesthetics, you might as well go to the CPK up the block. However, if you feel like taking your palate out for an adventurous albeit thoughtfully choreographed spin, then chef Corey Lee's intimate restaurant will likely do the trick. If you can get your appetite around bites rather than servings, you will then see why I chose Benu to mark my 1,800th review milestone. Besides, it was Jamie W.'s birthday, and I wanted to go somewhere, well...special, a place that doesn't offer a Groupon yet. I had not been to this location since the increasingly disappointing Two closed, so I wasn't aware the entrance was shifted behind an elegantly zen terrace with Japanese dwarf maples. In fact, we weren't even sure the main glass doors led to Benu since there is no signage. The impeccably suited host opened the door and immediately took my coat. Just so you know, this is the kind of place where everyone speaks quietly and deferentially. Our reservation wasn't until 7:30PM, but we were politely seated a half-hour early. For a place with such buzz, we were surprised how sparsely populated the dining room was. The menu is minimal as I assume focus is more on execution than variety. They don't follow the Jack in the Box model, more the In-n-Out model where they focus on a few things right rather than a lot of things badly. I counted just ten dishes across the appetizers and entrees, and each sounded fascinating. But before we got to any of those, we received a small box with long, paper-thin rectangular wafers that turned out to be Buckwheat Lavash with Nori (Seaweed) (see photo). This was their stylish take on a bread basket. To take particular note of Jamie's big day, we ordered a couple of $23 flutes of the lightly fermented Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Brut Rose. An equally sparkling amuse bouche followed - Cherry Blossom Granita with Yogurt, Cucumber and Pistachio (see photo). All this was simply the overture to the main part of the meal. Jamie ordered the $12 Summer Squash Hot Pot with a Pine Nut Tofu and Tomato, which was a refreshing concoction for a mid-summer supper. Mine was the $16 Abalone Glenobloise with the sprigs of charred cauliflower barely peeking out from the three meaty pieces of flavorful abalone mollusks (see photo). For his entree, Jamie went for the heartiest-sounding dish on the menu, the $32 Beef Braised in Pear, Shiitake Mushroom, Lily Bulb, Lettuce and a Bone Marrow Vinaigrette (see photo). The meat was ridiculously tender with the meld of flavors adding a sweet-savory accent that I've never tasted before. I ordered the more exotic $38 Whole Japanese Sea Cucumber Stuffed with Shrimp, which came with Pork Belly, Cucumber, Eggplant, and Fermented Pepper (see photo). It was an innovative take on surf-and-turf that turned the sea cucumber into a delicate but tasty cannoli-like creation. To end our dining experience, Jamie had the $10 Almond Brioche with Apricot, Buttercream, and Osmanthus, the latter of which must have been represented by the colorful gelatinous caps (see photo). There was also a sheet of edible cellophane, color coordinated of course, placed on top as a decorative accent. My dessert was the more conventional-sounding $12 Chocolate Pudding with Cherry, Walnut and Candied Barley (see photo), which turned out to be a carnival of sweet, rich flavors dazzling presented with the cherry in both candied and ice cream forms and the barley almost like snowflakes. Naturally given how exalted the meal was, we were given four complimentary artisan chocolates (see photo) as the final movement in what was a culinary symphony. Before we wafted away from our palate-titillated experience, we were able to meet Corey who was beyond cordial to these intruders to his immaculate kitchen staffed with what looked to be at least eight sous-chefs. No less a luminary than Momofuku's David Chang just tweeted this was the best restaurant ever, but be forewarned that this is not a dining experience for everyone. Clearly, if you're looking for a belt-unbuckling, toothpick-flicking meal with a to-go bag of leftovers, this is not it. FOOD - 5 stars...creativity this startling needs to be commended...kudos to Corey AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars..unostentatious, sparse but womb-like SERVICE - 4.5 stars...deferential, attentive TOTAL - 5 stars...special occasion dining for the semi-adventurous palate not looking for a belly-busting meal -
Ed’s 4-star review: This could be the littlest Blue Bottle, the little Blue Bottle that could. Unless you count the original Linden Alley kiosk. But maybe they should call the smaller shops Little Blue Bottle or maybe Blue Vial since some customers probably need prescription medication for their addiction to their coffee. I like their Lattes, but I'm a relatively unfaithful customer since I am more in a four-way with Philz and Four Barrel also in the mix as well. I was happy to hear that Blue Bottle was opening in the Market on Market. Actually it's in the walkway plaza at Twitter headquarters that separates the market from the fully exposed Fitness SF club. Yes, just think of it, while you sip your Macchiato on the cold concrete, you can witness a zumba class at full throttle with a lot of women (and a few men) in color-coordinated Lululemon yoga outfits (photo: http://bit.ly/1Nae6ru). Or just close your eyes like I did as I sipped my $4 Latte prepared in the same immaculate way I am used to with the other shops (photo: http://bit.ly/1UtUEM6). Baked goods are available if that's your pleasure. I just wish the shop was open at least an hour past 7PM to accommodate non-Twitterheads like me who have to take into account the horrors of public transportation to get here. COFFEE - 4 stars...still Blue Bottle, still smooth stuff AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...expect a lot of Lululemon outfits in your purview SERVICE - 4 stars...kindly and willing to make a latte a little past 7PM TOTAL - 4 stars...welcome to Blue Vial -
Ed’s 5-star review: Don't you think the owners of Blue Bottle should hire Barbara Eden to be their spokesperson? Never mind that she's in her seventies now (and still looks great, mind you) and forget that her bottle wasn't blue...c'mon, she could wear her Jeannie outfit, blink her eyes and make that magical macchiato appear... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLgeZ8OPJ-g Any time there is a Blue Bottle or a Philz within my sight line, I don't let traffic lights, panhandlers or careening MUNI buses stop me from getting my caffeinated libation. Such joy, such rapture to find a new Blue Bottle close to my home. At the moment, it has no signage, so you would likely miss it unless you're looking for it...or happen upon it on a weekend when the line goes out the door. It's in the refurbished Provident Loan building across from the Old Mint. It's an actual cafe versus the kiosk over in Hayes Valley. That means they have a sparse menu of a few savory/salty dishes and a few sweet ones. It's still in an alley, sorta speak, but it's part of Mint Plaza, which signals either welcome urban renewal or an extended playground for the Sixth Street spillover of shopping cart-wheeling screamers. Time will tell...I wonder how many of those orange plastic chairs will be there a year from now. The inside of Blue Bottle is nice and pristine clean with a tall ceiling, a wrap-around counter and a community-style table in the center. I went full gonzo and went for the monumentally priced $4.50 Mocha with, get this, Recchiuti chocolate. I watched the goateed barista make it through some Turkish-looking carafe carefully melting the chocolate into the cup. A smoother cup could not be found anywhere else. The staff is alert and courteous. Gee, what's that about? Maybe they could be subservient and wear harem outfits and say things like "Yes, Master". Somebody find Barbara Eden's agent. COFFEE - 5 stars...oh yes, it's very expensive...but it is the best AMBIANCE - 4 stars...very nice digs, even if urine-soaked Sixth Street is within shouting distance SERVICE - 4.5 stars...sharp and customized to order TOTAL - 5 stars...worth a splurge, though not an everyday indulgence for me -
Ed’s 4-star review: Gee, I wish I was a rudely impatient SoMa slacker like the ones who seem to hover around this modest evening operation next to the Tempest nightclub. They just shove themselves in front of you as you are about to order and then smoke next to you and look at their cell phones until their food is ready. I just wonder how the poor guy inside the place stands dealing with the crap-fest of customers that come here. He operates the Eat Box all by his lonesome and does a heroic job serving up what I would describe as funky twists on carnival fare. On the menu are such delectable goodies like wings, garlic fries, pulled pork sandwiches, 'pour'-boy burgers, and fried pickles. All the good stuff you would find after you knock down only two of the milk bottles in the midway. It was hard to decide, especially since it was pitch-black at 7:30PM in the Natoma alleyway where I felt like I was about to be cut. But despite the odds, I chose two tantalizing items - Aron's Little Wiener (misspelled as 'Weiner' on the chalkboard), just $5, and the $6 Chicken in Waffles. This is when the army of praying mantises started contaminating the landscape. Twenty minutes elapsed, but the wait seems reasonable since the guy behind the window prepares the food one order at a time. You can even watch him make everything from scratch with his deep fryer going full gonzo at that hour. I took it to go since I ain't eatin' in that alley with the smoking slackers. I trundled home with my food and was pleasantly surprised. I didn't know that Chicken in Waffles actually meant 'chicken in waffles' or more accurately, waffle sticks (see photo). Referring to the poultry as 'chicken carnitas', he used real pieces of shredded chicken since I actually ran into a bone in one of the waffles. It came with a zingy siracha maple syrup, which I thought was a nice touch for all the sweetness involved. I especially liked Aron's little asset (no offense, Aron) since it turned out to be a set of mini-corn dogs that used higher-end sausages and mixed bits of jalapeno in the batter. They were delicious with an aggressive dunking into the spicy aioli (see photo). What a nice surprise this little closet operation turned out to be. It may be worth tolerating the slacker mantises. I just need to bring a big can of Raid next time I venture into the bowels of the Natoma alley. FOOD - 4 stars...creative twists on bite-size food you'd find in the midway of a carnival...only tastier with a kick AMBIANCE - 2 stars...well, it is a dark alley with a lot of hostile slackers SERVICE - 4 stars...but the guy operating the place was terrific and a solid cook TOTAL - 4 stars...it is indeed an eat box -
Ed’s 5-star review: So here's a bit of a shocker. I'm giving Brickhouse five stars for my two recent dining experiences there. Why did you slap your forehead? Yes, five stars because it's mighty might just lettin' it all hang out. And she's the one, the only one who's built like an am-a-ka-zawn.... what did Lionel Richie just say? Anyway, I had originally written off Brickhouse as a ballpark hangout for people who wear those orange styrofoam fingers while eating drippy chicken wings and downing some brewskis. But I guess I was mistaken. Dinner is the option to take. Jamie W. and I came here last week with zero expectations. We were going to grab a bite at 21st Amendment, but as usual, it was packed. Ozone was blaring Eurotrash dance music through their patio speakers. Alas, when we sat down and saw the menu, it really just looked like your standard brewpub selections - burgers, ribs, fish n' chips - nothing that sounded wow. As we do at Perry's, we shared an $8 Wedge Salad, which was frankly much better than the one at Perry's (see photo). I think the key differences were the size and quality of the pancetta and the addition of crispy leeks and cucumber chunks that made it fuller in flavor. Jamie ordered the $14 Stick-to-Your-Ribs Baby Back Ribs, which was a hefty slab of fork-tender pork over fries (see photo). Timing is everything as he just ordered almost the same thing at the Tee Off Bar in the Outer Richmond. There the overly sweet sauce completely overpowered the ribs that had been in the smoker a little too long. At Brickhouse, the sauce was more mild and modest in portion, and the rib meat was moist. Mine was a true unexpected winner, the $18 Brandy Apple Pork Chop, which was honestly one of the best prepared pork chops I've had at a restaurant (see photo). Seasoned nicely outside and moist inside. The grilled apple slices on top, usually a death knell for such an all-American dish, were just the right consistency and sweetness to offset the savory. It came with grilled asparagus and golden polenta grits, which were a tasty, chunky alternative to the more predictable mashed potatoes. So the question became... was this just a fluke? I held back on a review until our second visit last night. This time, the place was packed. There was live music from a sadly ignored jazz duo performing buttery smooth standards. Lots of young T-shirted guys, colleagues obviously, have congregated for after-work eats. We managed to score a corner table with a view of the duo. We decided to share the $12 Organic Beet and Arugula Salad, which you should be forewarned is a massive pile of green (see photo). Delicious with a monstrous grilled portobello mushroom sliced on one side and big wedges of red beets on the other. Smaller beet cubes, goat cheese and toasted walnuts finished the dish. This time, Jamie tried the $14 Anchor Steam Beer-Battered Fish n' Chips, two large, tasty and lightly crisped filets over fries with a remoulade dipping sauce (see photo). Mine was even more back-to-basics, the $16 Rosemary Roasted Half Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus (see photo). Sounds like a Marie Callendar frozen dinner, doesn't it? It's all in the execution - moist inside and with a nice savory sauce. There is nothing revolutionary about the food. It's simply and honestly satisfying food, especially after a taxing day at the office. The eclectic Victorian vibe is comforting with the waitresses on both occasions really attentive no matter how many diners there were. It's a cozy neighborhood place that probably doesn't need much crosstown traffic to survive. That just means more pork chops for me. FOOD - 5 stars...yes, can you believe it?... excellent traditional brewpub fare really well executed AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...warm vibe makes you want to hang out on a weeknight to avoid the cold world outside SERVICE - 5 stars...really attentive with no fuss or pretension TOTAL - 5 stars...it's mighty might just lettin' it all hang out! -
Ed’s 4-star review: "Meat!...Meat!...Meat!" ....Nope, this is not an encore performance at the Nob Hill Adult Theater. Hell must have frozen over...since I am actually going to give an almost favorable review of one of the price-insensitive eateries in the Westfield Shopping Centre's Restaurant Emporium (their hoity-toity nomenclature for a food court...and what's with the pretentious Brit-speak spelling of "Centre"?) Anyhow, against my better judgment, I decided to give the food court another try after lackluster attempts at Coriander Thai and Bistro Burger. Imagine my gleeful surprise when I discovered I could eat a sandwich here for less than $7. I tried the $6.45 Chipotle Border Buck, which come to think of it, does sound like something you would find at the Nob Hill Adult Theater. It has sliced pieces of tri-tip piled on a small sweet French roll and slathered with a chipotle and pepper jack cheese sauce. Pretty tasty, even if it has the specter of a similar item at Jack in the Box over it. For an additional $3, I got a mound of lightly crisp French fries. The combination is obviously a better deal than what you find at the vaunted 'wichcraft around the corner, though obviously you can get a Saigon sammie for a lot cheaper. But the Buckhorn will do if you are in the afterglow of a Bloomie's sale. And of course, you get busing service here, a luxury for those of us used to taking our trays to the garbage receptacle. Can't help it...the grammar school cafeteria ladies programmed me that way. FOOD - 4 stars...a good, meaty sammie and a better deal than 'wichcraft...which isn't saying THAT much AMBIANCE - 3 stars...just a mall with people using those big trays as battering rams SERVICE - 3 stars...well, the buzzer did work...but why do the servers have marbles in their mouths as they speed-recite the menu to you? TOTAL - 4 stars...barely....for the sammie and fries -
Ed’s 3-star review: Oh Lord, the Cadillac is back, and it's as shot glass-slammingly loud as ever. Is that a good thing? Guess it depends on whether you are a twenty-something Twitter engineer with a scraggly goatee and a penchant for self-absorption or an aging baby boomer looking for a decent taco and direct access to the restroom. I'll give you exactly two guesses as to which one I am. The old one was where the Moscone Center is now, and I went to it many, many times after work with colleagues and friends alike because I was once a twenty-something office drone who liked to party hearty. So it should come as no surprise that I came to this one with a group of co-workers for our holiday lunch. Seven of us were seated at a table toward the window in a most cavernous space though not quite as large as the old space. It was the middle of a Friday afternoon, so it was reasonably quiet except for a work party on the other side of the bar that was growing in population and volume as the afternoon progressed. The menu looked familiar and rather unadventurous much like the old place. We started with, of course, a couple of baskets of the $8 Guacamole with Tortilla Chips (photo: http://bit.ly/1mTivpw). The guac was good, the chips were fresh, and the price was a bit high for the paltry portion. Nope, nothing surprising in unicorn land. For my entree, I decided to mix it up a bit by ordering one of their Puffy Tacos and one of their Soft Tacos for $15 per the suggestion of the highly opinionated waiter in his white shirt. The puffy one was filled with their slow-braised carnitas with pico de gallo, and the soft one was the grilled steak fajitas also with pico de gallo plus guacamole. The plate came with their so-called Mexican rice and frijoles (photo: http://bit.ly/1mTiv95). Again I had no major complaints, but it was pretty middling despite the change-up. Because I was with a large party, I was able to get a taste of the $12 Ceviche with citrus-marinated fresh fish (photo: http://bit.ly/1PySuFt) and a bite of the $6 Tocino Pops, even though the waiter originally forbade us from ordering them since we weren't sitting at the bar. These were a pair of bacon-wrapped, mesquite-grilled prawns stuffed with jalapeños (photo: http://bit.ly/1R0u2QY). These were the best things on the table, and I probably could have made an entree of them if I was given a green light. A final word about the Margaritas: the $28 pitcher of the House Margarita was way too sweet for my taste, but the $36 pitcher of the Pepino Margarita was a savory delight (photo: http://bit.ly/1R0JLiw). Welcome back, Cadillac, guess I hardly knew ya. FOOD - 3 stars...middling, middle-of-the-road Mexican fare AMBIANCE - 2 stars...ah, sweet youth...the evening brings up the decibel levels considerably with the shot glasses randomly and frequently slammed onto the bar SERVICE - 2.5 stars...frankly quite pompous with silly Happy Hour rules TOTAL - 3 stars...I'll leave it at 3 stars as my memories of the old Cadillac fade further into my recesses -
Ed’s 3-star review: I knew Caffe Moda was somewhere down 7th Street, but I just didn't know what motivated them to move to my neck of the woods. There isn't much foot traffic in these parts during the day when they're open. I don't blame them for not being open in the evening, but I think they could thrive more if they were open on Sunday and had longer hours on Saturday. The place is always empty when I walk by, so I don't think people are prone to discover it. I just don't if people ever will unless you count the armies of foreign tourists from the adjacent motels. It's a big space but not particularly inviting. The place lacks warmth to become a real hang-out spot. They offer a long list of sandwiches and coffee drinks as well as a few salads. That's really it. I tried a $5.95 BLT, a modest sandwich on sourdough (see photo). It was perfectly decent but nothing that would stand out in your mind five minutes after you ate it. Their coffee drinks are more Baskin & Robbins than Starbucks. I was convinced by the zealous manager to order a $4.55 Iced Marble Mocha, which was really just a puckery-sweet shake (see photo). But maybe if they turned the place into an ice cream parlor, now that would be different... FOOD/COFFEE - 3 stars...no real complaints, just leaves the memory faster than the palate AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...big but not cozy SERVICE - 3 stars...not much to it TOTAL - 3 stars...if you need a pit-stop on 7th, I guess.... -
Ed’s 3-star review: Even the name sounds suspiciously wrong to me. "California Pizza" is a non-sequitur like "Orange Cappucino" or "Mother of the Year Britney Spears". Pizza is Jersey, Brooklyn or Chicago. But you put California in the title, and you just know someone has to put avocado slices on top. That just seems so wrong. Yes for guacamole but no for pizza. The $10.99 California Club Pizza is a complete miss for that reason, and they add insult to injury by adding chopped lettuce and mayonnaise. WTF. It should come as no surprise that the huge salads are a much better deal here. My favorite is the $9.99 BBQ Chopped Chicken Salad which is a ginormous mound of chopped lettuce, black beans, sweet corn and jicama, mixed with cilantro, basil, shredded Jack cheese and crispy corn tortilla strips tossed together in a ranch dressing. It's all topped with chunks of chopped chicken breast, diced tomatoes and chopped scallions. An in-between item I go for are the $7.99 Chicken Lettuce Wraps, nominally an appetizer but bigger than you would expect. It's a jumbo version of what you'd find at a trendier Chinese restaurant - minced chicken mixed with shiitake mushrooms, water chestnuts, green onions in a soy-ginger sauce. It comes with what looks like a head of iceberg lettuce, even though it has have been carefully unlayered for pocketing purposes. The menu gets mixed marks for me, but the space on 3rd Street is hugely expansive. It has a warmish, prairie-style feel like they were going for Frank Lloyd Wright but in a chain restaurant sort of way. The college-age server was attentive to the point of hovering, but we didn't mind his unintentionally unctuous manner. He has plenty of time to grow bitter like me. FOOD - 3.5 stars....great and hearty salads, appetizers suffer from super-sizing, and the pizzas just get carried away with themselves AMBIANCE - 4 stars...I like the wide, open spaces but haven't been here when it was packed with large parties SERVICE - 4 stars...he tries...oh Lord, he tries TOTAL - 3.5 stars...leaving it at 3 stars until I take another shot at their other menu options -
Ed’s 4-star review: Blimey! I remember when this was a King of Thai Noodle House with deep purple walls and bare-shouldered waitresses shivering in the cavernous space as tone-deaf tourists belted out songs from "Rent". Then it became another even more nondescript Thai restaurant called Million Thai, not Million Dollar Thai which I assume was the idea they were trying to convey rather than a mass congregation of Thai people. Now it's been completely revamped from the ground up into a higher-end restaurant with a slightly British accent like Madonna but maybe a bit more authentic. The credentials are there since the owners are also responsible for Marlowe and Park Tavern. It's been open a year, so I guess I'm late to the party on this one since praise has been significant since day one when chef Jennifer Puccio's California-meets-London menu got the Bauer seal of approval. Jamie W. and I finally had a chance to try it when I suggested we dine here before taking in 1980's synth-pop icon Howard Jones at the Mezzanine across the street because you can look at the menu but you just can't eat.... no one, no one ever is to blame. But I digress. A reservation for two on Labor Day turned out to be surprisingly easy to secure. The decor has moved from nightclub purple to a rich red to evoke an English hunting lodge replete with taxidermied deer heads hovering above us (photo: http://bit.ly/1rWQ1pX). I was momentarily hesitant about having fancy pub fare for dinner after my lukewarm experience at the other high-profile, high-end British brasserie that opened this year, Charles Phan's Coachman which is coincidentally in SoMa, too. But the menu here was much more appealing to my palate (photo: http://bit.ly/1BzV5Yr). Among many temptations, I decided we should start with the $14 Roasted Beef Marrow Bones, quite a decadence of gristle too tasty to ignore, although Jamie was not a fan. A pair of bones were slathered with garlic and chile oil with a ramekin of salsa verde to lend a piquant touch to the spread on the toasted wedges (photo: http://bit.ly/1qQVGjF). To wash it down, I ordered a tall $12 Pimm's Cup with City of London gin and Pimm's #1. Ginger beer, cucumber, lemon, and mint rounded it out to make this a classic refreshment (photo: http://bit.ly/1AIo1Lr). After being visually stimulated by the sight of ti as it passed by, Jamie ordered the $22 Fish and Chips, which he immediately deemed as the best he's had in the city. It came with thrice-cooked potatoes,minted peas, and a jar of malt vinegar aioli (photo: http://bit.ly/1pZ0dwC). Totally agreed that the fish was tender and moist while the crust was lightly crisp with the chips well turned. I decided on the $19 Leg of California Lamb that came from the rotisserie, and it was also tender and juicy. I just wish the portion was bigger since the slices looked awfully lonely on a big plate. It was dominated by a sterling silver gravy boat filled to the rim with a garlic broth mixed with a salsa verde (photo: http://bit.ly/ZjZLnu). Between us, we shared a hearty, satisfying $8 side of Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cabbage accented by lemon, chile and mint (photo: http://bit.ly/1uM98Gq). Dessert was very English as we ended up sharing a $9 Double-Crusted Peach Crumble, a delightful and hefty concoction blending brandy and chunks of fresh yellow peach with an amaretto-infused English custard, topped with an almond crumble. It came steaming hot in a cast-iron pot that fit the setting quite well (photo: http://bit.ly/1sFinJp). What a hearty meal worthy of a Henry the Eighth-level belch, but Howard awaits. I can see the summit but I can't reach it... It's the last piece of the puzzle but I just can't make it fit... Doctor says I'm cured but I still feel the pain... Aspirations in the clouds but my hopes go down the drain... FOOD - 4 stars...Puccio's elegantly satisfying touch is in every dish here though more lamb and marrow would have made it better AMBIANCE - 4 stars...an English lodge by way of California SERVICE - 4 stars...quite attentive without being intrusive TOTAL - 4 stars...straight-up Brit fare with new jack American flair -
Ed’s 4-star review: A good, dependable dry cleaning and laundry service is harder to find than you would think in SoMa. I used to go to Rene's Cleaner when I first bought my place and was happy because she was so conscientious about her business. Well, she moved back to China, and there has been a revolving door of owners all trying to make a go of her business. They all sucked - especially a woman who drove in from Castro Valley every two or three days and didn't bother communicating that fact to her customers. In fact, she would open her business at 10AM and close before 4PM - basically when everybody is at work, so sometimes I wouldn't see my cleaning for weeks unless I made a point of getting off work early. Ugh. Things changed when Celia took over, and the Rene work ethic came back. She appears to live nearby because her business is open until 8PM six days a week. I appreciate that she does that since many of us get off work late and need the added convenience. I guess others appreciate it, too, since Celia has recently moved a few doors down to a much bigger space where a row of sewing machines are available for proper mending. She even has a sofa for waiting customers, or maybe for her family to hang around. Collared shirts still cost $2 for cleaning with medium starch. Not bad considering her big move. I'll be looking forward to supporting Celia's business for years to come. -
Ed’s 4-star review: I'm not that much of a beer drinker which is probably why it's taken me a while to give this place a try even though I live just a stone's throw away. I've passed by this place in the evening when it was thick with hipsters with knit caps and scraggly goatees, so I just kept walking. But it was raining last Saturday, and I wasn't in a hurry to get home to do laundry. It was about 3:30PM with only about five people in there, so it was finally the right time to imbibe. In what looks to be a converted industrial space, it's a casual set-up with three stand-up tables for small parties and a good-size, wood bar for the rest of us lonely drinkers (photo: http://bit.ly/1alTlc6). I just parked myself on a stool and started reading the chalkboard on the side wall (photo: http://bit.ly/1f7t3HS). The bartender then handed me a clipboard menu (photo: http://bit.ly/1hbIxMj), but I was listening to the guy next to me who was raving about Coffee & Cigarettes which was billed as a lightly smoked porter mixed with, get this, Sightglass Coffee from just around the corner (photo: http://bit.ly/1e8Iw8x). It was just $4.50 for a half-pint, and it was a uniquely flavorful blend of hops and coffee which surprisingly didn't clash. There was a smoky richness that wasn't overbearing. Frankly I'd rather come here anyway since the staff at Sightglass are so snotty. Yes, I use that word when applicable, and it was. Thinking I should have another to be sociable even though I was only talking to myself, I then tried a $3.50 glass of the Triple Berry Berliner Weisse just to try something different (photo: http://bit.ly/1mmXcW2). The only reason I chose it is because I had a nice trip to Berlin not that long ago. But back to the beer, it had a slight vineyard flavor since it combined three different berries in the fermentation. It was satisfying enough for five ounces but not nearly as distinctive as the first. I have to admit I like the sampler servings since they have nearly a dozen you can try. Two was my limit since I had underwear to wash at home, but on another rainy afternoon, I would definitely come back and try another round. And have one on me, too. BEER - 4 stars...some unique, rich flavors here...Coffee & Cigarettes is quite a nice treat AMBIANCE - 4 stars...casual spot on a lazy afternoon...avoidable when the hipsters from clubland converge SERVICE - 4 stars...pretty friendly and happy to answer questions before they pour TOTAL - 4 stars...who knew I'd like a microbrewery near my home? -
Ed’s 4-star review: PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES AND PAGERS BEFORE READING THIS REVIEW. THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS VERBIAGE THANKS YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. If I must go to a multiplex that shows the more commercial movies out, I let it be this one since it has the cushy seats with the movable armrests. But it's a long way from the entrance on the top floor of the mall to your seat. In fact, the labyrinth of escalators to get to the entrance is daunting enough. Better to take the elevators from the Mission Street side if you are coming in that way. I still think it has the most schizoid layout of any theater lobby I have ever seen. I imagine they were thinking patrons would want to stop at the exorbitantly-priced snack bar before they buy tickets. Think again. You have to maneuver through the crowds milling about in front of the starboard-side group of theaters before catching in the distance the ticket counter. They only seem to staff it with one person no matter how long the line. And three of the four self-service machines at the far end will be broken - guaranteed - with two of those not even marked with an "Out of Order" sign. Once in your seat, you must wait patiently through an endless parade of commercials, nonsensical programming and previews before the actual movie. And people are still walking in yelling on their cell phones, staring blankly for any sign of an empty seat, stepping on your feet and throwing a weak-hearted "...sorry" your way, and settling in their seats with a tray of gooey nachos just ready to spill on your sleeve. I came here last night to see "Hot Fuzz", so the kid quotient was particularly high. In fact, a stray popcorn kernel landed on my lap from the left where I gave a viscerally effective case of small-mouth to a trio of juvenile delinquents who were engaging in a horned-up food fight. Once into the movie, it was actually fine, and I even looked to the left to see the kids intently watching. So maybe cinema is the great unifier of the masses. Oh jeez...here comes the popcorn again. Rotten kids. -
Ed’s 4-star review: Has chai actually become a "thing" now? Apparently so judging by the surprisingly expansive space opened by chai connoisseurs David Scott Lowe and Rio Miura, former spouses who continued as business partners. They see it as the intractable bridge between coffee and tea. I see it as a good excuse to reinvigorate an area adjacent to the problematic corner of Sixth Street and Market. Between this business, Equator Coffee across Market and Montesacro Pinseria on Stevenson, I have a guarded optimism about seeing something of a commercial lift in the neighborhood. I came by around 7PM on a Tuesday and noticed they were already starting to get ready to close by 8. At the same time, they didn't rush me along either. In fact, there's a greeter who stands at the door and does a bit of a commercial about the place. He seemed too skinny to be a bouncer like the guy who constantly stands in front of the door at Equator. As I perused the eight choices of chai on the menu (photo: http://bit.ly/1RATZHj), I decided to try their signature drink, the $4.50, 12-ounce Elephant Vanilla Chai where they blend black tea with Madagascar vanilla. What I liked in particular was the big cup in which they serve it plus the pitcher where they place the overage amount (photo: http://bit.ly/1JjyFfL). I sat myself at the orange banquette at a large table since there were only three other customers in the place. It was smooth though maybe a tad sweeter than I was hoping it would be. They sell tea and coffee in case you're not willing to jump on the chai bandwagon. They even offer an Arnold Palmer-like cold drink called the Steph Curry, of course. There are baked goods including pretzels and a caramel cookie waffle that looked intriguing (photo: http://bit.ly/1HQ8c8x), although nothing was appealing to me at that hour. Probably of most interest is a laboratory-like set-up in a room behind the counter where Lowe apparently comes up with new variations on chai. I noticed he's adding a bubble chai selection which made me think he could take advantage of customer spillover from Sharetea in the Metreon. I hope its hipster-centric following can keep Chai Bar by David Rio afloat for the foreseeable future. CHAI - 4 stars...one big cup of sweetness but it's rich enough to keep my interest AMBIANCE - 4 stars...nothing wrong with a lot of space, especially in this neighborhood SERVICE - 3 stars...a bit terse and coolish TOTAL - 4 stars...chai me up, chai me down
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