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EXPLORE SF’s Sunset District
Way over yonder lies the big ol' sea. For a SoMa-centric plebe like myself, it's the equivalent of taking a covered wagon over the Rockies to get me beyond Twin Peaks and Sutro Tower to the Sunset, Parkside and all those fog-enshrouded 'hoods nearby.
153 Places
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Ed’s 4-star review: West Portal is such a homespun, family-oriented neighborhood it hardly feels like it's part of the San Francisco that I know the most, the urban center of paranoia and homelessness..and good restaurants. It's like hurling through the Twin Peaks Tunnel on the MUNI train takes you to another dimension in space and time. Not the Twilight Zone, more like Mayberry with a slight edge. In fact, I'm convinced if Nora Ephron filmed "You've Got Mail" in West Portal, this is the bookstore she would have landed for her location shooting because the shop has that old-fashioned, non-chain feeling about it. Not quite The Shop Around the Corner but close enough. You could see a pre-surgically altered Meg Ryan being all twinkly over Tom Hanks and getting passive-aggressive over his superstore, Fox Books. F-O-X. Well, who has the last laugh now? Borders is dead, and Barnes & Noble is spinning off and reducing its retail presence. That's what makes this independent bookshop a true dinosaur surviving the crunch and one with plenty of charm and a robust book selection (photo: http://bit.ly/2oKl0OR). For instance, I was desperate to find a copy of chef Vivian Howard's new cookbook, Deep Run Roots (photo: http://bit.ly/2olXnJK), because I'm a huge fan of hers and her PBS series, "A Chef's Life". When I asked a clerk at Williams-Sonoma whether they carried a copy of her book, he looked initially perturbed but was then thrilled to tell me they did...in Boston and that if I was willing to pay for shipping, they'd be happy to get it for me...in six weeks' time. I could feel the love. Then I came here, and the sales clerk found the one copy they had and I got it for my full enjoyment that evening. That's called personal service. It happens at a store where the staff cares about their customers. As much as I save money ordering on Amazon, I don't think they care that much about me. Besides, the tactile feel of a book beats a Kindle every time. -
Ed’s 4-star review: So I'm embarrassed to tell you that I had never taken the M-line to West Portal before I went to Bullshead. I think it's just an automatic reflex for me to get off at the Castro station. Gee, I get off in the Castro all the time....ba-bump-bump...take my wife, please. But this past Sunday, Jamie W. and I felt feisty and stayed on the train through that long, long tunnel. I felt like Annie Hall's brother Duane, the space cadet played by an alarmingly young Christopher Walken who told Woody Allen how much he fantasized about watching the headlights of the oncoming car with the dream of experiencing an explosive collision...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGPcSd7DDLk ...I was feeling the same way as the train on the left was coming toward us. The lights getting brighter. The sound of shattering glass. Flames rising out of the flowing gasoline. But I digress. When we finally emerged from the tunnel, we were relieved to see West Portal in front of us. I needed a post-coital cigarette...but I don't smoke. So the next best thing is a burger, right? Luckily, Bullshead is just a few steps out of the tunnel on your left. It's an old-fashioned-looking space with wood paneling, fluorescent lights and Early American furniture. We were parked in the corner, near an Asian baby screeching at the top of its lungs until our ears bled. Dogs came running from Lake Merced, that brat was so loud. We both ordered the $9.50 Sauteed Mushroom and Grilled Onion Buffalo Burger (see my photo). It was a 1/3-lb patty, and I was swayed by the menu's description of the buffalo meat as a lower fat alternative. The meat was quite tasty and juicy, which pleased me. The fries, not so much...kinda dry that I squeezed a lot of mustard to liven them up. I also went for a $3 cup of their homemade Chicken Noodle soup with real chicken (see my photo). The Diet Coke refills came without provocation, and I found the service to be friendly in a quiet sort of way. I may shuffle off to the Buffalo Burger again given the health stats they like to plug. But like Woody, I'm due back to the Planet Earth. FOOD - 4 stars...Buffalo Burger, won't you come out tonight, come out tonight, come out tonight...and dance by the light of the moon AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...kinda 60's-retro look, a place where you expect Lee Harvey Oswald hiding SERVICE - 4 stars...very friendly in a low-key way TOTAL - 4 stars...I give it four for the healthy alternative to beef -
Ed’s 4-star review: Istanbul was Constantinople Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople Been a long time gone, Constantinople Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night... Jamie W. and I were latecomers in trying this popular Turkish spot in West Portal, but we're glad we finally made our tardy discovery while it was still thriving and serving familiar yet flavorful Eastern Mediterranean dishes. We didn't make a reservation, but we got lucky and got the little side table nearest the front door which meant we were always in view of the busy staff. It was bustling that evening, but the polite and efficient staff had it well under control from what we witnessed. The dark blue walls and Ottoman-style furnishings really lend an exotically authentic touch to the relatively small space dominated by a few booths and a banquette with smaller tables (photo: http://bit.ly/2qusjfM). The server didn't waste any time giving us the menus and then providing a small loaf of soft Turkish-style bread accompanied by an olive-based tapenade and olive oil (photo: http://bit.ly/2q7Tfit). We tried to save it for our main meal, but it was futile as we kept munching on it. Fortunately they were kind enough to replenish us when our entrees came later. But first came the abundant $16 Combination Platter, a total delight of a sampler's plate with Hummus, Baba Ganouj, Haydari (Yogurt Dip), Ezme (Tomato & Pepper Salad), Dolma, Mercimek (Red Lentil Kofte), and Falafel (photo: http://bit.ly/2q5uRiY). It came with plenty of grilled pita for easy scooping (photo: http://bit.ly/2r4qxiq). With the bread and pita, we were seriously in carb overload, but more came by way of our entrees. Jamie ordered the $17 Musakka, which combined Yukon gold potatoes, eggplant and zucchini submerged in a thick, artery-clogging nutmeg béchamel sauce, baked in a deep clay dish, and accompanied by a small Greek salad (photo: http://bit.ly/2pmPBUs). Delicious and filling, enough for leftovers the next day...in theory. I had the $17 Kofte Kebab, two grilled skewers of ground lamb and beef mixed with onions and parsley, served with orzo jasmine rice and a Romaine lettuce salad with a haydari dressing (photo: http://bit.ly/2q5AsG1). What a hearty meal that brought me back to... Istanbul was Constantinople Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople Been a long time gone, Constantinople Why did Constantinople get the works? That's nobody's business but the Turks. FOOD - 4 stars...seriously delicious Turkish fare served in abundance AMBIANCE - 4 stars...love the vibrancy of the dark blue walls and not overly noisy despite the bazaar-level vibe SERVICE - 4.5 stars...the area where they excel as they are fleet of feet TOTAL - 4 stars...it's Istanbul, not Constantinople -
Ed’s 3-star review: Considering how popular this place is with the locals, you would think it would have a more memorable name. For the life of me, I couldn't remember it when we came here. I just remembered that it was the one eatery on this part of Noriega that had a line out the door. Jamie W. and I noticed it after we ate at Lanna Thai on the next block. We looked through the window and saw heaping plates of pork chops and spaghetti. This is no traditional Chinese restaurant. It's actually a Hong Kong-style American diner that looks like a lunch room. So of course, we had to come back, and we did. Yep, the line of people were still there, and it was a sea of happy-looking diners in front of big plates of comfort food. What struck us was that Jamie was the only Caucasian in this vast room. No one cared, but we found it anthropologically interesting. There isn't a shark fin or a shumai dumpling on the entire menu - and it's obvious people come here for the "American" eats. Like everyone else, we both had a starter - Jamie had a little bowl of salad with some gloppy dressing on top, while I had a cup of what I concluded was their Russian Borscht (see photos). Not bad. Predictably, Jamie ordered the $4.55 Fried Chicken Wings, a half-dozen atop a pile of scorching-hot French fries (see photo). They were cooked right but just needed some seasoning to give it a kick like Capital does in Chinatown. I went for the gooey $4.35 Stuffed Mushrooms, five of them stuffed with some kind of mined beef in a sea of broiled, melted mozzarella (see photo). Waiting customers were gawking at them like they were as exotic as grilled rooster intestines. They were pretty good. Entrees were a more difficult decision. I went with a daily special on the whiteboard, the $14.95 Garlic Rack of Lamb Spaghetti (see photo). Encrusted with chopped garlic cloves like a breading, the five lamb chops were tasty for the few bites it took me to devour them. It came with steamed vegetables that tasted like they came from the freezer and a mound of spaghetti noodles with a strangely watery red sauce I couldn't quite make out as tomato-based. Jamie went with the oddly described $11.45 Baked Spaghetti with Chicken and Xo Sauce (see photo). A huge portion, it looked and tasted like chicken chow mein to me. We were pretty much done with our to-go boxes in hand, but they did leave us with little silver tins of orange-flavored Jell-O with random pieces of pear in them (see photo). We were as stuffed as the mushrooms, but truth be told, nothing really stood out except the portion sizes. And you can tell that's the reason why everyone comes here. Prepare to wait and then dig in. FOOD - 3 stars...nothing except the meats tastes particularly homemade...maybe that skinny alcoholic Sandra Lee could copy some of their semi-homemade dishes AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...a crowded lunch room...and we were shunted toward the side away from the main dining area...no, there wasn't a "Whites Only" sign SERVICE - 3.5 stars...zippy to say the least TOTAL - 3 stars...if you're hungry for comfort food, they certainly give you more than similar diners in the Sunset -
Ed’s 4-star review: I suppose I should be disappointed that Ryan Scott's Market & Rye closed up shop for this upscale burger spot, but I'm really not. Don't get me wrong, I mean I think a place that serves full-portion artisan salads deserves to thrive, but I'm the type that can't be trusted at a salad bar. I don't mean I sneeze into the protective glass guard or anything, but I ladle on the unhealthy toppings like nobody's business. I'm lucky if I see a lettuce leaf underneath all the bacon bits, candied pecans and ranch dressing. That sorta describes my experience at Market & Rye. I single-handedly defeated its purpose, but I guess I can always find redemption at its surviving location in Potrero Hill. Anyway it's all about the burger now. It's owned by two young guys who obviously gave a lot of thought to their food. After all, they hand-grind the fresh meat and hand-cut the potatoes. They also use Three Twins ice cream in their milkshakes. And that's all they do if you don't count the chopped salad option. Which I don't. It's the In-N-Out model, and I respect it. I hate when fast food places diversify beyond reason. I call that the Jack-in-the-Box syndrome: offer too many things and do all of them badly. But no they stick with the basics, and I decided to go whole hog that evening. I ordered the &9.50 Half Pounder and added Cheese ($1.50), Bacon ($2) and Mushroom ($1.50), so that amounts to $14.50 and I haven't even left the burger yet. A Regular $3.50 order of Fries please. Y'see? I showed discretion by not going for the Large. But I did go for the $5.95 Strawberry Milkshake. I had to, it's a house specialty, right? RIGHT?? And so the wait began. I sat myself at a lone table next to the front window, and about 15 minutes elapsed. In the meantime, I found myself trapped by the hand railing and a bevy of fat-bottom girls who barricaded themselves with their iPhones at the next table. The food finally arrived. The burger was ridiculously huge and camouflaged by the butcher paper wrapping (photo: http://bit.ly/1sNBQa5). Pricey sure but juicy and delicious with all the right accessories. Next time I'm downsizing to the Quarter Pounder. The fries were hot and plentiful though a bit too oily for my taste, and I have oily taste (photo: http://bit.ly/1wnrn5R). The milkshake was thick and abundant (photo: http://bit.ly/ZFSSMK). Brain freeze ahead. They gave me a complimentary bottle of water when they saw me gorging. Egad, I'm full. Girls, please...I need to go. FOOD - 4 stars...juicy, pricey burger plus finger-burning fries & a thick shake with plenty of extra AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...busy and hard to navigate, a poor layout for eating on your own SERVICE - 4 stars...friendly and attentive even if the wait was a bit long TOTAL - 4 stars...I probably should have an artisan salad but a big burger now and then would be forgivable, right? RIGHT?
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Ed’s 3-star review: Quel dommage. I was hoping this compact neighborhood bistro would be the hidden nugget just waiting for moi to discover and wax about incessantly. Mais c'est pas, mon cherie. I was wooed by a three-year-old episode of "Check Please! Bay Area" where comedian Bob Sarlatte went on enthusiastically about how great it was and how friendly the host was. I thought it would be an ideal place to have a holiday meal with Jamie W., but Chouchou just refused to deliver the goods in a completely satisfying manner. Parts were good - especially the tarts at the very end - but the whole experience just wasn't doing a high-kicking, bloomer-exposing can-can in my palate. It was the first time we got off at the Forest Hill MUNI station, and the restaurant is just around the bend of Dewey to the right. It was a dark, foggy Friday evening, so the place was aglow in a swath of pink and orange lights (see photo). Tables are extremely crowded together, but luckily, we were there early and didn't have to deal with awkward acrobatics getting ourselves inserted. Chouchou offers a three-course Menu Degustation for $34.95 all week but just for an hour and a half on Fridays and Saturdays. I didn't know what "degustation" meant and later found out I have a gustatory system...gee, does it show? Regardless, we figured we should take advantage of it since the much-praised duck confit was one of the entrees offered in the deal. For the appetizer course, Jamie ordered the $14 Crab a la Russe, which was a fresh crab salad mixed with a macedoine of vegetables and molded into a circular shape. It was topped with a dill dressing, a couple of sheets of pastry-brick dough, and a passel of peas sprouts (see photo). Looked good, tasted bland. Mine was better but smaller, the $9 Escargots a l'Ail, which came in a little custom dish that looked like it was designed for midget deviled eggs. It consisted of butter-sauteed snails topped with shallots, garlic, and parsley (see photo). Ah yes, it was very French of me to order, but there were only a half-dozen. They were gone in seconds. Good thing the French bread was still steaming hot and the perfect accompaniment (see photo). Jamie and I ordered the same entree, the aforementioned All-Natural Moulard Duck Leg Confit Wellington, which was slathered with mushrooms duxell in the skin and stuffed with sautéed slivers of zucchinis. It was topped with wilted baby red chard and then lacquered with a maple vinaigrette and orange oil (see photo). This dish normally goes for $24. It was definitely a hearty enough portion with all the trimmings, but the duck meat itself tasted overcooked and the mushroom spread was just too liberal an amount to complement. We were both marginally disappointed by the execution. We partook of the $7 tarts for dessert, and these were not disappointing - Jamie had the very dense Triple Chocolate (see photo), while I had the comparatively superior Apricot (see photo). Voila! We ended the meal on a high point. FOOD - 3 stars...sorry to say it was middling bistro fare for us despite the fussy touches...the tarts are worth stopping for though AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...definitely feels like a bit of Montmartre in here SERVICE - 3.5 stars...pleasant TOTAL - 3 stars...ain't leaving for that midnight Chouchou for Georgia...I mean Forest Hill -
Ed’s 3-star review: Gee, who would think of coming to a clubhouse for a bite unless, of course, you're playing a round of golf in Harding Park with your buddies? Jamie W. and I came upon it accidentally last Saturday because we had never been to Lake Merced before and couldn't help but notice they actually serve food here, hot food even. This place takes me back to my childhood when my dad, an avid golfer in his day, made his family join the less-than-posh Riverside Country Club in Dallas. After he had us play nine holes, we had lunch in their big, sterile dining room with its panoramic view of the 18th green. Sure enough, that's exactly the setting of the Cypress Grill in the Harding Park Golf Clubhouse - a huge banquet room with a nice view of the 18th green. The food is pretty standard stuff but plentiful in portion and better prepared than you would expect from a public clubhouse. I started with a $6 bowl of their New England Clam Chowder, which wasn't half-bad with a zingy splash of Tabasco (see photo). Jamie W. couldn't help himself and ordered the $8 Fried Chicken Wings, which came in a bowl of six and with a couple of obligatory sauces (see photo). Nothing special there. He followed up his poultry intake with the $13 Cheddar Burger, which was actually a Juicy Lucy since the melted cheese was stuffed inside the Angus beef. It was a generous slab of meat replete with bacon, lettuce, tomato and onion, all of it housed in a toasted brioche bun and decorated with a big kosher spear on top (see photo). Quite hearty he said, especially with a side of steak fries. I ordered the $14 Jalapeno Cheese Steak, which was a grilled ribeye steak piled onto a toasted french roll with melted cheddar, jalapenos and crispy onion rings on top (see photo). Also quite heavy but the meat was pretty tender if a tad stringy. Adding insult to injury were the steak fries on my plate, tasty as they were, I couldn't finish them since the soup and sandwich really filled me up. I suppose at that point I was supposed to play a round of golf to burn off all those calories, but the best I could do was roll myself to the car to end our sojourn to Lake Merced that afternoon. FOOD - 3 stars...better than expected grub for a clubhouse AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...definitely a country-club vibe with diners looking like they just came from the links SERVICE - 4 stars...quite nice and attentive here TOTAL - 3 stars...who da' thunk Lake Merced would have a decent place to eat? -
Ed’s 5-star review: PRAISE DOGGIE! ...PRAISE DOGGIE! We've come a long long way together Through the hard times and the good I have to celebrate you baby I have to praise you like I should I have to praise you I have to praise you I have to praise you I have to praise you I have to praise you I have to praise you I have to praise you... His beet red skin proves he's been under the tanning machine too long, and he's also had some botox injections from what I can tell. But the Doggie Diner Head looks good...all shiny and revitalized especially after the chin lift. He lets me call him DD because we go back...way, way, way back. Doggie Diner was my dining destination of choice when I was six and still full of youthful optimism. Now I'm more cynical...and not six...but my memories of Doggie Diner remain unblemished (...and don't you dare mention the so-called Doggie Diner at AT&T Park...a fraud, I tell ya!). DD would look down upon me with that unique stare of guarded enthusiasm, and I knew the world would be safe. DD has had a rough life. Cholesterol. Chapter 11. He toppled over onto Sloat in 2001 and broke his snout (see archival photos). They reported it was the 45 mph winds, but I know better. It's because he felt suicidal after the diner closed and became the Carousel restaurant. He had no choice but to throw himself into traffic. But he bounced back and went through extensive physical therapy with the guy who trained Oprah but doesn't want anyone to know since she gained all that weight back. Now DD's in fighting trim on the median strip on Sloat at the old entrance of the San Francisco Zoo. Come visit him in all his shiny glory. Bring offerings like a Kibbles n' Bits quiche or a Milk-Bone casserole. Let us praise him as you should. -
Ed’s 4-star review: I'm no frozen yogurt connoisseur. I couldn't tell my Pinkberry from my Red Mango if my life depended on it, and if my life depended on it, I'd have to ask what kind of lactating Armageddon would we be headed toward to create those kind of sensibilities? It would be a world dominated by skinny young girls sampling all the flavors in those little paper cups before telling each other they're too fat to consider having any froyo. Not me and certainly not Jamie W. We just had pizza at Pasquale's a couple of doors down the street and just wanted something a bit refreshing to clean our tomato paste-saturated palates. I had heard about Easy Breezy's Noe Valley spot but never tried it. so it was a happy circumstance to find this recently opened second shop open for business. I'm not a sampler. It's a waste time for me. I was immediately intrigued by the presence of a flavor called Oaxaca Chile, so I went for a cup and manhandled that spigot like nobody's business. I thought the non-fat Vanilla Bean would make a smooth contrast. I was right. A sprinkle of chopped toasted almonds and a couple of spoonfuls of fresh strawberries made it exactly the post-pizza creamy goodness we wanted to have (photo: http://bit.ly/1eg3FNm). Maybe I am a frozen yogurt connoisseur. FROYO - 4 stars...a nice kick to the Oaxaca Chile that made the froyo more interesting than the standard variety AMBIANCE - 3 stars...clean little shop with just a few seats SERVICE - 3.5 stars...friendly servers TOTAL - 4 stars..."they're Easy Breezy, and I'm Japanesey"...not my line, Utada sang it...finally an excuse to type it somewhere -
Ed’s 3-star review: Jamie W. and I have passed by this color-blind Mexican eatery several times when we strolled on West Portal, and one of us inevitably makes some casual comment to try it sometime. And then we forget until we see it again. Then the vicious cycle starts anew. In order to break the curse, we finally tried it and was immediately overwhelmed by the hundreds of Mexicana tchatchkes laid out in every nook and cranny of this compact, beer-belly cafe. It's like Tijuana threw up in here with souvenirs from every possible border town kiosk. The menu is big but mostly standard. We were given the free chips and salsa right off as we figured out what to order. Jamie went for size and familiarity with his $13.95 Grande Mexicano order of Enchiladas, Shredded Beef Taco and Ground Beef Tostada. It came with a paltry spoonful of Spanish rice and a pool of refried beans (see photo). He looked satisfied. Me not so much. I went more daring and ordered the $15.50 Filete de Carne Asada, which featured a pounded-to-death sirloin steak, dried out from overcooking, with a beef enchilada topped with tomatillo sauce, sour cream and guacamole (see photo). I also got the same Spanish rice and refried beans as well as salad fixings and some warmed flour tortillas. We also both received cups of their tomato-based soup which had a couple of croutons in them (see photo). It was a whole lotta food but nothing that sticks to my memory bank of culinary pleasures. FOOD - 3 stars...standard Mexicana, no more, no less AMBIANCE - 3 stars...sensory overload on the Tijuana tchatchkes SERVICE - 3.5 stars...friendly and fairly fast TOTAL - 3 stars...not really a destination but if you're in the 'hood and need Mexican -
Ed’s 3-star review: It is an odd coincidence that Jamie W. and I have ended up at two different Eastern European markets in the past month since neither of us have a drop of Belarusian blood in us. The first was a quick drop-by we made down in San Jose at the Slavic Shop off Saratoga Avenue just because we were intrigued coming out of the Ringer Hut across the street. We happened upon Europa Express almost the same way. I was able to snatch a parking space right in front, and we both saw the deli menu just when we were thinking about grabbing a bit before our walk into Golden Gate Park. Inside were all the exotic delicacies we saw before from imported salamis to colorful Russian candies (see photos). But unlike the Slavic Shop, this place does have a very long deli counter with plenty of native dishes and two unoccupied cafe tables for two. A $4.95 Grilled Panini Sandwich sounded like a pretty bargain, and we both ordered their Italian Submarine, which doesn't sound too Eastern European except for the Russian dressing, which did not originate in Russia but in Nashua, New Hampshire. It had slices of salami, mortadella, ham and cheese between a French roll flattened by a panini grill (see photos). We were a bit bummed that she put only the roll in the grill and not the entire sandwich, but it still warmed it up to make the sandwich satisfying if rather moist and drippy. No vodka for us though. We have steps to add on our FitBits, especially to offset those subs. FOOD - 3 stars...decent sub but not really a panini if you're splitting hairs AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...bigger-than-expected market with a little cafe space SERVICE - 2.5 stars...rather solemn TOTAL - 3 stars...Das Bidanya!...we may come back, comrade -
Ed’s 4-star review: My oh my, this was one of the first places that I ever Yelped back when I was an online reviewing neophyte, and now that I'm a reviewing whore, I have finally returned after nearly four years to see very little has changed. In this case, that's a good thing because despite its unwieldy, cross-cultural title, it still manages to produce terrific Indian dishes and a satisfying pizza with all the trimmings and toppings you'd want - including tandoori chicken and spinach curry sauce. Jamie W. and I returned after sauntering through Golden Gate Park last Sunday. He really wanted pizza, and I was feeling like Indian. Voila!...we could have both without compromising. We entered their small space in the 7-11 strip mall and walked into the dark room in the back where they have their dining room. They still do a bonanza pizza take-out business, the restaurant not so much. It's always been pretty quiet back there, and except for a crying baby at another table, it was pretty much the same. The waitress was the same, very serene and this time, very pregnant. Jamie went for the large Golden Gate Deluxe Pizza for $20.25, which was your basic kitchen sink combination with liberal amounts of sausage, salami, mushrooms, pepperoni, onions & bell peppers (see photo). Of course, I took a slice or two. It was definitely on par with the pizza at the Sausage Factory in the Castro. Hearty stuff that hits the spot. I ordered the $10.25 Chicken Tikka Masala in which they bathe chunks of barbecue chicken in an almost-cream-like sauce filled with herbs and spices (see photo). It went well with one of my favorites, the $8.95 Bhindi Masala, chopped okra sauteed with onions and spices (see photo). It was as tasty as I remembered it. Laugh all you want at the name of the place. I wouldn't come all the way across town for something mediocre. It really has to give my palate an erection if you should pardon the expression. Golden Gate Pizza & Indian Cuisine doesn't get me quite that stimulated, but it is well worth the long trek on the N-Judah. FOOD - 4 stars...still as good as I remembered, definitely not an ill-conceived border clash AMBIANCE - 3 stars...it is dark back there SERVICE - 3.5 stars...very quiet, and the food appears to take longer to serve these days TOTAL - 4 stars...still a winning combination of flavors -
Ed’s 4-star review: Who knew Green Apple had opened a second location south of Golden Gate Park to balance the original store north of the park (review: http://bit.ly/2k41Osp)? That kind of geographical symmetry appeals to me as the literally minded in the Sunset can receive the same exposure that Richmond book readers have gotten for years. The only thing that was missing was that strange leprechaun statue that guards the one on Clement. The one on 9th felt more modern like a Books Inc. outlet, but the book selection appeared more mindful of more idiosyncratic tastes with nice local titles that entice lengthy browsing (photo: http://bit.ly/2KtvHNU). Initially I was thrilled to see a second floor but soon found out that the space was cordoned off for an incubating start-up. Regardless, you should come on over before venturing into the park so you have something interesting to read under the foliage. -
Ed’s 3-star review: Where are the six dispensers of multi-colored syrups? Where's the 2 by 2 by 2? And for heaven's sake, where are the Rooty Tooty Fresh n' Fruity Pancakes? Just what kind of pancakes do they serve here? Why it's the savory, flash-fried kind filled with meat, of course, and nowhere to be seen is any trace of strawberry or blueberry syrup on the table. There were more like telltale chili sauce stains on the faux-wood grain formica tables. I was there on a Friday morning thinking it may not be too crowded before the lunch hour. I was wrong. It was packed with adolescent school kids who took more pictures of the food than I did. Shocking, I know. I was seated at the lonely little table for one where they usually cut the bean sprouts. They apologized for the less than ideal table but not before slapping the menu down in front of me. The pancakes take front and center on the menu as do the casserole pots, dumplings and hand-pull(ed) noodles (photo: http://bit.ly/1G1G7Mq). So many carbs, so little time, but I knew I had to try the $5.95 Pork Pancake which may not have been their most stellar pancake. It came quartered on an oblong plate, rather greasy with a glutinous filling between the layers of ground pork and chopped green onion (photo: http://bit.ly/18Jx2N0). It was heavy going so I only ate half of it. What I did finish were the two other dishes I ordered. The first was the $6.95 Eggplant with Tofu, a simple wok-fried dish that was again a bit heavily lacquered in sesame oil (photo: http://bit.ly/1HT1EIo). Nonetheless, it was an ample portion with the flavor and consistency I was looking for at lunch. The second dish was the $6.95 Lamb Skewers. While they generously provided five skewers for the price, the lamb pieces were rather overcooked, a shame since the other dishes were oily (photo: http://bit.ly/1L9KonD). In my mind, serious rebalancing was needed in the preparation of these dishes even though relatively speaking, they were reasonably tasty. While there was a frenetic vibe at lunch, service was not too hurried probably because nobody else wanted my sad little table. I'm not sure if a craving for pancakes will get me back to this House of Pancakes, but maybe the hand-pulled noodles or casserole pots could pull me back for a return visit. Or not. FOOD - 3 stars...while reasonably good, there was an odd imbalance between the greasiness of the pancake and the dryness of the skewers AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...popular spot leaves little room for anything but eating SERVICE - 3 stars...adequately adequate TOTAL - 3 stars...don't ask for maple syrup...they'll get confused -
Ed’s 4-star review: Frequently passing by this popular spot across from Ocean Beach, I understand why locals congregate here. Location, location, location. There just aren't that many spots so close to the water where you can grab a bite. In fact, I had never eaten here before my most recent visit. I've had coffee here several times but not an actual meal. Turned out it has been my loss. The reality is that it's usually pretty crowded here on any given day, rain or shine. However, I noticed a couple of outdoor tables were actually open this time, so why not get a pre-beach lunch here? I staked out a table and ordered the &14.95 Beetnik Salad, which was a fresh toss of arugula and romaine mixed with quinoa, roasted beets, and Fuji apple slices. Chopped dates, roasted almonds, and parmesan added welcome added flavor and texture. The housemade green goddess dressing was the key to making the salad so satisfying (photo: https://bit.ly/3llFxcn). The $5.50 Arnold Palmer was a refreshing complement (photo: https://bit.ly/3HHGH9K), and the meal made me rethink this spot as a dining destination. Hey, it's not just a surf shack. You can eat pretty healthy here. FOOD - 4 stars...quite a delectable salad to be had here AMBIANCE - 3 stars...casual beach vibe but more seating would be great SERVICE - 3 stars...minimal interaction TOTAL - 4 stars...good to discover the food here RELATED - Exploring the Sunset? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2EI8eIJ -
Ed’s 3-star review: If his Highness, the King of Thai Noodles, has his Buckingham Palace residence on 5th Street in SOMA, I certainly would behead the realtor who sold him this location as his Balmoral Castle. It's hard to believe this place is related to the tourist-infested restaurant next to the lobby of the Hotel Milano with its huge space, wide-open bar and semi-clad waitresses looking like the stock company of "The King and I". But then again, this is the original or so it says on the sign out front, so there's something to be said of the one that started such an omnipresent chain in the city. It's actually one big lunch room albeit with their characteristic purple walls. The kitchen is open for all to see, and you can sit anywhere you want. The menu is basically the same as the others, but I have to say they don't put as much premium on presentation here...whether on the dish or in the Bangkok back alley decor. I ordered the $6.75 Roast Duck Over Rice plate. While the portion was hefty, it was greasier than I expected and a tad undercooked. I think I heard Daffy's voice as I picked up the sauce-saturated pieces. The rice was also drowning a bit in the sauce. And where exactly were the ground peanuts on the condiment tray? I could have used the crunch factor to even things out. I think I'll leave his Highness alone in this neighborhood, as I can't see a reason to drive over here just for this eatery. But you could twist my arm if you give me a scoop of the lychee gelato from Marco Polo on the next block. FOOD - 3 stars...a middling lunch plate with a high grease factor AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...why fly to Bangkok? SERVICE - 3 stars...certainly fast though not many smiles were passed around TOTAL - 3 stars...a neighborhood eatery, nothing more -
Ed’s 3-star review: Why is parking such a major hassle in Parkside? I was circling and circling on those lookalike residential blocks hoping a space would open up, but no, I was constantly fooled by those little three-quarter spaces between the driveways. Alas, I finally found a place to park four blocks away from the restaurant, and Jamie W. and I were fighting the biting evening cold walking to this cramped spot. You can imagine our disappointment in having to sign a waiting list and sitting on a bench outside for our table to be ready. Indeed it was ten minutes later, but you had to squeeze between chairs, strollers and waitresses to get to it. We didn't waste time ordering as we started with the $7.95 Garlic String Beans which were wok-fried and thoroughly blistered the way I like 'em (photo: http://bit.ly/2nYMAFs). They were tasty if a tad oily. Jamie must have been in a takeout mood because he ordered the $7.95 XO Chicken Chow Mein which turned out to be a hefty portion of thick noodles mixed with the standard vegetables and again heavy on the greasy side (photo: http://bit.ly/2ogwHN2). I went with one of the specials way above my head on the whiteboard, the $13.95 Rack of Lamb with Rice. It wasn't a rack like Jayne Mansfield has a rack. It was three grilled lamb chops. The plate came with a bowl of rice, a dipping soy sauce, and three lonely asparagus spears - their idea of a gourmet dinner (photo: http://bit.ly/2oo5qsB). I was hoping for a little more lamb and a lot less salt but that's probably the best they can do for the price. Now you can't come to the Kingdom of Dumpling without ordering dumplings. In order to fulfill our mission, we first ordered the $4.95 Shanghai Soup Dumplings because that's our litmus test for true dim sum and as expected, got a half-dozen in a basket (photo: http://bit.ly/2oQ5NwQ). They were just OK with a couple bereft of any broth inside. That was a bummer, and they certainly don't provide any worthy competition for Din Tai Fung. We ended our meal with the $5.95 Pork Pot Stickers (photo: http://bit.ly/2oWMO0t), which were steaming hot, hearty, and finally satisfying after all. Now for the Himalayan trek back to the car. FOOD - 3 stars...everything was just a bit off in flavor with excessive oil the major culprit AMBIANCE - 2 stars...like eating in a walk-in closet with a lot of other people SERVICE - 3 stars...servers seem to know how to maneuver around those tightly arranged tables and they are fast TOTAL - 3 stars...if this be the Kingdom of Dumpling, when was the coronation? -
Ed’s 4-star review: Let's face it. It was time for Villa Romana to go gentle into that good night. We had heard great stories about its heyday as a classic Italiano dining destination with the best pizza in town. However, by the time Jamie W. and I tried it for the first time during its last months in operation, it was clear that the next generation of the Accardo family had little interest in keeping the restaurant up judging by the exorbitantly priced Italiano dishes and the erratic service (review: http://bit.ly/17aouyb). Recently, Jamie and I just happened to be strolling on Irving when we noticed a new Mediterranean restaurant had opened in its place. We decide to give it a go, and when we entered, the only trace of Villa Romana was the big wine barrel ceiling which remained intact (photo: http://bit.ly/1Cz3z2G). The lunch menu was deceptively simple - just three folded flatbreads, two soups, two salads and six variations on the sandwich (photo: http://bit.ly/1AtVIpG). We both started with soups. Jamie had the Lentil ($5 by itself or $3.50 for a small bowl with an entree) which was a warm, hearty puree with carrots, onions and potatoes topped with croutons (photo: http://bit.ly/1L3Jh5q). It was the simplest of executions but quite satisfying. I ordered Mama's Meatball ($7 by itself or $4.50 for a small bowl with an entree), which was akin to the classic Greek avgolemeno soup with lamb meatballs, potatoes and carrots in a cream broth infused with lemon (photo: http://bit.ly/1EfSvaM). That was a truly refreshing soup with hearty flavor accented by the savory lamb. It may have just bypassed the avgolemeno soup I had at Ikaros in Oakland. The entrees didn't disappoint either. Jamie went predictable and ordered the $10 Lamb Wrap, but it was filling and delicious with huge chunks of lamb mixed with onions, tomatoes, greens and bell peppers in a warm, folded flatbread, slightly grilled with a slathering of yogurt-cucumber spread (photo: http://bit.ly/1zYERJu). It came with a small side salad and a wedge of watermelon. Mine was an unabashed winner, the $9.50 Fennel Cabbage Salad with a $3 helping of Grilled Lamb, a peppery, crunchy mix of fennel, purple and green cabbage and apple slices on a mound of arugula with just a hint of a vinaigrette as the lamb was already marinaded (photo: http://bit.ly/1zH1wFp). That was a fresh main dish salad worth ordering again. Unlike the latter day Villa Romana, the vibe was open and relaxed, and the service was attentive. This was a genuine find worth placing on your radar. FOOD - 4 stars...fresh Mediterranean spot with vibrant flavors that just may supplant Park Gyros as our go-to gyros spot near the park AMBIANCE - 4 stars...love how they freshened up the stodginess of Villa Romana into something open and airy SERVICE - 4 stars...quite attentive but not intrusive TOTAL - 4 stars...a genuine touch of the Aegean in the inner Sunset -
Ed’s 4-star review: Gee, it's been ten years since I first visited Marco Polo, but that doesn't compare to the 24 years he was gone on his journey to China to discover all sorts of goodies that he brought back to Venice. It's been said he transported Chinese noodles and that became the basis of pasta, but I believe that has been debunked probably not by the Chinese. I'm not sure if Marco Polo brought back durian gelato, as I don't think he had a deep freezer strapped to his camel. But who am I to argue with a shop that has the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum on their door sign (photo: http://bit.ly/2i4d8ms)? After all these years, it's still the most basic of ice cream shops, but what makes it unique is that they offer all the exotic fruit flavors you would associate with the floating market outside of Bangkok (photo: http://bit.ly/2ieHC4N). I've had the jackfruit and mangosteen before, but I finally girded my loins and ordered a $4.70 single cup with Coconut and yes, Durian Gelato (photo: http://bit.ly/2i41Puv). The combination was ideal even on a cold night, and while the durian has a distinct aroma, it isn't as overpowering as one would expect and the flavor takes over soon after. My partner in crime Jamie W. came with me this time and was happy with his choice. He went for a single cup as well but with the more traditional flavors of Mocha Chip and Fresh Banana Walnut (photo: http://bit.ly/2hnVlcR). It never did crowd much in there as young couples would come in and try all the exotic fruit flavors and then order something, a rather lengthy process but the even younger server seemed to know to expect that. It's still quite a trip for me to get over here unless I fall asleep on the L line, I guess, but maybe that's good since frequent scoops of indulgence cannot be that good for us. Just wondering if Marco Pol required liposuction after his trip to China. GELATO - 4 stars...still uniquely satisfying in that exotic Thai sort of way AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...tables and chairs, check SERVICE - 3 stars...a young guy who couldn't wait to go back and play on his smartphone between customers TOTAL - 4 stars...still worth a Marco Polo-like trek over Twin Peaks to get here -
Ed’s 5-star review: I had been wanting to try Marnee Thai since, well, you guessed it... I saw all three guests on "Check, Please! Bay Area" rave about it while Leslie Sbrocco was having one too many glasses of her reserve chardonnay. Unanimous praise is not that unusual on that program, but the dishes looked so uniquely succulent for what I thought would be just another Thai place that I couldn't resist its allure. Now here's the challenge these days. Jamie W. and I are going all plant-based with our dining choices, so we were wondering if we would be able to find anything on the menu to compete with the likes of the Spicy Angel Wings or the Stir-Fried Stewed Pork Belly, both of which I would have easily ordered and devoured just weeks earlier. Well, it turns out our concerns were unfounded as their vegetarian options are genuinely tasty and satisfying here. First things first, Marnee Thai passed my spring roll test, the true litmus for the quality of any Southeast Asian fare that lies ahead of me. The $7.95 Summer Rolls, a seasonal special, were crispy-fresh with just the right consistency in both the rice noodles and the wrapper. Yes, I recognize there was shrimp in them. Don't expect me to be perfect, OK? Bottom-feeders are in my diet, I swear. Regardless, the hoisin peanut sauce was the perfect complement (see photo). We then shared two veg-head dishes. The first was Jamie's predictable choice - the $9.50 Pad Thai Vegetarian, which mixed the savory fried rice stick noodles and fresh bean sprouts with a bounty of stir-fried vegetables - broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, snap peas, asparagus and baby corn (see photo). Warmed tofu, egg and a carpet of ground peanuts completed the picture. It was a nice, fresh execution on an old standby. But I have to tell you I was completely blown away by the $9.50 Spicy Ma Kuer, a peasant-style plate of sautéed eggplant with mushrooms, fried tofu, baby corn, bell pepper, chili, garlic and Thai basil (see photo). Again, it was the consistency of the eggplant that really made this dish almost carnivorous in nature. But the eggplant has no face and no mother, so I'm cool. I would order that dish again in a heartbeat, and I can't wait to try the Pumpkin Curry next time. So if you find yourself in the Inner Sunset after an afternoon traipsing around Golden Gate Park, I say this is a great place to rest your weary bones and indulge in some of the tastiest Thai food I've had in this fair city of ours. FOOD - 5 stars...robust flavors pop at this compact, busy place AMBIANCE - 4 stars...a bit tight in there SERVICE - 4.5 stars...genuinely attentive and quick TOTAL - 5 stars...could be my go-to Thai vegetarian place from now on -
Ed’s 4-star review: In the midst of all the Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai restaurants in the immediate area west of 19th Avenue on Irving, it's a bit of a surprise to see a place like Noori serving South Asian fare. The best Indian places I've tried in the city are usually in the Mission or the Tenderloin, but I'm glad to have come upon this one because it's a definite contender with a conscientious owner at the helm. Much like we did with the Korean home cooking at Toyose on Noriega a few weeks back, Jamie W. and I ventured over to the Outer Sunset simply for the novelty value of having an Indian dinner somewhere outside of our Bermuda culinary triangle of SoMa, the Tenderloin and the Mission. It turned out to be worth the trip. It's a fairly spartan place minimal on the expected silk paintings and Ganesh-centric decorations and a dining room which felt a bit more like an extended hallway. Good thing it wasn't a particularly crowded evening as we were seated immediately. The first thing we ordered was our favorite veg dish, the $8.99 Bhindi Masala, which was nicely turned with the okra cooked to a texture that was still toothsome (see photo). Combined with their Punjabi-style curry, it compares quite favorably to even our favorite bhindi masala at Alhamra in the Mission, no small feat. A nice complement was the $6.99 Vegetable Jalfrazi, which is a nice vegetable medley of cauliflower, peppers and big cubes of paneer in a sauce of fresh tomatoes and spices (see photo). Both dishes worked very well with the $2.49 helping of Basmati Rice, which turned out to be just enough for the two of us. For his entree, Jamie went informal and ordered the $6.99 Chicken Wrap, which takes a lavash slathered in tamarind sauce and fills it with a mix of big, tender pieces of tandoori chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and mint. It tasted more Middle Eastern than South Asian, but neither of us was complaining. I went for the $4.49 Tandoori Chicken Leg, which was definitely tender and hot enough but really not quite as satisfying as the one I would have gotten at Alhamra or Chutney (see photo). Maybe it had to do with the fact that it was transferred to a plate rather than left in a cast iron server as is usually the case. That was plenty enough food for a Saturday evening, and the fact that we were talking about returning is always a good sign. We liked how the owner appears to help the servers whenever they are overextended and chatted with regulars but not to an excess. It's a most efficient operation. FOOD - 4 stars...quite satisfying vegetable dishes, pretty good on the tandoori as well AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...minimal and compact but clean and well maintained SERVICE - 4 stars...attentive to all TOTAL - 4 stars...well run South Asian cafe in an unexpected part of town -
Ed’s 4-star review: OK, I have to admit something here. The only reason I came here is because an SF Eater article mentioned that when Franklin Barbecue owner Aaron Franklin and his wife Stacy were in town, this was the one place they patronized. If you don't know, Franklin is the most acclaimed chef in the Southwest, and the luckiest of his foodie fans were able to savor his much-acclaimed brisket at a one-time pop-up they held in Dogpatch. Sadly I missed my opportunity for those morsels, but I was still intrigued as to why anyone would venture across town to come to a place I've only heard about in passing and from a long-ago episode of "Check, Please! Bay Area". It's most definitely unique starting with its somewhat remote Outer Sunset location on a residential block on Vicente. After all, when was the last time you've eaten at a Muslim Chinese restaurant? It turns out to be the only one in the city. It's a Halal-style cuisine native to western China close to the 'Stans, y'know ...Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Whatever-stan. I came by myself early on a Saturday evening crossing my fingers that there wouldn't be a long wait. Dame Fortune smiled upon me since it was fairly empty, and the young server seated me at a table for four with a portable burner in the middle. Oh cool, I could get a hot pot. Which I did, the Beijing Style Hot Pot which starts at $3 per person for a Hot & Spicy Soup Base (photo: http://bit.ly/1K8QXVa). There's no pork served here, of course, but plenty of beef and lamb. I went for the $6.95 order of Lamb Slice decoratively rolled into thin slices on a plate (photo: http://bit.ly/1MjXmMw). To complement the meat, I ordered the $3.95 plate of Enoki Mushrooms and with that came the dipping sauce that was made with a fermented bean paste, ground sesame seeds, a native peppercorn sauce and topped with fresh cilantro (photo: http://bit.ly/1EUKtCm). The server came out with the big hot pot and started the burner. As soon as it started bubbling, I plopped the meat and mushrooms in alternating moves with my chopsticks. My years of experience with shabu shabu have finally paid off. Very tasty with a nice kick from the broth, easy to devour. I heard about the Flour Balls from others on this site, so I decided to take a chance on a $10.95 plate of Stirred Flour Balls. The balls turned out to be gnocchi, Chinese-style, with pieces of lamb, beef, chicken and shrimp mixed with bean sprouts, chestnuts and mushrooms (photo: http://bit.ly/1KCMUym). A tad underwhelming but still tasty and I had plenty left for a to-go box. I an see why Aaron ventured so far out of his way for this very out-of-the-way spot. FOOD - 4 stars...unique hot pots and flour balls make for eating that's more satisfying than adventurous AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...tiny spot with big banquet tables and just a few tables for normal-size parties SERVICE - 3.5 stars...attentive though not very talkative to newcomers like me TOTAL - 4 stars...there's only one Muslim Chinese restaurant in the city...I suggest you go try it stat -
Ed’s 3-star review: The following message is fully endorsed by the NRA, and may Chuck Heston rest in peace... So this mean alpha panda walks into a bar. In fact, he was so mean he had a tattoo that said "Exploit Tibet". He slammed his paw on the counter and bellowed... "Give me a Shirley Temple with two maraschino cherries...and don't be stingy, round eyes!" He downed it in no time but saw only one maraschino cherry. He took out a gun. Gasps of horror could be heard...the patrons were shaking in their boots. The panda walked slowly out and just as he reached the door... He squirted the bartender with his water pistol. The moistened bartender shouted, "Hey masked man, who are you??" He said, "I'm a panda...look it up!", and walked into the night. The bartender ran for the dictionary and looked up "panda"..."noun - a black and white marsupial native to central-western and southwestern China...eats shoots and leaves". This cautionary tale was brought to you by Panda Express, America's largest Chinese fast food restaurant chain with 1,010 locations, one near you. Jamie W. and I were running late to see comedian Alec Mapa's show at Cole Hall, but we felt peckish. What else could we do? The best I can say is that I didn't get sick. Thank you. FOOD - 3 stars....oh, it wasn't THAT horrible...and I've seen YOU eat there...don't deny it AMBIANCE - 2 stars...uh, it's a food court, OK? SERVICE - 3.5 stars...they have jobs and are doing their best with what they got...if that doesn't say America, I don't know what does TOTAL - 3 stars...eats shoots and leaves...oh I get it -
Ed’s 4-star review: As you emerge from Golden Gate Park onto 9th and Lincoln, there is a flood of dining options to consider in front of you - Ebisu, Park Chow, Marnee Thai, Pacific Fresh - so it's easy to see why you would overlook Park Gyros. I certainly have for a number of years until last week when Jamie W. and I decided we wanted to have Mediterranean food to satisfy our flexitarian dietary needs. Oh yes, we're flexitarians. We bad, we bad. So we figured there would be something on their menu that could be healthy enough for us to consider. And indeed there was and not as costly as its competitors either. Sure, it has the ambiance of a college hangout, but if it bothers you so much, order your food to go and head out to the park. Jamie went for the $9.45 Chicken Gyros Salad, which was quite hefty with shards of marinated chicken breast over mixed greens already doused with a vinaigrette and served with marinated red onions and an additional yogurt sauce for good measure (see photo). The chicken was pretty tender considering how charred it was. He ordered a couple of the $0.75 Falafel Balls (...yes, Falafel Balls) for good measure (see photo). I decided to go for the $12.95 Combo Fish Salad, which had the same greens and marinated onions as Jamie's salad but with a large slice of charred salmon fillet on top with chunks of grilled swordfish underneath (see photo). It was a hearty portion to be sure and quite an aquarium of flavors. Both our salads came with quite a few slices of warmed pita bread which went nicely with the yogurt sauce. I will overlook this place no more. FOOD - 4 stars...fresh, hearty salads spotlight their grilling skills AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...looks like a fast-food joint you'd find at a beach boardwalk SERVICE - 3 stars...certainly fast enough TOTAL - 4 stars...a relative bargain for this block of dining options -
Ed’s 3-star review: Hey paisan! You like-a pizza? We gotta pizza right 'ere. OK, nobody talk-a like dat to us at Pasquale's, but it's the kind of old-school, plastic-tablecloth place where you'd expect someone in a Chef Boyardee outfit to come out and talk like that (photo: http://bit.ly/1jhX7qa). Well, at least the waitress was friendly and attentive, a far cry from the indifference we experienced across the street at the equally old-school Villa Romana. In fact, she sat us at the "special" table under the florescent blacklight so that our plastic water glasses would glow in an iridescent purplish pink (photo: http://bit.ly/1oSc29Y). Jamie W. and I have noticed this place for years as we peered out of the N-Judah, so this was the Friday night where we would give it a shot. Whether Chef Boyardee tosses the dough in the air with one hand or not, we knew we were getting a pizza, but I was thinking we could share a $5.50 half-order of the Spaghetti with Meat Sauce. It was definitely on the ho-hum side. I mean, look at it (photo: http://bit.ly/QLNAe7). Doesn't it look like it came out of a jar? Yeah, I think so, too, even when you apply an aggressive shake of the dry Parmesan cheese on top. Yeah, I knew I should have ordered the Antipasto Salad for a little more variety on our palates. Luckily, the pizza didn't disappoint nearly as much. we settled on the $21.50 16" House Special with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, and salami (photo: http://bit.ly/1jwGIs3). We figured if we were kickin' it old-school, we'd kick it over the curb. It was a pretty satisfying pie, and they certainly didn't skimp on the toppings which were piled high on the melted cheese. The crust was the thin, cracker-like kind, not my favorite since it buckles under the pressure of excessive toppings. But it was still good enough for us to devour 2/3 of it right there. The rest of it went home with Jamie in a box with a cartoon...oh, there's Pasquale (photo: http://bit.ly/1nR1V58) Hey paisan! Anyhow, I'm not the type who pooh-poohs a place like this in favor of the designer pizzerias that offer fig and prosciutto on their fashion-forward pizzas. OK, I am that type, but I still like the old-school pizza that reminds me of college all-nighters. I could have used a glow-in-the-dark glass back then. FOOD - 3 stars...generic spaghetti but the nostalgic pizza saves the evening AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...familiar old-time pizza place that'll give fellow baby boomers flashbacks SERVICE - 3.5 stars...speedy and pretty attentive throughout TOTAL - 3 stars...worth a trip in the wayback machine if you're in the mood for good dorm-room pizza -
Ed’s 4-star review: I would be hard pressed to give Perilla anything less than four stars - it's solid, house-made Vietnamese fare for the relatively undemanding urbanite. Maybe because Jamie W. and I are used to the one on Mission near the demolished Transbay Terminal, a bustling place during the lunch hour, that we were marginally disappointed with the garlic level in the garlic noodles served here. Dare I say it was a tad bland, which makes stuffing your face with heavy-duty carbs more of a dietary challenge than it has to be. But I won't ding them much for that since the quality level is still pretty darn high for the Perilla brand. Now that there are three of them in the city plus PPQ Beef Noodle House close to this location and the PPQ Dungeness Island in the Outer Richmond - are we looking at the Vietnamese version of the King of Thai Noodle chain? Could be... In truth, we went to the Geary location first but found it closed for renovation, so out of determination to have our garlic noodles, we took the 44 O'Shaughnessy line to the Irving Street location, which was very nearly packed. Soon after we were seated, we ordered the $6.50 Shrimp Rolls, which were a tad small but still delectable as a starter. Jamie and I went our separate ways on our $8.50 Garlic Noodle plates - I had my standby, the Five-Spice Chicken (see photo), while he veered into the Charbroiled Pork marinaded in garlic and pepper (see photo). Both were perfectly tasty, but I have to admit the standout may have been the $6.50 plate of Seasoned Vegetables - shredded cabbage and carrots mixed with fried tofu (see photo). I was liking it all, but the young woman sitting behind me kept playing with her hair, pulling it into a ponytail, and whipping it against my head with no regard to the lack of sanitation in her nervous habit. Disgusting...and wear a hat to cover your dandruff-covered head, hon. FOOD - 4 stars...still Perilla-quality even if they seem to have a garlic shortage here AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...get me away from that hair-tossing moron! SERVICE - 3 stars...always smiling, just not always present TOTAL - 4 stars...if only the Mission location stayed open for dinner and on weekends (sigh) -
Ed’s 4-star review: Jamie W. and I caught the near-tail-end of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass watching Dwight Yoakam have an onstage hissy fit about his bleeding finger when we realized we didn't want to struggle with the crowds who would pour back into the eastbound MUNI express buses. We were a short stroll from 19th Avenue and Irving, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to try Pho Phu Quoc since we both like Perilla a lot. That's the mini-chain of Vietnamese restaurants that shares the same owner. This pretty standard-looking place looks to be just as popular - although we were lucky to catch it in between waves of dining packs. Pho Phu Quoc doesn't have quite the same menu as there is a greater emphasis on - big surprise! - pho, as we saw a lot of slurp-worthy bowls on the other tables around us. Jamie impressed me by ordering the $9.50 Papaya Salad with Shrimp, which was quite refreshing after a long afternoon at the park with julienned papaya, basil and carrots topped with poached shrimp, chopped peanuts and fried shallots (see photo). It was a nice mix of textures and flavors - crunchy, sweet and slightly savory. We followed this with a $6.75 plate of Imperial Rolls, three of them deep-fried, cut in half and stuffed with ground pork, taro, shredded carrots and silver noodles with a ramekin of puckery nuoc mam sauce (see photo). Not so healthy a choice but delicious nonetheless. We both went for the $9 rice plates for our entrees which come with a bit of a side salad and more of the nuoc mam sauce. Jamie ordered the Charbroiled Pork Rice Plate, which was very much like a plate you can order at Hahn's Hibachi (see photo). Foolproof and tasty but not terribly unique in execution. Mine was more unusual, the Shredded Pork, Charbroiled Pork & Baked Egg-Loaf Rice Plate, a combination plate of savory carnivery with the egg-loaf a frittata-like creation that must surely have Gallic origins (see photo). Quite good with a good variety of flavors. We'll definitely make a return visit when we're in the 'hood, probably to try the pho. People were really slurping that loud and clear. FOOD - 4 stars...good, sturdy, no-frills Vietnamese well executed AMBIANCE - 3 stars...standard-looking SERVICE - 3.5 stars...fast and furious TOTAL - 4 stars...worthy fare if you're in the area -
Ed’s 3-star review: When I was a teenager looking for a summer job, I actually auditioned to be a performer at the Great America amusement park down in Santa Clara. Yes, I know it's hard to believe but true. Now the only song I knew the lyrics to at the time was Blood, Sweat & Tears' "Spinning Wheel"... "What goes up must come down / Spinning wheel gotta go 'round..." I barely got to the chorus when they stopped me and told me to apply to the food services area. That was the end of my Grammy-winning aspirations, but I managed a sense of déjà vu when I saw the spinning wheel behind the counter at Polly Ann (photo: http://bit.ly/12Z0E4n). "Talking about your troubles it's a crying sin / Ride a painted pony, let the spinning wheel spin..." Jamie W. and I came here after an all-day road trip we took up to Sebastopol. I recalled Polly Ann from a list of ice cream must-try spots I wrote about as the SF Travel Examiner a few years back. It was the one spot I never tried before, so it was about time we got here. In business since 1955 under various mom-and-pop owners, the spinning wheel is a leftover gimmick that allows indecisive customers to use a carnival-type wheel to determine what flavor they're going to have. I didn't see a single customer willing to go for broke since they now offer 500 flavors, and surely they can't all be winners. I know because I came up bust on at least one flavor. I decided to go for three flavors with a $4 Double serving in a cup. The Bumpy Freeway was their term for rocky road and just what I wanted with the marshmallows and nuts in milk chocolate ice cream. The Pistachio Almond was also fine, but the Four C's was a train wreck of a flavor. the combination of chocolate, coffee, champagne and cherry brought out a medicinal flavor I couldn't shake for quite some time (photo: http://bit.ly/10MqCb8). Jamie was wiser and stuck with a $2.95 Single in a cup combining Rum Raisin and Cookie Doughboy (photo: http://bit.ly/19jtArl). That was a more satisfying mix than the random, ADD hodgepodge I had them pull together for me. "Ride a painted pony, let the spinning wheel fly!" ICE CREAM - 3 stars...perhaps the luck of the wheel could help you maneuver the 500 flavors they offer, maybe not AMBIANCE - 3 stars...old-fashioned spot with few tables (photo: http://bit.ly/1a6pQJd), expect to take it with you SERVICE - 3.5 stars...cheery enough...though given the excessive number of choices, they should act more like sommeliers and discourage us from making bad combo choices TOTAL - 3 stars...I think I'll stick with the basics the next time I come here -
Ed’s 5-star review: Y'know, when you go to the movies and you see those Fandango commercials before the previews? The ones with the paper bag puppets. Yeah, those ads. Well, my favorite is the Bollywood musical number (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqCKoGhc-qA). That has nothing to do with this review except I just had some great Indian food. OK, maybe that's still a stretch... Even though West Portal sounds like a gateway to heaven or at least the entrance to a really pricey Greek-style spa, it's actually one of those neighborhoods in which I rarely venture. I'm a downtown type of guy that refers to anything in this area as "somewhere over Twin Peaks". Shame on me for having such a limited vantage point since there are a lot of cool eateries around here of which this is one of the best. Five of us commandeered a table in this low-key Indian restaurant (...not to be mistaken for Rotee, the also stellar and slightly more casual place in the Haight). It was abuzz with activity that night, but the decor was soothing to this savage beast. Mustard walls. Silk fabrics framed on the walls. Soft lighting. Just the right vibe for the type of dinner that five friends, who hadn't seen each other in a while, wanted to have. On our appetite meter, we were definitely more than peckish moving toward full-blown famished. So to cut to the chase, we went for two orders of the $33-per-person Roti's Feast, which you may see as our lazy way to get around the menu. Yes, t'is true...but that's because everything looked so good. We received assorted samosas and pakoras which we promptly subdivided, a mixed tandoori plate, murgh masala, dal, pulao, kachumber, raita, naan, kheer and chai. If you recognize more than three names on that list, you have a more sophsticated palate than mine. I actually don't recall the chai, but I was so wrapped up in the dinner conversation that I may have overlooked it in favor of the wine. We also went for the dessert-like $16 Lamb Korma, which was bathing in a spicy cream sauce and topped with almonds & cashew nuts. Very tasty. We also shared the $10 Aloo Gobi, which had cauliflower and potato chunks cooked with onions, turmeric, and fresh herbs. The $4 Onion Kulcha was excellent as it was naan stuffed with herbs, spices and onions The dishes were becoming a blur of furious flavors at this point in the evening. No matter as I plan to return to the wilds of West Portal even if it means going outside my geographic comfort zone. Even with all the Indian options in my part of town, including Rotee and Indian Oven, the food is just that good here. So prepare the horses and the wagons and if you are not of such pioneer stock, you are still allowed to take a Muni train. It's worth the trek in any case. FOOD - 5 stars...rich, tasty Indian food in the Wild, Wild West Portal area AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...warm, not ostentatious and seemingly quite popular SERVICE - 4 stars...relatively prompt and serviceable TOTAL - 5 stars...for the food mainly...scale Twin Peaks and bring a Fandango-inspired paper bag puppet to entertain yourself in case there is a wait -
Ed’s 5-star review: I am the first to admit I don't appreciate our city's botanical garden enough probably because it's not a showy display of flowers like the Butchart Gardens up near Victoria, British Columbia. Of course, that costs $32 to enter, while this lovely, 55-acre attraction is completely free to city residents who can show a driver's license with a local address ($7 for non-residents). So who's complaining? Not me. It's a calming place that Jamie W. and I visit when we feel like taking an easy stroll from the entry point to Golden Gate Park at 9th and Lincoln. Besides, it doesn't smell of old lady like some other gardens do. We usually have to work off some of the calories from a satisfying meal we got at either Park Gyros, Park Chow or Marnee Thai. As you walk toward the very retro-looking County Fair building, I like the vertical sign that tells you all the things you can't do in the space (see photo). Once you enter the main gate, you see the Great Meadow, a wide expanse of manicured green dotted by majestic trees. Side paths take you to any of the four main gardens organized by climate, geography and plant type. There are at least two restful Japanese gardens which offer ponds, benches, Japanese maples and water irises. There's also a succulent garden, a fragrance garden and a fascinating garden devoted to ancient plants. The wildfowl pond features all sorts of fowl, and we ran into a parade of geese who seemed unperturbed by the humans in their path to the water. The camellia garden is a particularly nice place to sit a spell and enjoy the colorful glories of nature while resting your derriere. There's a tiny garden bookstore at the entrance that's worth perusing and a rack of seeds for the more horticulturally inclined. This is well worth a stop on the way to many of the other attractions in the park (see the photo gallery).
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