Thursday, January 19, 2006
Dinner at Maya, San Francisco, CA
Part of "Dine About Town", we decided to give Maya, an upscale Mexican place, a try. The menu sounded more interesting than the food actually was. As it turned out, Giao had actually been there before. It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't go there again.
Guacamole with Chips $7.50
The guacamole was decent, but lacked zip (lime or garlic or something). The chips were fried tortillas rather than store bought, which was nice.
Green and Red Salsa (free)
Deep, earthy flavors and nice heat.
Creamy Roasted Corn Soup with Huitlacoche Dumpling $8.50
Too sweet and too thick. More of a puree than a soup. The dumpling's flavor was also masked by the strong corn flavor.
Pyramid of Grilled Hanger Steak with Vine-Ripened Grilled Tomatoes, Sautéed Onions, Black Bean Puree, Chile de Arbol Vinaigrette, Fresh Guacamole and Crispy Tortilla Strips $18.50
This turned out better than expected, although I could have done without the black bean puree. The steak was cooked medium-rare, as I asked for and the vinagrette was a nice touch.
Lobster & Shrimp Marinated in Achiote Paste with Roasted Corn Puree, Watercress~Avocado~Tomato Salad, Chile de Arbol Vinaigrette, Chile Habanero and Chive Rouille $25
Not enough shrimp or lobster for the price. The sauce was a bit strange and the seefood a bit tough. The corn puree left something to be desired.
Ratings:
Food: 0
Decor: 0
Service: 1
Website
Health Code Violations
Guacamole with Chips $7.50
The guacamole was decent, but lacked zip (lime or garlic or something). The chips were fried tortillas rather than store bought, which was nice.
Green and Red Salsa (free)
Deep, earthy flavors and nice heat.
Chile Dusted, Fried Calamari with Napa Cabbage and Baby Arugula Salad in a Chipotle-Blood Orange Reduction $9
Quite good. The calamari was crisp, yet tender and the slightly sweet salad added a fresh crunch. I didn't really taste the chile though.
Quite good. The calamari was crisp, yet tender and the slightly sweet salad added a fresh crunch. I didn't really taste the chile though.
Creamy Roasted Corn Soup with Huitlacoche Dumpling $8.50
Too sweet and too thick. More of a puree than a soup. The dumpling's flavor was also masked by the strong corn flavor.
Pyramid of Grilled Hanger Steak with Vine-Ripened Grilled Tomatoes, Sautéed Onions, Black Bean Puree, Chile de Arbol Vinaigrette, Fresh Guacamole and Crispy Tortilla Strips $18.50
This turned out better than expected, although I could have done without the black bean puree. The steak was cooked medium-rare, as I asked for and the vinagrette was a nice touch.
Lobster & Shrimp Marinated in Achiote Paste with Roasted Corn Puree, Watercress~Avocado~Tomato Salad, Chile de Arbol Vinaigrette, Chile Habanero and Chive Rouille $25
Not enough shrimp or lobster for the price. The sauce was a bit strange and the seefood a bit tough. The corn puree left something to be desired.
Ratings:
Food: 0
Decor: 0
Service: 1
Website
Health Code Violations
# posted by Giao and Alexis @ 7:21 PM 
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