Friday, January 16, 2009
Pretty Good Thai at Osha, San Francisco, CA
After some football watching at the bar, we headed to Osha next door for a quick meal before going home.
Spring Rolls $9
These were just ok. The wrapper was a bit thick.
Spicy Catfish $16
This was a tad sweet, but overall, very tasty.
Shrimp Paste Fried Rice $12
This is better at the Tenderloin location. For some reason at this location they add frozen peas and carrots, which is just weird.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Decor: 2
Service: 1
Osha Thai
149 2nd St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
Spring Rolls $9
These were just ok. The wrapper was a bit thick.
Spicy Catfish $16
This was a tad sweet, but overall, very tasty.
Shrimp Paste Fried Rice $12
This is better at the Tenderloin location. For some reason at this location they add frozen peas and carrots, which is just weird.
Food: 1
Decor: 2
Service: 1
Osha Thai
149 2nd St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
Labels: Decor: 2, Food: 1, restaurant, review, Service: 1
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Simple and Delicious at Range, San Francisco, CA
Although we hadn't been here in a while, we were happy to find that Range is still holding on in the crappy economy and serving up delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere. Also, although the waitress accidentally placed the wrong order for Giao (and he ate 1/2 of it before realizing), she graciously took it off the bill AND brought us a free dessert. This was a fabulous way to fix a service mistake.
Raw Yellowtail $12.50
Duck with Spaetzle $25
Tender, juicy dusk and slightly crispy, yet yielding, spaetzle made this dish incredibly satisfying.
Fish with Beans, Baby Turnips and Baby Carrots $18, but gratuit
This was the dish that Giao didn't order, but he ate it and liked it anyway.
Butterscotch Pudding ($8, but gratuit)
Not a dessert I would have ordered, but it was quite delicious and opened my eyes to how great a well executed pudding can be.
Ratings:
Food: 2
Decor: 2
Service: 2
Range
842 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
Raw Yellowtail $12.50
The yellowtail was seasoned with pickled beets, Meyer lemon and tarragon and it was a nice, fresh way to start a meal
Duck with Spaetzle $25
Tender, juicy dusk and slightly crispy, yet yielding, spaetzle made this dish incredibly satisfying.
Fish with Beans, Baby Turnips and Baby Carrots $18, but gratuitThis was the dish that Giao didn't order, but he ate it and liked it anyway.
Butterscotch Pudding ($8, but gratuit)
Not a dessert I would have ordered, but it was quite delicious and opened my eyes to how great a well executed pudding can be.
Food: 2
Decor: 2
Service: 2
Range
842 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
Labels: Decor: 2, Food: 2, nouveau American, restaurant, review, Service: 2
Winter Prix Fixe at Bar Bambino, San Francisco, CA
Bar Bambino, in cahoots with Zagat, put together a beautiful winter prix frixe. Bar Bambino is definitely one of our new favorites. I think the 4 course meal was $55 per person.
Arancini
Perfect, tasty fried rice balls.
Pickled Trout with Greens
The fish was fresh and light.
Christmas Salad
This was an interesting combo of oranges, fennel, capers and pomegranate that worked really well and was quite beautiful.
Meat Ravioli in Broth
The pasta is freshly made and the filling was dense and hearty.
Lobster Ravioli with Red Sauce
These tasted less like seafood than I would have imagined, but they were still delicious.
Beef Stuffed with Pork
Meat stuffed with meat sounded like a bit much, but the flavors really melded and this was much lighter than imagined.
Stuffed Halibut
The fish was well cooked and the stuffing was flavorful.
Trio of Gratins
These gratins, brocolli, fennel and potato, were all equally delicious. They were tender and creamy and well seasoned.
Chocolate-Chestnut Pudding with Whipped Cream
This was a nice, not-too-sweet, way to end the meal. My only complaint would be that there should have been more pudding and less chestnut puree.
Arancini
Perfect, tasty fried rice balls.
Pickled Trout with Greens
The fish was fresh and light.
Christmas Salad
This was an interesting combo of oranges, fennel, capers and pomegranate that worked really well and was quite beautiful.
Meat Ravioli in Broth
The pasta is freshly made and the filling was dense and hearty.
Lobster Ravioli with Red Sauce
These tasted less like seafood than I would have imagined, but they were still delicious.
Beef Stuffed with Pork
Meat stuffed with meat sounded like a bit much, but the flavors really melded and this was much lighter than imagined.
Stuffed Halibut
The fish was well cooked and the stuffing was flavorful.
Trio of Gratins
These gratins, brocolli, fennel and potato, were all equally delicious. They were tender and creamy and well seasoned.
Chocolate-Chestnut Pudding with Whipped Cream
This was a nice, not-too-sweet, way to end the meal. My only complaint would be that there should have been more pudding and less chestnut puree.
Labels: Decor: 2, Food: 2, Italian, restaurant, Service: 1, Service: 2
Friday, November 14, 2008
Halloween Prix Fixe at Canteen, San Francisco, CA
We had a fairly low-key Halloween this year and ended up, last minute, at Canteen for their special Halloween prix fixe. They graciously made some accomodations for my pregnant self's easting restriction and the menu, at $60 per person, was pretty good all around, although there were a couple of stinkers.
Blue Cheese, Green Apple and Honey
This was a substitution for me since the standard amuse bouche was raw. However, I can't eat blue-veined cheese either right now, so I just ate the apples, which were especially tasty, seeing as I can't seem to get enough apples these days.
Raw Scallop
A tasty first bite for Giao.
Fresh, Hot Dinner Rolls
Pillowy, buttery and delicious.
Tuna, Cauliflower Salad and Deep Fried Olive Butter
For me, the tuna was cooked, for Giao it was raw. The tuna held up well to the very flavorful olive butter. The cauliflower salad was a nice, more bland, accompaniment. You rarely are served raw cauliflower, and it tasted quite good.
Chestnut Soup with Chantarelles
This was so smooth and really delicious. The meatiness of the chantarelles matched the earthy sweetness of the soup. The whole thing tasted of the forest.
Pheasant Terrine with Cranberries
This was not our favorite dish. The warm pheasant terrine was a bit bland and strange. The cranberry sauce was nice and tart, however.
Flank Steak, Fried Potatoes, Spinach and Cippolini Onions
This was a perfect dish. The rather ordinary ingredients were executed perfectly. It felt homey and restaurant-y at the same time. Yum.
Pears and Walnut Cake with Caramel Sauce
The pears and sauce were good, but there was nothing much going on with the cake. This dish could have benefited from a bit of acid. All that being said, we are not really dessert people.
Blue Cheese, Green Apple and Honey
This was a substitution for me since the standard amuse bouche was raw. However, I can't eat blue-veined cheese either right now, so I just ate the apples, which were especially tasty, seeing as I can't seem to get enough apples these days.
Raw Scallop
A tasty first bite for Giao.
Fresh, Hot Dinner Rolls
Pillowy, buttery and delicious.
Tuna, Cauliflower Salad and Deep Fried Olive Butter
For me, the tuna was cooked, for Giao it was raw. The tuna held up well to the very flavorful olive butter. The cauliflower salad was a nice, more bland, accompaniment. You rarely are served raw cauliflower, and it tasted quite good.
Chestnut Soup with Chantarelles
This was so smooth and really delicious. The meatiness of the chantarelles matched the earthy sweetness of the soup. The whole thing tasted of the forest.
Pheasant Terrine with Cranberries
This was not our favorite dish. The warm pheasant terrine was a bit bland and strange. The cranberry sauce was nice and tart, however.
Flank Steak, Fried Potatoes, Spinach and Cippolini Onions
This was a perfect dish. The rather ordinary ingredients were executed perfectly. It felt homey and restaurant-y at the same time. Yum.
Pears and Walnut Cake with Caramel Sauce
The pears and sauce were good, but there was nothing much going on with the cake. This dish could have benefited from a bit of acid. All that being said, we are not really dessert people.
817 Sutter St
San Francisco, CA 94109
San Francisco, CA 94109
Labels: Decor: 2, Food: 2, restaurant, review, Service: 1
Friday, October 24, 2008
Dinner at The French Laundry, Yountville, CA
Giao had been to the French Laundry a couple times before, and we've been to Per Se together, but Alexis had yet to experience the French Laundry, so this was her first time. Perhaps this wasn't the most economical restaurant choice for a recession, but if the economy gets any worse, perhaps all the nice restaurants will go out of business, so, we thought we'd better go now. Also, in 3 months our baby will be born, so we figured we don't really have a lot of time left to drive up to Napa without extensive childcare preparation. The tasting menu was $240 per person and Giao opted for the $30 supplement for the foie gras as well as a glass of Sauterne to go with it. Alexis was offered a selection of house made sodas and opted for the meyer lemon soda. The sodas were free of charge, when we got the bill.
While the French Laundry is certainly an experience worth having, we did find the menu to be rather tame. Per Se was much more interesting. Also, there are places of the same caliber in the city (like Coi and The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton) that are cheaper and have more dynamic menus. None of this is to say that the meal was not amazing, but having experienced it, I no longer hold the French Laundry on the pedastle that I once did.
Cheesy Gougere
A nice, tasty way to start the meal. Perfectly executed.
Salmon Tartare and Artichoke Coronettes with Creme Fraiche
This is a classic Keller dish and because I can't eat raw fish right now, due to the pregnancy, I was given an equally tasty artichoke version.
Oysters and Pearls
This is a signature dish at the French Laundry. Giao found it to be totally amazing. Oysters and caviar are very decadent.
Radish, Cauliflower and Radish Salad
A subtle, pleasant beginning to a meal. The super-thin slices of the veggies were also beautiful.
Foie Gras Terrine with Quince Relish, Frisee and Spice Bread Puree
The only time we had ever previously seen a bread puree was at Alinea in Chicago. In this preparation, it worked very well as a sauce.
Brioche (served with the foie gras)
3 Types of Salt (served with the foie gras)
Hearts of Peach Palm Salad with Cucumber, Radish and Yuzu-Apple Coulis
Refreshing.
Tuna Tartare with Charred Persimmons and Chestnut Puree
A beautiful dish whose flavors melded together beautifully.
Kahala Filet, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Broccolini, Lily Bulbs and Ginger Emulsion
The fish was perfectly cooked and the simple flavors of each element created an oddly cohesive dish.
Lobster Tail with Melted Leeks and Beet Sauce
The butter poached lobster was perfectly cooked and very sweet. The sweetness of the beets really complemented the lobster in an unexpected pairing. The leeks provided a nice savory element. This was probably our favorite dish of the night.
Rabbit with Onions, Carrots, Artichoke Puree and Dijon Sauce
The rabbit was tender and not at all gamey. The artichoke puree was so amazingly smooth and really went well with the rabbit.
Lamb with Black Rice, Cauliflower, Golden Raisins, Cilantro Shoots and Curry Sauce
The curry was subtle and let the tender lamb shine. Usually I'm not a fan of fruit with meat, but this was not at all offensive. Black rice is always a nutty, earthy surprise.
Tomme de Berger Cheese with Beans, Chorizo, Piquillo Peppers and Arugula
This was a tasty dish, for sure, but the accompaniments did seem a bit superfluous.
French Toast with Buttermilk Sorbet and Huckleberry Sauce
The buttermilk sorbet was tangy and delicious and I wish it were served without the french toast and with more of the awesome huckleberry sauce.
Sesame Seed and Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Tahini Ganache and Shiso Sorbet
The shiso sorbet was unexpectedly delicious and really rounded out the strong chocolate flavors.
Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts
Decadent in every way.
A variety of petit-fours, above and below. Some hits, some misses, but lots of variety.
More petit-fours...
Ratings:
Food: 3
Decor: 2
Service: 3
The French Laundry
6640 Washington St
Yountville, CA 94599
While the French Laundry is certainly an experience worth having, we did find the menu to be rather tame. Per Se was much more interesting. Also, there are places of the same caliber in the city (like Coi and The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton) that are cheaper and have more dynamic menus. None of this is to say that the meal was not amazing, but having experienced it, I no longer hold the French Laundry on the pedastle that I once did.
Cheesy Gougere
A nice, tasty way to start the meal. Perfectly executed.
Salmon Tartare and Artichoke Coronettes with Creme Fraiche
This is a classic Keller dish and because I can't eat raw fish right now, due to the pregnancy, I was given an equally tasty artichoke version.
Oysters and Pearls
This is a signature dish at the French Laundry. Giao found it to be totally amazing. Oysters and caviar are very decadent.
Radish, Cauliflower and Radish Salad
A subtle, pleasant beginning to a meal. The super-thin slices of the veggies were also beautiful.
Foie Gras Terrine with Quince Relish, Frisee and Spice Bread Puree
The only time we had ever previously seen a bread puree was at Alinea in Chicago. In this preparation, it worked very well as a sauce.
Brioche (served with the foie gras)
3 Types of Salt (served with the foie gras)
Hearts of Peach Palm Salad with Cucumber, Radish and Yuzu-Apple Coulis
Refreshing.
Tuna Tartare with Charred Persimmons and Chestnut Puree
A beautiful dish whose flavors melded together beautifully.
Kahala Filet, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Broccolini, Lily Bulbs and Ginger Emulsion
The fish was perfectly cooked and the simple flavors of each element created an oddly cohesive dish.
Lobster Tail with Melted Leeks and Beet Sauce
The butter poached lobster was perfectly cooked and very sweet. The sweetness of the beets really complemented the lobster in an unexpected pairing. The leeks provided a nice savory element. This was probably our favorite dish of the night.
Rabbit with Onions, Carrots, Artichoke Puree and Dijon Sauce
The rabbit was tender and not at all gamey. The artichoke puree was so amazingly smooth and really went well with the rabbit.
Lamb with Black Rice, Cauliflower, Golden Raisins, Cilantro Shoots and Curry Sauce
The curry was subtle and let the tender lamb shine. Usually I'm not a fan of fruit with meat, but this was not at all offensive. Black rice is always a nutty, earthy surprise.
Tomme de Berger Cheese with Beans, Chorizo, Piquillo Peppers and Arugula
This was a tasty dish, for sure, but the accompaniments did seem a bit superfluous.
French Toast with Buttermilk Sorbet and Huckleberry Sauce
The buttermilk sorbet was tangy and delicious and I wish it were served without the french toast and with more of the awesome huckleberry sauce.
Sesame Seed and Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Tahini Ganache and Shiso Sorbet
The shiso sorbet was unexpectedly delicious and really rounded out the strong chocolate flavors.
Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts
Decadent in every way.
A variety of petit-fours, above and below. Some hits, some misses, but lots of variety.
More petit-fours...
Ratings:
Food: 3
Decor: 2
Service: 3
The French Laundry
6640 Washington St
Yountville, CA 94599
Labels: Decor: 2, Food: 3, restaurant, review, service: 3
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Light, But Satisfying Dinner at The Slow Club, San Francisco, CA
The Slow Club has a small, simple, changing menu. There are never a ton of surprises, but the food is always solid and we've not been disappointed.
Caesar Salad $9
Big and classic.
Flatbread with Bacon, Apples and Fontina $13
This pizza-esque dish was tasty and satisfying in a comfort food sort of way.
2501 Mariposa St
San Francisco, CA 94110
Caesar Salad $9
Big and classic.
Flatbread with Bacon, Apples and Fontina $13
This pizza-esque dish was tasty and satisfying in a comfort food sort of way.
San Francisco, CA 94110
Labels: Decor: 2, Food: 2, restaurant, review, Service: 1
Friday, October 10, 2008
Fantastic Italian at Bar Bambino, San Francisco, CA
Our friend E, who doesn't like the best tomato soup ever at Jeanty at Jack's, steered us right this time by suggesting Bar Bambino. We got a table without a reservation, pretty much immediately. But I think we were lucky, since the couple who walked in after us were told there'd be an hour and a half wait. The staff was friendly. The food was delicious and while not cheap, certainly not too expensive either. The atmosphere was so lively for a Thursday night you almost forgot we are in the middle of a recession.
Squash Blossoms Stuffed with Fresh Ricotta and Parmasan $9.50
These were incredible. They were light and crispy and opened up to a plentiful and lush filling. The lemon introduced the perfect amount of acidity.
Small Salumi Plate $13
5 types of house-cured salumi, all of which were delicious.
Pappardelle with Braised Rabbit $14.50
The pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a lot of the tender rabbit in it, which was a pleasant surprise.
Potato Croquettes $5
These were billed as Italian "tater-tots" and they were the only stinker of the night. Although the flavor was nice, they should have been smaller, crispier and served with a dipping sauce of some sort. Still, we ate them all.
Linguini with Clams $14.50
Again, the pasta was cooked perfectly and the dish contained an abundance of clams that were plump and tender.
Ratings:
Food: 2
Decor: 2
Service: 1
Bar Bambino
2931 16th St
San Francisco, CA
Health Code Violations
Squash Blossoms Stuffed with Fresh Ricotta and Parmasan $9.50
These were incredible. They were light and crispy and opened up to a plentiful and lush filling. The lemon introduced the perfect amount of acidity.
Small Salumi Plate $135 types of house-cured salumi, all of which were delicious.
Pappardelle with Braised Rabbit $14.50
The pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauce had a lot of the tender rabbit in it, which was a pleasant surprise.
Potato Croquettes $5
These were billed as Italian "tater-tots" and they were the only stinker of the night. Although the flavor was nice, they should have been smaller, crispier and served with a dipping sauce of some sort. Still, we ate them all.
Linguini with Clams $14.50
Again, the pasta was cooked perfectly and the dish contained an abundance of clams that were plump and tender.
Food: 2
Decor: 2
Service: 1
Bar Bambino
2931 16th St
San Francisco, CA
Health Code Violations
Labels: Decor: 2, Food: 2, Italian, restaurant, review, Service: 1
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