Va de Vie, May 14, 2009
The wine though was good and I enjoyed sitting out on the patio in the warm evening. I would return for wine, but not for the food. HOpefully, this was just a bad night.
Harry's Bar, April 10, 2009
Not much to say about this except that it's a typical bar: loud, chaotic with lots of energy. The tables turn over incredibly quickly (I don't think anyone would complain service is too slow). But, the kobe beef sliders ($12.95) were juicy. So we couldn't complain. I wouldn't go back there again unless I was in the Fillmore neighborhood and wanted a hamburger.
New Delhi restaurant, April 9, 2009
We were headed elsewhere when we heard the call of Indian food. AFter a quick search through yelp, this restaurant stood out and its location near our hotel also helped. We had a great time here, enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. The wait staff were very responsive to our desire to order slowly, hang out and take our time. We started with a couple of Indian cocktails (one was a lemon drop with Indian spice which meant rose water. The other was kind of like a cosmo, both were under $7--cheapest drinks we've had in years). We ordered chile cheese pakoras which came with two dipping sauces. Unfortunately, some of the pakoras seemed to be like green peppers which we don't like. But overall these were well done, not greasy, crispy and flavorful. Our entrees included saag paneer, a special kofta and a third subzi that I can't remember. I do remember that the rice came without the ubiquitous frozen peas and carrots that seems to show up in Indian restaurants everywhere. I hate frozen carrots and when I see a restaurant use them, my estimation of the restaurant declines dramatically (there is no excuse for frozen carrots--they taste nothing like carrots; real carrots are cheap and easy to get; preparation of carrots is not particularly time consuming). Naan and paratha rounded out the meal. We were stuffed and had lots of leftovers to take home.
The restaurant itself is upscale Indian with cloth table cloths, art on the walls, a full bar and high ceilings. The art is quite amusing. The pictures represent stories from an Indian story dedicated to inebriation (that's what the panels under the pictures say). And, the poetry is a riot. I asked the waitress what she thought of it and what some of the Hindi words meant. She said she'd never read it (in fact, what she said was, "why read when you can look at the pictures". That also cracked me up). We had an enjoyable time all around and will be back.
Town Hall, April 10, 2009
We've been here probably eight or nine times and we keep going back. I think the real reason we go back is the butterscotch pudding which I've been told is made with butterscotch chips, but it's darn good! In fact, I wish the layer of butterscotch over the chocolate were larger!
This time around, I also had an excellent Riesling which I'd just read were great if you got the old world style and not the new world sugary version. The one I had was German and was excellent. I'm really starting to appreciate white wines more. We also had pork enchiladas which were fine but nothing to write home about, french fries which I think are pretty mediocre (and no where near as good as those at Zuni cafe) and an open faced croque monsieur with ham and cheese which was very tasty and rich. But the wines and dessert were the stars of this meal.
As usual, the service was excellent without being in your face. The restaurant was quite loud when we arrived (1:15 reservation) but as the place cleared out it became quieter. THis is a good time for a lunch reservation.
Bourbon and Branch, II, April 10, 2009
Okay, we went back and I had the same feeling as last time, who are they trying to fool with all this rigamorale. At the same time, I love the drinks so I guess they are trying to fool me . . . And does that mean they are successful?
This time they lost our reservation which only added to the frustration. But to their credit, they just sat us at the bar (we even had the name of the person we talked to on the phone and the password!). But the bar was great and I will request it if we go back (when we go back). We chatted with the very busy but very friendly bar tender, Sam, most of the time. He also gave us a taste of a carrot liquor he had invented (interesting but very mild tasting) and a ginger liqueur that I loved and will soon purchase!
For my first drink, I asked if I could have something with creme de violette (I'd just read about it in the Atlantic of all places). He made me a traditional Aviation, which was fine, but not really great. Too much lime and flower mixed together for my tastes. Vive's first drink was a combination of lots of things but what stood out for me was the allspice dram (which I am also going to buy just as soon as I can). So for my second I said I want something without lime but with spice of allspice or clove. He made me this really cool drink with clove in it and rye and other stuff I never would have chosen, but it was great. Vive requested something the exact opposite of mine and got this drink not yet on the menu with smoked whiskey, I think it was called Laphroig (which I am also going to buy!). Great drinks. Just wish we could drink their all night and still make it home!
Vive's comments
The drinks merit the five starts. I was tempted to knock off a star for the "system" they use: secret (or not) passwords, speakeasy rules, making people wait on the sidewalk etc.
However, this our second visit and this time we were seated at the bar. My wife typically has a 1001 questions and this night was no different except the bartender answered all of them in a very polite and informative manner. After ordering off the menu for the first round we described the flavors we like and the bartender selected the drinks for the second round. My drink was not even on the menu and it was great!
We had the Aviation, O'farrel st. fizz the Clermont affair and the Laphroaig (a new concoction soon to be on the menu). I usually do not care for Whiskey but bourbon and branch mixes in the right ingredients so the Whiskey flavor is balanced with other flavors making for a great drink.
You need 1 1/2 to two hours for two drinks per person. So basically put up with the system and go to bourbon and branch asap!
Sugar Cafe, San Francisco, April 11, 2009
We'd walked by this place the night before on our way to Bourbon and Branch and wanted to have a drink here, but needed to get to our reservation so we returned for brunch. What I really liked about this place was its spaciousness. The ceilings are high and the windows wide and you can sit in the back and see all the way through to the front and through the front windows onto the city streets. Its contemporary, comfortable and relaxing. We only had tea and coffee. The tea was excellent and quite strong. It's presented in this really aesthetically pleasing way. The waitstaff did seem a bit discombobulated so I would not expect fast service if you order off the breakfast menu (which looked reasonably priced and yummy. THe fruit bowl looked especially wonderful. The menu also included pancakes, bagels, yogurt, granola, muffins, etc.)
Vive wrote:
"It was a Saturday (4/11) morning and we stopped at several Starbucks (all too crowded) before we remembered we wanted to try this cafe. We only had one cappuccino and one tea. We sat in the back on comfortable chairs and enjoyed the ambiance. The cappuccino was not as hot as i like but my wife's tea was excellent. The free wifi was a bonus too!"
Pizzaiola, March 13, 2009
Yum. This is our favorite pizza place (excepting A16 which is not a pizza place, really). We love the pizza. The wine isn't very good (cheap and the serving staff doesn't seem to know much about it) and the place is crowded and, I have to say, the other dishes are fine but nothing wonderful. But Oakland is closer than San Fran and the prices are reasonable and the pizzas are wonderful.
We had a calamari pizza recommended by the server which had tomato sauce and was quite flavorful but I found it both appealing and repulsing (something about the texture of the calamari I think). I know I said the pizza is great and I stand by that. It's not that the pizza wasn't good (the crust crispy and wood fired, the toppings light, tasty but not overwhelming the crust--this is not cheese pizza) it's just that the topping wasn't my fav. Our second pizza was a fresh mozz and herbs and it was fantastic. I could have easily eaten the whole thing but had to share with my table mates. We've had lots of pizzas there and they are always good.
Other dishes: we had an avocado orange salad which was light and tangy with little tiny slice kumquats or some other baby citrus that burst in your mouth (it just didn't seem like it went with the pizza), a cauliflower soup which was fine but not distinctive, a pasta dish that I've already forgotten what was on it and a gnocchi dish which was quite good. The gnocchi were light, almost melt in your mouth.
The wine was disappointing. The waitress was incredibly accommodating, but clueless nonetheless. I said I liked southern Italian reds that were more fruit forward than rustic. She immediately guided me to two northern Italian reds (one from Piedmont, the other the Veneto). I don't know if she thought those places are in southern Italy? I didn't care for either. Then I tried a couple of other wines, none of which were fruity. Now, I might think this is my fault. I was just having an off wine day, but the others at the table agreed that the wines were tannic and almost vinegary. we wondered later if perhaps they had been opened too long (they will only let you taste the wines they also serve by the glass). Finally, we ordered a bottle that we couldn't taste, a carignan/grenache blend that was at least somewhat fruity but none of the bottles were close to what we drink at home and pay $10 for. The bottles at the restaurant hovered around $40. The Carignan was $48. I think they could have done better.
We've also had varied service there, but nothing to complain about this time. We'll be back, but we'll bring our own bottle.
A16, San Francisco
Love this place. One of the few places in the city we go back to over and over again. This place has some of the best southern Italian food (and wine), we've ever had. We always order a pizza (the one shown here is anchovy, black olive with a rich tomato sauce--no cheese). The crusts are wood fired, thin and crispy with just a bit of chew. I wish I could imitate these pizzas, but so far, no luck. The salads are always interesting and feature fresh, seasonal ingredients. We had a tuna salad this time with celery, olive oil, lemon and a beet salad with fresh cheese and farro (which I'm not too fond of, I must admit). The salads were light and crisp and refreshing. A great way to begin. We also had a squid ink pasta which was fantastic. We haven't had anything we haven't liked.
The service is excellent. We've started requesting the "back 40" for seating and have been lucky to have the same server several times (Jamae). We always ask for her recommendations and generally follow them (we end up trying stuff we'd never order). We also use the sommelier when we are there. we've had three different ones, and our fav is the woman. She's very helpful and friendly and knowledgable. we tried four different wines by the glass and loved each and every one (wish i could remember their names!).
The menu changes regularly but emphasizes salads, pastas, pizzas and a few mains like lamb and pork. The atmosphere is hectic and crowded, kind of European. It is not a quiet place for a meal. And, expect that you'll be bumping into people on your way to and from your table. But it's worth it.
Indigo, San Francisco
February 21, 2009. Welcome to the wine buffet (that's our nickname for this handy but highly intoxicating restaurant). Located in the civic center/tenderloin area on this rather deserted street, Indigo is a great place to go to try new wine (and lots of it). The food is only okay (well, some of it is good and some of it is mediocre). We had the prix fix dinner (available after 8pm) that includes all the wine by the glass that you want (hence, the nomiker "wine buffet). Dinner included a salad, soup, fish and well some other things that I'm sorry to say I can't remember (perhaps as a result of the complimenting wine buffet). I do recall a really lousy pana cotta. I think I liked the salad and the garlic mashed potatoes, but what we really liked was the wine. Not only because it was endlessly flowing, but also because it included some really good selections (this was not swill). The list by the glass includes five reds and five whites ranging from Sauvignon blanc to a Rhone varietal. I can recommend this place if you are not too picky about your food, like a convivial atmosphere (friendly waitstaff and more of a neighborhood eatery like atmosphere) and would enjoy tasting a variety of mid-range wines. This is not the place for foodies, however.
Marigold, Chicago
A twenty first century take on Indian food in an upscale fun environment. Great cocktails, too!
Sepia, Chicago
Great cocktails...great food...a favorite of President and Michelle OBama (and did you read that they dined at Table 52 (see review below) for Valentine's Day?
SPQR, San Francisco
Love this place. It does not take reservations and we had to wait a bit over an hour on a Friday when we arrived at 8pm. Right next door was a bar, so we hung out there while we waited. The place is crowded and hectic. It is not the place for a quiet meal for two but you don't overhear other conversations; it's just like a general din. We sat against the wall near the bar so there was lots of action going by us but we weren't bothered by it.
Our waitress was great. She was receptive to our wanting to go slowly and did not make any effort to rush us. She was enthusiastic about the wines and knew them well. We decided to do a bunch of tastes of the wine with our dishes and she helped us pick out mostly southern Italian varieties.
We ordered three antipasti ($21) which included these great fried sweet potatoes that seemed to be soaked in vinegar, tuna conserve which was flavorful with lemon, and a third which we can't remember(the antipasti menu offers three sections: fried, cold and hot). Our mains included pasta with red sauce (they make their pasta there) and a pulled pork sandwich. The pasta with red sauce was excellent and our fav. The pulled pork was fine but not particularly memorable. I wouldn't order that again. The wines were great. Wish I could remember them, but we did five or six of the 3oz pours and there wasn't one we didn't like.
Bourbon and Branch, San Francisco
2/21/09: While not really a restaurant per sae, this place is well worth a stop prior (or after) visiting a restaurant (if you can get past the pretentious attempt to imitate 20's prohibition era speakeasy culture--and this is a big IF for some people). You have to reserve on line, get a password and show up at a secret (read, not marked) door on Jones street to await your admittance. We showed up at our appointed time (which is allocated in one, one and a half or two hour time frames) and waited outside with about eight others as they slowly allowed our entrance (this was a bit irritating, not only because it was sprinkling but because what's the point of this rigid reservation system?). We probably waited about 10-15 minutes until we were seated in the rustic, speakeasy pub with private booths huddled over narrow tables. If you are into watching the mixologist, get one of the tables near the bar).
The place is so dark that you can't see the menu without the aid of a light at the table. But once you do get a light, you'll want an hour just to read all the choices (but you do not have an hour, so quickly leave through to your chosen spirit type--drinks are arranged around type of martini (not ingredients, which makes sense given that many drinks have five, six or even seven ingredients). After extensive conversation with the waitress (who was knew and was almost as ignorant as we were about "chartreuse" but did have a few good drink recommendations). We found ourselves looking up many of the ingredients in my SO's palm pilot (a glossary would be nice).
Once our chosen drinks arrived, however, they were an amazing blend of flavors and it didn't seem to matter what was in it, it was good. We sample three (our waitress let us overstay our allocated hour). Next time, we'll sign up for an hour and a half.
I'm not a fan of the entrance game being played here, but I did like the drinks and they were very reasonably priced ($12), so I'll be back.
Colibri Mexican Bistro, San Francisco
2/21/09 Wow, this brunch was something else. Expecting little, we were more than pleasantly surprised when we recently chowed at this Union Square/Civic Center Bistro. When we arrived (10:30 Sat. morning), the place was empty and we were worried. During the time we ate (which took us about 1.5 hours) only two other tables were filled which does not bode well for the restaurants future, at least for brunch. So get there quick because it is well worth it.
We started with the guacamole which the menu said would be made at table. While that didn't happen, the guacamole showed up in a large volcanic mortar, one of the largest servings of Guacamole I've ever seen ($9). But, while the size was nice, what made the guacamole was the flavors. This is not a basic avocado guacamole but one filled with explosive flavors that somehow meld with the smooth avocado. There was jalapeno, bits of onions and cilantro, all chopped very finely. This is served with homemade corn tortillas. THis is a nice touch, but I did miss my crispy chips.
My SO ordered a margarita from a margarita menu that features over 70 tequilas, I believe. He was very happy with its flavors. The tequila smooth and hot at the same time.
For our entrees, I ordered the huevos poblanos which was a wonderful mixture of scrambled egg, poblano chile, cilantro and a luscious, deep, rich mole sauce. I could have eaten the whole thing, but had to share (one minor complaint. The entree said it came with "fried potatoes", the two slices of fried potato hidden under the eggs was not sufficient). SO ordered huevos carnitas, eggs with shredded pork. His dish was flavorful as well, but nothing was as good as my poblanos!
Wait staff was friendly and efficient without being overbearing. Our water glasses were kept full and when we lingered long after we finished, there was no sense of being rushed (of course, the place was empty so this might not be the best time to judge service).
The restaurant itself is styled like a "Twenties Mexican Bistro" (as our hostess told us when she seated us). this means a long banquette along one side and high wooden chairs with colorful table settings and walls. (see here)
Quince, Evanston IL
Quince (in the former Trio space), is a foodie's heaven. The pumpkin soup was to die for-The server came to our table with a bowl with spiced apples and cream and she topped it with ladles full of deliciously sweet pumpkin soup. It was almost dessert-like. The scallops were amazing as was the lamb (served with hazelnuts and chocolate)
Firehouse Bistro and Bookstore, Livermore CA
Surprisingly wonderful. AFter an afternoon tour of some Livermore wineries, we headed downtown for dinner at this relatively new spot that combines bookstore with bistro. The atmosphere is somewhat sterile--this is not one of those old used bookstores with creaking wooden shelves but a contemporary, modern setting with books artfully arranged (certainly not crammed) and a small but colorful selection. In the front room, the books appeared to be new and were arranged as part of the decor. While in the back room, things are a tad more relaxed, but the windowless room is somewhat disconcerting. The selection of books is quite eclectic with cheap romances interspersed with postmodern treatises. It's fun just to look through the books which is what we did for the first half hour.
Dinner was quite good as well. We started with a tasting plate with hummus, roasted red bells, and a whipped goat cheese (with too much lemon) and pita. The plate was fine. What made it good was its freshness. French fries in a cone followed with three dipping sauces. The fries were fine, but the sauces made it fun (these are a more thick cut fry than I expected. And I did wish they were fresh cut or frites). For mains, Vive had a great skirt steak that was flavorful and tender. I had a buffalo chicken sandwich which was quite flavorful even though the chicken was a bit overcooked. When I read back over this, it seems that nothing really stood out about the food, but the whole experience was quite enjoyable and I'm sure we'll be back. Service was excellent, attentive but not overly so and friendly.
We brought our own bottle of wine from Thomas Coyne (an excellent Mourvedre that I wish I'd brought a case of!) for a reasonable $10 corkage fee. The restaurant had a limited, somewhat local wine list that looked reasonably priced. THey do not serve liquor.
Chow, Danville CA
Went to the opening of this restaurant in Danville, a small local chain. On Thursday, Sept. 11th they did a run through. They were packed not only with customers but a whole slew of servers. We had two working our table and it was easily 1 1/2 too many, but that is probably not going to be an issue in the future. Even without the interruptive service, however, the meal was not particularly good, the atmosphere was loud and chaotic and packed with tables on top of one another. The food wasn't bad just uninspiring and relatively expensive for what you get. It's like eating in an upscale Chili's but paying prices for a good SF restaurant. I had a pizza. The flavorings of prosciutto and cheese were good if spare. My friend had a burger and an overdressed salad (ask for dressing on the side). The burger was small and served on a rather hard bun. We also started with a couple of cheeses. While I appreciate that cheese should not be served in big chunks, the size of these pieces was so small as to be minuscule. The dry gouda cheese was sliced so thinly that I felt like I was scraping up crumbs from the plate. Overall, not an experience to repeat.
Prima, Walnut Creek, CA
9/02/08
We've been here now, three times. Each time, the food has been good, the service excellent, but something is missing (I think the main dishes lack substance . . .). The pizzas are always excellent with a crispy crust, a sparkling of cheese and light, but flavorful, toppings. We had artichoke with peppers on Friday night.
We sampled two cocktails. One was featured on their martini menu with hibiscus syrup and gin. The second, the waiter mixed up for my mother, who likes drinks sweet and without alcohol flavor (they did not have kahulua, her preferred drink, although the waiter said that he ran next door to find some and they didn't have it either). The second martini had strawberry puree and gin and I don't know what else. Both were good. we also picked up a bottle of wine in the wine store next door, a 05 Chateauneuf de Pape. The sommelier knew immediately that it needed decanting. It was quite tight but as it opened up, it really improved.
I had a salad with peaches that was way over dressed. I couldn't really taste anything but the dressing and bitter lettuce. Mom had the bread salad which looked fresh and tasty (quite small) but she picked out all the cucumber and red onion so I'm thinking it wasn't a favorite. Vive had tagliatelle with a meat sauce which was pretty flavorless and the meat was chewy (second time we've had bad luck with a bolognese like sauce). I ordered the risotto with mushrooms. I thought it was excellent. Very flavorful and al dente. But, Vive thought there was too much in it for a risotto (the mushrooms were quite large). I know the review of the food doesn't seem that good, but we did enjoy the night so the atmosphere and waiter (and the wine?) must have made up for the actual food.
Table 52, Chicago
table fifty-two, 52 west elm, chicago, (312) 573-4000, click here to map it
chef owner: art smith (former personal chef to oprah)
you feel like you're in your rich aunt scarlett's rowhouse eating gourmet southern comfort food. you can't even imagine how good macaroni & cheese can be! the jambalaya is perfectly spiced and absolutely amazing. make your reservation now...it's a hot spot, so move quickly
Takashi, Chicago
Made a visit to Takashi in Chicago. On a recent visit (August, 2008), we had an excellent spicy shrimp appetizer (even if the shrimp was a bit overdone). Fish was good as well. Appetizers were particularly good. Bon Appetit and Food and Wine have recently mentioned this Fusion Japanese restaurant. Here's the quote from Food and Wine
Takashi F&W Best New Chef 2000 Takashi Yagihashi's latest venture is also his most intimate—just 55 seats. Inspired dishes combining American, Japanese and French influences, like roasted New York strip steak with fresh wasabi, miso-glazed fingerling potatoes and fried salsify, are paired with sake from the chef's home province of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. 1952 N. Damen Ave.; 773-772-6170. Click here to map it.
