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You really want to love the Med for many reasons....its the type of food middle-eastern dip loving commitment phobes like me adore (think TRUE tapas, not small plates, lots of baba, flatbreads,...
You really want to love the Med for many reasons....its the type of food middle-eastern dip loving commitment phobes like me adore (think TRUE tapas, not small plates, lots of baba, flatbreads, smoked meats, mushroom and olive-y things, plus pizza, salads, and feta feta sweet feta), a nice outdoor dining area, decent service (managers are active on the floor) and insanely reasonable prices.
I've gone a few times, though, and although I think most restaurants can get by with "good but not great food", the Med never truly satisfies. I'm gonna keep trying it though, because I think it may just be a matter of finding the standbys that work for you. I do like the smoked trout tapa. The med sampler didn't do it for me. The margherita pizza was kinda bland - fine and hey, for the price, great, but I'd pay a few bucks more for zingier sauce and higher quality cheese!
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There should be more restaurants that have it all...great vibe, awesome food, laid back yet completely polished service, and yet, there are not....at least in SF....many restaurants excel on one or...
There should be more restaurants that have it all...great vibe, awesome food, laid back yet completely polished service, and yet, there are not....at least in SF....many restaurants excel on one or more fronts but not all....but....here's one that achieves excellence on all fronts.
I've been here many times (I like to think I get that look...that little nod...but I'm sure, very very sure, this is my overexcited imagination), most recently for dessert and cheese with a girlfriend, capping off a night of "bubbly all over town".
The decadent chocolate cake and the cheese plate were very good but what really stood out for us was the all around experience-we just loved being there and we happy to find a place that, at 10:30 pm on Saturday, non-bar types like us could go and hang.
This place is really popular but hey, that is not a problem if you like dining at 10 pm. Just pretend you are in New York.
From past visits, I can strongly recommend the garganelli pasta with foie gras cream sauce (you may not believe it till you get it but it is TRULY not heavy and they help you with the portion sizing), the scallops on mashed potato, the butterfish...hell, any fish here. If they have the pork chop with spaetzle (it's sometimes there, sometimes not or with a different set up) get it for both the meat AND the side).
The celebrated Chef (a media darling in 2005) is Sean O'Brien, formerly of Gary Danko. He has blended well the "small plates" and "traditional" dining options, so you can go here and graze with friends, or take your meat-and-potato-I-don't-want-other-people-eating-off-my-plate Dad here.
All servers are excellent and you will often see the owner, Tom Duffy, who looks straight out of a children's book, roaming around assuring that all is well.
Alex Foxx, the sommelier, is incredible. What other restaurant so beloved by the critics offers a "25 wines under $25" page? I mean, I know a lot of restaurants that think they are doing you a favor by presenting you with wines under $50 or more!
I love this spot. It's hyped, but I believe it will stand the test of time because the individuals seem to take this place as their own.
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415, the new Asian restaurant, is named not only for the SF zip code but also for it's address, 415 Presidio Avenue.
The chef, John Beardsley, was formerly at Azie and I'd describe the food as...
415, the new Asian restaurant, is named not only for the SF zip code but also for it's address, 415 Presidio Avenue.
The chef, John Beardsley, was formerly at Azie and I'd describe the food as a more modern version of Betelnut (less sweet) crossed with a less formal Ame.
I especially recommend these dishes:
- Smoked trout salad appetizer
- "Beef from Heaven" appetizer
the above are $5 each or together, $9
- Scallion bread ($9)
- Salmon skewers (2 or $7 or so)....these are really great. The salmon is NOT overcooked as it is in many restaurants...it's very tender and comes with a good dipping sauce.
- Miso black cod ($22)
- green beans ($7)
Nice wine list but cocktails and sake seem more popular. I recommend the Delamotte champagne.
Prices seem to be changing a bit as they get their legs.
The space is very sexy! note the hand painted floors!!
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OK, first I will disclose that I have a business relationship with this restaurant but that isn't' what is causing me to type up this review about 30 seconds after my plate was cleared.
So note...
OK, first I will disclose that I have a business relationship with this restaurant but that isn't' what is causing me to type up this review about 30 seconds after my plate was cleared.
So note that yes, this sunny, chill place to hang out at the JCC has a lot going for it before you even get to the food. Outside of noon to 1:30, it's not crowded, there is parking available, and they have wireless (through the JCC, free of charge and you're not even stealing someone else's bandwidth without their ok!).
I haven't tried the pastrami here yet. Word is that it's good but so far, I've had a tasty grilled cheese (not their fault that swiss just is not my favorite) and today, for just $9.95, I got a whole lot of tasty and fresh (no fishy smell) smoked salmon, served alongside a House of Bagels (the best, IMO) sesame bagel, cream cheese (I'd prefer whipped), cucumbers, red onion, sliced decent tomato and even CAPERS!!
Look soon for a posting on the restaurant next door, 415. Together, these 2 restaurants used to be Sydney's. This is a FANTASTIC make-over.
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Founded by a few Bonny Doon alums, this is a fantatsic place to go for a night out in SC - the wine selection, food and vibe are great and the cost is reasonable. It's great to be able to buy the...
Founded by a few Bonny Doon alums, this is a fantatsic place to go for a night out in SC - the wine selection, food and vibe are great and the cost is reasonable. It's great to be able to buy the wines you like and take them home with you. I've gone on the weekend and it's crowded enough to have good energy but not so jam pacjed that you can't find a seat.
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Savvy Cellars is a nice place to grab a glass of wine before / after a show at the Foxx or if you find yourself down here. The combination wine shop/wine bar features a nice big bar, flights of...
Savvy Cellars is a nice place to grab a glass of wine before / after a show at the Foxx or if you find yourself down here. The combination wine shop/wine bar features a nice big bar, flights of wines that are all under $40 and some snacks that pair well to so so with the wine. It's very laid back for a wine bar (eg: don't expect SF vibe-nice!).
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Okina
Category:
Restaurants
Arguello at Fulton
San Francisco, California 94101
unknown
well, I can't create a review based on anything but name but I thought things like "great neighborhood spots" or "hidden gems" may be good for a website like this, where it is disseminated to...
well, I can't create a review based on anything but name but I thought things like "great neighborhood spots" or "hidden gems" may be good for a website like this, where it is disseminated to friends of friends and you want to share this stuff....
onto the restaurant: Okina is a tiny place and this long standing (how long????) father/son operation is only open 3 nights/week: Thurs, Fri and Sat.
Don't pass right by it....it's right next to the Arguello Market on Arguello right before Fulton (on the left before you hit Fulton as you go towards the park).....It is devoid of fancy ambiance and u will feel out of place if you are in slinky black before a nite on the town, though you will be just as welcome and lord knows I've done itbefore.....so forget about feeling overdressed and relax....tea, thank yous and smiles are yours as soon as you walk in...ahhhh
You will have one of the, if not the, freshest and most simple fish experiences of your life at this place. Suffice to say that a pregnant friend summed it up by saying "When pregnant, one is not supposed to eat sushi but being Japanense and a fish lover, I did but ONLY the most pristine fish....so only Kyo-Ya or Okina...". Of course, Kyo-Ya will set you back 10x Okina and in all, is a bigger "deal" - much dressing up, planning, forsight, resevations, etc.....
They will have about 8 different fish per night and u go from there. Amberjack is always excllent but if you are not a huge shiso fan, let him know. He will make rolls if u insist (toater oven unagi is just awesom) but this is straight up sushi/nigiri/sashim----no cream cheese, no mayo wasabi....Trust him, as you would most great sushi places, and ask "what is good today". I love everyting here, EVEN THE TAMAGO -say what!?!?!?!? The menu and prices look like a time warp from 1975, I think since I wasn't eating sushi then.
Cash only and BYOB without corkage or enjoy the $1.50 wine/beer selection. I have yet to see even a 200 lb man consume more than $35 of sushi here. It's crazy good.
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outdoor tables are sunny and great in nice weather months. Had the black bean hummus which comes with a huge plate of warm spinach tortillas and fresh veggies. Enjoyable place for a sandwich and a...
outdoor tables are sunny and great in nice weather months. Had the black bean hummus which comes with a huge plate of warm spinach tortillas and fresh veggies. Enjoyable place for a sandwich and a read. Nice by the glass wine list too.
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