Jackson Fillmore Trattoria is a cozy little neighborhood restaurant in the Fillmore District. I recently went there for dinner with two friends. The restaurant's decor is very simple in keeping with the family/neighborhood motif. We were immediately greeted at the door and sat on time for our reservation. A ton of reviews on Yelp complain about the size of the restaurant and the wait for a table. To those people who don't appreciate the cozy friendly neighborhood vibe of this place, you should hit the local Olive Garden. When a restaurant claims they are "cozy", it means they are small, so plan accordingly.
I ordered the Linguini Fra Diavolo which claims to be "a total Jackson Fillmore classic", but sadly I wasn't very impressed. The sauce was nice, but lacked the spice that I usually find in a Fra Diavolo sauce. I was expecting my mouth to be on fire with the devil, but sadly it wasn't. My friends ordered the Zuppetta Di Pesce and the Polla Alla Noci. The Zuppetta Di Pesce was a hit and my friend was very happy with her cioppino-like dish. The Pollo Alla Noci literally disappeared into my friends stomach in 2 minutes. (I think he liked it.) The dish was a boneless chicken breast covered with mushrooms, walnuts, pine nuts, sherry wine and a touch of cream. It looked delicious. If I wan't allergic to nuts, I would have asked for a taste. The waiter was super friendly in that he noticed my friend inhailed his dish and we were still eating, so he offered to bring him some bread to slop up the sauce.
I liked Jackson Fillmore Trattoria; however, I don't know if it tops my list of neighborhood pasta joints. The service is friendly and the price is right. My favorite part of the meal was the complimentary bruschetta for the table. I wasn't as impressed with my meal as my friends were with theirs.
A final positive for the restaurant was that I made a reservation by leaving a message on their voicemail as their OpenTable.com service wasn't working properly. I quickly received a call back which was a nice personal touch by the staff. Too often restaurants don't call you back and assume you will call them again, which is just plain rude.
Showing posts with label Restaurant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Restaurant. Show all posts
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Monday, November 14, 2011
Oakland Grill
The Oakland Grill served me up some of the best brunch that I've had in a long time. They do breakfast and they do breakfast right. Plus they have $1.95 mimosas so you can't go wrong!
On Saturday, John and I ventured to faraway Oakland to meet up with our friends Danielle and Brian (and baby Molly). As we followed our navigation, it took us to a somewhat industrial part of Oakland (what part isn't really). Much to our surprise smack dab in the middle of produce packing central was the inconspicuous Oakland Grill. We sat upstairs overlooking the open-air kitchen and long narrow restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised to be sat right away on a Saturday at 11am. (If there is one thing that annoys me, it's droves of people waiting for breakfast.)
The menu is pretty standard for any breakfast establishment. You got your standard eggs, pancakes, omelets, Eggs Benedict and a few other specialty-type items like Crab Benedict and Huevos Rancheros, but nothing out of the ordinary. The food was superb for breakfast food. Hot, fresh and delicious. I ordered my poached eggs "well done" and they came out perfect. Danielle ordered a breakfast combo that closely resembled a Denny's Grand Slam, why mess with something if it isn't broken.
The mimosas are a true selling point for the Oakland Grill. With other breakfast places charging upwards of $7 or $8 for a single mimosa, Oakland Grill has really cornered the cheap mimosa market in the area. We each enjoyed 2 mimosas each which cost us $16, but if we had mimosas at Fat Lady down the street, we would have been out a whopping $56.
Oakland Grill is a great breakfast spot to hit next time you find yourself hungry and in Oakland.
On Saturday, John and I ventured to faraway Oakland to meet up with our friends Danielle and Brian (and baby Molly). As we followed our navigation, it took us to a somewhat industrial part of Oakland (what part isn't really). Much to our surprise smack dab in the middle of produce packing central was the inconspicuous Oakland Grill. We sat upstairs overlooking the open-air kitchen and long narrow restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised to be sat right away on a Saturday at 11am. (If there is one thing that annoys me, it's droves of people waiting for breakfast.)
The menu is pretty standard for any breakfast establishment. You got your standard eggs, pancakes, omelets, Eggs Benedict and a few other specialty-type items like Crab Benedict and Huevos Rancheros, but nothing out of the ordinary. The food was superb for breakfast food. Hot, fresh and delicious. I ordered my poached eggs "well done" and they came out perfect. Danielle ordered a breakfast combo that closely resembled a Denny's Grand Slam, why mess with something if it isn't broken.
The mimosas are a true selling point for the Oakland Grill. With other breakfast places charging upwards of $7 or $8 for a single mimosa, Oakland Grill has really cornered the cheap mimosa market in the area. We each enjoyed 2 mimosas each which cost us $16, but if we had mimosas at Fat Lady down the street, we would have been out a whopping $56.
Oakland Grill is a great breakfast spot to hit next time you find yourself hungry and in Oakland.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Extreme Pizza: Marina Location
We recently started a hunt for a new go-to NYC style pizza company as my old favorite, Village Pizza, on Van Ness has completely changed their recipe. And the new pizza recipe is a far cry from the delicious pizza they once served.
After a good amount of time on Yelp!, we decided to give Extreme Pizza a try. It ended up the Extreme Pizza, located 5 blocks from our house, is not in our designated delivery zone, but the one further away in the Marina was. I should have taken this as clue #1 that something was amiss. We placed our order for a extra-large pepperoni pizza at 8:03pm. The estimated delivery time was 45 minutes, so we wait. Forty-five minutes rolls by and no pizza. An hour rolls by and no pizza, so I call. The young lady on the phone assures me it's out for delivery. Another 15 minutes rolls by and still no pizza. Finally at 9:30, the pizza arrives. The nice man who delivered apologized, "Sorry it's so late"; however, at that point, I really didn't need an excuse, I just wanted the freaking pizza.
In the end, the pizza was justOK. I am not a fan of their signature "sprinkle of cheddar cheese", as I think cheddar doesn't belong on a pizza. The pepperoni was haphazardly placed, with some slices having 10 pieces of pepperoni and others none. So, the search is still on for a good delivery pizza shop in San Francisco.........
After a good amount of time on Yelp!, we decided to give Extreme Pizza a try. It ended up the Extreme Pizza, located 5 blocks from our house, is not in our designated delivery zone, but the one further away in the Marina was. I should have taken this as clue #1 that something was amiss. We placed our order for a extra-large pepperoni pizza at 8:03pm. The estimated delivery time was 45 minutes, so we wait. Forty-five minutes rolls by and no pizza. An hour rolls by and no pizza, so I call. The young lady on the phone assures me it's out for delivery. Another 15 minutes rolls by and still no pizza. Finally at 9:30, the pizza arrives. The nice man who delivered apologized, "Sorry it's so late"; however, at that point, I really didn't need an excuse, I just wanted the freaking pizza.
In the end, the pizza was justOK. I am not a fan of their signature "sprinkle of cheddar cheese", as I think cheddar doesn't belong on a pizza. The pepperoni was haphazardly placed, with some slices having 10 pieces of pepperoni and others none. So, the search is still on for a good delivery pizza shop in San Francisco.........
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Bar Agricole: Great place for cocktails in SOMA
Bar Agricole is a great addition to the SOMA bar and restaurant scene. Bar Agricole advertises as a modern urban tavern but it's much much more than a simple bar. It's a blend of San Francisco foodie heaven and an ultra-hip mixologist bar scene. Bar Agricole's inconspicuous outer facade tells nothing of its beautiful and creative use of space. Once you enter the front door off busy 11th Street, you are immediately greeted by an open courtyard of tables, rare in San Francisco let alone SOMA. Past the outdoor drinks area (sadly the don't allow food outside) is the actual restaurant. The restaurant's decor is impeccable. The refurbished wood tables, brushed concrete and savvy shapes of the furniture really make Bar Agricole stand out from other restaurants in town.
I'd say the booze is the main reason people come to Bar Agricole. The mixologists behind the bar are excellent at mixing up delicious concoctions. The drink menu has exotic drinks such as the Knickerbocker Swizzle, Whiz-Bang and Monkey's Gland and some steady favorites like the Scotch Sour and Old Fashioned. It's a real treat to sit at the bar and watch the bartenders whip up these creative drinks.
We had a vastly different experience with the food. We ordered a few appetizers at the bar as we enjoyed our drinks but unfortunately the bartender did not "warn" us what we were ordering. We ordered the king salmon gravlax which was delicious but when the second plate came out it clearly wasn't risotto balls. At this point, the Maitre D' approached us and said, "It's good to see adventurous eaters." We knew we were in trouble as he went on to explain the dish in front of us was boiled sliced cow's head. Yes, cow's head, cartilage and all. We didn't want to crush his heart so we decided to be adventurous and give it a try. It tasted like boiled cow's head, but oddly enough my friend ate it up. All in all, the food at Bar Agricole is too foodie and pretentious for me. I like to be able to read the menu and know what I'm ordering thus Bar Agricole is a drinks-only establishment for me. I do wish our bartender had said something when we ordered, because boiled cow head is just not a normal dish to have on a menu. If you are going to have exotic menu items in another language, the entire staff, bartenders and all, should be trained to discuss (I mean warn) the menu with customers.
I'd say the booze is the main reason people come to Bar Agricole. The mixologists behind the bar are excellent at mixing up delicious concoctions. The drink menu has exotic drinks such as the Knickerbocker Swizzle, Whiz-Bang and Monkey's Gland and some steady favorites like the Scotch Sour and Old Fashioned. It's a real treat to sit at the bar and watch the bartenders whip up these creative drinks.
We had a vastly different experience with the food. We ordered a few appetizers at the bar as we enjoyed our drinks but unfortunately the bartender did not "warn" us what we were ordering. We ordered the king salmon gravlax which was delicious but when the second plate came out it clearly wasn't risotto balls. At this point, the Maitre D' approached us and said, "It's good to see adventurous eaters." We knew we were in trouble as he went on to explain the dish in front of us was boiled sliced cow's head. Yes, cow's head, cartilage and all. We didn't want to crush his heart so we decided to be adventurous and give it a try. It tasted like boiled cow's head, but oddly enough my friend ate it up. All in all, the food at Bar Agricole is too foodie and pretentious for me. I like to be able to read the menu and know what I'm ordering thus Bar Agricole is a drinks-only establishment for me. I do wish our bartender had said something when we ordered, because boiled cow head is just not a normal dish to have on a menu. If you are going to have exotic menu items in another language, the entire staff, bartenders and all, should be trained to discuss (I mean warn) the menu with customers.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Another Monkey: Great Thai Food in the Mission
Another Monkey is a hip and fun place to grub on delicious Thai food in the Mission. The restaurant fits perfectly with the hipster vibe of the Mission with its modern open dining room and stylish decor. The restaurant always seems to be busy (but in a good way) and has a high-energy vibe reminiscent of a restaurant in the Sukhumvit in Bangkok. The restaurant is a great place to host a party, I hosted a birthday party for my fiance there a few weeks ago and our party was given a private room free of charge and wonderful attention from multiple servers.
The food at Another Monkey is a mouthwatering blend of modern and authentic Thai recipes and flavors. The menu offers many types of selections from individual sized appetizers and entrees to elaborate dishes meant to be shared. Some of the stand out appetizers are: Bags of Gold (minced chicken and shrimp wrapped in rice paper sacks), Crispy Imperial Rolls, Fried Sweet Corn Patties, Vegetarian Samosas and Stuffed Mushrooms with chicken and shrimp. The to die for entrees are: Gang Pumpkin Curry Chicken, Northern Thai Hung Le Curry of Pork Belly, Crispy Soft Shell Crabs (literally melt in your mouth delicious), Asian Sirloin Beef, Spicy Tofu and the always popular Pad Thai.
In addition to the great food, Another Monkey has a fantastic bar with a hip urban vibe. The bar is literally a work of art, with the tables and stools crafted from authentic Thai drums. The bar has great Happy Hour specials: Sunday- 2 for 1 beer and wine, Monday- 1/2 off bottles of wine, Tuesday- Thai Taco Night with $2 Thai tacos, $3 burritos, $3 Thai beer, Wednesday- $6 Manhattans, Old Fashions or a combo shot of Jameson & a beer. The bar also offers Bangkok-Style Street Food for $7.50 during happy hour from 5-7pm.
Another Monkey is a great Thai restaurant and is my go-to for Thai in the Mission. Check it out, you won't be disappointed in the delicious flavors and spectacular Thai themed cocktails at the bar.
The food at Another Monkey is a mouthwatering blend of modern and authentic Thai recipes and flavors. The menu offers many types of selections from individual sized appetizers and entrees to elaborate dishes meant to be shared. Some of the stand out appetizers are: Bags of Gold (minced chicken and shrimp wrapped in rice paper sacks), Crispy Imperial Rolls, Fried Sweet Corn Patties, Vegetarian Samosas and Stuffed Mushrooms with chicken and shrimp. The to die for entrees are: Gang Pumpkin Curry Chicken, Northern Thai Hung Le Curry of Pork Belly, Crispy Soft Shell Crabs (literally melt in your mouth delicious), Asian Sirloin Beef, Spicy Tofu and the always popular Pad Thai.
In addition to the great food, Another Monkey has a fantastic bar with a hip urban vibe. The bar is literally a work of art, with the tables and stools crafted from authentic Thai drums. The bar has great Happy Hour specials: Sunday- 2 for 1 beer and wine, Monday- 1/2 off bottles of wine, Tuesday- Thai Taco Night with $2 Thai tacos, $3 burritos, $3 Thai beer, Wednesday- $6 Manhattans, Old Fashions or a combo shot of Jameson & a beer. The bar also offers Bangkok-Style Street Food for $7.50 during happy hour from 5-7pm.
Another Monkey is a great Thai restaurant and is my go-to for Thai in the Mission. Check it out, you won't be disappointed in the delicious flavors and spectacular Thai themed cocktails at the bar.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Myconos: Not as good as the island
I was craving Greek food on Saturday and after much Yelping we decided to venture to Myconos Greek Restaurant on Polk Street. On the way, we almost got side tracked by a Thai restaurant but we kept our focus and made our way to Myconos. I should have taken the Thai diversion as a sign because our experience at Myconos was horrible. After being a server for 5 years, it takes a lot to annoy me at a restaurant but Myconos sure knew how to push my buttons.
First off, it seemed as if they were understaffed or not staffed at all. The entire restaurant was being served and bussed by who seemed to be the male owner and a busboy. The female owner sat us but did so while also trying to wrestle a pen out of her kid's hand, whom she was holding. Not professional at all. She left shortly after so I can only assume the kid needed to be put to bed. After seeing the family drama going down, we should have left, but I really wanted Greek food!
It took about 10 minutes to get someone's attention to take our order. We never got the coke we ordered. The hummus and pita bread was straight out of the freezer. The pitas were way too chewy to be fresh. The only positive out of our experience was the Kotopoulo, the half roasted chicken, that we had as our entrees. The chicken was roasted to perfection and the Greek salad delicious. I wasn't impressed with the roasted potatoes that came with the meal, as they had zero taste. And it took 25 minutes for us to get our check. All we wanted to do was pay and get out of there, but after asking about 5 times for our check finally we got one with an attitude, as if we were inconvenience to them.
All in all, Myconos is a mess. Certain aspects of the menu are good but for the most part they just don't seem to have their act together. I've been a few times before and I always thought, "oh they will be better next time", but sadly Saturday was my last time. Myconos' slogan is they "treat everyone like family" but sadly we were treated like a red-headed step-child. There are far more Greek restaurants in San Francisco to explore that have the service to go along with the tasty menu.
First off, it seemed as if they were understaffed or not staffed at all. The entire restaurant was being served and bussed by who seemed to be the male owner and a busboy. The female owner sat us but did so while also trying to wrestle a pen out of her kid's hand, whom she was holding. Not professional at all. She left shortly after so I can only assume the kid needed to be put to bed. After seeing the family drama going down, we should have left, but I really wanted Greek food!
It took about 10 minutes to get someone's attention to take our order. We never got the coke we ordered. The hummus and pita bread was straight out of the freezer. The pitas were way too chewy to be fresh. The only positive out of our experience was the Kotopoulo, the half roasted chicken, that we had as our entrees. The chicken was roasted to perfection and the Greek salad delicious. I wasn't impressed with the roasted potatoes that came with the meal, as they had zero taste. And it took 25 minutes for us to get our check. All we wanted to do was pay and get out of there, but after asking about 5 times for our check finally we got one with an attitude, as if we were inconvenience to them.
All in all, Myconos is a mess. Certain aspects of the menu are good but for the most part they just don't seem to have their act together. I've been a few times before and I always thought, "oh they will be better next time", but sadly Saturday was my last time. Myconos' slogan is they "treat everyone like family" but sadly we were treated like a red-headed step-child. There are far more Greek restaurants in San Francisco to explore that have the service to go along with the tasty menu.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Cafe Altano
Cafe Altano is located in the quiet neighborhood of Hayes Valley in San Francisco. A perfect spot for a weekday date night or quick bite before the ballet, Cafe Altano never disappoints. It's a small European-style cafe with minimalist decor and large windows facing Laguna Street. There is a small outside alcove on the Hayes Street side with a few high tops for those warm San Francisco nights. I've been to Cafe Altano twice now, both times before I've gone to the opera or ballet. The service is fast, maybe a bit too fast. Both times, our food arrived within 5 minutes of ordering. To me this is both a good and bad thing. It's great because most people on those two nights were there are scarfing down their food to catch a show and it's a bad thing because it leaves me with the impression the food isn't made fresh, that it's pre-made. I understand how some things can be cooked in advance but not all food, especially fresh fish should come out within 5 minutes. One great thing about Cafe Altano is that you can always get a reservation. Whether it's 7pm on a Friday night or brunch on a Saturday afternoon, there never seems to be a wait. This could be because they turn tables over so fast by getting the food to you within minutes. Good for the customers but not so good for Cafe Altano.
The best part of Cafe Altano is the deliciously simple Italian food. The food is reliable and I've enjoyed every selection I've tasted. The best appetizers are the: polenta cake, mozzarella caprese salad, Chiogga beets salad and the pizza margherita (best to share as an app rather than an entree). The stand out pasta dishes are the: whole wheat pasta with eggplant and zucchini, potato gnocchi, butternut squash ravioli and the linguine with clams, muscles, scallops and shrimp. My friend, Kerstin, ordered the halibut special which was both pleasing to the eyes and stomach. She literally cleaned her plate, it was that delicious. Cafe Altano only serves up wine and beer, and the selection is small but reasonably priced. A good bottle of Zin was only $29. All in all, Cafe Altano is a delicious and reliable Hayes Valley gem. I'll definitely go back before a show for a quick bite.
The best part of Cafe Altano is the deliciously simple Italian food. The food is reliable and I've enjoyed every selection I've tasted. The best appetizers are the: polenta cake, mozzarella caprese salad, Chiogga beets salad and the pizza margherita (best to share as an app rather than an entree). The stand out pasta dishes are the: whole wheat pasta with eggplant and zucchini, potato gnocchi, butternut squash ravioli and the linguine with clams, muscles, scallops and shrimp. My friend, Kerstin, ordered the halibut special which was both pleasing to the eyes and stomach. She literally cleaned her plate, it was that delicious. Cafe Altano only serves up wine and beer, and the selection is small but reasonably priced. A good bottle of Zin was only $29. All in all, Cafe Altano is a delicious and reliable Hayes Valley gem. I'll definitely go back before a show for a quick bite.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Belden Place in San Francisco
Belden Place in San Francisco's Financial District magically transports its customers to a quaint street in Europe. The alley, tucked away amongst the many high rises of the San Francisco, offers an American representation of classic European dining. Eight restaurants line the alley providing both indoor and al-fresco dining. The alley is set up in classic European style with small 2-4 person tables dotted with large umbrellas and space heaters. Cafe Bastille, Cafe Tiramisu, Plouf, B44, Brindisi, Trademark, Sam's Grill, Belden Tavern line Belden Place offering Italian, Spanish, and French cuisine. Belden Place is a perfect place to have a power lunch with clients, enjoy drinks and appetizers for happy hour or to share a romantic meal under the stars. The restaurants lining Belden Place are usually quite busy. The convenient location in the Financial District and the quaint al-fresco dining make this group of restaurants one of the hottest tickets in town. Make a reservation on http://www.opentable.com/ or come during off-hours or expect to wait at least 30 minutes for a table. Belden Place is well worth it, so come down and enjoy a relaxing meal in European style.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Modern Thai on Polk Street
I recently went to Modern Thai with my friend Dianna. I had passed this little restaurant for years on Polk at Bush Street but never actually stopped to eat there. When we first walked into Modern Thai I was a little taken back to see the entire restaurant was empty on a Thursday night at 7pm. I eventually figured out they do a lot of take-out compared to eat-in as the delivery guy was constantly on the go. The inside of the restaurant is simple and clean. A few of the walls are painted lime green and bright red, lending the "modern" to Modern Thai. Other than the colorful walls, the restaurant isn't modern or hip. It's just a basic large Thai restaurant but it does have a few tables outside on Polk Street for those rare warm nights.
Modern Thai offers all the popular specialties you would find at any average Thai restaurant. Main dishes cost from $7-12 and appetizers $5-8. The menu has a large selection of pan fried noodle and fried rice dishes in addition to entrees that come with your choice of tofu (vegetarian); chicken, pork or beef (for $1 extra); or shrimp (for $2 extra). I was particularly impressed with the Pad See-Ew (flat rice noodles with egg and broccoli), Thai basil with chicken, spicy green beans with shrimp and vegetarian egg rolls. The flavors were good but the dishes didn't stand out from any other Thai restaurant. I did have one major problem with the food in that it came way out too fast and I mean within 2 minutes of ordering. The waiter didn't have time to open our wine and pour our first glass before our entrees arrived. I found this a bit unnerving that the food comes out so fast. When I questioned why the food was done so quickly the waiter told me it was "fresh" whereas I call it "pre-made". I was a quite disappointed that the food wasn't fresh nor made to order. Next time they should wait at least 5 minutes before bringing out the food so that you think it was made special for your table. As for the wine, Modern Thai offers wine specials during the week, $15 for a bottle of cheap red wine. It's pretty good too, but it will produce one heck of a hangover in the morning.
Modern Thai on Polk is an average Thai restaurant. The food is good but not exceptional. I would recommend ordering take-out rather than eating in. The actual restaurant doesn't have much to offer in the way of ambiance or service.
Modern Thai offers all the popular specialties you would find at any average Thai restaurant. Main dishes cost from $7-12 and appetizers $5-8. The menu has a large selection of pan fried noodle and fried rice dishes in addition to entrees that come with your choice of tofu (vegetarian); chicken, pork or beef (for $1 extra); or shrimp (for $2 extra). I was particularly impressed with the Pad See-Ew (flat rice noodles with egg and broccoli), Thai basil with chicken, spicy green beans with shrimp and vegetarian egg rolls. The flavors were good but the dishes didn't stand out from any other Thai restaurant. I did have one major problem with the food in that it came way out too fast and I mean within 2 minutes of ordering. The waiter didn't have time to open our wine and pour our first glass before our entrees arrived. I found this a bit unnerving that the food comes out so fast. When I questioned why the food was done so quickly the waiter told me it was "fresh" whereas I call it "pre-made". I was a quite disappointed that the food wasn't fresh nor made to order. Next time they should wait at least 5 minutes before bringing out the food so that you think it was made special for your table. As for the wine, Modern Thai offers wine specials during the week, $15 for a bottle of cheap red wine. It's pretty good too, but it will produce one heck of a hangover in the morning.
Modern Thai on Polk is an average Thai restaurant. The food is good but not exceptional. I would recommend ordering take-out rather than eating in. The actual restaurant doesn't have much to offer in the way of ambiance or service.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Ah Lin Restaurant: Best Chinese Food Delivery
Ah Lin Restaurant in Pacific Heights is the best Chinese food delivery in town. I've tried numerous Chinese restaurants and this one is clearly the best. The Wok Shop on Sutter and Franklin is a close second but their crab puffs don't even come close to the delicious flavors of Ah Lin.
Ah Lin is run by a husband and wife who seem to never have a break and literally are at the restaurant from open to close everyday. In addition to delivery and take-out, Ah Lin has a very nice dining room if you want to eat at the restaurant. They offer beer and wine and the service is fast and friendly. Ordering take-out and delivery is easy over the phone or online. I prefer online, so that I can type in any modifications I want to the dishes, which is never a problem. Plus if you order online, you can take advantage of the online coupon offers: one free soda or Thai ice tea for orders of $15 or more; free order of egg rolls or green onion cakes for orders of $30 or more and free wonton or hot and sour soup for orders of $40 or more.
My favorite dishes at Ah Lin are the Mongolian Beef and Shrimp with Black Bean Sauce. The appetizers at Ah Lin are also the best in the city. The crab puffs and dumplings are homemade and bursting with flavors. The egg rolls although offered in chicken, vegetarian or shrimp are really only available in vegetarian so keep that in mind if you order online. Also, the owner makes her own spicy mustard which is one of the reasons this restaurant is so highly rated. No more packaged preservative filled sauces!
The quality of the food can't be beat. Next time your looking to order Chinese food delivery give Ah Lin a try.
Ah Lin is run by a husband and wife who seem to never have a break and literally are at the restaurant from open to close everyday. In addition to delivery and take-out, Ah Lin has a very nice dining room if you want to eat at the restaurant. They offer beer and wine and the service is fast and friendly. Ordering take-out and delivery is easy over the phone or online. I prefer online, so that I can type in any modifications I want to the dishes, which is never a problem. Plus if you order online, you can take advantage of the online coupon offers: one free soda or Thai ice tea for orders of $15 or more; free order of egg rolls or green onion cakes for orders of $30 or more and free wonton or hot and sour soup for orders of $40 or more.
My favorite dishes at Ah Lin are the Mongolian Beef and Shrimp with Black Bean Sauce. The appetizers at Ah Lin are also the best in the city. The crab puffs and dumplings are homemade and bursting with flavors. The egg rolls although offered in chicken, vegetarian or shrimp are really only available in vegetarian so keep that in mind if you order online. Also, the owner makes her own spicy mustard which is one of the reasons this restaurant is so highly rated. No more packaged preservative filled sauces!
The quality of the food can't be beat. Next time your looking to order Chinese food delivery give Ah Lin a try.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Ryoko's Japanese Restaurant
I discovered Ryoko's Japanese restaurant with a friend a few weeks back. She is a regular at the restaurant and I was quite excited to see what she was raving about. Once we walked into this little gem near Union Square, I knew I was in sushi fun fun heaven. We went on a Tuesday night, not a normal happening night at Ryoko but the vibe was still happening and hip. One reason the atmosphere was so fun was every time a customer entered the restaurant, the entire staff said, "hello and welcome" in Japanese. It wasn't your normal boring "hello" but a sort of sing song whimsical "hello" found in a Disney princess movie. Every time the staff greeted a new customer, I couldn't help but smile.
Ryoko's has to be the most hip and happening sushi restaurant in San Francisco. For 23 years they have perfected the sushi experience and it shows. They are open 7 days a week from 6pm to 2am. It's a great late night healthy snack alternative to pizza or a burrito. Plus on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night they have live DJ spinning in the restaurant.
The sushi and sashimi is super fresh, flown in from Japan and other spots around the world. They offer a daily specials menu with exciting rolls as well as fresh catches. The sushi menu has some amazing rolls with creative SF names such as Spicy Golden Gate, Alcatraz and Humboldt. The bar has a wide selection of hot and cold sake plus a full bar for cocktails and mixed drinks, a rarity in a sushi restaurant.
I will definitely be back to this neighborhood gem. Word of advice make a reservation or arrive right at 6pm or else you will be stuck waiting for a table. This place is hot and the crowds rarely diminish even in the late hours.
Ryoko's has to be the most hip and happening sushi restaurant in San Francisco. For 23 years they have perfected the sushi experience and it shows. They are open 7 days a week from 6pm to 2am. It's a great late night healthy snack alternative to pizza or a burrito. Plus on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night they have live DJ spinning in the restaurant.
The sushi and sashimi is super fresh, flown in from Japan and other spots around the world. They offer a daily specials menu with exciting rolls as well as fresh catches. The sushi menu has some amazing rolls with creative SF names such as Spicy Golden Gate, Alcatraz and Humboldt. The bar has a wide selection of hot and cold sake plus a full bar for cocktails and mixed drinks, a rarity in a sushi restaurant.
I will definitely be back to this neighborhood gem. Word of advice make a reservation or arrive right at 6pm or else you will be stuck waiting for a table. This place is hot and the crowds rarely diminish even in the late hours.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The Best Pizza in San Francisco: Village Pizzeria on Van Ness
Village Pizzeria is by far the best pizza in San Francisco. I've tried a plethora of pizza places and none compare to the delicious thin crust New York style pizza of Village. Amici's and Victor's on Polk are a close second, but Village blows them out of the water.
Village Pizzeria is located on Van Ness and Sutter and has been serving the Bay Area since 1979. Village offers delivery as well as dine-in service. Delivery orders can be placed online and by phone. One perk to the phone ordering is if you are a repeating customer, you have the option of keeping your credit card on file for even faster and easier service. Eating at the restaurant is also fun because you can sit at the counter and watch the pizza experts toss the dough in the air and they often have specials. Village also offers pizza by the slice if you are on-the-go.
In addition to pizza, Village also makes great salads, appetizers and pasta. My favorite are the spicy chicken wings that literally set my mouth on fire but taste so darn good. The garlic bread, antipasto salad and Greek salad are also favorites of mine. The peperoni pizza is excellent although it can be quite greasy. The specialty Hawaiian pizza is also a hit.
Next time you are ordering pizza check out Village Pizzeria on Van Ness for some of the best New York style pizza in San Francisco.
Village Pizzeria is located on Van Ness and Sutter and has been serving the Bay Area since 1979. Village offers delivery as well as dine-in service. Delivery orders can be placed online and by phone. One perk to the phone ordering is if you are a repeating customer, you have the option of keeping your credit card on file for even faster and easier service. Eating at the restaurant is also fun because you can sit at the counter and watch the pizza experts toss the dough in the air and they often have specials. Village also offers pizza by the slice if you are on-the-go.
In addition to pizza, Village also makes great salads, appetizers and pasta. My favorite are the spicy chicken wings that literally set my mouth on fire but taste so darn good. The garlic bread, antipasto salad and Greek salad are also favorites of mine. The peperoni pizza is excellent although it can be quite greasy. The specialty Hawaiian pizza is also a hit.
Next time you are ordering pizza check out Village Pizzeria on Van Ness for some of the best New York style pizza in San Francisco.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Lalola Bar de Tapas
Lalola Bar de Tapas is a family owned and operated food and wine bar on the corner of Mason and Pacific in North Beach. Located on the famous Powell-Mason cable car line, it's an easily accessible place to meet up with friends after work. I visited last week for the first time for happy hour and dinner. I was a bit nervous to pick a place that doesn't take any reservations but luckily we were able to beat the crowd and get a prime window table.
The menu is a your standard tapas menu with a few exciting extras. The dishes come in three sizes, Pincho (single bit portion, so you don't have to share), Tapa (a few bites, can be shared) and Racion (a big tapa, so you can happily share) but not all dishes are available in the multiple sizes. It was nice to have the choice in sizes of the dishes as my fiance always complains he is hungry after tapas, so it's hard to get him to try this sort of place. Last week we tried the, Madrid-style Tapas Bar Fries, Mixed green Salad with olive oil vinaigrette, Breaded zucchini sticks, Mushrooms in garlic and white wine, Fried Calamari with aioli, Crab-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers with bechamel and tomato and Shelled Garlic Pimenton Shrimp. The food was OK. I did not like the crab-stuffed piquillo peppers and was underwhelmed with the other selections. The food was esthetically pleasing but the taste just wasn't there. I have a feeling we ordered some of the boring dishes but our server didn't help us to choose or recommend the dishes of the house. Next time I come, I will order the Paella and some of the larger more exciting dishes like the Beer-Braised Stew and Moorish Style Pork Skewers and hope for the better. However, on the flip side, LaLoLa does have a great wine list with some delicious wines you don't see everyday. Plus they have great happy hour specials with $3 white or red sangria and $3 Stella on tap.
The best perk to Lalola is the 1.5 validated parking in the Vallejo Garage, such a treat for a restaurant in North Beach. My first visit to Lalola as underwhelming, but I'm looking forward to my next visit, so this cute neighborhood gem can redeem itself.
The menu is a your standard tapas menu with a few exciting extras. The dishes come in three sizes, Pincho (single bit portion, so you don't have to share), Tapa (a few bites, can be shared) and Racion (a big tapa, so you can happily share) but not all dishes are available in the multiple sizes. It was nice to have the choice in sizes of the dishes as my fiance always complains he is hungry after tapas, so it's hard to get him to try this sort of place. Last week we tried the, Madrid-style Tapas Bar Fries, Mixed green Salad with olive oil vinaigrette, Breaded zucchini sticks, Mushrooms in garlic and white wine, Fried Calamari with aioli, Crab-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers with bechamel and tomato and Shelled Garlic Pimenton Shrimp. The food was OK. I did not like the crab-stuffed piquillo peppers and was underwhelmed with the other selections. The food was esthetically pleasing but the taste just wasn't there. I have a feeling we ordered some of the boring dishes but our server didn't help us to choose or recommend the dishes of the house. Next time I come, I will order the Paella and some of the larger more exciting dishes like the Beer-Braised Stew and Moorish Style Pork Skewers and hope for the better. However, on the flip side, LaLoLa does have a great wine list with some delicious wines you don't see everyday. Plus they have great happy hour specials with $3 white or red sangria and $3 Stella on tap.
The best perk to Lalola is the 1.5 validated parking in the Vallejo Garage, such a treat for a restaurant in North Beach. My first visit to Lalola as underwhelming, but I'm looking forward to my next visit, so this cute neighborhood gem can redeem itself.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Freddie's: A Classic Sandwich Shop
Freddie's sandwich shop has been making delicious sandwiches in San Francisco since 1926. The primary location of this little neighborhood gem is Francisco and Stockton in North Beach. It's an institution for people who grew up in the neighborhood and went to Francisco Middle School. It's quite entertaining and timeless to see the kids line up for sodas, sandwiches and candy. The second location just opened up on Pine and Polk in the Polk Gultch neighborhood and I couldn't be happier. Our closest sandwich shop was Whole Foods which is barely passable compared to Freddie's.
Best things about Freddie's are the super nice people who work there. It clearly is a family joint and it shows. Service with a smile but that warm grandparent type smile. My favorite sandwich is the chicken salad with the pepercini spread. Yum! The dutch crunch is amazing and the drink selection endless. I love this place.
Best things about Freddie's are the super nice people who work there. It clearly is a family joint and it shows. Service with a smile but that warm grandparent type smile. My favorite sandwich is the chicken salad with the pepercini spread. Yum! The dutch crunch is amazing and the drink selection endless. I love this place.
Best Indian Restaurant Delivery in San Francisco
Darbar on Polk and Bush is the BEST Indian restaurant delivery in San Francisco. I am a big fan of Indian food and have tried a good portion of the restaurants in the city and nothing compares to the wonderful flavors of Darbar or the value. As most restaurants charge $9.99 or more for your basic Chicken Korma Curry dish, Darbar only charges $6.99. Yah!
Darbar has some of the fastest delivery in the city. Although they tell you 45 minutes on the phone, it usually arrives in about 20-25 minutes. Not only are they prompt, the delivery persons are super nice and have never forgot anything, not a dipping sauce or even a napkin. Darbar does have a bit of a trick to get the lower prices when ordering their food for delivery. If you call and order, you get the in-restaurant menu prices, example: Chicken Tikka Masala for $6.99 and Vegi Samosas $1.99 but if you order via their website it costs $9.99 and $2.99 respectively. But if you use http://www.foodyoyo.com/ to place your order (and not the company they use thru their official website) you still get the banging Tikka Masala for $6.99. It's best to order via the phone to lock down the good prices plus if you order $30 or more for delivery you get a free appetizer or dessert for saying you found them on Yelp.
My favorite main dishes that have never disappointed are: Chicken Tikka Masala (a classic), Chicken Makhani (delicious butter cream sauce), Chicken Vindaloo (spicy spicy spicy!) and Chicken Korma (yummy coconut based cream sauce). I always order the garlic and plain nan and the two types of samosas, vegi and lamb. I seldom branch out of these fine dishes but I can say they are always spot on thus the other dishes must be too!
Darbar has some of the fastest delivery in the city. Although they tell you 45 minutes on the phone, it usually arrives in about 20-25 minutes. Not only are they prompt, the delivery persons are super nice and have never forgot anything, not a dipping sauce or even a napkin. Darbar does have a bit of a trick to get the lower prices when ordering their food for delivery. If you call and order, you get the in-restaurant menu prices, example: Chicken Tikka Masala for $6.99 and Vegi Samosas $1.99 but if you order via their website it costs $9.99 and $2.99 respectively. But if you use http://www.foodyoyo.com/ to place your order (and not the company they use thru their official website) you still get the banging Tikka Masala for $6.99. It's best to order via the phone to lock down the good prices plus if you order $30 or more for delivery you get a free appetizer or dessert for saying you found them on Yelp.
My favorite main dishes that have never disappointed are: Chicken Tikka Masala (a classic), Chicken Makhani (delicious butter cream sauce), Chicken Vindaloo (spicy spicy spicy!) and Chicken Korma (yummy coconut based cream sauce). I always order the garlic and plain nan and the two types of samosas, vegi and lamb. I seldom branch out of these fine dishes but I can say they are always spot on thus the other dishes must be too!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Zuppa: At one time a great Italian Restaurant in SOMA
I moved to San Francisco over three years ago and one of the first restaurants I went to was Zuppa in SOMA. It was one of my favorite spots right away. I even threw a birthday party for my (now) fiance in the private loft area upstairs. But now the food and service is terribly inconsistent and the place is a shell of what it once was.
We ate at Zuppa with some friends a few weeks ago. We started with the Margherita pizza which was (as always) absolutely delicious. I wish we had stopped there because that was the highlight of our meal. Three of the four of us ordered the Ragu di Campagna and the forth, the pasta with muscles. I know it's not foodie hip to order the same thing but usually the ragu is the best part of Zuppa and we all wanted it. Whom ever was cooking that night had no food quality control and just sent out whatever he or she felt was passable as my ragu had about 10 noodles and a pound of sauce and my other two companions had a bowl full of naked noodles and very little sauce. Anyone working expedite or in the kitchen could visibly see how ridiculous it really was. And to top it off my friend's pasta with muscles had 3, yes 3 total muscles, little guys too. I was really disappointed in the food at Zuppa and that was probably the last time I will go back. It's the third strike. Last time I went, I got food poisoning from a bad oyster appetizer while I was still eating my dinner (and my friend also got sick).
Zuppa once was a great Italian restaurant in the city but sadly it no longer has the same quality food it once had. The atmosphere is hip with the raw concrete walls and the private party loft upstairs, and the happy hour is one of the best in SOMA. But sadly the food just doesn't make the cut. Bye bye Zuppa!
We ate at Zuppa with some friends a few weeks ago. We started with the Margherita pizza which was (as always) absolutely delicious. I wish we had stopped there because that was the highlight of our meal. Three of the four of us ordered the Ragu di Campagna and the forth, the pasta with muscles. I know it's not foodie hip to order the same thing but usually the ragu is the best part of Zuppa and we all wanted it. Whom ever was cooking that night had no food quality control and just sent out whatever he or she felt was passable as my ragu had about 10 noodles and a pound of sauce and my other two companions had a bowl full of naked noodles and very little sauce. Anyone working expedite or in the kitchen could visibly see how ridiculous it really was. And to top it off my friend's pasta with muscles had 3, yes 3 total muscles, little guys too. I was really disappointed in the food at Zuppa and that was probably the last time I will go back. It's the third strike. Last time I went, I got food poisoning from a bad oyster appetizer while I was still eating my dinner (and my friend also got sick).
Zuppa once was a great Italian restaurant in the city but sadly it no longer has the same quality food it once had. The atmosphere is hip with the raw concrete walls and the private party loft upstairs, and the happy hour is one of the best in SOMA. But sadly the food just doesn't make the cut. Bye bye Zuppa!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Pour House: A quiet glass of wine on Polk Street
The Pour House on Polk Street is a great place for a glass of wine or microbrew after work. It conveniently opens at 4pm, the time I think happy hour should start. The Pour House used to be SNOB (Sonoma, Napa or Beyond) but the subsequently changed the name and the vibe. SNOB was a bit pretentious and the service was about as rude as a NYC cab driver at 2am. I went twice before the name change and both times I felt as if I was inconveniencing the bartender by gracing her with my presence. But this has all changed, thankfully.
The Pour House has turned into a fabulous low-key semi-hipster place. The new atmosphere is relaxed, there is plenty of seating with a long wood bar (with purse hooks), 3 overstuffed couches up front and a splattering of tables in the dark, romantic back of the bar. Unless you know the majority of the people sitting on the couches, it can be a bit awkward to sit there. My friend and I started out on the couches but later moved after a group of 5 sat down. I really felt I was invading someone's living room couch. So if you have space issues or don't like people listening to your conversation then pick a seat at the bar or one of the tables in the back.
The bar offers 40 different premium wines and 25 microbrews (10 on tap). The bartender on duty was a very nice young man who unfortunately went to UCONN (I didn't hold it against him, we still tipped). My only complaint is that the cheese plate is horrible. First off you have two cheese choices, Jarlsberg and an unidentified crumbled goat cheese. The two cheeses come with massive wheat crackers that do nothing to compliment the cheese. The best part was the dish of salty olives. If I wasn't so starved, I would have told him he could keep it after my first glance. Another food option is to order from one of the restaurants on Polk Street and have them deliver right to you at the bar.
I'm happy to report that The Pour House is a great location for a quick drink on Polk Street.
The Pour House has turned into a fabulous low-key semi-hipster place. The new atmosphere is relaxed, there is plenty of seating with a long wood bar (with purse hooks), 3 overstuffed couches up front and a splattering of tables in the dark, romantic back of the bar. Unless you know the majority of the people sitting on the couches, it can be a bit awkward to sit there. My friend and I started out on the couches but later moved after a group of 5 sat down. I really felt I was invading someone's living room couch. So if you have space issues or don't like people listening to your conversation then pick a seat at the bar or one of the tables in the back.
The bar offers 40 different premium wines and 25 microbrews (10 on tap). The bartender on duty was a very nice young man who unfortunately went to UCONN (I didn't hold it against him, we still tipped). My only complaint is that the cheese plate is horrible. First off you have two cheese choices, Jarlsberg and an unidentified crumbled goat cheese. The two cheeses come with massive wheat crackers that do nothing to compliment the cheese. The best part was the dish of salty olives. If I wasn't so starved, I would have told him he could keep it after my first glance. Another food option is to order from one of the restaurants on Polk Street and have them deliver right to you at the bar.
I'm happy to report that The Pour House is a great location for a quick drink on Polk Street.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Frankie's Bohemian Cafe
John and I wandered into Frankie's last Saturday to use a Groupon. I'd passed this little place on the corner of Divisadero and Pine for a few years as I used to work down the street at Mt. Zion and had only popped in once for beers with coworkers. I had been holding onto the Groupon for a while as the reviews were quite mixed on Yelp and I seriously didn't want a hockey puck hamburger or warm beer.
We ordered popcorn shrimp to start which were divine. I could have bathed in their popcorn shrimp, sadly a dish left off of most San Francisco restaurants. We both chose the bacon cheeseburger and were pleased. They were juicy and delicious. Only complaint is that John got three times as more fries as me. Just cause I'm small doesn't mean I don't like my fries.
The service was great. A nice European man greeted us from behind the bar and pointed for us to sit where ever we wanted, which was 99% of the restaurant as their was only one table occupied. We presented our Groupon as instructed and the waiter very pleasantly said to just hold onto it and he'll ring us up at the end. He really was quite nice, so I am confused by all the Yelp reviews that say he is rude. When we did go to pay, he apologized for not being able to take our credit card for the $7 balance. I could tell he said this a lot and probably more times than not someone yells at him and scoffs off. To me it's the restaurant policy and it's their place so they make the rules, minimum $30 charge period.
All in all, the food was good, the atmosphere cozy and the service pleasant. However, I really don't think I'll be back, unless its for the popcorn shrimp. Nothing really set this place off from the other thousands of restaurants in this city. I don't see this as a restaurant that draws crowds, only a convenient neighborhood spot.
We ordered popcorn shrimp to start which were divine. I could have bathed in their popcorn shrimp, sadly a dish left off of most San Francisco restaurants. We both chose the bacon cheeseburger and were pleased. They were juicy and delicious. Only complaint is that John got three times as more fries as me. Just cause I'm small doesn't mean I don't like my fries.
The service was great. A nice European man greeted us from behind the bar and pointed for us to sit where ever we wanted, which was 99% of the restaurant as their was only one table occupied. We presented our Groupon as instructed and the waiter very pleasantly said to just hold onto it and he'll ring us up at the end. He really was quite nice, so I am confused by all the Yelp reviews that say he is rude. When we did go to pay, he apologized for not being able to take our credit card for the $7 balance. I could tell he said this a lot and probably more times than not someone yells at him and scoffs off. To me it's the restaurant policy and it's their place so they make the rules, minimum $30 charge period.
All in all, the food was good, the atmosphere cozy and the service pleasant. However, I really don't think I'll be back, unless its for the popcorn shrimp. Nothing really set this place off from the other thousands of restaurants in this city. I don't see this as a restaurant that draws crowds, only a convenient neighborhood spot.
Farmerbrown Restaurant: An all-u-can-eat brunch in San Francisco
Farmerbrown is the best spot in San Francisco to get a reasonably priced all-u-can-eat brunch with a whole lot of hipster vibe on the side. A couple of out-of-town friends of mine stumbled upon this little gem in the heart of San Francisco's Market/Union Square district. I must say I was a bit skeptical when they told me they found a great breakfast spot on the corner of Mason and Turk. It turns out this place is a fabulous find for both locals as its downtown and on a bunch of major bus lines and for out-of-town guests as its smack dab in the middle of the Union square hotel district.
The ambiance of Farmerbrown is uber hipster. The restaurant is all about supporting local and African-American farmers using organic, biodynamic or sustainably raised foods and beverages. The theme is Southern hospitality and good hearty eats, as their website claims is often misinterpreted. Southern food really can be healthy and good for you! The restaurant's ambiance matched this message. The artwork covering the walls is inspiring and the music finger snapping good.
Brunch is served from 10am until 2:30pm Saturday and Sunday. The all-you-can-eat brunch was $16 (if I remember correctly) but the real expensive kicker was the $14 all-you-can-drink Mimosas. Sadly our waitress didn't reveal the high cost of the mimosas, which came as a shock when the bill came. The buffet was delicious and replenished constantly. My favorites were the fried chicken, waffles, eggs, biscuits and mushroom gravy, grits, bacon, fresh fruit..... the list goes on. It's a comprehensive buffet with good healthy eats but I am holding strong and still don't believe that the fried chicken and bacon are healthy, locally sustained yes, but healthy no.
I would definitely go back to Farmerbrown. The dinner menu looks as intriguing and delicious as the brunch menu. It's a great find in a convenient neighborhood with a positive message.
The ambiance of Farmerbrown is uber hipster. The restaurant is all about supporting local and African-American farmers using organic, biodynamic or sustainably raised foods and beverages. The theme is Southern hospitality and good hearty eats, as their website claims is often misinterpreted. Southern food really can be healthy and good for you! The restaurant's ambiance matched this message. The artwork covering the walls is inspiring and the music finger snapping good.
Brunch is served from 10am until 2:30pm Saturday and Sunday. The all-you-can-eat brunch was $16 (if I remember correctly) but the real expensive kicker was the $14 all-you-can-drink Mimosas. Sadly our waitress didn't reveal the high cost of the mimosas, which came as a shock when the bill came. The buffet was delicious and replenished constantly. My favorites were the fried chicken, waffles, eggs, biscuits and mushroom gravy, grits, bacon, fresh fruit..... the list goes on. It's a comprehensive buffet with good healthy eats but I am holding strong and still don't believe that the fried chicken and bacon are healthy, locally sustained yes, but healthy no.
I would definitely go back to Farmerbrown. The dinner menu looks as intriguing and delicious as the brunch menu. It's a great find in a convenient neighborhood with a positive message.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Mamacita: Best Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco
Mamacita, in my opinion, is the best Mexican restaurant in San Francisco. Every time I eat there, I leave happy, full and a little drunk. Mamacita is located smack dab in the middle of the Marina district on Chestnut. The restaurant is one long narrow room, nicely decorated with hanging metal lights, cool art and warm tones. The restaurant tends to get crowded and loud on the weekends and it can be so loud sometimes that you have to scream across the table but that's part of its hip and happening vibe and the food is worth it.
Mamacita serves tapas style dishes and yummy sides. I've eaten just about everything on the menu and loved it all. However, I am sad that they discontinued my favorite dish, a polenta cake with baked clams and chorizo in a cast iron little pot. The flavors in the dish were so mouthwatering delicious, I hated sharing it. Some of my favorite plates are: Callos de Mula- pan seared scallops with butternut squash mole and brussel sprout chorizo hash, classic Carne Asado Tacos made with Meyer Ranch skirt steak, Camaron al Pastor Tacos- prawn tacos with grilled pineapple, and Tamales de Puerquito- house-made banana leaf steamed pulled pork tamales.
The restaurant has a full bar but it's small. The sangria is delicious and goes down way too easy. For tequila connoisseurs there is a tasting "tequila flight" and a large selection of tequilas all reasonably prices. The bar also has "Hora De Feliz" weekdays (happy hour for the non-Spanish speakers) until 6:30 with drink and food specials.
Mamacita is my favorite go-to restaurant. It's great for large groups and a perfect spot to for out of town guests. It can get a bit pricey. Small plates cost from $8 to $18 with 80% of the menu $12 or more.
Mamacita serves tapas style dishes and yummy sides. I've eaten just about everything on the menu and loved it all. However, I am sad that they discontinued my favorite dish, a polenta cake with baked clams and chorizo in a cast iron little pot. The flavors in the dish were so mouthwatering delicious, I hated sharing it. Some of my favorite plates are: Callos de Mula- pan seared scallops with butternut squash mole and brussel sprout chorizo hash, classic Carne Asado Tacos made with Meyer Ranch skirt steak, Camaron al Pastor Tacos- prawn tacos with grilled pineapple, and Tamales de Puerquito- house-made banana leaf steamed pulled pork tamales.
The restaurant has a full bar but it's small. The sangria is delicious and goes down way too easy. For tequila connoisseurs there is a tasting "tequila flight" and a large selection of tequilas all reasonably prices. The bar also has "Hora De Feliz" weekdays (happy hour for the non-Spanish speakers) until 6:30 with drink and food specials.
Mamacita is my favorite go-to restaurant. It's great for large groups and a perfect spot to for out of town guests. It can get a bit pricey. Small plates cost from $8 to $18 with 80% of the menu $12 or more.
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