Chaya - July 22, 2008

Went to Chaya for my birthday. No blog entry for this visit... but, GO THERE!!

http://www.thechaya.com/

Orson July 15, 2008

Orson - American, SOMA

508 4th St (between Bryant St & Brannan St)

San Francisco, CA 94107

(415) 777-1508

www.orsonsf.com

Chef Elizabeth Faulkner (of Citizen Cake) is brilliant!! Orson is a super special place, with it's beautiful decor that is casual yet elegant and the food is just awesome. We started with the Cheese & Accoutrement ~ cow, goat, sheep $16, and the Little gem salad, peas, mint and basil vinaigrette $10. We followed this with Sardines, with butterbeans, maitake mushrooms, Kohlrabi $12 and Charred hamachi tartare, avocado, radis, citrus $12.

Beretta July 8, 2008

Beretta
Neighborhood: Mission
1199 Valencia St (between 22nd St & 23rd St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 695-1199

One of our favorites closed down, The Last Supper Club. But, Beretta took it's place. In the same space, Beretta is much more sleek and contemporary. Of course, I like it better and mom thought it was more charming before. With a very different approach to italian than the Supper Club, I find the menu of Beretta more approachable. It's all very fancy, but familiar. We had the Warm Marinated Cerignola olives with Citrus, $6. I am a big olive fan, and these might have been the best I have ever had. We had the fish antipasti: Monterey Sardines en Saor, $7, which were sooooo good! We also had a small Pizza which was perfect! Funghi misti, tomato, fontina and thyme, $14. Great food, great ambiance, ... this one should last awhile!!

Andalu July 1, 2008

Andalu- Mission
3198 16th St (at Albion St)
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 621-2211

Oh boy, we were bad tonight. We ordered every fried appetizer they had.... we couldn't help ourselves. We started with Ahi Tartare Tacos with Chili and lime, mango salsa at $1 each; well, that's not so bad... just wait. Then we had Crispy Mac & Cheese with herb tomato vinegrette, $7. Heavenly!!! An order of the Curly Polenta Fries with spicy tomato vinegrette, $7, was a most unusual treat and very delicious. And, then if that wasn't enought fried crispiness, we ordered the Crab Rangoon (an egg roll) with sweet and sour dipping sauce, $8. Andalu offers tons of wonderful healthy small plates... but we felt like being BAD!!

Foreign Cinema, June 17, 2008

Foreign Cinema - French American, Mission

2534 Mission St (between 21st St & 22nd St)

San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 648-7600

http://www.foreigncinema.com/

This restaurant is very elegant yet comfortable. They have a great courtyard where the project foreign films on the wall, just for ambiance. They have a number of appetizers they catagorize as an "Urban Picnic" which I think is so fun! The restaurant was full and had quite a wait so mom and I ate in the bar, called the László Bar. It's very industrial yet warm feeling. The bartender who also waited on us was the BEST!!

We had the House Cured Sardines with white bean and roasted pepper salad, queso fresco, and pine nuts - YUM! It was one of the best dishes I have ever tasted. We had the Tuna Tartar with ginger-lime vinagrette, wasabi tobiko, chili oil, and waffle potato chips. The picture is so unappetizing I couldn't post it, but the tartar was one of the best I have ever had. The Urban Picnic we chose was the Baked Fromage d'Affinois with crudité, olivada and potatoes. I will just say .... Melted cheese makes me happy!!!!

Grand Pubah, June 10, 2008

Grand PuBah Restaurant - Thai , Potrero

88 Division Street

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 255-8188

http://www.grandpubahrestaurant.com/

This is a BEAUTIFUL restaurant. It is very high end food and is loosely yet elegantly Thai, like Beetlenut (Union Street) is with Chinese food.

We had the Coconut Crusted Soft Shell Crab served with roasted corn salsa $1o. Now I know what coconut is for - to encrust soft shell crab!!! Fabulous corn salsa too!! Sizzling Spicy Prawns with cilantro, lemongrass, lime, Thai chili $10. Very tasty; they were the best shrimp I have had in a long time. Papaya Salad with tomato, green bean, lettuce, and Spanish anchovies $8. This lovely plate of Kumamoto oysters from Fanny Bay $2.75 each did not need the accoutrements - served with fried onions, traditional Thai style sauce, Sriracha sorbet and Hangar one kaffir lime granita. As tasty as they may sound added nothing to the oysters. But, boy were the oysters yummy!

I drive by this restaurant every day and can't wait to return!!

Paréa, June 3rd, 2008

PARÉA Wine Bar and Cafe - Greek/Mediterranean : Mission District

795 Valencia St.San Francisco, CA 94110

415 255 2102

Mon. through Sat. 5-12

Closed Sundays

http://www.pareawinebar.com/

A terrific casual environment to have fun with friends!! We had the bruschetta with tomatoes, olives, roasted garlic and monouri cheese. Also, we indulged in a pizzetta with tomato, arugula and mozzarella. A Veggie plate with roasted potatoes, greens hummus, tzatziki, carrots, cucumbers, celery, and roasted peppers... YUM, all of my favorite things!!