This petite Mission café
is small on space but big on mouthwatering
dishes inspired by cuisine from around
the world. From the salad of mixed organic
greens with Gorgonzola and candied walnuts,
to the warm gingerbread dessert, ingredients
are ultra fresh and creatively combined.
There is a grilled flatbread appetizer
with toppings that change daily. We sampled
a luscious combination of caramelized
onions, anchovy, olive tapenade, and arugula.
The sweet taste and silky texture of the
onions combined perfectly with the salty
anchovies and olives, the bite of the
arugula, and the crunch of the flatbread.
Perfect.
Entrées shone, starting
with the roasted chicken with warm
bread salad, roasted onions and broccoli
rabe. I’ve always felt that roasted
chicken is one of those good "measuring
stick" dishes of a restaurant. A
simple dish, but full of rustic soul and
reflecting the personality and personal
attention of the chef. This one was wonderful.
Moist and flavorful, with a golden crispy
skin. The bread salad transformed from
just fine to incredibly good as it began
to soak up the juices of the chicken and
vegetables.
The pan seared beef tenderloin
with French beans and gorgonzola mashed
potatoes was flawlessly prepared and would
meet any beef lover’s expectations.
It was fun to see sand dabs on the menu,
along with a madras curry and pasta dish
featuring fresh rigatoni with sausage
and tomato sauce. Universal cuisine, indeed!
Desserts you say? You betcha.
In addition to the moist, fragrant
gingerbread, there was a chocolate
pudding cake with heavenly decadent caramel
ice cream.
The wine list is small but
every bit as thoughtful as the menu. We
choose the Tablas Creek 1997 Tablas Rouge,
but were mightily tempted by other bottles
such as the Talley 1998 Pinot Noir Arroyo
Grande and the Vieux Telegraphe 1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Chef Peter Erickson’s
menu changes daily, so visit often. We
will. This is one of the best restaurants
we’ve experienced in recent memory.
(december 2000)
Entrées range from $14 to
$24
Appetizers range from $6.50 to $11
2814 Nineteenth Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
415.821.4608
