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SF takes brunch very seriously
Very very seriously
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Edna’s 4-star review: I last visited 6 years ago. A lot has changed in the city, not much has changed at Brenda's; nonetheless I feel like my perspective has changed--in 2013 I was scared of the Tenderloin, was annoyed by the parking, and thought the food was alright but pricey. Fast forward to 2019, the Tenderloin seems less scary though is not yet gentrified, the parking situation is not surprising, the food remains a time-tested local favorite, and the price range is as expected. I got the shrimp and grits, which was comfort food on point--a good balance of savory, piquant, and creamy flavors. I do think the grits were grits are a bit cheesier than I'd like, but I nonetheless devoured everything. There was also a generous portion of shrimp and it was overall a hearty and satisfying brunch (which also feels more healthy than the fried chicken and such). After all, the secret to success is grit, right?! Our table also shared a beignet flight and an order of the original plain beignets. The different flavors are interesting (crawfish is popular but I really liked the indulgent chocolate one, which reminded me of Nutella), and the plain ones are the best way to appreciate the exceptionally airy and fluffy texture. Overall, I think what is so magical about Brenda's is their mastery of the Southern specialties. Not only are most of their dishes unique; it tastes just right, not too heavy, salty, or greasy yet so refined and memorable... so much thought and soul. Pro tips: - The wait can be ridiculous, and there isn't a whole lot to do to kill time while waiting. Strongly suggest coming on a weekday if possible, and to still come early (the place was full and there was a wait time starting around 10am on a Friday) - Friend got the chicory coffee, which didn't have much chicory flavor - Another friend got the French toast, which while is a huge portion, looked rather plain and unusually eggy. Would recommend sticking to their Southern cuisine - It's good for groups because they can put a lot of tables together, and it was nice of them not to automatically add a hefty gratuity - The food is very filling; come with a big appetite - I don't know how I feel about the poor food safety alert, but I'll tell you that I haven't gotten sick myself here -
Edna’s 5-star review: Padrecitos and Mamacitas on happy hour: whether you think this is borderline racy or evokes endearing family-oriented vibes, there aren't many places in SF where you can find good margaritas for $6. Much as I have a love-hate relationship for dressed-up Mexican food, I couldn't help but fall for all the bouge touches at Padrecito. The aesthetic garnish of vibrantly colored edible flowers, amazing gauc that is every avocado lover's dream, and foodie-minded menu ranging from goat tacos to duck carnitas are sensational, memorable, and extremely Instagrammable. We started off with some CHIPS & GUAC. At $11 it's a bit steep, but not bad if you are sharing and quite worthwhile for the quality. The guac is essentially a huge bowl of pure avocado topped with crumbles of queso fresco (similar to cotjita white cheese), and the tortilla chips are a freshly house-made version. It's a bit more oil-based and indulgent than your standard tortilla chips, but also extra crispy and extra satisfying. I got the CHIPOTLE CHILAQUILES ($17) featuring duck carnitas, roasted eggplant, gypsy pepper, and a mildly creamy red sauce. All the flavors and textures came together well with a lot of dimension, but they use the same tortilla chips and it got a bit tedious after already having devoured a lot of the chips & guac app. I've sampled the CARNITAS ESPECIAL ($23); the seven layer dip was epic and the portion size with the braised pork shoulder was decent for the price, but it is still quite a splurge. As for dranks, I was happy with my PADRECITO ($6 HH/$11 regular), which was my ideal ratio of tequila/mezcal to lime/agave for strong but drinkable. The Mamacita is a more lightweight version without the mezcal. Happy hour is half off beer/wine and $6 margaritas. Unfortunately there are no HH discounts for food, but everything is surprisingly filling. I am also a fan of their BRUNCH, which places a refreshing Latin spin on brunch classics (think plantain pancakes, carntias Benedicts, patatas bravas). Definitely beats the ridiculous wait at Zazie down the street. The ambiance is rustic, the place is spacious, and service is friendly. Overall, it's on the pricier side but reasonable and worthwhile. Pro tip: The dishes I know of so far that have edible flowers include yellow flowers on the chilaquiles, bright blue flowers on the duck enmermelada tacos, and a colorful assortment (basically a little edible bouquet) on the pancakes for brunch. Add these on your list of photos that can make your food blog Insta-famous. -
Edna’s 5-star review: Honestly, Chinatown is among the last places you would expect to find the perfect French cafe, but this review is testimony that Brioche proves otherwise. C'est drole, n'est-ce que pas? [BACKGROUND] I was on my way home looking for a place to get lunch, and all other places I passed by seemed too crowded, too expensive, and/or too generic. I must be developing good Yelpy instincts because I chose Brioche purely by storefront impressions, without any consultations with technology whatsoever. And what do you know, when I consult Yelp after the fact, it turns out I had spotted a 4.5 with my naked eye ;) [AMBIANCE] Authentically French in every sense, except it's quite small given that we're in SF after all. Besides the somewhat cramped size, it's a charming cafe. The interior is homey and cozy, furnished and decorated like a kitchen and dining room. The European feel extends to the exterior with the classic scalloped blue fabric awning. It's even complete with wicker patio furniture and carefree customers sipping coffee, reading newspapers, and people watching. Some people ahead of me complained about service, but I thought it was fine. [FOOD] Niçois sandwich, $7.75 (Mediterranean style tuna salad with extra virgin olive oil, fresh tomatoes, lettuce and chipotle spread on our crusty baguette): I'm extremely picky with sandwiches, but this was pretty close to perfect. All the ingredients were fresh, and the baguette was fluffy and tasted truly homemade. All those chain stores that claim to have artisan bread baked fresh daily blah blah blah now appear to be quackery in comparison to Brioche. Also, it comes with a side salad! Also fresh and I suspect it's organic. Spinach and Gruyère Omelet, $11.50 (sautéed organic baby spinach and onions with Gruyère cheese, served with oven roasted rosemary potatoes and artisan organic whole wheat toast): One of the rare places where you can get a wholesome, satisfying brunch without lapsing into food coma afterwards. The omelet has a nice, thin layer of egg, and they pleasantly don't overdo the cheese. The potatoes are just the right portion (digging this continued European theme with the European portions), unlike the disgusting heaping pile of fried potatoes at most American brunches. I really liked the toast, which is on homemade bread (in a beautiful homemade shape, I might add). It even came with a few pieces of fruit, which was refreshing to finish with. [CONCLUSION] I was planning to come for an epic marathon cafe work session, but I didn't get much done. Perhaps it's the relaxing atmosphere at this charming cafe, whose recurrent European theme predominates over the American workaholic mentality. -
Edna’s 4-star review: Chez Maman is cozy and endearing, just like eating at your mom's kitchen. Specializing in traditional French lunch foods, it's a counterpart to Chez Papa which serves fancier dinner-type French cuisine. Since it's small, there can be a bit of wait if you come during peak hours on weekends. Most likely you will end up sitting at the bar, which is a fun experience reminiscent of sitting at the breakfast bar watching your mom cook. (Actually I never personally had that experience, but that's what I imagine when looking at kitchen setups at Ikea). It's interesting to watch their culinary finesse in adding pinches and slabs of various ingredients--like a European, authentic, and far less version of Benihana. If you come on a hot day though, be warned that it gets quite toasty facing the kitchen area. Croque Veggie with egg ($11): I thought I was being savvy in knowing what a croque monsieur is, fashionably health-conscious in choosing something vegetarian, and all in all a connoisseur in ordering something that was not widely known on Yelp. It was good, but not amazing. A mon avis, it had too much bread; it essentially looked like two slices of Asian thick toast. The rich cheese partially compensated all the carbiness, but the few pieces of onions and red bell peppers were not flavorful enough to make up for the ham from the original Croque Monsieur. The egg was one of the highlights, especially with the runny yolk that melted into the bread. It combines the wonderful liquid yolkiness of poached eggs with the crispy thin whites of fried eggs. I liked the salad; the mixed greens were fresh and the dressing was tangy but light. Crepe Complète with Ham, gruyère & egg, served with salad ($11): I tried a bite of my friend's order (a more traditional choice than mine). The wheat crepe went very well with the thick smoky cheese and ham; however it was quite filling because the cheese was so heavy. Also, the salad only consisted of a small serving of arugula over the crepe. I enjoyed my meal here despite my minor complaints; I think next time instead of pretending to be healthy and different in getting the Croque Veggie, I will hop on the Basic Burger bandwagon. Bon appétit P: -
Edna’s 5-star review: Fancy restaurant at a reasonable price in SF? AND you're helping a good cause? Delancey Street Restaurant occupies a tiny space in a Venn diagram that I didn't even know could overlap. [BACKGROUND] I was first introduced to this restaurant by a friend who is an SF native. Had I not been taken there, I don't think I would ever have dared to look at the prices, seeing that it's a nice-looking restaurant on the Embarcadero. (For one thing, there are people standing outside who greet you and open the door for you... even most pricey restaurants don't have that service). [THE CAUSE] According to their website, Delancey Street Foundation helps "former substance abusers, ex-convicts, homeless and others who have hit bottom". SF businesses suck up way too much of my money; I'm glad to be able to eat a restaurant while contributing to a good cause. [SERVICE] You usually get the dilemma that cheap restaurants have cheap service, and expensive restaurants have snobby service. At Delancey's, you get genuinely friendly service. They remain equally polite even if you order nothing but an entree. And what blew me away was one day when I came for dinner and mentioned that we were in a hurry. We were in and out in 15 minutes--In N Out speed. No we weren't stuffing our faces at lightning speed; they were just very efficient at taking our orders, bringing the food as soon as it came out of the kitchen, and preparing the check ahead of time. [AMBIANCE] It's an elegant tan stucco building with a black and white stripe overhang at a corner. It's especially charming for brunch with the sunlight pouring in through the large windows or, better yet, soaking up (virtually the only sunny area in SF) in the outdoor seating area with the gorgeous view of the waterfront. You get the nice table clothes and all, along with real live colorful flowers. I know I'm going on forever with this review, but I also wanted to note that the chairs are very plush and comfortable. [FOOD] They have online sample menus, which gives you a pretty good idea (including prices), but the actual menu varies slightly. What I love most is their Heart Healthy Spa Specials section for delicious healthy choices under 500 calories. Haha every time I adore the term "spa specials". It sounds so luxurious so you don't feel like a deprived health freak. (+++) COMPLIMENTARY BREAD: fresh, fluffy, house-made bread! There's a decent portion so you won't go hungry even if you order a spa special. You get thinly sliced assorted toasted bagels in addition to regular bread for brunch, and a variety of different breads (some have dried fruit or herbs) for dinner. (++) 3 EGGWHITE SPINACH & MUSHROOM OMELETTE, $6.95 (with fat free garlic & chive schmear, served with bagel thins & apple butter): The one time you can get a satisfying omelette without feeling like a fatty. It's made with gruyere cheese which adds a good flavor but isn't too rich like other cheese omelettes. The apple butter is cinnamon-y like apple pie jam P: (+) POTATO PANCAKES, $4.50 (with sour cream & apple sauce): Standard potato pancakes, good for getting your brunch hash browns fix without having to swim through a pool of potatoes. (+) MIXED MAKI ROLLS, $5.95 (chef's selection with pickled ginger & wasabi): The presentation is simple and beautiful. However it's artistic at the expense of good sushi. There is so little sashimi that you mainly taste vinegar rice and seaweed. Not bad, but very different. The accompanying slaw is crunchy and tangy. Tip: the wasabi is very spicy; most restaurants dilute it much more. (+++) WARM VALRHONA CHOCOLATE PUDDING CAKE, $4.50 (with coconut ice cream, made to order): Must try! I'm usually not a fan of chocolate cake, but this is lava cake like no other. The warm gooey fudge filling mixed with the light chocolate cake contrasts the refreshing coconut ice cream. You'll never experience such a masterpiece of diverse textures, flavors, and temperatures. (++) ORANGE GINGER CHICKEN MEDALLIONS, $10.95 (with citrus apricot couscous): The chicken slices are very thin, but an intensely flavorful mix of sweet and spicy. It comes with a side of stir-fried vegetables, and the couscous is a very nice change from rice/pasta/potatoes. (+) DAILY VEGETARIAN STEW, $10.95: When I came, it was a pumpkin puree with tomatoes and garbonzo beans over couscous. It was a soothing winter dish, and expect the consistency to be a bit soupy like stew. [GOOD FOR...] While I enjoyed brunch and dinner, I would recommend coming for brunch. It's a very good deal considering how pricey a nice brunch is, plus you get to enjoy the Embarcadero ambiance (the cloest to Socal in SF). [THE VERDICT] Fancy restaurant, reasonable prices, helping a good cause, impeccable service, memorable ambiance, delicious food, healthy options... no wonder I can write such a detailed review. I'm actually at the character limit kthxbye -
Edna’s 5-star review: Oh my goodness. So good that when I told people about Griddle Fresh, I accidentally said "I literally inhaled it". Obviously I didn't (no aspiration pneumonia), but obviously it was THAT good. [BACKGROUND] I was searching for a good brunch place in SF, and many of them are the all-too-common boring old-fashioned eggs/toast/pancakes/etc. As you can tell by a glance at the photos, here they redefine brunch. Not only are there clever twists on traditional brunch entrees; the portion sizes are adjusted to be perfect--unlike typical brunch places with huge servings of fatty fried food that makes you sink into food coma before you finish half your plate. [LOCATION] The journey began with a rough start. (Okay maybe I'm exaggerating my review of a brunch restaurant...) The streets are a little confusing to navigate, requiring no less than the San Franciscan feat of maneuvering confusing diagonal intersections. After finally reaching the destination, you find yourself in a mostly residential area with the formidably packed rows of cars lining both side of the street. Fortunately, it's not too busy so you can take your time hunting down any traces of a parking spot, and you should not have to deal with road raging drivers who get annoyed if you can't perfectly parallel parki in one attempt. [AMBIANCE] Previous reviews warned that it's small and difficult to find seating, so I expected a little hole-in-the wall with pathetic garage sale furniture and all. While I would still advise getting there before 12 if you don't want to wait, there's a decent amount of space. It's fairly well-lit from natural lighting, as any sunny perky brunch restaurant should be. Service is friendly. The decor is simple, with clean, dark wooden tables (also quite big = more room to order lots of food). [FOOD] Banana Mascarpone Souffle Pancakes ($12): souffle pancakes highly recommended. The true souffle fluffliness far exceeds any recipes that claim perfect fluffliness. The banana sauce, candied walnuts, and mascarpone make the airy pancakes very dessert-like. According to the menu, they give you real maple syrup which is so much better than that disgusting caramel-colored high fructose corn syrup. Smoked Salmon Tartine ($13): includes the best of everything at brunch--a light omelette with chives, brioche toast, smoked salmon with a dill sauce, topped with sprouts. Comes with potato wedges, which are alright. It's almost like a Benedict, only better because 1) no need to worry about Salmonella from the poached eggs and 2) it's satisfying to get a huge slab of bread rather than two small English muffins. Overall it's delicious, and you even feel healthy because of the fish. I'd also recommend trying the lemon ricotta pancakes and 6-hour corn beef hash. Prices are reasonable, definitely worth it for all the brunch happiness. -
Edna’s 5-star review: I know the name sounds like a grocery or deli store, but this is one serious brunch place. And there actually isn't a 45min-1hr wait on weekends. And it actually doesn't cost $15 per entree. And IT's IN SF!! Say whaaaat....this defies the laws of the SF brunch universe. The down-to-earth diner ambiance is a nice change from the more well-known, frequently Instagrammed bouge brunch places like Plow and Kitchen Story. It's a fun experience sitting at the bar; you can even fantasize going back in time to the 1920's. The decor is whimsical with adorable pig-themed paraphernalia, lots of pink, and the interesting architecture of the interior balcony overlooking the restaurant (I was on my way to the restroom on the second floor, and I almost wanted to go back to get my phone for that hip aerial view picture). Granted, it's not new and shiny and the restrooms could use some work, but overall the cafe is reasonably clean. With the extensive and mouth-watering menu, we took awhile to decide but the server was very patient with us. While waiting for the food, we people-watched (food-watched?) the operations of the open kitchen and discovered more items we wanted to try... pretty much everything we saw looked delish. I was particularly impressed by the large-scale hash brown batches, which reminded me of La Taqueria's piles of carne asada to keep up with the high turnover. Similarly, Pork Store cafe maintains a steady supply of fresh, golden hash browns. (Side note: If you liked Pork Store, Art's in the Sunset would be good to check out--it's similar with the diner set-up and famous hash browns, except it's smaller and has some Korean fusionized into it) (++) EGGS IN A TASTY NEST: one of their most popular items, and tasty indeed! The nest consists of crispy hash browns with assorted brunch guilty pleasures (bacon, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, onions, and cheese) topped with two eggs. Indulgent goodness that would no doubt be an efficacious hangover cure. I think my favorite was the biscuits, which tasted homemade--a wonderfully soft texture and subtle butter flavors, not too heavy. They give you one piece but it's really two pieces stuck together i.e. good for mooching off the boo's plate and not feeling bad about it. (++) GREEN BENEDICT: The asparagus does put an eccentric spin on the Benedict, though not at the strangeness level of green eggs and ham. It went surprisingly well with the avocado, eggs, and zesty hollandaise. My favorite part was the bread base, which tasted very much like garlic bread. Overall this was excellent and probably one of my favorite Benedict renditions ever, despite popular belief that gourmet Benedicts require crab or lobster. The poached eggs were overdone and lacked runny yolks, but I actually prefer it this way--less overwhelming yolk flavor, less messy, and the hollandaise already does a good job as the sauce to mop up with your bread after you've eaten the rest of the toppings. It comes with a side of hash browns (!!!) Both were $10.75, very reasonable considering the ginormous portion and uniqueness of the dishes. We will be back to see what else Pork Store has in store! -
Edna’s 4-star review: Certainly, you must have heard through the crepevine about the legendary portions. It's a UCSF student's cost-effectiveness dream--you can eat until you are stuffed and still have ample leftovers. Unlike high-end creperies, the menu is not restricted to over-priced naked crepes with the complementary goods of over-priced toppings. Crepevine has a GIGANTIC menu (literally and figuratively), with a wide variety of crepes, brunch items, sandwiches, salads, and pastas, all of which can be catered to diverse tastes. Crepes are themed on different cities, though of course it is just more of a spin than anything close to authentic or fusion delicacies. Don't come here expecting the actual crepe quality to match that of self-proclaimed French creperies, because Crepevine is all about the fillings. The SAN FRANCISCO has the salmon and spinach you'd imagine at a fancy restaurant, stuffed into a crepe and surprisingly tasty with the melted havarti. The SANTA FE is perfect if you can't decide between a crepe and an omelette, because it's basically a scramble inside a crepe. The TUSCANY is good if you're hungry and in the mood for hearty grilled chicken and pesto, though it's on the salty side. If you are looking for something classic, LE DELICE with ham and cheese is quite delicious and not as boring as it sounds. The sweet crepes are not to die for, but good for satisfying a sweet tooth and a good option for "dinner" if you're not hungry but ended up here with dinner plans. (Hey, nothing wrong with dessert for dinner) I've tried the SANTORINI (walnuts, pistachios, brown sugar, coconut, cinnamon and mascarpone) which was not really as amazing as it sounds and a bit too sweet for my tastes. Omelettes are gigantic beyond your imagination, and do not fall short of the expectations for the hangover panacea. I like the MAZATLAN with soy chorizo, avocado, black bean chili, Jack and cheddar cheese, salsa fresca--essentially, a burrito omelette. As for salads, the TOSSED GREENS is not one of those sad salads ordered only by people on sad diets. The caramelized walnuts look strangely gritty, in no comparison to the perfect glazed ones in that Chinese honey walnut shrimp dish, but nonetheless they taste good and make your salad happy. And--woe to those on a low-carb diet--it comes with toasted bread. Also, like the rest of the enormous portions, the small is already huge. Oh, Crepevine... the only place I can order a "small tossed greens" and be perfectly satisfied and filled up. The place can get a little bit cramped (the tables are close together so I once easily overheard an extensive conversation about someone's relationship--tip: do not discuss relationships at Crepevine). For the almost-fast-food style of ordering at the counter, the food seems to take longer than you expect. Tip: My order of tackling the massive plate is salad first, then crepe, then potatoes, i.e. in the order of take-outability. Even if you have devoured your entire crepe, the roasted potatoes are fine after undergoing the microwave treatment and make a satisfying lunch on their own. Tip #2: They do take-out, and everything is packaged so nicely! I didn't take a picture though; it's foreveralone enough getting Crepevine takeout on your own and saving leftovers for yourself. Conclusion: Even though I brag of knowing how to make crepes myself, Crepevine is most certainly one of my staples. -
Edna’s 5-star review: I had high expectations when Cliff House was suggested for brunch, and it was a cliffhanger waiting for the day to finally come. [LOCATION] Perhaps the most unique aspect of Cliff House is its location--there are a lot of good restaurants in SF, but nearly all of them are buried in some busy part of town. Eating at Cliff House almost feels as though you've taken a mini vacation to the North Bay, away from the headache of parallel-parking-packed streets and the continuous backdrop of Muni sounds. In fact, when I first Yelped and saw Cliff House seemingly in the middle of nowhere in an isolated road next to the ocean, I highly doubted it was actually in SF. It is highly probably that there be a bit of a wait, but you can easily kill time by taking advantage of the location, exploring and admiring the scenery (and watching surfers ride the rare waves) just outside. [AMBIANCE] Assuming the fog has receded to sufficient levels for a view, the view of endless ocean is amazing. The architecture allows for a good number of window seats and ample sunshine everywhere (for example, once you walk in, the podium where the host/hostess is bathed in angelic light such that the 30-minute wait doesn't seem so bad anymore). Although there isn't any particularly memorable interior design, overall it comes together nicely, making you feel like you're at a super classy place even though it's actually affordable on a grad school budget. [FOOD] POPOVERS. I was imagining pop tarts or something like tater tots, but it turned out to be a fluffy pastry best described as Yorkshire pudding minus the pudding (or if you know what I'm talking about, those Chinese custard puff pastries minus the custard). It goes well with the butter that's beautifully sculpted into the picture-perfect ice cream scoop, the strawberry jam or marmalade, or soaking up the remnants of your sauce and egg yolks leaked out of your Benedict. Since the popovers are hollow, it's extremely easy to dump a spoonful of jam. Being on the lighter side, it is significantly less filling than bread so you have plenty of space left for the entrée P: At first I was set on the Ben Butler (open-faced crab sandwich), but seeing it was $28.50 and the Benedict could give me crab for a much reduced price (and not having it dominated with an overwhelming amount of cheddar cheese), I opted for the EGGS SAN FRANCISCO ($18.95, 2 Poached Eggs with Dungeness Crab,Toasted Sourdough Bread, Brandy Cream Sauce) which was excellent. My only complaint is the brandy cream sauce, which had too much cream and barely detectable brandy. They were fairly generous with the crab, though it was scattered kind of randomly and you had to make the effort to combine the right portions of crab, egg white, egg yolk, and sourdough for each bite. The poached eggs were very runny, making it a little difficult to eat because there is literally a mini-explosion when you cut into the egg. But I assure you, the yolky goodness is definitely worth the messiness, efforts to mop up liquid ingredients, and Salmonella risks. I also tried the CLASSIC EGGS BENEDICT ($14.95, Poached Eggs, Canadian Bacon, Toasted English Muffin, Hollandaise Sauce) which was on point in epitomizing the classic eggs Benedict. Breakfasts come with a side of FRESH FRUIT and ROASTED POTATOES. There is not much to be said about fruit (there never is), but the potatoes were nicely browned and herbed. [SERVICE] Our server was very endearing and funny; I really respect servers who can be so personable despite the somewhat rote task of serving lots of random people every day. In fact, he was so memorable that my friend actually remembered he was the server last time they came. [CONCLUSION] The price isn't that bad, considering all the pricey brunch snobbery in SF with Plow and all. For this level of classiness, I'd say it's definitely worth it. (On a side note... I was feeling pretty awful that morning, with a hangover unfortunately compounded by the co-morbidity of a cold, but the view and food were an instant cure. Oh, the life of a foodie :) -
Edna’s 3-star review: San Franciscans have an odd relationship with the Outer Sunset: the masses flock to this otherwise quaint, quiet corner of town on weekends for expensive brunch at Outerlands/Beachside and expensive toast/coffee at Trouble/Andytown. Beachside does have some unique brunch fare, though nothing particularly mind-blowing and overpriced for what it's worth (~$10-15 per plate). The ambiance is upscale hispter with a handwritten menu on butcher paper and nautical symbols painted on the wooden tables, which looks great in aerial view food pics. It's more coffee bar than beachside, way more posh and clean than typical cafes by the sea (I guess gentrification is reaching the Outer Sunset!) (+) Eggs Florentine on homemade English muffins with hashcakes: One of the better eggs Florentine I've had, with fresh and toasty English muffins, zesty Hollandaise, and a hearty serving of veggies. (+/-) Sunset Boy Breakfast (two fried eggs, house fennel sausage, hashcakes): An ever-so-slight upgrade from your typical sausage/eggs/potatoes breakfast. The fennel sausage was nothing more than sausage with some fennel blended in, which seems quite easy to make yourself and requires no wizardry. The hashcakes were hashbrowns in chunky cube form, so the surface area to volume ratio is much reduced. The tip towards more soft potato and less crisp is a different take, but I think I prefer traditional crispy hashbrowns. (+) Polenta with kale and poached eggs: I like how this is quite a healthy brunch option and does not make you sink helplessly into food coma. It's a clever recipe idea, and all the ingredients that blend together nicely. I noticed some reviews complained that the polenta is mushy and watery, but it tasted exactly as polenta should be, similar to grits except more corn-based. Although this was my favorite dish here, it still seems overpriced for something that's fairly DIY-able (fun fact: Trader Joe's sells pre-made polenta). Tip: Not quite as mad as Outerlands where you have to sign your name in before opening, but Beachside is small and fills up quickly. I suggest coming by ~9:30 on weekends--by the time we left at 10, a lady had seated herself at our table before I was even finished cleaning up our plates. Also, parking gets pretty horrendous on weekend mornings due to the weekend brunch/coffee pilgrimages during this time. The verdict? Neat brunch place, though at a pricetag of ~$45 for three people (without drinks, and I was still a bit hungry afterwards). Beachside is possibly worth checking out if you are super into exploring brunch; otherwise I recommend just reading this review and cooking the dishes yourself. -
Edna’s 5-star review: ||REVIEW #600|| I feel like an idle millenial who wastes too much time writing reviews... but SF is too cool not to explore! Chambers is essentially a chamber of secrets. Besides the somewhat hidden location inside Phoenix Hotel, the amazing (and very reasonably priced) brunch mostly remains a secret: fancy-pants brunch in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, plus there is no wait--a great find in a city where a $20 brunch with a 45 minute wait is considered a normal weekend routine. [THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS BY DAY] The menu is fairly extensive and features creative variations on brunch food in which they take everything a step further. There are no pancakes, French toast, or scrambled eggs; only souffle pancakes, spiced French toast, and soft scrambled eggs. Some items add a fusiony spin, incorporating diverse flavors such as Spanish (tortilla omelette), Filipino (loco moco), Korean (gochujang), even San Franciscan (red quinoa). The PORK BELLY ($13, two soft boiled eggs, caramelized onion, Yukon potatoes, lollipop kale, gochujang, black garlic, cilantro) made a hearty brunch with the huge block of pork belly. The lollipop kale adds a nice flair. It's melt-in-your-mouth crispy and reminds me of the crispy fried vegetable in Chinese dishes. (Also, it makes you feel healthy because it's kale). The SPICED FRENCH TOAST ($12, strawberry mandarin compote, vanilla whipped cream, bourbon syrup).... so many delicious things put together! The description speaks for itself: it tastes as amazing as it sounds. I had planned to get Saigon Sandos across the street in case we were still hungry afterwards, but we were quite satisfied. [THE SLIGHTLY-LESS-SECRETIVE CHAMBERS BY NIGHT] The ambiance at night is vintage romantic: bookshelves of vinyl records lining the walls, shadowy lighting in warm gold and amber tones, climaxing at the famous "BE AMAZING" sign spelled out in light bulbs in the backdrop of the bar. The cocktails are good. Not too strong, but nice to sip on and ponder about how to be amazing while relaxing on one of their classy couches and staring at the flickering flame of a candle. One of my favorite cocktail convos: Me: The pattern on the lights looks like mold when your cell cultures get contaminated The boo: ...those are supposed to be stars... lol way to ruin this romantic ambiance Be amazing. -
Edna’s 5-star review: REVIEW #300. I know it makes no sense to write a latergram review now, with theLab currently on hiatus until Aug 31st, 2014 as they are performing experiments--pun intended--to try out new concepts. As one of my SF favorites in being a one-stop-shop combining my two favorite things i.e. science and food (Isabella B., I agree with you!), I've been saving my 300th review for this geeky culinary masterpiece of a place. And in the spirit of theLab, I'm going to write this review in the format of a scientific manuscript. [ABSTRACT] theLab combines a whimsical science theme with exquisite cooking in a rustic yet avant-garde setting. Prices are a little higher than your average meal, but for the quality, creativity, and memorable dining experience, it's worth it. [INTRODUCTION] Looking for a decent brunch place in Portrero Hill because it's one of the rare neighborhoods in SF where parking is not impossible, it came down to theLab, Just for You, and Market & Rye. Since theLab opens at 11 and was therefore the only place without a mob waiting outside on a Sunday morning, the decision was easy. [BACKROUND] The quirky Lab theme continued with water being served in a 1L flask, which I find admirable because labware is expensive! There was also an interesting arrangement of suspended glassware in various shapes, which added an alchemist feel. The place is not very big, but we were seated comfortably at a high wooden square table with bar stools. The vibe here was friendly (to use the words of K.S.'s review, the staff are real human beings). Our server was great, and when I walked up to the kitchen area and asked to take pictures (the sticky buns were too photogenic, I couldn't resist), the chef smiled and warmly replied "Of course!" This is one of the places I can walk around the restaurant with a dSLR without being scolded by hipster wannabes who ban pictures in an attempt to out-hipster you. [METHODS] (++) Vegetable tartine, ~$15 (+) Quiche, ~$15 (++) Chocolate cake, ~$9 [RESULTS & DISCUSSION] The vegetable tartine was excellent, with a thin but crispy crostini-like bread, a soft omelette contrasting the texture of raw arugula, all topped with a smokey vegetable sauce that I can describe only as a house-made roasted bell pepper puree with spices and a light sprinkle of cheese. Although it sounds simple and open-faced sandwiches are easy to make, the layers and flavors gave an impression of well-thought-out design. The quiche was good as well, not cheesy and unbearably filling like most quiches but satisfying and complex. (Although I don't have the menu, I'm betting there was some mention of truffle oil). The crust was delicious and pastry-like, and the top of the quiche was on the brink of being burnt. Perfection. The side salad was a refreshing balance, very fresh with a tangy vinaigrette. We awkwardly found ourselves still hungry despite having ordered ~$15 entrees for each person, so decided to get the signature Lab chocolate cake. Is $9 for a small dessert worth it when you can get a whole cake for the same price at Safeway? Yes, when you get hand-crafted dessert at theLab. It's so artistically arranged that I spent a long time taking pictures (good thing SF is fairly chilly so the ice cream didn't melt too much). The chocolate cake is actually within a box with walls of chocolate and a base of oreo-like chocolate cookie crumbs. It's topped with spheres of vanilla, caramel, and chocolate-colored candy and decorated with a swirled chocolate stick, a thin caramelized wafer that tastes like creme brulee formulated into a cookie, and a piece of chocolate with theLab and its logo of an overflowing flask. The chocolate ice cream is placed in a milk-and-white chocolate tulip cup, and the entire dessert is served over a schmexy smear of chocolate sauce to look uber classy. It's also not just all about the aesthetics--the various types and forms of chocolate were wonderful and all the parts were complementary. The chocolate quality was outstanding. Because there was no need to rely on copious amounts of sugar and cream, the dessert was very enjoyable but not too heavy. [CONCLUSIONS] theLab is chill, brilliant, and overall an unforgetable experience (just like real lab). Everything about the food and the ambiance is so well designed, I wouldn't be surprised if they really did use experiments and a scientific approach to engineer their menu items. -
Edna’s 3-star review: Source is more on the upscale, Whole Foods side of the vegan food scene rather than the extremist hippie take on it. After all, it's SF, not Berkeley [THE CONCEPT] The website is a little bit ambiguous in saying they use hand-selected, quality organic food, but it's not very well emphasized or specified, and it's not mentioned in the actual menu. Let's hope they adhere to the philosophy and don't out-Source any ingredients. [LOCATION] It's in a nice small commercial area sparsely populated by other restaurants and stores, and parking is fairly easy. The street parking doesn't even have a time limit (but of course, beware of street cleaning). The storefront and interior are simple and clean, including indoor cafe-like seating and a covered outdoor patio area. [FOOD] Fairly large portions, which I guess is necessary in order for vegan food to fill you up. Jk, I'm not that big of a carnivore, but seriously the entrees here won't leave you hungry. Overall it's fairly pricey and not the best vegan food I've ever had, but it's unique and worth trying. (+) Star Anise Smoked Shitake Mushrooms,$11.95 (soba noodles, avocado, in a crispy rice paper, with plum yaki sauce and cucumber): Delicious marinated meaty (in a metaphorical sense) shitake mushrooms, and the mix of soft wheat soba noodles and crispy white rice noodles is interesting. The thin slices of avocado topping is beautiful, though it doesn't really seem to match the flavor profiles of the rest of the entree. I suggest you mix everything well a la bibimbap; otherwise after you eat all the goodies on top, you are left with a huge bowl of rice noodles and plain mixed greens without any sauce whatsover. My chief complaint is that there were barely any hints of star anise. (++) Squash the Fungi Dosadilla, $10.95 (spicy butternut squash, mixed mushrooms, baby spinach, topped with tomato & green onion): It took me forever to figure out the name of this dish! For the longest time I thought a fungus was named Squash... but it's actually a very cute pun. The dosadilla is a delicious thin crepe, similar to the Ethiopian wraps, and comes with a spicy green dipping sauce. The filling was delicious and nutritious--great that they serve squash at other times other than Thanksgiving when everyone is likely getting high dose vitamin A. Overall this was my favorite--I highly recommend the dosadillas, because you are probably the least likely to make this on your own, compared to other menu items. (-) Santa Fe Open-Faced Sandwich, $9.95 (scrambled tofu and black beans, mozzarella, salsa, avocado atop freshly baked bread): A bit of a disappointment, since it looked fantastic on photos. Unfortunately it ended up uncomfortably close to that gross vegan food that tastes like tofu engineered and re-engineered too many times. The tofu scramble could have used more spice to prevent this, and the vegan mozzarella, though claimed to be a house-made specialty, wasn't that great because it tasted a bit fermented and alcoholic. The first few bites were good, but the the bread became soggy very quickly because the scramble was too watery. [TIPS] It can get crowded during peak hours, so I advise that someone grab a table before you order at the cash register. Brunch menu items here not recommended--unless you're a real vegan, go treat yourself to a good honest brunch with eggs elsewhere; at Source, go for the dosadillas. [VERDICT] 3.5 stars, but nothing was wowzers (maybe the bow wows would have been wowsers?). Ended up giving 3 stars because as my first review as Yelp Elite, I guess I can and should be snobby and set high standards (; -
Edna’s 3-star review: Another hip little place in fierce competition with the SF brunch scene. It has a neat ambiance, very industrial-themed with minimalist decor, accents of cement, and the telltale warehouse high ceiling. They are also minimalist with the hipsterness--menus are on a cute clipboard but there are no mason jars. The fact that Serpentine takes reservations is godsend, because the impossible Plow crowd plows up all my patience. However, be sure to make the reservation at least a week ahead of time, because for some reason they only open up 20% of their tables for brunch reservations. I was proud of myself for snagging a 1:30 timeslot and watching the OpenTable reservations quickly disappear, but then it felt silly to see several open tables when we arrived at the ungodly brunch-almost-turned-linner hour. BAKED EGGS, $12.50 (two eggs, spiced garbanzo beans, spigarello, roasted summer squash, hen of the woods mushrooms, roasted cherry tomato salsa, rosemary salt, with toasted levain): Some previous reviews warned that that this was underwhelming, but it sounded unique enough that I decided to give it a try. It was not mind-blowing, but I liked how it was lighter and vegetarian, compared to all the typical food coma-inducing bacony brunch fare. I think they need to work on the composition though--there is nothing in the mix to soak up the glorious runny yolks, so it ends up being a greasy puddle. (Perhaps brown rice would be good for this... mmm, breakfast bibimbap) Also, the mushrooms were scant and there was an overload of garbonzo beans--tasty, but it got tiring to eat because the beans were so pungent and chewy. RED FLANNEL HASH, $12.50 (beef brisket, crispy potatoes, roasted beets, arugula, horseradish créme fraiche, poached eggs, rosemary salt, grilled levain): A dish could not have a more hipster name than red flannel hash (FYI flannel is not a vegetable like I thought; it refers to the red potatoes in this dish.) The beef brisket melts in your mouth! The levain is a crunchy artisan bread which tastes delicious and looks good in pictures. Overall Serpentine has solid, creative brunch food (plus rumors of the burger run deep), but I think my main complaint was the service--the server was flippant, minimally interactive and minimally attentive. She clearly smirked at us judgmentally for taking pictures of our food -_-;; Jeez, we are only showing our appreciation for the food and the ambiance, plus we're advertising for free! Maybe she was trying too hard to be a hipster imitating Four Barrel's Instagram ban. -
Edna’s 4-star review: In the ludicrous San Franciscan brunch competition, of course the place with the hip name of Zazie's would be infiltrated with yuppies, while the anachronistically named Bambino's next door would be sparsely populated by an older crowd. [THE AMBIANCE] Despite the lack of hype, Bambino's is pretty good--a nice traditional ambiance with wooden fixtures and ample sunlight, almost like Cliff House minus the view (though the town-like family-oriented Cole Valley street scene fits right in). [THE CHOICES] The menu has a diverse selection of brunch entrees: traditional (omelettes, pancakes, etc.), interesting very Italian-sounding (uova verdi i.e. poached eggs with proscuitto), and hip creations that could have been imported from Zazie's (breakfast pizza). Prices are very reasonable, with most decent entrees at $12 and no more than $14, which is filet mignon & eggs. [THE FOOD] When in doubt, I gravitate towards Eggs Benedict and/or smoked salmon, so it was no surprise that I went with the EGGS SALMONE, $12 (poached eggs, smoked salmon, English muffin and Hollandaise sauce). (No I'm still not sure how to pronounce salmone) Overall it was a very satisfying brunch: who can not love toasty English muffins mopping up runny yolks with fancy smoked salmon on the side? The complimentary sides of roasted potatoes and fruits were as expected and nothing too spectacular. I suggest you ask for a biscuit substitution because everyone seemed to love the biscuit. [THE FREEBIES] The complimentary scone bites you get while waiting are a guilty pleasure... rich and buttery, with bits of sweet raisins or chocolate chips. In a blind taste test you would imagine these scones to be from some hand-crafted bakery that San Franciscans would line up for, not a complimentary appetizer from a 3.5-star brunch place. [THE VERDICT] Not bad! For one thing, it definitely beats the impossible wait at Zazie's. (And it's only ever so slightly less Instagrammable--you'll have to sacrifice that picture of baked eggs in the cast iron dish) -
Edna’s 4-star review: The SF brunch scene is too real at Zazie: the name alone conjures dazzling connotations. Add patio seating, unique presentation on a floral plate, a menu with gingerbread and miracle pancakes, plus the proximity to the UCSF campus heavily populated by twentysomethings addicted to brunch and propagating the pandemic on Instagram--well I am exaggerating slightly--you get an extremely popular brunch place that ends up on everyone's bucket list. (I admit to being guilty of all of the above.) To avoid the long wait, I would suggest going on a weekday or early on a weekend (emphasis on early if you have a large group, since the place is quite small). On weekends, Bambino's next door is a good alternative for a backup; you just have to be okay with the more traditional name that may remind you of Bambi, and the more traditional vibe. Before you get inpatient with my review, let me get to the food P: Like all fancy SF brunch places, the price range is $10-$20 for a decent entree, but I do like how there are different portion options. The pancakes, waffles, and poached eggs come in 1, 2, or 3; I suggest 1 for breakfast, maybe 2 for brunch if you are really hungry. After doing my extensive Yelp research and getting excited over the eggs en fonte (yes, the presentation on a cast iron skillet was a factor), I was a bit disappointed when I asked about this and they said they didn't have it that day. I went for the French Toast Tahiti ($7 for one piece), stuffed with caramelized bananas and walnuts. It tasted both like heaven and hyperglycemia at the same time: already-sweet-by-definition French toast, this sweet and nutty walnut paste, caramelized bananas that were sweeter than fried plantains, a drizzle of syrup. And, if that's not bad enough, a sprinkle of powdered sugar to look extra pretty in photos. And, to make things even worse, there is a little cup of syrup to be added PRN, but I felt like the dish was already sweet to saturation. Sweetness complaints aside, I enjoyed my French toast--it had a good fluffy texture, was not too thick and egg-yolky, and was very tasty with the walnut sauce and bananas. The only catch was that after trying the caramelized bananas here, I was unable to eat normal bananas for like a week afterwards because it tasted bland in comparison to the caramelized and syrupy version at Zazie's. The ambiance is European with a bit of a quaint, small-town feel. Somehow I'm not surprised at their quaisi-modernist-hipster elements like the water in tall aesthetic glass bottles and baked eggs served in a skillet. The servers are friendly, similar to what you'd expect at a family-owned restaurant. My only dissatisfaction was how upset the waitress got when I asked her to take a picture for us on my dSLR and she was confused about how to look through the viewfinnder.. if your hipster games goes strong to dSLR-level, make sure you set the screen to electronic viewfinder in order to avoid the awkwardness of my situation. -
Edna’s 3-star review: I feel like LaLe has a little bit of a confused ambiance. It lies somewhere along the gradient of fancy; let me explain by illustrating the details that vary widely in fanciness: - Very fancy: real, fresh tulips at every table - Fancy: various random organic ingredients, such as the organic maple syrup - Somewhat fancy: the adventurous menu, almost like a Zazie-wannabe (including a type of pancake that sounded suspiciously familiar). I had the ricotta stuffed French toast which was tasty (especially liked the more rustic, toasty challah bread) but so sweet and creamy that it tasted like diabetes and all associated comorbidities - Average fancy: most entrees hover around $10 - Curiously questionable fancy: being opened only for brunch and no dinner... say wha this is like the hours of Art's - Failing fancy: the whipped cream on my French toast resembled worms melting into a puddle of milk. Apologies for the PG-13 description, but I feel like it's difficult to mess up presentation on a dish that has garnishes of powdered sugar, whipped cream, and berries - Not very fancy: the storefront sign is obnoxiously large and the design makes it look like some of kid's tutoring place. Also, the lighting is dim but in a way that looks cheap rather than classy. (As far as I remember, virtually all nice brunch places have cheerful sunny natural lighting) Not bad, but not-so-fancypants. -
Edna’s 4-star review: Husband and wife owned bakery-restaurant. Wife calls herself the baker/proprietor/candlestick masker; husband calls himself the pickler/proprietor/master handshaker, according to their website. AND they got married at the restaurant shortly before its grand opening. I don't know whether to call this hipster or romantic or obsessive, but it is undeniably cute--it's as though each pastry and bread were baked with love. Marla's definitely has a homemade and homey vibe, with some modernist SF avant-garde mixed in. Featuring traditional dining-room type wooden furniture, walls of a dusty shade of blue, and patio seating with a garden that looks like a back yard, it is picturesque enough not only for that one Instagram, but for entire blog photosets. I had my dSLR and went absolutely trigger-happy (but hey, semi-hipster SF cafes are a natural environment for dSLR food porn). The food is very unique, with the notable creativity of master chefs minus the pretentiousness and fuss. (++) My favorite was the BREAKFAST SANDWICH. Don't expect anything close to your typical cheap grab-and-go breakfast sandwich--this breakfast sandwich is gourmet, complete with fancy presentation, miniature portion sizes, and a $10 price tag. But it was delish to the point that it could pose a very serious threat to the SF brunch war, should Marla decide to attack that market: it hits all the guilty pleasures of raw yolk, pulled pork fattiness, and buttery bread! At least there are veggies i.e. the savory garnish of chopped onions, parsley, and olive oil. (+) The BAKED EGGS is good too (bonus points for the pretty presentation of multicolored cherry tomatoes), but creamier than I'm used to. (+) The POPPYSEED BAGEL takes poppyseed very seriously: it's completely covered in poppyseed and looks grey! It makes me wonder if you reach any clinically relevant opioid levels. It comes with sweetened onions and pickles (a bit too sweet in my opinion), and we chose to add the housemade herbed cream cheese, which was fluffy deliciousness. (+/-) We also tried the TOAST and DANISH, which are tasty--noticeably fresh and homemade as you'd expect. The danish had both cheese and fruit on it, which I found clever (why can't all cafes do this... then I would never have problems deciding on pastry choices). However it's not something I'd go crazy over and quite pricey, as I could easily get a decent banh mi at the same price. Overall this is an adorable place worth checking out if you are into homemade food and/or ambiance. However, all the cute homemade couple-owned everythingness also mean it has its kinks, like running out of stuff, changing menus (doesn't help that the menu is a small sheet of paper by the cash register so by the time you get to the end of the line, you are at a scramble to decide on the spot), more wait time if it's busy, and some issues with organization (FYI utensils, condiments, and water are on a small shelf by the door--I didn't figure this out until leaving at my second visit). -
Edna’s 4-star review: A Burmese brunch with mimosa carafes and gluten free/vegan options? Sounds like a pretty standard occurrence on the SF food scene... sometimes I forget how spoiled we are in the city. The Richmond has turned into a hub for Burmese food, and each one is so unique and different: Burma Superstar as the well-known superstar in the Bay, Mandalay as the first Burmese restaurant in SF, the smaller family-owned Burmese Kitchen, and Pagan SF featuring Burmese and Thai tucked away in the Outer Richmond. B Star Bar is a bit of a Burmese fusion spin-off, combining Burmese with pan-Asian and a touch of Californian cuisine. I often get both the tea leaf salad and the rainbow salad, mainly due to indecisiveness.The classic TEA LEAF SALAD has nice textures. Although the flavors aren't as complex as some of the versions elsewhere, I really like the assortment of crunchy bits in B Star's rendition. As you may expect, the RAINBOW SALAD has more color and more ingredients, and it's a bit heartier with noodles and tofu pieces. One of their signature dishes is the THAI CURRY POT PIE (not something you'd expect at a Burmese place, but another SF ism that I'm not surprised about). It's a flakey, golden brown puff pastry with a sesame sprinkle, over a luscious Thai curry with chicken (or salmon) and traditional pot pie ingredients of peas, carrots, and potatoes. I think it could use more Thai curry in the pot pie filling, but it is a satisfying and memorable nonetheless. I was pleasantly surprised by their PUMPKIN PORK STEW, which was had more substantial portion sizes than many other Burmese places. The pork was tender and flavorful, and the gingery sauce also paired well with the soft kabocha squash. The MIXED MUSHROOM JOOK is one of the rotating items on my list when I visit for brunch. Over the years, I feel like the presentation and portion of toppings have gotten less impressive, but the chicken jook is fluffy and tasty (and less overpriced as many non-Asian places in SF that serve jook). The PORK TOCINO WITH FRIED RICE is essentially the Filipino version of bacon for brunch. This dish tastes like homey comfort food, and the sunny-side eggs mixed in makes it very brunch-y. The pork tocino reminded me of Chinese smoked sausage and is far more intriguing than your standard bacon. Service is fine; the only observation to note was that one of the bowls for sharing was a bit dirty but I feel like this is not uncommon. Price-wise is also SF standard (~$20 per person total). Otherwise, B Star Bar is one of my go-to's and it always wows people I bring. The space isn't large and there could be a wait on weekends (especially since more and more people know about it) but you still manage to avoid to avoid the craziness of Burma Superstar. -
Edna’s 4-star review: Remember when $4 toast in SF was a joke? Farm:table took it one step further and created a $7.75 toast. Only in SF can you find food so extravagantly unique and indulgent with a designer brand price tags (perhaps NY will soon have $10 toast). Ridiculously overpriced though it may seem, their sandos are surprisingly addicting. The menu changes daily according to what is fresh, seasonal, and local, so every visit is a surprise. (Thankfully farm:table is out of the way for us so we've only been once; otherwise my wallet would be bleeding organic, recycled twenty-dollar bills.) (Sorry I am having too much fun trolling... let me get to the review). The DAILY TOAST is something you could make at home, but you do have to give them credit for the beautiful presentation and thoughtful combination of fresh fruit, mascarpone / some devilishly delicious spread, and a sprinkle of pistachio crumbs atop perfectly toasted focaccia. The EGG SANDWICH is also way more tasty than you'd expect from the banal name, but the soft-boiled runny egg in a buttery, flaky croissant is better than any stereotypical brunch fare. However I think they could have done better on presentation. The eggs look out of place in the middle of the coronal cross-section of the croissant, and a simple plate would have done wonders in comparison to the paper boat it's currently served in. The richness of the croissant brings forth a dilemma; it is extremely filling, so I would recommend also ordering the daily toast and splitting half-and-half to simultaneously satisfy cravings for brunch food and a healthy (ish) fruit dish. Seating can also be problematic because it's small and gets crowded quickly, so I suggest coming before 9 on weekends (or even earlier/on weekdays if you want to snag indoors for ideal food pictures, which is mandatory if you are paying this much). It came out to ~$20 for a breakfast for 2, with no drinks or extras. Pastries look amazing and judging from the bombness of the croissant I would trust them to have serious baking skills, but the $20 had definitely evaporated my breakfast allowance for awhile. -
Edna’s 4-star review: I find myself drawn to fusion style brunch--runny yolks in Benedicts were amazing for the first few times, and long gone are the days when Denny's was my favorite restaurant for the scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and smiley face pancakes (my childhood breakfasts were otherwise cereal or toast). With my favorite Asian/Hawaiian fusion brunch place Aina opening only once a week and now temporarily closed for menu development, Grindz seemed to be a perfect alternative to indulge in a loco moco brunch. Although the name is unassuming (can't help but think of coffee grindz emesis i.e. coughing up blood.... sorry, I have strange thought processes), the restaurant itself is nice and clean, with dim lighting so relaxing you could imagine being on vacation in Hawaii. (+++) Apple banana pancakes (apple bananas, coconut creme anglaise, crushed macadamia nuts): So good!!!!!! It's as if your mouth went to Hawaiian paradise--not only are the pancakes divinely light and fluffy; the apple banana flavors, coconut creame, and dusting of macadamia nuts add a tropical flair. (FYI apple bananas refer to the mini bananas... not Engrish for apples and bananas) (++) French toast (Grindz famous bread pudding, pina berry compote, vanilla whipped cream): Mmm bread pudding used for French toast P: Why had no one else thought of this idea before! The texture was a tad bit soggy, especially after sitting in the compote for awhile, but overall it was delicious and mildly sweet, the perfect dessert for breakfast. (Note: the dark red chunks look like beets or liver, but it's the berry compote). (++) Katsu moco (panko crusted chicken, white or brown rice, 2 eggs, sauteed onions, house made mushroom gravy): Hawaiians are katsu experts; this was among the best I've had across Hawaiian and Japanese restaurants (I mean legit Hawaiian... L&L is out of the league). I love the brown rice option and the runny fried eggs always make brunch food diabolically delicious. The gravy is not bad, but in my opinion it just doesn't mesh well--I personally would have preferred the traditional curry sauce over katsu. Overall though, a hearty dish, probably my favorite savory entree here. (+) Grindz fried rice (kimchi, brown rice, kalua pig, shitakes, scallions, lomi tomatoes, fried egg): On the salty side, but good flavors with the blend of kimchi, kalua pig, and fried egg. I especially like the brown rice option so you can pretend to be somewhat healthy. (+) Silog (2 sunny up eggs, brown rice, kalua pig): Kalua big is dry compared to carnitas, but the plus side is that it should be less fatty. The silog makes a hearty breakfast, and the incorporation of cabbage into the kalua pig gives it a nice crunch and you feel good about having veggies in your dish. It gets more crowded during peak brunch times so I would try to get here early because there isn't a whole lot of seating. Thankfully the wait is reasonable; it's mainly normal people dining here instead of cray twentysomethings who could wait 1-2 hours for brunch like it's completely normal. Service is exceptionally friendly and very efficient, and prices are reasonable. Yay for an affordable and creative brunch! Kalua pig, kimchi fried rice, bread pudding dessert, all concocted in brunch form P: -
Edna’s 2-star review: I came here half a year ago and recently, and the portions noticeably shrunk :(( Thanks to my food porn obsession and the extra 16GB memory card on my phone, my before and after pictures confirmed my suspicions... insert look of disapproval. Huevos Tavernos ($14.95, 2 eggs, black beans, Spanish rice, avocado, pico de gallo, cilantro cream, served in a cazuela with tortilla chips): Besides the artsy cazuela presentation, I feel like this is something you could get for half the price at a taqueria or make by yourself without much fuss. (Also, this used to be a big hearty breakfast wrap but it's now a small dish. Dat cazuela...) Stuffed French Toast ($12.95, lemon mascarpone cheese filling, fresh berries, Vermont maple syrup): Among the better French toasts I've had, very delicious and indulgent with the custard filling. But the portions decreased from 2 pieces to 1 piece D: Tavern Cobb Salad ($8 small, grilled chicken, bacon, tomato, boiled egg, avocado, Blue cheese, mixed greens, blue cheese dressing): The one thing that didn't shrink! I like this salad, it's filling and the ingredients are fresh. The small is sufficient because there are so many toppings. However I suggest asking for dressing on the sides because it tends to be saucy. Overall the food is not bad, but it was pricey to begin with and the shrunken portions don't help. Ambiance is clean but not particularly memorable, nor is the presentation. (Pricey brunch is partially justified when it gets you 50 likes on Instagram). A primary reason I come to Parkside Tavern is that parking is relatively easy around this area--other than that, I prefer Crepevine for a satisfying and less costly brunch when I'm not splurging on aristocratic SF brunch like Serpentine or Cassava. -
Edna’s 5-star review: With SF's ultra-bouge brunch scene, it becomes difficult to distinguish between unique brunches truly worth $20 versus bioequivalent Denny's re-branded in $20 hipster disguise. TL;DR: Yes Sweet Maple really is ~$20/person, and yes it's worth it! (Not sure if it's worth the horrendous weekend wait though; weekdays highly recommended if possible) Unlike other trendy brunch places with minimalist menus, it is both a curse and a blessing that Sweet Maple has such an extensive menu. Everything sounds intriguing and it's so difficult to decide! Only in SF would you complain of literally having to choose between 11 different types of eggs Benedict, including wagyu, Dungeness crab, tofu kimchi, and smoked salmon with wasabi cucumber hollandaise... the only one I could rule out is the crab due to the recent reports of biotoxins. We shared a Benedict, French toast, and millionaire's bacon for the perfect mix of hearty and sweet for two people. (There was a small box of leftovers which I devoured when I got home because it was so tasty) (++) Florentine Benedict ($14, sautéed spinach, tomato, parmesan, Meyer lemon hollandaise): On point! The Meyer lemon adds an bold dimension, and the ample portion of spinach balances out the heavier flavors of egg yolk-soaked English muffin with melted parmesan. The multi-colored potatoes stood out as well, with a thin crispy outer layer and soft starchy interior, and colorful veggies (especially fall shades of purple and orange! Omg.) always score bonus food porn points. (+) Mariner French toast ($11, creamy citrus batter): Very pleasantly dessert-like. I would have enjoyed it more had this been more citrusy and less sweet. It's still good overall, but not as amazing as the other dishes and pricey considering you only get 3 small pieces. (+++) Side of millionaire's bacon and eggs ($8): Yup, $8 for a side of bacon and eggs... that is why it's not called peasant's bacon. But even for peasants like myself, I highly recommend trying this at least once. Unlike your typical (peasant's) bacon which is half fat and glazed in grease, the millionaire's bacon is lean with a tad bit of a chewy texture without being too dry. The way that the thick cut is caramelized makes every bite worth the extra splurge, especially with the unexpectedly delicious eggs--buttery, soft, and earthy with the sprinkle of parsley. I never would have guessed that something as basic as a side of bacon and eggs could be so life-changing. Sweet Maple is quite similar to Kitchen Story, with the millionaire's bacon, random stick garnishes, etc. In comparison, Sweet Maple seems to have more of a homemade cooking style, but both are among the most well-known brunch places in SF. (Maybe the millionaire's bacon and random stick garnishes are the unique touches that make them famous, though now that I think about it, the cracker sticks are rather reminiscent of incense sticks... aiya, such taboo in Chinese culture!) -
Edna’s 4-star review: If you thought thick-cut caramelized millionaire's bacon, baked eggs in cast iron skillets, souffle pancakes laced with powdered sugar, and those artsy garnishes of crispy sticks defined the grandeur of SF's famous brunch scene.... 'āina redefines brunch yet again. Aina knows no boundaries, boldly venturing into a unique fusion style that's more Hawaiian than brunch. The take reminds me of Grindz in Inner Richmond, except more adventurous and more bouge. I first discovered Aina when it was a pop-up in Bernal, and I was absolutely blown away by how memorable the brunch was. The cooking itself was perfect, with main highlights being the pork belly balanced between roasty and succulent, fancy vegetable medleys adding texture, and a hash of spam with roasted Brussels sprouts that renders corned beef hash obsolete. My only gripe is the that furikake seemed overused, but otherwise everything was delicious and definitely worth the higher-than-average brunch prices. Presentation was phenomenal as well; together with the picturesque wooden tables and fresh flowers, it felt like dining inside the Pinterest world. From photos of their new permanent location, Aina appears to have downgraded somewhat--portions look smaller, the presentation has slightly less flourish, and the setting is still nice but looks a little less Pinterest-esque. However if you haven't been to the previous Aina, you will like the new Aina just fine. I almost wish I hadn't been to the original pop-up which raised my expectations higher than the new Aina could meet, but I guess now I can sound like a real food critic who's always updated :3 -
Edna’s 4-star review: When smoked salmon Benedicts seems routine, you know you are taking SF brunch for granted... I was thus very intrigued by Bar Tartine's multiple-course fine dining approach to brunch. Although classified on Yelp as American (New), I find it closer to European (New), as several dishes represent a modern rendition of farm-to-table cuisine with European roots. The style is simple and elegant, so intently focused on the perfection of each ingredient that the dining process requires quite a bit of thought. I was fascinated by how effortlessly flawless the dishes turned out, though a few erred on the side of being too plain. Despite this hit-or-miss, overall I enjoyed the prix fixe brunch, which was a great way to try the renowned Bar Tartine without breaking the bank for dinner. [COURSE 1 - APPETIZER] (+/-) Charred squash broth with buckwheat and sunflower: Not a huge fan of the opening dish. It was bold but in divergent ways, pulling the dish in all different directions. I also found the big chunks of squash overpowering; perhaps thin slices would have better complemented the other ingredients. (+) Fava bean croquettes with eggplant sauce and yoghurt: Looked like falafel... But knowing that it is composed of fava beans and served at Bar Tartine, in my mind I saw it to be better than falafel... But it ended up tasting quite similar to falafel. (++) Tuna smørrebrød: I used to detest Scandinavian dark rye bread, which I thought looked like dehydrated astronaut food and tasted like cardboard (appropriately, it's called fitness bread). However I think they bake their own; while it was still dense and embedded considerable graininess, it tasted fresh and moist. The overall composition of the smørrebrød (traditionally a Danish open-face sando) was a good mix of exotic and familiar, though it could have used more tuna than one anemic translucent slice. (+) Mixed pickles with nasturtium: Tartly pickled without being too sour, and there were also these tasty bulb things. I do wish there were more nastrutium, as the few itsy bitsy pieces seemed more for show and menu description without tangibly adding much taste. (++) Juice pairing - strawberry lavender juice: Mm, very refreshing and fresh. It was like drinking chilled strawberries from the farmer's market! The lavender added a nice floral overtone. I suggest drinking this quickly though, because it tasted noticeably watered down as the ice began to melt. [COURSE 2 - ENTREE] (+/-) Chopped salad with tomato, feta and sorrel: Meh. Would not be bad for a homemade salad as the ingredients were incredibly fresh. There was some dimension from the bits of pickeled things and fluffy feta; nonetheless, at the Bar Tartine caliber I expect more flair. (++) Morel mushroom dumplings with beets and kefir: Wow, morel mushrooms o.O But it does not end with the use of a fancy ingredient; the trio demonstrates great culinary finesse, simultaneously hearty and light. The mushrooms imparted a memorable complexity, the radish added a bold crunch, and the kefir whip garnished a dollop of creaminess. The beets and generous sprinkle of dill made flavors even more intriguing. (FYI there are no actual dumplings; it's more like mushroom meatballs.) (++) Pork loin sausage with peas, carrots, and mint: The pork loin slices were tender, but quite plain in taste and random with respect to the rest of the dish. The sausage, on the other hand, was delicious--wonderfully savory, with ample seasoning for a robust taste, but without the heaviness of sausage as it was blended with rice.I also really liked the accompanying vegetables--the carrots were grilled to perfection, and the peas were sweet and fresh. Interestingly, there was a bit of Asian fusion as well with snow pea sprouts and the dash of chili oil. (++) Juice pairing - ginger burns water kefir: oooo, this burns. The ginger is very potent and nears your upper limit of gingeriness, but it grows on you. Also, it ingeniously serves as a palate cleanser between entree dishes. [COURSE 3 - DESSERT] (+) Yoghurt with blueberry, melon and almond: fruits were fresh, yoghurt was Icelandic/Greek style, and the almond butter went surprisingly well with the yoghurt. I appreciate the simplicity, but frankly I found it a rather underwhelming way to end the meal. It does not take a master chef guru to construct this, and it was not particularly photogenic either (except maybe the little swirls of almond butter). (+) Juice pairing - wisteria soda: Very pretty pink color, very mild in taste. The purity and subtleness stand out the most. The aftermath was interesting. I was very full from all the juice, but soon got hungry and began craving meat. (I proceeded to get Wonderful's popcorn chicken for dinner). While I enjoy Tartine's creativity with plant-based dishes, I did find it a tad deficient in protein. Service was attentive, almost too much so (server offered to clear the table and remove the pickles before we even touched it) -
Edna’s 4-star review: Plow sure does plow a hole in my wallet! The Plow is famous for their brunch and notorious for the wait, which is usually at least an hour on weekends. TL;DR is it worth the wait? No, it's not worth the horrendous weekend wait; however, it is worth the hassles of going early on a weekday. The menu is always changing, with some staples such as the plow, the breakfast sandwich, some type of French toast, and the buttermilk biscuit. It seemed like some of the specialties could be hit-or-miss (I saw someone next to me get something that looked fancy but small.) I'm also usually a fan of French toast, but in a lot of pictures it was surprisingly burnt here. Thus, I went with their signature plow. The Plow plate is the epitome of perfection on classic brunch items. In fact, I was almost going to pass on Plow because it seemed so commonplace, yet so professionally crafted. It seemed as if so much thought had been put into every detail, you could perform mindful eating with your otherwise mundane sausage/bacon, eggs, potatoes, and pancakes. My thoughts: 1. Lemon ricotta pancakes - the most memorable! Soft and fluffy (albeit a bit burnt), with a refreshing lemon zest balanced by an attenuated sweetness and a touch of creamy ricotta. 2. House made sausage - a close second. The patties were wonderfully juicy without being too greasy, and I especially liked the extra dimension from the boldly heavy use of pepper and caraway. 3. Potatoes - quite a bit of hype, but I found it to be just okay. It did have a nice crisp and aromatic tones from the rosemary, though I found the outer crunchy coating too thick, causing the potatoes to be too dry. 4. Eggs - Scrambled eggs pretty on point. The texture, consistency, and taste were all well executed. It used less butter than some of the more indulgent scrambles I've had, making it a lighter version. I had expected portions to be bigger for the $17 pricetag on the bouge equivalent of a McDonald's big breakfast. If you eat it slowly, you'll enjoy it more and it the portion size turns turns out to lie within the narrow window of satisfaction without a debilitating food coma. Plow was memorable, delicious, and Instagram-worthy, but for a total of over $20 for a breakfasty plate, I don't think it's worthwhile to return after the one-time dining experience to cross it off my bucket list. I arrived just after 7am on a weekday, and by the time I left around 8am the place was nearly full o_O Sometimes I feel like SF brunch is a encephalopathic pandemic. -
Edna’s 4-star review: Universal Cafe is ever so slightly under-the-radar at the SF brunch scene. And by ever so slightly, I mean the wait is not hours long like the madness at Plow, and you don't have to get there before opening on weekends like the ridiculousness at Outerlands. However, there was already a wait around 9:30am on a Sunday, so I still recommend coming early. They change their menu weekly, with a different version of the French toast and soft scrambles, along with different entrees. Since there is only one vegetarian and one carnivorous brunch entree with each weekend brunch menu, options can be limited if you find yourself unenthusiastic about the week's specials. The rest of the menu includes an interesting toast with fromage blanc and honey (only $3, versus the typical notorious $4 toast in SF), granola, sandwiches, and some baked goods. There are also beignets, but they looked fairly unremarkable. (+++) Soft Scrambled Eggs (with slow-roasted early girl tomatoes, chard, spring onions, herbed ricotta, toast, salad; $14): Among the best scrambles I've ever had! The balance of fluffy scrambled eggs with a hint of butter, richness from the ricotta, and earthiness from the herbs and ample vegetables was perfection. The buttered toast was excellent with a toasty crisp, and the side of mixed greens was a refreshing alternative to food-coma-inducing potatoes. (++) French Toast (with cold-pressed plum syrup, strawberries and chantilly, $14): Pretty good, and I would rank this around the middle of my top tier of French toasts. It's mildly custardy and very soft with a texture like pancakes. The plum syrup was unique, though it could use more strawberries. (+) Poached Eggs & Summer Vegetable Hash (with crispy potato, beet, green beans, truffle creme fraiche, salsa verde; $15.75): Good, but nothing particularly mind-blowing. The crispy potatoes were quite tasty and the eggs were well poached (with a photogenic salsa verde garnish), but otherwise the chopped vegetables are very doable at home. I would suggest asking for sharing plates if needed; some of the chantilly cream from the French toast got mixed into the savory buttered toast of the scramble and turned out quite odd, as expected. Then, I panicked mildly when I came across some cream on the vegetable hash, but realized it was the sour cream it comes with. First world brunch problems. Universal Cafe excels in universally superb quality (the online menu notes it's "richly organic", which I find ambiguous but promising). The ambiance is a chic vintage-industrial diner featuring a set of bar stools at the counter, and service is prompt and friendly. However, in my opinion it's a bit over-priced and was shy of my expectations. I'm glad I was able to cross Universal Cafe off my list, but I don't think I'll be coming here often; when I do have Universal cravings to return, I will be aggressively stalking the online menu. -
Edna’s 2-star review: It seems that most people venture to the foggy Outer Sunset for Trouble's $4 toast or Outerlands' famous bunch (with bougier $7 toast). Despite the egregiously high prices and endless crowds, Outerlands boasts a certain charm--everything looks like Pinterest in real life, ravishingly beautiful food presentation, most seductive and irresistible food porn. The CORNBREAD BENEDICT ($11; fried egg, avocado, cotija, rajas cream, cilantro) featured intertwined Latin flavors, with guac, rajas cream, and the cojita sprinkle reminiscent of upscale Mexican cuisine like Tropisueno in Downtown and Comal in Berkeley. The egg had a perfectly runny yolk (as all eggs in SF should), making a good Benedict composition. But I still couldn't get over the fact that there's only ONE Benedict for $11... even Dungeness crab Benedicts in SF are not this pricey! It's small and does not come with any sides (not even potatoes--only an artsy smear of sauce and two pieces of pickled vegetables), so you have to eat it very slowly and mindfully to be adequately satisfied. Not bad, but steep pricing for a cornbread with an egg and taco toppings. The GLAZED DONUT ($3.50; matcha, sunflower seed) features dough fried golden, almost similar to Hong Kong egg puffs. While I loved the airy texture, I did find the flavoring to be too sugary, and I was disappointed that the matcha was limited to the glaze. The sunflower seeds were an interesting addition since it was caramelized and reminded me of rice crispy treats, but did not help with the excessive sugariness. And in my sugar-high delirium, I decided to buy a loaf of bread on the whim. $7 for a LOAF OF BREAD seems ridiculous, but it's a bargain because it will fill you up--after spending much $$$ on exasperatingly small brunch plates, this giant loaf of hearty bread will seem godsend. The bread is levain-style with a characteristic sourdough taste, fresh pull-apart fluffy interior, and a tasty crust right at that magical point of maximal crisp right before it's burnt. It's a tad bit greasy and leaves a some oil on your hands, but altogether it is heavenly. My meal at Outerlands was photogenic but expensive--my Benedict and donut totaled $18 after tip + tax + extra 4% SF tax which is not included in the price. (Not to mention the additional $7 on the bread afterwards since I was still hungry.) A few of the other items pique my interest: the famous Dutch baby pancakes (though now there's a knockoff at Lale in the Inner Sunset), the quinoa bowl which I'm told is similar to grits, the magical grilled cheese which looks like a Pinterest celebrity. However I'm not sure if the Outerlands pilgrimage to this edge of the city is worth the hefty prices and the hassles. Weekends are so busy that you may need to sign in at 8:30am to get first seating at 9am. Overall, the cooking style of elegant presentation from simple fresh ingredients reminds me of Tartine, except Outerlands seems a tier down in terms of true culinary skills. Tartine's creations are a lot more novel and provocative, while Outerlands' menu is largely DIY-able. It's packed on weekends with millennials with their weekly routine hour or two wait for brunch. It's more peaceful on weekdays, heavily populated by stay-at-home moms wielding strollers. Pick your battle. -
Edna’s 4-star review: Among the SF juggernaut brunch trio of Sweet Maple, Kitchen Story, and Blackwood, Blackwood features the swankiest ambiance, as expected from its bouge location at the Marina. Think high ceilings, elegant dark wooden panels, modern hanging lamps, artistic mini bouquets of real flowers at each table, and square black leather chairs that could be top-of-the-line Ikea furniture. While the interior decor is notable, the lighting is awful as the skylights create a morbid blue-grey tinge during typical overcast SF weather. (If I'm paying this much for brunch, I want my food pictures to look like a sunny happy brunch and not like something underwater from a horror movie.) The CRISPY FRIED FRENCH TOAST ($12; brioche with lemon zest. Maple syrup and maple butter) was the highlight. After all, who doesn't like fried food and French toast! The crispy crust made it closer to a donut than French toast, especially since the interior was doughy white brioche bread. Indulgently delicious and satisfying enough in its own right without the maple syrup, but you'll be inclined to add it for the complete French toast experience. They also have a new cornflakes crusted orange zest French toast, which I am quite intrigued by. BW BENEDICT ($16; pork wine sausage, mushroom, cilantro, crispy yam, Thai chili hollandaise) (not to be confused with Blackwood Benedict, which is different) Piquant, complex, and interesting; not your typical Benedict. The zesty hollandaise smothers dimension, and the crispy yam adds texture. I also like how the Benedicts are on sourdough baguette instead of English muffins, adding yet another twist. The crispy potatoes are popular, though in my opinion it's a bit too salty. However I am quite happy with the salad, which I haven't seen at any brunch places besides Crepevine. Although I'm usually not picky about service, I found it less-than-spectacular here, for lack of a better euphemism. They greeted us really nicely and told us to sit wherever we wanted, but after awhile asked us to move tables in order to accommodate a group. Also, the food took over 25 minutes even though it wasn't too busy, and it was difficult to flag down a server to follow up on our order. Maybe the long wait time is the norm in the Marina district of idle twentysomethings? Jkjk :3 Although Blackwood is self-proclaimed as Thai, the menu seems more pan-Asian fusion--stone pot (i.e. overpriced but photogenic bibimbap) is one of its most popular items, and there's banmi on the menu (not sure how fusiony it is besides the addition of alfalfa and the intentionally incorrect spelling). Dinner sounds enticing though I'm not sure what I think about the prices, like the $23 beef noodle soup.... hmm. In any case, brunch is decently affordable (at least in SF terms) and features unique plates that score Blackwood a high spot on millennials' bucket list. -
Edna’s 4-star review: Kitchen Story, Blackwood, and Sweet Maple all seem more or less the same: Millionaire's bacon, pretty stick garnishes, crispy rainbow potatoes, chicken mango sausage, pork wine sausage (except it's pork lime at Sweet Maple). They all exemplify SF brunch with its creativity in taking your basic eggs/potatoes breakfast to the next level, adding a flair in a few Asian fusion dishes, and creating expertly photogenic brunch plates that spread its popularity on social media like wildfire. (++) Mascarpone Stuffed Deep Fried French Toast $13: Similar to the Blackwood deep fried French toast with its glory of essentially being a donut disguised as a French toast, except the version at Kitchen Story is stuffed with a custardy mascarpone filling. (++) Millionaire's Benedict $18 (Millionaire's Bacon, asparagus, tomato, Meyer Lemon hollandaise): Omg the trademark millionaire's bacon... every time I eat this I want to be a millionaire so I can afford to have this heavenly caramelized thick-cut bacon on a regular basis. This marriage between sweet and savory is on point--like a syrupy pork jerky candy (except it tastes better than that description sounds). (++) Ribeye Omurice $18 (scrambled eggs over jasmine rice, marinated minced ribeye, carrots, cherry pepper, spinach, scallion. Demi glazed sauce): I loved the thick fluffy omelette as well as the concept of omurice for brunch. Yes it's basic Korean diner food, but Kitchen Story makes a bomb fried rice with beef and spinach, topped with the giant omelette with a drizzle of housemade teriyaki-like sauce. My chief complaint is that the omelette sits on top of the fried rice instead of enveloping it as traditional omelettes and omurice dictate, but overall I still enjoyed this hearty, fusiony dish. Service is friendly; the host leading us to bar seating apologized repeatedly that it may take awhile for a table. He was perky and us to look at the prepared food from the kitchen so that we can see what everything looks like, and pointed out to us his recommendation of the popular kurobata pork belly tacos. It was indeed quite fun to watch all the dishes being prepared, especially since the presentation is so well done. The belly rancheros looked mouth-watering, the burger was epic, and somehow all you start second-guessing whether the other French toast orders have a bigger slice than yours. Kitchen Story's finest first world problems involve the dilemma of too many enticing options to choose from. The interior is cozy, but somehow the densely packed outdoor patio seating cracks me up... The legions of brunchers look like victims of consumerism and the gentrified SF lifestyle driven by Instagram indoctrination. Everyone looks the same with a colorful brunch plate! (And yes I am aware that I am making fun of myself)
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