Category: Restaurant Reviews

January 13, 2010

Gitane: If Only the Food Was as Flavorful as the Atmosphere

[rating: 3.5]

This restaurant has a lot going for it: owned by the same people in charge of Cafe Claude (one of my favorite restaurants in the City), good location, beautiful decor, lively atmosphere, outdoor seating, french/spanish small plates (rather unique in this city), an extensive cocktail menu, and listed as one of the 100 Best of the Bay this year. Whew, that's one impressive list!

It's like they thought of all the ingredients to make a perfect date environment, and if that's the reason you're going here, you will not be disappointed. Plus, they have mirrors on the walls so you can secretly watch other people without your date remarking on your wandering eyes!

What it doesn't exactly have going for it is the food, which is my bottom line. I can deal with a snippy server, minimalist decor, and a short beer/wine list if the food is amazing. I mean, the whole point of going to a restaurant is to eat, right?...Continue Reading

January 10, 2010

Maverick on Track to be a Mission Stand-by

[rating: 4]

When I first walked into Maverick, I instantly went into grandma mode. "Ohhh this is just darling! Isn't it cute?! It's just so cute!" If Maverick had cheeks they would've been bright red from all of the pinching. It's a warm, intimate restaurant, which isn't crazy loud, but certainly not awkwardly silent; perfect for any occasion (they even have a table that seats 8-10 if you want to go with a larger group)...Continue Reading

January 9, 2010

New Year's Day. 10:30 am. I Must Have a Po Boy From Brenda's.

[rating:3]

I saved Brenda's for a very special occasion, one of the top 3 hungover days of the year - New Years brunch. Nothing like a fried shrimp po boy at 10:30 in the morning to get your day started!...

January 6, 2010

Pesce - a Cut Above Your Average Neighborhood Italian

[rating:3.5]

Okay you know the scene in the Godfather when Michael assassinates Sollozzo in the Italian restaurant? As soon as I walked into Pesce I felt like I was in a similar scene. Well, minus the white table cloths and the getting shot in the head part. This is a tile floored, wooden walled, no frills, neighborhood Italian joint that is taking a spin on "family style" by serving seafood tapas instead of giant platters of baked ziti. And it works...Continue Reading

December 27, 2009

Waterbar - Fun to Look at, Not as Fun to Eat at.

[rating: 2.5]

In an era when restaurants are getting cozier and street food is the emerging city-wide trend (read: the economy took a hit), waterbar is a bit out of place.

Let's not kid ourselves here - much like any other restaurant on the Embarcadero, when you come here you're paying for the atmosphere. Kuleto's vision was grand indeed and deserves 4 stars, so, if you don't care much about how the food tastes and prefer to be surrounded by white tablecloths, glitzy railings, and aquariums, then this is the place for you. This place screams power lunch, and if setting the right mood and landing the deal was more important to me than how the food tastes, then this would be a solid choice. However, as we all know, my bottom line is the food, which is 2 stars tops...Continue Reading

December 20, 2009

Tis the Season to be Captivated by Boulevard

[rating: 4]

As soon as I walked through the revolving doors, I knew it was going to be a special night. To describe the holiday decor as "festive" would not be doing this restaurant justice - garlands, wreaths, and glistening ornaments decorating the ceilings, walls, and walkways make the already beautiful interior nothing short of breathtaking. The whole dining room sparkled like there was magic in the air. I know, I know that's totally cheesy but hey, I know magic when I see it...Continue Reading

December 19, 2009

Jardiniere, Deconstructed.

[rating: 4.5]

First of all, making reservations a month in advance is like torture because every day you get more and more impatient for the big day to come. As much as I tried not to, after so much waiting I had very high expectations for the meal I planned on having at this restaurant (the full tasting + wine pairing). In a sense, I was setting myself up to be let down. Not only did Jardiniere meet my somewhat unrealistic expectations, it far surpassed them...Continue Reading

December 15, 2009

Beretta - Overrated, Underwhelming.

[rating: 2.5]

You know that "...Really?" segment of SNL's weekend update? That's exactly how I feel about this place...

December 14, 2009

I Stole La Taqueria's Carnitas Recipe, and I'm Not Sharing it.

[rating: 4]

My reviews have been getting epically long, so lets keep this one to the essentials - order something with carnitas.

December 13, 2009

SPQR U Seriously That Good?

[rating: 5]

I almost hate to say this, but I think my quest to find Italian to rival Delfina has come to an end. Ahhhh the many years of hopelessly searching finally led me to the doorstep of SPQR (pronounced "spa-khrrrrr"- no that's a complete lie). Actually, because the entrance is so nondescript, I walked by the place 2 times (in the rain) before realizing it was what I was searching for.