There should be more restaurants that have it all...great vibe, awesome food, laid back yet completely polished service, and yet, there are not....at least in SF....many restaurants excel on one or more fronts but not all....but....here's one that achieves excellence on all fronts.
I've been here many times (I like to think I get that look...that little nod...but I'm sure, very very sure, this is my overexcited imagination), most recently for dessert and cheese with a girlfriend, capping off a night of "bubbly all over town".
The decadent chocolate cake and the cheese plate were very good but what really stood out for us was the all around experience-we just loved being there and we happy to find a place that, at 10:30 pm on Saturday, non-bar types like us could go and hang.
This place is really popular but hey, that is not a problem if you like dining at 10 pm. Just pretend you are in New York.
From past visits, I can strongly recommend the garganelli pasta with foie gras cream sauce (you may not believe it till you get it but it is TRULY not heavy and they help you with the portion sizing), the scallops on mashed potato, the butterfish...hell, any fish here. If they have the pork chop with spaetzle (it's sometimes there, sometimes not or with a different set up) get it for both the meat AND the side).
The celebrated Chef (a media darling in 2005) is Sean O'Brien, formerly of Gary Danko. He has blended well the "small plates" and "traditional" dining options, so you can go here and graze with friends, or take your meat-and-potato-I-don't-want-other-people-eating-off-my-plate Dad here.
All servers are excellent and you will often see the owner, Tom Duffy, who looks straight out of a children's book, roaming around assuring that all is well.
Alex Foxx, the sommelier, is incredible. What other restaurant so beloved by the critics offers a "25 wines under $25" page? I mean, I know a lot of restaurants that think they are doing you a favor by presenting you with wines under $50 or more!
I love this spot. It's hyped, but I believe it will stand the test of time because the individuals seem to take this place as their own.
more