Posted: July 16th, 2010 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Chinese, Daytime Eats, Evening, Late night Eats, Marina / Cow Hollow, Pan-Asian | Tags: Asian, Beers, California, Chinese, Cocktails, Cow Hollow, Cuisine, date spots, Dinner, drinks, Lunch, Open late, Pan-Asian, San Francisco, Wine | 1 Comment »
2030 Union Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 929-8855
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Named after the natural stimulant that is quite popular in Southeast Asia, Betelnut’s menu of contemporary Asian dishes and selection of crafted cocktails may evoke a similar reaction of mild hot sensations in the body and slightly heightened alertness to one’s surroundings. Located right along Union Street, the street facing windows are often opened up on warm days to encourage people watching while dining and drinking. The interior of this restaurant has one of the cooler Asian-inspired designs, similar in theme to a beer house found in places like Singapore. Design touches from the wooden Chinese paddles nailed to the wall, the sprinkler pipes painted to look like bamboo and the wall art posters all help transport diners far from its Cow Hollow locale.
Betelnut takes a contemporary approach to more traditional dishes from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and China. Their selection of appetizers go great with beer or their list of specialty cocktails. Personal favorites include the dishes pictured below along with the glazed pork short ribs, their noodle dishes, and the fried Red Snapper that is served whole.|Betelnut|
Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Thurs: 11:30am-11pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-12am
Sun: 11:30am-11pm
Posted: July 8th, 2010 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Chinese, Daytime Eats, Dim Sum, Evening, Outer Sunset | Tags: Asian, authentic, California, Cheap eats, Chinese, Cuisine, dessert, Dim Sum, Dinner, Lunch, Noriega Street, Outer Sunset, San Francisco | No Comments »
2578 Noriega Street
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 665-8338
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A fairly consistent barometer for delicious and authentic Dim Sum can often be surmised on the quality of the siumai. This Outer Sunset destination does not disappoint with their large-sized pork, shrimp, and shiitake mushroom dumplings, which are freshly prepared in-house and served piping hot. Unlike other establishments that have their menu items wheeled around the dining room on carts, the Dim Sum here arrives to the table directly from the kitchen, often needing a few moments to cool down.
Favorites here include the shrimp dumplings, stuffed rice noodles, minced pork dumplings stuffed in deep-fried glutinous rice, pork spare ribs, mixed sticky rice steamed in a lotus leaf, and the bell peppers stuffed with crab.
Hours of Operation:
Dim Sum: Mon-Fri: 10am – 2:30pm
Sat-Sun: 9am – 3pm
Dinner: Mon-Fri: 5pm – 9:30pm
Sat-Sun: 5pm – 10pm
Posted: June 22nd, 2010 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Daytime Eats, Evening, Italian, Late night Eats, Marina / Cow Hollow, Saturday Brunch, Sunday Brunch | Tags: Beers, California, Chestnut Street, Cocktails, Cuisine, dessert, Dessert & Coffee, Dinner, drinks, Italian, Lunch, Marina, mussels, Open late, panini, Pasta, pizza, Ruggero Gadaldi, rustic, salads, San Francisco, Wine | No Comments »
2175 Chestnut Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 673-7100
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From the owners of Beretta comes Delarosa, a modern Italian restaurant that’s conveniently located on Chestnut Street in the Marina district. Though the signage looks more at home on a stainless steel Italian espresso machine, the interior is warm and inviting, with its share of high top communal tables encouraging conversation amongst diners.
Chef Ruggero Gadaldi’s menu features a mix of antipasti, salads, pastas, and Roman style pizzas, all complimented by a large selection of draft beers, wines and cocktails. Best of all, Delarosa is open late until 1 am most nights and also has a weekend brunch perfect for some daytime drinks. |Delarosa|
Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sun: 11am – 1am
Sat & Sun Brunch: 11am – 4pm
Posted: June 16th, 2010 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Dessert & Coffee, Evening, Italian, Mission, Sunday Brunch, Wine Bar | Tags: 18th Street, authentic, Bavarian cake, brioche, California, Cocktails, coffee, Cuisine, date spots, dessert, Dessert & Coffee, Dinner, drinks, Farina, Italian, Mission, modern, pannacotta, Paolo Laboa, Pasta, Patio, pesto, pizza, poached eggs, rustic, San Francisco, Sunday Brunch, Wine | No Comments »
3560 18th Street
San Francisco, CA, 94110
(415) 565-0360
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One of my favorite restaurants in the Mission for its sleek and modern design, Farina’s ambiance is so inviting it just exudes cool. The curved curtain of glass that wraps around the frontage is beautiful yet functional, able to slide fully open to allow the breeze to circulate through. Skylights help keep the space bright with natural light, while the comfortable designer furniture helps to define the setting.
Chef Paolo Laboa relies on seasonal and fresh ingredients to bring out the best from his rustic yet elegant dishes influenced from his upbringing in Liguria, Italy. Freshly prepared pastas with their signature Genovese Pesto is a popular favorite here, as well as their Neapolitan pizzas. With so many delicious choices, it’s always fun to sample a bit of everything, just leave room for some of their amazing desserts. |Farina|
Hours of Operation:
Mon-Thurs: 5:30pm-10pm
Fri-Sat: 5pm-10pm
Sun: 9am-3pm, 5pm-10pm
Posted: May 28th, 2010 | Author: erinboy | Filed under: Civic Center, Evening, French, Lounges, New American | Tags: Beers, California, Civic Center, Cocktails, Cuisine, dessert, Dessert & Coffee, Dinner, drinks, French, Grove Street, private parties, Prix Fixe, San Francisco, Wine | No Comments »
300 Grove Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 861-5555
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If a night at the theater is in your plans, then so should drinks and dinner at Jardinière. Conveniently located across the street from both the War Memorial Opera house and the Davies Symphony Hall, it is a perfect place to come for a cocktail and a bite to eat before a show.
For my last visit, I found myself at the self-seating section called the J Lounge, prior to seeing the San Francisco Ballet’s production of Romeo & Juliet. The lounge is on the first floor of the restaurant, surrounding the beautifully ornamented bar, and offers a smaller version of the menu as well as an array of festive cocktails. There is also a curtained off area available for private events. The beautiful, curved staircase leads to the main dining room, which overlooks the lounge area. If you’re in the mood for a fun cocktail, be sure to try one of Jardinière’s original concoctions. For dessert, my favorite is the Bonne Bouche Platter, which comes with a variety of cookies, cakes and tarts. A bit of a warning though, dining here can get a bit pricey. |Jardiniere|
Open 7 days a week:
Sun-Mon: 5pm–10pm
Tues-Sat: 5pm-10:30pm
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