Good for: carnivores, groups, big eaters
Bad for: those squeamish at the sight of meat
Price per person: $16/all-you-can-eat with Yelp coupon ($18 w/o), $10 vegetarian bibimbop
This place is no joke when it comes to meat. Jas and I went with 2 of Jason's strapping young friends and they ate for almost 2 hours. TWO HOURS. They enjoyed it, but watching started to freak me out.
This place was open and clean with good ventilation, so we didn't smell like KBBQ when we left. This alone would recommend the place. However, the greatness didn't stop there. The menu had pictures and and the food actually resembled them. The waitstaff was also very accommodating. We had to wait almost an hour for one member of our party to arrive and they brought our delicious sidedishes (kimchee, broccoli, fried potatoes, tofu, pickles, etc.) while we waited. Also, according to the menu, in order to get all-you-can-eat, all people at the table have to participate. The waitress hesitated when we said all-you-can-eat for three, but when I said I was a vegetarian she immediately understood and said that was fine.
For a place that sells heaping plates of raw meat, this place was surprisingly vegetarian friendly. They don't have "+ tofu" in the name for nothing. They had several vegetarian and pescatarian menu items to choose from. Also, they were careful to ask if it was okay for my bibimbop to come with an egg and they warned me that my miso soup was fish-based. Unlike many other restaurants, Ginseng was both conscientious and prepared. A+.
Now for the meat. According to Jason, it was "high quality and deliciously seasoned and wanted only for a greater variety of dipping sauces". However, this did not stop him or his friends from eating for 2 hours straight so clearly it wasn't a dealbreaker.
All in all, this was a great place for an outing with a group of friends. The grill-it-yourself style lent itself to conversation and there were food options for everyone. A bit expensive, but worth the price.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Casa Lupe
Good for: regulars
Bad for: People with children, people who don't like being stuck with the default option
Cost: $36 for two (inclu. tax & tip, no beverages)
Casa Lupe is a cute and colorful Mexican restaurant unfortunately sandwiched between two other buildings. The restaurant is small, but the servers were friendly and the atmosphere felt familiar.
The menu listed sangria and margaritas, but with no bar in sight (and because of the cold weather), we decided to stick with water.
The salsas that were brought to the table were medium-hot and flavorful- a good start to the meal.
I ordered the special fish tacos and Jason ordered carne asada. The tacos came with an option of grilled or fried fish and with a choice of beans. I neglected to make either choice at the time of ordering (I grabbed the waiter later and managed to request pinto beans) and ended up with fried-fish tacos. The fish was perfectly cooked and crispy, the cabbage was fresh and crunchy, and there was a dollop each of tomatoes, guacamole, and onions to add as desired. I wished that I had ordered the grilled fish, as the fried fish ultimately came off just slightly too greasy among the other ingredients. It's worth noting that the beans and rice were both worth eating, a novelty in a Mexican restaurant. Jason's carne asada had good flavor but the meat was gristly and hard to eat.
Here's the thing: plenty of restaurants bring out the plates of food with the warning, "careful, the plates are hot". As it turns out, they were not just being polite at this restaurant. The plates were scalding. In fact, I touched mine on accident more than once and had to jerk my hand back lest I jeopardize my career as a hand model, which in this teaching job market is a risk I am not willing to take. If I was a parent of a small child, the hot plate situation would be less humorous and more alarming.
Overall the food was good. Not great, not the best Mexican food ever, or even in the area, but good. I can see how if you got to know the servers and/or the owners, this could easily become a habitual go-to. For the casual eater, not necessarily worth going out of the way to return.
Bad for: People with children, people who don't like being stuck with the default option
Cost: $36 for two (inclu. tax & tip, no beverages)
Casa Lupe is a cute and colorful Mexican restaurant unfortunately sandwiched between two other buildings. The restaurant is small, but the servers were friendly and the atmosphere felt familiar.
The menu listed sangria and margaritas, but with no bar in sight (and because of the cold weather), we decided to stick with water.
The salsas that were brought to the table were medium-hot and flavorful- a good start to the meal.
I ordered the special fish tacos and Jason ordered carne asada. The tacos came with an option of grilled or fried fish and with a choice of beans. I neglected to make either choice at the time of ordering (I grabbed the waiter later and managed to request pinto beans) and ended up with fried-fish tacos. The fish was perfectly cooked and crispy, the cabbage was fresh and crunchy, and there was a dollop each of tomatoes, guacamole, and onions to add as desired. I wished that I had ordered the grilled fish, as the fried fish ultimately came off just slightly too greasy among the other ingredients. It's worth noting that the beans and rice were both worth eating, a novelty in a Mexican restaurant. Jason's carne asada had good flavor but the meat was gristly and hard to eat.
Here's the thing: plenty of restaurants bring out the plates of food with the warning, "careful, the plates are hot". As it turns out, they were not just being polite at this restaurant. The plates were scalding. In fact, I touched mine on accident more than once and had to jerk my hand back lest I jeopardize my career as a hand model, which in this teaching job market is a risk I am not willing to take. If I was a parent of a small child, the hot plate situation would be less humorous and more alarming.
Overall the food was good. Not great, not the best Mexican food ever, or even in the area, but good. I can see how if you got to know the servers and/or the owners, this could easily become a habitual go-to. For the casual eater, not necessarily worth going out of the way to return.
The Cantankerous Fish
Good for: A business dinner or a girl's night out
Bad for: Budget conscious people on a diet
Cost: $80 for 2 people with tax and tip (inclu. 2 alcoholic beverages)
We went to Cantankerous Fish for date night and came away with a different impression than we walked in with. The atmosphere seems perfect for a date night when you first enter. Clean modern styled furniture, low lighting, etc. A closer look shows that it might be aimed at a more business oriented crowd. The partially dressed hostess escorted us to a table for four which brought to mind the dining room scene from the 1989 Batman movie.
The menu on the other hand was wonderful. Everything looked delicious, there were a wide range cocktails as well as a good tap list. We started with a baked brie bruschetta that was delicious. It was build your own bruschetta with a wedge of baked brie in phyllo dough, three spread options, and some toasted french bread. All in all a nice dish.
For main courses Meg ordered the Halibut and I ordered the Jambalaya. The Jambalaya was delicious and spicy. It could have used a few more shrimp but otherwise it was a solid dish. Meg's halibut was almost an A+. The halibut was perfectly cooked but over salted. This was in part to counter the richness of the butternut-squash rissoto and cream sauce it was served with. Meg felt that these came off as too rich but I thought they were fantastic. Admittedly I only had a few bites so maybe a whole plate of it was too much.
All in all I was pretty happy with the meal. I would go back again with friends or colleagues for a nice dinner. I think we will choose someplace else next time for a date.
Bad for: Budget conscious people on a diet
Cost: $80 for 2 people with tax and tip (inclu. 2 alcoholic beverages)
We went to Cantankerous Fish for date night and came away with a different impression than we walked in with. The atmosphere seems perfect for a date night when you first enter. Clean modern styled furniture, low lighting, etc. A closer look shows that it might be aimed at a more business oriented crowd. The partially dressed hostess escorted us to a table for four which brought to mind the dining room scene from the 1989 Batman movie.
The menu on the other hand was wonderful. Everything looked delicious, there were a wide range cocktails as well as a good tap list. We started with a baked brie bruschetta that was delicious. It was build your own bruschetta with a wedge of baked brie in phyllo dough, three spread options, and some toasted french bread. All in all a nice dish.
For main courses Meg ordered the Halibut and I ordered the Jambalaya. The Jambalaya was delicious and spicy. It could have used a few more shrimp but otherwise it was a solid dish. Meg's halibut was almost an A+. The halibut was perfectly cooked but over salted. This was in part to counter the richness of the butternut-squash rissoto and cream sauce it was served with. Meg felt that these came off as too rich but I thought they were fantastic. Admittedly I only had a few bites so maybe a whole plate of it was too much.
All in all I was pretty happy with the meal. I would go back again with friends or colleagues for a nice dinner. I think we will choose someplace else next time for a date.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Kirin Chinese Restaurant
Good for: Chinese food, groups
Bad for: strict vegetarians, lobsters-as-pet lovers
Cost for 2: $28 (including tax and tip)
This is a classic Chinese restaurant where you are greeted by a wall of tanks filled with your possible future entree, looking right at you.
We were seated immediately, although it was a Monday night. We were quickly brought menus and hot tea. Jason noticed that we were not supplemented with forks on account of being the only white people in the place. For us, this was a compliment rather than an oversight. (As a practiced chopstick user, I can be quite indignant when brought a fork)
We ordered the Walnut Shrimp and Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce (and steamed rice). The shrimp came out piping hot and perfectly crispy. They were sweet and the candied walnuts that came on the dish were addictive. We were both pleasantly surprised by the broccoli. Sometimes greens that come "in sauce" barely resemble greens when they arrive at the table. The broccoli we got was perfectly cooked. Not limp, not grey, not too crunchy. Perfect. The oyster sauce was drizzled over the top, adding just the right amount of flavor to complement the broccoli's natural goodness without drowning it. Seriously, we're going back for that broccoli.
That being said, the "vegetarian" options were not all vegetarian (crab, anyone?) and were clearly designed as side dishes. It would have been difficult to cobble together a satisfying vegetarian meal.
Side note: they have special menus designed for groups with a fixed per-person price for a pre-set selection of dishes. Not right for the two of us, but something to consider for the future.
We were happy, the other patrons were enjoying themselves and overall we will likely go back.
Single downside: no fortune cookies. In hindsight, should have just gone for those last few candied walnuts.
Bad for: strict vegetarians, lobsters-as-pet lovers
Cost for 2: $28 (including tax and tip)
This is a classic Chinese restaurant where you are greeted by a wall of tanks filled with your possible future entree, looking right at you.
We were seated immediately, although it was a Monday night. We were quickly brought menus and hot tea. Jason noticed that we were not supplemented with forks on account of being the only white people in the place. For us, this was a compliment rather than an oversight. (As a practiced chopstick user, I can be quite indignant when brought a fork)
We ordered the Walnut Shrimp and Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce (and steamed rice). The shrimp came out piping hot and perfectly crispy. They were sweet and the candied walnuts that came on the dish were addictive. We were both pleasantly surprised by the broccoli. Sometimes greens that come "in sauce" barely resemble greens when they arrive at the table. The broccoli we got was perfectly cooked. Not limp, not grey, not too crunchy. Perfect. The oyster sauce was drizzled over the top, adding just the right amount of flavor to complement the broccoli's natural goodness without drowning it. Seriously, we're going back for that broccoli.
That being said, the "vegetarian" options were not all vegetarian (crab, anyone?) and were clearly designed as side dishes. It would have been difficult to cobble together a satisfying vegetarian meal.
Side note: they have special menus designed for groups with a fixed per-person price for a pre-set selection of dishes. Not right for the two of us, but something to consider for the future.
We were happy, the other patrons were enjoying themselves and overall we will likely go back.
Single downside: no fortune cookies. In hindsight, should have just gone for those last few candied walnuts.
Mediterranean Grill House
Good for: lunch, falafel junkies
Bad for: shawarma fanatics, party poopers
Cost for 1: $10 will cover a wrap and a drink
Mediterranean Grill House is a place we discovered on a recommendation from Jason's Dad. The place is family run and it shows, in the best way. The person behind the register is always relaxed, friendly, and helpful and the place is always clean. This is not your typical dingy, greasy gyro joint.
You order at the counter and then they bring the food to your table. Service is quick, but when sitting at an outside table on a nice day, it doesn't matter.
The first time we came, Jas ordered shawarma. He said it was fine, but the falafel wraps are what keep us coming back. The falafel wraps come with a choice of a whole-wheat or spinach tortilla(?) and are filled with a few large, perfect falafels. I generally like small falafels (A la Falafel Drive In) but this place changed my mind. Their falafels are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, unlike many large falafels. The wrap also has a perfect balance of falafel, pickled veggies, lettuce and tahini. They will also make it spicy on request. My nose ran the whole time I ate mine, but it was awesome.
This is one of our favorite lunch places on Castro. The prices are high compared to a PB & J from home, but comparable to food of similar quality in the area. Service is good, food is good, and there is nothing better than a perfect falafel wrap on a sunny day.
Oh for a sunny day.
Bad for: shawarma fanatics, party poopers
Cost for 1: $10 will cover a wrap and a drink
Mediterranean Grill House is a place we discovered on a recommendation from Jason's Dad. The place is family run and it shows, in the best way. The person behind the register is always relaxed, friendly, and helpful and the place is always clean. This is not your typical dingy, greasy gyro joint.
You order at the counter and then they bring the food to your table. Service is quick, but when sitting at an outside table on a nice day, it doesn't matter.
The first time we came, Jas ordered shawarma. He said it was fine, but the falafel wraps are what keep us coming back. The falafel wraps come with a choice of a whole-wheat or spinach tortilla(?) and are filled with a few large, perfect falafels. I generally like small falafels (A la Falafel Drive In) but this place changed my mind. Their falafels are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, unlike many large falafels. The wrap also has a perfect balance of falafel, pickled veggies, lettuce and tahini. They will also make it spicy on request. My nose ran the whole time I ate mine, but it was awesome.
This is one of our favorite lunch places on Castro. The prices are high compared to a PB & J from home, but comparable to food of similar quality in the area. Service is good, food is good, and there is nothing better than a perfect falafel wrap on a sunny day.
Oh for a sunny day.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Savory: Contemporary Vietnamese Cuisine
Good for: an intimate date, non-adventurous palates looking to get into the pan-Asian cuisine along Castro
Bad for: an awkward first date (or third, fourth or fifth- break up already!), adventure eaters
Cost for 2: $43.00 with tax & tip (no beverages)
We finally tried this place tonight because we weren't in the mood for anything specific: exactly the situation that set us on this mission in the first place. This restaurant was perfect for that.
The ambiance is clean, elegant and intimate. It was also pretty quiet. It was a good date place for us because we are able to talk to each other; but, for a couple without much to talk about there is no people watching or other disasters for respite.
We shared the Fresh Rolls with peanut sauce as an appetizer. The rolls were beautiful. The fresh and clean taste of the mint was well-complemented by the savory fat of the peanut sauce (when you got enough of it). For dinner I had the Carmelized Basa Fish in Clay Pot. The fish was sweet and savory and well-cooked. I only wanted for some kind of green vegetable to add some variety. Jason had the Special Rice in Clay Pot (with mushrooms, ginger, Chinese sausage and BBQ chicken). It was warm and comforting but not very exciting.
The service was excellent. The staff was attentive and polite. They delivered the entrees in the clay pots and removed the lids tableside, releasing a thick, aromatic steam.
This would be great for someone not willing to venture into authentic dim-sum or spicy curry but who is interested in trying a new global cuisine.
Savory is a very appropriate name for this restaurant. Although the food wasn't groundbreaking in any way, it was solid and well-cooked. The things we ordered tonight would be especially good for a rainy day. We will likely go back and sample some of the other menu items.
Bonus: takes reservations on Open Table.
Bad for: an awkward first date (or third, fourth or fifth- break up already!), adventure eaters
Cost for 2: $43.00 with tax & tip (no beverages)
We finally tried this place tonight because we weren't in the mood for anything specific: exactly the situation that set us on this mission in the first place. This restaurant was perfect for that.
The ambiance is clean, elegant and intimate. It was also pretty quiet. It was a good date place for us because we are able to talk to each other; but, for a couple without much to talk about there is no people watching or other disasters for respite.
We shared the Fresh Rolls with peanut sauce as an appetizer. The rolls were beautiful. The fresh and clean taste of the mint was well-complemented by the savory fat of the peanut sauce (when you got enough of it). For dinner I had the Carmelized Basa Fish in Clay Pot. The fish was sweet and savory and well-cooked. I only wanted for some kind of green vegetable to add some variety. Jason had the Special Rice in Clay Pot (with mushrooms, ginger, Chinese sausage and BBQ chicken). It was warm and comforting but not very exciting.
The service was excellent. The staff was attentive and polite. They delivered the entrees in the clay pots and removed the lids tableside, releasing a thick, aromatic steam.
This would be great for someone not willing to venture into authentic dim-sum or spicy curry but who is interested in trying a new global cuisine.
Savory is a very appropriate name for this restaurant. Although the food wasn't groundbreaking in any way, it was solid and well-cooked. The things we ordered tonight would be especially good for a rainy day. We will likely go back and sample some of the other menu items.
Bonus: takes reservations on Open Table.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Amici's East Coast Pizzeria
Good for: People with money to burn and a preference for the mundane or people with eating restrictions (gluten free and vegan options).
Bad for: Pizza connoisseurs.
Cost for 2: $23.50 w/ tax&tip (no beverages)
First of all, we realize this is a chain. But since neither of us had ever been we figured we would check it out. Consider it a dry run.
A clean ambiance and good service made for a welcome start to our meal. Despite a complicated order rife with substitutions and improper fractions (hell we even threw an imaginary number at her for kicks) the waitress was accommodating and pleasant.
We feel the need to state that the food was not bad, just average. The food was so average I forgot what it tasted like before we made it to the car. This makes it challenging to blog about now. Luckily I have a great imagination. According to Meg the crust was nice and crispy at the end but structurally inadequate for the first 90% of each slice (I opted for the fork and knife approach as discretion is the better part of valor). Both Meg and I can appreciate a thick, greasy, topping-heavy slice or on the other side of the spectrum, a spare gourmet "flat bread"; but this was an unfortunate middle-of-the-road.
The house pizzas covered a variety of pizza archetypes (pizarchetypes?) and looked interesting in print. Sadly the ingredients were so average they prevented the pies from reaching their full potential. It did not live up to its pricetag.
All in all unremarkable food for a remarkable price.
Bad for: Pizza connoisseurs.
Cost for 2: $23.50 w/ tax&tip (no beverages)
First of all, we realize this is a chain. But since neither of us had ever been we figured we would check it out. Consider it a dry run.
A clean ambiance and good service made for a welcome start to our meal. Despite a complicated order rife with substitutions and improper fractions (hell we even threw an imaginary number at her for kicks) the waitress was accommodating and pleasant.
We feel the need to state that the food was not bad, just average. The food was so average I forgot what it tasted like before we made it to the car. This makes it challenging to blog about now. Luckily I have a great imagination. According to Meg the crust was nice and crispy at the end but structurally inadequate for the first 90% of each slice (I opted for the fork and knife approach as discretion is the better part of valor). Both Meg and I can appreciate a thick, greasy, topping-heavy slice or on the other side of the spectrum, a spare gourmet "flat bread"; but this was an unfortunate middle-of-the-road.
The house pizzas covered a variety of pizza archetypes (pizarchetypes?) and looked interesting in print. Sadly the ingredients were so average they prevented the pies from reaching their full potential. It did not live up to its pricetag.
All in all unremarkable food for a remarkable price.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Our Mission
Recently, my boyfriend moved out of his parents' house and into a sweet new apartment near Castro Street. He and I decided to take advantage of the new location and "just walk around Castro and see what looks good". As it turns out, this was easier said than done. More than one evening found us on the point of eating the giant fish in the window at Seascapes pet store after walking for an hour and reading a different menu every ten feet.
Partly out of a desire to expand our culinary horizons and partly out of desperation, we proposed a quest: to try each of the restaurants along Castro Street. Boldly going where no couple has gone before. Or at least, we assume no one else has been this valiant (or stupid). We are not going to rate Starbucks, Le Boulanger, or other chains with which we are already familiar. Unlike committed Yelpers, we do not feel compelled to rate the benchmarks. Second, we are not including sidestreets, alleyways, or food trucks. We will go along Castro Street from El Camino to Evelyn.
As Bay Area natives, Castro Street is not entirely new to us. We will begin with several posts about restaurants we have eaten at in the recent past.
Now we open our minds, hearts, wallets and gullets to the wonder and mystery of international cuisine.
Partly out of a desire to expand our culinary horizons and partly out of desperation, we proposed a quest: to try each of the restaurants along Castro Street. Boldly going where no couple has gone before. Or at least, we assume no one else has been this valiant (or stupid). We are not going to rate Starbucks, Le Boulanger, or other chains with which we are already familiar. Unlike committed Yelpers, we do not feel compelled to rate the benchmarks. Second, we are not including sidestreets, alleyways, or food trucks. We will go along Castro Street from El Camino to Evelyn.
As Bay Area natives, Castro Street is not entirely new to us. We will begin with several posts about restaurants we have eaten at in the recent past.
Now we open our minds, hearts, wallets and gullets to the wonder and mystery of international cuisine.
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