Sean "probonogeek" K.'s Profile

Showing a lot of promise, but the food quality doesn't yet match the beer.

After much discussion and debate with friends, I decided to have my birthday dinner at the relatively new Social Kitchen & Brewery. By sheer luck I happened by SKB on its opening day and enjoyed a free sampler of their beers. Ever since I have been wanting to go back and try out their menu and figured I'd use a free meal paid for by my friends as a good test run. Unfortunately, the food just isn't up to par.

First, the good. The beer is pretty darn tasty. They have five different styles, but none are really "to style" if you are familiar with the traditional beer. Don't go there if you are looking for a "normal" IPA... If your someone who enjoys a unique spin on the classic, then you really need to try the beer at SKB. Secondly, the appetizers were all quite good, especially the tempura sweet potato fries. I'm not generally a huge fan of sweet potato fries, but the tempura batter really makes these a special treat.

Now, the bad... the entrees were overpriced and, perhaps most disappointing, bland. I ordered the pot pie, which was of good size, but lacked anything coming close to flavor. I've enjoyed pot pies in all shapes and sizes, from fine dining in England to frozen  
Marie Callender's, and this pot pie will easily take the prize for the most promise with the biggest disappointment. The crust was quite flaky and delicious on its own, but the meat was just without flavor. In retrospect I should have doused it with salt, but really the chef should consider throwing some spices in there.

One of the diners had the cod, which turned out to be a very expensive and very tiny piece of fish. Don't get me wrong, I have no problems with food being expensive, the trouble with this dish is that it's not really in the same weight class as the other menu items, yet several dollars more expensive. That particular diner left the restaurant hungry, which is never good considering what he paid. Another diner had the Vietnamese Sandwich, and while he reported it was good, he said it lacked the zest and flavor that makes a Vietnamese Sandwich, you know, Vietnamese!

At the end of the diner the restaurant brought out a dessert for me that, I must admit, was amazing. Cookie dough in a cup with mint chocolate chip ice cream. Everyone at the table thought it was amazing... and I must agree. Not sure if it's a usual menu item or birthdays only, but I would go back for that.

So, here's the conundrum about SKB. The beer is good, the atmosphere is nice, and the staff is friendly and attentive. The appetizers are good,  desserts are good, and the dinner menu itself /looks/ great... it's just the delivery on that last item that has me wondering if the chef is up to matching the quality of the beer.

So, I'll be back... I'm gonna give the kitchen staff a bit more time to refine their technique before I go for dinner, but given the newness of the enterprise they  deserve another try before I cross them off the list.

Best breakfast I've had since moving into San Francisco... hands down, no contest.

I met with some old friends on Sunday for brunch, and as I'm of the opinion that eating the same place twice in San Francisco ought to be considered a crime, I decided to find a new place I had never been to before. 2223 not only met that basic criteria, it exceeded every other possible expectation (with one unfortunate exception).

We started our meal off with a round of drinks: pomegranate mimosa, bloody mary, and a mojito. My mojito was particularly minty and quite strong, a quality shared by all the drinks. For brunch the table ordered a croque madame, biscuits and gravy, and corn beef hash. I tried some of each, and they were all out of this world. But I think I hit onto something really special with my corn beef hash.

The beef came in healthy chunks of tender, flaky meat, served on top of a some really outstanding potatoes. I had two poached eggs on top, and once they were cut into the hash the eggs really added a textural component that blew my socks off. And frankly, the three dishes we ordered where just a selection of items on the menu that was full of great options. I don't think there was an item on there I wouldn't have enjoyed.... which is tricky, because all too often brunches strike me as uninspired. Not a problem at 2223.

Now, as for the one flaw: our second order of drinks took FOREVER to come. To the restaurant's credit, they did off to let us cancel the order and walk away after it was apparent that the bar was really backed up, but we stuck it out and did eventually get our beverages, which were just as strong as the first round.

Suffice to say, I will be going back... even if it is a crime to recycle restaurants.

Pretty darn good for being in such a touristy area.

While walking through Fisherman's Wharf looking for a decent place to get some food and drink, we found Bistro Boudin having been pulled in by the baked goods in the street level windows. Diner-in-Crime (who was not on this outing) doesn't generally abide by the idea of eating at Fisherman's Wharf, so this was my one chance to find a decent place to prove that not every place in a tourist zone is automatically a "trap".

Boudin performed most admirably, though perhaps a bit on the high-end cost wise. Many in the party had the clam chowder in a bread bowl, myself included, which was excellent. I also had the opportunity to sample some blue cheese scalloped potatoes that were awfully tasty. Actually, I was jealous I didn't my own order.

I can see how one might be tempted to label this a trap because of the prices, but unlike many places, Bistro Boudin at least delivers quality food in a highly enjoyable atmosphere.

Not a bad Old Fashion, lacking on the beer, strange atmosphere.

The future Father-in-Law was in town yesterday, so we embarked from his hotel to find a nice place for a drink. Our group ended up at The Parlor, and while I thought the Old Fashion I ordered was decent, I can't say I'd go back anytime soon.

For one thing, the Old Fashion was very strangely mixed. My first sip through the straw was ULTRA sweet. It was only after a lot of vigorous string that the alcohol and sweet components fully mixed. Personally, I don't think it should be up to the drinker to actually /make/ the drink in that fashion.

Also, if you're after a beer, don't bother with this place. Their tap selection is minimal and the bottles are not a whole lot better. Perhaps most telling was when one of the party ordered a Belgian style beer and they asked if we wanted it in a glass. As if drinking a Belgian from the bottle is even an option?!

Last issue, we went on a Sunday so the place was dead... not their fault I guess, but the few people who were there were play Wii Bowling in the middle of the bar. Now, I love Wii Bowling as much as the next guy, but it certainly gave the bar a very strange vibe.

So, yeah... if you do find yourself in the Fisherman's Wharf area looking for a bar, I'd suggest you look elsewhere.

Good atmosphere, but somewhat hit or miss on the food... still the only place we went twice while in London.

While walking through SoHo on our way back from dinner, Diner in Crime (DINC) spotted this little bakery stuffed full of people, even though it was well past 10pm. Intrigued, we stopped in to see what all the excitement was about. Imagine our surprise to discover a full Italian bakery with every sort of delicious eats you could want.

On our first time through we went straight for desserts, which sadly turned out not to be the best choice for me. While DINC was very happy with her chocolate mouse thing, my experimental zabaglione based dessert turned out to be a bit of a bust. But we still loved the experience and the ambiance so much that when presented with an opportunity to return two days later, we jumped at the chance.

This time we were there for lunch, and picked up some pizza on focaccia bread. While the toppings were of high quality and quite tasty, my particular piece had low topping "coverage" and so turned out to be mostly bread. The bread was good, don't get me wrong, it just wasn't pizza.

So, why -- you may be asking -- am I giving four stars to a place that had two disappointing items? Because we finished our second outing with a cherry and ricotta cheese dessert that was simply out of this world. Had it been the only thing I ate there, this would be a solid five star review.

Which is all to say, go there, get the cherry and ricotta thingy, and if you are tempted to get the pizza, be sure to ask for the piece with high topping density.

Well appointed rooms, quality showers, and a lovely balcony made our stay and Luna Simone a pleasant and enjoyable experience.

I have never reviewed a hotel before, so I'm not entirely familiar with the metrics one may find informative. For me, Luna Simone was exactly what I was looking for in a London hotel. It is located just 10 minute walk from Victoria Station where the Gatwick Express dropped us off, and within walking, busing, or "undergrounding" distance from everything you'd want to visit.

The rooms are certainly not huge, but the bed was quite comfortable and came with a lockbox and flat screen TV. The shower was of good size with excellent water pressure, and towels were changed every day. Perhaps the most pleasant surprise was a small balcony overlooking the front entrance. Once I figured out how to work the door handle, we were able to take some charming balcony photos and let in a gentle breeze.

The complimentary breakfast was efficient and convenient, but not the sort of thing for which you'd chose the hotel. Just a handful of traditional British breakfast items and tea with milk. Can't ask for much more, couldn't expect much less. The best part of breakfast was the hotel staff, two brothers and what we assume are their families... all seeming to have a lot of fun running their hotel.

Overall it was a lovely experience. If you're looking for something centrally located, this probably isn't the place for you. But if you want something within walking distance of the Gatwick Express that is on a quiet street, the Luna Simone Hotel is for you.

Good food, but I wouldn't recommend going on Sunday unless you are after the Sunday Roast... and then, get there early.

Diner in Crime (DINC) did a lot of research before choosing the White Horse as our final dinner location in London. Seems it was one of the first "high end" gastropubs in the area and said to have amazing food and drink. And it's true, it did have amazing food... but something seemed very wrong that fateful Sunday which makes me wonder if after their great success, the White Horse has begun to rest on their laurels a bit.

We had made reservations online, as is quite customary in the States, but seemed very much out of the ordinary for the waitstaff. Took us a good five minutes to find someone who could tell us how to claim our reservation and then find our own table which had my name written on it. But before we even got to our table, we met our waiter who -- while seeming as if he was about to suffer from a nervous breakdown -- informed us that most of the menu was no longer available.

Undaunted, we took our seats and set out to learn exactly what they did still have on menu. Turns out many restaurants in London specialize in a Sunday Roast, and the White Horse is no exception. This particular Sunday, at the fairly early dining hour of 7:30pm, they were 100% out of the roast making materials... as well as a few other dishes that shared common materials. Worse yet, because it was Sunday, a number of their specialty items were not on the menu at all, having been displaced by the Sunday Roast. In particular this meant no "Toad in the Hole", which DINC and I had decided to get ahead of time as it is a distinctive British dish meant for two.

After much discussion, and being won over by the extensive beer selection, we decided to stick it out, and I'm glad we did. For appetizer we enjoyed the mushroom and chestnut soufflé, which was light and airy while still being incredibly flavorful. For mains, I ended up with the crayfish and rabbit pie, which came presented with a whole crayfish bursting out of the top of the pie. A+ on presentation *and* taste! DINC got a Scottish salmon and spinach dish that she reported really hit the spot. Dessert, apple fritters for the lady and a treacle sponge for me, were not really worth eating. The sponge, in particular, was still partially frozen.

To make up for the uneven desserts, absentee menu choices, and somewhat manic service, the White Horse does sport an amazing bottled beer selection. Over the course of the evening we enjoyed a lemon grass beer, a Scotch ale, a traditional British ale, a Somerset cider, and a vintage barley wine. Each served in the appropriate glass for the given beer style or brew house.

I do wish I could go back and try the evening again without the Sunday menu disappointment, but even with the bumpy start to the evening, once we got into the grove it proved to be a lovely night out... and only a block walk back to the tube station.

Best way to experience a wide array of Indian foods plus your favorite curries.

Finally, Diner in Crime and I have been reunited after nearly six months of reviewing food solo. This night we found ourselves in London, England in pursuit of good, representative, and affordable Indian food. Masala Zone delivered on all three and could easily become a regular location if not for it being inconveniently located 5371 miles from my apartment.

Masala Zone specializes in Thali style service, which means you order a curry of your choice and the rest of the meal is comprised of a little bowls of deliciousness selected by the kitchen. Diner in Crime (DINC) was able to identify each dish, but all I knew is each one was quit different from the other but all equally scrumptious. For the curry I ordered a spicy chicken and she ordered a lamb concoction, both of which were savored to the last bite.

The one letdown would definitely have to be the naan, which wasn't very warm or tasty... just "eh" bread. It was the one thing I didn't finish on a platter /filled/ with food. DINC also believed the chapati had gone stale... though I'm unclear how a bread that is supposed to be crunchy can go stale.

I see some of the reviews here take issue with the "optional" tip that is added to every bill. Not being very familiar with the tipping practices in England, I can't say how normal this is... but it's true that the service wasn't anything that would warrant an amazing tip. I suppose, in that respect, it is targeting more tourists than not. But as a tourist in a strange place, looking for good food, I really couldn't have been happier with that dinner.

Best sushi in the city? May very well be.

After much searching, I may have found the best sushi in the city. Nestled in the middle of freaking nowhere is the unsuspecting Live Sushi, but it is worth the drive and its isolation ensures plenty of available parking.

I've been twice now, and approached the menu differently each time. First I ordered a sushi combination called the Live Combination. This was, without a doubt, the best combination plate I have ever had. First, there was none of the low quality filler sushi you so often see in combo orders. It was all high quality, amazingly fresh, and outstandingly tasty. Plus, there was tons -- just tons -- of sushi. For the price, and considering the extraordinary quality, it was easily the best sushi value I've ever experienced.

The next visit I went the route of ala carte rolls and nigiri. Again, top notch preparation and flavor. I also grabbed a piece or two of my fellow dinner's rolls, and they were all quite good... but, in honesty, nothing was as good as the combo from the time before.

As an added bonus, Monday is 1/2 price sake night, on any bottle -- including the really expensive ones. I was feeling particularly "live" on my first visit (just finished my first rock climbing adventure) so I splurged for a really nice bottle. It really brought the evening together for me. Can't say I'd do it every time, but it's nice to know the option is there to splurge while not breaking the bank.

It's worth mentioning that the service has been slow on each visit, and the food comes out very uneven. But I have no interest in rushing quality, so it doesn't really bother me. I won't stop hunting for good sushi, but for the moment Live is a favorite for the title of best sushi in San Francisco.

Quality comfort food for accommodating prices.

Friend and I went out for lunch recently from the urban wasteland that is the UCSF Mission Bay campus. Doesn't seem to be any food within the immediate vicinity, but thankfully there's a small cluster of restaurants not too many blocks down 3rd. One such locale is Hard Knox Cafe, a southern soul food concern that I can heartily recommend to anyone looking for reliable comfort food.

Now, this isn't going to be the most amazing soul food you've ever eaten. If you are looking for that experience, I recommend Farmer Brown on Market, but if you are looking for decent mashed / fried / smothered _something_ and don't want to pay a lot, then look no further.

Nearly everything you order comes with one or two sides, and they have quite a list. I tried both the mashed potatoes and some of my fellow dinner's mac 'n' cheese, both of which were highly decent. Again, not the best, but it hits the spot. The sandwiches were each built on a strong core of meat -- I had the pork -- but the supporting cast was a little weak... especially the bun. But the whole sandwich plus side was less than $8 and left one plenty full.

I can't say it'll ever be destination food, but if I'm in the area and looking for food to drown my soul, I don't need to look any further than Hard Knox.