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737 Irving St
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 742-5727

Pasión  

Categories: Peruvian, Latin American
Neighborhood: Inner Sunset

3.0 star rating
1/12/2012 2 photos
01.11.12 || bookmarked 01.06.11

Dropped by for a quick dinner last night before catching the Clippers/Heat game [how exciting]!  Pleasantly surprised by the decor and the amount of people for a Wednesday night.  Nevertheless, it was not difficult to make a last minute reservation.

Started with the ceviche trio [tuna, halibut, and lobster] with plantain chips.  The fish were fresh, and the sauces and toppings complemented each flavor perfectly.  Highly recommend!

We had the Chuleton: grilled kurobuta pork chop, black bean morcilla tacu-tacu, sautéed spinach, mango salsa, and pepita-cilantro mojo [http://www.yelp.com/bi...] and the Vaca al Caballo: grilled uruguayan rib eye steak, plantain chorizo hash, fried egg, chimichurri, and cabrales demi [http://www.yelp.com/bi...].

Both were cooked to our liking.  The meat were juicy and tender.  The presentation was definitely on point, and the portions were just the right amount.

Almost had to waddle out, and definitely had to skip dessert.  But don't think I won't be back to try the purple corn creme brulee!

Total damage for two: $91

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350 Kansas St
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 252-3500

Horatius  

Category: Venues & Event Spaces
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill

4.0 star rating
1/12/2012
01.10.12

Absolutely LOVE this space.  Hosted a cooking class for a group of 30, but could have easily filled twice the group in the space!

High ceilings, bright lights, bar on the side, kitchen in the front.  All in all just a welcoming atmosphere!

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540 Howard St
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 278-0495

Ki  

Category: Japanese
Neighborhood: SOMA

2.0 star rating
Update - 1/12/2012
01.10.12

I've been back to Ki for two more lunches.  Their menu has changed significantly since last May.  The prices cater a lot more to a lunch crowd (bentos at $14, combos at $16 - still a bit steep, but hey, we're in SOMA).  The food quality has remained on par.  The service, however, is definitely hit or miss.

The most recent encounter, we had water late, appetizers late, and an entire lunch order wrong.  I suspect the issue to be that the kitchen and the sushi bar work entirely autonomous, so it's hard for the wait staff (all of one, maybe two) to predict the timing of each dish.  They ended up taking the edamame and one bento box off of the bill, but still...

Definitely wouldn't come back for lunch, but their happy hour food and cocktails menu is pretty awesome.  That's a place you should go to for a mellow start to a Friday evening.

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1 Previous Review: Hide »

  • 2.0 star rating
    5/11/2011

    05.11.11

    Just had lunch at this new restaurant that took over Prana inside of Temple.  I like the layout and atmosphere.  The light decors are very mod, and reminded me just a teensy bit of Lime.  There are two sushi chefs in the room behind the glass counter of fish.  There are friendly waiters and busboys meandering about.  My water glass was never empty.

    This is a Japanese restaurant that serves both fresh fish sushi and skewers.  Now that izakaya restaurants have popped up all over the city, I had pretty high expectations.  Sadly, this was not met.

    We had the rare breast yakitori and the "breakfast on a stick" - bacon wrapped quail egg with Japanese scallion & cherry tomatoes.  They were both just...OK.  Also, one skewer per order.

    We shared a bowl of the pulled pork ramen.  While I like the texture of the noodles, it didn't exactly save the dish.  The amount of water I drank proved how much MSG was in the dish.

    Maybe I had too high of expectations going in.  But honestly, it doesn't take too much to be better than Prana.  Sadly, I think it's about par.

    Hope it gets better, though!

    Total damage for two: $28

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230 California St
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 955-0663

Perbacco  

Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Financial District

4.0 star rating
Update - 1/10/2012
01.09.12

Hosted a company event here, complete with hors d'oeuvres + cocktail hour prior to a five-course dinner.  The staff is amazing and extremely helpful, with a side of sass to boot.  Just the way I like it!

We had the mezzanine booked for our group.  The curtains draw into the seating area, and the front was reserved for the standing reception.

We started with the six item hors d'oeuvres ($25/person).
Crudo, mushroom risotto balls, pig trotter cake, culatello (cold cut), burrata, and butternut squash croquette.  Great balance of fresh ingredients, crispy flavors, and gorgeous presentations.  I knew I was in for a treat for dinner.

Five-course dinner ($78/person).
1) Truffle, polenta, and egg filled ravioli.  Simply amazing, and my favorite course of the night.

2) Pear and pomegranate salad.  Thought this could have been done better.  The pears were drenched in sauce, and there were entirely too much endives.

3) Ricotta and herb gnocchi.  Added a pinch of red pepper flakes for the perfect punch.

4) Choice of scallops or filet mignon.  I went for the beef and never looked back.

5) Buttermilk panna cotta with pressed quince and candied citrus.  I'm not a sweets girl but this one takes the cake.  I probably could have had three of these and then went home to feel guilty about it.

Overall, it was an extremely pleasant experience.  The glasses of prosecco didn't hurt, either :)

Listed in: Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants

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  • 4.0 star rating
    11/19/2008

    I felt like a little kid in a foreign country not knowing how to speak, let alone what to order in here.  Good thing I was in good company, and the waitstaff was knowledgeable.  Fritto misto of rock shrimp, delicious.  The sole was cooked to perfection, and I finished.every.bite.  Maybe I'll know more the next time I go back...

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620 Jones St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 496-6858

Jones  

Categories: American (New), Bars
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

3.0 star rating
1/10/2012
01.07.12

Come for the happy hour, stay for the people watching.

I ate at Jones for happy hour/early dinner when they first opened.  Cheesy fries, mac&cheese, brussel sprouts with bacon and mushroom, you name it, they do it swell.  Add some chicken and waffles and a pizza to the mix, and we're in business.

If you're eating, they let you pay with a credit card.

Otherwise, it's a cash bar, which is a pretty big hassle for people like me who don't carry a lot of cash.  We are in the TL after all.

When the sun sets, this place turns into a huge meat market.  Definitely good if you're on the prowl ;)

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75 Yerba Buena Ln
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 243-0299

Tropisueño  

Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: SOMA

4.0 star rating
1/10/2012
01.07.12

I haven't stepped foot into Tropisueno since their opening and the Yelp party a few years back.

I've forgotten how amazing their orange sauce is.

Or how fresh the guac is.

Or how potent their margaritas are.

Or how large their portions are.

You definitely won't leave here hungry.  Or sober, if that is your intention.

Total damage for six: $160

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953 W 5th St
Reno, NV 89503
(775) 323-1885

5th St. Bakehouse  

Categories: Bakeries, Breakfast & Brunch, American (New)

4.0 star rating
1/6/2012
12.24.11

When in Rome, do as Romans do.

When in Reno, eat here.

Fresh, house-made bread and pastries daily.

Simple breakfast and lunch menu.  No item over $10.

I went with the California - egg white, monterey jack cheese, avocado, and tomato
on house made focaccia.  Healthy, simple, delicious.

Don't forget a cup of drip coffee to complete your meal!

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1243 9th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 731-9999

Marnee Thai  

Category: Thai
Neighborhood: Inner Sunset

4.0 star rating
1/6/2012
12.28.11

Dear Angel Wings:

Hi.  We've met before.  Multiple times.  I'm sorry I haven't kept in touch as much as I should have.  I promise to do better in 2012.  You are still my favorite Thai wings.  Cross my heart.

Love,
Jenny

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901 S B St
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 344-9728

Ramen Parlor  

Category: Japanese

2.0 star rating
1/6/2012
12.29.11

Ramen Dojo is definitely smart for opening the sister restaurant down the block.  We tried going for a Dojo lunch, saw the line (about 30 deep out the door), and changed course to Ramen Parlor.

As Jimmy N. pointed out, they're very strict on the rules.  I appreciate the effort to not seat everyone until the whole party has arrived, especially since typical wait times can be long.  You're also not allowed to bring in outside drinks.  I get it if I was bringing in a soda or whatever else they have on their drink menu, but I had a half cup of coffee while waiting for our seats.  Was I supposed to leave it in the car?

The quality of the broth is just not up to par as Dojo.  The dining experience was rather unmemorable, except for the one shrimp on top of the ramen dish that just looked extremely sad.

$9.50 per person minimum.  Any add ons (including "spicy") is extra.  At this rate, you may as well charge me for the napkin and water...

Meh.

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2201 Chestnut St
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 931-6258

Super Duper Burgers  

Category: Burgers
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

4.0 star rating
1/6/2012
12.31.11

I don't know what you do to your garlic fries, but keep it up!

OK maybe it's the enormous amount of garlic and cheddar.  Definitely keep it up!

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2161 Compliments

  • Hot Stuff

    Nicely done review of Perbacco Jenny, been meaning to try this place! :)

  • Thank You

    Thx for the add.    For your quest towards 1000 reviews, try Liguria Bakery… More »

  • You're Cool

    Thanh tam II was so good & cheap, too!

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"road to 1,000 reviews, a meal at a time."

Review votes:
2869 Useful, 2076 Funny, and 2372 Cool

Location

San Francisco, CA

Yelping Since

December 2007

My Hometown

San Francisco, CA

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