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FoodLover F.San Francisco, CA401348653Aug 8, 2013Updated reviewSmoked trout salad
Cold vegetable soup
White bass with wax beans , red onion, artichokes vinaigrette
Beef filet with polenta and chanterelles
Chocolate mousse
Raspberry hazel nut tart
Once again just superb. We got on waiting list for last night cause we are so sad they are closing,,,,,,,Jun 13, 2013Previous reviewKing salmon with coriander, lemon appetizer
Sweet corn soup with porcini mushrooms
White bass with spinach, leeks, crab sauce
Spring chicken with farro verde and mustard
Chocolate mousse with hazelnuts and apricot
Strawberry shortcake
What an amazing dinner for the hubby's birthdayJan 3, 2013Previous reviewWe love eating here and tried the prix fixe plan last night. It was all very good!!
Started with a nice col Vetoraz prosecco
Artichoke confit with endive, smoked trout
Chestnut and mushroom soup, duck confit, wild rice
The hubby had the rack of pork with apple puree and cabbage
I had the haddock with potato crust, spinach, crab relish ( awesome, our fav dish)
The quatre epics cake was like a spice cake with cream fraiche The hazelnut tart with blue cheese was nice.
Why four and not five stars? So bummed this morning to see that of the four items we asked to go, she only put in one item. Ugh!- May 16, 2011Updated review
Canteen has been my recommendation for a brunch spot near Union Square for a long time. After a long while since our last visit, it was nice to return and see it still be strong choice.
The old caveats exist. Its a small space, the booths are cramped and
small, and its inevitable that you'll have a wait of some sort.
The brunch menu is largely the same as my prior visit a few years ago, which is both good and bad. On the one hand, I was hoping to find a new hit dish. On the other, the choices they've kept are popular.
Eggs Benedict - my first time having this. Canteen does eggs well.
Period. Whether you want them soft boiled, poached, scambled or
whatever, the eggs here are consistently the best prepared I've had.
This was no different. Creamy and delicious with hollandaise sauce.
Its an absolute classic preparation. No fancy over the top lobster,
prime rib, or tex mex version here. Just plain good.
Chupacabra - I've had this before and its good. Very fresh
ingredients and again perfectly scrambled eggs.
Coffee Cake - first time. Great coffee cakes. Light and fluffy.
Worlds better than the chain Hobbee's.
Brioche - wow. I didn't even know what these were. Soft and light
and great for dipping in the dishes.
Canteen is still a great brunch spot. Sure, its a tad pricey, service
can be a bit uninspired, but the food is quite good. If this type of
cuisine is your thing, you deserve to come here. Just make sure to
try some sort of egg dish and splurge for the brioche or coffee cake.
Canteen accepts credit cards, including American Express.Feb 18, 2008Previous review"Best brunch place ever."
That was the review I was given after we had waited for over an hour and tried a selection of three dishes that I had no idea what they were from the menu description. But she was right. The brunch was awesome and the definite highlight of the weekend.
As we walked up along Sutter and approached the Canteen sign, I was optimistic that at 12 noon on Sunday that perhaps there would be no wait. Unlike Swan Oyster Depot, there was no visible line outside and I remember reading some reviews that perhaps the hype had died down on Canteen. *Wrong*
Once inside the tiny, tiny space, I wrote my name down and quickly saw why it was deceptively line-free. Canteen is adjacent to a building with student housing and everyone waits there. When we arrived at noon, there were easily almost 20 people waiting. We grabbed a seat, pulled up a newspaper and waited for my name to be called.
* 1 hour and 5 minutes + one trip to the student housing bathroom later *
My name was called and we quickly and thankfully took a seat in the cozy booth seats. I quickly perused the menu; a simple one with only 10-12 items. The crab Benedict (in limited quantities) was the one item that jumped out at me, but unfortunately, it was sold out. Frankly, as I sat there, nothing else really stood out from the menu and I was worried I might be disappointed ordering a Big Pancake or a French Toast. Unsure of what to order, I decided to ask the waitress for some help. These were her excellent recommendations (few were items I would have ordered):
Chuscuprabra (sp?) - I don't even know how this dish is spelled but it essentially was black beans topped with braised pulled pork, avocado, green peppers, and scrambled eggs. It was perfection and everything tasted super fresh, organic and rich. The scrambled eggs were of particular note and not overdone in the least.
Petro (sp?) sole hash - essentially a fish mixed with potatoes in a creamy and brothy sauce. The potatoes were cooked just right with a slightly crisp exterior, but soft interior, perfect for soaking up the sauce. The fish was tasty and tender.
Blueberry French Toast - the one item I recognized from the menu and a star as well. I think it's the best French Toast I've ever had. Crisp and not soggy at all, despite sleeping in a rich, wet bed of blueberries and blueberry sauce. It was all topped with a large dop of cottage cheese.
Total wait time: 1 hour +
Total eating time: 5 minutes
Our eating time was both a testament to how hungry we were after a one hour wait but also to how absolutely delicious the food was. Even the waitress was impressed by our eating prowess. We left very happy. And in agreement: Best Brunch Place ever.
**P.S. Despite the small size and affordable prices, Canteen DOES take credit cards, including American Express!** - Nov 8, 2008Updated review
Brunch Review:
I always expect long lines for Sat brunch, and especially at a restaurant that seats just 6 parties at a time, I prepared myself for starvation. We arrived at 1:30ish and were seated just 20 min later (still riding the good brunch karma wave).
I felt a little discriminated by the waiter who played favorites with the gay guy next to me; he showered him with free brioche rolls and served him first :(
The brunch menu is pretty sparse, but like dinner, everything was light and well prepared. I thought the Rockfish Hash (poached egg + fish) was a little too mild in flavor. The French Toast was also delicate - eggy and crisp, topped with an amazing sweet cream cheese and drenched in fresh blueberry sauce.
Brunch = 3 stars, but because of dinner, I'm keeping it at 4 overall. While this is still significantly better than Stacks, for contemporary brunch, I don't think this tops my list. I'd recommend going for dinner and loading up on complimentary fresh-baked brioche rolls, or better yet, bring the gay best friend along.Apr 26, 2008Previous reviewYUM-freakin-E
Canteen is a tiny restaurant on Sutter, they have seatings at 5:30pm, 7:30pm, and 9:15pm to accomodate customers because they seriously have like 3 tables and some bar seating. It's casual too, so theres definitely no valet. I parked across the street for $3/30 min, but if you venture a bit farther south you can get $8 flat rate parking.
Don't be fooled by the diner like setting, the employee's uniforms, and the single oven kitchen because the food was magical. I'm still baffled that the food I got came out of that "kitchen."
To start, they brought out a parmesian apricot... thingie... Yeah, I'm not that fancy so it tasted like a slice of parmesian over apricot jam. I'm pretty sure that was not the message they were trying to get across, but it was cool that there was a complimentary starter. Also, the dinner rolls are insanely soft. I ordered the squid appetizer with chili oil, not bad...it seemed really fresh but too chewy for me.
Next, I shared the Saffron Tuna which was perfectly cooked, and interestingly prepared (seared and fried in a light wrapper). And don't hate me for saying this, because I'm totally against animal cruely too, but GOOD GOD, the veal was amazing. I have never had veal stew before, and I was skeptical when the waitress mentioned it was cooked with cream, but it was balanced, so flavorful, and not fatty or chewy like veal at Bacar. For dessert, I shared a strawberry shortcake - 2 shortbread cookies with whipped cream and strawberries in the middle - good, but nothing mind boggling.
It was $72 before tip for two people: 1 appetizer, 2 entrees, and a dessert. Kinda pricey, and portions are small, but I was completely satisfied and not too full. Love the food, love the atmosphere, loved how the waitress didn't yell at me when I called her 3x for directions. Definitely will be back to try out their brunch! 
トモ Tomo Toro E T.Tokyo, Japan3708197025894Mar 6, 2007**Review of their brunch ONLY**
Whenever I am getting ready to review a highly publicized restaurant like Canteen, an unexplainable force urges me to it give a lower rating. As of Mar 2007, 88 Yelpers gave Canteen 5 Stars, so what's the point of another 5 star rating? However, when I look back at their quality dishes and the good service, I have to admit that it was a 5 Star brunch.
THE WAIT: My unscientific guess is that Canteen hype has cooled down a bit when comparing to spring of 2006 when it was THE hottest thing on Yelp. In Mar 2007, at 11:30 on a Saturday morning, we (party of 2) waited only 5 minutes for a table. Good thing is, they let you wait at the spacious hotel lobby next door, where you could play 'spin to choose a tourist destination.' With that said, don't send me a hate mail if you end up waiting an hour for a table.
SERVICE: I don't know about the tables, but counter service was great. Our waitress was moving very quickly, yet, she was friendly and attentive to our needs.
FOOD: Excellent. Chef Dennis Leary was there, at 11:30 am on Saturday, doing the main cooking. I felt like I got a good deal, enjoying Veal Tenderloin dish ($12.50), which is more of a dinner dish, at the brunch price. Their three poached eggs ($7.75) were excellently executed. The sausage was slightly burned, but it was very tasty. If you are a big eater, you might complain about their portion size.
PRICE: 2 people, no drinks, walked out with $25 on the table. It was perhaps not as cheap as Sally's (http://www.yelp.com/biz/8QaTaO7mMOHa_5au5MMHZQ?hrid=NaWR-AyQDyOeukDz_t1zew), but on par with other brunch options like Pork Store Cafe, Elite Cafe, Tangerine, and Universal Cafe.
SEATS:
Tiny restaurant.
2 --- Tables for four adults (pull up a chair for the fifth person)
2 --- Tables for two adults.
7 --- Counter seats.
Best seats? Counter --- watch the kitchen in action.- Jul 2, 2008
tres words to best describe..."boutique fine dining"....genuine specialty restaurant.....dwarfish 'n' scarce seating...reservation mandatory....judging from layout....sizing fit for counter burger joint and stools...possible in past life?...breath of new life into charming cozy bistro?....back to review....cordial and hospitable...warmhearted service....passing limited selection menu....selection slim picking....skate, veal and chicken main course option.....pondering over choices....and more guests being seated...noticing faster pace and quicker step of staff....busier by the minute from six pm weekend opening....
target poussin..i like poussin....self "expensive idiot" unknowing of such poussin word....what the poussin!...que es poussin?....poussin like a glass of pinot grigio!.....surrender and question....what is a poussin?....chicken!....why gotta be all fancy and call a chicken a poussin?....
side tracked....back to review...ordering of poussin chicken....pair select appetizers....."perfection" the one....perfection in cooking art....crisp of pork belly outer....sweet soft juicy center...mixture sweet to sour in harmony perfection....second, prawns execution....snap and chew....cooking perfection...compliments of lentil to bring starch...noticing various forms of shrimp and bean combination in various places....main of poussin....crisp outer skin delicious....although white...soft tender sweet juicy poultry...all perfect cooked individual masterpieces.....
$forty-three per person dining....sip of wine at most....come if enjoy cooking perfection sampling at best....small portion coursing...from dinner had.....three poussin nugget-sized chicken piece meal for self......two prawns 'n' two pork belly cubes to share amongst four......three pieces equals entree 'n' two pieces equals appetizer? 
T L.San Francisco, CA73513575244Mar 6, 2011Updated review(See pics)
Familiarity is not what becomes a habit, but what naturally matches you and your body agrees, everything fits and you know you found the perfect spot.
The amazing creation from Leary is unmatchable with anything. It's simply taking your attention in full force. The food is sublime and you tune out the world while you are taking in every bite, a creation of Food God.
This time I had the popular blueberry French toast with the sweet cream cheese. Not the usual French toast as it had crispy edges and I could not pinpoint the kind of bread it was but it looked and tasted like brioche. The bread happily laid on a rich bed of blueberry sauce. And the sweet cream cheese was an excellent compliment to bring out the taste. I don't know how he did it.
If there's Michelangelo The Creation of Adam, then there's Leary The Creation of Food who brought all these natural ingredients to fruition.
The vibe was as usual bustling with music that makes you tap your feet. It's always fast service and never more than 15 minute wait even for such a small venue and so many patrons.
It's plate licking good that I can easily finish and yearn for more.
It's liberating.Dec 10, 2010Previous review(See pic)
Key: fresh ingredients, clean, simple (yet complex structure) and elegant techniques that make you wonder where you have been eating your whole life.
Had the Chupacabra and it was like symphony, you can taste every ingredient separately for its flavour, yet come together you have a renewed experience. A good brunch can truly uplift your spirit and makes the weekend a bonus to life.
Do like how it's connected to next door lobby so that the wait is a lot more pleasant.
Service is as usual-- efficient and fast without a fuss.Nov 7, 2010Previous review(See pics)
I meant to come back for brunch numerous times but it's always challenging because they close at 2pm. Well, with the daylight savings time and a bit of an earlier previous evening I was able to come here around 11:30am!
I have to comment on the amazing view of Dennis Leary's skillful cooking and his assistants who were not only whipping up eye popping brunch, but they are also extremely efficient. I love how Leary sprinkled salt on the food and put the ingredients in the multiple cooking pans on those stoves, and popped a potato in his mouth to test the taste. How did he and others remember each and every one of the dishes is beyond my comprehension.
I was mesmerized and was staring at the actions with the least blinking to say the least.
The server was extremely nice too. While the drinks came a bit slow because the place was so packed and people literally eat and go to make others wait less than 10 minutes, she was nice and very friendly. She also mentioned about the joke knocking on the window about the bear claws at Leary's The Golden West. What she did not know was I was circling at that area looking for the aroma before knowing about the place.
It's funny how when we foodies found someone who can make the divine food to blow our mind we would start following them around!
Food wise, this time I finally opted for something else other than the benedict because I had ordered it every time I went there.
Their menu list looked a lot longer than I remembered and had about 15 to 20 choices. I actually opted a more lunch/dinner dish for my unusual brunch appetite- pork tenderloin with polenta and cabbage. You can actually smell the light vinegar lingering on the pink and tender pork. The dish was very delicious yet not heavy, a perfect brunch on a rainy day. The taste was perfectly showcasing Leary's skills on Californian style food, subtle and just to the point portions that makes you yearn for more.
I also had a bellini with peach puree and sparkling that was fizzy, bubbly and totally uplifting! The coffee was as usual good and I found how much coffee has made me so happy.
The tiny place was only 85% full when I got there with a few people just logged their names on the list. I was able to grab a seat at the counter, my always favourite spot. Within 15 minutes people sitting next to me were done and left, and immediately the seats were taken up with another 10 people were already waiting at the hotel lobby next door.
I also love love the really upbeat music, bustling and lively crowd that put a big smile on my face, that even when I stepped into the rain afterwards I felt the joyful welcoming of a rain wash.Jan 22, 2007Previous reviewCame here for a late brunch so there was no waiting :) Had benedict which was delicious but the potatoes on the side were a bit too salty. The coffee was really good that I had mine refilled a couple times. Definitely a great local joint.
- Jul 6, 2012
I've been curious about Canteen, but have been discouraged by the wait. Tonight I noticed that Canteen was half full. Since it was a half hour into the 6pm dinner seating, the server said we can either jump to the entree course now or return at 7:30pm for the next seating. We decided to eat now before the restaurant gets crowded. The place is tiny but cozy (at least when it wasn't full), with around 4 booths and bar seating. We took the booth in the back corner next to the bookshelf. Service was friendly. Our server said they might still be able to get us a starter, but we weren't hungry so we skipped the starters. Our meal started with complimentary amuse-bouche of cantelope juice with grapes, as well as delicious, hot, and fluffy rolls (although slightly blackened on top) with butter.
The menu changes daily, and is prix fixe only on certain nights. For entrees, my boyfriend tried the pork, and I tried the skate (other ala carte options for the night were a vegetarian gratin or lamb). My skate arrived piping hot. The entree portions were smaller than I expected for $27, but I enjoyed the skate at first. It was my first time eating skate, which I only knew was a type of fish. The skate was very moist and soft, and was served with crunchy greens and a creamy artichoke dip. I liked the flavor of the skate more than the pork, which was tender but slightly bland (but the lentils were good). However when I got to the other end of the fish, the meat was translucent, pink, viscous and wet. I asked the server if it's supposed to be pink, and she said yes so I finished the rest of it, which might've been a mistake. Now I have an upset stomach, I wonder if the pink skate was the culprit. I just read online that skate is like a stingray and is usually cooked until it's opaque and white ...
Our server miscalculated our bill. We were about to pay the total, before realizing that they calculated a 13% tax - either an honest mistake or they thought we were tourists who didn't know any better! Also note that despite the high prices, their bathroom is the tiny shared one in the adjacent art school dorm. I didn't think the entrees were worth the price, but I did like the panna cotta dessert. Served with raspberries and mint, the panna cotta was perfect. I'm not sure if they'd let me return just to have dessert, or if panna cotta is ever served during brunch time.
Meredith K.Seattle, WA5415823Feb 22, 2010For me, it's pretty much imperative that breakfast food have nutritional value. Some people find that limiting since you're basically choosing from omelettes and eggs benny all the time.
But at Canteen, I can just throw that philosophy out the window and order the blueberry french toast with the pile of cream cheesy fluff on the top. My god, it's so good I forget whatever else we had ordered.
Eunice K.Los Angeles, CA5394442571Jul 15, 2012Came here for a quick breakfast before leaving the city. The restaurant is TINY and we had to wait for a table so be advised - make reservations!
I ordered my all time favorite - an Eggs Benedict ($10.95). Nothing too out of the ordinary, I got 2 poached eggs on top of ham + english muffin. Dish also comes with potatoes on the side. I would say one unique aspect of this dish is that the english muffins seems to have been grilled for a more crispy texture. But all in all, I was a little underwhelmed and a bit turned off by the amount of hollidanse sauce - WAY too much. The dish was drowned in sauce!
BF ordered the Smoked Salmon Omelet ($8.95). His dish came with a side of sauteed green beans + toast. Omelet was delicious! The saltiness of the smoked salmon went well with the creamy cream cheese. A bit heavy - but small portioned. Definitely not enough for him!
Service was super slow - looked like only 2 servers for the entire restaurant (to serve, seat, clean, host). It took over an hour to do breakfast - and we wanted to get out of the city quick! On a positive note, the decor was super cute (books, retro tables/lights) and their coffee is DELISH! And though the servers were slow, they were very nice. When we pointed out to them that they forgot to bring out toast for the salmon omelet, they graciously took a few dollars off our tab without us even having to ask!- Mar 8, 2006
They're open for brunch on Sundays, but don't take reservations. We arrived at 10:30, and I think we were seated by 11 or shortly afterward, which isn't too shabby in the grand scheme of SF brunch places. I liked that they offered free (? I didn't check since I didn't get one) cups of coffee to everyone who was waiting to be seated.
Order the hash, if you see it on the menu. It came with large chunks of tender beef, potatoes, and two poached eggs (I think... they may have been fried sunny side up. My friend ordered this and I just tried a bite). Very tasty!
Another friend ordered the fish hash flavored with curry, which wasn't that great... on the bland side, she said. The crab benedict was pretty good, and the omelettes (I ordered the asparagus and mushroom) are fluffy, expertly made, and come with a side of potatoes.
The prices are reasonable, around the $10 range, but after we finished our entrees, we weren't quite full, so we ordered the blueberry french toast to split, and it was the perfect ending to our meal.
I see potential for an amazing dinner, so I am putting Canteen on my list for a return visit!
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