Restaurant Roundup: SF Vol. 3

Since I was already confined to the apartment recovering from a wisdom teeth removal procedure, I figured I may as well torture myself further by writing an update here. Nothing like eating applesauce and oatmeal while flipping through food photos, am I right?

Namu Gaji: I rediscovered this long-time fixture of SF when a friend visited from LA for the weekend. When I first ate here in 2012, I remember thinking this was the SF’s answer to the East Coast’s Momofuku, a spot that mixed Korean fusion with creative use of seasonal ingredients. Four years later, Namu Gaji didn’t disappoint with its bold flavors, although it did surprise with a 45 minute wait at 9pm on Friday. We got staples such as stone pot bibimbap (beef, market vegetables and unpronounceable complex grains) and the chicken ramen with a soft poached egg. But the most memorable dish was the one pictured here — a super savory mushroom loaf with unexpected garnishes of tofu, ricotta, radishes and chili oil. The combination sounds so bogus on paper but works.

Outerlands: When the hype for this restaurant first started building, I was not on board. Another New American restaurant using local ingredients, located in Outer Sunset no less? What good (flavors) could come of this? Well, the answer is plenty. I went in for brunch on a January morning and loved everything - the food, the industrial-wood-decor, the flannel-ed bearded waiters. I went for an unconventional egg-less dish for brunch — a risotto-esque porridge topped with shredded duck, pickled radishes and greens. And it was fantastic, such balance in texture and flavors, I just wanted to hold out my bowl and ask “Please sir, could I have some more?” We also shared some levain toast (Outerlands is known for its bread) and sticky buns, and there were no regrets whatsoever. I’ll be back pronto to try their Yelp-famous eggs-in-jail and dutch pancakes. The dinner menu is supposed to be equally delectable as well.

Coqueta: I’ve just found the perfect restaurant to host your next meal with out-of-town visitors. It has all the necessary components:

• Great location: next to the water at the Ferry Building, perfect for group photo ops.
• Impressive menu: the Spanish/tapas selection is perfect for sharing. A nice balance between crowd-pleasers (paella, patatas bravas, bone-in ribeye) and more adventurous selections (Iberico Lardo over uni or olive oil poached head-on shrimp with black garlic and chili sauce) ensures that there’s something for everyone.
• Drinks: Cocktails with beautiful presentation and an impressive wine list.
• Decor that appeals to mom: Tall airy ceilings and a beautiful dining room will impress guests and make them feel like SF-restaurant-scene insiders.
• They won’t rush you: My code word for the service being a tad slow. Our lunch was a leisurely 2.5 hours, so plan accordingly.

Okane: Sister restaurant to Omakase, the newest trending sushi restaurant du jour, Okane serves Japanese small plates in a small casual space with a rocking music selection (Grimes’s new album was blasting during my last visit). The thing I like about izakaya restaurants is thelack of commitment required. Have a bite of soft agedashi tofu, lightly fried, lightly glazed with tempura sauce. Then, grab a piece of karaage, fried chicken drizzled with fresh lemon juice. Next, pick up a piece of the Roppongi roll — the maguro tuna, hamachi, snow crab, salmon, and avocado wrapped in cucumber. And round it out with a serving of beef sukiyaki, slices of beef, leeks, and chrysanthemum leaves stewing in a clay pot.

Cha Cha Cha: In a city that can, at times, seem like an endless parade of perfect organic tomatoes, drizzled with perfect olive oil, sprinkled with perfectly foraged microgreens, restaurants like this one can be an unpretentious breath of fresh air. Located in the heart of the Mission, this restaurant may not have the buzzwords but it sure serves tasty Latin food. Get a plate of Cajun shrimp sautéed in a creamy, addictively spicy sauce that must soaked up with the bread roll. Arroz con pollo is juicy, well seasoned, and comes with a healthy helping of rice and beans. And just thinking about the ropa vieja, shredded beef stewed with onions, peppers and tomatoes leaves my mouth watering. And be sure to keep the sangria flowing!

Absinthe: Another oldie but goodie is brunch at this SF gem. Tucked on a prime corner in Hayes Valley, Absinthe has all the gluttonous French essentials — no kale salads here — and old-school service. I partook in a Braised Pork Shoulder French Dip with french fries but next time I’ll have to indulge in some Bloody Mary’s, oysters, and Spicy Fennel Sausage Hash

The Forgery: Not a restaurant but definitely one of my favorite spots so far this year. This is the perfect place to grab a serious and imaginative cocktail (I‘m partial to Sour Cherry Negronis). I’ve popped in a few times throughout the week and it’s also the perfect level of full — good crowd but no issues getting seats.