Good things do happen in the Tenderloin

I braved the mean streets of the TL this week for dinner and a show at Great American Music Hall. Not only did I live to see Wednesday morning, I came through with a pretty happy stomach as well. Olive is one of the more peculiar places I’ve ever seen in my 24 years: it’s situated in perhaps one of the sketchiest blocks in all of SF, but once you step in, you feel as if you’re in the hippest bar in the Mission.

The drink and food menu are quite clever. I started with a champagne infused mojito while I perused the various options on the menu: baked brie, thin crust pizzas, fish tacos, Monte Cristo, quesadillas, to name a few. Now, anyone who knows me well is aware Baked Brie is in my Top 5. Toward the top of my Top 5. Rarely do I see it on a dinner menu. So, choice was easy: I had baked brie for dinner. I’ve had better home-made baked bries in my day; I prefer the brie to be IN the pastry dough but this was served with a sourdough roll on the side. Not a home-run.

We also shared a spicy tuna roll which exceeded my expectations. The roll is humungous, prepared tempura style (Read: FRIED!!) and was extremely filling. If you’re going GAMH for a show, Olive is the place to be... unless you like Popeyes or the corner store fare.

Las Vegas and Lesbians

I left my beloved San Francisco for four days in Sin City – a town that doesn’t have too bad of a food reputation itself. The first few days I was shackled to my chair in the ballroom of the Wynn (not complainin', just sayin....), but stayed an extra night with G and did not let the opportunity for a good dining experience pass me by.

Sarah G, Scottie (one of my top go-to restaurant advisors), Kevin, and I decided on Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grille (by “we” I mean “me” – thanks guys :). The decision-making process was gut-wrenching… on the one hand, I’m not a huge steak fan and also didn’t want to spend $50 on a slab that I know I’d only be able to eat 25% of and logistically would not be able to doggie bag due to nightclub festivities thereafter. On the other hand, Bobby Flay = STEAK. I felt it’d be a slap in the face not to order one. After several under-the-table negotiations, I opted for the tuna steak (ordered “as rare as you can go but still legal”) on the condition I could sample the guys’ steaks. My tuna steak was perfectly grilled (it must have just barely touched the grill) and I got to sample some juicy, flavorful rib-eye. I honestly don’t think I will ever understand why folks cry tears of joy over a steak, but Bobby’s steak was a step toward compassion.

Sunday night called for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner with my first SF love, Amber. After downing a flight of bubbly at CAV, we marched right on down to the Castro and fit right in with all the other lovebirds at Chow. Chow is related to one of my SF favorites, Park Chow. Just like Park Chow in the Sunset, the Castro location is fun and laid-back and serves decent food. I don’t think I’ll ever rave about these places’ culinary prowess, but I ALWAYS have a good time and would recommend either location to anyone. The servers are nice, the beer is cold, and menu is packed with pleasing comfort food. True love, indeed!