A Marina Girl in the Mission

Like all major cities, each San Francisco neighborhood has its own distinct identity and is quite dissimilar from one another. Food is a major component driving what distinguishes the Marina from the Haight and the Financial District from the Richmond. And, based on empirical research, the restaurant scene seems to drive the kind of people that live and patronize the neighborhood. My visit to Monk’s Kettle in the Mission turned my theory on its head.

I had prepared myself for a very Mission-y night: dinner and drinks at Monk’s Kettle (16th & Valencia) followed by a live show at Café Du Nord (Market & 15th). The second I walked into Monk’s I turned to Sarah and said “did all these folks get lost on their way to the Marina?!?!” Popped collars and polo shirts were aplenty while not a skinny pant leg in sight. We arrived about 6:30 on a Thursday night and the narrow bar/restaurant was already bursting at the seams. After about a five minute wait – perfect timing to peruse the menus – we took our seats at the bar.

Monk’s Kettle is known for two things: beer and the pretzel. Obviously, Sarah and I had both. The giant pretzel (accompanied by mustard and cheese sauces) is on SF Top 100 list and with good reason: it came out piping hot and covered in thick salt rocks. The dough is a perfect doughy consistency. It’s large – perfect for two people split before the main course. With my pretzel I enjoyed the Au Naturale – American Blonde Grand Teton Brewing (yes, I picked it because of the ‘American Blonde’ part). For the main course, Sarah was a total sport and split the veggie burger with me. Having just downed half the pretzel and a tall beer, half of the burger was just the quantity I needed. Sarah and I both agreed it was thick and tasty – “I don’t even wish it was beef!!” At $8 (pretzel) and $11 (burger) this place is easy on the pocketbook as well.

To revisit my opening theme, Monk’s is a fun spot and absolutely worth re-visiting. But for some reason I can’t get over the fact that it does not have that authentic Mission feel. I didn’t feel like I scoped out unchartered territory; Monk’s would prosper (and attract the same crowd) on Chestnut Street or alongside Washington Square Park in North Beach. Does this matter? Probably not. But it’s what I’ll remember about it (that, and what a fun night it was with Sarah!)