2 for 2 in Laurel Heights

The latter half of last week was marked by two terrific meals in the Laurel Heights neighborhood (W(here)TF is that, you ask? Nestled slightly southwest of Pacific Heights; marked by a lot of strollers, BMW SUVs, maternity clothing stores, and big houses with back yards probably occupied by important business people). There are only a handful of restaurants in that neighborhood, but come to think of it, they’ve all been excellent in my experience (these two, Osteria, and Sociale are all winners).

On a whim, Jac and I met at Garibaldi's to capitalize on the amazing Happy Hour menu advertised on their website. Everything on the menu is half off from 5-6:30, 7 days a week; and the results turned out even better in reality than on paper. As one should expect in Laurel Heights, Garibaldi’s is a quiet place dominated by Senior Citizens. This shouldn’t be a problem if you’re looking for an audible conversation with your companion.

Jac and I started with two appetizers: Hummus dip and fig & prosciutto wraps. The portion size and quality were both pleasing, even before considering they were $3.50 each. Similarly, drinks won’t run you more than $6 a pop if you get there early. With nearly 20 wines, cocktails, and beer choices to choose from, even the pickiest of drinkers are bound to find a good choice. Lastly, we split the burger ($7) which was about as good as they come. The kitchen even took the time to split it for us before it came out.

Service also hit the mark. I’ve noticed bartenders tend to blow you off when they know you won't be racking up a huge tab. But our bartender was extremely generous with his pours and even brought out a few tastes of wine that weren't on the Happy Hour menu without charging us. It is little touches like this that engrain a restaurant into my memory and inspire me to tell everyone I know about it (which I have).
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Mom’s out of town and we’re going to party!

Fast forward about 16 hours and I’m picking my dad up to head to Spruce for lunch. We knew beforehand my mom would be out of town, so we deliberately picked a place where we could splurge without her judging eye (she knows, she supports it). I ended up taking the day off from work, so the two of us ventured out of the FiDi back to Laurel Heights (I have reviewed Spruce for dinner).

I think the same elderly diners at Garibaldi’s rallied back to Spruce for lunch the next day; my dad is nearly 65 and he was a spring chicken compared to the rest of the diners. We both observed that Spruce filled up much later than restaurants do in the Financial District and that the average age of the diners is much higher. This was my first time in the main dining room and there is something so regal about it: high ceilings, throne-like chairs, and an abundance of mahogany everything.

After my eye-opening burrata experience at A16, I’ve been eager to compare it to others in the city. Spruce’s take was much different, as the burrata came alongside a cherry salad but no toast. The cheese and salad were both excellent individually but I struggled to see how they related to each other. I don’t think I’m alone in thinking cheese should be served with some sort of bread or crostini to deliver it. This isn’t exactly a criticism, but I suppose I preferred A16’s.

Spruce’s city famous burger was calling my name loudly, but having had it before, I resisted and opted for the short rib sugo (from one fork-only cut of beef to the next). The dish just had so much…flavor. Warm, hearty flavor. The aromas of the slow cooked beef meshed so well with the bed of crunchy risotto underneath it. My glass of Pinot Noir completed the deal. The portion isn’t huge but it feels hearty. My dad surprised me by ordering the omelette; I don’t think one can go wrong with several types of cheeses folded into a thick wrap of eggs.

Dessert wasn’t even a question and we chose a “peanut butter & jelly” concoction. The wedge consisted of several layers, but I’ll forever remember the crunchy peanut butter layer – and how it tasted going down with a hint of chocolate. I don’t think it’ll go down as my favorite dessert ever, but it was a delightful end to a great meal.

The service was flawless. Our server was always there to attend to our needs but never overwhelmed us. Having been to Spruce twice now, I file it in the “special occasion place where you know you’ll have a great meal and will be well taken care of.”

(pics are of Spruce only)

Spruce! It’s a restaurant the critics fawn over, a place I run by several times each week en route to the Presidio (yes, I gaze longingly in the windows and fantasize about the culinary dreams that come true on the other side), and is widely regarded as home to one of the best burgers in San Francisco. Anticipation was high as I entered through the grand foyer and made my way to the bar.

Let’s start with the decor. The words “grand,” “classy,” “elegant,” even “ostentatious” pop to mind. The ceilings are high, the furniture feels regal, and the lighting is low. The result is a very romantic ambiance (my girlfriend Jac was in luck!). I immediately noticed the number of bald heads and gray hair; I am guessing the Laurel Heights location lures even more older folks than other high-end restaurants in the city.

Jac and I found two spots at the bar after waiting just a few minutes. We are both celebrating recent job developments, so we were in the mood to splurge. I started with a sparkling wine & pomegranate cocktail, which (Mom, hide your eyes) cost the same as the burger. It almost makes me laugh how ridiculous that is but, you have to walk into a place like Spruce expecting that and just enjoy the experience (and then eat canned beans for a few days to compensate). Jac and I didn’t even open the menus as we knew we would be testing the famous burger. Just before the burger came out, the waiter brought a small gorgonzola cheese puff for us to try. A small bite of heaven – chewy, warm, cheesy, almost croissant-like.

Out came the burger. The bun is truly unlike any other I’ve had at a restaurant – I’d describe it as a cross between a large English muffin and a Ciabatta roll. It’s chewy and heartier than a traditional bun but does not over power the meat. The toppings: tomato slices, thinly sliced pickles, and pickled red onions are all top notch. The fries may have stolen the show. They definitely rank in the top three French fries I’ve ever had. I did a little research and learned they’re double fried in duck fat which may explain why they’re so distinctive in texture, color, and taste. Everything up to this point is phenomenal, but I haven’t discussed the meat. Sigh. My rare patty was dry and crumbly. It didn’t taste like really quality beef to me which is surprising given how high-end of a restaurant this is. This is in direct contrast with my #1 burger in SF at Bix; Bix’s meat is far superior and the reason I love it so much. To be fair, the burger is $14 (Bix’s is $18.50), which is totally reasonable - especially at dinnertime and at such a nice place.

On the cab ride home, Jac and consulted Bix vs. Spruce since we’re both burger lovers and have actually have been together for both. We agreed that Bix burger + Spruce fries is the dream combination. Let the search continue…

Two Days. Four Burgers.

The last few weeks have been marked by an unusually high level of pizza consumption and I think my precious baby, the burger, started to feel left out (there, there ... mommy is here). Regardless of the excuse I conjure up for myself for this, I did indeed order four burgers between noon on Friday and Saturday night around 10pm. The feedback runs the gamut from "I want my money back" to "I have to come back as soon as possible" (a follow up visit at Gamine has already occurred).




Friday, 11/4, 12pm: My parents and I ventured beyond our normal Financial District boundaries to Bluestem Brasserie on Yerba Buena lane at Market & 4th. The restaurant is new and early reviews have been mixed. I wasn't any more encouraged when I walked in at noon to find the vast space completely empty. The menu had many tempting items (mushroom tartine, burger, pulled pork sando) and I ended up going with the Lamb Burger. It was excellent. Actually, it was excellent with a small caveat: if I had this before my trip to Greece, I would have been totally blown away; but alas, Greek lamb has totally ruined me. Bluestem's lamb is juicy and flavorful, but it doesn't have the special spice factor that the Greeks exposed me to. That being said, the light touch of goat cheese, sauteed peppers, and the bun were all top notch.

The fries joined the esteemed ranks of Spruce and Fog City Diner. Thick and crispy on the outside, hot and creamy on the inside: the perfect fry dimension. Service was polite and perfectly paced; noise level pleasant. This place is a solid (and unexpected) A.



Friday, 11/4 6pm: Still coming down from my Bluestem high, I headed over to Gamine in the Marina for dinner. Gamine (French for a mischievous young woman) is a small, charming French bistro that you might miss if not looking for it. When one walks in and meets the French host, you feel as though you've left San Francisco and entered a Parisian cafe. The atmosphere couldn't be any more different than at lunch, and the burger is even more impressive. It's in the running for Best Burger of the Year.

I am typically weary of the non-traditional hamburger bun (don't try to re-invent the wheel), but Gamine's chewy ciabatta roll is light enough so it doesn't push the meat out the back side. The beef is thick, spiced superbly, and cooked to a perfect rare. My toppings (bacon and brie cheese) complimented the wonderful beef patty without obscuring it. There are many moving parts to a burger and Gamine nailed each and every one. I revisited the following week with a big group and confirmed this place is no fluke.



Saturday, 6pm: La Folie is very much a special occasion spot, but I had always been curious to check out their more casual lounge. Be warned, the folks over at La Folie have a liberal interpretation of "casual" as three small sliders are $18 and a bowl of popcorn is $6. Portions are small, prices are high. Perhaps not surprisingly, the $18 sliders were the worst of the weekend. The meat was so tasteless I asked myself if it was a Gardenburger. The patty was cold. The bun has a crossaint-like look, but it's no treat. I never jumped on the slider bandwagon and La Folie's take did nothing to inspire me. Sadly, I've downgraded the main dining room



Saturday 10pm: Yes, at the point, another burger was totally unnecessary, but Nopa is on my 2011 To Do List and as Jac warned me, I'm running out of time. Nopa's rendition isn't shockingly bad like La Folie's, but there wasn't one thing about it that ingrained itself to my memory. Were there toppings? Probably. Maybe? Was the meat cooked well? Couldn't tell ya. It was a pretty standard, "nice restaurant" burger but I fail to see why its earned a reputation as one of the best in SF. That is to be found at Gamine and Don Pistos.

Now, can I get a freaking salad?