Where-To-Wednesday Adventure #25: Radius

Moving here from LA, where hour commutes to *insert anywhere you need to be* were par for the course, I had no idea just how much of my life I was wasting in my car traveling from one side of LA to the other, until I arrived in San Francisco. Sure, those ‘learn Italian’ tapes sounded like a great idea when I bought them, but an hour of reciting phrases I would never use: “Martha makes bread” (silly Martha, why doesn’t she just buy it at Whole Foods like the rest of us?) while simultaneously uselessly yelling at cars at a standstill in front of me, only served to make me look like a crazy person in traffic and resulted in the incurred knowledge of the sole word: andiamo! 7x7. Who knew how sweet those three little letters would sound for my commute and yet how much culture, activity, eating, drinking…just life in general, such a small radius could hold? For seven dollars and ten minutes, a magical ride known as ‘the taxi’ (and later the Uber + two dollars and a snazzy ride) would drop me off at my destination within this small big city and for the first time in my life, I was *gasp* early. Who knew I had it in me? This 7x7 radius held everything I needed and although San Francisco is easily one of the largest cities of this country…this small circumference of land gave it the small town feel that brings out the charm and friendliness of each neighborhood: your coffee barista has your order ready as soon as you walk in…with your name on it, your local cashier at the grocery store spots you when you’re a short a buck, your dry cleaner smiles and reaches for your clothes as you walk in the door… And as a result – we root for our local neighbors. Five dollars for a latte? When it’s pre-made with my name on it, I say okay. Ever the San Francisco neighbor, our latest new Where-To-Wednesday destination: ‘Radius’ took this idea to heart – sourcing all of their food and wine from within a 100 mile radius. What a concept. Radius is making friends with the neighbors AND delicious food. You go, Radius…you go. Ironically and…well, completely unrelated to the premise of the restaurant naming convention, the waiters are all French and the cuisine has a French flair to it. What a twist. Perhaps a ….french twist?? It’s time to stop, isn’t it. I can already feel the French scowl my way. Okay…I’m wrapping up. At this Where To Wednesday adventure at Radius, planned by Becky, which myself, Chelsea, Jenny and Lindsey attended on August 7th – we enjoyed this locally sourced, French inspired, California cuisine. Yep…that’s a mouthful. And we had it all.

Ambiance 8: At first, I was a little taken aback. I mean sure, sometimes our restaurant selections are a bit on the casual side. But when I saw people were placing their orders (mostly for coffee) with the cashier up front and only then, taking a cue from the ‘please seat yourself’ sign, sitting down at little tables scattered amongst the  linoleum-tiled restaurant…I ran. ‘I ran so far away. I just ran. I ran all night and day’. Okay…I didn’t actually run away. I mean, come on, I was STARVING…how could I possibly have the energy to run…and ‘far away’ at that? Keep dreaming. (And for the record, neither did Flock of Seagulls. They’re in a house of mirrors for crying out loud…how does anyone REALLY run in a house of mirrors without a death wish? Get real, Flock of Seagulls. And choose your girlfriends a little more carefully before you take them to a carnival). But anyways, yes, that’s what I felt like doing. Instead, I kept turning around and around in a little circular dance by myself in the middle of the restaurant looking for…help. Finding none and seeing as though my crazy antics were falling on blind eyes here, I walked back outside, and stumbled upon…wait for it, wait for it…the REAL restaurant. Yes, tricky tricky. Neighboring restaurants – both under the Radius umbrella – one being the café, and one being the sit-down restaurant. As soon as I walked into the next door restaurant, I knew I had found home. Low lighting and candles illuminated the restaurant casting a soft glow, while the elongated bar in the front and graffiti-framed artwork told you to stop short of relaxing too much, because this place was about to get kicked up a notch. It seamlessly meshes modern with rustic and spits out a lively atmosphere that you’ll be glad you stopped in for…even if it did take you two tries.

Wine 9: With a similar premise as the food, the wine is sourced from a radius no greater than 50 miles. Looking at the wine list I’m reminded how damn lucky we are to live in such a close vicinity to amazing wines! With only one bottle over a hundred dollars and most resting comfortably in the forty-ish range, the list was just begging for us to dig in…and so, we did. We started with the Tres Sabores Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma – smooth with hints of honey and chamomile it was slightly sweet without the tartness that Sauvignon Blancs can sometimes bring. Great starter and we probably should have stuck with what worked, but…we moved on to the Elizabeth Rose Chardonnay which was slightly oaky with a bit more fruit than is typical for a chardonnay. When your biggest problem of the night is drinking the wine that was almost as good as you expected, you know you should shut your mouth and sip on. Things could be worse. And soon enough though…it was time for the main event: Red. We kicked it off with Dashe Cellars Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley – velvety smooth with hints of peppery spice and oak. So good, we stuck with the Dashe for the rest of the night. In retrospect we probably spent a little too much time with Dashe….but hey, we’re really just getting to know our neighbors. And to quote the wise words of the leader in my day (and by ‘my day’ I do mean kindergarten) - Mr. Rodgers, himself – “would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won’t you be my neighbor?” (Trick question, Dashe – you already ARE. I win).

Food 9.5: So… locally sourced, French inspired, California cuisine. What does it all mean? Rest easy and leave your translation dictionary at home. You’ve got this.

-          Heirloom Salad: A perfect start to the meal. Fresh and delicious with a perfect consistency of succulent watermelon mixed with light, sesame crisp and topped with sweet tomatoes.

-          Flat Bread: Easing into the meal, this one was a bit heartier. The warm flatbread was topped with oyster mushrooms, dry jack, arugula and a hint of chili flake to give it kick. Now we’re getting into the good stuff.

-          Hommage a San Francisco: Well..the French do know how to butter us up. (For the record, actual ‘butter’ works well too, Mon Frere. Right Paula? It was too soon, wasn’t it….) The heirloom salad was light and juicy and if there was ever a salad-off…this one would take the cake. (I mean, not literally, because well – cake always wins. Those are just the rules. But…you get it). The Hommage a San Francisco was a very unique dish with a truly unique combination of flavors. This little gem salad was topped with pine nuts and foraged herbs and flowers (I know this sounds extremely hippy but just imagine the most aromatic spices that didn’t overpower the dish, dancing in your mouth amongst the greens…truly delicious. And yes…I do realize that sentence reads exactly the opposite of how I imagined when I started writing it). And to top it off, green goddess dressing was drizzled at the very bottom of the dish, and was bursting with flavors of chives, anchovy, tarragon, lemon juice, and pepper. Truly a dish that pays homage to San Francisco.

-          Trout:  Moist (I know…some people can’t deal with that word but here…you must) and delicious, the trout just about melted in your mouth. Slightly salted on the outside, it held a light crisp to the bite before giving way to the tender meat inside.

-          Broccolini: Roasted with crushed red pepper and topped with garlic chips…you’ll never want to pass over veggies again. Seconds!

-          Pork Chop: Tender, juicy, generously thick pieces of pork chop were arranged atop a bed of butterbeans, oyster mushrooms, and bacon white chocolate gastrique. This dish is bursting with peaks of flavor in every bite, as the gastrique marinates the pork chop in its savory sauce, bringing you back for another bite!

-          Potato Gnocchi: Fresh and light, each piece of gnocchi held a slight crisp before caving in to the soft potato. Immersed in a bed of fresh peas, confit mushroom and pancetta…this one is not to miss.

-          Fried Chicken: If chicken and a donut had a baby...this would be it. Imagine juicy chicken coated in sweet crumbs that melt in your mouth leaving the sweet taste of honey behind. Borderline a dessert....just spectacular!

Dessert: Oh yes we did....

-          Lemon Curd Tart: Light, tart Italian meringue sitting amongst of whisk of chocolate sauce with delicate, toasted marshmellow clouds atop. Candied almonds to the side added the perfect crunch addition to this dish to complete it's perfection.

-          Mint & Creme Fraiche Panna Cotta: topped with strawberry and rhubarb compote, the delicate mint panna canna was balanced with the tart of the rhubarb, and topped with honey brioche croutons it gave the dish the crunchy kick it needed.

-          Vanilla & Olive Oil Milkshake: I know some people would shudder and shake their heads at this ("olive oil in a dessert??") I know...BUT...get over that simple little fact and slurp up a taste of heaven. So savory and smooth, and accompanied with delicious dark chocolate shortbreads perfect for dipping, you can't go wrong.

-          Dark Chocolate Cake: chocolate cake laid upon salted caramel (if you're not already salivating...get ready), topped with a white chocolate granache (that resembled a light marshmellow layer) and finally sprinkled with cocoa nibs. Delicious!

Service 10: That's right, 10 - for 3 reasons. 1) the service was great. Our waiter was extremely helpful, patient and friendly. 2) He was French. I don't know why I feel like that's a reason for a higher score but...it just does. I think we felt important with that accent. And as René Descartes once said "I think...therefore I am." So, there you go, thanks to Franz, we ARE important. (Note: I do NOT know his name was Franz. But I mean, it SHOULD be so...let's go with that). 3) We liked the little chocolate shortbread cookies that accompanied the milkshake SO much, that we asked how it was made. And instead of humoring us with nonsense such as "a little flour, dark chocolate, milk..." which I would have expected, he actually excused himself and appeared ten minutes later with THE ACTUAL RECIPE. Oui! That’s right, we sure MUST be important. Now granted the recipe is chalk full of gram measurements which we'll need to dig out our old grade school conversion charts for, but hey...it's a small price to pay for chocolate.

Price 7: French waiters serving you locally sourced food with a French flair. Price: close to $100 each. Reality: it's cheaper than going to France. It's all about perspective, people. Do you really need a refill? Your glass looks half-full to me! See how easy that was?? (Truth: this applies to any drink sans wine. Let's be real here).

Noise Level 6:  We discuss all of our ratings at each restaurant, and when 'noise level' came up, I said: "They call it energetic on open table. I think it actually means "'loud.'" Response from the other side of the table: "It's loud in here, what did you say?" Exactly.

All About the Area: Well...it's not France. Soma is pocketed...with portions that are populated/fun/safe and portions that are vacant/sketchy/unsafe. Folsom itself in this vicinity is home to several bars/restaurants close by...but come 6th street, I would recommend halting quickly. Know where you're going and what areas are unsafe (i.e. ALL of 6th). So bring your street smarts, be aware and stop texting on your phone and looking down. Unless you're reading your latest dose of where-to-wednesday. Then..as you were*. 

*Kidding...seriously people, be aware of your surroundings. Read the blog at home. But I mean, as SOON as you get home. No lagging. Franz will not stand for that.

Overall Grade: 8.25

MERCI BEAUCOUP!

Front of the restaurant facing the bar area

Shot towards the back of the restaurant that opens to a larger dining area

Heirloom Salad

 

Flatbread

Hommage a San Francisco

Trout

Broccolini

Pork Chop

Potato Gnocchi

Fried Chicken

Lemon Curd Tart

Mint and Creme Fraiche Panna Cotta

Vanilla & Olive Oil Milkshake

Lindsey digging into the milkshake...mmmm!

Dark Chocolate Cake

Where-To-Wednesday Adventure #18: Skool

Think back. What do you remember about getting Detention in school? Perhaps two hours of a snooze-fest, requiring reading, or worse yet: memorization.... *Shudder* Well this August, just like all the kiddies in the neighborhood, Where-To-Wednesday took a trip back down memory lane and went to "Skool", and boy were we in for a surprise. At a place that boasts an outdoor lunchroom and celebrates detention with a happy hour cocktail list, I beg the question: where was this Skool when I was growing up? At this latest Where-To-Wednesday adventure picked by Elizabeth – me, Becky, Melissa, Neva, Lindsey, Chelsea and the newbie Anna got checked off the attendance sheet and were in for an after-Skool lesson. So...how did our trip back to Skool fair? Read on to find out how WE graded Skool (don't you wish we could have done the same growing up) on the 0/10 report card.

Ambiance 9: The atmosphere in here is a mainly modern theme with a touch of comfort that brings an overall coziness to every aspect of the restaurant. Chairs and benches built of wood and a touch of steel, are adorned with pillows scattered across various seats to enhance the comfort. The tables these chairs are pulled up to, are full of sleek, straight edges yet are alive with radiance from the gentle, warm track lighting above, shining upon them. Large, square, symmetrical windows up front, give the glow of natural light from the outside - providing a comforting backdrop as you see the twinkle from light strands adorning the outside area, take over as the sunlight fades to darkness. The open, airy kitchen is set apart only by blocks of wood, separated every few feet in a vertical pattern. And as you bask in this ambiance before you, and catch the detention hall specials listed on the chalkboard in the bar area, it's not too hard to see why this place calls to so many different kinds of people - - and how they all find their way through a maze of one-way alleys and desolate streets to get here...but we’ll get to that when we talk about the area. For now...relax and soak in the ambiance....it's time for detention. 

Wine 9.5: You know the drill. The long lists of wine that get scoured over, only to end up still ordering at random....no idea what sort of wine you are in for. Good surprise, bad surprise....flip a coin. Not at Skool. Even though detention sounds so good it seems impossible to go wrong here, they take the chance of any bad surprises right out of the picture, with...wait for it...tastes. I'm amazed at how simple this is, and how little I find it being offered. Not only were we given a taste of the wine we were thinking of ordering, but with so many girls...we've got many unique ideas of what "tastes" good. We noticed that there were more white wines to choose from, but not as many red - very likely because Skool specializes in fish, which would lend itself a little nicer to white wine. But alas, taste both we will. So...many and multiple tastes we were given, and happy we became. So happy that when the category of "price" comes up later, we'll have come full circle - but I'll get to that in a bit. We ordered both a white and a red...us being equal opportunity winos and all.  The white was a Georges Deboeuf Chardonnay from France, which translated to a delicate, crisp chardonnay without the heaviness of oak. Which normally for me - the more oak, the better - but at a dinner setting, it's nice to have a light wine that pairs well with almost any dish. Per usual, my attentiveness to the wine I wasn't drinking (the red) lacked tremendously, and even though I know it was good....I forgot to take notes. Failure on my part. Sorry girls. Heading to detention....tehehe.

Food 8.5: With a focus on fish and flair for the Japanese style, Skool presented a different style of food than we are used to going to. We were about to get "skooled" on a cuisine that put us out of our element. Get it???? I know bad joke, BUT, you may need some vocab definitions with these dishes. Ahem, we'll begin.....

 - Fried Baby Eryngii: See? I told you. Unless you're a little fungi farmer you're probably scratching your head here. Or thinking we're chomping down on babies. Just like I would be without my handy, dandy notes. Definition: Mushrooms! (I can hear your sigh of relief). Coated with a fried goodness that held a faint resemblance to funnel cake (um...yes please), these farm little mushroom fries were a treat. They had a hint of fennel mixed with a kick of lemon and a spicy miso aioli for dipping. 

 - Shishito Pepper: Here's a little dish I like to call Pepper Roulette. Sprinkled with kelp salt and dried bonito flakes, these seemingly innocent peppers were not all equal. Most were neutral enough with a crisp crunch that gave way to a familiar pepper taste, but some....some made me think that this dish should be renamed “SHIT SHIT THAT’S HOT” pepper. It literally felt like a fire had started in your mouth. An unstoppable force of a fire. And at a table filled with all types of drinks...milk was not one of them. And so, bleary eyed with tears and unable to talk, we cursed ourselves for thinking we could outpace the heat of the pepper. Heed: proceed with caution.  

 - Kobu-Jime: What's that? You need another glance at the notecards? Thought so. Definition: Snapper. And good thing you know, because you're not going to want to miss this dish. Extremely fresh, the delicate snapper was topped with Japanese cucumber giving a slight crunch, and sprinkled with delicate yet lightly crunchy wasabi infused tobiko (fish eggs). The combination of textures and consistencies, with the freshness of the dish, make this a must-have.

 - Crab Bon Bons: These dungeness crab balls were a bit doughy, topped with an herb aioli that kicked in a heightened taste. Meh. I’ll take the 1980’s chocolate version instead.

 - Shime-Saba Tataki: Is it time to break out those Cliffs Notes already? Yep... Welcome to the Mackerel! Our waitress explained as we ordered it, that you either love or hate Mackerel. Not ones to turn down an experiment, we, of course, ordered it. It arrived, topped with a pickled ginger, sour cream mustard with a lone slice of peach atop and a sprig of Rosemary beside it. Try as they might, the Rosemary, peach and mustard combined...were no match for the fish. The creamy mustard was the strongest and a nice effort to cover up the Mackerel which, to me, tasted like the most pungent tuna I had ever had. Bad...bad surprise. Skip. I am still yearning for a stick of spearmint gum.

 - Four Cheese Flat Bread: By Jove...I think you've got this one. With rather delicate, light dishes up to this point, the flat bread was a welcomed, heartier plate. Topped with fresh tomatoes, arugula, pancetta, and ooey gooey blue cheese with a touch of goat cheese, the flat bread was quite frankly, delicious. With a slight crisp with each crunch combined with the various textures and tastes of the toppings, this was a warm, welcoming delight with every bite.

 - Mizore Age: *flip of the notecard*.....Eggplant! Albeit a side dish, this must have taken a cue from the last dish, because it also was heartier than the prior plates. Fried to perfection and resting in a sea of juices, it is topped with snow shaven Daikon radish - giving it a kick. Another perfect combination of textures and consistencies makes this one a winner.

 - Skinny Fries: Now I'm speaking your language. And let's face it...in any language, are fries ever bad? These are no exception. There's something about skinny fries that makes you eat even more of them, easily tricked by their small stature. And with a yummy, quickly-addicting miso aioli to dip them in...good luck stopping.

 - Squid Ink Spaghettina: I've only ordered a dish with squid ink once. I know, so inexperienced. But when it came, my dish with jet black. Not exactly screaming to be eaten. So when this dish came up as a potential choice, I squirmed in my seat. Really? We wanted to do this? Yes, I was told. Yes, we did. And you know....I'm glad we did because it was definitely the learning experience for me. Yes..."Skool" done gone taught me a lesson. The dish arrived as an extremely appetizing bowl o' fun, with no "ink" black reminders that had haunted me for so long. The noodles themselves are perfectly al dente...although not that exciting. The real treat seems to be everything else in that little bowl. Served in a sea of lemon grass dashi-broth, were Monterey squid and shrimp mixed with red curry, garlic tomato compote, seaweed butter and mushrooms...this one packs a flavor punch.

 - Rock Risotto: In a word: amazing. Arriving with a thick, creamy and rich risotto topped with two deliciously seared scallops - this, my friend, was a good surprise. A very good surprise. The risotto was packed with rock shrimp and asparagus, which gave a more complex consistency to the dish. Heads up - there are only two scallops here so... do yourself a favor and order another round!

 - Alaskan Halibut: So fresh you'll swear Skool is hiding fishing rods in the back. The halibut is delicious, as is the polenta cake accompanying it, served dripping with creamy burrata. The combination of the smooth halibut mixed with the gritty polenta made a very nice, complex combination of textures - and with rich flavor consistencies, this one deserved a gold star.

 - Polenta Salmon: I think we're catching on to their polenta + fish trick.... But the combination is so good, I'll fall for it again tomorrow. This time the fish was encrusted in polenta (points for creativity here) served with a crisp, rich strip of bacon on top. Surf and turf if you will? I will.

 - Steak Ichibo: I think there may be some unwritten rule about not ordering steak at a seafood restaurant. Well folks, it's time to write that one down. The steak was forgettable  - - not very flavorful in taste at all...but shame on us for ordering meat at a restaurant with a symbol of a fish in its name. Hint: We. Do. Fish. At least it was served with a side of polenta.... wait, where did I see that before?

Dessert: Once we hit our limit of seafood at this "seafood restaurant" we did not stop there. We ordered the steak. And once that was down the hatch and the regular menu was done, do you think we stopped there? Rhetorical. Of course we didn't. Our dessert side was empty. Bring it on. Polenta cake! Or am I just toying with you.... read on and find out. I will say this, the dessert was damn good and my notes were pathetic due to the fact that I was stuffing my face as fast as my little hands could get that fork to my mouth, so you'll have to excuse my lack of details here. I'm going more off of memory since "delic" in my notes...will simply not do.

- Blue Cheese Cake: It looks dainty...but don't let that fool you. This small dish makes up for it's size ten times over, with the richness of its flavor. Its rich and creamy, and served with a sprig of Rosemary that gives the dish a sweet depth. Succulent honeycomb and almonds wait on the sidelines - perfect combinations to swoop up with your spoon, that pair perfectly with the cheesecake.

 - Lavender Panna Cotta: My notes read: "tastes like a spa. In a good way." Ah yes...that must be the lavender that so quickly escaped me when the wine clouded my pin-pointing skills. Spa it is. And spa you will like. Light yet creamy, with hints of lavender it's a refreshing way to end the meal.

 - Cardamom Chocolate Cake: Light panna cotta? Thumbs up. Light flourless chocolate cake? Why? Why would you do such a thing? That’s what the panna cotta is for! Pack this cake with hundred dollar bills because chocolate cake should be rich! It should make you sit back in your seat and rub your tummy, as you eat that last bite and simultaneously claim you shouldn’t have. That’s what chocolate is for, people.  So, in my humble opinion...this could have been a little more rich. Did I mention that? Adorned with mint leaves and orange confit, it gave the cake very unique yet complementary flavor combinations that worked well.

- Ice Cream: The daily flavors were Kahlua with mint, and Blackberry with Cabernet...both were delicious and creamy. Don't let the boring "ice cream" title on the menu fool you. Delicious!

Service 10: It seems that our last restaurant experience beckoned help from the gods of restaurant karma. And oh, were we blessed. Words like “please” and thank you” were thrown out with a smile, along with fantastic recos of dishes that I would have been otherwise left scratching my head and slowly mispronouncing…all the while wondering just what the hell I was ordering. But alas, Heather set us straight with her recos on apps and mains…which led to a crowd pleasing dinner. And when the wine arrived, my faith in wine courtesy was restored as she poured a taste before actually filling the glasses. What a concept. Presidio Social Club…I hope you’re taking notes. The service was impeccable and at times even felt like a friend was helping us out. So much so that we even extended an invite to her to join us at our next where to Wednesday. How often do you leave a restaurant with a full stomach AND a new friend? Rock on, Skool.  Another bonus? The manager even came out to say hello to us and thank us for coming. Love the service here!

Price 7: Oh wine. You do it to us every time...and yet we keep coming back to you. For a total of $86 per person, wine being the obvious main culprit here, it was on the more expensive side. That's not to say that the dishes and wine themselves weren't priced good individually...just that ordering each like they’re going out of style, put us at the $86 mark. Step aside banks, it’s W2W’s time for a bailout. At least we give the people a review they can use. Not just checking fees. Damn those banks.

Noise Level 9: It's a very open atmosphere in a small space, yet the acoustics are pretty darn good! Well..at least at our little table off to the side from everyone else. Okay...I'm realizing this part of the review may only apply to the corner table in the back by the bar. So...if you get that table...two thumbs up. Even with eight loud noisy girls talking at once, we could all still hear each other and conversation was always flowing. Just like home room. Oh memories.

All About The Area: I can't even really say for certain what area this is. I think it's SOMA...but not the cool/trendy SOMA area...more of the "am I on the right street? Where are you taking me?" part of SOMA. Oh hell, we could have even been in Mexico. I don't know. It was a long drive. I will say this - plan in advance because there no cab drivers hanging out by the corner of "you're lost" and "where the hell is this" to conveniently take you home. Call ahead, drive or...bring a compass. Or never leave. I did tell you they have an outdoor patio...just saying. Hold on to those good surprises, people.  

Overall Grade: 8.8

The outside area...do you spot the outside seating too??

Where were these cocktails back when we were in detention?

Ambiance...now you see what I mean.

Our vino!

Fried Baby Eryngii

Shishito Pepper (pronouced: SHIT SHIT THAT'S HOT!)

Kobu-Jime

Crab Bon Bons

Shime-Saba Tataki

Four Cheese Flat Bread

Mizore Age

Skinny Fries

Squid Ink Spaghettina

Rock Risotto

Alaskan Halibut

Polenta Salmon

Steak Ichibo

Blue Cheese Cake

Lavender Panna Cotta

Cardamom Chocolate Cake

Ice Cream - Kahlua with mint and Blackberry with Cabernet

Where-To-Wednesday Adventure #13: Marlowe

There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. *Open eyes* Blast. I’m still here. It must be these measly brown boots that aren’t filling the magic those ruby slippers could pull off. Luckily for me, Marlowe isn’t an alternate dream world accessible through a magical yellow brick road filled with flying monkeys, but simply a short walk away. And that’s good news, because this place is sure to become my new home. Just what you’d expect in your own casa, this place throws a comfortable yet kicked up ambiance we all strive for between our own four walls, tons of delicious wine (let’s be honest: a must-have for any home of mine…almost more important than the four walls themselves) and roommates - in the form of waiters - that keep you guessing just what on earth is going to happen next. At our latest Where-To-Wednesday adventure at Marlowe on February 29^th, we got all that and more. Many thanks to our latest newbie Jen for planning this adventure, that was enjoyed by myself, Elizabeth, Neva, Terra, Leala, Becky, Bree, Erika and Melissa. So…what crazy other antics were witnessed at Marlowe during our 13^th adventure? You’ll see, my pretty. 0/10 scale as always…read on to see how it tipped.

Ambiance 9: Big things come in small packages. Hershey kisses, munchkins (those guys sure can sing), and Marlowe. Tiny as it may be, Marlowe sure offers a packing punch of goodness. Embracing a rustic chic feel, Marlowe’s décor mixes sophisticated dark wood with the laidback feel of straw wicker chairs. Chalkboard drawings of animals adorn one of the walls, while a handwritten list of specials is displayed upon a large beige roll of oversized paper, welcoming patrons to the restaurant. Showcasing a sleek architecture, Marlowe definitely exudes a modern feel, harnessed in the straight, rigid lines found defining every table and chair. Exposed air ducts reminds you that you’re in the heart of SOMA, and gives a nod to the industrial feel so many building in this area embrace. Although one can appreciate the contemporary placement of the décor, the beam that is oh-so awkwardly placed from one end of the ceiling to the middle of the communal table, leaves me scratching my head. Aren’t communal tables hard enough? Why throw a beam in the middle of it to complicate seeing the person across from you and beg the awkward question of where you sit with your oversized party, at a table with no real defined seating? I realize I’ll never have answers to these questions, but I’ll never let that stop me from asking them. My advice? Grab a seat at the bar, a real true table, or an end seat at that tricky little communal table that punishes those middle seaters.   

Wine 8: If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. (Yes, a mantra for life, but even more so when wine is involved) It’s true, we were off to a rough start. A mix-up with the wine glasses, led to the Grenache Carignan from Languedoc France and the Three Zinfandel from California, being switched and served to the wrong person. Our girls – ever the open minds – took it in stride and embraced their surprises whole heartedly, opting to keep those choices for the next round. I, myself started with my go-to wine to ease into the night: Sauvignon Blanc, opting for the Brancott Estate from New Zealand. Although it was crisp, this Sauvignon Blanc was quite acidic, with a tangy green-apple bite to it and a bitter finish…as if you were taking a bite of fruit that’s not quite ripe just yet. It wasn’t long before I moved along to the Domaine Michel Caillot Chardonnay from Burgundy, France – which was a huge improvement. Soft and clean, with a hint of warm, sweet honeysuckle, this was a perfect accompaniment to the meal, to give just enough of its own flavor, leaving the food to do the real talking. Moving on to reds, a few of us opted for the La Petite Ferme Cab from South Africa, and with the first swig, my taste buds thanked me with a standing ovation. This was easily my favorite of the night. With soft hints of floral mixed with a smooth, velvety chocolate that created depth within every sip, this one was a winner.

Food 9: I scratched something down on my note paper that either said amore or amazing, but either way…it’s right. Tempted with what looked like so many delicious choices which we would quickly find out were indeed so, we quickly scratched off the plates that make you check your sharing skills at the door: salad, soup, “a” deviled egg, three oysters, and a partridge in a pear tree. Otherwise, the dish was ordered, devoured, and in some instances…ordered right on over again.

-        Brussels Sprout Chips: Is it me, or did those crazy people over at the Brussels sprout PR firm really do their job this year? Brussels Sprouts are literally sprouting up on every menu I flip over. And I’m not complaining, I mean, they’re freaking delicious but I’m just curious. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next time I hit the cinema, these things are hanging out right next to the popcorn stand. And you know what? I think I’d opt for the Brussels Sprout Chips. Perfectly done – not too crispy with just the right amount of chew to them, and lightly dusted with sea salt they were the perfect start to the meal. Seriously, watch out popcorn.  

-        DiStefano Burrata: By God. People DO live under rocks and I must be under one of them. Burrata. This term I’ve heard in passing several time but embarrassingly enough, I’ve never really bothered to look up exactly what it is. Smile and nod, smile and nod. I’ll be the first to admit that. But if I had taken two seconds to look up just exactly what this dish is, I would have found: “mozzarella and cream." Followed by “amazing. Order this everywhere you can. Starting yesterday.” Doh! Learning from my mistakes, I’ll tell you, if you haven’t had a bite of this piece of heaven, do yourself a favor. Order this and bring it back to your rock for later.

-        Twice Baked Dungeness Crab Souffle: Light and delicate in texture, but rich in flavor this dish could give Mac & Cheese a run for its money. But Mac and cheese could afford it…I think it has the same PR firm as Brussels.

-        Warm Marinated Mussel and Monterey Calamari Toasts: Whew, that’s a mouthful. A good one for me, but not so for many of the girls. Served on a grilled baguette, the mussel and calamari were served with garlic aioli, a touch of lemon and sea salt.  The verdict was that it was a bit fishy and too salty. I actually liked the dish, and thought that the toast gave some depth to the tangy delicate fish but hey – to each her own.

-        Marlowe Burger: I’ve given up cussing for the time being, but if I hadn’t, you can guess what kind of positive profanity would be leading this post. The burger here is what seems to be, a legend. Think of it as the shot heard ‘round the world, except that San Francisco is your world and you can actually eat the shot. Pretty nifty daydream I have here, isn’t it? Well, not to be confused with ANY other burger, the geniuses at Marlowe attached their name right to the burger. (I really need to locate this PR firm). And I can see why. This might just be one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Rich, juicy and succulent, the burger – excuse me – the Marlowe Burger was topped with caramelized onion, cheddar, bacon and horseradish aioli. To. Die. For.

-        Grilled Niman Pork Chop: One word: phenomenal. The pork chop was tender, juicy and cooked to perfection. Served with thick huge slices and lightly salted, it was delicious.

-        Steak Tartare: If you ever need a trip to France without the hassle of airlines, this dish can do the trick. Served on a bed of greens, the steak tartare held a light, delicate consistency yet a little rich in taste, with hints of onion and pepper kicking in some spice. A poached quail egg served on top to be mixed, added a richness to the dish. Crostini were served alongside for easy sharing. Delicious! Just like the burger...sans the bloat.

-        Seared Hawaiian Tombo Tuna: Extremely fresh and delicious this dish was a definite crowd pleaser. And again…thick cuts. Nods and smiles to the chef. Served with a side of cous cous and candied olives, it added a rich and savory taste against the delicate tuna. Perfect tombo combo. Anyone?

-        Smoky Cauliflower Gratin: If there was a fail of night, this was it. Packed with aged provolone and smoked cheddar, the dish was almost too cheesy. No..it was too cheesy. I was on such a positive roll…the fail is hard to give but…FAIL.

-        Anson Mills Polenta: I think we ordered 45 of these. Maybe 46. I lost count. Either way, I think everyone had their fair of it. Served with wild mushrooms, parmesan and a poached egg, this dish was complex in taste but simply delightful. Flawlessly balancing a rich, savory flavor, with an overall fresh feel with every bite – this dish was a winner.

-        Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts – For the record, and in case you nodded off earlier, this is the SECOND Brussels sprouts dish on the menu. We may be pushing it here folks. After originally being told that they were out of this dish but then miraculously finding a last one (which now makes me wonder…) we had high expectations. What is this mystery dish that everyone in the restaurant has seemed to order your kitchen right out of? And yet, we were sorely disappointed. Perhaps I’m being harsh, since our expectations were set so high, however, the dish was just average. The Brussels sprouts were browned and flavored with lemon and lightly salted. They were a bit tart and missed the mark with a one-dimensional flavor. Zero Zero still has a stronghold on these puppies.

-        Poulet Vert – Allow me to translate: chicken. And yes, I can see why it’s not just called “chicken.” The dish even just looks fancy shmancy. The presentation is mouth-watering in itself, until you take a bite of the chicken…and forget all about the presentation because you’ve died and gone to heaven. The serving size is pretty big, and the dish does not disappoint. A lightly crispy skin, gives way to tender, juicy meat inside. A must-order.

-        Tuna Conserva & Proscuitto di Parma: Think of this as spruced up lettuce wraps. The smooth light tuna mixed with spicy radicchio creates a nice contrast in taste. And the crispy celery and arugula add interesting textures to the dish, to create a little party in your mouth.

Dessert: Are we still hungry? Check. All of the desserts? Check, check.

-        TCHO Chocolate Cream Pie: Why oh why do I choose now to give up chocolate? With a heavy heart and a drooling mouth, I had to get someone else’s review of this dish: Very rich, the pie featured a chocolate mousse with cocoa nib and oreo crumble on top. Are you happy now? Good, because I’m hungry. For chocolate. Uh oh.

-        Strawberry & Rhubarb Crisp: Served in a jar filled with vanilla ice cream, this dish is then topped with a tart strawberry and rhubarb crisp – creating a perfect harmony of flavors.

-        Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta Affogato: This dish is just fun to say. Affogato. I’m just going to start saying this the next time I forget something. But unfortunately, the fun stops there. I’m not sure if there was a mishap with the jello in the kitchen, but this had much too heavy of a gelatin taste. I know what you’re thinking, how would you know how gelatin tastes? You just know. And…its not good. Order a 47^th Polenta and call it a night.   

Price 8: Averaging out at about $70 each, it was relatively average…especially given the 46 orders of polenta. A priceless dish, I’ll never complain about that. Speaking of, can I get another order for delivery?

Noise Level 7.5: Given the small, packed nature of the restaurant, the acoustics aren’t the best for a serious conversation (read: not a break-up spot. Unless you want to continue repeating the answer to: “You’re breaking up with WHO??” Cue the crying.), but easy for low key get-togethers and groups cognizant that in here, we may need to use our “outdoor voices”.

Service 7:  There’s Jeckel, there’s Hyde, and then there was our waiter. I’m not sure if he loved us or hated us, but he sure kept us guessing. The evening began with an air of arrogance, as unrequested opinions were thrown our way on the dishes. Then, a little bit of a wine fiasco. My wine was – gasp – forgotten (I know, I don’t want to talk about it; therapy should commence soon), while others had their wine mixed up and good thing their taste buds were doing their job, because they figured out the switcheroo on their own. A quick look at the menu and what we had ordered, and we were scratching our heads. Where was everything else we had ordered? When we inquired, our waiter informed us it would be coming out with the main meal. Was that the plan all along or was it the “revised” plan because we noticed a few missing dishes in what otherwise would have been a messy table of “who knows what we got” dishes…no, we pay attention. Do you see my pages of notes here? But we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt on that. They were technically ‘sides.’ Luckily, mid-meal our waiter suddenly became much more agreeable. Maybe we grew on him…or maybe the wine from my “forgotten” glass started to kick in. (Kidding! Kind of…unless you can prove it, then I’m not). The mistakes were comped, he inquired on our thoughts of the meal, and a complete 180 spun us around to really liking the guy. So there you go: food, drinks and the caliber of life learnings typically reserved for a PBS special. You can sleep easy tonight, friends.

All About The Area: Sandwiched between the Cal Train station and…let’s call a spade a spade..NOTHING, it definitely presents an awkward area to travel for dinner…or lunch for that matter. Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. Although, with a Safeway across the street and a Walgreens next door as a worst case scenario, the block has you covered if your dining experience here doesn’t pan out. In true SOMA form, Marlowe is nestled quietly on a block laden with warehouse façades housing various businesses. The area definitely seems more industrial than a welcoming neighborhood to leisurely stroll in after your dinner, so bring cab money to head somewhere a little more bustling afterwards…or prepare to get crazy at Walgreens.

Overall Grade: 8.0

So…what will our next adventure hold? Well you little anxious reader you. Stay on the edge of your seat…because the next Where-To-Wednesday is coming soon! Planned by our newbie Leala, we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate our 13^th adventure! Are you still on the edge of your seat? Getting antsy? No worries…we’ve got you covered. Check out some of our past adventures while you wait. As always…join us, and “tweet” us, and “like” us – OH MY!

Brussels Sprout Chips

DiStefano Burrata

Twice Baked Dungeness Crab Souffle

Warm Marinated Mussel & Monterey Calamari Toasts

Marlowe Burger

Grilled Niman Pork Chop

Steak Tartare

Seared Hawaiian Tombo Tuna

Smoky Cauliflower Gratin

Anson Mills Polenta

Brown Butter Brussles Sprouts

Poulet Vert

Tuna Conserva & Proscuitto di Parma

TCHO Chocolate Cream Pie

Strawberry & Rhubarb Crisp

Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta Affogato

Specials Menu - hanging in the restaurant (hey, everyone makes mistakes)