Spruce (San Francisco)

I had high hopes for Spruce.  The successful owners, the celebrated designer and the glowing reviews made it seem a sure bet.  So I excitedly made a reservation for four; it was my turn to pick the restaurant for my monthly girls' dish session (pun intended) with Jacquie, Jill and Rebecca.   

Upon arrival, the restaurant's decor is strikingly beautiful.  Adjancent to the foyer there's a lounge to the right and what looks like a patisserie on the right.  The bar's larger-than-life wall of bottles could be a work of art.  The dining room is furnished with chocolate velvet walls with matching settees.  The chairs are caramel ostrich.  Hungry yet?  We were.  However, due to the painfully slow service the entire evening, we had to ask ourselves: "Are we going to get fed, or just fed up?"

I started with a dish that sounded promising: Spearmint and Harvest Greens Ravioli.  The spearmint that I thought would taste deliciously unique proved otherwise, especially combined with the harvest greens, which actually felt like a mouthful of twigs. 

Moving on (slowly) to the main course: Seared Tuna with Corn Fondue and Chanterelles. I asked for the tuna "super-rare" and that's what I got.  Unfortunately, it was seared and then forgotten since it arrived at our table lukewarm and overseasoned.  I considered myself lucky, since Jill's beef was cold.  On a happier note, the corn fondue and chanterelles were delicious.

Thankfully, dessert was a sweet note to end on.  Chocolate and Caramel Fondant with Chocolate Paper and Chocolate Sorbet, and White Chocolate Creme with Hazelnut Cake and Coffee Ice Cream were the second-best highlights of the evening. 

Top honors go to seeing my girls and getting all the juicy scoop.   What's the latest?  I'll never tell....

xoxo,
Fro Fro

Spruce
3640 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 931-5100
www.sprucesf.com

P.S.  I know there are some who think it's unfair to judge a restaurant on one visit.  Rumor has it that Spruce's burger is quite good, and you know I can't resist a good burger.  So I'll be back, darlings.  It just might take a while.