This past week was a tough one for me. And you know my mantra: When the going gets tough, the tough make reservations! So instead of saying you-know-what, I said Fish & Farm, Farina and 1300 on Fillmore. Unfortunately, there's no photographic evidence. I know...What the F! I won't get into the technicalities here. Steve J. and I like to keep our lovers' quarrels private.
First, there was Fish & Farm for Francesca's birthday. There's a new crew in the kitchen, formerly of the Fifth Floor (What did I tell you, it's all about the F.) Same basic principles are upheld: local, sustainable, organic. Though this seems to be all the rage everywhere these days, Fish & Farm is a standout. Most memorable were the Vanilla Turnip Milkshake amuse, the flavorful broth that enveloped Francesca's fish, my farm choice of pork chop with potato and apple galette, and the chocolate covered peanut butter "icebox" cookie on the cookie plate. Lovely atmosphere in the main room -- with country decor in my new favorite color combo, light blue and brown. The 42-table place was packed on a Tuesday night. A little tip: the floors are reclaimed bamboo -- lovely and admirable -- but try to sit in a booth. Every time anyone walked by, the floor would shake beneath my chair.
Andiamo! Wednesday night found me at Farina with friends, eating the most amazing focaccia I've ever had. The large round or savory Italian bread was covered in delectable prosciutto, with a mound of creamy burrata in the center. Best appetizer of '08 to date. The homemade pastas were all molto bene, which didn't surprise me given the raves from native Italians on Menupages.
Finished out the week on Friday at 1300 on Fillmore. This week's People magazine reveals that Beyonce's slim-down secret is to say no to Southern cooking. Well, don't tell her about this place, because her willpower will fly straight out the window. It's the kind of food you imagine the Top Cheftestants are making when they're asked to reinvent comfort foods ... like the Macaroni and Cheese, which the folks at Epic Roasthouse need to come here and try. I'm just saying. Thank goodness we skipped the apps, because my main course, Beef tenderloin with Gorgonzola hominy, balsamic sweet onions and brandy sauce, was so freakin' amazing I devoured the entire thing. If this weren't a white-tablecloth-soul-food place, you might have caught me licking the plate. Just kidding. Sort of.
So, the next time you get the urge to say the F word, check out one of these:
Fish & Farm | 339 Taylor St., San Francisco| (415) 474-3474 | fishandfarmsf.com
Farina | 3560 18th St., San Francisco | (415) 565-0360 | farinafoods.com
1300 on Fillmore | 1300 Fillmore St. (natch), San Francisco | 1300fillmore.com
All three accept reservations on OpenTable.
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