San Francisco, CA 94107
Occasion: Close intimate birthday dinner with close family and friends for Henry's birthday. 02.25.12
I had just visited this restaurant about a month prior for a friend's birthday and had a great experience, so I was looking forward to another dining experience here. Attentive service, edgy decor with lights that weren't too bright nor too dim. This time we sat downstairs in a round table, which was better than the table seating we got last time (a table for 10 near the bathroom, which got annoying when people kept on coming up to use the restroom).
Amuse Bouche
I don't remember what exactly it was. Perhaps some kind of seaweed salad.
Hamachi Shots
with truffled ponzu, frizzled ginger, chili and avocado
One of my favorite things to order here. I love how the ponzu sauce complements the fresh fish so well and the crunchy rice crispies that pop in your mouth with a hint of spice from the jalepeno. Delightful little appetizer to tease the palate before the real meal.
Raw Trio
hamachi tartare / tako tiradito / tuna tataki
I don't know which was which, but each was prepared differently with different textures. Loved each one of it and would suggest getting this trio if you're a big fish person. The textures and flavors of each are worth trying.
Charred Octopus
fluffy tamago / wakamomo / arima sansyo / pickled shallot / truffle
Portion is kind of small, but I love the crunchy texture of octopus. Reminds me of squid. The charred octopus had a nice smokey taste to it.
Hot seared foie gras
hudson valley / grilled eryngi / chanterelle / yuzu buttermilk / noble no 5
Enjoying it as much as we can before it gets banned in California. So rich and buttery soft that it melts in your mouth. Some love it, some others not so much.
Truffle French Fries
sundried tomato - tonkatsu aïoli / schichimi
The whole table loved it. How can you go wrong with such a staple snack food. The seasoning definitely added a special kick to it...and the aioli...addicting! I kept on reaching for more.
Stout Cesar Salad
62.5 degree onsen egg / romaine / traditional flavors
This was so refreshingly good. I'm not a big fan of meat, so it's nice to have some greens with such a rich and heavy meal. The flavors were simple, but so good. The egg definitely made it more enjoyable.
Some refreshing jelly palate cleanser before we start our meal off.
The Perfect Porterhouse
wet-aged prime strip steak / petite filet mignon / bone marrow /black garlic persillade
It came in a generous portion, big enough to be shared and even then, we both didn't finish our share. Prime strip steak was a lot more fatty and tasty, while the filet mignon was tender and leaner. The bone marrow was loaded with a bunch of bread crumbs, which I thought was a little over done, and was too dry for my liking. It was delicious, but there were a few people in our party who ordered higher end WAGYU meat and that was AMAZING!
Sides: Potatoes, brussel sprouts, mushrooms
All of which were absolutely flavorful. Mushrooms were my favorite though. How can you have meat without some delicious sides to go with it? You can't!
Sher Australian Wagyu
simply served / veal glace / truffled beurre fondue
Buttery soft, decadent flavors, huge portion. It was absolutely one flavorful and delicious tasting slab of meat, but I think one small piece of it was good enough for me, as I found it way too rich for my liking. The most expensive piece of meat they sold there.
Complimentary cotton candy
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