This may shock you, but I’m a pretty easy going person when it comes to eating out. Though I have a list of places where I’d like to dine, I rarely speak up when someone asks me where we should eat. Unless someone insists that I pick a place, I just let other people take control.
So on the first of SFG’s two days off while I was there, we walked over to nearby Foreign Cinema, where he said he’d wanted to try brunch for a while (or did he say he’d been already? I forget). I always thought brunch was the bane of anyone working in the restaurant industry, but maybe it’s different when you don’t have to work brunch service ever.
I forget the name of my drink – why do I want to say it was the Hemingway? – but it was designed for me: sparkling wine, St. Germain, over ice. I pooh-pooh’ed the addition of ice, but SFG said to think of it as a cocktail (since the idea of sparkling wine over ice weirded me out), and that made it better. It was well-made, slightly sweet, and the perfect start to my morning.
SFG suggested we start with the caramel pecan sticky bun – I think he said he’d had it in the past – and I was completely surprised by how much I enjoyed it, as this is something I’d never think to order on my own. Slightly warm, sticky, gooey, dense, but in all the best possible ways, I ate more than the one bite I thought I would. I don’t know if I’d order this again – it still isn’t something I seek out – but I enjoyed it.
True to my roots, I wanted to start with something savory, so I ordered the sea bass tartare with wasabi tobiko and avocado yogurt. There were wonton crisps on the side which were great for scooping up bits of the tartare to eat, but there weren’t enough! On its own, the tartare was tasty – bright acidity, pops of heat from the wasabi tobiko, and creamy avocado yogurt, but definitely made better with the wonton crisps for texture. I wound up polishing this off myself, enjoying it greatly.
For his main brunch item, SFG chose poached eggs with duck confit and a sort of salad. I can’t eat duck confit that early in the morning, and I commented that his duck confit looked dry. He said it was OK, so I didn’t bother trying any.
Though I said I couldn’t eat duck confit that early in the morning, it’s not like I really chose a light meal myself – I’ve been seeking croque madames for a while, usually seeing croque monsieurs on menus but not so many croque madames, and when I saw it, I had to have it. The entire thing was covered in bechamel, and quite heavy; I was disappointed that my egg wasn’t bigger, but overall, it was tasty – just super, super heavy and rich. I ate a good amount of it… and then didn’t eat for the rest of the day. Okay, that’s a lie, we actually went to three different restaurants for dinner, but that’s tomorrow’s post 😉
So would I return? Well, the space is a lot bigger than I thought it would be, and there’s a gorgeous outdoor area in the back. It was slightly chilly for me (SFG was fine) but the heat lamps and the eventual sun peeking out made it perfect; service was good and I believe they even take reservations (which SFG didn’t think of so we waited, but only about 15-20 minutes – we got there just as they opened, actually). I would definitely return, though it’s not at the top of my list – if I was in the area, staying in the Mission again, and just wanted a brunch place… sure, why not? I enjoyed my experience and the food very much.
Stephanie says
Now I reallllllly want some eggs for breakfast…
Feisty Foodie says
Looking at the pictures is making me hungry, too!
Ahu says
That sticky bun looks incredible! Yum!
Feisty Foodie says
Really? Multiple people suggested it looked like cat food… 🙁
Lauren says
Croque Madames are the best!! I love when they are just completely enveloped in cheese. Will have to try this next time I’m in SF!
Feisty Foodie says
For sure!
hungry says
I always say I want to eat Croque Monsieur or Madame but always realize it’s way too heavy for me to enjoy. I could eat it if it were half that size with a much bigger salad next to it. Fries, though, are always a must if perfectly executed.
Feisty Foodie says
Well, you know, that’s why you go with someone who wants to eat it as well. 😉 Honestly, I’ve had croque monsieurs that weren’t all that heavy – more like very buttery grilled ham & cheese sandwiches (Bouchon Bakery, I’m looking at you) – tasty, but not THAT gut-bomby. But the egg definitely takes things to a new level!