Yip on LuLu

Restaurant LuLu * 816 Folsom St * San Francisco, CA 94107 * (415) 495-5775
Cuisines: French, Rotisserie
Neighborhood: SoMa

I've been here two times now, and this time I chose this restaurant because it could accommodate large parties (mine was a pleasant party of 12). Unfortunately, in my book, a place has to be good, first and foremost, before it can characterize itself as 'good for groups.'

The Scene

When you first walk in, there is a oversized oven where they make their famous rotisserie chicken, pork and specials. The bar is hustling and bustling with an afterwork crowd. Our group was shuffled to one of the side rooms, which boasted its own full bar so it shouldn't have been half bad. Except we were positioned at the back of the room near, as I like to call it, the kitchen annex. Again, this would be nice given the wood burning oven atmosphere, if there was some prep or rotisserie to watch (not just dishes being washed and a fire that left my clothes smelling like a bonfire).

The Menu

Lots sounds good and its large portion family style, so I'm in luck for trying lots of tasty treats - beets, leek goat cheese bacon tart, and melon with prosciutto for apps. Main meal we go with an assortment of rotisserie: chicken,pork, and lamb (the evening's special). We also add a plate of halibut and the spinach, apple, goat cheese tart for good measure. Dessert also pretty much covered everything on the menu: warm chocolate cake, pluot tart, cookie plate, creme brulee. And the verdict...

The Food

The prosciutto melon came with honeydew instead of the normal cantaloupe. The beets were good, but for some strange reason were topped with chopped walnuts which were no value add. It's also important to mention that I suspect there must have been something wrong with their kitchen warming devices. The bacon tart was cold, which I definitely wasn't expecting. Both chicken and pork were delicious, but the pork came to the table cold as well and the chicken wasn't a top notch experience with lots of little bones to sort through. The fish was relatively tasteless, and the lamb was smothered with olive tappinade, so it was hard to taste anything else. Come dessert, the warm chocolate cake was warm, but the creme brulee wasn't. And the cookie plate came straight out of a store bought box, and not a store bought bakery box.

The Bathroom

The floor on the way the bathroom was super slippery, which me and my Manolos just don't go for. But by the time I made the mile and half hike to the ladies room, I was relieved to find it clean and freshly painted. And by that, I mean it was three stalls in a closet-like space, and I could hardly breathe from the paint fumes,. Now, if only they used that paint on our dining room ceiling, which was suffering from some nasty water damage.

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In a spoonful, its not even worth trying once. And I should know, since I've made the unfortunate mistake twice. Cold food to the table, store bought cookies, and the rotisserie smell..., well, let's just say I should send them my dry cleaning bill.

Yip gives it 1 spoon.

Yip on Gary Danko

Gary Danko * 800 N Point St @ Hyde * San Francisco, CA 94109 * (415) 749-2060
Cuisine: Californian
Neighborhood: Russian Hill

Before you go, note that they start taking reservations 2 months in advance. And by that I mean, wake up the morning 2 months in advance of the exact date you would like to eat and call-busy-hang-up, call-busy-hang-up, call-busy-hang-up, like you're trying to get through to Ticketmaster. And don't even think of being technologically savvy and trying to book on their website. This will just lead to their hostess calling you back a day later and offering you a table at 9:45pm on a Sunday night. You can, of course, also decide to "walk in" and have you $300+ meal at the bar.

The Scene

All the buzz. One of the hottest tickets in town. I'm dying to be on the inside. And I know I can only afford to go here on the parental payroll, so you bet I succumbed to Mr. Two-Months-In-Advance when I learned my Big Daddy Caddy was coming to town.

Unfortunately, initial impressions not so good, both before and after being seated (more to come on that). It is partially my own fault for not anticipating and handling critical situations because the website did ask if I had any requests when I made my reservation. I should have requested to not be put at a table where I felt like I was on a date with my dad. Allow me set the scene for you:

This restaurant has two rooms. One with the bar and a few small tables, and another more private room (read: no windows. It feels a little like a Mafia hit is about to happen). There, a few larger 4-person tables in the center of the room and several smaller 2-person tables wrap around the perimeter. The problem with these smaller tables is that you have to sit side-by-side. While I know some people find this highly romantic, I don't even like sitting on the same side of the table on a legitimate date, let alone with my dad. Though clearly this is the kind of a place an older sugar daddy would take his young vixen, so maybe they thought they were doing him a favor.

The Service

While very fabulous and should not be glossed over, this really should be expected for such an in-demand reservation and pricey menu. Unfortunately, not the burst the in-demand bubble, there were two very annoying service oriented things about my visit.

Number One: I am not joking when I say we had to wait at the bar for 45 minutes past our reservation time for our table. And need I remind you from my previous rant, that our reservation was at 9:45 on a Sunday night? My pops made it clear for me more than once that he has never eaten dinner at 11pm. Good thing he'll take one for the team when it comes to his baby's happiness because in any other instance I have no doubt he would have walked right out.

Number Two: because you are not facing each other at the table, it is quite challenging to sit in your Sunday best and carry on a proper conversation without squirming around in your seat. I have to also mention that they have these food runners the help bring out all the plates so the food for the entire table arrives at literally the same time. Heaven forbid your head waiter has to go back to the kitchen for Aunt Lu's chicken. For the 4-tops in the center of the room, this looks a bit like a synchronized swimming routine and is very distracting to the outside tables. Maybe that's just me, but I'm already annoyed and we've barely ordered. And I waited 2 months for this dog and pony show.

The Food

I'll pull out all the stops here. It is really THAT fantastic. Everything we ate melted in your mouth and was superbly presented on the plate. And you know me too well by know to know that I am going to mention that the portions were perfect. I don't mind spending more for less. I just don't want to feel so full that I am going to burst when I clean my plate. Some places need to learn more food is not a matter of value. Less food is a matter of respect for my waistline and respect to not be so wasteful of the chef's masterful creations.

The Bathrooms

I would have expected more but that is probably only because my expectations haven't managed to the overall experience. Not that I really care to have one, but I was anticipating a restroom attendant.

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In a spoonful, I don't think it's worth all the hype. The meal is fabulous, but so are a lot of places in SF. They've got a few kinks to work out in the overall experience, and an overall experience is what I really treasure about a good meal. But, they do have printed matchbooks. And we all know that counts for something.

Yip gives it 4 spoons.

Yip on Frjtz

Frjtz * 579 Hayes St @ Laguna * San Francisco, CA 94102 * (415) 864-7654
Cuisine: Belgian
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley

I admit to being slightly biased to the following review for 3 reasons:
(1) My friend Paul, one of the coolest cats I know, DJs here on Tuesday nights from 8-10pm
(2) It's in Hayes Valley, and literally a hop, skip and jump away from my bedroom.
and (3) I really want a miniature daushund someday, who I will name "Captain Fritz Gingersnap" and Frjtz reminds me of my love affair with him.

The Scene

The place is long and skinny with only a handful of tables. There's also a little garden patio in the back (with heat lamps!). There's also this cute little nook to eat in by the counter where you order. I had been here several times before said nook was free for me to enjoy (read: pea green with envy). But once I sat there, I realized I was unnecessarily seduced by the power of the nook. It is not comfortable. It's hot. And who knows how often they clean the cushions in there where everyone puts their dirty shoes. Not the kind of place I'd like to enjoy a meal you eat with your hands. There is, however, an equally tantalizing (and I suspect A LOT more comfortable) nook just inside the front door. They can even give you a bed tray to eat off of. So nook away. And do so on Tuesday nights - Go Paul! He rocks.

The Food

Citysearch continues to live up to my frustrations (I think friends like to read what's on there and call me out on my opposite opinion just for kicks).), so I am going to go ahead and disagree with them here (shocker!). The crepes are just ok. And that's not really allowed when over half your limited menu consists of crepes. They are greasy and doughy with overall unimaginative combinations on the savory side. I mean, I'll throw them a bone here on the sweeties: what's not to like about good ol' nutella and banana?! But the fries are yip yum, and they have like 20 different kinds of dipping sauces. As far as the food, I'd stay stick with the pommes frites and call it a day. Well, that and don't forget the Chimay. But they go down easy, so pace yourself. Though if you don't heed that advice, annoyingly you have to wait in line again to get another. Clearly a flaw in this system.

The Bathrooms

Well, in all honesty, the restaurant itself doesn't seem like the cleanest (you have to walk by the kitchen to get outside to the patio and its a little grimey and slippery), so I didn't brave the bathroom. Notice the trend that I don't often have bathroom information to report in Hayes Valley, since my own private bathroom with multiple soap options and 2-ply TP is just around the corner. And really this lack of knowledge is not for lack of need. I have the smallest bladder of all time.

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In a spoonful, its worth checking out and kind of fun. Head around the corner to The Crepe House if that's what you're looking for. Its Fries and Beers here. Kind of like a ball game - an American, err ... Belgian classic.

Yip gives it 2.5 spoons.

Yip on Garibaldi's

Garibaldi's Restaurant * 347 Presidio Ave @ Sacramento * San Francisco, CA 94115 * (415) 563-8841
Cuisine: Californian
Neighborhood: Presidio Heights

The Scene

I heard a small buzz about this place from some local Presidio Heights' residents, so I had been wanting to check it out. Once you happen upon it, you wouldn't know it was there if you weren't looking for it. Lights aren't too bright. Sign's not too obvious. Kind of unassuming and private. All around, subtle yet tasteful.

The Service

I made an OpenTable reservation with my 5 best SF girlfriends (2 more were sadly missed due to busy scheduling conflicts) to celebrate my 28th birthday. In the comments section, I noted that we were celebrating a special occasion and hoped they could oblige with an extra nice table. We were offered an off-to-the-side round table, fantastic for a small crowd to engage in a group conversation. This was great because, even though these are MY best girlfriends, they didn't all know each other very well. And by that I mean, we had a moment where we went around the table and told perfectly hilarious stories about how they all knew me. And this is just how a girl likes to recount the last 28 years of her social life. Heaven help us when the 30th rolls around and the real roast begins.

In addition to the great table, the service was all around great for a special occasion meal. Wine glasses never went empty. Courses were timed perfectly to a leisure dinner. Waiter was available, but didn't hover.

The Decor

Minimal. A smallish bar, but still with presence. White table cloths and simple art for the walls. Our table had a fantastic overhead light. And by fantastic, I mean I am in a lighting obsession phase, which should be clear from the constant references to my opinion on it from place to place. This one got my seal of approval (though it could have used a good dusting).

The Menu

Highly enticing. And lucky for a girl with a restaurant blog and a birthday to celebrate, everyone will give you a tasty of theirs. I started with duck carpaccio and smoked salmon rosette paired with the only cucumber salad (my girlfriend Kelli can confirm) I have been known to eat. I also had a tastes of the Garibaldi's salad (better than a traditional "house" but not superbly special) and the roasted artichoke panzella. And here's where I experienced by 1:2 disappointments for the evening. How could I have been so stupid to not have ordered this myself!?!?! Fantastic. Delicious. A must have. Make room if you are thinking it's a "main course only" kind of night.

I proceeded to enjoy the tournedos of filet mignon, which was delish and appropriately portion controlled. I also tasted the halibut, tuna and rissotto. Halbut was probably the best, but I love a good steak so no complaints.

And to celebrate our occasion, they made a delicious specialty dessert, with a plate chilled with chocolate sauce "Happy Birthday" and a candle. Subtle, yet tasteful. And thankfully, the group passed on the singing.

The Bathrooms

Two simple individual rooms with not too much decor. Appropriate restaurant to restroom transitional lighting (I hate getting blinded by bathroom's 100-watt bulbs when the restaurant is dimmed for romance). Overall, and I know I repeat myself: subtle, yet tasteful. And truthfully, in preparation for my next comment, it was cleaner than the average. One problem: no toilet seat covers. I mean, that's really a problem anywhere, but this is a nice place, so even more of a problem. There's no excuse for that. And to be clear, it's not as if they were just out (one greedy patron could have ruined this for everyone). There was no receptacle housing where they SHOULD be. Weird. Wrong. Yuck.

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In a spoonful, I highly recommend. I do feel the need to mention that this place is really for a special occasion (though they do grace the menu with a what sounds like a tasty burger). Since it was my birthday, I didn't even get a glimpse at the meal ticket before my ladies threw in their credit cards, but I know it was a pretty penny. All they have to do is fix that personal hygiene issue and they'll be up there in my top 5 picks in the city. For a special occasion, that is. Or when you are on your I-banker boyfriend's expense account.

Yip gives it 4.5 spoons.