Zuni Saves the Day

Yes, well, it was little Miss Restaurant Whore who guessed the restaurant correctly. 'Course, what she forgot to mention was that it was HER ticket to the Food Blogger Face-Off I was trying to give away!

So, first person to email me gets the ticket. Now, back to the grub.

I've mentioned in various places that I will generally only go to Zuni for lunch. I find that the service frequently suffers in the evening, perhaps because they expect a whole lot of touristy types. And, heaven forbid that one person in your party is "urbanity-challenged" -- it can guarantee a shitty experience. So, as I drove through the city, my blood-pressure beginning to normalize, I considered our options.

Citizen Cake... had a great lunch there with Sam, but the kitchen had changed hands since then. Oh, and parking might be a bear.

Absinthe? Love it. Maybe even adore it. But it's one of our "date night" spots, so didn't want to taint it with the sour taste of the day. 

Zuni... Zuni! Readily available parking. Oysters. And my near-favorite Bloody Mary. Yes. Zuni would do.

As we pulled into our (FREE! EASY!) parking spot, I realized that in five years of living here, C had never been to this quintessentially San Franciscan place. He'd never experienced the burger, or the caesar, or the brick-oven roasted bird with that heavenly bread salad. Oh, this would be fun.

My hopes were dashed as I peered through the window and saw a packed house. Opened the door, and asked the hostess how long the wait was for a two-top. "45 minutes", said she. "30 minutes", I told C -- I couldn't risking him wanting to go elsewhere, could I?

We shimmied up to the bar, where I ordered my precious Bloody and C's Iced Tea. We kept eagle-eyes on the tables in the bar, hoping one would open up before our name was called. Once, twice, we were thwarted. Until the kind hostess whispered -- "quick, go grab that one!" And we did.

We knew what we were having, even before we sat down. "9 oysters, please -- split between Miyagi & Kumamotos. One Caesar to share. Two Hamburgers, medium-rare, one with gruyere & grilled onions. Oh, and of course, Shoestrings, please" Our waiter loved us. No hemming and hawing here.

The Oysters ($2.05-$2.55 apiece) were fresh, clean-tasting -- plump, creamy Miyagis for me; delicate, briny Kumamotos for C.

The Shoestring Potatoes ($6) were addictive. Perfectly crisp, salty, fatty. Oh.

The Caesar salad ($9), as ever, is one of my favorites -- though not an enormous fan of anchovy-heavy dressing, Zuni's is delectable. Perhaps it's that they house-cure the fish?

(Photo Courtesy the Bunrabs)

And of course... the Hamburger ($11.50 - $13.75). The one you either LOVE or HATE. No in between. For me, it's perfect. The meat is tender & flavorful, and the focaccia soaks up all the luscious juice. The pickles and onions that are served alongside rank amongst the Best Condiments Ever.

By this point we were, understandably, quite full. But a look at the dessert menu was in order to see if the fabled Caramel Pot de Creme was on the menu. Alas, it wasn't. But the Espresso Granita ($6.25) was calling my name. I have tried, unsuccessfully, to recreate that granita several times. In my kitchen, it never comes together quite right... it's missing that ethereal texture, and the consistent flavor throughout. {Sigh}.

Total for this Saturday lunch, including tax and tip came to $95. We might have been a wee bit generous with the tip because, well, hey, let's face it -- Zuni saved our day. Plus, our poor waiter, new on the job, must have had the two worst tables in the place flanking ours.

<rant>I mean, who the hell comes to Zuni on a Saturday afternoon without reservations, sits down at 2:15, orders a full meal, and expects to be out by 3:00 to catch a flight??? What the hell? And then she was a BITCH about it to the poor waiter, complaining to the manager about him and everything. </rant>

Anyway, I love Zuni for lunch. And I know a lot of you have had less than great experiences at Zuni for dinner. So, seriously, give the place a try for lunch or brunch, and let me know if it changes your opinion.

Zuni Cafe (no website)
1658 Market Street
San Francisco
415.552.2522

Technorati Tags: Food | Food & Drink | Restaurant Review | San Francisco | Zuni

Comments

[Molly]

Fatemeh, you have no idea what pain these photos are causing me. Zuni is one of my all-time favorite spots. Those shoestring fries! That burger! What I wouldn't give, I tell you, to hop down there for lunch, or dinner, or whatever...

[sam]

i love it for dinner too. Always go after 10pm.
who are those people who don't like it?
Oh, you.
oops

[Joy]

I just got back from eating lunch there. And they had my sweet, sweet, baby -- the Caramel pot de creme.

Sorry I ruined the fun by guessing right. I wouldn't be worthy of my name if I didn't, though, right?

xoxo
Joy

[Jaleh]

I was going to be a mother and write something but then I erase it!! May be I tell you or ask you when I talk to you!!
Can you guess what I am going to ask you?

[Arlene]

where is this free parking spot you're talking about? Details please.

[David]

I always had great experiences at Zuni; just avoid it on weekends and sunday brunch.

They even let me play host one night while I waited for my table!

[Catherine]

I fall into the "never had a bad experience" camp. (If you ignore the one time we had a fight, but that is clearly not Zuni's fault.) Lunch, dinner, walk-in or reservations, we've never had faulty service or food. In fact, once our waiter tracked us down later at the Mint (don't ask...) to give us our credit card receipt.

[sam]

how does Joy do it? how come she ALWAYS get the ******* caramel pot de creme. i would die for that stuff. A couple fo weeks ago alder asked me what was my favourite meal of the last year. i told him i didn't have one unless he care to count that mother of all Zuni desserts!

Cant wait - I have a recipe and I am going to make me some.

[shuna fish]

I feel towards Zuni the way one does with family. I know all their faults but I would still eat there. And some of the sentiment doesn't have to do with the food at all but the stick-to-itness of the place. It has been elegant and straightforward for a long time and certain things are perfect.

[shauna]

Sigh. The closest I've come to Zuni so far is a) crafting dishes from the ever-so-lovely cookbook; b) dreaming of eating there; c) reading this post.

Someday.

Gorgeous photos, by the way.

[Dr. Biggles]

Jeez, sounds as though I should go then? Where do people find the time?

Biggles

[haddock]

I just had a damned good hamburger at Town Hall. Damned good.

[matt armendariz]

Ah, the coincidence of it all. I just finished writing something about Zuni and found your post. God, now I'm officlally and truly fiending for Zuni.

THANK YOU!