Finally, TBD
I go by this place everyday. Each time it gets more and more enticing. The aroma that comes out of here makes me feel like Winnie the Pooh around a jar of honey. My steps gets lighter and my grin was unstoppable. So unfair to deal with that each and every day. Maybe I should get another job or move away, or… I should try this place out. Sure enough this was what we did.
The restaurant was actually the sister restaurant of AQ, a couple doors down. They both have a prix fixe menu, though TBD was less expensive than that of AQ. Must have explained the difference in attire for the patrons. I definitely belonged on this side of the tracks. Inside, the place was pretty cozy. Dimly lit, it was made for an intimate experience. Each table had it’s own bubble of light. Looking in felt like we were intruding. Great job interior designers. For the three of us, it was perfect. We were there to talk ideas and of course, have good food along with it. We actually went all the way to closing. To the point where we were the last ones to leave. And the wonderful thing was, they didn’t kick us out. We noticed everyone was cleaning up and there were no other patrons around. The beers were that good.
To the food.
The prix fixe menu was actually a tasting menu, not full courses. A bit of a disappointment because there were dishes I’d be gladly to have a full portion of. Needless to say, you won’t walk away hungry, hungry. At $45USD a person, you get to sample plenty. An impressive showcase of what they can do with the grill. From what I’ve read, it’s a specialized hearth. I’d say it’s money well spent. Unlike our night’s expenditures. We should have added the $30USD drink pairing. We spent just as much ordering the same drink all night. I really need to rethink my drinking strategy.
TBD Restaurant
1077 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
+1 (415) 431-1826
tbdrestaurant.com
Verdict: Although I wouldn’t come back for the tasting menu, I do recommend trying this place at least once.
You don’t have to ask for an extra spoon or fork if you drop it on the floor, like I usually do. Built into the tables are your place setting supplies. They are prepared for people like me.
Here’s a photo of the kitchen at work. As you may notice, I had to take several shots. Not only was the lighting really difficult (and no I’m not using the flash) but I needed a parting shot through the neighboring patrons. Stop looking over here people, I’m trying to ninja a shot.
In preparation of the meal, they brought out these crisps. Not going to rate them, because it’s not on the menu and I’m sure if you come here, they’ll have something else.
First up was the salad. Question, is it a salad if the only thing that’s green was the cilantro? Sure it is. It’s my kinda of salad. Okay so maybe it’s the quinoa that makes it so. Still it’s not listed as a quinoa salad and I agree. I was all about the main ingredients. The quinoa brought something smokey about it that drew out flavors of the tomatoes and watermelon. Very well done salad indeed.
This was a little bit on the dry side for me. An unfortunate fate for some big pieces of local sea bass. The eggplant helped with the taste and texture, adding some much needed moisture along with the grits. All in all though, it didn’t work for me. And I barely knew the seabass was crusted.
Smoked tri-tip? Charred with a coffee/onion rub? Sign me up. And guess what, they delivered! Definitely the highlight of the night. Tender, perfectly cooked to medium rare (as you can see). The flavoring only enhanced the taste of the smoked beef, not over powering it. As for the okra and the sauce, I don’t quite remember having any of it. I was in steak heaven. Why can’t we get more of this.
Here’s a side that came with the tri-tip, creamed corn with some shredded cheese. Pretty solid. Firm kernels in a tasty, what would you call this, soup? Still good in my book.
This side was my favorite. You’d think that with bacon, this would turn out to be real salty. Refreshingly it wasn’t. Though, it had that smoky taste you found in the other dishes. Not that I’m complaining. Just saying how this was a step above most green beans with bacon dish.
By the time we got to dessert, we were several drinks in and the food had settled in. Needless to say, I didn’t have too much of this. Not bad. I think I enjoyed the granola more. Crunchy and earthy, pitted against that tart filling. Yeah, I think a few bites were all I had to complete the meal. It was time to go home.