Zuni Cafe is a popular American restaurant on Market street near Hayes Valley. Judy Rodgers has served classic fare that stays timeless since their inception in 1979. Menu changes daily and they use sustainable and humane ingredients. They are packed most of the time. Bar tables are available first come first serve.

Decor, Vibe - Odd, pie shaped building with exposed brick, large windows, large bar area and oyster bar. Lots of folks in their 30’s to 50’s, better dressed, a bit of a scene.

Menu Pictures

Dessert Menu

Picks:

Zuni Caesar Salad ($9) is a classic dish. Fresh greens and classic dressing.

Chicken for two ($48) roasted in the brick oven, warm bread salad with scallions, currants, and pine nuts is their signature dish. Order it as soon as you sit down, as it takes an hour. Some of the best chicken around, it was juicy and tender. Bread was crispy. It is good reheated.

Oysters ($12) Wescott Pacific, Hog Kumamoto, and Olympias were fresh and served with champagne vinegrette.

Piccolo fritto ($11) deep-fried radicchio, onions, and lemon with balsamic vinegar was crunchy and satisfying. How could deep fried food not be?

Pistachio ice cream cones ($8.75) with chocolate sauce were small but the ice cream was smooth and creamy. Yes, it was someone’s birthday.

Espresso granita ($6.25) with whipped cream was a refreshing dessert. Caffeine and zingy coffee flavor balanced with cream.

Wills Ranch Pork Chop ($25) roasted with cardoons, chickpeas, and almond green garlic picada was cooked just right, tender, and juicy. Good beans.

Farro soup ($8.25) with 3 greens and one egg was excellent. Good broth and fresh greens.

OK:

Tomales Bay Mussels and Hog Island Manila Clams ($10) with saffron, coriander seed, orange zest and harissa was only fair. Fresh shellfish combined with good sauce. Good dip for bread.

Serrano Ham with Twin Girl Farm cherries and fennel ($11) was fair. Too simple, we guess. The other appetizers were better.

Polenta ($5.25) with parmesan cheese was fair. A litle on the hard side.

Pans:
None

Zuni Cafe had above average service that was friendly. All food came out paced well. Classic food that is very accessible, no wonder they are always packed. Be sure to try the Burger during lunchtime or late night time.

Cocktails like the Mojito and Margarita were strong and well made.
They add a 4% San Francisco Health Surchage to your bill.

Be sure to check out the Zuni Cafe Book

Passionfish offers a “unique California dining experience with serious food and wine in a fun and casual atmosphere. The ever-changing menu features the freshest, sustainable seafood, slow-cooked meats, organic greens and delectable desserts, all complemented by an award winning wine list priced well below what you’ve come to expect.” They have been around for over ten years.
With the world class Monterey Bay Aquarium nearby and all its educational campaigns, this restaurant adheres to the sustainable seafood movement to serve ‘correct’ food. Passionfish is owned and operated by Chef Ted Walter and his wife Cindy Walter, who are vocal advocates for sustainabilty.

We have been visiting this restaurant for years and find it a consistent place for good food at reasonable prices, especially in an area full of tourisy restaurants. Menu changes daily.

Wine Cellar

Decor, Vibe - Sudued decor with a clean look with separate front and rear dining areas. Locals and tourists were dining, with both families and groups in their 40’s and 50’s.

Menu Pictures

Dessert Menu

Picks:

Monterey squid salad ($10) with mango, long beans, red peppers in an orange dressing was excellent. The squid was tender and the sauce was especially good.

Gulf of Maine Scallops ($24) with tomato truffle butter, Thyme risotto custard was excellent. Very good quality scallops with perfect carmelization.

Sturgeon ($23) with coconut rice, zucchini fritters, red curry vinaigrette was very good. A meaty fish that was cooked correctly.

Tilipia ($8, Children’s plate) had a mild flavor and was pretty good. Excellent price for real food aimed at kids.

Carpene Prosecco ($20) was an excellent value for the whole bottle. Wish more restaurants would price like this.

Mint and Espresso Mud Pie ($6) with chocolate sauce and walnuts was just huge. It was so hard we had to keep banging on it. Great walnuts.

OK:

Mussels ($10) steamed in a spicy tomato-cilantro broth was very spicy, avoid if you do not like hot food. Could not taste the mussels.

Duck ($8, Children’s plate) was average. Skin was crispy, but other entrees overshadowed this.

Pans:
None

Passionfish continues to deliver the goods even after many years. It is a perfect part of a Monterey trip. We have tried many of the touristy restaurants and have found this place to have better food, and at lower prices. You won’t have a view of the Bay though.
Passionfish has a huge wine selection at great prices near retail. Kids menu available.
If the Fried sweet potatoes are on the menu, be sure to order them.

Restaurant.com $25 Dining Certificate for $10
Entertainment Book 2 for 1 restaurant, food coupons, and much more

Oola is a stylish restaurant in San Francisco’s South of market area serving American food. It stays open late, so it is popular with the late crowd.

Decor, Vibe - Dimly lit, exposed brick, high tech stylish lounge decor with loud music. Soma hipsters, couples, and people in their 20’s and 30’s were dining.

Menu Pictures

Picks:

Seared Ahi ($13) had 4 pieces of seared tuna with radishes and fingerling potato chips. Decent quality and quantity.

All natural Baby Back Ribs Entree ($26) had 6 pieces of good cilantro, ginger and soy glazed ribs with a scoop of cole slaw. Lots of meat on the bone and decent BBQ Sauce.

Root Beer Float ($7) had root beer schnapps, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and was very good. Super creamy. Even came with more root beer.

Vanilla Blood orange Panna Cotta ($8) had layered panna cotta, citurs pate de fruit, and blood orange sorbet. The sorbet was real tart. Very smooth panna cotta.

OK:

Roast Beets and watermelon Salad ($12) with watercress, pistachios, goat cheese and a thyme vinaigrette was expensive for what we got, but it tasted decent at least. Good quantity of beets.

Scallop Entree ($26) was fair at best. Quality was average and their cooking style was not great. Artichoke vinegar was weird.

Filet Mignon ($28) was average. Had golden enoki mushrooms, mash potatoes. It was of good size and cooked to the correct wellness.

Goat cheese Mac and Cheese ($7) was an average side order. Nothing special to it.

Sauteed Swiss Chard with bacon ($6) was an average vegetable dish. We needed to have some healthy food and this was it.

Pans:

Cobia ($23) this fish looked good but was botched. We should have sent it back.

Oola was an expensive experience in small plates. Food was fair, this is a place to go for cocktails and appetizers after partying. Wines by the glass cost about $10, with specialty cocktails going for $8. If you want to try this restaurant, consider the cheaper happy hour (Mon-Fri 5-7pm) specials or weekly 6-8pm special menus.