Winterland - A Hidden Treasure

After a disappointing Feb. dine about, March came in and blew our socks off. This little known place in Pac Heights was phenomenal! We hear it's not attracting big crowds, and we hope to spread the word about this top of the line dining establishment. After Quince, this is my top DASF experience to date (and that's after 23 months of doing this!)

Go check it out at: www.winterlandrestaurant.com

Everyone was so excited and tickled by the food and experience, we started a new tradition of making up Haiku. (maybe this was a result of the Hemp seed in the dessert.) See the next posting.

We had the core group: The Klinkes, the ever loving Ceci and Victor, just back from Carnival Phu, and me. We missed Jon (asleep on the couch at home after a long call night) and Winnie (not feeling good after what must have been a great birthday.)

The ratings:
Atmosphere: 90
Nice, modern, nothing crazy, but pleasant. Love that it is a small, intimate place.

Service: 97
Outstanding! Salpi, our waiteress was very knowledgeable, as was all the staff, charming while not being overbearing. A great service team - they swooped in smoothly to deliver all our dishes at once, and cleared the plates all at once - perfectly orchestrated. Plus, nice extra touches, with an amuse at the beginning and nice peti fours at the conclusion of the meal (we love the freebies.) Usually this type of service is reserved for the very very top line restaurants (e.g., French Laundry).

Food: 95.
Wow. Wow. Wow. Tons of fresh ingredients and different flavors - but it all worked great together. Highlights: Octopus Ceviche and Chicken wings and gnochii with butternut squash puree to start. Light, smooth Alaskan Cod with infused mash potatoes, wonderful short ribs, creative lamb with spinach crepe. 2 out of 3 desserts hit the spot, with the rhubarb brioche and olive oil ice cream topping our list - sounds crazy, but unbelievably tasty.

I may have got the ratings a little mixed up - they were all in the 90s, so correct me if I'm mistaken.

More on the next post. . .a new tradition in poetry to tempt you to read on.

Garcon - Not up to Par (Feb's DASF)

Garcon, located in the mission, was pleasant, but not up to regular DASF standards. It's been a month since we went there, and I can't remember one detail - a sign of a not so memorable experience.

What made the night great was the company. We had a few first-timers: Jen Anastasoff - who has signs of becoming a real foodie. Son Tran, the new roommate upstairs from Phu, transplanted from New Orleans, was wowed by everything, as first timers usually are. And, Mark Uhlik, a friend of Jon's from high school in Colorado, in town for a meeting. A suprisingly great critic - hailing from Indianapolis, not usually known for cuisine. We also enjoyed the presence of Germaine - back after attending the very first Dine About so many months ago! All were great additions!

Rounding out the group were the regulars: Phu and Winnie, Victor and Cecilia, Jon and me.

Great group; not great food (this is a new bit of Haiku you will start to see in our write-ups. More on that with the next rating for Winterland.)

Restaurant itself was crowded, and we were packed into the back room. I do remember a particularly good chocolate dessert.

Anyone else remember anything?

Cheers,
Mollie