So after a drizzly train ride into San Francisco, and a beautifully warm October day greeting me upon reaching the ferry building, I was really in the mood for some good eats. Sacramento has been in a kind of culinary slump, so this foodie pick-me-up weekend was just right.
Being as I'd never enjoyed the North Beach area this was our first destination. I know it's slightly more touristy than my usual fare but we headed to the Beach Chalet, the same restaurant where the Beach Chalet on one side and the Park Chalet on the other (crafty and profitable). On such a beautiful day it was hard to not want to take in the beautiful view at one of their coveted "window" seats, and bask in the sun, so after waiting about 30 minutes, a drink and an appetizer later we were seated at these special tables.
The reason there is slight sarcasm in my voice is because there was about 20 tables at the end of the restaurant that weren't seated at all, but "reserved" - after waiting and watching the servers it was my suspicion that these tables weren't filled to keep people waiting for the exclusivity of it all (yes they do practice this at many restaurants). Either way we just got to experience more of a view while waiting, and it was very unique - from the kites, beach babes, and surfers...this was a California experience.
On to the food and drinks. I ordered (as I usually do) a bourbon based drink, and when I asked what kind of Bourbon they had the sweet, abet young bartender, obviously catering more to the "crafted" micobrews of apricot ales and great white lagers was so taken aback that he called me "Sir" and said he had to check. I mean I know I'm tall, but really?
It's so weird that guy bartenders expect every girl to order a Cosmopolatian and flip her hair....anyway, an Old Fashioned made with Bulliet Rye and their Baked Laura Chenel Goat Cheese with Fresh Figs in Balsamic Syrup on Herbed Crostini started us off. This was suprisingly good, and the highlight of the meal - and with such a low price point of $11.00 this should tell you something about how things went as they got more expensive.
Once sitting at our "view"side two-top there is a caution to be noted, the glass doesn't deflect the heat, it magnifies it. Not quite what I expected, but I just became that horrible customer that drinks sooo much water that it drives the waiters nuts, they call these customers "camels." But considering our table was so closely crammed next to our fellow table for profitability or maybe view-ability purposes that we were practically eating with the table next to us, and our waiter was sporting a look of Jersey Shore meets Ex-Con fashion, and it was now about 150 degrees, so I drank with gusto!
The fish n' chips were good but not great for $16.00, and the BEACH CHALET’S AWESOME BABY BACK RIBS Slow Cooked Pork Ribs Smothered in Housemade BBQ Sauce for $23.00 were much less than desired. Ever taste that bad pork taste that you get at bad Chinese restaurants, like the pork has been held too long, and you think you might get sick if you finish that bite? Then you were right there with me eating that expensive rib. Not something I would revisit again.
Overall, it was a great view, a really great view. That part was not in question, but the prices, the drinks, and the expense for quality were very much in question after leaving. Interestingly, I didn't get 10 feet out the door when a manager followed us and asked "So how was your meal? Did you enjoy your food?" I stupidly thought she was another patron and gave her my opinion and said the view was great, but the food was less so....she than said, "well that's good to know, I just wanted to know before it ended up on YELP!" - So much for hospitality!
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