1) Izzy's Steaks and Chops: | restaurant information + video | reviews |

2) El Huarache Loco: | restaurant information + video | reviews |

3) Helmand Palace: | restaurant information + video | reviews |

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My name is Leslie Sbrocco and I'm the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I will be sharing my tasting notes about the wine the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. I will also share some wine tips with each episode.

2009 Mark West Pinot Noir, California $12
A must-buy bargain bottle that captures Pinot's elegance and juicy red-berry fruit flavors at a price that will please. Stock up for the holidays to use as a house red or to give as gifts.

2010 Astrolabe
"Voyage" Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough $20
Newly landed on our shores, this unique Kiwi wine delivers a ping of zestiness layered with citrus notes and whisper of fresh herbal aromas. It's a classy Sauvignon Blanc worth seeking out.

2006
Iron Horse "Classic" Vintage Brut, Green Valley of Russian River
Valley, California $34
Iconic bubbly producer Iron Horse is California royalty, crafting world-class wines to rival the best of Champagne, France. Aged for years before release, the Vintage Brut sparkles like a Cartier jewel. Lush, yet lean, focused, and fresh, this is a wine to savor.

Related posts:

1. Izzy's Steaks and Chops: Restaurant Info
2. El Huarache Loco: Restaurant Info
3. Helmand Palace: Restaurant Info

Other ways to watch episode online (and on video iPod):
Download episode (requires iTunes or QuickTime)
Subscribe to Video Podcast

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Location:
3345 Steiner Street (at Chestnut Street)
San Francisco, CA 94123

Parking: Street (difficult), validated

Phone: 415-563-0487
Email: izzyssteaksandchops@gmail.com
Website: izzyssteaks.com

Restaurant Owner: Sam DuVall
Executive Chef: Caesar Nisthal

Type of Cuisine: Classic American Steakhouse
Signature Dishes: Skirt steak, filet medallions, Izzy's Own Potatoes, creamed spinach, Drunken Shrimp
Vegetarian Options: 3+ items
Alcohol Served: Full bar
Corkage Fee: $20 per 750 mL bottle
Bottle Limit: None

Restaurant Hours:
Monday: 5:00pm-10:00pm (dinner)
Tuesday: 5:00pm-10:00pm (dinner)
Wednesday: 5:00pm-10:00pm (dinner)
Thursday: 5:00pm-10:00pm (dinner)
Friday: 5:00pm-10:30pm (dinner)
Saturday: 5:00pm-10:30pm (dinner)
Sunday: 10:00am-3:00pm (brunch), 5:00pm-10:00pm (dinner)

Meals Served: Brunch, dinner, prix fixe menu
Prix Fixe Menu: Upon request/large parties
Take-Out: Yes
Delivery: No
Average Dinner Price Range (Per person, full meal, tax, 15% gratuity, w/o alcohol): $25-$35
Average Brunch Price Range (Per person, full meal, tax, 15% gratuity, w/o alcohol): $15-$25
Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
Accept Reservations: Yes
Do you accept reservations through OpenTable.com? No
Need Reservations: No
How far in advance should reservations be made? 2 hours

Accommodations for Children: Only suitable for older kids
Dining Style: Casual
Disabled Access: Yes
Restaurant Size: Large (100+ seats)
Accommodate Groups (10+): Yes
Private Dining Room: Yes
Tables with Scenic Views: No
Outdoor Dining: Yes, for brunch only
Entertainment: No

Related posts:

1. Izzy's Steaks and Chops: Reviews
2. Check, Please! Bay Area: Izzy's Steaks and Chops, El Huarache Loco, Helmand Palace
3. Spork: Restaurant Info [CLOSED]

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Name: Andrew
Occupation: Advertising Sales President
Location: Oakland
Favorite Restaurant: Izzy's Steaks and Chops
Reviewed Izzy's Steaks and Chops: Thursday, August 11, 2011


Izzy’s is my favorite steakhouse in San Francisco. The experience, since the first time I went there 14 years ago, has always been the same excellent dinner. From the moment you walk in, it’s clear this is an old school steakhouse. It’s a neighborhood place that has been taking care of its own for almost 25 years. There’s a great energy you can feel from the patrons at the bar, either starting their first martini of the night or drinking one of the many good wines offered. The wood tables, the exclusive booths, the 100s of beer bottles on shelves tucked in up by the ceiling, the different sauces on shelves by the walls, and the faces of employees who are confident in the great service they provide their customers make every guest feel good about eating at Izzy’s.

I like to start with the prawn cocktail for $8.95, five jumbo shrimp with a great cocktail sauce that has a big lump of horseradish in the middle for an extra big kick. Despite the numerous steaks on the menu, I always get the same thing: the marinated skirt steak, medium. It’s a generous portion of skirt steak bursting with tons of flavor, thanks to the exceptional marinade. They’re happy to share the ingredients of the marinade, although I don’t try to replicate it at home, leaving the great taste to the times when I’m dining at Izzy’s. The marinade consists of many ingredients, but the soy, ginger, and maple syrup are the main things, making it such a flavorful steak. All entrees come with two sides dishes, making this restaurant an exception to the American a la carte (and a la expensive) steakhouse way. I love the Izzy’s Own Potatoes, their take on au gratin, and creamed spinach. They make the perfect complement to the flavorful steak. At $21.95 for the best skirt steak you’ll ever have and two tasty sides, you just can’t beat it.

They know how to make a good cocktail, so I start with a gin martini with extra olives. The wine list provides a nice offering of wines with good value, just like the food menu. There are many good wines by the glass too, which the waitstaff will recommend based on your steak. I had a glass of Zinfandel, which was perfect with my skirt steak. Unfortunately, due to the generous portions, I typically do not get dessert. I just don’t have room, but their Key lime pie is very good.

The service at Izzy’s has been excellent each of the numerous times I’ve dined there over the years. Whether I’m eating at the bar while watching a game on one of the two TVs, or dining in either the main room downstairs or upstairs, you're always treated to service with a smile and a joke or two. To me, I like frequenting a place when there’s a familiarity with the staff and many of them at Izzy’s have been there since the beginning. So if you’re looking for a great steak dinner at a reasonable price, Izzy’s in the Marina is the place to go! Just be sure someone in your party orders the marinated skirt steak, so you get to try its incredible flavor.

Name: Kimberly
Occupation: Creative PR Firm, Owner
Location: San Francisco
Favorite Restaurant: El Huarache Loco
Reviewed Izzy's Steaks and Chops: Sunday, September 11, 2011


Izzy’s was a totally new introduction for me. One of the things I love about Check, Please! Bay Area is that the show turns people on to new places that may not be part of the general restaurant buzz, which of course, being in the business, I hear a lot about. From the moment I walked in, I could tell this was a well-loved neighborhood spot. Having been a New Yorker for 13 years, it reminded me of some of the institutions there, like P.J. Clarke’s or my old standby, the Landmark Tavern. From the slogan above the bar, “Every day is a Friday at Izzy’s,” to the brass nameplates of faithful devotees like Tom Wolfe and George Aknin, among others, it clearly is a place with true San Francisco roots. The waiters look like something out of central casting, and their no-nonsense irony set the tone for a fun night. I was dining with a good friend from New York, whom I knew would enjoy the atmosphere, and he felt totally at home. While there were a few service bugs, i.e. their online reservation system wasn’t working yet, and Open Table didn’t show the San Francisco location, and there was also a bit of a lag when we first sat down in terms of attention, afterwards the service was just right: attentive, funny, and professional.

We decided to share plates among us, which is generally my custom when dining out. The heirloom tomato salad was spot-on with tri-colored juicy tomatoes seasoned just right with a simple vinaigrette. It was a large portion and plenty for three to share. The main courses and shared sides appeared quickly after our appetizer, however, everything was just a tad lukewarm vs. hot.

My marinated skirt steak had a delicious teriyaki marinade and was cooked just a tad over medium-rare, which is what I ordered, but it was delicious, and we had no leftovers from my portion. My companions had the Drunken Shrimp and the NY Sirloin Au Poivre. The shrimp were generous in portion, and the sauce was a creamy, spicy Cajun sauce that was tasty, albeit simple. The shrimp were just a tad overcooked but very fresh. The NY Sirloin was ordered medium rare, but arrived a bit more towards medium and had a bit of a tougher texture, not the most choice of cuts. The cream sauce was delicious and simple, just the right amount of piquancy. In terms of the sides, we LOVED the creamed spinach, it had a touch of nutmeg, I believe, and was sinfully rich and satisfying. My Four Square application tips suggested the Izzy’s Own Potatoes, and they were a cross between the cheesy goodness of a mac 'n' cheese and a gratin. Very addictive and good, but again, not hot and gooey enough. The onions and carrots were fine but very bland. The carrots were rough cut and large in portion, and I think they would benefit from a different presentation and seasoning. I love comfort food, but thought a little more flavor would go far. The steamed broccoli was the only healthy item we had, and it was perfectly simple and a welcome relief to the richness.

The place was crowded with families, Giants fans, single diners, male groups of friends…very convivial. It seemed as if there were a lot of regulars and the place had a steady buzz all evening. We finished our meal with a shared slice of NY Cheesecake with a berry coulis. It was a bit dry (I love my cheesecake really moist), but had good flavor. Our bill was only $160 for the three of us and considering the items and the number of things we ordered, we thought it a very fair bill, considering we had had five drinks as well. My boyfriend, who loves unpretentious local places, really liked it. We’ll be back and we want to try more on the menu. I'm curious to see what the person who chose it selected as their favorite dish.

Name: Kaley
Occupation: Registered Dietician and Marathon Runner
Location: San Francisco
Favorite Restaurant: Helmand Palace
Reviewed Izzy's Steaks and Chops: Friday, September 9, 2011


We arrived at Izzy’s at 6pm for an early dinner and although I walked to the restaurant, I did notice a sign that they validate parking — a huge perk for the Marina area where parking is at a premium. As we were promptly escorted to our table in the main dining room, we passed the bar where happy-hour patrons appeared to be enjoying martinis and glasses of wine as they gabbed with the bartender. The wood panel interior coupled with the warm and friendly atmosphere made me feel as though I was dining at Cheers. In fact, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see Norm sitting on a stool at the bar!

Considering I was at a steakhouse, I thought it would only be appropriate to begin the evening with a martini. I will admit that I rarely imbibe hard alcohol and am not a connoisseur of martinis, but this went down smoothly and had extra olives — just the way I like it. As I perused the menu, I was not surprised to see primarily beef and steak dishes. Although I tend to typically sway towards fish and seafood, I am a Chicago native and appreciate a good steak every once in a while.

As our waiter came to take our order, I asked if they had any specials for the evening. He indicated that they do not usually do specials, but they were featuring a seasonal heirloom tomato salad that would only be on the menu for a few more weeks. Considering I appreciate seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, I thought that the salad was a required order. My dining partner and I split the salad, and both of us appreciated that the kitchen divided the salad for us and served it on separate plates. The flavor of the heirloom tomatoes exploded in my mouth and was balanced perfectly with the olive oil and balsamic dressing that was drizzled on top. The salad had a goat cheese crostini that balanced the acidic dressing and sweet and juicy tomato perfectly. Unfortunately, the meal went a bit downhill from here. I had ordered the strip steak, and my dining companion chose the prime rib. Being used to top cuts of meat, I was disappointed with the amount of fat and the lack of tenderness in the beef. They both were chewy and lacked flavor.

The entrees came with two sides that you selected from a list of various vegetables and potatoes. Because I’m a vegetable lover, I asked if I could have broccoli and substitute a side Caesar salad in place of the listed options — they were happy to accommodate. In addition to broccoli, my friend chose Izzy’s potatoes. Although the broccoli was perfectly cooked, the salad was a bit wilted and tasted like the dressing had been on it for hours. The Izzy’s potatoes reminded me of au gratin potatoes and had a rich creamy cheese sauce that was delicious, but too rich for more than a couple of bites.

As we were waiting for our check, we ran into two groups of our friends who were having dinner, making Izzy’s truly a neighborhood establishment where “everyone knows your name.” Overall, Izzy’s is an ideal steakhouse if you are looking for the Cheers-type atmosphere. Although the food may not be an A +, the wait staff gives you full attention and is willing to try and accommodate your dietary needs and alter dishes to your liking.

Related posts:

1. Izzy's Steaks and Chops: Restaurant Info
2. Check, Please! Bay Area: Izzy's Steaks and Chops, El Huarache Loco, Helmand Palace

Other ways to watch episode online (and on video iPod):
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Location:
Alemany Farmers'/Flea Market
100 Alemany Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94110

Marin Country Mart Farmers' Market
2257 Larkspur Landing Circle
Larkspur, CA 94939

Off the Grid Fort Mason
38 Fort Mason (parking lot)
San Francisco, CA 94123

Restaurant opening November 2011:
1803 Larkspur Landing Cir
Larkspur, CA 94939

Parking: Free lot

Phone: 415-572-6832
Email: elhuaracheloco@yahoo.com
Website: huaracheloco.com
Twitter: @elhuaracheloco
Facebook: El Huarache Loco

Restaurant Owner: Veronica Salazar
Executive Chef: Veronica Salazar

Type of Cuisine: Mexican Street Food
Signature Dishes: Huarache with Cactus Salad or Huitlacoche
Vegetarian Options: 3+ items
Alcohol Served: None

Restaurant Hours:

Friday: 5:00pm-10:00pm (Off the Grid Fort Mason)
Saturday: 8:00am-3:00pm (Alemany Farmers' Market);
9:00am-2:00pm (Marin Farmers' Market)
Sunday: 8:00am-3:00pm (Alemany Flea Market)

Meals Served: Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner (Off the Grid Fort Mason)
Take-Out: Yes
Delivery: No
Average Dinner Price Range (Per person, full meal, tax, 15% gratuity, w/o alcohol): Under $15
Average Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch Price Range (Per person, full meal, tax, 15% gratuity, w/o alcohol): Under $15
Payment Options: Cash only
Accept Reservations: No

Accommodations for Children: Kid-friendly
Dining Style: Casual
Disabled Access: Yes
Restaurant Size: Small (under 30 seats)
Accommodate Groups (10+): Yes, catering services available
Private Dining Room: No
Tables with Scenic Views: Yes
Outdoor Dining: Yes
Entertainment: No

Related posts:

1. El Huarache Loco: Reviews
2. El Huarache Azteca: Restaurant Info
3. Check, Please! Bay Area: Izzy's Steaks and Chops, El Huarache Loco, Helmand Palace

Other ways to watch episode online (and on video iPod):
Download episode (requires iTunes or QuickTime)
Subscribe to Video Podcast

Name: Kimberly
Occupation: Creative PR Firm, Owner
Location: San Francisco
Favorite Restaurant: El Huarache Loco
Reviewed El Huarache Loco: Sunday, September 4, 2011


I love Sundays at the Alemany Flea Market for many reasons, but a real highlight is the El Huarache Loco stand at the market. Run by Veronica Salazar, who grew up in Mexico City and missed her street food in the Distrito Federal so much that she recreated it here for those of us in the S.F. I’ve been a fan of the amazing gourmet but simple foods the Bay Area’s mobile food business offers and I follow many food trucks/carts on Twitter, as well as frequent the pod at the end of Valencia most Saturdays (Off the Grid) as well as the Tonayense truck by Best Buy on Harrison Street. El Huarache Loco first got my attention when I arrived at Alemany about 4 years ago, starving for bargains and something good to eat. I always look for where the lines are, as well as what people are eating and how much they’re enjoying and focusing on their food vs. simply eating to fill a hunger gap. When I saw the crowd by the El Huarache table and then looked over at the simple colorful tabletops with Mexican oilcloth tablecloths where people were digging in with enthusiasm, I knew I’d struck pay dirt.

This place is all about the freshness of the ingredients, the authenticity of the dishes, and specifically the signature dish called the Huarache which is a refried bean filled handmade corn tortilla lightly griddled and covered with red or green salsa, crema, queso fresco, cilantro, onions and a choice of toppings, either meat or vegetarian. Huarache means sandal in Spanish and history goes that in the 1930s in Mexico City, a woman named Carmen Gomez Medina invented this oblong/sandal-shaped goodness. She sold her huaraches in an open market called the Mercado de Jamaica, and today, that tradition of serving them in open markets is continued by the Salazar family with El Huarache Loco.

On a recent Sunday, I went with a friend of mine who has Mexican heritage, and who also had become a fan completely serendipitously. We ordered three things to share: a Flor de Calabaza quesadilla (squash blossom), the Huarache Alambre, and the Lamb Barbacoa taco. All cooked to order, the three dishes are a blaze of color and flavors, as well as textures and temperatures; a true gastronomic experience.

The Huarache Alambre is a classic dish from Mexico City, and it has a thick but supple tortilla filled with refried beans topped with steak, bacon, onions, cilantro, chorizo, poblano peppers, and queso fresco with a chile de’arbol sauce. It’s a toothsome dish that offers an explosion of flavor with each bite. Cool fresh queso fresco, onions and cilantro is counterpointed by sautéed poblanos, melted mozzarella on top. The lightly griddled huarache is crispy on the outside but soft and chewy throughout. The tortillas for the tacos and the huaraches are made on site by hand which makes everything so very fresh and delicious.

The squash blossom quesadilla was also prepared with a soft corn tortilla and, rather than being a big cheesy mess of two tortillas bound by cheese, it is a folded over simple presentation with fresh lettuce, queso fresco-stuffed squash blossoms, the chile de’arbol sauce and cotija cheese. I love squash blossoms, especially those stuffed with cheese, and these are not overdone, they are just right. All the dishes at El Huarache come with either a red sauce (chile de’arbol) or a green sauce (tomatillo, avocado, cilantro and lime), which cuts through anything fatty and adds zest and acidity to it. The arbol sauce is more creamy and decadent and helps pull together all sorts of different flavors in the dishes.

The lamb tacos are made on an organic blue corn tortilla and served with lamb that has been braised, so that it’s tender and falling apart, and covered in fresh onions and cilantro, and we ordered it with the aforementioned salsa verde. A squeeze of fresh lime cut through the fattiness of the lamb, and the acidity in the salsa verde complemented its richness as well. You can have it served with either or both sauces, I think I might try the ying/yang of that next time.

I love the story about how Veronica worked with La Cocina and was able to get support for her catering business from this Mission-based program. I live in the Mission and love its bright colors, flavors, and culture, and I am proud to see a program like La Cocina’s help talented people. One of the reasons I’m such a fan of El Huarache Loco is that you can tell it’s food made with love by the family behind it. They take our great farmers' market fresh ingredients and craft authentic dishes from Mexico that tantalize. It’s really affordable, which is great in this economy, and you see none of the classic overdone rice, beans, cheese, or guacamole that has become an Americanized form of Mexican food, this is the REAL DEAL!

Name: Andrew
Occupation: Advertising Sales President
Location: Oakland
Favorite Restaurant: Izzy's Steaks and Chops
Reviewed El Huarache Loco: Saturday, September 10, 2011


I ate at El Huarache Loco in the Alemany Farmers'/Flea Market. I love all types of street food, especially Mexican, so I was very excited to eat theirs. I had to try the huarache, which is one of their specialties. It’s an oval tortilla with beans (lightly fried), sour cream, onion, cilantro, and an orange spicy salsa. The choices ranged from alambre, pollo, huevo, mole, and more. I had the alambre huarache, which seemed to be the most popular one. It’s Mexico City style (I’ve never been there though), which was bacon, chorizo, asada, bell peppers, onions, and melted mozzarella. I really liked it. The mixture of the meats weren’t really distinguishable, but the blend of all of them, along with the cheese and salsa, made for a delicious, new Mexican dish for me. It was similar to a tostada in that it was served open-faced, however instead of a crispy tortilla, it’s soft. It’s a bit messy, so be sure to eat it with someone with whom you’re very comfortable.

I love tacos so I had to try theirs. Again, you have a choice of meat from their large selection: ground beef, cured beef, chicken, pork, and more. I had the cecina taco, which is cured beef. The taco was an organic corn taco, and I got it with all the toppings, cilantro, onions, and the orange salsa. The salsa is really loaded on top of the entire taco, so it was pretty spicy. I loved the cecina. All the flavors mixing together really filled my mouth in an incredible way, making for a great taco. I liked the cecina meat even better than the alambre mixed meats. After finishing the taco, my mouth was still hot from the salsa. I just wish I had a cold Cerveza to go with it — it would have been perfect! The people working there were all very nice, including the owner. She’s from Mexico City, and the entire experience of eating there, from start to finish, was truly authentic. Their truck was crowded (which usually is a good sign) and deservedly so in the case of El Huarache Loco.

The only downside of the day was the traffic getting into and out of the farmers' market. There was about a 10 minute wait to get into the market and park the car and probably closer to 15 minutes to get out of there. Waiting that long to eat at a place as good and authentic as El Huarache Loco and being able to shop at all the incredible organic fruit and vegetable stands at the market was worth it, however it’s not something I would do often. I think the next time I’ll satisfy my El Huarache Loco craving at Off the Grid on Friday night in Fort Mason.

Name: Kaley
Occupation: Registered Dietician and Marathon Runner
Location: San Francisco
Favorite Restaurant: Helmand Palace
Reviewed El Huarache Loco: Sunday, September 18, 2011

This family-run food truck is tucked away in the Alemany Flea Market and makes for a great Sunday family outing. My two nieces, sister, brother-in-law, and I ventured out to this spot and were amazed by the number of people who had the same idea for their weekend. After perusing the merchandise throughout the market, we discovered the true gem of the day: the El Huarache Loco food truck. Surprisingly not busy, we approached the lady running the truck (who we found out was the daughter of Vanessa, the owner of the “restaurant”), who patiently guided us through the menu and provided us with suggestions that would please our entire group. We ended up with a variety of items that wowed the adventurous palates of the adults, and met the basic cravings of my three and six-year-old nieces.

As we waited for our food, we sat on a picnic table located between El Huarache Loco and another food truck, and sipped on the homemade hibiscus aqua fresca. Not particularly fond of sugary beverages, I found this was not overly sweetened and had a pleasant and refreshing flavor. The food arrived quickly and was brought to our table by the friendly staff. The handmade corn quesadilla that was served with squash blossoms won the award for the day. The squash blossoms were perfectly prepared and were complemented with a sprinkling of cheese that had a slight bite to it. The huarache with lamb and the side of nopales were also top contenders. The homemade mole sauce served with the lamb is a specialty of the food truck and it amazed us. Don’t be intimidated by the cactus salad (nopales), it is a perfect side that will balance the flavors of the meal. My three-year-old niece polished off the entire quesadilla before I had a chance to snag a bite, apparently she agreed that El Huarache Loco was the find of the day.

El Huarache Loco food truck truly is a precious gem, offering authentic, inexpensive Mexican food that caters to all palates. More sophisticated diners will enjoy their gourmet flair, while inexperienced eaters will appreciate the simple, yet well prepared cuisine. This family-run "restaurant" is so accommodating and friendly that you feel like you are being served out of their home.

Related posts:

1. El Huarache Loco: Restaurant Info
2. Check, Please! Bay Area: Izzy's Steaks and Chops, El Huarache Loco, Helmand Palace
3. El Huarache Azteca: Reviews

Other ways to watch episode online (and on video iPod):
Download episode (requires iTunes or QuickTime)
Subscribe to Video Podcast

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Location:
2424 Van Ness Avenue (at Green Street)
San Francisco, CA 94109

Parking: Paid lot (Monday-Thursday), valet (Friday and Saturday)

Phone: 415-345-0072
Website: helmandpalacesf.com

Restaurant Owner: David Zaheer
Executive Chef: Haytham Hassan
Pastry Chef: Haytham Hassan

Type of Cuisine: Afghanistan Cuisine
Signature Dishes: Chowpan, qabelee, dwopiaza, seekkabab
Vegetarian Options: 3+ items
Alcohol Served: Beer and wine
Corkage Fee: $15 per bottle
Bottle Limit: None

Restaurant Hours:
Monday: 5:30pm-10:00pm (dinner)
Tuesday: 5:30pm-10:00pm (dinner)
Wednesday: 5:30pm-10:00pm (dinner)
Thursday: 5:30pm-10:00pm (dinner)
Friday: 5:30pm-11:00pm (dinner)
Saturday: 5:30pm-11:00pm (dinner)
Sunday: 5:30pm-10:00pm (dinner)

Meals Served: Dinner
Take-Out: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Average Dinner Price Range (Per person, full meal, tax, 15% gratuity, w/o alcohol): $25-$35
Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, American Express
Accept Reservations: Yes
Do you accept reservations through OpenTable.com? Yes
Need Reservations: No
How far in advance should reservations be made? 1 day

Accommodations for Children: Kid-friendly
Dining Style: Casual
Disabled Access: Yes
Restaurant Size: Medium (30-100 seats)
Accommodate Groups (10+): Yes
Private Dining Room: No
Tables with Scenic Views: No
Outdoor Dining: No
Entertainment: No

Related posts:

1. India Palace Restaurant: Restaurant Info
2. Check, Please! Bay Area: Izzy's Steaks and Chops, El Huarache Loco, Helmand Palace
3. Helmand Palace: Reviews

Other ways to watch episode online (and on video iPod):
Download episode (requires iTunes or QuickTime)
Subscribe to Video Podcast

Name: Kaley
Occupation: Registered Dietician and Marathon Runner
Location: San Francisco
Favorite Restaurant: Helmand Palace
Reviewed Helmand Palace: Thursday, September 8, 2011


The first time I dined at the Helmand Palace was more than ten years ago when I was visiting my sister, long before I lived in the Bay Area. The restaurant left such a strong impression that it was one of the first restaurants I dined at upon my move to San Francisco. For those who are not familiar with Afghani cuisine, I like to think of it as a fusion of Mediterranean and Indian flavors. Onions, peppers, mushrooms, and rice are frequently combined with chicken and lamb and various spices including cinnamon, mint, and cilantro.

While you decide on what to order, complimentary bread with three distinct spreads are brought to the table. The three sauces — yogurt-mint, cilantro, and sweet and spicy –offer the palate unique flavors that complement one another and tantalize your taste buds. To start, be sure to try the kaddo appetizer. This pan-fried and baked baby pumpkin melts in your mouth. The savory pumpkin is perfectly complimented with a slightly spicy ground beef tomato sauce and topped with a light sugar coating and drizzled with a creamy and cooling yogurt garlic sauce. I have been known to go to the Helmand Palace because of a craving for this dish alone! The aushak ravioli is another delicious appetizer that won’t disappoint. This savory combination of leeks and scallions fills a loosely folded noodle and is topped with mint spiked ground beef sauce. It should be noted that both of these appetizers can be enjoyed as a vegetarian alternatives.

Not sure what to order as an entree? Ask your waiter. Depending on what you crave, your server will guide you in the right direction. I have tried many of the lamb and chicken dishes and have yet to be disappointed. Here are two of my favorites. The dwopiaza is a leg of lamb that is marinated and then grilled, resulting in a flavorful and tender entree. The mourgh challow chicken breast is sautéed with spices, yellow split-peas, yogurt, cilantro, and curry. It is served with challow, a fragrant and flavorful rice. The portions are hefty and ideal for sharing.

So if you are curious about authentic and unique ethnic cuisine in San Francisco, without breaking the pocket book, the Helmand Palace is for you. You will leave with a happy palate and looking forward to your next visit. The waiters are always friendly and truly support their menu. Vegetarians are well received.

Name: Kimberly
Occupation: Creative PR Firm, Owner
Location: San Francisco
Favorite Restaurant: El Huarache Loco
Reviewed Helmand Palace: Tuesday, September 6, 2011


I hadn’t heard of Helmand Palace before so I was eager to go, considering that when I lived in New York I was a big fan of Afghani food. I love the spices, the flavors, the sauces, the exotic quality of the experience. I circled the block for about 20 minutes futilely looking for parking and finally when I saw an opening right in front of the restaurant, I saw that they had validated parking around the corner. I just didn’t realize it, because the parking sign was hidden by the car that held that spot for some time beforehand. This is a good tip to tell future restaurant-goers, because it is parking hell generally in that neighborhood. I say, take a cab!

I arrived on the later side, 8:30 PM, which, early in the week, I consider to be a bit of the dead hour in San Francisco, having witnessed that’s when things really get cooking in New York. There were three tables taken then: a large international group of what appeared to be tech wizards (men and women of many nationalities) celebrating a birthday, a couple, and a solo diner. The food photos out front were a bit of a turnoff initially for me, as I’ve seen many touristy restaurants around the world that do that. I suppose it makes sense if you don’t know what you’re getting into, but to me it seemed to make it less of a culinary adventure. Plus the photos could have been more appetizing, they didn’t do the presentations justice.

The small bar area up front looked like a good place to whet one’s whistle on busier nights, but that night it was empty, and a lone, hard working waiter acting as host and server greeted me. He had a very kind face and was welcoming even though he seemed to be on a personal call when I walked in. I was struck quickly with an odd sort of cleaning liquid smell when I came in, sort of a disinfectant, which I always find to be a bit off-putting when I want my senses and appetite stimulated. The place was decorated in Afghani carpets, more modern lighting, and some village murals, which had charm. There were fresh flowers on each table, but it just seemed that a little low lighting and live music would have given the restaurant more warmth and made it a good date night place. It looked as if it had a stage for that purpose, perhaps on the weekend nights.

After perusing the menu and receiving some lovely sauces with warmed bread (a sort of raita, a cilantro-based sauce, and a spicy red sauce for dipping), my appetite was piqued. I ordered the vegetable aushak and the mourgh challow, as well as a reasonably priced glass of Sauvignon Blanc ($6), one I didn't recognize and don’t recall, but which was decent. I always find that many ethnic cuisine-focused restaurants don’t spend enough time finding cheap and cheerful wines, but always seem to go for the mass appeal of the cheaper and widely recognized wines; a missed opportunity.

The aushak, which was a vegetarian ravioli filled with leeks, scallions and served with a yogurt, garlic, mint sauce, topped with yellow split peas and carrot sauce had a nice texture. The raviolis seemed to be homemade and quite delicate, however, I found the split peas to be a bit tough, i.e. undercooked, and the seasoning of dried mint to be too overpowering for the dish. The portion was just right, not too large, not too small and enough to share.

My next dish was the mourgh challow, which was chicken breast sautéed with spices and yellow split-peas and yogurt, cilantro, and curry sauce. The rice was fluffy and buttery, and a perfect texture, not clumpy or sticky. The accompanying sauce and chicken looked inviting, however, when I bit into the chicken, I instantly got the sense it was an older cut of meat, perhaps because it was a long weekend beforehand, but the meat didn’t taste fresh despite how good the sauce was. A bummer.

My overall impression was that I would give this place a second try, the prices, staff, and earnestness certainly were appealing, and I think perhaps trying different items on the menu might be worth doing. The large party seemed to be regulars and knew what to order — this might be the sort of place where ordering wisely will make for a whole different experience.

Name: Andrew
Occupation: Advertising Sales President
Location: Oakland
Favorite Restaurant: Izzy's Steaks and Chops
Reviewed Helmand Palace: Friday, September 9, 2011

This was the first time I’ve eaten Afghani food, so I was curious to see what it would be like. There was a miscommunication on my initial attempt to eat there. I had called for a reservation the night I was going and they had confirmed a table for me, however when I got there, they had a big sign on the door saying “Closed for Private Party.” They did have a few tables available during the party, but they were all taken when I got there at the time of my confirmed reservation. When I had called to make the initial reservation, they clearly should have told me about the private party. Then when I went back, I quickly realized the service was not good. The waitstaff were all very polite, but we sat there at least 10-15 minutes after being seated before they came to take a drink order. The thing is the restaurant wasn’t crowded. There were only about 6 tables occupied. They seemed more interested in clearing the plates from the empty tables and setting them again than they did in taking our order. I saw they do a takeout business, but still would have liked more attentive service.

The first food to arrive was the Afghan flatbread, which was warm, it just was pretty bland. It came with 3 different dips, cucumber yogurt, cilantro, and red chile peppers, which added nice flavors. When the bread was served with the nice looking dips, there was no explanation of what they were. It was all just put on the table. I had to ask the waiter to say what they were. Since we weren’t familiar with the food, I relied on the waiter for help when we ordered. He did a very nice job recommending things to us. The kaddo appetizer was excellent. It was pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce, topped with ground beef sauce. The pumpkin was sweet and the mixture of it with the beef sauce was delicious; melt in your mouth. The meat got me excited about the lamb and meatball entrees we had ordered. I also had the aush soup, which was a noodle soup served with the same beef sauce as the kaddo, and mint yogurt. It was basically the Afghan version of chicken noodle soup, just served with meat sauce instead. Overall, the dish wasn’t so flavorful, but I enjoyed the beef again.

For the entrees, I had the seek kabab, which was char-broiled leg of lamb marinated in a puree of onion, sun-dried baby grapes, and garlic, and served with sautéed eggplant and pallow rice. I enjoyed the lamb, which had good flavor, however the rest of the dish was bland. I didn’t like the taste of the eggplant at all, and it just didn’t seem to go with the lamb. It didn’t have much taste and would have been better if it had a richer, tomato sauce flavor to go with the lamb. I liked the pallow rice, it was seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cumin seeds, which you could really taste those flavors. The 2nd entrée was the koufta challow: beef meatballs with Afghan seasoning sautéed with sun-dried tomato, hot peppers, and green peas in a tomato sauce served with challow rice. The meatballs were absolutely delicious. I loved all the flavors of the dish with the juicy tomato sauce, and there was a bit of spice to it. For me, this was the standout dish along with the pumpkin dish.

I was too full for dessert. I had an Amstel Light with the dinner. I was surprised to see there wasn’t an Afghan beer on the menu, as it’s fun to try the beer of the country when available. Like in the beginning of the night, the service was inattentive. Our empty plates just sat on the table, as I tried to get someone’s attention to clear them and bring us the check. Again, they continued to clear and set the empty tables rather than check on the customers in the restaurant. Overall, I’m glad I tried the restaurant; I did enjoy a few of the dishes, it’s just that the inattentive service wouldn’t bring me back to Helmand Palace anytime soon.

Related posts:

1. Helmand Palace: Restaurant Info
2. Check, Please! Bay Area: Izzy's Steaks and Chops, El Huarache Loco, Helmand Palace
3. Udupi Palace: Reviews

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A must-buy bargain bottle that captures Pinot's elegance and juicy red-berry fruit flavors at a price that will please. Stock up for the holidays to use as a house red or to give as gifts.

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2. Check, Please! Bay Area: Izzy's Steaks and Chops, El Huarache Loco, Helmand Palace
3. Wine Tips: Pairing Dessert Wines

1) Café Aquarius: | restaurant information + video | reviews |

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My name is Leslie Sbrocco and I'm the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I will be sharing my tasting notes about the wine the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. I will also share some wine tips with each episode.

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A special area in South Australia, Coonawarra has red soil that produces noteworthy Cabs known for their elegant, snappy style with a hint of minty aromas. This affordable wine is a winner (and the label's ode to cricket is, too). Flexible enough to enjoy with foods from cheese to roast chicken to grilled beef.

2010 MF Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California $12
What a value. You'd be hard pressed to find a Chardonnay at this price that beats the quality. Hailing from superstar Russian River, it should be twice the price.

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Location:
1298 65th Street (at Hollis Street)
Emeryville, CA 94608

Parking: Street (difficult), free lot (across the street)

Phone: 510-655-2782 (AQUA)
Email: pat@ cafeaquarius.net
Website: cafeaquarius.net
Twitter: @cafeaquarius
Facebook: Café Aquarius

Restaurant Owner: Patrick Feehan
Executive Chef: Marianna Zdobysz
Pastry Chef: Patrick Feehan

Type of Cuisine: Upscale Comfort Food and Baked Goods
Signature Dishes: Blackened Fish Sandwich, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Cinnamon Rolls, Chai Latte
Vegetarian Options: 1-2 items
Alcohol Served: Beer and wine
Corkage Fee: $15
Bottle Limit: None

Restaurant Hours:
Monday: 7:00am-3:00pm
Tuesday: 7:00am-3:00pm
Wednesday: 7:00am-3:00pm
Thursday: 7:00am-3:00pm
Friday: 7:00am-3:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-2:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am-2:00pm

Meals Served: Breakfast, brunch, lunch
Take-Out: Yes
Delivery: Yes, with a $75 minimum. Local delivery only.
Average Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch Price Range (Per person, full meal, tax, 15% gratuity, w/o alcohol): Under $15
Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, American Express
Accept Reservations: Yes, for parties of six or more
Do you accept reservations through OpenTable.com? No
Need Reservations: No

Accommodations for Children: Kid-friendly
Dining Style: Business casual
Disabled Access: Yes
Restaurant Size: Medium (30-100 seats)
Accommodate Groups (10+): Yes
Private Dining Room: No
Tables with Scenic Views: No
Outdoor Dining: Yes
Entertainment: Yes, occasional live music

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2. Oliveto Café & Restaurant: Restaurant Info
3. Hard Knox Cafe: Restaurant Info