Carina and I had planned out most of my trip before I even got there. Thursday was probably my heaviest eating and drinking day. By Friday, I was looking forward to a sushi lunch and Frances. I figured a couple of good meals would mean a not-so-hangover-y Saturday morning after a heavy night of drinkin‘.
Carina had made these reservations far in advance as Frances is a hot new restaurant. The small restaurant got packed as the evening progressed.
After starting with a cocktail each, Foggy Summer Fizz for Carina and a Apples and Honey for me, we moved onto wine.
Frances does this wonderful deal of paying only for what you drink. You have your choice of two house wines, specially selected red and white wine blends. We opted for white. And how much do you pay? A buck an ounce.
amuse bouche
Carina and I have a foodie’s habit of turning every meal into a tasting menu. We decided on two “bouchees” the panisse frites and grilled calamari to start. We also wanted to share the dungeness crab salad. We then each ordered an entree and one side to split. Our server felt we really needed the white corn soup and surprised us with it.
white corn soup
He was right, it was a lovely soup to start with. When the next table decided not to get the soup, I said, “Uh oh” and convinced them they needed the soup as well.
panisse frites
grilled calamari
The panisse frites are crispy chickpea fritters. They were so delicate and light. A wonderful dish to start with. The grilled calamari was simple, the epitome of a summer meal.
dungeness crab salad
When Carina first went to Frances, she fell in love with the Dungeness crab salad. It was indeed good. I thought the tomatoes were the best I’ve had all summer.
roasted summer squash
When we received our side of roasted squash, I began to sense a theme. Beans, tomatoes, fresh herbs showing up in the dishes. And though the dishes had the same ingredients, the chef’s deft touch made you think they were all different and unique dishes.
crepe cannelloni
soul food farm chicken
Maybe because we’re generally heavy meat eaters but Carina decided to take a break and go veg. At least for her entree. She had the crepe cannelloni which was stuffed with leeks and beet tops. The cannelloni sat atop a bed of maitake mushrooms. Other than the shrooms being a bit too salty, I loved this dish.
My chicken was so intricate. How did the chef wrap up white and dark meat with the skin? I ate every last bite of it including the polenta.
I then very adamantly declared I was full and that was it.
almond and semolina crostata
Guess what? Our server was disappointed in us. More specifically me. I was on vacation. Couldn’t I squeeze in a bite? Okay, just one bite.
Frances
3870 17th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114-2030
(415) 621-3870
August 24, 2010 at 11:17 AM
[...] Friday, after dinner at Frances, we headed over to Bourbon & Branch around 8 p.m. We figured since it was in the Tenderloin, [...]
December 21, 2010 at 4:49 PM
[...] intriguing housemade squash ketchup. I found these a little greasy and thought the version I had at Frances in San Francisco were better. I think it would have helped if the fries weren’t so [...]
February 7, 2011 at 3:18 PM
[...] but that is only one meal. What else does the Bay Area have to offer? Last August, I went to Frances and loved my meal. I really wanted to go back this trip but I couldn’t get reservations until [...]
June 8, 2011 at 5:37 PM
[...] burrata and bread dish then moved onto the chickpea panelle. Oh wow, it hasn’t been since Frances for their panisse frites (chickpea fries) since I’ve been moved by the simple chickpea. These [...]
August 17, 2011 at 11:51 AM
[...] since I went to Frances a year ago, I’ve been dying to go back. I tried to go in January but couldn’t secure [...]
February 24, 2012 at 1:36 PM
[...] first time I ever had chickpea fritters was at Frances in San Francisco. I loved them so much and no other restaurant has come close to capturing the joy of my first bite [...]