Famished Girl
Cortez, Theatre District
If you’re like me, you usually show up at a restaurant famished and eager to take your seat. But at Cortez, a little waiting at the bar isn’t such a bad thing. The bartenders are friendly, serve up delicious cocktails, and even offer bowls of rosemary popcorn for you to snack on. (Much better than plain ol’ peanuts!) Just remember not to fill up on the popcorn because once your table is ready, you’re in for a real culinary treat.
The menu is comprised of small plates that are meant to be shared. If you like sashimi, start with an order of the daily crudo — fresh, marinated fish served raw. The soups also change regularly, and are served in a pair of shot glasses.
My favorite dishes here include the beet salad, chicken breast and shortribs. But even if none of those items were on the menu, I would come here simply for the fries. Served with harissa and zaatar spiced mayonnaises, they are some of the best in the city. Seriously.
Again, while inhaling the small plates, remind yourself not to fill up. The desserts here are phenomenal. The mikshake shots are too cute to resist. (I’ve had the butterscotch and the chocolate malt — both delicious.) The sugar and spice beignets, served with Vahlrona chocolate for dipping, are also high on my list of recommendations. But the stand-out on the dessert menu is the chocolate-peanut butter truffle cake with caramel ice-cream and peanut praline. It is plate-licking good.
From the hostess to the bartender to the servers, the service at Cortez is friendly and efficient. The plates come to the table one at a time, so you can easily pace yourself. The decor is a little funky (cork-tiled columns, mobiles hanging from the ceiling), but I didn’t notice it too much — I was way too focused on devouring the dishes in front of me.
Cortez (in the Hotel Adagio)
550 Gear Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 292-6360
