Famished Girl
Firecracker, The Mission
For nearly a decade now, Firecracker has been offering a contemporary take on the traditional Chinese cuisine. Everyone from local hipsters to young families comes to this 50-seat restaurant — as much for the food as for the ambiance. Marionettes and lanterns festooned with firecrackers hang from the ceiling. The predominantly red space is cozy and inviting; tables are a bit close to each other, but that just adds to the energy here.
One of the biggest complaints about Chinese food is that it can be too greasy. Not so at Firecracker. The spicy calamari, which is sauteed with spinach, is a favorite appetizer. The pork dumplings, wrapped in wonton wrappers, are served with cinnamon-infused soy sauce. For the main course, the salmon is delicious. It’s flash-fried with garlic and wine, then topped with Asian pears. The walnut prawns — which, thankfully, aren’t too sweet — are usually my contribution to the meal when a group of us order family-style.
The dishes here are moderately-priced, so you get a lot of bang for your buck. It may not be as cheap as your average Chinese take-out spot, but Firecracker is definitely above-average and worth spending a little more.
Firecracker
1007-1/2 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 642-3470
