Famished Girl
Triptych, SoMa
I love brunch. But there are few places in the city where I’ve been able to get an affordable and delicious brunch without: a) arriving on the restaurant’s doorstep at 7 a.m., or b) waiting an hour.
And those do not sound like good ways to start a weekend morning.
So I was pleasantly surprised to discover Triptych, a 47-seat restaurant/art gallery that isn’t too crowded or too loud — precisely the kind of place where you can relax and enjoy a leisurely meal. The back patio, which makes for a delightful oasis on a sunny day, is just icing. You can easily forget that you’re sitting in the middle of a big city, let alone that the garden was probably once a loading dock.
I like to kick things off with a plate of beignets. They’re good, but remind me more of popovers than the beloved beignets I’ve had in New Orleans. Moving on to the bigger dishes, Triptych does both the sweet and the savory well. The delicious semolina French toast is served with caramelized bananas, creme fraiche, and organic syrup. For eggs benedict fans, there are several varieties to choose from (I like mine with pancetta). The wild mushrooms in the Hollandaise sauce are a nice touch. The omelets come with a fantastic side of potatoes. (Order them if your dish isn’t accompanied by them!)
Despite its corrugated metal walls and exposed brick interior, Triptych manages to still feel warm. Maybe it’s the colorful silk draping from the ceilings, or the friendly staff, or the artwork gracing the walls. The restaurant rotates through artists, many of whom are local.
The food, the patio, the artwork … As if you need another reason to try Triptych: Parking during brunch hours is a cinch. Indeed, this place is a real rarity in the city.
TIP: If you like any of the pieces on display, ask about them. They are usually available for purchase.
Triptych
1155 Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 703-0557
