Before you, dear reader, get the impression that I am an alcoholic, let me first clarify that Absinthe is the name of a fabulous San Francisco based restaurant. Brunch is arguably my favourite meal. It’s later than breakfast, earlier than lunch, an acceptable time to start drinking, a meal where you’re not limited to breakfast or lunch foods… and let’s not forget the optimal setting for people watching, gossiping, and even dating — both for friends and romantically. If your “date” is good, you have the whole day and night to prolong it, and if it’s bad, you have the rest of the day to forget it! But let’s not delve into my dating theories (I have many) and instead allow me to rave about Absinthe!
I’ve gone to this brasserie & bar (tangent: what is a brasserie anyways? Is it as scandalous as it sounds? really? no.) a few times and each time has been a treat. I use the word treat because while I love Absinthe, I can’t afford to go there every week… calorie-wise or wallet-wise. It is a place where I’ve gone with a few visitors to SF (haha, and I’m a visitor to SF!) and everyone I know has been delighted by the cosy yet hip decor, friendly if a bit flaky service, and well executed food. Everything from the duck confit hash, $15 USD, to the dungeness crab-salad sandwich, $16, to the croque monsieur, $11.50, has been done and done well. I’ve also sampled their ricotta-stuffed french toast $13, both as a meal and as dessert. I can’t vouch for this, as I’d ordered it on separate occasions and perhaps the menu changed, but as a main in it comes laden with fruits and as a dessert, it comes with maple syrup. No matter, both ways are delicious.
As regards to their actual dessert menu, I’ve only sampled one dessert, the Tcho chocolate pot de creme, $9. Wait! What’s that? Tcho? Is this some unheard of style of chocolate? Fret not foodies. Pronounced “cho” (silent T) Tcho is a San Francisco based artisan chocolatier. The pot de creme was ridiculously amazing. Honestly, as I write about this pot de creme, my taste buds memory imprint is kicking in and I’m mentally savouring the smooth chocolatey (there’s no better word!) decadence of this dessert.
The drinks at Absinthe are also something to write about. Pictured at the very top is (I believe) the Absinthe Lemonade $3.50. The Bloodie’s, all $9, are customized three separate ways; all are delicious with a bit of a bite… which is how I like my Mary’s. And let’s not forget the champagne cocktails… mm… so fun with interesting fruity twists. I sampled “Death in the Afternoon”, more for the name than anything else (I am such a sucker for inventive names) and thoroughly enjoyed my choice. If you are easily lured in by interesting names, I’m sure you will be tempted by their abundant cocktail list. PS: When I say abundant, I mean it; the drinks menu is as long as their food list.
I think I’ve waxed on about the glories of Absinthe long enough, check them out online HERE or visit them at 398 Hayes Street (at Gough Street), San Francisco, CA. I highly recommend making a reservation as this restaurant is a popular one! Phone: 415.551.1590
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