(at Broadway St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
www.thehse.com
Must say that House has quickly become our favorite restaurant in the Bay Area. Having been introduced during our last trip by a couple of good friends with trustworthy palates, we HAD to make a return visit. A small cozy space tucked away in a little alley just outside of Chinatown. I'd declare this place a "hidden gem" were there not over 1200 reviews on Yelp!
1. Steamed mussels with garlic infused shrimp broth - The menu is relatively short, and without any new items since our last trip, we decided to stick with what we knew. These mussels were spectacular during our last visit. The broth is delish. Were it a bit lighter, we'd definitely order it as a soup. However, it's boldness pairs well with the plump mussels. Tasty!
2. Miso-marinated black cod with california roll - This was one of the "specials". Having not documented our last trip very throughly, we'd forgotten a few of the items we'd ordered previously. Assuming the "specials" were the "specials of the day" we were smitten with the description of the black cod and decided to try it. It wasn't until it arrived with the the familiar strips of california roll on top that we realized that we'd had this dish last time. And just like last time, the fish was flakey, buttery, and the miso marinade was delicious. Black cod is the next best thing to Chilean sea bass. In fact, we agreed that we could give up sea bass for black cod if it was always this good.
3. Kurabota pork chop with pomegranate currant sauce - Ah, THE pork chop. We had a party of 12 and 10 of us ordered the pork chop. It's that good. The meat is tender and juicy and the flavors of the pomegranate sauce is superb. Sweet and savory, it pairs perfectly with this white meat. Simply fantastic.
The prices are reasonable and the service is friendly. And to reiterate once again, the food is fantastic. A great place to go with friends for a nice, yet casual dinner. And a bit of advice: after dinner, skip dessert at The House and make the short walk up the street to Golden Gate Bakery. Patiently wait in the awkwardly formed line outside, being careful not to block the tiny street vendor next door. Once you make your way to the counter, order a dozen or so egg tarts to share between your friends. You'll be glad you did.