Restaurant Review: Cha Cha Cha, San Francisco, California

Another one of my Haight-favorites (and quite possibly my favorite restaurant in the entire city) is Cha Cha Cha, a Latin (Cuban?) restaurant at Stanyan on the end of Haight.  There is also one in the mission, but I have not visited and would likely be biased in favor of the Haight outpost anyway.  James and I have eaten at Cha Cha Cha many times and have tried just about everything on the menu, yet still we have a hard time ordering (yes--just about everything is THAT good).

The restaurant is crowded, with tables, people, and random "stuff."  Decorations are stuffed onto the walls, crooked and colorful, and the table cloths are made of plastic and busily patterned; all of this adds to the character of the restaurant.  Upon entering, the restaurant will probably be very crowded (for dinner at least)--come prepared to either squeeze into the bar or stand outside, in which case: dress warmly.  Wait times vary significantly; I have waited anywhere from five minutes to an hour in what seemed to be similar crowds.  Make the most of your wait time by ordering a pitcher of their infamous sangria from the bar; it is the most delicious sangria that I have had outside of Spain.  James likes to eat the fruit inside, but I don't recommend it for those who are sensitive to the taste of alcohol.  We counted last time, and a large ($20) pitcher will serve about fourteen small glasses, which, depending on your sensitivity to it, will be good for 2-3 people for the entire meal.

(courtesy the Cha Cha Cha website)

The first time I visited Cha Cha Cha I ordered the black bean soup; it is served with sour cream, and when paired with bread can be a meal in itself.  Trust me, though, you will want to order as many things as possible!  Other favorites from the appetizer menu include: Jamaican jerk chicken, the grilled marinated chicken wings (nice and spicy), the fried new potatoes (infinitely better than they sound), and Spanish rice and black beans (simple yet effective; the black beans at Cha Cha Cha are as superior as black beans can be).  My absolute favorite appetizer, however, and the dish that keeps me coming back nearly every time I'm in the city, is the fried platanos maduros.  I have a deep-seeded love for fried plantains and crave them often, and Cha Cha Cha does one of my best-loved dishes very well.  They are served with the black beans (more of a black bean puree) and sour cream--add a dash of salt and enjoy!  They are an absolute must for anyone who tries Cha Cha Cha.  One appetizer I will advise against is the ceviche; I am not a fan of ceviche in general, but James describes it as bland and lacking in character--two adjectives I do not prefer my food to have.  I have also not tried the mussels or the calamari (not huge on seafood), but James fully endorses both, for all those underwater creature lovers out there.  Honestly, it is hard to go wrong with anything on the menu.

Generally, I've always stuck with a variety of appetizers to share between the table rather than order an entree (primarily because I enjoy the different options), but I have tried the arroz con pollo, which was good, however not fantastic.  Also, the pargo rojo (red snapper) is notable, however the negative comments include it's small size.  The lechon asada (roast pork leg) is probably the best entree to go for, although I have not tried the remaining two; the pork is tender and delicious and it includes my favorites: plantains (although, to be fair, so do the other entrees).

For dessert, absolutely try the el mango tango mango.  It is just big enough to satisfy the sweet tooth without being too filling.  I haven't tried any of the other desserts yet, but I certainly intend to.  The service is fine, however nothing special, and often the host will be absent when you first enter.  Patience is key, especially if it is crowded.  The food is very, very worthy.  Prices are not exceptionally high, but a bill can easily surprise you as all those appetizers and all that sangria quickly adds up. 

I love this restaurant, and I have recommended Cha Cha Cha to everyone in or visiting San Francisco; if you only go to one restaurant there (and are a fan of Latin cuisine), absolutely visit this one.

Restaurant Review: Magnolia Pub and Brewery, San Francisco, California

Because my boyfriend lives just three blocks from the infamous Haight-Ashbury, we spend many of our meals in one of the varied restaurants of the area.  One of our hands-down favorites is Magnolia Pub and Brewery, a small and quirky restaurant and bar on the corner of Haight and Masonic.  I had many times passed over the restaurant upon viewing the menu outside the door, but I am under the impression that the restaurant has undergone a significant makeover since my disregards.

About twenty to twenty-five tables are stuffed inside, and five or so metal tables and chairs are outside for the nicer days on Haight.  Dark wood decorates the interior, bringing the patron mind to reminisce of an old English pub.  Small quirks add finishing touches of charm to Magnolia, such as the dishtowels for napkins and old alcohol bottles for serving water.  They brew their own beer and declare a significant fondness for the drink on their website; I am not twenty-one yet, but intend to try their beer immediately upon turning so.  Judging by the food, I'm assuming their beer is damn good.

The first time James and I tried Magnolia was for lunch; I had a chickpea sandwich that is no longer on the menu and James had the sausage and sauerkraut sandwich.  We vowed to return.  My favorite time to eat there is for breakfast, as they do my favorite meal vast justice with their unique menu items, such as fig-stuffed french toast and crispy pork belly.  I applaud James because he is braver than I am with ordering daunting food; I am always afraid to find a rogue onion that was ignored by the person creating the menu options.  He ordered the crispy pork belly one day for breakfast, and he had a hard time keeping my fork away.  The pork crisps sit atop a bed of black-eyed peas and chimichurri and are coated with a fried egg.  It is an impeccable dish and my favorite from Magnolia.  Highly, highly recommended.

Another excellent (but very very sweet) dish is the stuffed french toast.  What exactly it is stuffed with varies, but whether it is caramelized figs and pear sauce or peaches and apples, it is very good.  It is huge, though, served as giant triangular cakes, and so heed this warning: only order the french toast if you are sharing or if you have a high metabolism and a gigantic sweet tooth.

One dish I will advise future patrons to stay away from is the duck egg and toast.  Perhaps it was just the one day, but Magnolia seems to apply the vinegar quite generously when they poach their eggs; this leaves a very acidic taste in one's mouth--none too pleasant when you are trying to enjoy your eggs.  The staff is very accommodating, however, as when the duck egg was returned, they took off its charge as well as the charges for the two coffee pots we ordered--this brings me to another breakfast staple: coffee.  I don't drink it, but James raves about Magnolia's coffee (Bluebottle), which has apparent San Franciscan fame for being something special.  I prefer the orange juice, which at Magnolia is just sweet enough and not too sour.

Also try the sides; the bacon and homemade sausage are VERY GOOD, but beware of the sausage if you do not like spicy food.  With a side of (non-poached) eggs, it makes a fantastic breakfast.  Sides are also cheap, at $4 each or three for $10.  I have been told the pancakes, while small, are also delicious, but I don't think one can go wrong with much of anything on Magnolia's menu.

For lunch, strong recommendations lie in the fried chicken and blue cheese sandwich and sausage and sauerkraut sandwich, which are both favorites of James.  Their french fries are superb, and it is worth going for lunch just to try them.

But, restaurant-goers, beware!  Come your check, you will find that Magnolia has charged you an extra 4% to donate to their current passion-cause: a San Francisco health care initiative for workers.  They are very involved in liberal causes around San Francisco, and by exploring their website, you can find out more and support them if you desire.

I have not yet tried dinner at Magnolia, but I promise that another update on this magnificent pub will come after my November birthday (my 21st), when I can enjoy their beer and their food.  For now, go!  And enjoy a unique and delicious breakfast (or lunch!).