Report from San Francisco: EOS

EOS is an incredible dining experience in San Francisco's Cole Valley area. While our 8 o'clock reservation was delayed a bit by a table before us who just didn't want to leave, we were able to wait in the impressively stocked wine bar. (BTW, I'd say the wine bar is worth a trip by itself. They organize their "by the glass" choices into convenient and well-described flights that could provide an easy evening of fun, without a trip up into wine country.)

Here's the current menu. It seems to change pretty regularly (a good sign for my taste, as variety is the spice of life), but a few of the things we had are still on there. The restaurant itself is of a "small plates" style. If you aren't hip to that, the basic idea is that every one orders a few of the items (which are about appetizer sized) and then shares around the table. Its a method I've always been enamored of, as it allows for lots of different tastes, although it is better suited to a large party rather than a couple. Lucky enough we had six, and so it was a feast like no other.

The cuisine is sort of pan-Asian meets European. At once the meals can be delightfully subtle or completely ridiculous, but rarely in between. Also dining in the restaurant while we did was Jesse Martin (perhaps best known for his role in Law and Order, serving as Lenny's partner for many years now.) The rumors around the restaurant had it that he was in Frisco to film the upcoming movie version of "Rent" (he was an original Broadway cast member, so no big surprise there.) (Save your Jonathan Larson editorials Andy, this is about the food.)

Food moved in and out with such rapidity that no sooner had you swallowed the latest masterpiece before you looked up to discover a new delicacy waiting. The staff moved with an efficiency that was disarming, suspiciously eyeing water glasses and wine glasses for any hint of less than full capacity, and the food coming in a nonstop carousel of Epicurean abandon.

And what food it was. As a reward for waiting patiently past our reservation time, they provided us with the house specialty, the shitake mushroom dumplings. Physical violence nearly erupted over who could claim custody over the sauce left at the bottom of the bowl when all the dumplings had been consumed. Also sampled were fried long beans (spicy and lovely and perfectly cooked), the rare Ahi Tuna Tower (very fresh and just enough seasoning), Chorizo stuffed Calimari (weird yet very tasty), Seared scallops (very good with a nice sauce), Lemongrass Edamame Risotto (a slight dissappointment, but only cause it didn't hold up against the rest), Chinese pork ribs (tangy and tasty), roasted chicken with carmelized onions (I can hardly take it, please stop), hanger steak (dear god does it ever end?), and a daily special salad made with duckmeat Prosciutto (!). I'm certain I forgot something.

But refusing to give in, we pushed forward for dessert. EOS has a regularly rotating, exquisitely beautiful, multiple orgasm inducing dessert menu, and always aiming to please, even offer the "Dessert Platter" selection which allows you to choose three to share around the table. Oh yes, we did.

Ours consisted of the bananamisu (a recurring specialty of tiramisu made with fresh banana, featuring a whole banana coated with with carmelized sugar on the side. They manage to keep it delicate and extravagant at the same time.), a chocolate creme brulee' (to save on adverbs, just think of the best tasting chocolate you've ever had and then imagine something better), and a lime-coconut rice pudding (I don't know how its possible to incorporate creamy and citrus this well and I don't care, when you add in the fresh fruit you have near perfection.) (Picture to be inserted here soon, when it is sent to me).

EOS was not cheap. But then, why scrimp on the best meal of your life? And all told, the cost was under $40 a person for an enormous feast, with some wine (though we waited to do most of our drinking where it was more in our budget). Besides, Shawn paid for it. So just make sure you go with Shawn.

Amazingly enough, just a few days later I had another meal that qualifies in the top 5 ever, from a great Vietnamese Seafood place called Thanh Long (on the other side of town in Sunset). I'll save the full review and leave it with just this: Roasted Crab, extra spices, and Garlic Noodles. You can't go wrong, unless you accidently eat one of your fingers while licking the incredible sauce.

San Fran is a wonderful city where magical things happen. One of the most magical is the way money just seems to evaporate from your pockets and bank account and credit lines. But what a time. It was well worth the extra running I'll have to do this week, but its probably best I don't live there. Too much of a good thing and you lose your touch with reality.