If you haven't already heard, State Bird Provisions in San Francisco is the new standard in food that has merged the two worlds of high food and comfort food. It has also set a new cultural precedent for a FARM-TO-MOUTH restaurant, or any genre of restaurant for that matter other than Chinese, to serve its dishes Dim Sum style. In fact, each inspired dish is prepared and served by its own creator---an even more compelling story in the ever-evolving restaurant culture. I felt like I was sitting at a sushi bar and having my own custom-made Omakase meal by the master sushi chef who I became friends with by the end of the evening.
Here is my perspective of the restaurant, sitting at the bar. I was sitting at the far end, near the entrance.
As most of you may know, it is impossible to get a reservation here unless you walk in when they first open or come in before service ends. Well, in my case, I called the restaurant at 10:30 p.m. and was told that if I got there in 5 minutes I would be seated before service ends at 11:00 p.m. I jumped into a cab and told the Russian driver that I have a once in a lifetime opportunity and I need to get to 1529 Filmore in 5 minutes. I encouraged him with a very "rich tip". The cabby sped down Geary Street at 70 mph as if he were Bruce Willis in a Die Hard movie and got me to SBP in 4.5 minutes. Stuart and the gang were awaiting for me with open and very welcoming arms!
As most of you may know, it is impossible to get a reservation here unless you walk in when they first open or come in before service ends. Well, in my case, I called the restaurant at 10:30 p.m. and was told that if I got there in 5 minutes I would be seated before service ends at 11:00 p.m. I jumped into a cab and told the Russian driver that I have a once in a lifetime opportunity and I need to get to 1529 Filmore in 5 minutes. I encouraged him with a very "rich tip". The cabby sped down Geary Street at 70 mph as if he were Bruce Willis in a Die Hard movie and got me to SBP in 4.5 minutes. Stuart and the gang were awaiting for me with open and very welcoming arms!
SBP's sous chef, Glenn Kang, prepared me SBP's signature dish, it's half dozen quail egg dish. As you can tell by the photo and for anyone who lives and breathes with the taste of egg in their mouth 24 hours a day, this dish stands on its own as the best egg dish in the country (the Arzak egg in San Sebastian holds this title outside of our borders). The highly skilled, multi-tasker, Glenn Kang, prepared most of the specialty items that I had this evening, including the next dish featured below.
This dish, also prepared by Glenn, reminds of New York. It is a homemade Bialy, SBP style, made of waffle batter, accompanied by house smoked sturgeon and fresh cream cheese. Amazing, it comes very close to meeting my similarly situated expectations set by Ess-A-Bagel on 51st and 3rd for the best bagel, nova and cream cheese in the whole wide food world!
I conclude my blog on SBP with this dish. Another capable chef on the line prepared and delivered this dish to me by taking Nori and frying it into a chip. This chip serves as the vessel for hamachi sashimi with thinly sliced radishes, avocado, herbs, et al. Truly decadent in all sense of the Japanese tradition harmoniously sanctified in the new tradition that SBP has established in bringing great ingredients into a form and substance that is nostalgic and indelibly new and unforgettable.
Thank you Stuart and Nicole and the rest of the SBP's team.
State Bird Provisions is located at 1529 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, (415) 795-1272, hours of operation: monday - thursday 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m., friday & saturday 5:30 p.m. - 11 p.m, closed sundays.
Thank you Stuart and Nicole and the rest of the SBP's team.
State Bird Provisions is located at 1529 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, (415) 795-1272, hours of operation: monday - thursday 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m., friday & saturday 5:30 p.m. - 11 p.m, closed sundays.