Ingredients — Restaurant in San Francisco

What is the old saying... Don't search and you shall find... I think we just had that experience tonight. The intention was to go to a popular place on Church and 24th but that place recently closed down. So as we walk to seek alternatives we see a new sign... We sort of know the place as it used to be called Amber but now runs under a new ownership, chef and name . Welcome to Ingredients. I would upgrade the name to ingredients with love. Every dish marked every checkbox in my book! If you combine that with super friendly service and a session with the chef .. hard to beat . From the top , Miss Kennedy was our lovely waiter. We only samples for appetizers, pork belly, Spanish octopus, Nepalese Momo's and the stone fruit salad. That pork belly gave me chills down my spine with every bite. Crisp yet soft and that hint of curry flavor is like a flavor bomb going off in your mouth. The Spanish octopus on the bed of salad is simply lovely, great texture and flavor and yes stunning presentation. The momo is nothing like the ones I had before. Yes it's just a dumpling but in this case what elevates this dish is it sauce. It tastes like a bit of curry but it's not, it's a bit tangy but also savory in the same time and yes the chicken portion inside the momo is super moist. The home run was the stone fruit salad, it was nice way to round out all the flavors from the other dishes and round it out.

Love it what a great experience and I seldom recommend a place but...

I have walked by a few times waiting for this restaurant to open and finally had the chance to give it a try last Friday. They are still going through their soft-opening phase, so you never know quite what to expect, but the food really was exceptionally prepared and elegantly plated. I had the Soup of the Day which was cream of asparagus with truffle oil - velvety smooth, perfectly seasoned. For an entree, I had the daily special of local halibut pan seared and served over a sweet corn and English pea succotash with blistered cherry tomatoes and a saffron cream sauce - beautiful sear on the fish, perfectly cooked, and again, perfectly seasoned.

I ended up coming back the next night with a friend who had also mentioned wanting to try it and again, it did not disappoint. We had the Momo which were served in a delicious warm-spiced brown gravy, a steak and prawn "surf and turf" steak cooked to a perfect medium, and I ordered the halibut again because it was so delicious.

Both nights the chef came out to ask about the meal and his plans for the restaurant. Really cool guy and I am absolutely rooting for him and this restaurant. Really nothing else quite like it in this part of town - elegant but not fussy and reasonably priced. Great for a date night or any time you want to treat yourself to...

Husband and I ate here a few weeks back during their "soft opening," so my review reflects that experience and understanding some of the nuances and dynamics were still being worked out. Menu is positioned as fusion, but we had a hard time making selections since it seemed somewhat sporadic/electic/random, at least to us. Chicken momo was delicious. We almost ordered a second plate! The Delight of East Asia was delicious - just needed more tapioca crisps. Burger needed some seasoning and perhaps either a larger patty or a smaller bun. Service was very knowledgeable and attentive, until they weren't, but we understand they were still working out their rhythm and approach especially as more parties came through the door! Glad to have a new option in the neighborhood and we...