Kitchen Story — Restaurant in San Francisco

In two words; ultra gimmicky. The type of food and atmosphere designed to cater to a crowd that likes going out to brunch a little too much. Only exceeded in passion by talking excessively about what they ordered. Cue the Bill Burr bit, “OMG is that feta???”

Everything I hate about ‘American Cuisine’ exists here. Dance music blaring loudly and continuously to go along with a $23 hamburger. The burger itself so ludicrous in size that’s it’s too big to eat without being cut in half. A flight of bacon candied, or coated with weird toppings served in drinking glasses. An awkward cocktail menu, with wildly colorful drinks that you’d already have to be drunk to want to order. The fact that they put the cocktail menu in front of customers on an early Monday morning lunch to get that sweet alcohol upsell.

I see what you’re doing and I’m not into it. I can see why this place thrives in the Castro… But these restaurants should be loathed. The level of painful cliche is unbearable here.

While randomly near the Duboce triangle; I simply went to the closest top rated restaurant that I’d not been to after a medical appointment and I was wanting something new… but now I’m leaving completely dejected after seeing what the city has become. We’re calling this ‘top rated’? I miss the authenticity of true SF institutional spots that have been around for decades like ‘the cove’ or grubstake; that have actual charm. They seem to be irrelevant to gen z transplants (overwhelmingly over represented dining here). Instead they prefer contrived menus/ aesthetics designed by operators whose concern is not being genuine in anyway but streamlining profit at all costs.

IMHO these types of businesses are beyond deplorable. If you’re not like me and for instance are all about working out at equinox while sipping an overpriced latte…. If you like listening to high energy techno remixes while enjoying an oddly themed Eggs Benedict…if you aspire to be an Tik tok influencer and brag about how ‘creative’ your last meal was… this spot might be your you. Me, I’m one and done and still wondering why I didn’t just go somewhere that still had a...

Update 8/19/2022: first, the food was amazing as usual. Nothing but good things to say about it. But the issue today was service. Bad bad service. First, took us two minutes to figure out what we wanted. Waved at a server WHO WAS ACTUALLY OUR SERVER with direct eye contact and a nod of her head back. She was busy talking and took 5min to get to us. She appeared behind me, i was unaware of her presence, and i hear, "what do you want?" Didn't even know she was talking to be but i turn due to proximity. She has her note pad at the ready. We order without issue. Food comes out and she comes within beard whisker distance OF MY FACE with the plate. I'm alerted by a beard whisker tickle! And i recoil when I'm startled by the sight of it that close. Fine. Whatever. Then my wife wanted her coffee. She orders it, annoyingly, after the food because she wants it super hot and doesn't like it refreshed because she'll have to mug again. But we tip well so our regular places tolerate her. Asked 3 different people in a 15min time frame before we finally got her coffee. First said "okay". Second said "let me get your server". Third was the host/manager looking person. And the server never came after the person said they'd get our server. I'm sorry to whomever but tip is based on service. Last time we tipped about 25% on a $160 tab. This time i don't think i can. This is the first time in 15 years i think i won't be tipping. That's how bad the service was today. And it was only a $60 tab. Actually, i found 2 pennies! I'm sorry. I genuinely feel bad. If she's having a bad day, have your coworkers help you. But if you're in the business of earning tip through good customer service, make sure your customers receive service if you can't.

Original post: This is a little more trendy than i like but the food is delicious! We will be coming...

I've always said I never had a bad meal in San Francisco, which still stands true.

Being that it was Thanksgiving day, our lunch dining choices were limited, and luckily, Kitchen Story was open and not very busy as I hear they normally are.

ATMOSPHERE: The corner block restaurant features long bench seating along the wall with opposite facing seats, bar, and outdoor seating. The look is warm and modern, with a fun and loud vibe.

MENU: Eggs, benedicts, paninis, hot cakes, burgers, salads, soups, curries, ribs, tacos, Thai noodles, Thai rice dishes.

FOOD: Crab Benedict Holy bageezuz I've found the world's best benedict!? Not only was the ciabatta bread the best base ever, but the traditional recipe included fresh crab meat instead of ham, perfectly poached eggs, and an excellent hollandaise sauce. Rainbow (yellow, red, purple) home fries and a kim chee pico de gallo finished the oral orgasmic dish. $31 and worth every penny.

Millionaire's Benedict My spouse's dish. I just wanted to try what this bacon was all about, which is usually done in brown sugar and cayenne & black peppers. The thick-cut bacon was tasty and not as sticky as I had imagined, but there was no wow factor for me. This benny featured asparagus and tomato, with the delish ciabatta bread base.

SERVICE: We were immediately greeted, handed menus, and pointed where to sit, not escorted.

The male server took about 10 minutes to address our table. Food delivery was fast. A female server checked on us once thereafter. This was the only downfall of the experience.

OVERALL: Absolutely THE best benedict I've ever eaten and miss the French toast they used to have. Oddly, the subpar service still can't deter my rating of 5...