Sunday, August 19, 2007

Farina



Farina Focaccia & Cucina Italiana
Category: Italian
(Genovese/Ligurian)
Neighborhood: The Mission

Price Range: $$$


Wow! People are really gettin' their panties up in a bunch about this place! For those of you that do not reside in San Francisco, there has been a lot of controversy over this new kid on the block in the Mission District of SF. There have been folks that live in the neighborhood, that are unhappy because Farina has outdoor seating and a rooftop deck. There a number of other reasons, but personally, I like the idea of having this type of place in the Mission, rather than having to trek across town to North Beach. And if the Sidewalk and Rooftop thing is such a neighborhood problem for some, then maybe they should consider moving to the 'Burbs'. Isn't this part of what living in the City is all about?

Anyhow, I thought the Service was great and the Food was damn good.

Here's the Breakdown...
We started with the Scallop with the Arugula Pesto Appetizer which was good. We then, on a recommendation by our server, shared the Pasta Rags with the Pesto Sauce, which was amazing Not too grainy or oily... the flavor was just right. I loved it... Oh & re: the peeps who say that the dishes are so 'oily', I would have to disagree. Aren't a lot of Italian Dishes drizzled with Olive Oil? Whatever the case, the Olive Oil that they do use is Delicious... So 'Mangia'! I say...

Another great thing about this place is that they make their own Pasta, so the Pasta is not too heavy, which I Love. We then had the Tuna Steak which had great Flavor, but we both agreed that it could have used more Fresh Mozzarella and Roasted Tomatoes. C'mon now, Chef. Don't be chintzy...

The kicker was the Dessert. We had the Blackberry Panna Cotta, which was so light and delicate, it was absolutely Divine! Not a Dessert person usually, but lately I've been really feelin' some of it and this is one of the desserts that is converting me... Yet another Happy Ending.

All in all, I know this Restaurant is in its growing stages, but I had a Great Meal and will definitely be back....

UPDATE 8/2/07:
OK... I went back on a Thursday nite with Good Friends, because I just could not wait to go back and needless to say, it was AWESOME!
There were 3 of us and the place was hoppin', so we opted to sit at the Bar. Molly was our bartendress & server and she was great.

The Food:
We started with the Fig & Prosciutto app and the Gem Lettuce Salad. The Figs were so fresh and the Prosciutto so damn BUTTERY, the whole thing melted in our mouths...
As far as the Entrees, we all shared 3 different Dishes and had one phenomenal Food Orgy...
Yeah you heard me right, a straight up Food Orgy...
Nipples were hard, Eyes were rolling back and a lot of Moaning and Drooling...
Yes, it was that ridiculously good.
Let me break it down:
MC had the Filet Mignon which had a Layer of Parmesan Cheese incorporated into it and was topped with Fresh Truffles... Like Buttah...it just Melted...
I had the Tortelloni filled with Spinach & Ricotta in a Walnut Cream Sauce... YUM...
RAZ had the ULTIMATE Dish - a Veal Chop that was the Fattest & Thickest & Straight Juiciest Veal Chop that we had EVER seen! I mean it was nuts, I tell ya, and obscenely Delicious!
Yes, the nips are hard just thinkin about it... That nite I had to hold them down for fear of poking an eye out. For Real, that’s no joke.

The VIBE in that place is Great - Lively & Bright, Filled with Lots of Natural Light...
White tile on the walls, white marble bartops. I just Love it...
And because the Menu changes often, I feel the need to keep going back for fear of missing out...
Definitely a new addition to my Top Faves and absolutely cannot wait to go back again!


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