When people discuss San Francisco’s destination eating neighborhoods, of course the Mission comes up, as does downtown, and increasingly, SoMa. However, a number of tiny enclaves also tout interesting options, including Bernal Heights, Dogpatch, and Potrero Hill. Over the years, that last neighborhood has housed interesting options like Eliza’s, Baraka and the still enduring Chez Papa, and most recently, Plow. Joel Bleskacek and Maxine Siu opened their farm-driven restaurant last fall in a former architecture studio, and it’s already become a hit for breakfast and lunch.
The airy, sun-soaked space features counter stools overlooking an open kitchen. Tables are made from French oak barrels and floors originated in an old Washington State hop house. A farm photo completes the aesthetic, along with fresh baked goods on the counter.
Plow isn’t exactly Tartine, in that they have a limited bakery selection. However, what they did make was all good.
The filling: buttermilk fried chicken breast with tangy cabbage and jalapeño slaw. Why restaurants insist on sticking with breast meat for sandwiches continues to amaze me considering the higher fat content and resulting flavor boost found in thigh and leg meat. Anyway, it was a pretty good sandwich, made a little better with a dousing of Youk’s hot Sauce, but what was more memorable was the side of crispy fried potatoes scattered with strands of onion and herbs.
Plow’s Chinese breakfast bowl was fine, but not so different from what you’d find at a Hawaiian or Filipino breakfast joint.
Brunch has become a phenomenon in California, with a number of farm-to-table restaurants getting into the act. Plow would fall near the front of the pack thanks to their accessible menu, relaxed setting, primarily reasonable prices and almost just as important at this point, an aftermath that was far from devastating. Since Plow uses good ingredients, and they don’t come on a plate the size of a manhole, you feel good afterwards. Sometimes more isn’t better; better is better.
Blog Comments
nicole
September 19, 2011 at 6:09 PM
Correction-Bakesale Betty is from Oakland, NOT Berkeley.
Joshua Lurie
September 19, 2011 at 6:19 PM
Nicole,
Thanks for the correction. I knew that about Bakesale Betty, and still wrote Berkeley. I appreciate the reminder.