Living in the Western Addition or, as it is now called, N.O.P.A. North of Pan Handle, we have come to expect interesting, quality restaurants within the last decade. We have become a gourmet gulch of sorts with new restaurants opening whenever a space becomes available. Wine Kitchen is one such restaurant that exhibits not only quality, but fills the niche of providing the neighborhood with a wine bar that includes outstanding small plate dining.
On our very first visit we both wanted to try the olives, because the price was the lowest we had seen. With low expectations, we were delighted with the selection of olives including Lucques from France, which are never sold cheaply. We have been ordering them every time we stop by.
Fried squash blossoms can be simple, but the chef is far too talented to let his dish go out without some embellishment. The red pepper puree and roasted vegetable condiment, that included corn, bell peppers and basil, lit up the flavor like a rocket. Until this moment, I had never thought fried squash blossoms needed anything except for the occasional mozzarella and anchovy filling. Taking a classic and making it your own shows great culinary skill.
It’s not for everyone, but black pudding or blood sausage is common among European cultures, so it was worth a try. The grilled peach and pickled red onion were a nice sweet and sour contrast to the rich pudding, but it truth, this one was a bit under cooked. I have every confidence that I could have sent it back for further cooking, but I decided to eat it as it was intended by the chef.
Another small bite that we had seriously underestimated, while ordering, was the corn fritter. They were loaded with corn kernels which worked well for textural contrast. Being paired with a sweet chili sauce was inspirational, perhaps simple, but nothing we had tried before.
It is not usual to find exceptional Italian cooking in a restaurant not designated as Italiain, but Wine Kitchen produced the lightest gnocchi we have seen outside of Italy. The pea and wild mushroom gnocchi would be easy to order again and again. The only improvement that could have been accomplished in Italy would be the inclusion of fresh porcini mushrooms, which are very hard to come by in California. They are around, but cost prohibitive if they are judged by the specialty grocery price of $39 per pound.
Another impressive plate showed the originality of ahi sashimi paired with avocado, mustard sprouts and most importantly, red quinoa. It was our introduction to this flavorful and light grain. The contrast of textures was exemplary with the silky tuna and avocado alongside the crunchy grain. Wine Kitchen can provide you with a small cheese plate that is perfect with a good glass of red wine or beer at the end of your visit.
Besides red, white, and rose wines by the glass, beer and dessert wines are also available at Wine Kitchen. The wine list is short, but long on flavor. The wine buyer has an educated nose and it seems as though each bottle and vintage is individually selected. Care was put into this selection and it shows.
Since they offer dessert wine, it might be a good idea to try a dessert. It definitely was. Their green tea Creme Brulee with chocolate covered strawberries was savory with a mild sweetness and not cloyingly sweet as feared.
Wine Kitchen Website
| 507 Divisadero St | |
| San Francisco CA 94117 | |
| 1 415 525-3485 |
