Summer is in full swing (well, somewhere). But even though Karl the Fog is plaguing us with morning drizzle and afternoon fog, you can still find summer on your plate at these SF restaurants. Hello, peaches, and corn, and tomatoes, and figs…enjoy.
Tomato Cart at Bix
Every year, Bix rolls out its tableside tomato cart when the season is right. Sit down for dinner, and you can have a tomato salad (made from an array of ripe beauties from Mariquita Farm) assembled right in front of you. It comes with housemade mozzarella, a basil chiffonade, extra virgin olive oil, cracked pepper, and sea salt. 56 Gold St.
Fig tasting menu at Fortress: Solitude pop-up
Chefs Eddie Lau and Luis Villavelazquez are hosting another one of their pop-up dinners, and this one is highlighting figs, glorious figs. The dinner and cocktail social are on Saturday July 19th at Naked Kitchen in the Mission. Check out the menu here, full of Black Mission, Melissa, and Adriatic figs. Dinner is 6pm–8:30pm ($55) and from 9pm–11:30pm is the cocktail social ($25); tickets here. 945 Valencia St.
Summer salad at SPQR
Some of chef Matthew Accarrino’s best dishes are his composed salads (okay, yes, his pastas also rock). His latest creation is a warm-weather medley of corn, avocado, pecan, purslane, quinoa, and summer truffle. You’ll (almost) feel virtuous, until you realize the avocado is fried. Hubba. 1911 Fillmore St.
Sweet corn soup at Stones Throw
This summery soup is going to get your attention, as soon as you see it poured in front of you (it's pretty). Chef Jason Halverson is behind this flavorful corn soup that has a corn croquette tucked inside, plus chorizo crumble (lending a bit of spice), and a note of sweetness from the piquillo pepper purée. Vegetarians: you can request it without the chorizo, no problem. 1896 Hyde St.
BBQ pork belly at 1760
This dish is like the full summer sweep, because not only do you get pieces of meaty pork belly (complete with grill marks), but the pork rests on top of a smooth corn porridge, joined with pieces of ripe peach, and a base note of charred frisée. Taste the rainbow. 1760 Polk St.
Rosé at Nico
Okay, so this isn’t a summer dish per se, although some of you may be inspired to drink your dinner at this Laurel Heights gem. How can you resist a wine list with over 15 different rosés on the bottle list, and about five by the glass? You can also have beverage director Maz Naba do an all rosé wine pairing with your dinner. The seasonal menu is full of garden-fresh ingredients, so your summer evening will feel complete. 3228 Sacramento St.
Marcia Gagliardi is the founder of the weekly tablehopper e-column; subscribe and get more food news and gossip at tablehopper.com. Follow her on Twitter: @tablehopper.
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