yeah, i know what you're thinking and i thought the same before i went there on a rainy tuesday night to meet my friend kat. i had heard that this place was cool but could also be full of meatheads depending on the night you went.
there were five patrons when i arrived, and it was perfect. i sat at the long bar which takes up about half of the room, ordered a martini and waited for kat. a couple more patrons walked in and sat at the plush leather couch situated in the nook around from the entrance.
there are several appealing elements to wish. 1. the lighting. dark enough to create an appropriate mood, but light enough to read the $2 bushmills shots on tuesday night sign on the bar without squinting. 2. the seating. bench seating along the walls, small cube ottomans across from them, and other comfortable but hip elements.
i dunno if i would go back on a weekend night, but its probably near perfect during the week.
i would have never guessed that an oasis would exist adjacent to the rainbow grocery store. i took my friend here for his birthday, since they share the same name.
summary
| reservations recommended starters between $6 - 15 mains between $20 - 30 desserts between $6 - 9 full bar wine list outdoor seating available reviewed 07 nov 2002, 7.30PM |
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| what we tried: starters: beet salad with roquefort cheese and carmelized pistashios seared scallops with lobster reduction and fennel mains: dessert: |
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this is one of my favorite galleries. i've seen three shows there so far, so i guess it's not necessarily "new" to me anymore. nonetheless, i consider it one of the best spaces in the city.
i have only been to the opening receptions, which are usually well attended by what i consider a typically san francisco crowd: 20 and 30- somethings, dressed in vintage clothing or the skater's uniform. however, the crowd is eclectic, as san francisco is, and you'll see a few patrons who are probably a couple or more decades older than the rest of the crowd.
the artists featured are usually contemporary with an often graffitti quality to their art. watch the site for details on the next show, which i believe will be in february.