PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

Blogging for PlanJam has given me an entirely new view of San Francisco - as I meander down streets in new or familiar neighborhoods, I'm constantly keeping my eyes out for the next spot to review, be it a little storefront, a new coffee haunt, or a great new restaurant to tell you all about. Last weekend was no different; while I of course had to spend a good half hour browsing the shelves at Phoenix books even though I've already reviewed it, I poked my head into a few new places, picked up business cards, chatted with the staff, and took mental notes for future posts. Given the choice between Pasta Pomodoro, which you know I love, and a new place, I figured that, just for you, I would try out a place I'd not yet visited so I could give you the scoop. The result? A fantastic dinner at Savor.

Savor is well known for its brunch menu, and as well known for the long wait to enjoy that brunch menu. At four thirty or so on a Friday evening though, there was no line at all, and we were at a table immediately upon arriving. The restaurant is deceptively large; the few tables you can see from the front door are only a small part of the seating area, most of which lies behind the kitchen. One wall is lined with padded benches and throw pillows, behind which hang large paintings depicting ocean scenes and serene pastures. Opposite are several more tables as well as the outdoor dining area, a large wooden patio, the only drawback to which is the fact that it overlooks the adjacent dry cleaners' shop and nail salon. While some of the tables are a bit narrow to maximize seating capacity, there are also several that seat four comfortably, and could be arranged to accommodate larger parties.

We started the meal with their spanikopita appetizer, which came with a generous portion of hummus, pitted kalamata olives, feta cheese, and warm pita bread. Just as we finished, the entrees arrived. My New York Strip was done to perfection, and the mound of garlic mashed potatoes was more than I could even begin to conquer, even if the meal didn't also include steamed seasonal vegetables. My partner decided to try one of their savory crepes - filled with spicy tomatoes, cheese, chicken, and avocado salsa, and topped with sour cream, it was an enormous portion and delivered an incredible mix of flavors. The rosemary potatoes were perfectly seasoned and complemented the meal nicely.

As we were leaving, takeout boxes full of leftovers in hand, a nearby table received their dessert crepe, making me wish I'd saved room - filled to overflowing and topped with mounds of whipped cream, it looked amazing and I'll definitely be back to try it for myself. As for the overall experience, Savor is family friendly, but don't rule it out for date night; the atmosphere is conducive to either a meal out with the kids, or a quiet evening on your own. If you're in Noe Valley and are in search of a delicious, moderately priced dinner, a huge variety of brunch items, or a delectable dessert and glass of wine, Savor delivers the goods all around.