Friday, August 27, 2010

sons & daughters in downtown san francisco

menu

Confession: this trip to Sons & Daughters exactly a week ago actually pulled me out of an intense appetite-stealing depression resulting from a certain personal situation. After a shitty, shitty week, Friday finally rolled around and my friends Megan and Sam invited me out for dinner before the Nasty Gal x Lookbook party (which I probably usually would have skipped out on if it weren't for my coworkers, it's just not my thing). Maybe I was still feeling under the weather when I first sat down but as soon as that meal started, I totally forgot about what was bothering me and just let myself go. It's kind of scary to lose your appetite when you enjoy food as much as I do... I'm feeling much better now, thank you.

cucumber amuse bouche
bread + butter + hawaiian pink salt

The first thing that caught my attention and contributed to my abnormal burst of happiness at this restaurant? THE PLAYLIST. The Smiths, Bowie, Radiohead, Interpol, and even Arcade Fire... I could hardly sit still. The three of us went with the four course meal (sans the wine pairing, maybe next time) and while Megan and I chose all of our courses, Sam decided to let our waiter (who was really attentive and awesome about explaining everything) choose everything for him. Man, I wish all waiters were like him. Always spot on with his responses to our questions and never pushy, that's how everyone should be. First we had an amuse bouse with cucumber slices and little roe-like spheres of honey and bread with butter and hawaiian pink sea salt crystals while we waited for our first courses.

oxtail tartare
cream of beet soup
sweetbreads + dungeness crab

Next came my oxtail tartare with miso, juniper berry, chervil, and potato chips and Megan's cream of beet soup with creme fraiche. Our waiter chose the tartare for Sam and we were all quite pleased with our first courses. I remember trying my best to scoop up every last bit off of my plate... it was that good. The soup was also pretty decent from what I can recall but I definitely liked mine best. Megan and I chose the same second course, the sweetbreads and dungeness crab with pureed garbanzo beans, baby greens, and a light dijon foam. Sam ended up with the seared foie gras which came with a yogurt and concord grape granite. Terrific, terrific. My favorite part about that second course was definitely the crab since you could taste how fresh it was with just the right amount of seasoning.

squab breast + confit leg
lavender pork belly + pork tenderloin

And finally, the third course. This is where you can tell that I was starting to lose my light and I actually considered not posting these but it's so hard not to share them. Megan got the squab breast and confit leg with chickpeas, maitake mushrooms, and savory jus while Sam and I had the lavender pork belly and pork tenderloin with torpedo onions, an herb puree, and barley. Again, I am SO GLAD I chose what I got and I would definitely get it again. Okay, so maybe I just happen to be so in love with pork that I naturally gravitate towards it with every chance I get (Cochon 555 again next year, anyone?), but still, I've had some pretty mediocre pork tenderloin and this one was exceptional. I think the biggest problem I have with pork tenderloin is that I love it so much that I'm super picky about it and to me it's either not cooked right or overseasoned yet this one was just perfect. Even Megan who was satisfied with her own dish admitted that she wished she had chosen the pork.

(Not pictured is the fourth course, dessert, since I totally lost my lighting by then. In any case, we all had the vanilla panna cotta with blueberries and a lemon verbena gelee at the top which was fantastic, of course.)

For what you get, Sons & Daughters is totally underpriced since I'd usually expect to pay much more for the quality of food that I had there. At no point during the meal did I ever feel stuffy or uncomfortable, the entire time I was at ease talking to my friends and enjoying a spectacular meal. You know, even if you're not into the idea of spending so much money on pricey meals, even as a college student I try to set aside a bit of money so I can treat myself to a great meal every once in a while. Buying new clothes and other material possessions can be fun but to me, nothing compares to the simple inherent pleasure that you experience when that first bite hits your mouth and all of your senses start to work together to process the meal in front of you. It's amazing to see how much happiness can come from something as necessary as eating...

71 comments:

Rose said...

"...how much happiness can come from something as necessary as eating."
beautifully said! the meal looks fantastic. lovely post. :)
xoxo,
Rhain or Shine

LUU H. said...

your food post always makes me hungry !

Emilie said...

Ha I am thinking the EXACT same thing as the person above me. Ugh. I am dying right now.

Marine said...

yummyyyyyyyyy.
Your 'food porn' posts always make me hungry (dayum, I'm bored of my diet ;D)
love from Paris,
Marine / Another fucking fashionista

The Art of the Lovely. said...

Mannn...this looks great!! now I'm dying to try it!!

I totally agree, I heart food.
I love your blog!! Wonderful post again!!!!




www.theartofthelovely.blogspot.com
www.foodismmm.wordpress.com
www.erikasjewels.etsy.com

Vanessa said...

There's nothing like a fantastic meal with good friends to turn a bad mood around. Especially when panna cotta with blueberries and the Smiths are involved.

Unknown said...

yum, yum. I do like really good food I must say. I think I spend more on food than I do on clothes, books, or photography stuff.

Lily said...

Wow, the food looks really good. :D

Lisa said...

I just had breakfast but you're making me hungry again... great post!

x

foreignfahsion.blogspot.com

Kim said...

Your food pictures are always so beautiful! Makes me hungry :)

http://brunetteblogging.wordpress.com

claarax. said...

great blog!

xoxo.

Jenn said...

YUM!
I'd be completely scared to death if I lost my appetite, because I'm so in love with food too. I wouldn't even recognize myself :)

Beautiful pictures, as usual.

http://roxxybelle.blogspot.com

sagalina said...

it looks amazing, and i guess i would be hungry if i didn't just have breakfast:)<<<most important meal of the day people<3
www.makeaboldstatement.blogspot.com

Millie said...

Oh, my goodness. That looks amazing. By the way, love when you post pictures of food.

Holly Knitlightly said...

Mmmmmmmmm!
A restaurant that plays Bowie? My kinda place!

Meghan said...

yummmmm, that meal looks amaaazing! I am glad you had such an enjoyable time and I hope next week is much better for you :)

FASHION SNAG said...

The food looks really good!

www.FashionSnag.com

koast to koast said...

YMmmmm.....looks DeliSh, ill have to go there next time im in frisco!

LOVE your blog, glad i came across it!

xx Kayti and Kelsey
http://www.koastokoast.com/

Luna D said...

The food looks so pretty and delicious.

Sarah Dee said...

Looks like you had so much fun! and the food looks amazing!

Sarah
theantiquepearl.blogspot.com

JessS said...

That looks soooo delicious. I love your photos. Hope you feel better soon!

Velvet said...

Happy to hear you're feeling better!

I think that eating is one of the most enjoyable activites haha. I just love eating and really like cooking too. It's very rewarding see how from the raw ingredients and a bit of effort you can make a delicious meal.

Anonymous said...

ahh so yummy!!

fashionanatomie.blogspot.com

Nathalie Kartika Putri said...

the food looks very delicious!! and the spoons look sooo cute!

natzcracker

NATALIA. said...

That beet soup! Ohh my gosh...

I'm Polish and my family makes a traditional version of it and it's extremely delicious...but that one in your photos looks divine!

http://sounds-pretty.blogspot.com

STOP IT RIGHT NOW said...

oh i haven't been on the outnet for a while, must check it out!

i wholeheartedly agree - i'd find much more pleasure in spending money on great quality food than any shoes or clothes. to be able to afford it all would be great though!

Anonymous said...

a restaurant that plays the smiths is just love! I would of enjoyed myself there too. :]

www.teenvegetariansoul.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Every time I read your blog I get the urge to move back to NorCal. <3

Unknown said...

LOVED this post.

Let me just say though, every time I read your blog I get HUNGRY!

:)

chic it easy said...

I like your blog!
I'm just starting one, why don't you take the tour? follow me if you like it.

www.chiciteasy.blogspot.com

Xxx from Argentina.

lu said...

so glad you're feeling better! these photos are amazing. looks like quite the culinary experience!

Caroline said...

mmm all that food looks amazing. And I love those folded spoons. How unique!

xo
Caroline
http://styleofa20something.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

re: the last 2 lines? Amen, sister.

blast the failing light; I would have been heartbroken if you had not posted the pork photo. all hail the might piglet.

-C

Anonymous said...

*mighty

Unknown said...

aaah those foods look yummy
*envy

Natalie (NJ in L.A.) said...

Your food posts are always such a treat! I cannot wait to visit Sons & Daughters next time I'm in SF. I hope you're feeling better these days and I'm happy you've got friends who know good food always helps!

Anonymous said...

I love the way you're talking about food coz I identify to it! French food is really good here. I hope you are much better. Love to read your blog <3


Mary_Sloane

Anonymous said...

i'm glad you got your appetite back! i so wish i lived near all these fabulous restaurants! xx

Lucy Browning said...

you're totally right about the joys and pure happiness of eating..it's everything, isn't it? the company, the time, the simple pleasure of life!

love, love your blog!

xo

Lucy

http://intocalico.blogspot.com

Nikki said...

This looks delicious and your photos are beautiful!


xx
Nikki

BenchesnChandeliers said...

delicious! great photography- hope you're feeling better now...

http://www.benchesandchandeliers.com

Anonymous said...

Yumm the dishes look so good! Lucky lucky.

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http://www.SkinandWood.etsy.com/
http://www.SkinandWood.etsy.com/

Skin & Wood Vintage,
Rosemary

Katie said...

The food looks so elegant and pretty!

Hanna said...

that food looks so good! and as usual, you do a terrific job at describing it.

Saraswatie Puteri Sanjaya said...

cool i love your style

kate maggie said...

ah! everytime you post food i get so hungry! everything looks so good, always. Hope you are having a great week miss Annabel! x

Micaela said...

Your blog is such a fun read!
http://prettymurky.blogspot.com/

Holly Springett said...

Fabulous blog, love the food photography!

Holly Springett said...

Fabulous blog, love the food photography!

Rebecca said...

i'm glad you're feeling better! and their playlist is insaaaaanely good. music is the food of love (okay, not sure that quotation is entirely relevant, but it kinda makes sense :p)

http://itscohen.blogspot.com/

jacqui alvendia said...

love this, it's so great! my bus drove by this restaurant the other day, and it's name totally caught my eye. will def check it out now! thanks!!

http://www.filoveyou.com/

Alex Ingram said...

Great shots
Dope blog.
Be sure to follow mine at tuxandtie.blogspot.com and on twitter at tuxandtie
Thanks!
Alex (www.alexingram.com)

Jax said...

you are making my list of places to visit in SF a mile long- thanks for the awesome blog entries. From a fellow Angelino- Jacquie

Laurita P said...

yummmm. looks good. i hope you're surviving that heat wave and getting the last goodness out of summer dresses :)

please check out my new beginning:
http://adorablydeliciouslp.blogspot.com/

Lara Maria said...

yuummmmyyy

Visions through my retina said...

ummm yummmmyyyyy......

laura said...

glorious photos! these have made me huuuungry.

Jule said...

I love your Blog..the pictures are amaizing!

Carissa said...

the curving spoon is so unique!! so loving this post, makes my stomach grumble.

Shevah said...

Looks delicious!

lauren said...

i love when you post about food. i'm a vegan and can't eat any of it, but your ah-mazing photos and delightful descriptions are so much fun. love it. and just so you know, the vegan police are probably after me now for admitting i am not repulsed by the sight of meat or cheese... tmi.

http://laurenlanzaosias.blogspot.com
the teen cho--- who cares?

the goorgeous said...

wooooow! I'm soo hungry right now and all these are REALLY appetizing! Wanna go to SF!

Oh! Nena said...

Hugs from Venezuela.
Check our work also our http://oh-nena.com/

Freddie said...

this place looks fabulous!

Kim said...

yummm, the food looks so tasty! *_*

Medical Negligence said...

those pieces are so pretty and fresh. love your blog so so much

Bay Sandoval said...

lOVIN the classic look! :)

ColetteDeMilo said...

Great pictures of great fooood.
YUMM! Bon appétit!

colettedemilo.blogspot.com

Tatiana said...

mmmm!


Alexander McQueen scarf: www.she--wrote.blogspot.com

Jess said...

i just looked the place up and HOLY CRAP American food is fucking cheap. the same thing in sydney (Australia) would def be 80AUD +

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