The one question put that comes up often: "Where do guys like to eat out?" It's generally followed by a soft exhale, a little toe scrape of the ground, maybe even the always welcome time-buyer, "Pardon?" It's an awkward question if only because he and I eat at home. ALOT! I almost feel bad except... that I don't. Being out, working in food several nights a week, leaves us craving the quiet and ease of our own kitchen table.
Oh sure, when we throw off the fatigue, and get dolled up for a nibble out, maybe a bit of jazz, we invariably end up wondering why we don't do it more often. Fortunate to live in a wonderland of talented chefs, remarkable butchers, bountiful markets, a wealth of seafood... The list is long, and could go longer. So when we do make it out, albeit rarely, it's for something we can't overlook: The steak tartar and icy martinis bar side at Bix, carnitas and hand made tortillas at LA Palma in the Mission, large steaming bowls of phô at Loi's in the Inner Sunset or Turtle Tower in the Loin, the cleanest of clean Chinese from Irving Street's San Tung, or maybe just the best burger in town with a cold one from it's next door neighbor. (Sorry, keeping this one a secret. As much as a place can be secret that only serves burgers one day a week. Hint: Tuesday.)
So, when free from commitment, it's off early to a local market, a stop by our favorite wine guy (Hey David!), a coin toss between seafood (Fish!.... Monterey Seafood) or meat (Avadano's or our local guy, Bobby), and then... simply share it all with friends.
http://www.chez-gautier.com
