A Not-So-Great Catch in San Francisco
It’s Dine About Town in the city again so tonight we ventured out to dinner at Catch in the Castro to check out their prix fixe offering.
The ambiance was cozy and welcoming as we were led to our table out on the enclosed patio. I can only imagine all the great people-watching you can do on a sunny day.
We started with drinks – for me, a Blueberry Lemon Drop (yum!), and for him, a Jalapeno Gimlet. Also yum, but in a guy kinda way 
Blueberry Stoli, fresh lemon juice and a splash of Galliano, garnished with blueberries
Vodka and grilled lime juice, garnished with fresh jalapeno
With our drinks, we were thinking that this was going to be a good start to a nice dinner. On to the starters! The Boyfriend loves, loves, loves oysters so he went with a sampler of four. I’m not a fan but he says they were delicious.
I had the Catch Our Soup of the Day – Tomato Soup with Basil Oil and Scallops. But because this was off the prix fixe and not the regular menu, I had to add on the scallops for an additional charge, argh.
If you tell me that this is the soup of the day and I order it, please don’t tell me that I have to pay extra for something that’s supposed to be in it. If that’s the case, don’t put it on the prix fixe! Let me tell you, things like that really chapped my hide. The worst part? Tomato soup and scallop should never be paired together, in my opinion.
After that, I was really looking forward to my Miso Glazed Black Cod with Bok Choy and Udon Noodles. But alas, tonight’s dinner just was not meant to be something worth writing home about.
The cod itself was really delicious – these guys can really make a mean fish. But absolutely everything else on the plate was just awful. Nothing was seasoned or even cooked at all. The udon was flavorless and seemed like it came right out of a package, without being boiled or blanched to soften the noodle.
The bok choy and little slices of daikon were literally raw and, again, not seasoned. I was so sad to eat such a yummy piece of fish with these accompanying it.
Braised Short Ribs with Parsnip Mashed Potatoes and Cabbage Slaw that the Boyfriend had was a much better dish in comparison to mine, albeit still not spectacular. In his words, you can’t really go wrong with ribs. And I think I’d have to agree with that 
But just when I thought all was lost, our Brioche and French Breading Pudding with Raisins and Bourbon Syrup saved the meal, letting us end on a high note. It was deliciously warm and sweet, making it a treat indeed. We could have done without the raisins but I had to admit that the tartness was a nice compliment.
For me, this Dine About Town experience wasn’t as good as the previous times we’ve done it. But I’d much rather save myself a couple of buckaroos if I’m going to a new restaurant that I may not like as much. Have you eaten out during this twice a year event? What are some of your favorite places around town?
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On June 11th, 2009 Brittany said:
Gosh—well the food looks mighty good. Sorry it wasn’t AS up to par. Either way, when I ever make it to San Fran, guess who I’m going to have take me on a restaurant tour?
On June 11th, 2009 Lilan said:
Hey B!
I would LOVE to go on a restaurant tour with you when you come.. we’ll literally eat our hearts out!
On June 11th, 2009 Karrie said:
I love when you do a restaurant review.
I feel like I am right there with you.
I’ve only been to this type of thing once.
It was restaurant week in NYC.
The food was okay.
The view was breath taking.
On June 11th, 2009 katie_c said:
perbacco, downtown, is a fabulous savory italian restaurant.
i’ve been to catch before and thought it good but not outstanding. (i live around the corner!)
i wen to fish and farm this week and a similar experience: excellent salad, mediocre entree, delicious dessert.
On June 11th, 2009 Lilan said:
Hi Karrie,
I’m glad you like the reviews! Since you’re a foodie kinda gal too, it would be so fun to go out to dinner with you if we ever get a chance to!
On June 11th, 2009 Lilan said:
Hi Katie,
You really live around the corner?! The Castro is such a cute neighborhood.
I’ve seen the Perbacco name show up every time we’re looking for new restaurants to try but have never been there. We definitely need to check it out soon.
I had never heard of Fish and Farm before. I just checked out the website but there isn’t a menu up yet, boo..
On June 14th, 2009 Marisol said:
Sorry that the food didn’t really live up to your expectations. Those drinks look so good though!
I have gone to Perbacco and it was really good. My friend ordered the beet salad and that was the first time I actually enjoyed beets. Never thought i would say that. Have you gone to Foreign Cinema in the Mission? Went there last weekend and it was so yummy! Had a few cocktails, oysters for apps, the caesear salad with manchego & the fried curry chicken which was amazing. Their brunch is supposed to be fantastic too. And that same weekend I went to Zazie in Cole Valley and my sister loved her eggs benedict while I enjoyed some gingerbread pancakes. If you ever do go, try to get seated in the back patio. Worth the wait!
On June 15th, 2009 Lilan said:
Hi Marisol,
The cocktails were really delicious, I love blueberry drinks!
I’ve never had beets either, I would never think to order them but next time I might since they are always so colorful and pretty
I’ve never been to Foreign Cinema although I have heard lots of good things about their brunch menu, too. But I think I want to go during dinner and try the curry fried chicken, sounds great!
I’ve also seen Zazie but have never been. My absolute favorite breakfast dish is eggs benedict so I’m definitely putting them on my list of places to go. Gingerbread pancakes sound interesting too, although I’d probably never order them (I’m a creature of habit
)
Happy Monday and have a great day ahead of you!!
On June 15th, 2009 Marisol said:
7×7 magazine had them on this year’s list for places to try and they recommended the eggs benedict. Definitely try them and let me know if you do!