An exceedingly delightful brewpub in the Haight.
I am in love with Magnolia. Which is lucky for my brewmeister BF who can't get enough of a good brew pub, and Mag's (as we affectionately call it) gets better every time we go. For weekend brunch the brisket hash and the creole crabcake benedict call me with a siren song, and my butt grows ever larger with every empty plate. The burgers are divine, the pizza's fabulous and the fries would quell any craving for deep-fried goodness. And the beer is but another cherry on this heaping sundae. Do not forgo the beer at Magnolia. Especially if they are offering up the kolsch, the oyster stout or the saison de lily, all amazing.
Some days Magnolia seems even more ideal than others. I met up with my man and we headed to Magnolia for a late dinner and many beers. (They serve their full menu until midnight Sunday---Thursday and until one a.m. Friday and Saturday which is very fabulous.) The menu was chalk-full of so many delectable-sounding ideas, I was having a terrible time making up my mind and the BF was faring no better. When the waitress kindly reminded us that it was taco Tuesday, we jumped on a couple of those for an appetizer while we decided what to do for the main course.
The tacos found us happily sipping on the amazing oyster stout. My eyes popped out of my head when I got a gander at the very generous portions of guacamole, salsa, and sour cream that came with the tacos, which were made with what appeared to be housemade tortillas and piled high with chicken or pork and served with a black bean sauce that added this mysterious spicy savoriness to the already delightful combination of flavors partying it up in my mouth. Indeed, the tacos were so good, we ordered another round of them and decided to split an entree.
The entree was the other high point of the night. The coriander encrusted roasted half-chicken with plantains. The meat was juicy and tender, the crust flavorful and crispy, the plantains a perfect pairing. Though I still kind of wished we'd settled on the meatloaf sandwich... Next time, for sure.
1398 Haight Street @ Masonic
San Francisco, CA 94117
415.864.PINT
http://magnoliapub.com
