Tablespoon

Casual dining for locals at a casual price.. I just went there last weekend with a group of friends for Dine About Town. Parking within 3 blocks was non-existent unless you went for the pricey pay lot across from Rouge like me or traipsed down to Polk and Pacific. The interior was as expected for a bistro, cramped or cozy depending on your style. The decor was neat and well-presented, great for a casual date. Since my party numbered 13, we were seated at an end-booth by the kitchen with a large square table, which was something I've rarely seen. It was a nice idea for a larger party as everyone could share their juicy stories with the whole table. So, if you do reserve early enough, Tablespoon is ok for at least one large party on any given night.

The service was attentive if not especially brisk. Our waitress was quite charming and easy on the eyes, which was a nice distraction delicately enhanced by the strategically placed accent mirrors encircling the bistro. Most of the party opted for the prix fixe menu which offered a pedestrian squash soup, a nugget of broiled short-ribs, and a sliver of chocolate cake for $32. While the price seemed right, the offerings didn't pique my interest so I ordered a steak with a side of oysters a la carte. The $23 steak came unnecessarily pre-sliced with the juices running helplessly over the scalloped potatoes and the blanched chard. Unfortunately, it was harshy handled like a skirt steak and oddly, one half was very well done and the other was rare.

My seat offered a unique view into the kitchen and I couldn't figure out how the sous chef could allow the lone student assistant chef to push something like that out the door. We paired our meat courses with an all-purpose pinot noir as we were not interested in the predominantly syrah wine list. We could have shelled out $400-700 for a decent bordeaux, but given the environment, we didn't bother. From our 6:30 reservation, we finally finished around 10. For $50 a pop, it was a nice average meal.…

Brilliant twist on Californian food!. Tablespoon is a great place if you like great food, ambiance and service! We heard about this place through SF's Dine About Town and confirmed its quality through online ratings. After last night, I'm ready to sing its' praises. I had the pork appetizer, oven roasted pork entree and the espresso dessert. The food is pretty, (seemingly) healthy and unique. Bravo!…

A lovely restaurant for your Friday night. Checked this placed out on a whim and was very impressed. It was a bit on the expensive side, but not too over the top. I loved the mix of comfort foods and fusion. From mac and cheese to ahi tuna every single dish was great. Also, the lemon flavored cheesecake at the end of the night was to die for.…

Cheap french food. Visited Tablespoon for my birthday on a thursday evening, reservation was for 7 pm but we arrived 30 minutes early. The place was fairly quite so we were seated immediately. At first from the look of the waiter I thought he was going to have an aloof attitude but he was both attentitive and accomodating. Did not feel rushed and he offered helpful hints and suggestions about the menu.

The wine list has something for all tastes and budgets, however thats all they serve, its either wine or water at Tablespoon ( Jesus would have loved the place!).

For the average price of $20 an entree you get alot. At most French restaurants you would pay the equivalent of $30 for a comparative plate. The oven roasted pork tenderloins is delicious and highly recommended. The desserts are huge, I would recommend sharing one dessert between two people.

I felt the service was brisk and attentive, then again it was a Thursday evening. The ambiance is a bit misplaced for their food though. The restaurant feels bare and open, a good place to eat with colleagues and friends but maybe not the most romantic place for a date.

Food is first rate though. Check it out if you want some nice French inspired cuisine but not the snobbery of some more expensive restaurants.…