Town Hall Restaurant
(415) 908-3900
342 Howard St
San Francisco,
CA
94105
37.7897
-122.3947
Neighborhoods: Central East, South Beach
What People Are Saying About Town Hall Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Cream-colored wainscoting, straight-backed wooden chairs and exposed-brick walls with big picture windows evoke a 19th-century schoolhouse, bringing a touch of New England to this desolate SoMa corner. Endearing touches, like welcoming servers who tuck the check inside a vintage scouting manual, only deepen the down-to-earth charm.
The Food
With the brothers Rosenthal (longtime chefs at Postrio) at the helm, this long-awaited restaurant's straightforward menu takes inspiration from all over the lower 48. Silky "chopped liver" is more like pâté than what a Brooklyn grandmother would serve. A juicy pork chop encrusted with peanuts and tasso, and a smoky, thick-roux chicken gumbo pay homage to New Orleans. Sonoma rabbit prepared three ways leaps off the plate, but too many pecans distract from the pan-roasted black bass napped in lemon-butter sauce. Desserts nearly steal the show, so save room for Thanksgiving-sized servings of mom-worthy classics like butterscotch-and-chocolate pot de crème.
User Reviews
hedkandie
April 27, 2009
I really wanted to like this place. No, I really wanted to LOVE this place as it came highly recommended by my boyfriend who said he ate the best pork chop of his life here ( and he doesn't like pork). The decor is nice, the vibe is great and the service is good. So no complaints there. The low rating comes from the fact that my pork chop was completely over-salted. I like salty food but I stopped eating after 3 bites and downed a half litre of water (no exagerration) in 30 mins. I should have had my order re-made but I didn't want to be a pain ( I know, it's silly that I didn't want to be a pain and here I am complaining!) It's too bad bc I could tell that underneath all that salt, the flavours were amazing. Also, having read the reviews on Citysearch, there seems to be a large number of ppl who have had the same issue. I wish someone in their kitchen would read the reviews and remedy this. Had the key lime pie for dessert and it was alright if not a bit too sweet but maybe that's only bc the main was too salty. Will go back and order the pork chop again and hope for better luck ( I'll probably place the order with an "easy salt" request!)
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MarcoMaiko
April 05, 2009
First time at Town Hall for my wife and myself: Two cons: 1) one main course (with curry sauce) was unbearably salty; 2) the waiter came with an attitude that may be suitable for a Castro night club, but decisively not for a heterogeneous clientele. Minor con: noisy (lots of crammed up loud "fairly-elegantly-dressed" people). Two pros: 1) Food (Appetizers were fine; chocolate dessert was overall good: bottom crust was lousy; 2) white fish with asparagus sauce was very tender and not too salty); 2) bus-boy (Mexican young man) was friendly and professional (unlike the African-American waiter). We rate the restaurant low for the unpleasant service (although a couple of other lady waiters came across as professional) and the unbearably salty dish. When spending $100 for two (plus tip) we ask for a far better service without risk of an unexcused flop on a main course. Question: With all the unemployed people around, why don't they find better waiters? Suggestion: Replace snotty waiter with bus-boy.
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starsf
March 29, 2009
Went there for dessert and a glass of wine. The mint ice cream was good but the chocolate cake was very dry. I don't understand why citysearch is making me write a review that is longer than 100 characters or why they won't let me delete this. Annoying.
read full reviewThe Details on Town Hall Restaurant
Know Before You Go:
Though reservations are suggested, a 14-seat table is always available for walk-in and solo diners.
The Extras:
Celebrate that special occasion in the private room upstairs, which can host up to 40 people.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Online Reservations, Group Dining, Dine At The Bar, Private Rooms
