Velvet Cantina
San Francsico, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 648-4142
- Cross Street:
- Bartlett Street
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 5:30pm-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:30pm-11:30pm, Sun 5:30pm-10:30pm
Editorial Review for Velvet Cantina – by Cityseach Editors
In Short
Traditional Mexican specialties get jazzed up with a nuevo Latin flair at this Mission lounge and bar. A Caesar salad is topped with spicy dressing, tortilla crisps and cotija cheese while spicy marinated tri-tip steak is balanced out by cumin-infused creme fraiche. Specialty cocktails--particularly margaritas made with fresh-squeezed limes--don't disappoint. Finish off with S'more nachos--a sweet concoction of fried flour tortilla strips smothered in Mexican chocolate sauce, graham cracker crumbs and toasted marshmallows.
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoThe bar opens up at 5pm and often stays open until 2am; call for a specific closing time.
User Reviews for Velvet Cantina
03/26/2007 Posted by bdose
Best chips and salsa ever, seriously! I went there because of the good reviews I read here. Small but cozy, casual. Steak tacos were great and the chicken-avocado enchiladas were even better. AND..the BEANS! I never even care about the beans but both the refried and the pintos were out of this world. The rice was pretty basic and not noteworthy unless you spiced it up with salsa. Get a pitcher of house margaritas with salt and you're all set. Great bookstore on 23rd nearby too!
Pros: Awesome food and service, best chips and salsa, quaint and cozy
Cons: small place, but that could be a "pro"--they did make room for a group of 20 though (call ahead!)
11/12/2006 Posted by gandk
My best friend and I went to the Velvet Cantina for the first time recently - at first, when we entered the restaurant -we weren't quite sure if we were at the right place, or if it was open as of yet (we went early around 5pm). We came to find out there are two entrances to the restaurant - for the record, don't enter the door on the corner of 23rd/Bartlett - you may get the wrong impression. Once we looped around to the front entrance (on 23rd) where the bar resides - our experience began to blossom. The staff was down to earth - social - and accommodating (cute too!). Before we knew it, we knew everyone by name - and had enjoyable conversations. The environment was warm, cozy and inviting. The food most importantly was good overall. We enjoyed the flavors and textures. You must get the sopas dish - it's delightful! I would also highly recommend the tortilla soup. As far as the margaritas - they were OK - I would suggest you ask for grand marinier as a topper. To conclude - my best friend and I walked away thinking we had such a great experience, felt we made new friends - and will definitely come back to introduce more of our friends and family to this super chill cantina. Great local / neighborhood spot.
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