Unicorn Pan Asian Cuisine - San Francisco

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TheTripChick

Joined 9 years ago

Seriously amazing black coconut rice. I could have made that my lunch by itself. But, wait, it gets better...

We popped in at 11:30am on a Friday; good that we arrived a little early as we just beat the lunch crowd - the place filled up to the brim by about 11:45am. My hubs had been here before but it was my first time. He remembered having the basa (white fish) previously and had enjoyed it, so he ordered the same thing this time: Seared Filet of Basa with Grilled Vegetables in Ginger Basil Vinaigrette. I saw the words Giant Sea Scallops on the menu and was sold: I ordered the Giant Sea Scallops in Coconut-Wasabi Cream with Asparagus Spears-Black Rice.

Our server was unerringly friendly and helpful, and when our plates arrived the chef or expediter delivered them to the table with murmured intonations about how much we were going to enjoy our lunch. And we did! Oh goodness, the flavor combination of the scallops was phenomenal. The plate held four scallops, seared to perfection, each perched atop a slice of Chinese eggplant. Side note: these were nice, regular-sized sea scallops. Not huge and definitely not what I'd call giant. But I suppose "Average-Sized Sea Scallops in Coconut-Wasabi Cream with Asparagus Spears-Black Rice" just doesn't have the same ring to it. Slice & dice 'em, dredge each bit through the coconut-wasabi cream and oh mama! Good stuff. Creamy coconut sweet at the beginning and zingy, zippy, slightly-sinus-clearing wasabi heat to finish. Delicious! Add the coconut black rice to the mix and I almost licked my plate clean.

The seared basa was quite good, but I think I won in choosing my scallop dish. The hubs dipped into my coconut black rice several times, even though his came with regular rice, and I held back the urge to fork him. Several times. Remember the scene from Friends where Joey Doesn't Share Food? Yeah. That was me.

Highly recommended!

Doesn't Recommend

Lauren Hannah

Joined 3 years ago

Meh, I've had better.. Meh, this place was just ok...

It was totally deserted on a Friday night which I suppose should have been telling in itself. I just assumed it was more of a business lunch kind of place since it's located right in the financial district.

The food was ok -- We ordered the mussels with a coconut sauce and I had the duck. I'm super picky about my duck and this was WAY overcooked.

No dessert. Check please!

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goph

Joined 5 years ago

Straight from your dreams: a dinner out in SF where parking is NOT a problem!!. Had both lunch and dinner at Unicorn and both times I was very impressed by the level of service and quality of food. Since I had dinner last, the review will center on that although it applies just as much to the lunch experience. We (party of 4) wanted a good sampler coverage so we ordered from the Land and Rolls (I think it was called) pre-set menu as well as the Giant Scallops from the entrees. PLENTY of food, and as for what we thought of it, they had us from the moment the first item landed on the table. The quail was crispy and flavorful, and the salad that followed tasted zippy and clean. Our foodie friends, who eat out ALOT, were very impressed. Dish after dish did not disappoint. The oxtail was meaty yet meltingly tender while the assortment of rolls came with a lovely variety of dipping sauces that delivered a constant change of flavors and textures with some rolls hot and others cold. We scraped the last drops of wasabi sauce from the Scallops plate to soak the black coconut rice and then ate the rice plain as the other food quickly disappeared; it was that good. We finished with coffee (vietnamese and americano, both excellent) and dessert that had come with the pre-set meals. The mango panna cotta was soooo good. We also had a banana and ice-cream dish (forgot the name of it on the menu) and that was excellent as well. So what more can I say? The food here definitely appealed to all of us!

A quickie on the location, decor and service: PARKING the likes you'll never see in SF. Yellow zone meters are over by 6 pm, so parking is about as plenty as it'll ever get in the city. STRIKING light fixtures, an amazing room screened by a water curtain, and a bathroom (you'd be amazed how some restaurants overlook this) you can almost call home--except don't use the narrow stall unless you're, well, narrow. SMOOTH and unobtrusive service, well-monitored and very responsive. Excellent, excellent, excellent!

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lkcoops

Joined 7 years ago

Great lunch spot. It seems that the Financial District doesn't have many nice, casual dining spots. It's either food to go or upscale dining. And then there's Unicorn Pan Asian. The food is wonderful, the atmosphere is relaxing, the service is perfect (not too pushy, not too non-existant). The tuna cerviche with mango and green mango spring rolls were yummy starters and the Giant Sea Scallops in Coconut Wasabi Cream with Asparagus Spears were divine. They do a bustling business but they don't make you feel rushed and it isn't loud. And to top it all off, the price is very reasonable. This is just what I've been looking for.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review. Financial District location of the popular Berkeley eatery serves traditional Pan-Asian dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients and exotic spices.