Plump Jack Cafe

03/07/08

It's 2008 and Plumpjack is BACK!!!

by Paddyb62

I was nervous going into dinner after reading some of the reviews, however, some of these reviews were written several months ago when they had a different chef. We started with an amuse- bouche of green garlic soup that had hints of creamy vanilla ice cream. I ordered the mushroom soup that was a well portioned creamy river of intensely roasted wild mushrooms . We also ordered the crab cakes and tuna tartare cones as appetizers. Presentation was great and the flavors were fabulous - and I am pretty fussy about crabcakes. They had sweetbreads on the menu as well as a quail appetizer that I was unable to eat because it was Friday during lent which prevented me from eating meat (poor planning on my part.). For main course, we had the salmon which was cooked to perfection and the sea bass which had a mustard beurre blanc sauce that was so light and tasty it made me stop and think how I can replicate it at home. We ordered the cheese plate which was very good - all the cheese selections were listed in the menu so you know what you are getting before you order it. Other dessert seletions looked delicious - apple bread pudding, chocolate cake, creme brulee. We had Kay as our server who turned out to be very knowledgeable about the wine, the food, and the wine/food pairings. She said that all the wait staff have been there for 14 years so they do have a vested interest in the restaurant and are very knowledgeable. This appears to be a great find for us and we will definitely be back on out next visit to San Francisco.

• Pros: Great food, excellent wine list, knowledgable staff
• Cons: None

12/21/07

Don't bother

by blkestin

Been here twice now and I must say, I just don't get it. I think they try way too hard to incorporate ingredients that even a true foodie has never heard of. The prices are extraordinary for what you get. There are plenty of other better restaurants where I would be much happier to drop $150 for two to eat dinner.

• Pros: Candle lit atmosphere, service
• Cons: The food, the prices

09/17/07

would not return

by terracat

After reading the mixed reviews, I thought I'd add my experience. Our first course was an inedible soup. We later heard the waiter tell another table that it was spilled by the kitchen and not available - I think they just had so many people complain that they stopped serving it. The main courses were good, but not great. But the thing that really shocked me was the reaction of the staff after a waiter dumped a full glass of red wine on my husband. He was literally soaked, but there was barely an apology - just a half-hearted offer to send them the dry cleaning bill. Usually when something like that happens, the management will try to compensate the customer in some way - but not at Plump Jack. That experience coupled with the mediocre food means we won't be returning.