12/19/08

Outstanding comfort food in a warm, casual and friendly atmosphere

by TomKoch

I was looking for a soft, casual and comfortable setting to enjoy top notch comfort food and left absolutely satisfied. In particular, the tomato bisque plated with fancy grilled cheese sandwich slices took me back to my childhood like that critique in Ratatouille - simply amazing. Also, the untraditional mac and cheese with fresh pasta melted in my mouth and was supported by just the right amount of cheese. Would not recommend the cheese and ham tater-tots - they sound much better than they are. Finally, while limited in scope, the wine list is spot on for this kind of food and very reasonably priced at ~50% markup over retail versus the 100% we see at most places in the city.

08/05/08

This Hayes Valley bistro serves gussied-up comfort food and high-concept low-brow desserts until 2am.

by Contributor

While it's not a culinary destination, this bistro enjoys the steady patronage of Hayes Valley neighbors and local restaurant industry who like its upscale comfort food, don't mind the decor, and love its late serving hours. The red velvet walls, dark wood bar and unfinished-feeling dining room are going to win any design awards, and spotty but friendly service (partially made up for by a fast kitchen) doesn't match the prices, but people swear by this place for it's bisques (portobello or tomato), it's mac & cheese (parpadelle, asparagus and chicken), and especially it's low-brow, high concept desserts: PB&J ice cream sandwich (Sponge Cake Layered with Homemade Strawberry Preserve and Frangelico Peanut Butter) and cinnamon sugar donuts with vanilla-bourbon dipping sauce.

03/21/08

Great Social Plates but Service slightly challenging

by TBMcnaughty

This is our second time here and as per the first time, really good food. Lots of interesting choices and all equally as good. The only issue was we sat in the back of the restaurant and we were the only group for a while and it makes for minimal ambiance. But we had a group of 6 so we managed to entertain ourselves. The other issue was the service. Our waitress was very nice but she always came over right in the middle of a conversation and talked over everyone to ensure she was heard. She did this many time throughout the night and we all found it a bit rude and unnecessary. Also, for 6 of us she recommended 8 social plates and 3-4 entrees which was ludicrous. We ordered 8 social plates amongst a group of big eaters and were more than satisfied. I hate it when wait people tell you to order more than you need just to get you to spend more money. I suggest ordering in groups of 2-4 and stop when you are getting full or else you will spend a lot of money with a lot of food leftover. However, all in all I highly recommend this restaurant and will go back again.

• Pros: Great for sharing
• Cons: Not a great value for money

03/04/08

Fast, friendly service in a cozy atmosphere

by schuylers

Smells delicious upon entry, excellent service, extensive wine list, and a paired down, simply delicious comfort food-based menu. Very relaxed and friendly atmosphere juxtaposed by but removed enough from a casual bar scene.

01/31/08

Sauce ain't that saucey

by leideebug

I went there yesterday using Dine About Town and I was not that impressed with the food for the most part. My boyfriend got the meatloaf, but the chef seemed to forget the "loaf" part because it was 100% ground beef wrapped in bacon...extremely dissapointing. I got the salmon which was better but a little overcooked and the balsamic vinegarette was overpowering. I did enjoy the PB&J dessert and the cinnamon doughnuts. The place got extremely loud as the place was filling up, so if you want a quiet dinner, this is not the place. I give it one star for the service (waitress was really nice) and one more star for the desserts.

08/02/07

Amazing comfort food!

by dinnerclub99

The food is definitely "comforting" with its richly cheesy mac/cheese, delicious combination of strawberries and Asian pear in the salad and large sampler tray of desserts(dollar size pancakes, fresh strawberries,

bite size doughnuts,chocolate ice cream.) We may have arrived a bit stressed from the daily grind,

but we left warmed by the comfort food and attentive, knowledgeable service.

05/04/07

great food, fun staff

by fizzlesnit

I went to Sauce with six of my close friends to celebrate my recent birthday. It was a blast! The staff was helpful and fun. The food was delicious (I know because, as birthday girl, I got dibs on trying everyone's food). Good drink menu, too, including many great wines. I highly recommend checking it out.

• Pros: great food, extensive wine list, friendly staff
• Cons: finding parking

02/25/07

Yummy!

by piscesski

I came to Sauce for my birthday on the advice of a friend, and was glad I did. I I tend to be a picky eater, but that wasn't a problem here. The mojito was one of the best I've ever had, the "nachos" were a yummy take on traditional potato skins, and the mac and cheese was delicious. The best thing there, by far, is the PB&J. We had an early reservation and were promplty seated, although our server was good, I like a little more personality. One great thing about the place is that it is hip, but without trying too hard. I would like to see them add to their menu, to see what else they can come up with.

• Pros: Good food, comfortable atmosphere
• Cons: Would like to see more on the menu

01/15/07

Friendly but average food

by jane_smly

This place was named best new restaurant ranking after Michael Minna in a recent year - that rating is completely unjustified. It is a very lowkey, friendly, neighborhood restaurant with satisfying, edible but unexciting food. I agree with the reviewers who say the food is bland - I tasted 2 appetizers, 3 entrees, and all the desserts in the sample platter - the predominant flavors are creamy (without being excitingly rich) and squishy/soggy. Nothing was charred, flavored, spiced, or had a memorable strong flavor. This would please people who are used to dormitory fare and want something more grownup, but real gourmands would have trouble. Don't expect dazzling, artistic presentations - the dessert, for example, was served with rough dollops of whipped cream (more than required). The staff are unbelievably friendly and personal, which is the only reason I would return. The only real complaints I have are (a) the portions are just too big (b) the "nontraditional" spin is misleading (for example the "roasted chicken mac and cheese" is really tender chicken pieces swimming in pasta in white sauce - nothing like what the name suggests) and (c) the overall price is a bit high for this type of average, rough-hewn fare. If your date is very sophisticated, you should downsell this place a bit so that s/he is not disappointed. Michael Minna this is not.

• Pros: Quick seating, friendly staff, edible big portions
• Cons: Overly big portion, expensive, rough hewn rather than sophisticated

11/14/06

ANother cute spot...but food nothing too exciting

by dianeedillon

his is a cute spot....serving until 12pm. The food was all solid and plenty of it...just wish they knew how to add flavour...everything was kinda bland. Started with the pork sausage stuffed calamari tubes in a tomato sauce. THe tomato sauce was like tomato soup but with less flavour. It had potential cuz the calmari was perfectly but NO flavour even with the sausage. We also had the crab won tons...6 of them in the order. Lotsa crab but again lacking flavour and the wrappers were a bit too soft. Had te Hanger steak and eggs and fish and chips. Hanger steak was med-rare and flavourless with deep fried (baked?) pototoes with a batter...kinda odd...but not awfull. The fish was overccoked and batter was hard and oliy. came w/ salt and vinegar "chips" which were neither salty or vinegary and not very chippy. Cheese plate for dessert was OK, doughnuts were WONDERFUL and PLEntiful! They almost made up for the whole dinner. Prices are resonable , service was good.

• Pros: cute space, open late