4063 18th Street @ Sanchez
phone: 415.255.2733
hours: Daily 5pm-Midnight
Full Bar
American
The Red Grill is one of those restaurants I always forget about
and then, in a pinch, remember triumphantly. Oh YEAH, let's
go there! That is to say I always have a pleasant time and a
good meal, but it never blows me away and apparently hasn't
made a dent in my memory.
The Ambience:
Behind the red exterior is a small, cozy front room with leather
booths, a larger, more crowded back room and a comfortable full
patio. The kitchen and wait-station fall somewhere between the
front and back dining rooms. It feels almost like a house, which
is unique in SF where the restaurants so often are single, large,
crowded rooms with high ceilings. Upstairs is the sparse, dark
Whiskey Bar and restrooms.
The Menu:
This upscale bar and grill offers a simple red meat and potatoes
menu, with a bit of fish and chicken thrown in for good measure.
The dishes have minimal sauces and a choice of sides like creamed
spinach and scalloped or baked potatoes. Home-style, no-frills
and the definition of comfort food before it was a catch phrase.
Entrees are about $12.
The Food:
A fresh soft loaf of bread is always a winner in my book. The
salads are iceberg, which is a lettuce I didn't know even existed
in restaurants anymore. The rest? Well, I'm always happy. The
scalloped potatoes are awesome, the meat is juicy, and you pretty
much can't go wrong. Unless you're vegan.
The Service:
Generally good, though occasionally distracted. They're a little
slow and it's sometimes difficult to get their attention but
they're always very friendly and welcoming. Once I was there
when the power went out several times. They closed the restaurant,
and though they finished serving us, we received no compensation.
Where's my free wine, dammit?
Reservations: Suggested, but
not necessary
Overall: A-
Comfort food you can count on in a cozy setting with friendly folks.
Reviewed : March 2004
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