Plumpjack Restaurant

San Francisco Review

Plumpjack Café is tucked away in Union Street / Pacific Heights area neighborhood. It is a small intimate restaurant that offers outstanding food and wines. Plumpjack Café only takes reservations place so make plans ahead of time.

On our visit, we had the summer lettuces for starter. The summer lettuce salad had a well balanced taste. It had summer lettuces, toasted pine nuts, and fresh white sweet corn that complimented the vinaigrette dressing beautifully. Other appetizers included the following:

Brentwood White Corn Soup, Garlic Bruschetta, Sliced Vine Ripe Tomato Salad with caramelized onions, cherry confit and red wine jus, Caesar Salad, Crab Cakes with endive and ruby grapefruite salad, and finally French Foie Gras with bing cherry and pistachio relish, aged cherry balsamico, and grilled toasts.

For our entrée, we had the wild Massachusetts Striped Bass which came with red bliss potatoes and baby carrots and Braised Oxtail with garlic mashed potatoes, and mushroom. The portion of the bass was sufficient and tasted delicious. The braised oxtail was fantastic. It had a good flavor and the meat literraly fell off the bones. It was tender and moist with succulent flavor. The mashed potatoes was a good match with the oxtail.

Other main courses included that evening (menu changes) were Risotto with shrimp, Roasted Chicken Breast with roasted potatoes, walla walla onions, and tarragon jus, Roasted Duck, and Lamb.

They also have a variety of desserts each night. On our visit they we had the Fresh Berries Shortcake with almond biscotti and strawberry sorbet. This shortcake was delicious! The strawberry sorbet was flavorful. Other desserts included a double soufflé, mint custard, devil’s food chocolate cake, and a variety of flavors of sorbet.

Not only does the food taste excellent, but Plumpjack Café offers a nice ambeience as well. It is a small intimate restaurant with modern décor. The table was simply decorated with a lit candle to enhance the mood lighting they have. You are greeted with a friendly host that walked you to your seats. Plumpjack Café also has a wine steward since wines in another of their specialty. Their house wine is actually made by their vineyard. There is a wide selection of bottled wines of every kind. Only some are available by the glass.

Parking is difficult in this area of San Francisco and Plumpjack Café does not offer valet parking but you may use the valet parking service of the restaurant next door for $10. I would suggest taking a cab from your hotel.

Plumpjack Café is a place we go to for special occasions because they offer only the finest of foods. They also have a wine shop located down the street. Their store offers a variety of fine wines.

Here is a sample menu:

Appetizers

Brentwood White Corn Soup Morel Brown Butter and Chives

Garlic Bruschetta Parma Proscuitto, Sonoma Goat cheese, Mission Figs, Pinenut Honey

Slived Vine Ripe Tomato Salad Caramelized Onions, Cherry Confit and Red Wine Jus

Caesar Salad Romaine Hearts, Garlic, Anchovy, Parmesand and Focaccia Croutons

Crab Cakes Endive and Ruby Grapefruit Salad

Summer Lettuces Pinenuts, White Corn, Balsamic Vinaigrette

French Foie Gras Bing Cherry and Pistachio Relish, Aged Cherry Balsamico, Grilled Toasts

Main Courses

Risotto Fresh White Shrimp, Brentwood Corn, Crushed Tomato and Basil

Housemade English Pea Ravioli Pancetta, Garlic and Sage Sauce, Pinenut and Pecorino Frico

Duckling Trio Roasted Breast and Leg, Confit Stuffed Peach Parsnip Puree, Arugula, Mission Fig Sauce

Red Wine Braised Oxtails Grilled Hen of the Wood Mushrooms, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Tomato-Oxtail Jus

Wild Massachusetts Striped Bass Carrot, Fennel and Potato Confit, lemon, Saffron and Olive Oil

Herbed Baby Chicken Roasted Potatoes and Walla Walla Onions, Fresh Spinach, Tarragon Jus

Grilled Lamb Top Sirloin Stuffed Fresh Morel, Arugula and Bread Salad, Garlic and Rosemary Jus