Bar Crudo

Bar Crudo is a must if you haven’t been to the offbeat Divisadero Street digs and treated your tastebuds to its well executed seafood and fish dishes. Nestle into your seat and begin your meal with something fresh like oysters on the half shell ($2.50 each) and a cold beer. Work your way through the menu which is divided up into sections for raw seafood, cold and hot. It’s not a super extensive menu but that’s how they stay focused and consistent, turning out quality food that is often sublime. It’s a cool and casual place to get a top notch meal in the Nopa area, without the hideous waits that other spots in the area are known for.

Crudo, how I must come back to you soon.

All those fun nights in your arms… well more like on your stools, with those amazingly delicious “crudos”… From truffle oil drizzled to watercress garnished, your yummy fish defied my stubborn belief that modern fusion seafood could never do what traditional sushi could… Not only Crudo established its own style in preparing their version of raw fish, they combined innovative ingredients to bring out the fish’s best. Plus the extended beer selection… How can one not love this place?

Though I do miss the days when I could just pop in on a weeknight and get seated right away…

Update 7/16/07: A couple more fine examples why I will come back here over and over. Friday night, without reservation, we were told the wait would be an hour. Given the popularity and the size of the restaurant, I liked the fact that they didn’t pull the snobby move many other SF establishments have done to me: “No reservations? Sorry” (eyes rolling as lips moving). Instead, hostess took our number and called as soon as the expectant table was ready. And needless to say, the food was EXCELLENT. The crudo samplers were amazing… Amazing. Vanilla oil dressed white fish (too busy devouring to take note of the proper name) smelled like candy but tasted like heaven. The entire experience was simply the best. Then came the next night, as we needed a place to just chill with some good beer… we turned to Crudo again. It was a daringly odd choice for just drinks, but they have GOOD beer. Crudo didn’t turn us away. They let us hang and drink our beer until closing time. We had a very relaxing half an hour to 45 minutes, with premium beer and a chill enviornment.
This is a rare place that provides both great food and hipness without the attitude. It is only natural to call it my favorite restaurant.