Zazie - Review - Cole Valley - San Francisco - The Infatuation

"The brunch at Zazie has been wildly popular since its opening in 1992: it’s common for one- to two-hour-long waits to form on weekends at this Cole Valley institution. And while San Franciscans love waiting in a line, the real secret to a successful meal at Zazie is to skip the endless brunch wait and visit this cozy French spot for dinner instead. photo credit: Ricky Rodriguez Dinner here is simpler than brunch. They take reservations and on most nights you can walk in. Gone are the mornings spent rotting away on Cole St. while wondering if all this is worth it for a shot at the heated back patio. And the best part is that the food in the evening is better: the plates, while a bit more expensive, are hearty, and some, like the Salmon Piallat with a perfectly cooked risotto and a juicy piece of fish served with lemon, shine. Still, despite our best efforts, some so-called friends will inevitably text you asking to stop by Zazie for brunch, and in those cases, know what to expect: long lines and food that’s often disappointing. The buttermilk pancakes are flavorless and the french toast leans on the soggy side, while the (excellent) home fries are usually the best thing on your plate. But if you’re stuck waiting for a table, just stretch your legs and prepare to down a couple mimosas (and a cup of hot chocolat chaud) to relish in one of the closest things this city has to a see-and-be-seen brunch. For a taste of Zazie at its best, stop by for dinner. It's ideal for a low-stakes date night, a casual dinner with parents, or a visiting family friend who reached out to make last-minute dinner plans. So next time your out-of-the-loop friend absolutely insists on stopping by Zazie for brunch, show them this and take a detour to dinner instead—and get some of that precious morning time back. Food Rundown Salmon Piallat Get this dish. A good risotto is hard to come by, and they nail this one. The salmon is pan-seared to just the right point of juiciness, and it all comes together for some excellent bites. photo credit: Ricky Rodriguez French Onion Soup Rich, cheesy, and caramelly. Just like french onion soup should be. photo credit: Ricky Rodriguez Zazie’s Cole Valley Burger Whoever thought putting a whole tomato sliced in half on a burger has clearly never tried to eat a burger before. photo credit: Ricky Rodriguez St. Trop Eggs Benedict Smoked salmon, capers, and red onions take the backstage to the tangy hollandaise sauce that makes any of the benedicts a respectable choice. photo credit: Ricky Rodriguez Sarah Jane’s Griddle Flight An order of buttermilk and gingerbread pancakes, plus french toast. The gingerbread pancakes are nice and cinnamony. We didn’t even finish the other two. photo credit: Ricky Rodriguez Home Fries These home fries come on the side of every egg dish and they’re absolutely the best thing on the brunch menu. Light and crispy on the outside but fluffy and juicy on the inside, these home fries are so good, you might ask for a second serving. Chocolat Chaud The star of brunch beverages. The chocolate foam on top of this hot chocolate will have you racing to make something like this at home every morning. photo credit: Ricky Rodriguez" - Ricky Rodriguez