1550 Hyde Cafe & Wine Bar

Really, really sad that this place is closed. It was a true SF neighborhood gem with great food, great ingredients and great wine. The owner always remembered our names and my son’s name. I personally thought it was better than just about everything else on Hyde which I know is a bold statement.
Kent & Peter — Good luck in your future endeavors!

This is my favorite restaurant in SF. It is neighborhoody and delicious. Kent, the somolier, knows his wines. They have a wonderful selection of white burgandies.
Above all, their vegetarian offerings are creative and flavorful. I always felt shafted at nice restaurants when my partner would ooh and aah about some part of a dead animal that he was enjoying and I inevitably got stuck eating risotto. But not here. They always have an inventive and amazing selection for those of us who don’t eat meat.
My favorite place in the city. Get the table by the window and watch the cable cars go by.

Sad update: closing Aug 14, 2010. New owner will take key Sept 1, 2010.

So normally I hate Dine-​About-​Town. It’s usually a shitty menu that lets you pick the lamest dishes on the menu for slightly cheaper. This place actually presented a full menu with excellent choices (for slightly cheaper).
To me, the standout was the lamb chop. It had a right blend of fatty deliciousness.
I’d go back.

This restaurant is not for me and allow me to briefly explain why. The food.
Starter Salad: Offered — Caesar salad; Delivered — Gem lettuce leaves covered as if dressing were a mold infestation and offering little taste.
Main Course: Offered — melt-​in-​your mouth, falling-​off-​the-​bone lamb shank; Delivered — the meat was clinging to its bone as if it were a drowning person clutching a life vest.
Dessert & Coffee: We did order dessert. A lemon tart garnished with strawberries. The strawberries gave away the faint taste of onion no doubt the result of using the same board to cut onions and strawberries.
I wonder if they employ same practice when cutting raw chicken?

Looks like I’m one of the handful who don’t get it… Took us a long time to finally try this place with quite a bit of expectation, which wasn’t quite met.
The interior is surprisingly mall and they pack the place to the max w/​tables so noise can become an issue — definitely not a place for quiet dinner. Ceiling decoration is made of cork screws — interesting.
What we had:
glass each of Cabernet ($ 9) and Pinot Noir ($ 11)
arugula salad ($ 9) — pretty good
chicken liver ($ 12) — this was the best dish of the evening. we’ve eaten liver all our lives, never thought you can have it not fully cooked but happy to be proven wrong. this was delicious and it melts in the mouth with the richness like a good pâté.
brisket ($ 25) — this was a huge disappointment — it was not very flavorful nor tender
vegetable entrée ($ 19) — this was a pasta w/​some veggie — it came w/​a big spat of cheese sauce on top that you mix w/​the pasta — not bad
lemon tart — $ 8 — meh, I stopped at one bite — enough said
glass of Coteaux du Layon — $ 9 — served in a small sipping glass, this was cold. slightly sweet and very refreshing

I came here with a group of friends for Dine About Town. I was running ridiculously late (~45 min), so my friend called me and took my order. However, he gave very concise descriptions of what the food was, so I really had no idea what I was getting into. «Duck? Okay.»
* Cauliflower soup: tasty, but on a rainy day, I wanted something creamier.
* Duck confit: Not a fan of the beans. The croutons were yummy.
* Bittersweet Chocolate Crème: Decent finish to the meal.
The place is pretty small, so I wouldn’t recommend going here with a large group.

Of the five restaurants we dined at for Dine About Town this January, 1550 Hyde is our favorite.
We came here with a party of 7 and got the table by the window. Like many restaurants on Nob Hill, 1550 does not have a big space. Most tables are placed fairly close together, with the exception of a few, and this table for 7 by the window is one of those exceptions. It’s cozy enough where everyone at the table is able to hear each other, but still comfortable and not overly crowded.
The kewlest part for Dine About Town here are the choices! Almost their entire menu (e.g. all but 1 entrée, all but 1 dessert) are available for order with Dine About Town prix fixe. Although Different from the usual tomatoes/​basil combination, my bruschetta appetizer was very tasty. Portions are fairly big; I could’ve easily just had my bruschetta appetizer for dinner alone! The cauliflower soup was pretty good too — definitely better than One Market’s.
The hubby got the cassoulet/​duck confit/​braised berkshire pork for his entrée. Again, good portions and pleasing to the palette. My yellow tail jack was tasty on the outside, a bit undercooked on the inside unfortunately. For dessert, the espresso was to-​die-​for! So yummy! I couldn’t complain about my banana bread pudding either; that also was de-​lish.
Service was pleasant, albeit a little slow. Overall, we had a wonderful evening here with good friends!

While fine for a neighborhood bistro, 1550 Hyde Café and Wine Bar is nothing special.
While 1550 is cute and cozy (read that «small»), it does nothing to differentiate itself from other (better) classic Hyde Street establishments. Food selection is limited, as the bistro-​sized menu lists only about five appetizers and six main courses. The grilled fillets of local sardines were slightly warm and served as a good foil to the accompanying with winter lettuce, olive crème fraiche, and citrus salsa verde. Served in its own ceramic dish straight from the oven, the piping hot cassoulet of duck confit, braised Berkshire pork, Niman Ranch lardons, and cannelini beans with toasted bread crumbs was appropriate for a cold winter night, but looked a little greasy. Served over a somewhat tasteless potato purée, the grilled steelhead was dry and overcooked.
For a wine bar, the selection of wines by the glass was tiny, offering a paltry number of recognizable whites and only some mediocre reds. The bottle list was more encouraging, featuring a mix of wines from California, Italy, and France.
Initially, service was fine, if slightly brusque. However, about halfway through the meal the waiter disappeared, not to return for more than 20 minutes. His loss: he missed selling two additional glasses of wine and reduced his tip proportionately.
If you are in the neighborhood (and already have a parking space), 1550 Hyde Café and Wine Bar may be worth a try; otherwise don’t bother to fight the parking gods of Russian Hill: there are too many other good restaurants in The City to give this place a chance.

AHHHHH!!! What can I say ??? I am in love with this place, excellent food, service and ambiance, I will go back !!

Solid California Cuisine that I haven’t had in a looooong time.
Winery and driving recommendations from the Owner
Attentive service from HOT waiter
Maybe I’m still buzzing from the
— 2007 Nalle Pinot Noir; and
— 20? or 19? York Creek Cabernet Sauvignon… macho, intense, love
Everyone loved the appetizers… pick any… you can’t go wrong
The most popular main dish at the table (out of 5) was mine, the Coq au vin. Chicken braised in vin, and I found some surprises under my Coq! Roasted garlic, mushrooms and Potatoes!!!
Dessert to diiiiiie for — Chocolate Pot de Crème! Sorry, Boulange, but I’d rather pay twice the price for this bittersweet silkiness in my mouth!
Dinner is such a firecracker with pleasant company, wines you drink out of *fUn* glasses, fresh food and interesting conversations of how your parents got it on 30 years ago.
What more could you ask for?

Wine Bar Review!
My friends and I picked this place because of «WINE BAR» in the name, so that’s the context for this review.
I had hoped that since the name says Café & WINE BAR that it my party and I would be able to enjoy some nice wines with a little charcuterie and cheese before going on to our dinner reservations.
However, this was not quite the case. 1550 is primarily a good restaurant with a good wine selection. Don’t let the wine bar moniker make you think it’s more than that.
When we arrived the place was not too busy, and nice atmosphere. The small bar area, and by small I mean tiny bar area had 6 seats. Not a bad thing. But the there was a couple at one end (2 seats gone) and some guy on the next to the last seat at the other end. So rather than him moving or us sitting split and yelling across him we took a table.
The wine selection was good, and thy did have a flight for the evening. However, when we asked the waiter if they had charcuterie he was rather confounded. He pointed out the cheeses, 3 of them, on the menu. Given the incredible access to creamy milk deliciousness here in the bay area, I was surprised at so few offerings. Can anyone say fromagier? No really, can you say it?
The afterthought nature of the wine bar concept became even more apparent when the cheese plate (probably designed to be a finish to a meal) came out after we had finished our flight.
Overrall, the wine selection and courteous and knowlegable staff did pull this one out for us. However, this is no Hotel Bijon.

It supposed to be an ordinary weekday dinner with my gf.
But, turned out, fantastic dinner.
Everything was perfect.
A nice sunny evening, sat by the window, not too loud Jazz and nice low-​key waitresses gave us great service with smile.
We ordered Prix-​Fix Menu 3 courses, $ 30
Salad: 2 order
marin roots farm arugula/​organic nectarines/​sherry vinaigrette/​pecorino/​almonds
Grilled berkshire pork lion
german butterball potato salad/​rocket/​peach salsa
Fresh Fettuccini
ocal porcini/​green beans/​summer squash/​cherry tomatoes/​pesto/​pistachio
Dessert :
Three twins organic sorbet with shortbread cookies
Lemon tart
And 2 ordered of :
2005−2006−2007 Côtes-​du-​Rhôné Fiight
Three 3 oz. Pours $ 15
+tax,
Total, $ 98.44
Grilled pork lion was wonderful. Juicy, smokey flavor.
Fettuccini was nice long fresh made.
We really had a great time.
I really want to Thank the wait-​staff and kitchen staff gave us such a wonderful dinner.
Btw, There is NO Unilocal sticker on the window.
I think it shows the pride telling us that they don’t worry so much on that some people who may disliked the food.
I kind of like that place like this.
I feel skeptical more lately when I see a Unilocal sticker at any places.

I actually came here a while back for the dine about town event. The place is really tiny, but captures the san francisco-​ness the moment you walk up to the front door. I love the wainscotting that contrasts the walls and the cork ceiling tiles. It makes you feel like you just came home. Our waiter was very attentive and took the time to answer all our questions about the food.
The food was delicious and I was very stuffed afterwards. I had an amazing evening eating and relaxing with friends.

I have really fond memories of this place, not just for the food, which was amazing, but also for a friendship formed here.
Meeting someone for the first time is always a little stressful, but it was hard to be anxious in such a great little space. The restaurant is tiny, with the tables set close together, and can get a little loud as the evening goes on, but it’s also very comfortable and inviting.
We started by sharing a salad and the mixed olives over small talk, but by the end of the first course we were bonding over our surreptitious (we hoped) observations of the couple at the next table, who also seemed to be on a first date. I know that sounds mean, but really, we couldn’t help it because the guy was a LOUD talker.
I loved my main course of rabbit ragu over pasta. This was my first time trying rabbit, and the richness of the tender meat and tomatoey sauce was delicious.
By the time we had dessert, I felt like I’d known T. forever. Or maybe it was just that the chocolate pot de crème sent me into such a state of bliss that I would have felt that way about anyone. Just kidding, T. ;)
So I highly recommend this place. If I lived in the neighborhood, I’d be a regular. I’ve sent other friends here and they loved it too. It’s a great place for having a first date and even for making friends – I wonder how that other couple did?

Fan-​freakin-​tastic.
I walk by 1550 Hyde twice a day and have always wanted to go in.
Finally, dine about town gave me an excuse to partake.
Unlike some of the other dine about town experiences I have had where I feel like the staff look down on us or the menu is watered down, I enjoyed the options we had for 1550 Hyde.
To start I had a chopped salad with pancetta. It was a generously sized salad and the pancetta makes anything better.
As my entrée I had the pork loin chop milanese As the waiter put it down I was impressed by the size. It was a very generous portion of milanese. It was incredibly tasty.
For dessert I had a bread pudding of some sort that looked off but was very tasty as well.
Our waiter was incredibly helpful. I eat out quite a bit but I enjoyed the way he explained the specials and different options. When we asked about particular dishes he seemed to be very knowledgeable and even included how the food was prepared.
All in all — it was a great experience. I would give it a 4.5 if we could half stars because it was a bit on the expensive side but definitely worth it.
I spent about $ 45 but it was worth every cent.
I will definitely be going back.

I was reading an article in Bön Appetit about the synergy of restaurants and local farmers while I was working out and I realized a couple things:
1. I really appreciate 1550 Hyde for supporting local farmers. I know they’re not the only restaurant in town that does, but they’re the first one that came to mind, so it has to count for/​mean something.
Please read the article and you’ll understand why:
2. I’m stuck in this vicious cycle of going out to eat, feeling Pillsbury doughy, working out, then going out to eat again. Not that I’m complaining. I just thought it was funny.
And if you were wondering why I was reading Bön Appetit, it was either reading that or a mutilated Sports Illustrated. I think I made the right call.

…one word… flawless :)
I have dined there 4 times and always dine at the bar. Love the way they treat me like a regular already…
The prix fixe menu is a great find in this city and I adore the wine flights as well as the wine pairings…
I will be coming back for a long time.
Patrick

I still remember the rack of pork I had there. That was a fantastic dish! I love this restaurant. If it was closer to my house and had easier parking I would eat there once a month. I’ve been 3 or 4 times and feel that this could be one of the BEST SF restaurants.
They have a great menu, the price is reasonable, and the wine selection is great. Their staff is friendly and helpful.
This restaurant is really a gem. This is another great find through «Check Please Bay Area».

Hyde is one of my favorites streets in the city, it’s so cozy and feels like a true neighborhood. So I’ve been trying to go to places here and try them out. So far all of them have been great and they all have this small, intimate character, where you know the people in them are locals.
I arrived at 9pm– on time and got a txt from my friends that they were running late so I went in to have a glass of wine. I sat at the bar and looked at the menu to kill some time. Wow it looked great and they better get here soon, I was hungry. Usually I would have been social and chatted with people, but this was a huge date night, and I would have felt awkward talking to someone’s date.
They finally arrive and we sit down, the waitress was very easy going, even though they were about 40 minutes late but she took her time, let us ponder the menu and we finally ordered. I got the lamb musakka and they got the flank steak marinated in yogurt and we also got the salmon sashimi. Everything was absolutely great, fresh, full of flavor, the meat was tender, my musakka was so yummy and absolutely Greek style like it should be, I’ve had some that really have no business carrying that name.
This is a great place to come on a date and while waiting, all I saw were dates so I made friends with the manager and chatted while waiting, but it’s great for a small group of friends as well.
We never made it to dessert but they looked great and considering how great the food was I’m sure dessert would have been great too.