SFist Eats: "Small Bottles / Small Bites" at the Ritz Bar

Siegel, like many SF chefs, uses local farm, organic produce as much as possible for all of his menus. Each "small bites" are $10 and under, except the cheese platter ($18). What does $10 or less get you? Well, we started off with the 64 Degrees Quail Egg (resting on a radical glass container of ceder smoke that assists the just-cooked egg, which, by nature, is a mere wisp of taste), moved on to skull-shatteringly fresh Tuna Tartare (a healthy portion considering the low cost), dared to try some controversial Foie Gras (decadent but still rustic), and Lobster Risotto (expertly cooked lobster morsels mixed with toothy risotto grains).

For dessert, a course we can give or take (usually the latter), we sampled the Chocolate Manjari Cake ($8), sitting on a bed of caramel foam. Typically, we don't care much for chocolate (especially grown-up, high-percentage cocoas), but this twee tea cake was light on both the sweet and intensity. As far as the chocolate cake ouvre goes, it was, in a word, perfect. (No, really, it was.)

But here's the rub: there isn't one. We were expecting some sort of too-chic or too-luxurious catch that might have rendered our time at the Ritz-Carlton jittery, made the meal too stuffy, or sent us running for a Mission Street food truck. But after careful review, we couldn't find anything displeasing. By name, it's a fancy place, yes; but also comfortable and cozy. What's more, the Ritz Bar, formerly the Cigar Bar, is located next to the Dining Room, so it's great for people watching -- seeing who comes in and out, dressed to their versions of the nines.

But best of all, it's located a block down from the Fairmont, which houses the increasingly expensive and grating Tonga Room. Sure, the Tonga Room is an institution. But for almost the same price, if you're on a date or business dinner, you will get better service, better food, astoundingly better drinks (be sure to get a cocktail from the bar), and make a better overall impression. If you can hike up to the Tonga Room, SF locals, you can walk a block down for a far superior treat.

The Ritz-Carlton Bar and Dining Room
600 Stockton, SF
Open Tuesday-Thursday, 6 to 9:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Restaurant reservations at 415-773-6198 (or just drop in at the bar sans reservation!)