If San Francisco had an official dish -- which, by the way, it should -- Cafe Zuni's Roast Chicken with Bread Salad could be it. The medium-sized bird quickly seared/roasted in a scorching hot oven and accompanied by a salad dotted with soaked bread is stuff of lore. But visiting New York City dignitary Frank Bruni, former food critic, who recently supped at Judy Rodgers' bistro, has this to say about the famed dish: "The Zuni chicken: as sublimely moist and flavorful as ever. But not sold on the 'bread salad.' Oddly shaped clumps of flinty dryness."

Oddly shaped clumps of flinty dryness? Maybe he got confused and went to one of the Mission district's scrillion over-hyped taquerias instead of Zuni? We see no other explanation.

To find out whether Bruni is right or wrong, make a reservation at Zuni. Or, better yet, make the dish yourself.

[via Eater]

New York Times