Your Guide to Lazy Bear San Francisco: A Unique Dining Experience

Part One: The Food

Tucked away along 19th street in the Mission, stands Lazy Bear San Francisco, a fine dining restaurant. You’ll leave this one-of-a-kind experience licking your lips, oo-ing and aw-ing and pinching yourself to make sure the flavors on your palate were not just your imagination’s concoctions.

 

Headed by, self-taught culinary genius, David Barzelay, Lazy Bear (an anagram of the chef’s last name) began as a “popup” eatery and evolved into a brick and mortar restaurant. With only two seatings per night (Tuesday through Saturday), and a 45 person cap, this place plays the supply and demand game right! Reservations are not accepted. Instead, you must purchase tickets in advance if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on ’em! They sell out that fast. Included in the $120 per person price tag is a gourmet 11+ course meal including the freshest, rarest and most delectable ingredients you’ll ever eat. A beverage pairing is available for an additional charge, as well as an a la carte beverage menu.

 

Upstairs in the cozy loft courses one through four were served. The perfectly balanced pomegranate daiquiri, and the duck “Slim Jim” were my favorite items. Just imagine the highest of quality duck, spiced impeccably well, then rolled up into a jerky stick…I’ll leave it at that.

 

 

 

Rightfully curious, we were guided downstairs to assigned seats at one of the two communal tables anxious for what would come next. The brown butter brioche accompanied with butter was super and the Matsutake Mushroom soup was like no other blend around. Apparently this species of fungi is only in bloom for one month and grows underneath pine trees. I cannot think of a better way to describe the taste, other than how another patron put it, “it’s like eating off of the forest floor with a side of pine cones” (that’s meant to be a compliment!).

 

 

 

On to the meat of the meal (no pun intended). The squab and au jus topped with hazelnuts was succulent and divine. Tender red meat is always a treat, but mixing it with hazelnuts created an indescribable flavor. The rice grits served with beef short ribs were also delightful.

 

 

 

Avocado “ice cream” – no it’s not a typo. This is what you’re served in between the meat entrees and sweet treats. While I enjoyed everything that followed, I could not get over the avocado dish. What an awesome and creamy confection. I’m pretty sure Ben & Jerry’s would buy the rights to this recipe.

 

 

Aside from the fiesta my taste buds were having, I must mention that the service was superb. The very knowledgeable staff was able to succinctly describe what comprised of each course, and the wait staff was on point. Not once did I have to ask for a water refill.

 

Have you added your name to their mailing list yet?! If not, what are you waiting for? Be one of the first to find out about ticket sales and special events going on at Lazy Bear. Speaking of special events, if you do not have New Year’s Eve plans yet, consider ringing in the new year at Lazy Bear San Francisco. Tickets go on sale this Wednesday.

 

 

 

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post regarding the appropriate Lazy Bear attire!