Seldom do the restaurants live up to their rave reviews in SF papers but Oodles was better than the critics said. Two of us ordered the Tasting Menu ($38 for 8 small courses), the Katsu Sweetbreads appetizer and the Miso Skate and Calamri entree. Every dish was cleverly designed and assembled. Each was like a bon mot, a smart invention, a surprising solution to a puzzle. Flavors were intense and unexpected. I never knew a sauce made of peas could be so fragrant and mint-like. The staff was attentive and helpful. My glass of Benton Lake (I think that was the winery) Pinot Noir was sour as grapefruit juice, so the waiter substituted a pleasant French Pinot Noir instead. In this town, there are so many terrific meals to be had for around $15-20, so a restaurant that charges about twice that has to offer something extra special. Oodles does. There were no lines so I'd say to get there soon. At Bush and Taylor. Parking is rough and makes the $5 valet charge reasonable.
San Francisco, CA