Our first glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge was from an Uber we caught from Golden Gate Park to The Presidio. We got a taste of the architecture of this former military post and a view of the onsite San Francisco National Cemetery before we were dropped off at The Commissary with its Spanish-influenced cuisine and cocktails.
Offered by award-winning chef Traci Des Jardins, The Commissary offers seating in the kitchen where diners can interact with or just observe the restaurant’s talented chefs in action. My husband, Keith ordered the Close but No Cigar, a bourbon-based cocktail which featured the first taste of a smoke-infused drink that I had been hearing about that week. I was surprised that I liked it. I ordered the Toki Doki, which featured Japanese whiskey and Jamaican bitters with a dried/candied lemon peel. Both drinks were top notch.
For my appetizer I ordered cheese fritters with black truffle honey. Keith ordered Patatas Bravas with buttermilk aioli. Both were delicious. My entrée was Chicken Roulade with frisee, marcona almonds, dates and sherry. The kitchen worked its magic here as I would have never ordered this save for seeing the rolled, boneless chicken as it was taken from the oven and sliced three feet in front of us. Keith ordered the Alaskan Halibut with grilled squid, salsa verde, tomato and summer beans. There was more to my entrée and Keith would have ordered the chicken had he known this though he thoroughly enjoyed his seafood.
On to dessert (as if we needed it after what we had consumed already): we shared the Espresso Custard with hazelnut brittle, crème fraiche and cacao nibs. In front of us, one of the chefs prepared the Chocolate Chip Cookie and Vanilla Blueberry Ice Cream Sandwich topped with violets (pictured here). I would definitely order that next time!
I highly recommend The Commissary to anyone who wants a delicious and one-of-a-kind experience in San Francisco. And if you go on a Thursday, you may be lucky enough to hang out for Twilight Thursday on the lawn in front of the restaurant. With food trucks, fire pits, tented seating areas, large red rocking seats which the kids loved, food trucks and music, it is great enough. With the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, it is the experience of a lifetime.
You had me at hazelnut brittle…. Sounds delicious!
It was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented, Janine!
Thanks for visiting,
Cathy
Sounds like a great restaurant. Would you say that it’s family friendly?
Yes. It’s open from 5:30 p.m. to 9:OO p.m. (9:30 p.m. on weekends), but I saw no reason to think they would not have children dining. The kitchen seating was at a bar top, so wouldn’t be for little ones. I would just give them a call and feel them out. http://www.thecommissarysf.com/directions/
If you go, I would love to hear back about your experience!
Thanks for visiting,
Cathy
That sounds like a great time.
It truly was Missy and I would go again in a heartbeat!
Thanks for Visiting,
Cathy
Nom nom nom! Heehee! Every sounds and looks incredible. What an awesome night. And that bridge!
It was awesome Tiffany! I will plan to go again when in the area.
Thanks for visiting,
Cathy
I can’t believe that I’ve never been to the Presidio in all the times I’ve been to SF! This restaurant sounds fantastic. 🙂
It was Kristie! I’ve never eaten in a kitchen like that and it was fascinating. My husband suggested we go out and have a quiet meal in the regular dining room, but his friend who is a local made this reservation for us and I wasn’t about to go outside the advise of a friend in the know about the area.
This experience convinced me even more to think outside the box and go to less conventional destinations and have experiences recommended by locals.
Thanks for Visiting,
Cathy
That looks amazing!! The drinks sound interesting. A smoke infused drink? I’ve never heard of such a thing! What did it taste like?
Danielle,
It had a woodsy-type of taste that just gave a well-crafted cocktail that extra edge. I had never heard of one either until I saw mentions of them in ads in the SF Bay Area. I highly recommend you try one. I am on the look out for a bar that does this in our eastern Virginia area.
Thanks for Visiting,
Cathy
I love smoke infused bourbon drinks. So I was sold on the first drink. Sounds like a delightful meal and watching chefs create their dishes is a plus.
The drinks were amazing and being able to ask the chefs questions about techniques and discussing some of the preparations they were doing was a unique experience.
Thanks for Visiting,
Cathy
Looks amazing and I love seeing the chefs prepare!
I must visit here the next time I go to SF.
Looks amazing! Thank you for sharing!
You are most welcome!
Thanks for visiting,
Cathy
You are so welcome! It was a fun and delicious experience. If you get down to Redwood City, Bubble & Wrapped Waffle Co. (near the historic Fox Theatre was absolutely delicious.)
Thanks for visiting,
Cathy
Looks yummy! I’ve never been to San Francisco, but it’s on my list to visit!
I highly recommend it! Lunch in Chinatown is truly authentic and Ghiradelli Square is cool!
Thanks for visiting,
Cathy
Sounds delicious! I love a restaurant where you can see what’s going on in the kitchen too.
It was! They even had two visiting chefs who were part of a local program where chefs can spend time in a kitchen that is not their own regular job and “intern” for a day. I thought that was very innovative.
Thanks for visiting,
Cathy