Clement Street Bar & Grill

(415)386-2200
708 Clement Street
(between 8th & 9th Ave's)
San Francisco, CA
(Inner Richmond district)

Price: $-$$
Rating: 8 (Rating & price key)
Last visit: 12/03/06

Very good complete breakfasts (on Sundays only, starting at 10:30) at fairly good prices for what you get. It's not inexpensive, and the brunch menu is not large, but there should be something to suit most folks' tastes.

Sarah had a crab cake benedict ($14.95) and I had smoked salmon benedict ($13.95). Although these prices seem a bit high initially, its largely due to the meals including a drink (mimosa, bloody mary, screwdriver, or juice) and a nice basket of assorted tasty breads.

Both of our benedicts were done nearly perfectly. Mine was definitely the best smoked salmon bene I've ever had, not that many places offer it, and Sarah though her crab cakes were one of the best she's had in SF. The golden home potatoes were very well-cooked, but could have used a tad more spice, and the accompanying fruit (cantaloupe, pineapple and strawberries) was all flavorful and fresh. On our second visit we both had the Dungeness crab benedicts since crab season had recently started, and again they were excellent.

The restaurant is a nice white-tablecloth bar & grill, as the name suggests, with open beams on the ceiling that are reminiscent of the hull of a boat. Service was prompt and our orders arrived with great timing. My only complaint is my long-standing one that the only good places for breakfast on Clement St. are on the higher end of the price scale - our total was $35 for two, including tax, but before tip. All told, I'm happy we went here, and will certainly return.