Liberty Cafe

(415)695-8777
410 Cortland Ave.
(bet. Bennington & Wool)
San Francisco, CA
(Bernal Heights district)

Price: $$-$$$
Rating: 8 (Rating & price key)
Last visit: 04/14/04

Five of us visited here on a Wednesday for Sarah's birthday. We whiled away our 20-minute wait at the bar next door, then were seated in this charming little restaurant. The small seasonal menu has just a half-dozen each of appetizers and entrees, but there should be something for most tastes. While we looked over the menu, a basket of various breads arrived. All were excellent (Liberty Cafe is known for their baked goods), but my favorite were little bread balls with dill. I started with the tuna carpaccio, which pretty good, but not my favorite, while Sarah and Loreena enjoyed their hearty soups, Molly had a lovely Caesar salad (I forget what Richard had). My flank steak entree arrived perfectly cooked, served next to roasted asparagus and a chard coulee. All was wonderful. Sarah's striped bass was also very tasty, but not at all a match with my steak. The service was very attentive and friendly (despite us being a fairly loud, obnoxious group :), never far, but never too close. It's not particularly cheap, but its a decent value nonetheless. Everything tasted super-fresh and was subtly, but flavorfully, seasoned. Definitely recommended.