Q

(415)752-2298
225 Clement St.
(bet. 3rd & 4th)
San Francisco, CA
(Inner Richmond district) Price: $-$$$
Rating: 7 (Rating & price key)
Last visit: 04/10/06

Good California cuisine in a laid-back atmosphere. Prices and portions are very reasonable, and the menu should have something to please most folks. Expect a wait after about 7:30pm, and on the weekends.

I've been here perhaps 10 times, and sometimes walk away happy, sometimes not so much so. They have a good beer and wine list, with some unusual choices (a recent Unibrau "Terrible", while expensive at $14 for a 750ml bottle, was excellent), and a tasty sangria. The normal menu is mostly comfort cal-cuisine, with meatloaf, fried chicken, fish, and the like. The specials menu often has more "ethnic" items. Both offer suggested wine or beer pairings with apps and entrees, which is a nice touch.

Especially when they're really busy, flagging down a server can be a chore. An order once went missing for more than 30 minutes with nary an explanation on the server's part, with no water or drink refills during that time. On the other hand, on quieter evenings, the service has been generally fine.

For appetizers, so far I've had the wings, served with a flavorful tropical fruit and habanero pepper sauce, and the mussels, an decent, but not great, perparation of my favorite mollusk. The skirt iron steak special, served atop yellow potatoes, drizzled with a delicious blue cheese sauce, and accompanied by a side of green beans, was very good, and a generous portion. The beer battered catfish was unremarkable, and the fried chicken was a little overcooked, and bland. Another chicken dish, this time breaded and served over spinach, was also a bit dry, so maybe chicken isn't the best choice here.

Beef medallions in a port sauce with green beans and rice cake was very flavorful, but my medium steak was a somewhat undercooked medium rare by my book. The burgers are very good, with a deep meaty flavor, but the bun is a dense, dry one. And lastly the special cassoulet I ordered on our last visit was great - a smooth velvety bean stew punctuated with duck, lamb and andouille sausage.

On a good day, Q is a great place, but I wish they were more consistent when they start to fill up. Prices are quite reasonable for the quality and quantity of food you get, and the menu is well-rounded.