Eat in San Francisco: The Snug

Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich made with buttermilk fried chicken, pickles, habanero aioli slaw, and a sesame seed bun

Wagyu Double Smash Cheeseburger made with wagyu beef patties, American cheese, dijonaise, arugula, and a challah bun, with a side of tater tots

The Aviation and an Aperol Spritz

My dining companion and I visited The Snug, a cocktail bar with a decent food menu on Fillmore and Clay in Lower Pacific Heights, in mid August. I had not heard of this place before, but was excited to visit after receiving a gift card from a friend and seeing their outside seating.

We ordered a couple of cocktails and two entrees for dinner. I had the Aviation, while my dining companion had an Aperol Spritz, both of which we enjoyed. I tried the Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich made with buttermilk fried chicken, pickles, habanero aioli slaw, and a sesame seed bun, while he had the Wagyu Double Smash Cheeseburger made with wagyu beef patties, American cheese, dijonaise, arugula, and a challah bun, with a side of tater tots. Although I don't remember the specifics, I believe we liked these as well. (Since it was a bit late when we ate, the photos don't do the place justice.)

We thought the service was great, given the extra complexity of using a gift card with a QR code menu. I do wish we received table service because their drink menu is expansive and it would be nice to ask servers for their recommendations. C'est la pandemic...

The Snug

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Yelp

2301 Fillmore St., San Francisco, CA 94115

Open: Tuesday - Thursday 12 - 10pm, Friday - Saturday 12pm - 12am

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Eat in Oakland: Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine

Samosas stuffed with Red Norland potatoes, caramelized onions, and carrots, wrapped in pastry skin, and served with coconut curry sauce


Pad Kee Mow made with flat rice noodles, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, basil, onions, tomatoes, and pork

Hat Yai Fried Chicken made with Mary’s Chicken, turmeric, herbs, fried shallots, cucumber, pickles, yellow dipping curry with potato, blue rice, and roti

Left: Classic Thai Tea

Right: Summer Spritz made with Aperol, sparkling wine, pressed grapefruit, and lemongrass

For what is most likely my final birthday dinner of the year, I visited Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine, an excellent Thai restaurant located on Water Street in Jack London Square. Although I've only been to this location and the Mission location once, I knew it was the perfect place to celebrate. Farmhouse Kitchen is known for serving intricate Thai dishes as well as the popular street food we crave in an incredible space with views of the marina and Alameda.

My dining companion and I ordered two drinks: a Classic Thai Tea and a Summer Spritz, one of their perfectly made cocktails. If the mound of shaved ice plopped in the Thai iced tea is any indication, Farmhouse Kitchen wants to dazzle their guests as they keep presentation in mind. The Summer Spritz—made with Aperol, sparkling wine, pressed grapefruit, and lemongrass—was quite refreshing. As for food, we started with the Samosas made with Red Norland potatoes, caramelized onion, and carrots. These were hands down the best samosas I've ever had. The pastry dough crust was so flaky and decadent, while the coconut curry sauce complemented the samosas well. 

We then shared two entrees: one a comfort dish, the other more adventurous. The Pad Kee Mow—made with flat rice noodles, bamboo shoots, bell pepper, basil, onion, and tomato—had a more dynamic flavor than I'm used to. The Hat Yai Fried Chicken featured Southern-style fried Mary’s Chicken, fried shallots, cucumber, pickles, yellow dipping curry with potato, blue rice, and roti. The fried chicken would please any fan of the dish, while the roti was on par with others we've enjoyed.

Overall, this was an incredible experience. Since this restaurant is well liked, I'd recommend making reservations ahead of time. Next time I stop by, I'd like to try another cocktail as well as a special like the Basil Bomb or Kai Sam Ros. If you've visited Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine recently, what do you recommend trying?

Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Yelp

336 Water St., Oakland, CA 94607

Open: Monday - Thursday 11am - 2pm & 5 - 9pm, Friday 11am - 2pm & 5 - 10pm, Saturday 12 - 10pm, Sunday 12 - 9pm 

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