[SF] O Izakaya

[Carolyn Tillie]

I am lucky that O Izakaya is in my backyard; I go often for happy hour as the less expensive bar offerings can make for a really great, inexpensive dinner for me dining alone or to have quick business meetings at the end of the day. The drinks are extremely innovative and interesting with a Japanese twist.

But over the weekend, I had a burger craving. Normally, wanting to stick close to home, I would usually head to Johnny Rockets or Harry's Bar. I like Harry's for its Fillmore burger with grilled mushrooms. Then I remembered that there was a burger on the O Izakaya menu and that I had never bothered trying it.

Not opening until 5:00 (my one complaint), I had to wait for the doors to be unlocked on Saturday and within a few minutes, the bar was quickly packed with several large parties; it seems a party of 20 was being set-up in one corner and this was a meeting spot for the Virgin Atlantic workers who are put up at the Kabuki Hotel. It was quickly full but as I slipped in quickly, I was able to get the burger order in before the crowds.

I added several accompaniments; grilled Maitake mushrooms, caramelized Negi onions, and Swiss cheese. Served with Shichimi-spiced french fries and garlic aioli, I am a new convert and would be hard-pressed to find a better burger in the city. it was so large that I immediately cut it in half and was able to save a large portion for the next day.

I have worked the bar's menu of drinks and on this particular occasion, decided on the Hibiscus Margarita with Herradura Blanco. What a great Saturday afternoon...

[Narcissus]

Thanks for the update, Carolyn. I have always liked the food at O Izakaya. The breakfast is a bit expensive, but that is most likely because it a "hotel" restaurant in the morning, and converts into a neighborhood spot in the evenings.