Fun fact o' the day: Cenosillicaphobia is the term given to the fear of an empty glass (terrifying to even think about it!)
Before I get started writing about what I've actually started this post for, I have a bit of a confession. This whole blogging thing is not as easy as I imagined it to be! My words have to be on-point at all times, I have to have clever little lines here and there, recommendations, suggestions, descriptions -- it's a bit overwhelming! So what I have decided is that from here on out my entries will be a bit shorter, highlighting perhaps what I feel to be the most important qualities of whatever I may be writing about. After all the intention of my work is to have you want to go try the place/drink/dish yourself rathe than get a completely satisfactory experience through my words alone!
Phew! I hope we are all on the same page now ... so let's begin!
Almost exactly a year ago, a friend and I began going to a spot in San Francisco called Monk's Kettle. That night, a completely random find became an almost weekly destination from there on out.
It was a Tuesday night, it was late, but all we wanted some great food, some delicious drinks, and to venture away from the East Bay into San Francisco. We landed in the Mission, and happily stumbled upon Monk's Kettle - best described as a hipster gastropub with upscale food and a beer menu to match.
Standing in their doorway, you can see the entire restaurant, as well as everyone in it (staff included). I'm not sure exactly, but I would say that their max occupancy is no more than 60 (and that might even be pushing it to mosh-pit type closeness). Their food menu is one page only, containing several appetizers and salads, a few entrees, and a daily soup and roast (changing among poultry, meat, and the occasional fish). Their beer menu, however, contains one page of 24 rotating draft beers, and many additional pages containing their 180 bottled beer selection. If you can't find something you like here, I suggest getting a palette makeover.
The food here is outstanding. We have tried nearly everything at this point, but because the menu changes seasonally, and the roast changes daily, nothing gets boring. Staff here all have extensive beer knowledge, and will find you the beer of your dreams -- guaranteed.
One of the greatest perks that Monk's Kettle offers is that its kitchen stays a'cookin' until 1:00. THat's right -- 1:00 IN THE MORNING! For those of us who work in restaurants or any other late-nigh job, this is amazing. It's not easy to find GOOD late-night grub, but Monk's Kettle sure does deliver.
If you do find yourself in the Mission, wandering around at 12:48 AM, looking for a place to catch one last beer and a great bite (or two) of food, stopping here is a must. And, you will undoubtedly feel the need to return.
