The first word that comes to mind when describing Mason Pacific - home. There is a homey feel to the restaurant and in its first seven months, it has become home for many residents in the Russian Hill and Nob Hill neighborhoods.
Upon walking past Mason Pacific for the first time, it truly resembles a French bistro. The front of the restaurant has counter seating, with a few tables looking out onto Pacific Avenue. A step further inside is the more intimate main dining room. On most evenings, the restaurant is bustling with activity; the staff is well-versed on the menu, easily able to lead guests in the right direction. Service is friendly and amiable, allowing guests to never feel rushed.
Leading the kitchen is Chef Sean McTiernan. Part of the charm to the restaurant is that despite being packed most nights, McTiernan tries to make his way out from behind the doors of the kitchen, presenting his dishes to guests. It’s little touches like that that add to the appeal and allure of Mason Pacific.
“Our concept was to be a neighborhood bistro. We felt this corner (at Mason and Pacific) was very underserved in this neighborhood,” McTiernan said. With that in mind, the menu is comprised of very familiar dishes (a signature burger, fried chicken, pasta dishes, fish of the day), but McTiernan also relies on very seasonal ingredients to shape his menu. He said 90 percent of the produce is based locally, and although there are a few staple items, he enjoys the ability to remain creative in the kitchen.
“I wanted the menu to include items that guests would crave, things that people could come back for, over and over again,” McTiernan said. “Whether guests come in on a date, or bring friends from out of town, our goal is to continue to make people happy, with each visit.”
On one of my visits, I sat next to a couple who lived in the area. They had been frequent guests at Mason Pacific and it was easy to tell the appreciation they had for the restaurant. They told me they "really needed" a restaurant like Mason Pacific in their neighborhood, a place where they could drop in and know they would get a great meal, in a warm and welcoming environment. That's what every neighborhood needs. And Mason Pacific is filling that role and then some. It's not just a neighborhood bistro; the food is sophisticated enough, with a variety of tastes and textures, to satisfy any food enthusiast. But it's also not overly pretentious to scare away those looking for some great comfort food.
What brings me back to Mason Pacific? I think it is the feel from start-to-finish of the meal. There is a lively atmosphere (some would call it loud), but it's not so loud that you couldn't bring a date for a romantic evening or have to shout to hear your tablemate. The price point is right for the portion size - it's hard to leave hungry or too full. And guests are greeted with a smile when they walk in until the moment they leave. That's what makes Mason Pacific one of my best new restaurants of 2013.
Mason Pacific is located at 1358 Mason Street in San Francisco. The restaurant is open Tuesday-Saturday for dinner from 5:00-10:00pm.
No comments:
Post a Comment