Sometimes you just never know what is right around the corner. One of the main reasons I love San Francisco is the food, yes folks THE FOOD! Everywhere you turn, around every corner, street, or neighborhood, San Francisco is populated with places serving excellent cuisine. At every price point, at all times of the day, I just love being hungry in San Francisco.
Today my friend Shadi from Young's Market and I were trying to figure out where to meet for lunch. With so many options in so many diverse neighborhoods, it was a challenging decision. After going back and forth, Shadi suggested Town Hall and I well.. uhhh...hesitated at first because although I had a very nice dinner there when it first opened back in 2004, it didn't seem like a place where I was visualizing spending my leisurely lunch break on this rare 70 degree early February day in San Francisco. I was picturing suits and my old corporate life which tends to fill the place up during the lunch scene, and I wasn't quite having a taste for that on this vacation-esque day. I do love the SOMA neighborhood, and hadn't visited Town Hall in a while, so I came to a consensus with Shadi, and Town Hall became our winning choice for lunch.
The restaurant was bustling and all tables were filled so we made ourselves at home at the bar. Our bartender was fabulous and always had a smile on his face with the utmost professionalism. The service was spot on. The meal was absolutely incredible and I was so satisfied. We ordered the Warm Jalapeno Corn Bread which melted in your mouth and arrived in an iron mini corn shaped griddle. I loved the visual. I ordered the Fried Oyster Sandwich on Texas Toast with lettuch and tomatoes which was so delectable. I enjoyed how the oysters, although fried were not at all greasy. The sandwich came with a side of slaw and potato chips. Shadi ordered the Buttermilk Fried Chicken atop of a Caesar Salad and by the look of his empty plate, it was a scrumptious choice.
One bite of the cuisine at Town Hall, and I forgot all about corporate life and felt as if I were on vacation somewhere lovely right in the good ol' South. It was a fantastic choice for lunch and I am looking forward to my next dinner there hopefully very soon. Chef's Mitch and Steven Rosenthal, along with Doug Washington and their staff make Town Hall a great choice for lunch or dinner with some mighty fine cooking and comparable southern hospitality style service.
There is no valet parking, so either take a cab, park in a nearby lot or take your chances with the metered street parking.
Lunch: Monday - Friday 11:30 am- 2:30 pm.
Dinner: Sunday- Thursday 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm. Friday and Saturday 5:30 pm- 11pm.
Town Hall Restaurant
342 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
415 908 3900
