Plow, Potrero Hill, San Francisco
Plow in San Francisco
It didn’t take us very long to drive from Dogpatch to Plow on 18th and Texas. Even though Plow had been open for less than half an hour, already there were people waiting outside. On the door is a notice saying that due to their modest size customers were asked to wait outside after giving their names. We left our name and a cheery server told us that we would have to wait 30-40 minutes. That was fine by us because we had already looked at the menu and were intrigued and excited by the offering.
Click on the photos for larger versions.
The amazing Noah Riley
Outside there were benches to sit on and they were very unusual. They were were just thick planks of polished wood, set into the wall and, because 18th Street is steep, the last bench looks much higher than the first, whereas they are all the same distance above the sidewalk. There were also places to sit around the trees at the edge of the road. Already there, were the couple with their baby we had met outside Just for You, over in Dogpatch, and we chatted while we waited. Their names were Christie and Chad Riley and their 10 month old son, Noah, who really is the best behaved and engaging baby I have ever met. Christie is finishing her residency as a pediatrician and Chad is a wonderful fashion and lifestyle photographer. Noah and Tom really hit it off when Tom waved at him and Noah immediately responded by waving back. Christie and Chad were amazed because it is the first time Noah had waved. He was already an expert at giving his Dad a high five though. In no time at all it seemed the young family were called in to their table and just a few minutes later it was our turn. Coincidently we were seated right next to Christie and Chad and had the great pleasure of carrying on our conversation with them again.
The inside of Plow is really small with seating for 25 at the most, at modern white formica topped tables and on bright blue steel chairs. At the counter, there is seating for six on steel stools in the same bright blue. On the walls were a couple of big pictures which I think were mounted on perspex (plexiglass in the US). One was of a red barn with a sea of white flowers in the foreground and the other of an under water seascape. On the far wall was a shelf with lots of books and bottles of preserves.
One of the best breakfasts we’ve had.
The menu is a joy just to read. Let me tell you the descriptions of a couple of the items and you can make up your own mind – lemon ricotta pancakes with Vermont maple syrup; Dungeness crab scramble; cider-brined pork chop + eggs; Fatted Calf blood sausage + eggs; fried egg sandwich. It was hard to choose but in the end Tom ordered the soft scrambled egg with oyster mushrooms, lamb quarter, goat cheese and crispy potatoes ($13) with a side of Nueske bacon ($5) and I plumped for the house made organic yogurt + granola, market fruit + Potrero Hill honey ($8.75). I had no idea what lamb quarter was so asked the server and she said it was ‘a sort of spinach’. Of course I looked it up when I got home and though it looks like spinach (and tastes like it too according to Tom), it is in fact a type of goosefoot or pigweed.
The food looked amazing when it was served. The blend of colors were awesome. And when it came to actually eating our breakfast, words fail me. Everything was perfect and I was really impressed with the very fresh raspberries and blueberries on the scrummy yogurt, granola and honey. Tom thought his was one of the best ever. Everything to perfection. Eggs smooth and silky and the potatoes crispy and delicious.
The restroom was situated behind a curtain and, like the rest of the restaurant, it was very pleasant. Of course there were pictures on the wall, of food this time. Like the pictures outside they were also mounted on perspex but much smaller.
All in all, the Plow is certainly somewhere we definitely plan on visiting again. Can’t wait to sample more of the dishes on the menu.
Plow in San Francisco
1299 18TH Street, San Francisco 94107
August 06 2012 10:32 am | Breakfast Log
Phyllis on 07 Aug 2012 at 7:53 am #
Dounds like Margaret is back! Such fun to checkin and find another interesting place!
Phyllis
Margaret and Tom on 07 Aug 2012 at 10:00 am #
Yes, she had a great time in England seeing the kids and her grand daughter. She also had a pub get together with a bunch of old friends. Wish I could have been there.
This restaurant, Plow, served one of our all time favorite breakfasts.
Tom
Phyllis on 07 Aug 2012 at 12:35 pm #
We must check it out in November! Glad Margaret had a good time.
Phyllis