I’ve heard good things about the brunch at Absinthe Brasserie & Bar (Joan came here 3 years ago), an interesting named but actually far more conservative place at the pretty and yuppie neighborhood of Hayes Valley. I decided to treat myself here with my cousin. Their brunch menu features standard brunch favorites: breakfast burrito, croque monsieur, mimosa, oyster, french toast, etc.
Despite their name, it is actually a pretty formal place. The menu is also on the $$ side.
The French Onion soup Gratinee is rich with flavor and really good.
Brioche French Toast $14 – roasted strawberry-rhubarb compote, whipped mascarpone, almond-maple syrup. Incredibly fluffy and custardy, it’s amazing! Really good!
Duck-confit ragout: chive-potato cake, poached eggs, béarnaise . $15.5 A creative take on the Eggs Benedict – with a delicious potato cake instead of English muffin, and a tasty duck-confit with chopped king oyster mushroom instead of ham. The result is so delicious – amazing texture, deep flavors from the duck….I savored every bite.
Oyster with yummy garnish.
Despite the menu being a bit predictable and the vibe of the place not being my taste, the food is so outstanding that that I came back here with some co-workers for another weekend. We tried their croissants as well, they were only ok.
Absinthe Brasserie & Bar
398 Hayes St. San Francisco, CA 94102
