Castagna Restaurant-San Francisco
By
Carol & Joe Davis
Dining Detectives
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San
Francisco has always been a City people from
around the world come to visit and many inevitably decide to make
their home. The City's captivating style of architecture, fabulous
food and broad range of activities casts a love spell that truly
lasts. The influx of cultures also makes it an ever changing and
growing city. Chestnut Street in the Marina has always been known
as a hip dining and shopping neighborhood that has attracted both
locals and tourists because it is near the Bay and Golden Gate
Bridge. Two brothers from Nice, France just opened a casual French
Bistro style Café on Chestnut and we knew we had to try
it. General Manager Jerome Meloni and Executive
Chef Stephane Meloni offer cuisine based upon
their French and Italian heritage. They have honed their skills
working at and owning restaurants in France and San Francisco
and now bring their home-style cuisine to the Marina at Castagna
which has a small intimate dining area, counter and high top tables,
as well as outdoor sidewalk seating.
We
started out with Perrier Sparkling water and a basket of fresh
Acme Bread baguette. While we looked at the focused reasonably
priced menu we ordered wines by the glass.
The
appetizers that we enjoyed were both excellent. The Pissa
la Diere which is a traditional Nicoise Caramelized Onion
Tart was quite unique and was served with anchovies on the side.
We also loved the fresh and delicious Tartare De Thon
which was a fabulous Ahi Tuna Tartare made with green onions,
diced tomatoes, cilantro, olive oil shallots, ginger, soy sauce
and wasabi coulis. The combination of flavors truly complimented
the Ahi without overpowering it.
You
must have Les Moules Vincentina which was a bowl of delicious
mussels with spicy Italian salami, Espelette pepper and crispy
jalapeños. This true bistro staple had fabulous broth which
was herbaceous, subtle and not too spicy. The entrees are very
reasonably priced as well. Our favorite was the Confit de
Canard which was seared, crispy skinned duck leg confit served
with a Tuscan white bean ragout. The sides we enjoyed included
thinly cut French Fries and delicious Brussels Sprouts
au jus.
Castagna
offers Wines from France, Italy and California. The 2010 Sartori
Pinot Grigio from Italy was lively and paired well with our
starters and the 2009 Lois Latour Domaine Valmoisine Burgundy,
France Pinot Noir paired perfectly with the Duck. We saved room
for dessert and were glad we did. The Panna Cotta topped
with Amarena cherries and roasted almonds was a spectacular desert.
An espresso served in a lovely cup and a Sweet Provence Muscat
wine were the perfect finish to our enjoyable dining experience.
Castagna
serves French Bistro cuisine classic dishes with an Italian twist,
as well as American food using seasonal, local, sustainable ingredients.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner you can also have Crepes,
gourmet Burgers, Pastas, Neapolitan style Pizzas, Sandwiches and
Salads. Chestnut Street and San Francisco are richer with the
addition of Castagna Restaurant.
Castagna
Restaurant
2015 Chestnut Street (at Fillmore St.)
San Francisco, CA. 94123
415-440-4290
www.CastagnaSF.com
