Le Critique: Hole in the Wall: Luna Park, San Francisco

When we were kids, our parents always took us to eat out and always try new places. There was even a period when we have dined at every restaurant in Tomas Morato in the Philippines, which is a busy strip with food, clubs, salons, etc., that’s always hip and happening. That love for trying new places has been carried on to us. So, we’ve created our new restaurant review series, “Hole in the Wall”. We will combine food, photography and design here. Thankfully, the obsession with cooking competitions will be put to use as we judge these places, mainstream or truly hole in the wall.

First stop, Luna Park Kitchen and Cocktails is located on Valencia Street in San Francisco, near the 18th. As most places that we love in SF, Luna Park is pretty small. However, it has a good layout. I loved the design of this place. The little things they had on the bar, the bold red walls, and the amazing artwork. From the outside and even indoors, I thought this place served Italian cuisine but actually, its menu has French, Italian, Spanish, American, and Asian dishes, so that was quite a surprise.

We went for brunch on a Sunday and they serve bottomless mimosas and bottomless sangrias (I couldn’t find a pitcher that was full but those are the empty containers in the picture). This, of course, draws in a very mixed crowd who just love a good drink, young, old, queer, bohemian, international, local, it was a fabulous sight. The people add to the character of the place.

The food is also up there with the design. Our order consisted of:

Moules Frites: Mussels with Dos Equis Beer, Bacon, Garlic, Red Fresno Chilies, Limes and Shallots with French Fries

Grilled Portobello and Quinoa with Roasted Bell Peppers, Arugula and Harissa Aioli (pictured)

Grilled Chicken B.L.T.

“Tasty Burger” Painted Hills Beef Patty Grilled to Order with French Fries

Marinated Hawaiian Tuna “Poke” with Fried Wonton Chips (pictured)

American Breakfast – Two Eggs Any Style with Bacon, Sausage, Breakfast Potatoes, Toast and Jam

Bananas Foster with Banana Ice Cream

The mussels, the poke tuna, the Portobello sandwich and the banana dessert were my favorites. I must say, the mussels were a bit overcooked as most of the meat were out of their shells. However, the smokiness of the bacon really makes this dish different from other mussel dishes. And, sauce is amazing, not too salty, enough garlic. I was surprised there was no bread served with this dish or just as a regular welcomer. I had to take some of Captain Awesome’s toast from his breakfast meal to savor the sauce. The Portobello mushrooms were grilled to perfection and the quinoa provided a good balance of texture. The Harissa aioli spread also balanced the bitterness of the arugula. Yup!! Another hit was the poke tuna. I usually order poke tuna at sushi places and this was presented well and very creatively with the fried wonton as your “nachos”. The bananas Foster was to die for! The ice cream was not too sweet, which is good because the caramelized bananas were, and it just made me crave for my childhood favorite bananaques.

Now, service. Service was weird. When we needed the servers to take some plates, they didn’t. When we wanted to hold on to our plates for a while, they took them. It’s like they suddenly remember they just had to do something. Our server also got an order wrong when I asked for a side of salad, and my father asked for a side of fried. She gave us both fries. But, those are pretty forgettable when you’re there talking and enjoying the food.

I will definitely go back to Luna Park, but next time, I’d be sure to go during lunch or dinner because of the more extensive menus. Great job, Ms C, for finding this place!

We have pics of the mussels and the bananas foster, but it’s in Ms C’s computer LOL! I’ll post them as soon as she sends them to me bwahahah!

Filed Under: Hole in the Wall, Le Critique, Taste Buds, Wanderlust

Tags: bananas foster, dining, family, hole in the wall, le critique, luna park, mimosa, Ms B, mussels, photography, poke, portobello mushrooms, San Francisco, sandwiches, sangria, taste buds, travel writing, tuna

Comments (1)

Le Critique: Hole in the Wall: Centrale Kitchen & Bar « Inadvertently Domesticated March 26th, 2011 at 12:42 pm

[...] They have an open bar, so their alcohol choices are pretty varied. Um had a Coors Light and this lady had her cocktail, pink lemonade. It had the perfect mix – not too sweet, not too strong. Just the right kick. Um was nodding with every bite – I was so pleased to see that. You know what they say: The fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. And although I am no taste buds queen like Kam, I am quite the hunter when looking for great dining options. [...]