I Might As Well Forward My Calls Here, I'm Here So Much
Written: May 16 '00 (Updated Jun 18 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great Atmosphere, Great Food, Great Service, and if you limit the number of items, Great Price.
Cons: The Wait.
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| ATOM's Full Review: Ti Couz |
I spent a lot of time at the corner of 16th and Valencia when I first came to the Bay Area, and it wasn't to find a dealer. It was for a dealer of a different kind, for which we all jones, and that is, fine cuisine. My favorite restaurant in all of San Francisco, so far, is Ti Couz. I so much loved this restaurant that I went there FIVE TIMES in one week, and this was when I lived across the Bay in Oakland. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) takes you right there, two blocks from Ti Couz. I wouldn't be surprised if that's why they chose to place a BART stop right there on 16th and Mission. Ti Couz is the chicken that formed the egg.
This weekend, Jeff (Epinions' kifwebe), Bill (Epinions' bill ling), Lenny (Epinions' jlenny), Angela (Epinions' angkuo) and Angela's friend from out-of-town, Karen (not yet signed up, but we'll soon change that, just as kifwebe and I will see that the middle three start to write reviews too) all sat down for a warm summer's meal. We were seated at the end of the long series of half-circles that align a bar-like stretch. You don't come here to just drink. You have to have a crepe.
And crepe's they have, in abundance. Ti Couz, which means "The Old House" (which the faux-stone walls attempt to mimic) is a Brittany restaurant. Brittany is in the Northwestern part of France but is Celtic in its origins. Brittany cuisine serves Krampouz, their word for crepes which are divided into ble noir (made of buckwheat flour) and froment (made of wheat flour). On your menu these are designated as "savory" and "sweet" crepes respectively.
As is common in many San Francisco restaurants, they set rules that patrons must abide by. If they reach your party's name on the dry erase board (there is usually a wait, but they have recently expanded their space by almost two times what it was originally) and your party is not completely there at the point of call, you will be skipped. They do not do doggybags, what you don't eat will not leave with you. Because of this, they only let you order one crepe at a time. But there are other things to order before the crepes.
Their salads are made from organic greens and run from $3.75 to $9.95, depending on the one you desire. We had the special which was spinach that was champagne vinaigrette-d with toasted pecans and Roquefort cheese, the latter of which over-powered everything it touched. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing. I believe it's what you expect from Roquefort. If you love French Onion soup, you will love it even more here. The cheese is not placed on sparingly. You will have cheese with every spoonful. I am not a fan of onions, often lying to people that I'm allergic, but I have heard raves upon raves in regards to the French Onion soup here.
And the beverage options are just what I look for. They have a variety of beers available, on tap and by the bottle that are less available at other establishments. I personally hate beer but love cider, and they have five different types of it. Yes, that's right! Whereas most establishments don't have any cider, this place carries FIVE: Woodchuck (the best brand out there next to Woodpecker) Amber and Dark, Clos Normandy brut in sweet or dry, and a non-alcoholic version, Duche de Langueville. Each of these is wonderful and the Clos Normandy brut is served in a cute little bowl for your drinking pleasure. When my friends saw my bowl, they all addressed as if I had brought a puppy to the park, picking up the bowl as if to pet it. Continuing on with the non-alcoholic fare, they have a wonderful drink called Citron Presse, which is basically lemonade that you prepare yourself. They bring you a glass full of ice, a carafe full of water, and a spouted, cylindrical glass of sugar water so that you can measure parts per parts to your preference. It tastes like a summer day.
And now for the piece de resistance, the crepes. As for the savory crepes, I prefer the Champignon & Fromage (Mushroom and Cheese), which is what I ordered that evening. It defines savory. I like my crepes soaking in the sauce and they are always willing to provide me a little cup of extra sauce. I devour each bite as if the dish were about to run away with the spoon. I'm also fond of the Ratatouille, the Sumon Fume (Smoked Salmon), and the Saucisse (Sausage). Epinions' kifwebe ordered the special and didn't like it (too much rosemary), but I'll let him write that review. Keep in mind though, that all the specials tend to lean on the more expensive side ($6.50-$7.00), whereas other crepes float around $5.00, that is if you don't ask for additions ranging anywhere from $0.50 (almond butter) to $4.50 (scallops).
After you've finished your savory crepe, you are then permitted to move onto the sweet crepe. (Actually, you can start with the sweet crepe if you want. You just can't order another until you've demonstrated intent to complete the first crepe.) Although the special might intrigue me, as it did Epinions' kifwebe and jlenny that night, I always go for my favorite Chocolat Blanc avec Chantilly (White Chocolate with whipped cream). I could eat this in one full swatch, I tell you. It just melts into your body. My friends and I are fans of the Citron-Sucre (Lemon-Sugar), Beurre Parfume (Orange, Lemon, Berry or Almond Butter), or the delectable La Delice (Banana, Ice Cream, & Nutella). My friends and I, however, would discourage you from the flambe-d crepes. Although it's always a treat added to this treat to see it set on fire, the crepes are always left with a kerosene-y hint of an aftertaste that one just doesn't need. Just as I didn't need Epinions' kifwebe's comment about what the consistency of the sweet crepes reminded him of. Don't ask, it almost ruined the meal for me.
But the meal one receives at Ti Couz won't let any comments like Epinions' kifwebe's ruin such a meal. Nor will Ti Couz let the guy tweaked on something who intruded upon your group while you pondered heading into Tokyo A Go Go ("Bringing The Marina to The Mission!!!?) disturb your gastronomical enjoyment either. With good friends, good food, and, by the way, good service, one can withstand any intrusions one might have on the way to Ti Couz, every day of the week. If only I could go that often.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ATOM
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Member: Adam H.
Location: San Francisco, CA
Reviews written: 44
Trusted by: 105 members
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