Superb late night dining in European atmosphere
On a recent Friday night after a symphony concert, with dining choices at 10:00pm dwindling rapidly like the free chips bags after a Bay-to-Breakers race, my friend recalled the Brazen Head across town. Fearing the usual 10pm closing time jitters of the staff, I called ahead trying to make a reservation, but was told that they don't take any nor that there would be any rush.

Definitely an insider spot of the kind where they don't need to bother with lighted signs (or any sign in fact) on the outside of this quiet, unassuming street corner at Buchanan and Greenwich (parallel to Union). Entering through this veil of secrecy, we find ourselves in a cozy and crowded bar area teeming with a hip crowd. Separated by a wall is a dining area with dim lighting and cramped tables that remind of clandestine back rooms mixed with the atomsphere of an English pub, missing only is the smoke in the air.

In keeping with this feeling, the menu looks and feels very European and nudges the diner to the steak choices, among those we had the pepper steak and the dry-aged filet mignon and both proved to be top notch. Forget the corn-fed "well marbled" euphemisms of Your Steak House Chain (TM).

Despite the cramped quarters and the crowds the staff is extremely affable and makes you feel cared for.

We finally left after midnight, and people were still being seated for dinner.

By the way, according to Marriam Webster, "brazen" means this: "3: marked by contemptuous boldness"

Now, boldly go!    [04 Jul 2003 17:19:58]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Any of the steaks, esp. the dry-aged filet mignon!

     ­Wolfram Arnold   wolfram at arnold dot name