The Urge to Eat

Fringale, which has been around for a dozen-plus years, is often overlooked by SF foodies obsessed with staying on top of the new restaurant scene. So, it's usually a good bet that even on the busiest of going-out nights, you can get in to the modest Basque bistro with only a few minutes' notice. One recent Thursday night, after attending a happy hour party in Soma, six of us decided on the spur of the moment to have dinner in the area. After striking out at Salt House, Town Hall and COCO 500, we were accepted at Fringale, ushered to a table and served a lovely meal ranging from rack of lamb to grilled scallops and seafood Basquaise. Quiet, consistent and unassuming. Most definitely a great in-your-back-pocket kind of place.


The scallops: grilled to opaque perfection, bacon wrapped and drizzled with that most wondrously aromatic of things, truffle oil.


The seafood Basquaise: very flavorful, though a touch cooler than desired. Still a lovely dish.