1600 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 989-2589
Parking: street parking
http://www.cappscorner.com
Last Visited: June 5, 2004
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
Capp’s Corner is a neat place. When you walk in, you can just soak in the atmosphere. The place is dimly lit. The bar is on your immediate left. Note that it’s a sports bar, so if a game is on, it’s pretty noisy. That’s part of the charm. It’s conveniently located next to Beach Blanket Babylon.
All around, you’ll see brown wood paneling, and in the back, in red letters it says Capp’s with white lights all through the letters. All around the room are photos of Italian boxers, local sports icons, and movie stars. The tables are laminated with red and white checkers, and there is a definite feeling of San Francisco in the establishment. If you ever visited New Pisa, you will now be directed to Capp’s Corner just a block and a half away.
Long ago in Oakland, I loved dining at Bertola’s for the family style dinners, and a friend recommended we try New Pisa which is how we found Capp’s. Dinner here is available family-style. Most dinners are $14.50 or $16.50. Also included with dinner is a tureen of hearty soup and green salad with beans and creamy italian dressing.
Bread arrives at the table after ordering. The only thing that could make it better would be having it warm from the oven.
- Soup – The soup is always minestrone served in a tureen family style. Very hearty and flavorful, it hits the spot on a cold evening. The vegetables are tender but not overcooked and the green beans have a bright color to them. I could eat this soup anytime.
- Salad - Green salad with garbanzo and kidney beans, dressed with creamy italian dressing and topped with beets are served in a stainless steel bowl. Presentation isn’t important on this one. All the vegetables were very fresh.
I like to order what people often feel is the most simple food. It's a great test for a restaurant. If they can't cook something simple, how can they go beyond that?
- Spaghetti and meatballs - Two large meatballs are topped with spaghetti and meat sauce to create a heaping plateful of hearty flavor. The meatballs are large. They are not overly dense or overly flimsy. The spaghetti, though appearing to be cooked too soft is actually al dente. Even on the first bite, it seems to have gotten too soft, but start to chew, and you'll notice the al dente texture. The sauce is hearty and complex. The flavors have married and the overall dish is great. It's not perfect, but it is really good. And considering the overall cost of the dinner, you'll find the value exceptional.
- Fettucine with prawns - Al dente fettucine is served with eight prawns in a butter garlic sauce. A fresh lemon wedge tops the entire dish. It’s simple and oh so good. The prawns have a lobster like texture and are very meaty. What more can you ask for?
Upon my second visit, as opposed to the first one made in January 2004, I found that the prices had increased 50 cents. Not too bad compared to many of its counterparts. The pasta dishes are now $15 and the meat entrees are $17. New York Steak is available for $19.
- Herbed Leg of Lamb – Three slices of lamb cut from the bone and cooked medium rare are topped with luscious gravy and served with pasta marinara (tonight was penne) and herbed mixed vegetables (zucchini, yellow squash, and carrots). Even the vegetables were delicious. The scent of the lamb was fragrant as it arrived at the table and tasted just as heavenly. It’s tender texture and great flavoring makes it a must try. Don’t worry about the medium rare – after the gravy tops the lamb, it’s perfect.
- Fish of the day – This evening, the catch was snapper with a lemon butter caper sauce. This fish was to die for. A generous filet of snapper is lightly floured and browned until golden brown. The fish is then topped with a light but creamy lemon butter caper sauce. It was heavenly. The edge of the fish was browned just right leaving a perfect texture that was slightly crisp while the center remained moist and flaky. Very fresh and delicious. The fish was also served with a vegetable medley (see above) and pasta marinara. Excellent!
I bumped up the food rating from 3 to 4 stars to simply 4 stars. I was most impressed with how the restaurant handled food quality. Despite a full house at the tables and the bar, our dishes were top quality and better than my initial visit. Pasta dishes are good, but the meat entrees are awesome. The chef was right on the money the night of my second visit, and I would highly recommend this place, especially if you are willing to try the fish of the day.
Capp’s is a bargain and a great place to go. There were a few large parties that evening, and it didn’t feel too loud or too crowded. It’s great Italian food, and it’s a cozy spot for great family style Italian dinners with a taste of San Francisco. Check it out.
(415) 989-2589
Parking: street parking
http://www.cappscorner.com
Last Visited: June 5, 2004
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
Capp’s Corner is a neat place. When you walk in, you can just soak in the atmosphere. The place is dimly lit. The bar is on your immediate left. Note that it’s a sports bar, so if a game is on, it’s pretty noisy. That’s part of the charm. It’s conveniently located next to Beach Blanket Babylon.
All around, you’ll see brown wood paneling, and in the back, in red letters it says Capp’s with white lights all through the letters. All around the room are photos of Italian boxers, local sports icons, and movie stars. The tables are laminated with red and white checkers, and there is a definite feeling of San Francisco in the establishment. If you ever visited New Pisa, you will now be directed to Capp’s Corner just a block and a half away.
Long ago in Oakland, I loved dining at Bertola’s for the family style dinners, and a friend recommended we try New Pisa which is how we found Capp’s. Dinner here is available family-style. Most dinners are $14.50 or $16.50. Also included with dinner is a tureen of hearty soup and green salad with beans and creamy italian dressing.
Bread arrives at the table after ordering. The only thing that could make it better would be having it warm from the oven.
- Soup – The soup is always minestrone served in a tureen family style. Very hearty and flavorful, it hits the spot on a cold evening. The vegetables are tender but not overcooked and the green beans have a bright color to them. I could eat this soup anytime.
- Salad - Green salad with garbanzo and kidney beans, dressed with creamy italian dressing and topped with beets are served in a stainless steel bowl. Presentation isn’t important on this one. All the vegetables were very fresh.
I like to order what people often feel is the most simple food. It's a great test for a restaurant. If they can't cook something simple, how can they go beyond that?
- Spaghetti and meatballs - Two large meatballs are topped with spaghetti and meat sauce to create a heaping plateful of hearty flavor. The meatballs are large. They are not overly dense or overly flimsy. The spaghetti, though appearing to be cooked too soft is actually al dente. Even on the first bite, it seems to have gotten too soft, but start to chew, and you'll notice the al dente texture. The sauce is hearty and complex. The flavors have married and the overall dish is great. It's not perfect, but it is really good. And considering the overall cost of the dinner, you'll find the value exceptional.
- Fettucine with prawns - Al dente fettucine is served with eight prawns in a butter garlic sauce. A fresh lemon wedge tops the entire dish. It’s simple and oh so good. The prawns have a lobster like texture and are very meaty. What more can you ask for?
Upon my second visit, as opposed to the first one made in January 2004, I found that the prices had increased 50 cents. Not too bad compared to many of its counterparts. The pasta dishes are now $15 and the meat entrees are $17. New York Steak is available for $19.
- Herbed Leg of Lamb – Three slices of lamb cut from the bone and cooked medium rare are topped with luscious gravy and served with pasta marinara (tonight was penne) and herbed mixed vegetables (zucchini, yellow squash, and carrots). Even the vegetables were delicious. The scent of the lamb was fragrant as it arrived at the table and tasted just as heavenly. It’s tender texture and great flavoring makes it a must try. Don’t worry about the medium rare – after the gravy tops the lamb, it’s perfect.
- Fish of the day – This evening, the catch was snapper with a lemon butter caper sauce. This fish was to die for. A generous filet of snapper is lightly floured and browned until golden brown. The fish is then topped with a light but creamy lemon butter caper sauce. It was heavenly. The edge of the fish was browned just right leaving a perfect texture that was slightly crisp while the center remained moist and flaky. Very fresh and delicious. The fish was also served with a vegetable medley (see above) and pasta marinara. Excellent!
I bumped up the food rating from 3 to 4 stars to simply 4 stars. I was most impressed with how the restaurant handled food quality. Despite a full house at the tables and the bar, our dishes were top quality and better than my initial visit. Pasta dishes are good, but the meat entrees are awesome. The chef was right on the money the night of my second visit, and I would highly recommend this place, especially if you are willing to try the fish of the day.
Capp’s is a bargain and a great place to go. There were a few large parties that evening, and it didn’t feel too loud or too crowded. It’s great Italian food, and it’s a cozy spot for great family style Italian dinners with a taste of San Francisco. Check it out.
No comments:
Post a Comment