Sauce

Living in Hayes Valley has its perks, and one of the biggest is having this excellent restaurant right around the corner. Although its next-door neighbor, Paul K, gets far more attention, Sauce is one of the most consistently delicious restaurants in the City.

I have tried every single item on the menu (no, that is not an exaggeration), and I have never been disappointed. They are experts at taking classic American cuisine, usually dull and fairly tasteless, and making is classy and flavorful. I am especially impressed by their varied selection of appetizers, all of which have distinct styles and flavors. My personal favorites are the sesame shrimp and the portabello mushroom fries with aioli dipping sauce, although the steak satay with cilantro cream sauce is hard to resist.

Although entrees may sound common (mac n' cheese and meatloaf for example), these dishes are not your average home-cooked meal. Sauce has perfected the art of creating upscale food out of common dinners. The presentation of every dish is always clean and inventive, the ingredients always diverse and surprisingly complimentary. Mac n' Cheese is suddenly freshly made pasta with four types of non-traditional cheese. Vegetarian strudel becomes a substantial medley of veggies even a meat-lover could enjoy.

Oh yeah, and they have huge juicy strawberries with fresh whipped cream and brown sugar for dessert. Need I say more?

The staff is always friendly and inviting, not to mention unbelievably quick if you're in a hurry. Also, for night owls, the kitchen is open and offers the full menu until midnight. Even if you're not looking for a dining room experience, the bar is a cozy place to grab a drink, an appetizer, and relax.

Don't let the lack of hype or low-key facade of this restaurant fool you - it's a hidden gem in the vast selection of SF restaurants.