Isa

Isa 

Marina, San Francisco

Chef: Luke Sung

We read good things about Isa in which it has received many recognitions from five consecutive years on the SF Chronicle's Top 100 Bay Area Restaurant List to he Top 40 in Zagat.  Another main attraction is that they were serving pan-seared foie gras!

We were seated in the back, walking past the kitchen  to a roomy split level tent-covered outdoor back patio lined  with greenery and flowering bushes and strategically placed heat lamps.  

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Hudson valley grade A foie gras

with poached pears, huckleberrys & custard brioche

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Dutch valley Veal sweetbreads & mushroom fricassee

with mirepoix, white wine, mash potato & potato rosti

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Potato wrapped Seabass

with capers, fresno pprs, parsley, tomato confit, brown butter & lemon juice

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Grilled golden gate natural angus flat iron steak

with haricots verts, fingerling potatoes, moutarde verte & bordelaise sauce

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The foie gras dish was so good that we decided to order another plate for everyone to share. 

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Roasted rack of lamb

with sautèed eggplant, zucchini, red peppers, nicoise olives & lamb jus

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A lovely meal at this cute charming bistro with a moderately priced wine list.  The setting in the back patio is warm and intimate, however the crowd was also very energetic.  The service was attentive and polite.  Other than the foie gras, the rest of the dishes were mediocre.  The ingredients seemed fresh, but there was nothing really "french" about the dishes other than the foie gras or steak frites. 

Food: ★★★☆☆

Service: ★★★☆☆

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

Presentation: ★★☆☆☆