Town Hall

San Francisco Chronicle:

San Francisco's modern urbanity meets New England's homey simplicity at Town Hall, a new restaurant from the Postrio gang, sans Wolfgang Puck.

Town Hall opened Thursday night in an old rose-brick warehouse on a quiet stretch of Howard Street in San Francisco's South of Market district. Today, it's open for lunch as well.

Town Hall is the first venture from Mitchell and Steven Rosenthal, chef at Postrio since 1994, and Doug Washington, Postrio general manager after working at Square One and Jardinière.

The 111-seat room, with a long mahogany bar stretching from the entry, is a mix of old-fashioned creamy wainscoting with gilt-framed portraits from grandma's parlor and blow-your-lights-out starburst chandeliers salvaged from 1930s Spanish Harlem.

Tim and I had the opportunity to try lunch at Town Hall this morning. We arrived at 11:25 am (5 minutes before they were formally open). We were told by their hostess, who resembles Charlie's Angels' Lucy Liu, "We are so booked today, please consider dining at the communal table which seats fourteen, or at the bar." We chose the bar - with hopes we'd get some added flavor from the guy behind the bar. Indeed we did!

Michael Musil, who managed the bar at Farralon for years, served me a Hot Toddy with brandy so good it's destined to become my winter drink of choice. Fortunately I asked for just half-a-shot, so I would have the option of indulging in two of them. Just what the doctor would have ordered.

Town Hall, which means "meeting place," is exactly that. Given the energy and personality of the place, Mitchell, Steven, Doug, Michael and team have a hit on their hands. Four years ago, when the offices of our old business were at the corner of 2nd & Howard, this would have become our "at least once-a-week meeting place" for lunch.

Mitchell described the inspiration behind his restaurant as "wanting a great place where they could have fun." And that they are. In between our seafood chowder with housemade sourdough crackers that melt in your mouth ($8) and our main course, Mitch came over to the bar, pulled out his harmonica, cranked up the Sony Boy Williamson #2 Blues on the stereo and started jamming. Behind the bar, Michael then pulled out his own brass harmonica and joined in the fun. Nothing like starting our weekend on a good "note" - and before noon, at that.

In addition to the Hot-Toddys and chowder, we recommend the Braised Beef Short Ribs with horseradish mashed potatoes and winter vegetables ($17). Make sure to save room for Pastry Chef, Janet Rikala Dalton's desserts. We agree it was worth her coming out of retirement just to share her Butterscotch & chocolate pot de creme with a layer of buttercrunch ($7). Not too sweet and not too chocolatey. In fact, Tim's said it was one of the best desserts he's ever had.

Thank you Janet. And thank you again, Mitchell and Michael! We look forward to meeting Steven & Doug, the next time we come to Town Hall.

Rustic, hearty, flavorful food is what you will get here. We hope you'll get a taste of the fun -- in addition to the good food. Enjoy!

~Jennifer

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Sarah and I ventured to town hall after getting excited by the chronicle article. Once upon a time we enjoyed a lavish dinner at Postrio and hoped to recreate the magic at Town Hall. We arrived early for our 8:15 reservation. When you walk in, as well as a long mahogony bar, there is a large 'group table' where pepole where having drinks, eating appetizers, and generally just waiting for their table. The crowd was a mix of late 20's early 30's professionals and older retired folk who looked liked they had flown in from New England. The feeling of San Francisco urbanity was more pronounced that the Homey simplicty of New England, which I liked. The musical choice of old delta blues was interesting for the type of restaurant Town Hall is trying to be, but it worked and was enjoyable.
Our table was ready right at 8:15 and when seated were greated by an upbeat waiter who was at our attention all night long, but let us be when we didn't need anything. The food was great but not excellent. I had the duck which was slow cooked so the meat just melted in your mouth. Think the best darkmeat turkey you have ever had. Sarah had the halibut which was baked with rice and vegetables. The bites I stole from here were tasty, but nothing spectacular. The wine list was ecelectic and well priced. We had a Panther Creek Pinot Noir which I though was a steal at $35.
I would say Town Hall is a go. I enjoyed the atmosphere better than the food which I think is saying alot judging by the chefs credentials. For us, the bill at $150 for three was a little spendy, but those of you who can afford such extravagences will think it is well worth it.