Boulevard, San Francisco, CA, USA

The art nouveau / belle epoque interior and prime Embarcadero / waterfront exterior location create an elegant yet jazzy setting for this restaurant. The restaurant's dishes are much the same, offering a New American menu in the best sense of the term, infusing French and other (Medtierranean, Asian) influences into otherwise standard modern American dishes.

Noticing the large selection of seafood on the menu, I started with the Hawaiian ahi tuna tartare, which included very fresh pieces of tuna with just the right spices (chili, jalapeno and wasabi) to add a little kick. For the entree, I chose the pan roasted northern halibut, again sauteed in a fusion style, with Asian tempura ginger adding an unexpected flavor to a usually unremarkable fish. The fish was prepared perfectly, just a little bit crispy on the outside but otherwise tender and flaky, and is the best halibut I've ever had in my life - in fact, I had no idea it could even be this delicious!

Like the setting and the food, the service was smooth and welcoming without being too pretentious. All in all, the restaurant is expensive, but well worth it!

Boulevard
1 Mission St.
San Francisco, California
415-543-6084
www.boulevardrestaurant.com