Flour + Water

flour + water “is a San Francisco Italian restaurant that focuses on seasonal ingredients sourced from the unparalleled and ever abundant California artisans and growers.” flour + water is located on the corner of Harrison Street @ 20th. Before the restaurant opened last year the space was a dilapidated store front. I live in striking distance of the restaurant so I watched for months with anticipation as the renovation began and the storefront evolved into flour + water.

We walked in during the opening week and waited for a long time for a table; the wait seemed a bit unnecessary since there appeared to be empty tables but we attributed the wait to opening week jitters. The food was fresh and tasty enough for us to give it another try. We have dined at flour + water a few times since it has been open and we would probably dine there more often if it wasn’t so difficult to get a table.

One day we noticed that the restaurant had been tagged not by a gang member probably by someone that had made several attempts to get in. The tag read “ F_ _ _ this place!”, I asked my husband if he wrote that, he denied it. Wednesday we decided to make another attempt at getting in. I was a bit reluctant, those of you that know me personally know that I am going through a rough patch, I told my husband that I didn’t know if I could take rejection right now. He was determined so off we went, I told the waiter my rejection story to that he replied “I can seat you in 30 minutes max maybe shorter, will that work?” We were seated in less than 30 minutes and had a lovely evening!

We sat at the bar; while waiting to be seated we perused the menu so we had a good idea what we wanted to order. First we ordered a bottle of Michele Calo, Negroamaro, Salento IGT, Mjere, Puglia 2005; the wine was big and bold with a nice finish.

The bartender/waiter suggested that we start with a pasta dish after we told him our plans. The pasta, seafood (sea bass) stuffed tortellini verde with prosecco, fennel & tarragon. The pasta dish was subtle and very refreshing, a perfect start since our flavor profiles were going to build with each dish.

Pizza was next, osso – roasted bone marrow, fontina, rabe leaves & fresh horseradish. The pizza was very rustic rich, flavorful and the marrow melted in your mouth. This may have been the best pizza I have ever had! The wine pared perfectly with the pizza.

Last, we had roasted chicken breast & stuffed leg with golden turnips, morels, rabe leaves & sherry thyme jus; OMG! The breast was juicy and the stuffed leg was to die for, I don’t often order a chicken dish out but the description of this dish on the menu was tempting and it delivered big time.

We were too full to order dessert, next time.

I highly recommend flour + water for a casual evening when you are in the mood for good food and wine without too much fuss. Make a reservation because they have not quite figured out how to manage walk-ins.