Chron Shines 2.5 Stars on Tacolicious in the Mission

[Photo: Tyler Gourley]

Today's The Chron review wallops 2.5 stars on the Mission edition of Tacolicious. Comparing it the Chestnut St. version: "the Valencia menu is nearly identical to the Marina location, and the kitchen delivers the same quality and flavor. However, the vibe is more laid back, in no small part due to spreading the same number of seats (55) over a much larger space..." Praise goes out to the "favorite" albacore tostada, a Marina girl salad, enchiladas de pollo and the "standout" short rib taco. [Chron]

Jonathan Kauffman is the third critic to weigh in on State Bird Provisions, where plates small and large provide "choreographed moments" and each Nicole Kraskinski dessert is "a tiny tone poem." Then, comments on the quirky Western food-meets-dim sum concept: "The restaurant hasn't quite grown into its format yet, but at its best, the food is among the most intuitive cooking happening in San Francisco, the kind that teases out odd connections and unknown sympathies between flavors." [SF Weekly]

Virginia Miller goes to experience the bar at Gitane post Carlo Splendorini and Alex Smith: "I am pleased to say Gitane, one of the sexiest spots in all of SF, is still a drink-worthy location." Chef Bridget Batson's grilled stuffed calamari and "unparalleled" lamb tartare "are top dishes on the menu." New bartender Ramon Garcia "maintains Gitane's ethos, its continued sherry focus, its gypsy spirit." And Miller's favorite cocktail is The Boothby, "...essentially a Manhattan...topped with sparkling wine. It's lush, sexy, and full bodied... not at all unlike Gitane." [SFBG]

THE ELSEWHERE: Marin IJ is impressed by Good Earth Organic Café inside Fairfax's The Good Earth Natural Foods, The Merc says Pleasant Hill's Kobe Japan is family friendly, and EBX is pleasantly surprised by the food at the Berkeley Art Museum's Babette's and Honor Bar too.