The Grove Filmore

The Grove Filmore
2016 Fillmore Street (California/Pine), 415 474-1419
Open 7 days, 7am–11:45pm Mon–Fri, 8am–11pm Sat–Sun.

A mostly young crowd frequents this large, informal-looking restaurant on Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights, and the young people appear to like the din and loud music. Some even bring their small children.

They sit in small groups at very simple, uncovered wooden tables, some large enough to make for democratic seating. Food and drinks are ordered — and paid for — at the counter, and drinks; beer, and wine are picked up at the bar. Food is brought by waiters to the tables.

The food consists of a large selection of a la carte breakfast items, a variety of hot-pressed and cold sandwiches, snacks, salads, many hot and cold beverages, relatively few desserts, and some moderately-priced “homemade” entrees, served with a green salad and sourdough bread.

Entrees, served with a small mixed-green salad and slices of sourdough bread, include chicken pot pie, consisting of chunks of chicken breast, peas, and carrots, in a thick gravy, topped by an oregano-pastry crust $8.75, macaroni and four kinds of cheese $7.35, BBQ chicken enchilada $7.35, lasagna with Bolognese sauce $7.25, Shepherd pie, made with beef cooked with rosemary, tomato, and red wine, smothered in mashed potatoes $8.25, quesadilla with jack, cheddar, and sour cream $6.85, with added roast chicken $8.85.

Comment: the above British-style pub food is of the small-dish variety, on the skimpy side, and not nearly as good as what you’d get in a British pub. The small mixed-green salad was good-sized and tasty.

Breakfast — all a la carte, and not designed for hearty eaters (e.g., no potatoes or toast with the egg dishes, as is usual in most restaurants. Thick slices of cinnamon and raisin toast $2.75 (!), bagels $1.30 each, with cream cheese, peanut butter, or jam $2.25, with maple-glazed ham $2.85, with avocado $2.85, with smoked salmon $4.20. Eggs Florentine $5.25, huevos rancheros $4.75, breakfast burrito (with scrambled eggs, hash browns, refried beans, cheddar,& jack cheese, salsa, avocado) $5.75, granola, oatmeal, or waffle, all $5.50 (!)

Comment: Some prices are on the high side (oatmeal at $5.50!), but $10 can get you a good breakfast, including coffee.

Soup of Day, or vegetarian chili, served with sourdough bread, cup $2.65, bowl $4.25.

Comment: On a weekday when we were there, many diners were having one of these.

Hot-pressed sandwiches, with chips and pickle, include salami with provolone and pepperoncini $7.50, ham and cheese $7.50, Niman Ranch cheesesteak (with onions, mushrooms, cheddar, roast beef, & hot peppers) $8.00, Cuban sandwich (with citrus-roasted pork, pickles, ham, & cheese) $7.25, Reuben (with New York pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing ) $8.00.

Cold sandwiches, with chips & pickle, include chicken breast (with cheddar, avocado, sprouts, & dried tomato mayo) $6.15, grilled garden cheeseburger (with mixed greens, red onion, tomato, mayo, mustard) $7.50. Turkey Club (vine-ripe BLT, loaded with Diestel turkey breast $8.00. Sloppy Joe’s (with simmered Black Angus chuck, cheddar, tomatoes, and chipolte chilies) $7.50.

Snacks include humus $5.25, cheese plate, served with sourdough & grapes, $7.95, smoked salmon platter (with capers, sour cream, red onion, parmesan cheese, grilled pita bread, olive oil) $7.25.

Salads include mixed green $4.25, classic Caesar $7.35, with roast chicken $8.95, tuna on mixed greens $7.25, spinach (with feta cheese, olives, tomato, red onions) $7.35.

Beverages include house blend coffee, small $1.55, large $1.75, cafe au lait $2.05/$2.30, espresso $1.40/1.85, cappuccino $2.60/$3.10, pot of leaf tea $2.85, ice tea $1.75, soft drinks $1.45, root beer $1.75
Beers on tap, 4 kinds, 14-oz $3.75, 20-oz $5.00. Wines are expensive and begin at $5 a glass.

Desserts include assorted cakes and organic fruit pies $4.00, giant cookie $2.10, vanilla bean ice cream $2.00.

Comment: The Grove Fillmore is a place for the young who wish to meet their friends for a snack, sandwich, and/or a drink. Most food – except for the homemade entrees – is expensive (e.g., some breakfast items are much overpriced) for what they give you, and many of the dishes are on the skimpy side. The quality, however, is generally quite good. Most diners don’t spend more than $10.00 or so, and enjoy the din and meeting their friends there.

After all, this is Pacific Heights.