Dalida - Presidio

[PorkyBelly]

new mediterranean restaurant in the presidio. very good, but didn’t quite live up to all the best new restaurant hype.

got the $75pp chefs menu and added on the california tahdig and the duroc pork cheek souvlaki as supplements.

highlights
the lamb chops encased in ground lamb was really unique and delicious.
goat cheese stuffed squash
duroc pork cheek souvlaki
anatolian erishte
rose tres leches cake

pass
california tahdig

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midye dolma - istanbul-style stuffed mussels, currents, dill

goat cheese stuffed squash

california tahdig - crispy saffron rice, santa barbara uni, smoked trout roe, kampachi, preserved yuzu

anatolian erishte - thick cut turkish noodles, forest mushrooms, perigord truffles, kabocha squash, white wine sauce

cypriot lamb chops - encased in ground lamb and caul fat

su borek - fluffy pan-roasted yufka pastry, spinach and comte cheese sauce, pine nuts

duroc pork cheek souvlaki - cheeks, crispy potatoes, mustard sauce

roasted cauliflower, harissa spices

presidio rose tres leches cake, dalida’s rose marmalade

[honkman]

Dalida https://www.dalidasf.com/ is one of the raising star restaurants in San Francisco over the last few years with its focus on (Eastern) Mediterranean food executed on a very high level. We had some “hints” of their food at a company event and it prompted us to have a visit. They are also one of the restaurants which offers “Chef’s pick” menu and it was obvious to choose that route. It was an excellent overview of many of their dishes and led to a great night. Their kitchen counter is a great place to experience the food but also the action in the kitchen but it was surprising how uncomfortable their counter chairs are (and with several people standing for some time during the night it was obvious we weren’t the only one feeling that way)

Snacks - scallop crudo, goat cheese filled squash, eggplant filled with walnuts, midye dolma (stuffed mussels)

Fattoush salad - heirloom beets, blackberries, pita croutons, walnuts, pomegranate molasses

Breaking bread - hummus, muhammara, smoked yoghurt, pickles, marinated olives, chubby pita

Carob pasta with braised pork cheeks

Lamb shoulder, saffron tahdig, asparagus

Kaymak ice cream

Cake with strawberry-rhubarb ice cream

Mignardises

[honkman]

Another visit to Dalida https://www.dalidasf.com and it continues to deliver - fantastic food, good service (even though we had to asked once to slow down a bit with the pacing of the courses) and an overall relaxed ambiance. Their “Chef’s Menu” is one of the best ways to explore different parts of their Mediterranean/Turkish/Levantine cuisine.

Midye dolma (stuffed mussles), puri with octupus salad

Squash filled with goat cheese

Soup

Oysters, trout roe

Octopus and Sujuk - thinly sliced octupus, olive-caper dressing, pork sujuk sauce

Breaking Bread - hummus, muhammara, smoked yogurt, pickles, marinated olives, chubby pita

Beet Fattoush Salad - star route beets, parsley, persimmons, grilled scallions, pita croutons, walnuts, pomegranate molasses

Kayseri Manti - butter-roasted lamb dumplings, garlic yogurt, urfa-tomato sauce

Scallop crudo, frozen lemon

American Wagyu Rib-Eye, jus, chicory, potato pave

Chocolate-Persimmon Rollet - date-walnut roll cake, walnut crumble, persimmon aigre-doux, saffron ice cream

Gingerbread Ice Cream, cookies

Chocolate-Halva

[hal]

Ate there for restaurant week in 2024 (Nov 14):

Lunch Menu, Week of Nov 13-15
Prix-Fix Menu 49

Course 1: Choice of
Kale and Lentil Soup
Tamarind, mint, lemon

Winter Salad
Radicchio, persimmon, orange, feta

Fattoush Salad
Heirloom beets, cucumbers, zaatar croutons, walnuts, pomegranate, and olive oil

Course 2: Choice of
Roasted Berkshire Pork Chop +10
Summer vegetable orzo, date, sweet and sour jus

Crispy Ras-al Hanout Duck Leg
White beans, roasted butternut squash, preserved lemons

Ajika Flatbread
Walnut-pepper sauce, barrel-aged feta, mushrooms, braised greens

Dessert: Choice of
Olive Oil Cake
Cardamom whipped cream, quince

Ice cream or Sorbet Flavors
(Chocolate, Kaymak, Sour Cherry, Honey)

Honestly, my friend and I weren’t impressed.

[honkman]

Which Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant do you like more in the Bay area ?

[hal]

Turkish Kitchen in Berkeley is ok. They have sekerpare.

Hear that Turquaz is good, but I didn’t have a chance to try before I moved to SoCal (apparently, LA has a dearth of Turkish restaurants)