Mikkeller Bar, Tenderloin, San Francisco

Cassie and I randomly wandered into Mikkeller Bar late on a Saturday evening. We wanted somewhere to eat, drink, and catch up, and let’s be honest, there aren’t that many good options in the Tenderloin. Mikkeller Bar seemed very promising as soon as we stepped inside. Very cool gastropub with great food and an excellent selection of beers. Crowded, but not overly so.

I wish John came along with us since he’s the beer drinker! I don’t know much about beer other than what my own preferences are. Loved the Mikkeller Raspberry Cream Ale ($7.5), which was light on alcohol and tasted, well, like fresh raspberries and cream. Cassie ordered the Port Brewing Older Viscosity ($8), a strong dark ale that was aged in bourbon barrels. Very intense, like a rich espresso dark chocolate cake. Skip dessert and order this beer.

We shared the Spicy Giardiniera ($6) mixture of cauliflower, carrots, peppers, and celery. Crunchy and spicier than I expected, but still good. Cassie had the Mary’s Free Range Chicken Breast ($16), which looked like quite a hefty entree for just  $16.

A little voice inside my head told me that I should have gotten the kale caesar salad or the cauliflower quinoa dish in an attempt to eat more healthily on this trip, but it was impossible to turn down the Mac & Cheese ($11). Meat eaters can add bacon to this, but you might induce a heart attack, especially as this dish is insanely rich and filling without bacon.

Served hot in a skillet, this mac is topped with fiscalini cheddar and grana padano. Amazing flavors and textures, perfectly melty, with a nice breadcrumb top. I was getting full about halfway through, but kept on eating partly because it’s so addictive and partly because I wouldn’t be able to store or reheat the leftovers back at the hotel. Probably should have had something healthier for dinner, but I have no regrets!