Truth be told, this is a review from a lunch we had a couple year ago. And don’t ask why so long, but it is what it is.
John’s Grill is a San Francisco tradition that must be experienced, with its rich history connecting it with the vintage years of America, but more specifically, with the timeless film “The Maltese Falcon,” starring Humphery Bogart. As you’all know, and even if you didn’t know (and now you know!), the author of “The Maltese Falcon”, Samuel Dashiell Hammett, frequently dined at John’s Grill while writing his novel. Casts of the movie with the same name also dined there when they were filming. But when it comes to the reality of the restaurant itself, “The Maltese Falcon” is neither here nor there since the restaurant’s ambience, food, and service proudly stands on its own! …..as it should if a review is about the restaurant and not its distractions! …..but then again, their distractions with Samuel Dashiell Hammett and Bogart is impossible to ignore either!
So back to the restaurant. The service was exemptional. We were a party of 3, and we were greated with the most inviting host who gave us a seat with minimal wait. He was a relatively young man, probably in his late 30’s to early 40’s, obviously comfortable with his job and seemed like he’s enjoyed what he’s done for awhile. After we were seated, I asked him about the seat/booth where Samuel Dashiell Hammett sat when he dined at the restaurant. The host was more than proud to bring me to Hammett’s booth where I took photos and felt the aura of Hammett’s presence. I asked if we could sit there and I was told the booth is reserved for the foreseeble future. I know, I’ve again digressed! Chalk it up to short attention span! Maybe this is why I waited a year to write this review!? LOL
Anyhow, I had a simple Fish and Chips with an extra dry martini, my wife had the Caesar’s Salad with house white wine, and my son had some sort of pasta (sorry, my old age memory don’t allow me to recall specifics of the pasta after a year, LOL!). The food was what it should be, and that’s asking alot these days. So for those who have my handy dandy code decoder, that means it was good! …especially the extra dry martini, but again, how can you mess up an extra dry martini, just pour the damn thing! LOL! The waiters/busboys? were on target, even gladly obliging me with photos of my family without hesitation. I would say, the staff was friendly which again is beyond the “new norm”. And all this, having had reservations about old traditional supposedly “stuffy” restaurants, this restaurant was absolutely a pleasure that restored my belief that there is still good in tradition and respect for fellow human beings, you just have to find them sometimes. The prices were not low, but good for such a fine establishment with such a rich history. I actually expected the prices to be much higher, they weren’t. Definitely recommend both locals as well as tourists to visit this hidden not so hidden gem, a San Francisco tradition!
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