Wining & Dining

PURPLE PICKLE

2223 Market Street, S.F. 621-0441

The Purple Pickle experience begins with one of the friendliest and most charming bars in town (with all well drinks selling for a mere 65 cents). Then, through the back curtains one steps into nostalgiaville a la Provincetown, the Hamptons, Palm Springs, and every gay dream of elegance, lots of crystal, gold-flecked mirrors, subtle lighting, soft music, and flocked walls. Camp? Serious elegance? Wish-fulfillment Camp? Serious elegance? Wish fulfillment? Fantasy? Who knowsbut we were impressed with the amount of love that went into the environment.

The menu was in harmony with the decor inasmuch as it contained all of the necessary items such as prawns saute ($4.25), New York steak ($7.95), baby beef liver ($3.95), and two daily specials that night, pot roast, and chicken.

A delicious, hard-crusted sourdough bread opened the meal followed by a dullish but crisply fresh salad (we could have had soup) with a simple Italian dressing.

I selected pork chops ($4.50), which were a bit overdone but delicious nonethe-less, accompanied by apple sauce, which-get this-had been spiked with a powerful curry (I think). Very different. Also we both marveled at the perfect potato Anna-a sort of cooked and then sauted (deep fried?) potato sliced and seasoned, which meant lots of work and successful results. Billy had the veal saute ($5.50), which was strips of veal sauted with fresh green peppers, mushrooms, and pimentos. The seasoning was subtle but insistent, and again, it was obvious that the chef invests lots of time and love with his craft. A very generous slice of fresh cheesecake ($1) finished the mean, accompanied unfortunately by weak American coffee, which set off the density of the cheesecake nicely so we aren't complaining. The duo worked superbly.

And we lingered because the music was exactly at the right volume, the room made us feel we were in another

world (not surprising at this end of Market Street), but eventually the theatre called and we floated on to Me and Bessie. It was a perfect evening (Billy's birthday), and it's nice to know that there is a centrally located restaurant that is a relaxing experience-no pressure-and a softness that worked.

Congratulations to S.I.R. on your 11th Anniversary

ERAMROD

1225 Folsom San Francisco

621-9196

PIER 54 RESTAURANT China Basin Street, S.F. 398-7846

It has been some time since we visited Pier 54 and are delighted to report very little has changed this simply has to be one of the most glorious of San Francisco experiences. It's the ultimate Key Largo trip through all the warehouses, empty gigantic ships, and there all fuzzy with fog a tiny light announces you've arrived. The room is heaven, reminiscent of grandmother's and everyone's crazy aunt who lives surrounded by old sheet music, antiqueish furniture, dark woods and the most attractive male staff this side of earth. It's impossible not to chat with total strangers at the other tables because being there is visiting and when you visit, being a good little boy, you chat with everyone.

We arrived at sunset (before the fog, this time) and seated at a window we

QUEARACH

LA

&

RESTAURANT

MEXICAN CUISINE

ENTERTAINMENT!

Now featuring the sensational VALENCIA and her trio Thurs/Fri/Sat 8-12

Sunday 1-5

DINNERS SERVED

FROM 5:30 P.M. 11:00 P.M.

BAR OPEN FROM 4:00 P.M. 2:00 A.M.

CLOSED MONDAYS

RESERVATIONS 863-1990 or 863-1991

2500 MARKET STREET

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94114

VECTOR 13