SFReview
photo credit: Krescent Carasso
Plouf
This spot is Permanently Closed.
Eating in an alley? The first thing that comes to mind is probably bad pizza consumed on a paper tray at that time in the night when you need food immediately. Plouf might be in a Financial District alley, but is basically the total opposite. They’re putting out some really solid, quality French food, including some of the best mussels around. Not a paper tray in sight.
There’s a definite Parisian bistro vibe going on, really kicked into overdrive by the servers’ striped long-sleeved shirts (berets seems to be optional). On weekends, the crowd is touristy, maybe due to the location, but on weekdays it skews suits. But even so, Plouf remains chill, welcoming, and generally enjoyable.
photo credit: Krescent Carasso
The fact that the food is almost all excellent also doesn’t hurt. While the mussels are the main draw, the rest of the menu holds its own as well. It’s all pretty heavily French, and the chefs have a deep fondness for butter and cream. It makes everything taste pretty damn good, as long as you’re prepared for a very rich meal.
We’ve hit Plouf with our parents, for a leisurely weekday lunch on a nice day, and for their awesome happy hour. If you work in the area, this needs to be added to your rotation immediately. And if you don’t, it’s worth the trip into Financial for some of those mussels (we like them, can you tell?) and a casual atmosphere with nice waiters, nicer food, and a laid-back feel that transports you out of FiDi and into a better place. Not quite France, but close enough.