SFReview
photo credit: Sarah Felker
Blue Plate
If you want to feel the weight of the day dissipate, go to Blue Plate for wine and some of the best fried chicken in town. This casual Mediterranean-ish spot has been making us feel at home, and filling us up with homemade pastas and hearty meatloaf for the last two decades.
More than a restaurant, Blue Plate resembles a cottage. Dimly lit dining rooms are outfitted with chandeliers, and eclectic paintings in mismatched frames of cars, boats, and people hang on the walls. In the back is a patio filled with twinkle lights, brick paths, and flowering trees. It’s so cozy and quaint, we half-expect to run into a family of anthropomorphic cartoon farmer bears.
photo credit: Sarah Felker
BlueFairy tale setting aside, you’re here for the fried chicken. The standout trait is the perfectly crispy crust that is slightly smokey from the cayenne pepper. And don’t pass on the deviled eggs with whipped smoked trout, or the charred octopus over not-so-spicy harissa. From date night to big group dinners, and pinot noir-soaked meals with someone you used to hunt mushrooms with, Blue Plate works for about any occasion. But just make sure to get here. This place will treat you like a regular, even if it’s your first time.
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Food Rundown
photo credit: Sarah Felker
Fried Chicken
Blue Plate’s rendition sits atop the Phenomenal Fried Chicken pedestal like a triumphant bald eagle. The boneless thighs are tender and moist. And the herby breading with hints of cayenne is perfectly crispy and crackly. Prepare for your brain to unknowingly write limericks about this chicken.
photo credit: Sarah Felker
Smoked Trout Deviled Eggs
Whipped, smoky, lemony. The perfect way to kick off dinner.
Herb and Ricotta Gnocchi
This pasta is a celebratory occasion on the plate. Sweet Jimmy nardello peppers, heirloom tomato salsa cruda, and charred spring onion chili crunch are the supporting cast to super light ricotta and potato gnocchi. No way to go wrong here.
photo credit: Sarah Felker
Charred Octopus
A simple dish, done really well. The grilled octopus has a beautiful char and sits over some olive oil and silky harissa. Finely chopped green onions add a welcomed earthy touch.
