State Bird Provisions

State Bird Provision, San Francisco-10/15/2024

It is Kevin's birthday today and Kristie reserved a table for the four of us at State Bird Provision in San Francisco. State Bird Provision has earned a Michelin star since 2014 and after all these years the restaurant is still as busy as ever. State Bird Provisions has been credited with being among the first (if not the first) to adapt dim sum-style cart service to non-Chinese food. The restaurant also focus on seasonal Californian ingredients and the owners described as a thoughtful contemporary American restaurant. It all started with a recipe for serving quail (California valley Quail is a native bird known for their hardiness and adaptability and is also the official State Bird in California. Provisions means providing or supplying of something, especially food & drink.

The front of the restaurant with a large window with a view of an open kitchen.

As soon as you enter there is a narrow walkway with a long bar and open kitchen.

If you look to the right you can see the continuation of the kitchen

Chefs working in the kitchen.

Our table was toward the end of the room in the main dining room.

They have a main menu that you can order and they also have food on the cart that you can also grab as the cart pass along.

On the right is the famous Hog island oysters with Kohrabi kraut & sesame.

The Hog island oysters kohlrabi kraut & sesame is one of their signature dish and it does not disappoint. The acidity, funky, slightly crunchy kraut acts like a mignonette, balancing the oysters' richness and brininess. Great way to start the evening.

Next we order a duck liver mousse & almond financiers. These little French Almond cakes are buttery and the duck liver mouse was silky and so delicious.

The restaurant has a very convivial ambiance and it is really fun to be here.

Cheers to the birthday boy!

Cheers!

The concept of the restaurant is having small plates served on Dim Sum style carts.

It is a fun concept as you can order whatever you like on these carts. This cart is filled with Chip & dip.

Smoke trout dip with chips. An amazing dish, we could probably eat at least a few more.

Deep-fried sweet soy marinate fish parts. This dish is reminiscent of the Vietnamese Ca Kho (braised fish). Lots of umami flavors.

View of the dinning room from my seat.

Lamb gyro meat with yogurt and lettuce, This dish was just okay as I thought the meat was a bit too dry.

These 2 dishes might look so simple but they are packed with flavors.

On the left is like a savory panacotta, with red onion and steamed mussels. The flavors are so incredible.

On the right is a tomato that is so sweet and so flavorful. The waiter told us that the farm they got the tomato from have a patent for some of their tomatoes.

This lady was so fun to talk to.

Garlic Bread burrata is one of the handful of dishes that never leave the menu. The texture of the bread is springy with an irresistible tang and paired with a rich and creamy burrata.

A waiter pushing a cart around and we liked what we liked what we saw and decided to give it a try.

Pork belly "salad" grapes & fish sauce. We could not believe how the grapes went so well with the pork belly. Something as simple as a grape can elevate a dish.