Comfort cuisine in a Castro restaurant that offers prime people-watching and a fireplace patio.

The Scene
Panoramic windows hug white walls, making this a great place to watch the action outside. In the dining room, patrons sit at red padded banquettes, tables or the popular bar. A roofed patio offers another full bar and seating for large groups. The crowd runs the gamut--from birthday parties to first dates, gays to straights.

The Food
A San Francisco slant on home cooking is served at bargain prices. Almost two dozen PEI mussels are presented in a creamy tomato-coconut sauce, while the French onion soup's beef-stock broth is sprinkled with only a hint of Romano cheese. The signature Meyer Ranch pot roast is prepared perfectly medium rare and can be pulled apart with a fork. The slightly seared Hawaiian tuna is a light, satisfying entree. To close, house-made ice cream is paired with an Oreo-like chocolate cake that has a slightly crispy crust and is stuffed with creamy white and dark chocolate.