Another Mexican joint in the Mission District, but with a tasting menu and platings so precise that they call for tweezers: That’s the story at Californios. In eight (or more) inventive courses, Sons & Daughters vet Val M. Cantu turns a border-crossing journey into refined adventure, spiking yellowtail ceviche with mandarinquats and red jalapeños, poaching Hama Hama oysters and pairing them with jicama mignonette. Celery-and-kiwi granita, bursting with Pop Rocks, provides a palate-cleansing prelude to such musings as egg custard with smoked tomato, and a sous vide chicken-and-pomegranate broth that plays as a whimsical posole. Handmade tortillas are served with house-cultured butter. You can enjoy tacos some other time.
San Francisco, California
$$$$
Another Mexican joint in the Mission District, but with a tasting menu and platings so precise that they call for tweezers: That’s the story at Californios. In eight (or more) inventive courses, Sons & Daughters vet Val M. Cantu turns a border-crossing journey into refined adventure, spiking yellowtail ceviche with mandarinquats and red jalapeños, poaching Hama Hama oysters and pairing them with jicama mignonette. Celery-and-kiwi granita, bursting with Pop Rocks, provides a palate-cleansing prelude to such musings as egg custard with smoked tomato, and a sous vide chicken-and-pomegranate broth that plays as a whimsical posole. Handmade tortillas are served with house-cultured butter. You can enjoy tacos some other time.
Last Reviewed
July 2015
Address
3115 22nd St.
San Francisco, CA