Arguello – San Francisco, CA

Brunch At The Presidio

Arguello – San Francisco, CA

Visited:  May 2016 (Permanently Closed)

After our tour of the Walt Disney Family Museum (click link on the left to take you to the story in California Dreaming), Kim, Mary, Tracy and I had worked up quite an appetite. Filing past the dozens of food trucks and throngs of picnickers…

…in the distance we spied what looked to be a restaurant (Arguello), which just happened to be located in quite an historic spot at the Presidio.

The Presidio Officer’s Club was established in 1776 (hmm, didn’t something else happened that year) by a group of Spanish explorers who utilized the facility as a place for military officers to gather.  It stayed in use throughout the 20th century and hosted entertainers such as Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Joan Crawford and many more.  The restaurant website states, “The updated Presidio Officers’ Club serves as a dynamic cultural center that reflects the diversity of the Bay Area and offers exhibits and programs that help visitors establish a deep understanding of the Presidio’s vital role in shaping California and the nation.”

But we weren’t here for history; we needed to eat.

We walked through the patio area, and entered Arguello.  It’s named after Luis Antonio Arguello, who was commander in the Presidio from 1806 until 1822.  He became the first Mexican Governor of Alta California.  There were few people when we first arrived, but by the time we left the patio was almost full.  Although neither an officer nor a gentleman, they let me in.

There was a bar to the right and a comfy area in the back where they host events.

Since I was feeling kind of dead after all our walking at the museum, one cocktail immediately caught my eye. I ordered the Corpse Reviver #2, Junipero gin, Lillet, lemon and orange Curacao ($12).  I felt alive again.

Truthfully, we weren’t expecting much from this restaurant.  We had no clue whether this was a good restaurant or not; we just picked it because it was close.  Sometimes it pays to be lazy…and lucky.  Each dish was remarkably delicious.

Mary ordered the Sweet Potato Hash, carnitas, rajas, serrano, cotija (a hard cow’s milk cheese that originated from Mexico) and epazote, which is a Mexican herb ($14). It was as good as it looked.

Tracy decided to try the Fish and Shrimp Tacos; crispy cod in one taco, grilled shrimp in the other, cabbage, lime crema, salsa ($13).  We were on a roll, or in this case, in a tortilla.

Kim thought outside the tortilla when he ordered his polenta, house-made chorizo, rajas and poached egg dish ($12).

Finally, I opted for what was one of my best breakfast dishes ever; Chilaquiles; salsa negra, chipotle, crema, avocado and fried egg ($11).

Forgetting for a moment I was consuming enough calories that would satisfy a group of Spanish explorers, I devoured the entire meal (as you can see).  Ah, the look of contentment.

Our visit to Arguello capped off a great morning at the historic Presidio.  In the true spirit of those Spanish explorers, we had discovered a terrific brunch spot.  You should, too!

maitaitom rating: 4.5 mai tais (out of 5)

Arguello
50 Moraga Avenue (at the Presidio Officers Club on the Main Post)
San Francisco, CA 94129
Phone: 415.561.3650
Hours: Tuesday: Lunch  11 am to 4 pm (walk in service only)
Wednesday through Friday: Lunch  11 am to 3 pm (walk in service only) • Happy Hour 3 pm to 5 pm • Dinner  5 pm to 9 pm
Saturday: Brunch  11 am to 3 pm • Dinner  5 pm to 9 pm
Sunday: Brunch 11 am to 4 pm
Closed Monday
Reservations available for dinner Wednesday through Saturday and brunch on Saturday and Sunday
Parking: Paid parking at Presidio lot
www.arguellosf.com