It is nice when the restaurant name tells you exactly what to expect. If you are a lover of delectable charcuterie or ocean fresh oysters, then Hog & Rocks deep in the San Francisco Mission neighborhood is a destination for you. On a crisp winter evening strolling along, Hog & Rock lured us to join a bubbling younger crowd inside its slick, darkly decorated interior. This is the new pub concept spiffed up for 2011 with its sexy black finishes, high community table and intimate candlelit dining spots.The Hog & Rocks menu presents an equally sexified pub concept, as deemed on their website as “Fine Brine and Strong Drink.” First and foremost, there is a separate menu featuring oinks like Tennessee smoked hams, Spanish Jamon Serrano and Italian Proscuitto alongside West and East Coast oysters. We chose the barbeque oysters, which came grilled in their shells with a gorgeous smoky flavor and light touch of mignonette. I fully intend to return for a thorough exploration of those categories.
The dinner menu kicks off with Jars and Salads that present unpretentious concepts through quality ingredients. There is a Vallarta Bean and Olive dip, Pimento dip with white bread and Cherrystone Clam Dip with house made potato chips. Salads are Caesar, Tomato and Chopped.
From sea and farm come the main dishes. The seafood dishes are more hearty sea captain than delicate sea nymph, with items like Cast Iron Octopus, Roasted Mediterranean Mussels, Fish & Chips and Smoked Steel Trout Pie. We opted for the farm selections, which are similarly masculine and bold. I had a salty Lamb Belly served with spicy chick peas and house-made fromage blanc. My partner in crime enjoyed his Skillet Beef Melt with mushrooms, onions, emmenthaler and frisco sauce on rye bread.
I would say if you are looking for a dimly lit and hip haven to enjoy some well-crafted salty bites and strong drinks, Hog & Rocks a perfect spot. A 21st Century revamp of both gastro pub and seaside shanty, Hog & Rocks is a hang out with both notable style and flavor.
From sea and farm come the main dishes. The seafood dishes are more hearty sea captain than delicate sea nymph, with items like Cast Iron Octopus, Roasted Mediterranean Mussels, Fish & Chips and Smoked Steel Trout Pie. We opted for the farm selections, which are similarly masculine and bold. I had a salty Lamb Belly served with spicy chick peas and house-made fromage blanc. My partner in crime enjoyed his Skillet Beef Melt with mushrooms, onions, emmenthaler and frisco sauce on rye bread.
I would say if you are looking for a dimly lit and hip haven to enjoy some well-crafted salty bites and strong drinks, Hog & Rocks a perfect spot. A 21st Century revamp of both gastro pub and seaside shanty, Hog & Rocks is a hang out with both notable style and flavor.
