pretty by the bay

Yesterday I mentioned on Facebook and Twitter that I was fortunate enough to talk to Tyler Florence, celebrity chef and Bay Area heartthrob, at his new restaurant, Wayfare Tavern. Apparently I’m known to exaggerate because a few people (ahem, MOM) were surprised to learn that yes, that actually happened! T Flo (as I prefer to call him) is clearly drawn to me, as this was not the first time we locked eyes and exchanged words. I happened to be in the right place (his restaurant) at the right time (as he was trying to make his way to a table of more important people) and he was kind enough to stop and say hello to my friend and me. Of course, I was too flustered and overwhelmed by his boyish charm to do anything productive (i.e. TAKE A PHOTO FOR MY FOOD BLOG), but I managed to commend him on his tavern’s creative and delicious menu, which includes an excellent mix of upscale pub fare and Southern classics. After replying that you can take the boy out of the South, but not the South out of the boy, the South Carolina native asked for my hand in marriage thanked us for coming and went on his merry way.

Yes. It happened. And it was awesome. My friend Francesca kept me calm during and after the exchange, and thanked me for not making a scene.

Even if T Flo hadn’t stopped by our table, I still would have enjoyed every aspect of my meal at Wayfare Tavern. The food is creative but comfortable, and the scene is a shadowy tavern with a plenty of downtown class.

Heading into the meal, I knew I had to order dessert. I was torn between banana pudding (because, come on, how many restaurants in SF even offer this delectable treat?) and pineapple upside down cake, which was served with salted caramel ice cream and macadamia nut brittle. Judging by the photo at the top of this post, you can see which choice won. It was so perfectly buttery, so wonderfully sugary, that I have to mention it as the highlight of my meal.

Before I attacked this cake, I did have a proper meal. My only complaint about Wayfare Tavern is that they only offer an “all day menu” – all meals (and prices) are the same for lunch or dinner. Much as I wanted to drop $25 on a giant pork chop or platter of fried chicken, my stomach and wallet couldn’t justify the expense or the calories when I wanted to save room for dessert. I decided to save those luscious options for a future evening meal and ordered the chef salad.

Of course, this was no ordinary chef salad. In place of the usual chicken, it came with a generous portion of Maine lobster:

And instead of the typical restaurant bread, it was served with a warm popover. Oh, Tyler. You really do know the way to my heart.

Francesca’s meal was equally divine – the house burger served on homemade brioche and topped with bacon and Mt. Tam cheese, plus some unpictured fries that were dusted with a nice coating of fresh herbs.

I have to say, this was the best Tuesday I’ve had in a while! If you live in the Bay Area, give Wayfare Tavern a try. So many celebrity chefs slap their name on a restaurant and have little to do with the actual food and day-to-day operations. This place really represents the image Tyler Florence seems to project on Food Network, and the food is totally legit.