Fresca

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24 W. Portal (at Ulloa) San Francisco, CA 94127

415-759-8087

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SF Weekly
Recommended
Best Peruvian Restaurant
Award Winner 2002

Cuisine(s): South American

Hours: Sun,Sat 10am-3pm, Sun 4pm-9pm, Mon-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri 11am-11pm, Sat 4pm-11pm

Price: $$, $$$

Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards, Diners Club, cash
Attire: Casual.

Features: Takeout, Delivery, Private Party, Kid Friendly, Family Style

Serving: Brunch, Dinner, Lunch

Alcohol: Beer/Wine
Reservations: Accepted

Parking: Street

Description

Don't let the "wrap" burritos and "Fresca Mex" fool you; this warm storefront cafe is all about Peruvian food. Excellent crab cakes with stir-fried vegetables and traditional potatoes with cream sauce set the stage for a rich, velvety chupe de mariscos stew, rack of lamb with prawns, salmon tacos, or a very good, very large, and very affordable herbed rotisserie chicken. Desserts (alfajores, flan) come highly recommended, as does the sangria. Small, affordable wine list.

2002 | Best Peruvian Restaurant

Though we've had some fine Peruvian meals in the Mission, the best have all been at the West Portal district's Fresca. The recipes aren't always traditional here -- a classic papas a la huancaina (chilled potatoes with cream sauce) comes with olives and feta, and mulas de salmon (salmon tacos) are California fare if such a thing ever existed. But who cares The food tends to be awesome. Enjoy rack of lamb with grilled prawns, a signature rotisserie chicken, and one of the best flans in town.... More »

Quest for the True Peru

By Greg Hugunin | Wed, January 31, 2001

Though my experience with the subject is decidedly limited, Peruvians may be the pickiest eaters on Earth. For example, the first time I reviewed a Peruvian restaurant, it was at the recommendation of a Peruvian friend, who later told me she thoug... More »

Dinner Menu

Starters

Causitas
whipped potato rolls with a variety of seafood in peruvian sauces; ahi tuna smoked trout tartar, blue crab, shrimp tempura, octopus “al olivo”.

Shrimp “a La Piedra”
hot gulf shrimp ceviche, aji panca miso glaze, yams, crispy yucca, lime pickled onions.

Camarones Chícama
coconut crusted jumbo tiger prawns, black bean salad, lucuma-orange glaze.

Conchitas
seared jumbo diver scallops, peruvian quinoa sofrito, plantain tostones, cilantro pistou.

Choros Al Vapor
pan roasted p.e.i mussels, spanish chorizo, tomato, aji amarillo, grilled garlic bread.

Anticuchos
beef heart skewers, aji panca-achiote glaze, aji verde aioli, yukon potatoes, salsa criolla.

Espinacas Y Cangrejo
spinach and crab salad, crispy avocado, feta cheese, candied walnuts, creamy tarragon dressing.

Julio César
romaine lettuce, shaved manchego cheese, candied walnuts, caesar dressing, grilled garlic bread.

Papa Rellena
fried potato croquette, beef picadillo, pickled onions, aji panca miso.

Tequenos
fried wontons, shrimp and crab cream cheese, yellow chile dipping aioli.

Soups

Parihuela
peruvian style bouillabaisse with fruits of the sea, tomato, aji panca, corn beer.

Chupe
creamy seafood chowder, andean corn, potatoes, rice, green peas, aji panca, poached egg.

Cevicheria
From Our Ceviche Bar

Ceviche “5” Elementos
halibut, onion, rocoto pepper, lime juice, sea salt.

Ceviche Mixto
calamari, shrimp, scallops, clam, cilantro, onion, rocoto pepper, lime juice, sea salt.

Ceviche Costanera
octopus, scallops, ginger, scallion, cucumber, cilantro, rocoto aji, soy.

Ceviche De Coco
white tuna, lime-coconut water, mango, aji limo, ginger, onion, red peppers, basil, plantain chips.

Black Ceviche
calamari, shrimp, scallops, clam, cilantro, squid ink rocoto sauce, red onion, lime juice, sea salt.

Ceviche Chino
ahi tuna tartare, guacamole, ponzu sauce, lettuce cups, aji verde, wonton chips.

Tiradito
kona kanpachi sashimi, jalapeño, soy, white truffle oil, andean corn.

Salmon Ceviche
salmon, passion-fruit, lime, pink peppercorns, cucumber shiso leaf, andean corn, cancha.

Trio
tasting of three ceviches.

Cuatro
tasting of four ceviches.

Seis
tasting of six ceviches.

Entrees/platos De Fondo - Fish & Seafood

Lenguado
pan roasted halibut, crispy risotto cake, steamed spinach, aji panca beurre blanc.

Atun Al Seco
rose pepper crusted ahi tuna, lima bean “tacu-tacu”, peruvian ratatouille, butternut-cilantro sauce, yucca chips.

Sudado
poached mahi mahi, clams, mussels, prawns, tamarind-coconut broth, ginger and scallions, crispy yucca.

Paella
aji panca spiced rice, calamari, clams, mussels, prawns, fish, scallops, chicken and chorizo.

Salmón
honey mustard glazed salmon, squid ink rice, cilantro, andean corn, rocoto aioli, dill chimichurri.

Entrees - Platos De Fondo - Meat & Poultry

Cordero
pistachio pesto crusted colorado rack of lamb, quinoa taboulé, chimichurri, potato puree, demi-glaze.

Churrasco
grilled new york steak, potato gratin, watercress, mushroom demi-glace, tomato chimichurri.

Chuleton De Chancho
grilled pork chop, black bean “tacu-tacu”, aji honey mustard, plantains, mango mustard salsa.

Lomo Saltado
wok fried tenderloin steak strips, onion, tomato, cilantro, soy, french fries, steamed rice.

Aji De Gallina
pulled chicken stew, aji amarillo cream, yukon potatoes, soft-boiled eggs, walnuts, steamed rice.

Pollo A La Brasa
peruvian style rotisserie chicken, french fries, green salad, creamy cilantro dressing.

Vegetarian

Saltado La Huerta
wok fried vegetable medley, soy balsamic glaze, cilantro, crispy yucca, steamed rice.

Pimiento Relleno
quinoa vegetable rissoto stuffed bell pepper, manchego cheese, asparagus, aji amarillo cream.

On The Side

Platanos Fritos
fried sweet plantains, sour cream, pickled onions.

Hongos
sautéed shitake mushrooms, garlic, cilantro, red onion, soy.

Sweet Potato Fries
with aji verde aioli.

Plantain Chips
crispy golden fried with garlic sea salt.

Yucca Frita
fried yucca with aji huacatay aioli.

Looking for another city?

Fresca

24 W. Portal (at Ulloa) San Francisco, CA 94127

415-759-8087

Description

2002 | Best Peruvian Restaurant

Quest for the True Peru

By Greg Hugunin | Wed, January 31, 2001

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