Description
Rich Table could easily be another of those tiresome, expensive restaurants serving up small plates with a side of snobbery. It's testament to owners and chefs Evan and Sarah Rich that the atmosphere at their Hayes Valley restaurant is anything but pretentious. You're greeted with the hostess's genuinely warm smile. The rustic wood walls and tables, the dishcloth-style napkins, and the open kitchen all lend a casual air. But what really sets Rich Table apart is the waitstaff, whose members are friendly and informative without rhapsodizing or preaching, and the Northern California spin on bistro food, which is so much fun that you want to hug the Riches at the end of the meal, if only to thank them for putting diners' needs above their egos. Start with the thick-sliced fennel levain bread and house-made butter -- some of the best of both you've ever had -- and follow it up with the much-touted sardine potato chips and any of the excellent house pastas. The menu changes daily, so there's always something new.
