New and Delicious at E&O Asian Kitchen

The recently redesigned E&O Asian Kitchen in San Francisco is hot. And the food is a hit. The interior is a stunning mix of modern design with a Southeast Asian feel. Beautiful wood partitions separate the lounge from the dining area, and attractive bamboo-influenced lighting illuminates the back bar.

A whole new cocktail program makes E&O a destination anytime. Favorites include the Sea Witch (with its wonderful salty flavor and fusion of gin, pineapple, lime, and sea beans) and the Asian-inspired Gazebo (made with vodka, pineapple, basil, and lemon).

The wild salmon crudo is luscious; its flavor rivaled by a knock-out presentation. The crudo, topped with pickled green mango, micro celery, crème fraîche, lemon oil, and nori, sits atop a marble-like block of Himalayan salt.

The Indonesian corn fritters are tasty and especially sweet at this time of the year. They have a great crispy texture and are served with a tangy chili soy sauce. Pea tendrils are in season now, and they’re a delicious side cooked in a wok and roasted with garlic.

Pickling ingredients is a popular technique – find daily selections of mango lime, lemon cucumber with chilies, a variety of mushrooms, and a blend of carrots, coriander, ginger and jalapeno. Each is distinct, with its own mix of sweet, sour and spicy.

You have to try the dumplings. The butternut squash with the Thai red curry lemongrass sauce and basil oil melts in your mouth. The chicken lettuce cups are a wonderful combination of water chestnuts, shiitake mushrooms, and hoisin sauce.

Don’t even think about leaving without trying the ginger cookies. Straight from the oven, they’re warm and teeming with flavor.

E&O’s lively atmosphere is not to be missed. The food is good; the cocktails are creative, and the service is right.

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