The Buchannan Grill

3653 Buchannan Street

Tel: 415-346-8727

Kitty corner from the Marina Safeway is this neighborhood shrine to sports and the heroes and heroines idolized by owner Bill Jamieson. Jamieson is a stout, portly and proud publican who is at the wheel of this popular upscale pub.

It's a good looking joint, the walls showing off acres of sports photos and souvenirs paying homage to all the local greats. It's comfortable, clean and ambient with humming conversations, the clinking of barware, knives and forks, and with good tunes or sports always audible in the background. It looks like the kind of place that yups, gups and all the other wannabes would call home, but the crowd here is diverse and real, cutting no slack for the bellicose BSers found in most 'sports bars.' Good places that survive seem to be mirrors of the guys and gals who own or operate them, and this place is the true vision of its director Bill Jamieson. It turns out great food and drink with atmosphere to match.

I usually go for weekday lunch and I have sampled most of the menu several times. I truly haven't had a bad meal here, and when I've appeared hesitant or haven't finished my meal, they've always shown concern which I find reassuring anywhere. The soups are terrific, my favorites being their beef barley, which has enough meat to pass as a stew, and the outstanding split pea with ham hocks, the aroma alone stops me in my tracks and makes me salivate. The salads are well prepared, fresh, and always chilled to perfection with wonderful homemade dressings. They do a very good burger with lots of options: it's big, cooked to order, and it comes with several side choices. I always have their fries. And the restaurant features some really delicious house-made desserts, the chocolate fudge brownie ice cream sandwich smothered in both chocolate and caramel sauce is as good as sex.

But the heart of this place is the blue plate specials, and they are outstanding. When the chef features veal shanks, osso bucco or similar rustic specials, run, don't walk, they're superb. With most specials come just about the best garlic/horseradish mashed potatoes I've ever forked into my mouth. They do a great job with pasta and fish specials too. They have a simple, broad and fairly priced wine list with at least five well thought out varieties all the time. The bar is busy and fun and it pours generous drinks using brand names in the well and freshly squeezed juices.

This place is great for out of town visitors you want to show around, it's right by the Marina Green, the Chestnut Corridor, Union Street and a host of places friends will want to see. For a great local experience, warm, friendly, really good food and drink, with excellent service (you'll feel like a regular your first visit ), I highly recommend the Buchannan Grill.

Stu Smith

comments and suggestions to Stusmith97@aol.com

Reproduction of material from posthoc is prohibited without written permission.

Copyright 2001, Posthoc, Inc.