Looking for simple, scrumptious, and seasonal food done right? Trou Normand in downtown San Francisco is worth checking out.
Trou Normand is known for their house made charcuterie (various pâtés, salumi, cured meats) and their simple ingredient driven menu using local fresh produce.
Lonza with Bread and Butter.
Lonza Flavored with Orange and Coriander (9/10).
Trou Normand offers many types of house made charcuterie and I really wanted to taste them all (next time I’ll have to get the charcuterie board). We decided to try the lonza (cured pork tenderloin) that had nuances of citrusy orange and coriander with a great luscious mouthfeel and fat that melted in your mouth.
Arancini stuffed with Genoa Salami (8/10).
The arancini stuffed with Genoa salami were pillowy bites of heaven with a touch of saltiness from the meaty salami.
Oregon Bay Shrimp Toast with Cucumbers and Buddha’s Hand (8/10).
The crunchy toast was slathered with tender bay shrimp tossed in a creamy dressing with crisp cucumbers.
Fried Monterey Bay Squid with Padron Peppers, Preserved Lemon, and Chrysanthemum (8/10).
The fried Monterey bay squid were lightly fried, crispy and delicious, and served with a creamy preserved lemon sauce and aromatic chrysanthemum greens.
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Jersey Ricotta Cheese, Mashed Eggplant, and Za’atar (8/10).
The heirloom tomato salad was refreshing yet rich with dollops of Jersey Ricotta cheese, mashed eggplant, and a sprinkle of za’atar spice.
Grilled Pork Belly with Avocado, Pickled Green Tomatoes, Jalapeños, Mustard Seeds, and Purslane (7/10).
The grilled pork belly salad was probably my least favorite savory dish only because the acidity of the dish was too high for my liking.
Tagliatelle with Pork Bolognese and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (8.5/10).
The last savory dish was the tagliatelle with pork bolognese, simple yet satisfying for the soul.
Lemon Verbena Panna Cotta with Almonds and Blueberries (5/10).
Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwich (6.5/10).
We ended the meal with two desserts, both not as strong as the savory dishes prior. The lemon verbena panna cotta didn’t have the right consistency (too watery) and the almonds and blueberries on top didn’t add much to the dish. The strawberry ice cream sandwiches were decent but the chocolate wafers weren’t my favorite.
Even though I wasn’t crazy about the desserts, I really liked all the savory food so my overall rating is a 7.5-8/10.