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seafood crudo

seafood crudo
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Sam's menu

Sam's menu
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oysters

oysters
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oysters

oysters
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scallops and risotto

scallops and risotto

Sam's Grill and Seafood Restaurant

      Having the in-laws willing and able to babysit, the wife and I decided to spend a night together in San Francisco. Upon a reliable recommendation, we booked and then requested a booth at Sam's Grill & Seafood Restaurant samsgrill-sf.com. We arrive punctually after a pre-meal cocktail at the excellent Peacemaker www.peacemakersf.com and are greeted by immaculately dressed waiting staff and ushered towards our own private booth. The booth is bordered by a curtain for privacy and we feel transported back to a bygone age of luxury and the arrival of our Italian waiter simply adds to the ambience.

      Scouring the menu it very quickly becomes apparent that this a seafood lover's paradise, with their only being two meat and poultry dishes on the entire menu. There is also several classic fish dishes such as: clam chowder, lobster thermidor and a mixed shellfish platter which reflects this establishment's age, a "tradition since 1867". I chose Sam's fish crudo to start, which comprises of :ahi tuna, diver scallops, king salmon, fried caper shallots and is served with Maldon salt and Calabrian chilli oil. As the name suggests, the fish is served raw, thinly sliced and, most importantly, super fresh. A squeeze of lemon juice and this is genuinely a tasteful, light and appetising opening. The good lady's half dozen oysters are dispatched effortlessly which also indicates that they are both fresh and delicious. I am a great lover of scallops and when they appear in the specials section of  the menu I am smitten. These pan-seared beauties are perfectly shallow fried and served with a fresh sweetcorn risotto which again is well executed. The good lady wife plumbed for the Mixed shellfish platter which she decides to be sauteed as opposed to being grilled. This was composed of scallops, prawns and crab legs and served with a summer ratatouille and boiled red potatoes and described as being "delectable with beautiful flavours". For desert I went for the classic Italian tiramisu which was plentiful, light and coffee infused while Mrs. Boyd enjoyed the American classic, pecan pie which came with homemade vanilla ice cream. Altogether, we had a fantastic dinner out for a special occasion with elegant surroundings and a professional serving staff.  
seafood crudo
Sam's menu
oysters
oysters
scallops and risotto