My networking event would start in half an hour in Yerba Buena. I was hungry, not just for some good, old-fashioned professional advancement, but for something nutritious and delicious. Thus focused, I took off into the darkening and dampening San Francisco October evening. As a thick mist was beginning to fall in sporadic droplets upon Second Street, I spotted a familiar sign promising Indian cuisine: Mehfil. Looking for a respite from the cold and damp fog, I ducked in knowing that my record for finding great food in this neighborhood was perfect.
I stepped up to the ordering window and asked for a Chicken Tikka Masala to accompany an order of cheese naan, and Paneeri Kulcha. As an afterthought, I added a Classic Coke.
I enjoyed the swelling yet peaceful music playing as I basked in the friendly ambience of this calmly beautiful venue. Not 4 minutes hence, my order came out. The kindly staff member invited me to eat inside given the inclement weather. With gratitude, I unfurled the meal on the table.
The Chicken Tikka Masala was delicious. The creamy curry sauce was robust and rich, with its garlic notes, touch of saffron, red and white onions, and medley of other spices. And the restaurant didn’t coast on simply a great sauce. The chicken it covered was of superb quality and perfectly tender, its accompanying curry sat upon a bed of rice that soaked up the delectable dish. I was very happy I ordered the Paneeri Kulcha, too. The tandoor-baked bread complemented the meal significantly. Checking my watch, I realized I had to scoot to my event. Totally satisfied, I packed up the residuals of my meal, sure that I would enjoy them later.
And that I did! Come high noon the next day, it made quite the luscious lunch for me. With its high quality ingredients and high-caliber tastiness, Mehfil is now one of my favorite spots in the Yerba Buena neighborhood.
Mehfil is located at 88 2nd Street in San Francisco. The restaurant is open from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM, then again from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Saturdays and Sundays, it’s open for dinner from 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM. See the menu here.