FOODIE INTERVIEW: FISCH & FLORE OWNER SARHAT ZORLU AND CHEF EFE TOPCUOGLU
There is a fine fishy tale unfolding by way of Fisch & Flore at Market and Noe in the Castro, San Francisco, a once famous Castro cafe is now a restaurant with a focus on seafood and community.
Efe Topcuoglu, a young, talented chef from Turkey is making his culinary mark here at Fisch & Flore. I talked to chef and owner Sarhat about the scrumptious menu here. “We are more than a restaurant; we are a welcoming sanctuary where the city's spirit comes alive through every vibrant dish, carefully crafted cocktail and exploratory sip of wine, ” says Fisch & Flore Owner Sarhat.
STEAMED MUSSELS - butter, garlic, parsley, fennel, shallot, sherry served with bao buns
GRILLED FISH TACOS - rockfish, coleslaw, pickled red onion, salsa verde
CACIO E PEPE - linguine, pecorino romano cream, black pepper
FISCH AND CHIPS - beer battered cod, hand cut fries, old bay seasoning, walnut tartar sauce
OCTOPUS - hunkar begendi sauce
The cocktails at Fisch & Flore are worth a mention, creatively crafted and diverse- much like the Castro, the hood it calls home.
QUEER FASHIONED - rye, Amontillado, angostura, orange bitters
ART & CHOKE - campari, gin, peppercorn syrup, grapefruit
Visiting Fisch & Flore gave me so many reasons to be cheerful. Firstly, many memories of my days visiting this very spot as Cafe Flore three decades ago as a tourist from the UK. The new owner Sarhat and his team have beautifully reimagined the space and upgraded it on all fronts; the lighting, decor and furniture more like a Turkish restaurant on Istanbul’s Bospherous - Chef Efe and Owner Sarhat both of Turkish descent. It’s warm and inviting, much like the service. If you love seafood, crafted cocktails and unique European wines from Austria, France, Germany and Italy, you will love it here.
Come for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch. The al fresco dining experience is a rare San Francisco experience offering seats in the sun or fog and a front row seat to Castro’s on-the-go community. Fisch & Flore is perfect for date night, a small group or solo hang at the hopping bar. See you soon at Fisch & Flore on the corner of Market and Noe in the Castro, San Francisco.
HOURS
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday through Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Weekend Brunch: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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