Around the Table :: State Bird Provisions

State Bird Provisions is a common name floating around the city these days. And as frequently as you’ll hear it, you’ll also hear things such as “three-month waiting list” and “Best Restaurant in America” in the same sentence. Eating at State Bird has been at the top of my list for a while but I rarely could rationalize lining up an hour before opening to score one of the coveted walk-in tables.

Dave’s birthday proved to be the perfect time. We both took the day off work and as we spent the afternoon strolling around the city we could often be heard saying something along the lines of, “I hope we get in.” We walked the eight blocks from my apartment to the Western Addition area, a noticeable difference from the charming twinkle light wrapped trees of Fillmore, only a few blocks north. The smell of piss and Popeyes are distinct when crossing Geary. When we arrived at 5:10pm there was a line 30 people deep outside the restaurant. The 20 minutes passed quickly as the people watching and sounds of old lifted Lincolns provided quite the entertainment. State Bird Provisions opened promptly at 5:30 and a server greeted us eager guests by asking if anyone in line had reservations – of course none of us did – and the line began to file inside.

My architect boyfriend and his “spacial awareness” estimate the place was roughly 1000 sq/ft. It feels small and because of that it feels special. You appreciate it more knowing tables are hard to come by. The walls are covered with old school pegboard, 6 (maybe 8) bar seats overlook the open kitchen and the servers are wearing denim aprons and well-worn plaid button-downs. I mean…what’s not to love. It was sensory overload waiting in line for the hostess. The place hadn’t even been open 5 minutes and “provisions” were already circling the floor. Each small dish is served one of two ways, via dim sum-like trolley or tray. Ranging from $3 – $8 dollars, you see it, you want it, you get it.

Have I mentioned we had not even been seated at this point. The hostess told Dave and I she could take us at 8:30. With three hours to kill and conveniently three bus stops from my apartment we went home hungry, a combination of fasting all day in preparation and seeing all the delicious food carried before our eyes. The time passed quickly as I had a culinary feat of my own to tackle: Dave’s birthday cake.

We returned promptly at 8:30 and were seated at bar stools overlooking the sommelier’s station and within arm’s reach of the kitchen. We immediately ordered the signature CA State Bird with provisions which is on the actual menu. This quail dish is crusted in pumpkin seeds and breadcrumbs, deep-fried and served with onion “relish”. That alone was worth the wait but it didn’t stop there, not even close. We got the  artichoke bread salad, garlic bread with burrata, steak tartar, oysters with shaved ginger, a dumpling of sort, fried avocado, a ceviche style appetizer with potato chips (totally forget the real name), a wild rice salad with rabbit and other provisions I can’t even remember. From where we sat we could see everything being assembled in the kitchen which made our eyes grow bigger than our stomachs. At some point our stomachs caught up with us and I’ve never been so sad as to say I’m too full when the meatball tray went by.

As incredible as the food was, the service was even better. The energy in the restaurant was palpable. Any server could be yours and all were equally as attentive. They were friendly and helpful but not annoying and you could tell they loved their jobs. It was just plain fun to be there.

It was one of those memorable meals. One of those meals where between the “this is so good” first bite reactions, you are engulfed in great conversation. The company wasn’t bad either ;). I’ve never been that full. So full that I couldn’t even stomach that delectable pineapple carrot cake until days later. Oh well, that meal was worth every unneeded extra bite.