28797 Mon Apr 12 18:50:46 -0700 2004 13 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 120891 We finally had mussels at Plouf over the weekend -- had been looking forward to it, to bring back fond memories of a trip to Belgium last summer, but Plouf was a HUGE disappointment. We shared everything: mussels, a plate of fish & chips, and a side of green beans. The mussels themselves were OK -- to Plouf's credit, they did not serve any that had not opened when steamed. A few had a not-so-fresh, kind of bad-breath/catfood-ey taste. We had them "Poulette" style (bacon, shallots, white wine & cream). The sauce was nice, rich & flavorful. But these mussels were merely average -- they did not deserve to be called the best in the City. The fish & chips were downright nasty. Fish was spongy and totally flavorless -- think tofu blobs. (I like tofu but not when I thought I ordered fish). The fries were probably the worst I've had in the city -- thin cut, but sloppy, cut into random sizes, then fried until they were completely solid throughout -- like hard, vaguely potato chip-flavored twigs. Not salted, and served lukewarm (quickly turned ice cold, it was chilly this weekend). Even the green beans were lame -- steamed, still crisp ... but icky-greasy from too much butter, which congealed at the bottom of the plate, and WAY too salty. Was this a random fluke? If not, this place does NOT belong on the Tip Sheet, for sure!! in any event, I will not be back -- this is by far the worst place I've tried on Belden Alley (B44, Tiramisu are fine, not great, but definitely better than this disaster!) P.S. I tried "Ctrl+F" on the board for Plouf and didn't find anything. Apologies if this disturbing downhill slide has already been discussed ... -jaina Mon Apr 12 18:50:46 -0700 2004 0 Jaina S 1 120902 From my experience, your meal was a fluke...we generally limit ourselves to mussels and frites when we go to Plouf, and have not had the nasty-sounding experience you've related...I'd suggest waiting for others' feedback before making a final judgment on the place. Mon Apr 12 19:44:25 -0700 2004 120891 0 Paulie 2 120922 Good moules, coconut style, and frites a year ago. Mon Apr 12 23:35:15 -0700 2004 120902 0 Greg 1 120915 Sounds like the mussels you got were not as good as the ones we usually get, but if they were, I *really* want to know where you think serves better moules frites. Mon Apr 12 22:04:52 -0700 2004 120891 0 Robert Lauriston 2 120932 to clarify, the mussels were okay -- they just were not great, definitely did not live up to the hype. The frites stank. I'll let you know if we find anything better in SF. Sounds like a good research project indeed. :-) Tue Apr 13 01:45:55 -0700 2004 120915 0 Jaina S 3 120950 I've had really good mussels and fries at Catch (on Market street) and at Metro (on Divisidero). Tue Apr 13 11:40:45 -0700 2004 120932 0 Pssst 4 120966 Home (Church & Market) used to have moules frites as their Friday night special and it was outstanding. Fries were hot and crisp and piled on top of a huge bowl of excellent tasty mussels. Don't know if they still have it but if they do it's worth a visit. Tue Apr 13 13:46:25 -0700 2004 120950 0 Chowderhead 3 121184 They have excellent frites at Florio (on Fillmore). And I know they have mussels. I can't recall if they have "Moules et Frites" on the menu, though... Thu Apr 15 11:28:17 -0700 2004 120932 0 Zach Georgopoulos 2 120954 Give Scala's Bistro a try. I've always thought their mussels and fries were better than Plouf's. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/26998#110736 Tue Apr 13 11:58:24 -0700 2004 120915 0 nja 1 120927 I had the same experience you did when they first opened and have not been back. Plus the crowds and lack of acoustics made it an unbearable experience. I have always had terrific mussels at Pacific Cafe on Geary around 32nd. It's not fancy or trendy or unusual, but these people know how to cook (and buy) fresh fish of all sorts! Tue Apr 13 01:07:46 -0700 2004 120891 0 Deelish 1 120929 I agree. Ate there once, about 4 years ago, and found that everything was inadequate aside from the mussels (I actually recall those as being rather flavorful). We had a terrible time with the service, as well, as they brought my date the wrong main dish entirely, and then seemed utterly perplexed when I asked that they take my order away and bring it back out when they got her's right (I think I had to explain the concept to three different servers). The net result: she still didn't get what she ordered (and whatever they finally brought her was undercooked), and I had a cold dinner; and we sat around for about 30 minutes twiddling our thumbs waiting for this to transpire. Some character, who may have been an owner or manager, came along after the bill was tendered and offered to comp her dessert -- should she order one -- for the invonvenience. Neither of us ever returned. The relationship went downhill from there. I blame the French... Tue Apr 13 01:28:26 -0700 2004 120891 0 Zach Georgopoulos 2 121217 I've had two horrible experiences there - the worst in my ten years of living in SF, I would have to say. Their attitude toward their customers is repugnant. They pretend they don't have your reservation, they try to bully you into ordering more expensive wine, their frites aren't even good, and it's ridiculously expensive. B44 is tasty but they tried to pull something weird on my bill when I went there. The whole carnival barker thing in Belden Lane is really off-putting. Thu Apr 15 19:48:40 -0700 2004 120929 0 EmilyM 1 120963 Wow, some bad experiences. I've been there three or four times in the last few years and enjoyed it--no problems with food or service. Tue Apr 13 13:27:35 -0700 2004 120891 0 Morgan 1 121005 I would have to agree. I went about a year ago and thought the service was awful--innatentive, rushed, un-inquisitive. One table was so loud my friend and I had to stop talking altogether. My fish was overcooked and underseasoned. The desserts looked shipped in. I will never go back because I like B44, (save room for the RICE ice cream**), and because I am not a tourist and I do not want to be treated/taken like one. I feel that if your specialty is seafood and you can't cook it, I have no reason paying you to try. Aesthetically this restaurant is gorgeous, but as I found out, only in the daytime, and it feeds my eyes only. Tue Apr 13 19:01:40 -0700 2004 120891 0 sailorbuoys