THE CLASSICS

Remember when the Smashing Pumpkins were good? It was the grunge-era early nineties, I finally realized permed hair wasn't cool, beer bongs ruled and so did the Pumpkins.The last time I saw them play live was Lollapalooza 1994, right after graduating from college. I was drunk on warm beer, the music festival vibe and how much money that English Literature degree was gonna fetch me.
Well, things certainly have changed! I don't write bad poetry anymore, nor have I gotten rich off my first published novel (which isn't written yet), and the Smashing Pumpkins kinda suck now.
D and I decided to check out one of ELEVEN sold out shows at the Fillmore Monday night, and we ended up leaving after 5 songs! Maybe we're just old, or maybe funny guitar noises just don't impress us anymore.

At any rate, there was a positive food experience to be had despite the crushing of our Siamese Dreams nostalgia.
FLORIO is a French/Italian brasserie right up on Fillmore Street, and I always forget how much I like this place. Despite its Pacific Heights location, it's unpretentious for the most part. A lot of locals frequent Florio, but it's an older crowd, not like the see-and-be-seen types across the street at the Grove. The atmosphere is cozy with a manageable decibel level and just the right amount of background music. Service is great in a friendly, knowledgeable old school way, and the food always seems like it's been carefully bathed in butter and oils. Yum.
Florio has gotten quite a few negative reviews on Yelp, but you can make up your own mind can't you? You don't need some smalltime food blogger to tell you what to do and where to go! I mean...
The complaints mostly mentioned not enough of a young, hip crowd and small portions. Hey, people...you don't need a party platter trough of food every time you eat! I'm just sayin.
D had a perfectly crisp-on-the-outside piece of halibut, with potatoes drenched in pesto. He said it was the best fish dish he's ever had. I had a simple summer pasta with heirloom tomatoes, basil and garlic. Sounds boring, but delicious doesn't always have to be complex.
We also started with a special menu item - fresh garbanzo beans that were flash-fried and heavily salted. We agreed that we were in love. With each other and the beans!