Cuisine:

• Others
• Mexican

Nopalito Description:
This neighborhood Mexican restaurant, tucked away in a small retail/residential complex, showcases the complexity and bold catalog of spices of this oft-under-executed cuisine. Part of the restaurant's charm is its mish-mash of seating options and styles: the largest seating area is a glassed-in patio outfitted with lots of heating lamps to account for San Francisco's fickle weather; inside, an L-shaped open kitchen takes up most of the space, while two-tops pressed tightly (and somewhat haphazardly) together make for a cozy versus crammed ambience. Some of the must-haves on the menu include turkey meatballs served with charred japones chilies, tomatillo, plenty of garlic, and hard-boiled egg crumbled on top. Tamales might be more familiar terrain for diners, but surpass most served elsewhere. The tamal dulce de calabaza could very well be dessert---layered with pecans, currants and piloncillo and enveloped in a sinful cream sauce, the sweeter ingredients do not take away from the seasonal star: beautifully done kabocha squash. We also suggest the mole poblano con pollo, where the complex mole sauce features tones of cinnamon through the dark, bittersweet chocolate and aromatics. For dessert don't miss the homemade popsicles in a wide range of exotic flavors. Reservations are not taken so expect long waits, or call ahead to get on the wait list.


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