Iluna Basque   

701 Union St
San Francisco, CA 94133
415-402-0011
Official Website

Directions   Email   Send to Cell   Make a Reservation

The SceneSeveral European dialects waft through the brushed-steel and lipstick-red dining room, which has banks of tall windows with views of Washington Square. The staff has off nights, whether it's not bringing a dish or bringing leftovers too soon. Otherwise, diners experience attentive service.The Food Helmed by rising young chef Mattin Noblia, this tapas joint zeroes in on regional flavors of Basque country. Traditional dishes do justice to the esteemed culinary tradition, especially piperade, served in a small cast-iron pan filled with roasted red peppers, crispy Serrano ham and a soft-cooked egg; and brandade, a pot of thick and creamy salt cod with wafer-thin crostini. Crab croquettes are delightfully crispy outside yet meltingly creamy within, and steamed mussels loaded with garlic and fines-herbs, are sweet and succulent. The Spanish tortilla is a perfect balance between salty chorizo and earthy potatoes, while less traditional seared tuna with blue-cheese sauce confounds the palate.