Brazen Head

3166 Buchanan St
San Francisco, CA 94123
415-921-7600
www.themenupage.com/thebrazenhead.html

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Any restaurant that refuses to put up a sign has to be charming for word to get around -- and The Brazen Head serves up quirky charm in a cocktail glass. The dark-wood panels and clutter of eclectic pictures recall the old-timey decor of the 'Cheers' era, and you're probably right to imagine the cozy ambience hasn't changed much since 1980. The menu also doesn't change much. Self-described "familiar Continental" dishes include garlicky escargot, lightly dressed Caesar salad and veal piccata, but the steak is best here, especially the house specialty (New York steak flambeed in brandy with a sauce of pepper, demi-glace and cream). The wine list is strong on big California cabs (which go well with the beef), or go for cocktails from the full bar. The "hidden secret" appeal draws many daters. Should that be you, ask for a table in back, away from the bar. Be prepared to wait (the restaurant doesn't take reservations); bring cash or an ATM card (no credit cards); and know that service, though friendly, is often neglectful.

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5 Ratings and Reviews

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By WllYou2 on 07/10/2008

Be sure to count your change - classic server ripoff alert!

By sightgeist310 on 07/02/2008

I've been going to the Brazen Head on occasion for years. Their food has been very good, and it's a decent place for a date. The regulars pack the bar from very early on, and it clearly is a locals' place, with no t even a sign on the outside. However, I did have an extremely unsettling experience some time back when I has gone in alone for a late night dinner. When I paid for my dinner (and tow drinks) with a hundred dollar bill, the waitress brought back change for only fifty dollars and just plunked it on my table, then quickly walked away. I just as quickly counted the incorrect change and called her back. I asked her where the remaining fifty dollars was, and she stammered out that the bartender made the change for her and must have made a mistake. She came back with the fifty. Clearly, she knew she'd been caught. When I dated a waitress for some time, she hipped me to various ripoffs that servers pull. The "Oops, I'm sorry" about the short change is a classic. For cash paying customers (still a big staple in San Francisco), the server sometimes sprays the bottom of her tray with adhesive, setting it down with drinks on top of cash laying on the table. When she pick it up, money sticks to the tray when she leaves (foolproof, 'cuz she can always explain it away as a wet tray if caught). There are other tricks used - even at a good restaurant like the Brazen Head - by servers and bartenders looking to rip you off, and the only defense is to be vigilent, count you change every time, and be careful with credit card tip lines when paying that way. Actually, this won't stop me from going to the Brazen Head since it could happen at any restaurant, no matter how good it is. Caveat emptor, folks.