COCO500

500 Brannan St. (between 4th & 5th)
(415) 543-2222
www.coco500.com

I was impressed when W suggested COCO500 - firstly because he doesn't even live in the city and secondly because it was the perfect kind of spot for the night we were having.

We weren't super hungry so decided to just share a few things. P's recommendations echoed in my mind as our server suggested the Fried Green Beans and the Truffled Mushroom Flatbread. The green beans were good, but no better than the tempura fried green beans you can get at sushi places. The flatbread was minimally dressed with sea salt and chili, but no flavors stood out enough to complement the overwhelming expanse of, well, bread. But these two dishes were fun to share. For something more substantial, we ordered the Braised Pork Shoulder served with butter beans, house made pancetta and chicories. While the meat was fork tender, again, the flavors, or lack thereof, were lost, this time, forming a sauce that reminded me of the sludgy film that you find in cans of beans.

COCO500 is a fun place for a date, especially a first one. But the food is just not that great. I think we can do better.

The Verdict: Not Worth It