Ozone Thai: good Asian food finally comes to SOMA/South Beach in SF 14 November 09
You could hear a cries of joy throughout the South Beach/SOMA neighborhood of San Francisco when Ozone Thai opened in the space formerly occupied by Jack Falstaff at the corner of 2nd Street and Brannan. This neighborhood has been praying for good Asian food for such a long time and finally here it is.
You would think that, with lots of expensive high-rise condo buildings in this area (the Watermark, One Rincon Hill, The Brannan and further afield, the Infinity) and tech businesses (in South Park), you’d see better restaurants. Alas, the neighborhood is cursed by its proximity to the Ball Park, which means greasy ball park food (Momo’s, Tres Agaves, Burger Bar and their ilk). There are a few gems: South Food and Wine Bar, Local (which unfortunately has not been as good as before) and South Park Cafe (still a wonderful French bistro). But until the arrival of Ozone, no decent Asian place.
We went to Ozone Thai last night and told the kitchen to make everything super spicy: the tom yum khai soup with shrimp, spicy fish and calamari with sauteed long beans. All the dishes were very delicious! They have a good selection of cocktails, too, and my lychee martini was quite strong and not too sweet. The service is excellent: friendly, attentive but not obtrusive.
The owner came to our table after dinner (which I thought was a lovely thing to do) and asked if everything went well. We told him how delighted we are to have an excellent Thai restaurant close to our building. But we warned him that the phone number I painstakingly searched for on the Internet does not work. He apologized, saying that they are still trying to switch out the old Jack Falstaff number. As for home delivery, they will start after the inauguration on November 21. Another plus: they’re open till 2:00 in the morning.
Ozone Thai Restaurant
598 2nd St (at Brannan)
San Francisco, CA 94107
(no phone number yet)
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Yes, its good, but lets not be dramatic. Ko Sumai and the Monkey is a great Asian restaurant and is within a block of Ozone. So too, CLG (Chili, Lemon, Garlic). You do a disservice to the entire review with histrionics like “good Asian FINALLY comes to SOMA. Please. As for greasy ball park alternatives, you fail to mention Coco 500, Bacar, Fringale and Oola. Do you actually even know this neighborhood?
I have been living here for a year, but in the past 4 years have been coming in and out of SF (on my travels). Koh Samui is disappointing. It used to be very good but it’s gone down in the last few years. Coco 500 is also disappointing. Don’t even mention Bacar – you have not been there lately? That is the one restaurant I would nominate for the Garbage Bin. Fringale and Oola are tired, very tired.
I travel a lot and have been to Asia, Istanbul, and other parts of the world where there is a real food culture, unlike here. I don’t get the impression you ever leave these shores too often. I advise you to travel a lot, otherwise, don’t bother posting here on Mapplr. San Francisco is a village.
Unless of course, you are the owner of one of these “superb” restaurants.
By the way, read my review of RN74, a restaurant that San Francisco foodies have been drooling over lately. One word for it: ugh.
I concur with Larry you should really do your homework as you don’t sound very knowledgeable of the area. Tsunami, Zuppa, Orson are also good alternatives for greasy ball park alternatives. Are you guys doing the PR for Ozone?
We don’t do PR for anybody. Our reviews are not for sale.
First, Tsunami: yes, it’s good but it’s very expensive. I did post a good review of Tsunami.
http://www.mapplr.com/2009/02/19/tsunami-mission-bay-san-francisco/
If you are thinking of getting takeaway or eating a reasonably priced dinner, forget it.
Orson: didn’t their celebrated chef leave several months ago? Who’s cooking there now? Last time I visited, it was not as good. Not sure about the price but it was at least as of the time of the former chef, quite expensive. Zuppa: OK, not great. But we are stretching the neighborhood way past what I call South Beach/SOMA. I am in the Watermark and I want a place that’s close by. There’s nothing here! Well, except Ozumo — again we are stretching the boundaries of South Beach/SOMA.
There’s a truly awful beyond words Chinese restaurant nestled within the apartment complex next to the Watermark — that was the only Asian place that’s close by. Not sure if it is still there but the food is inedible.
Had another lack luster dinner at Ozone last week. Very weak in all catagories. This will not last in this neighborhood except as a bar for cheap drinks before/after games. Too bad. I have not heard any cheers for this arrival after being tried by many neighbors and visitors to Southbeach. The other asian in the SouthBeach/SOMA area as you describe it (close to Watermark bldg.)are far better: Ko Sumi & the Monkey – real thai, Tsunami – real sushi, Nama OK sushi, Ozumo – sushi king, Henry’s Hunan, Osha, Tara along 2nd street are all within walking.