A Cure for Rainy Sunday – Brunch at Oola

By Emma Krasov, photography by Yuri Krasov
If you are like me you can live without necessities, but you can’t without luxuries. And if you know what I’m talking about, you can surely count Chef Ola Fendert’s classic bistro-inspired fare among the latter.
Oola Restaurant & Bar in San Francisco just extended its hours to include lunch and brunch, and I couldn’t miss an opportunity to start luxuriating in my favorite cuisine in broad daylight.
The weather was rather gloomy yesterday, so our Sunday brunch started with soul-warming cocktails. A deliciously spicy Bloody Mary with cumin and Tabasco, created by Oola’s bartender Steven McCormick, was garnished with his own pickled veggies – an asparagus spear and a baby carrot – a mini lunch for weight watchers, if you ask me.
Another knock out cocktail was Plum Blossom, conceived by Joseph Underwood, who works as a server but also does some bartending at Oola and who has a bartending background in The Big Easy. A distinct taste of a sweet and sour fresh plum came from a creative mix of apple brandy, vermouth, and an interesting Paso Robles 2007 blend, Red 4, also available by the glass on the wine list.
Sweet California Kumamotos and briny Washington Quilcenes, classically served with lemon wedges, mignonette and cocktail sauce, came as a great opening for Chef Ola’s stars of the show – succulent Asian-fusion baby back ribs with soy and ginger glaze; parmesan & truffle fries, and Creek Stone Farm hamburger on brioche bun.
I couldn’t resist another tater delight – mushroom stuffed pancake – chewy and slippery chunks of shiitake folded into a finely grated and golden-fried latke.
Brunch staples on the menu all bear Chef Ola’s creative touches. We tried his favorite - French toast made of brioche slices stuffed with hazelnut-chocolate Nutella spread and adorned with whipped cream, fresh berries and mint leaves.

“A tower of pleasure,” as my dining companion put it while hogging the dessert. Although I thought I wouldn’t be able to eat another bite, when it was my turn to try the chef’s favorite, I came very close to licking my plate.
Lunch at Oola is served Monday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM and Sunday brunch from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Dinner nightly. The full bar is open until 2:00 AM nightly. Oola also offers a happy hour Monday through Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM with drink specials and $1.00 oysters. Located at 860 Folsom Street in San Francisco. Visit oola-sf.com or call for reservations (415) 995-2061.