Impala THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Impala

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Impala

501 Broadway (Kearny St.)
San Francisco, CA 94133
415-982-5299
Map
Cuisine: Mexican / Contemporary
Cool cavernous cantina features a health-conscious Mexican menu created by rock n' roll chef Kerry Simon.
Openings: Dinner nightly

Features


THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Impala Restaurant Review:


A lot of trendy venues seem confused as to what they want to be when they grow up---lounge or restaurant. Impala, from the folks at Mas Sake and Suite 181, is one of those venues, but if it solves the identity crisis, the place has potential. The cavernous space has a cool vibe enhanced by wrought iron and mirrored ceilings. A black curtain over an arch above the bottle cap-encrusted bar parts Oz-like to reveal a DJ who warms up the crowd as they sample from a list of nearly 50 tequilas before partying in the bottle room downstairs. The menu was created by rock n' roll chef Kerry Simon, who has traveled the world opening restaurants for Jean-Georges Vongerichten. It is well-executed by talented partner-chef Alan Kwan and features health-conscious Mexican dishes like a standout albondigas soup scented with coriander and full of light, moist chicken meatballs. The jalapeño rellenos are a mini-take on the classic---filled with queso fresco, the little peppers pack a punch and wash down nicely with a pomegranate margarita. The not-to-miss-dish is the whole Thai snapper---head-on so you can fight over the prized cheeks---grilled over a wood fire and served simply with lime-chili salt.