This happening spot is perfect mix of casual and hip; crowded diners relax around a mix of separate and communal tables (communal table made from a bowling alley lane), non fussy table top, industrial chairs, and a heated patio that will be great when the weather eases up but is not really an option on a rainy night. Starbelly uses local farms and changes the menu often to reflect what is fresh and seasonal and is part of not just a few great new restaurants opening in the last year in and around the Castro.
Start with snacks that run just $5.00 each. The house cut fries are just as imagined--double fried with the skins on, not too thin, not too thick and a selection of 3 sauces to dip in. The kalamata olive tapenade was perfectly made with a nice lemon taste that was a surprising addition and grilled flatbread very similar to pita. Our favorite was a small plate of house made chicken liver pate ($10.00) with toasted, buttered pain (just the way I like to serve it at home), sweet onion marmalade and whole grain mustard. The pate was perfectly flavored and the texture was incredible. Items to try in the future--a selection of cheeses and salumi.
Another star (at Starbelly) is the pizza. We enjoyed the bacon, jalapeno, arugula with green goddess dressing ($13.00). How about that for taking the boredom out of pepperoni! One I didn't try but I will be back for is is the fall squash, sage, black garlic, goat cheese and toasted pepitas, also $13.00.
Although we had a variety of small plates that evening, Starbelly also offered a few large plates that night such as tri-tip, a Prather Ranch burger and grilled Hawaiian hebi to name a few. Don't rule out a future visit to Starbelly for brunch, too.
