State Bird Provisions (San Francisco, CA) [2]

State Bird Provisions
1529 Fillmore St
San Francisco, CA 94115
Dining date: 5/25/22

State Bird Provisions has been one of the most consistently popular restaurants in the city since opening over eleven years ago. Accolades came quickly to the restaurant, including being named one of America’s best new restaurants by Bon Appetit and a Michelin star in 2014 (held ever since).

I haven’t been in over nine years, but was able to snag a spontaneous prime reservation on a Wednesday evening. The famous “dim sum carts” finally returned in May after a pandemic hiatus, so it was an opportune time to revisit.

duck liver mousse & almond financiers

pork belly ‘salad’ winter citrus & fish sauce vinaigrette

charred cauliflower calabrian chile, sichuan pepper, peanuts & scallions

garlic bread burrata & 7 pepper spice

shrimp-halibut fish sticks avocado chutney & mint

cumin lamb dumpling aged tamari & ginger

local squid cucumber, almonds, crispy chickpea, ajo blanco

CA state bird with provisions wolfe ranch quail

donabe of manila clams daikon, shungiku & miso-sake broth

poppy seed angel food cake thai basil marscapone & blueberries

I am happy to see State Bird Provisions is still going strong – the meal was excellent. While the flavors and influences were wide ranging, with a lot from Asia, the food was flavorful and well-balanced. One of my favorites was the cumin lamb dumpling, bursting with juicy lamb flavor accented by the aforementioned spice. In the “salad,” rich pork belly was complemented by fresh herbs and fish sauce, and brightened by fresh citrus. And, of course, the juicy morsels of fried quail in the namesake dish was also a strong point. I wouldn’t hesitate to return, and I intend not to wait another nine years.