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Departments | Food | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yunza Offers Flavor with an Urban View | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BY THE FOOD SLEUTH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WESTERN ADDITION -- You can have all the charms of your run-of-the-mill restaurants in the Mission District, but wouldn't you love to eat at Yunza Restaurant and watch the lively action -- complete with a sidewalk scuffle -- in the Western Addition? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Don't be scared to visit. Yunza offers an affordable meal and an alternative to the restaurant you may be ridiculously loyal to. Try South American cuisine. Yunza offers Venezuelan, Peruvian and Mexican selections. Price ranges from a $1.99 taco to a $10.25 entrée. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The ambiance is sparse, yet kind of endearing. There are black and white photocopies of South American landscapes on the wall. Other photocopies are embedded in the glass dining tables. Each table has a '70s-vintage opalescent vase, and an industrial-style salt and pepper holder. And while the fluorescent lighting is depressing, the artwork, handmade needle work, photographs and ceramic displays do warm up the place a bit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yunza does have a family feel. The waiter might be the owner, cashier, busboy and possibly the chef at the same time. In fact, the waiter admitted he was the owner, and explained that the restaurant was an integration of his Peruvian background with his wife's Venezuelan heritage. This hybrid project is definitely not fusion. Rather, the dishes reflected flavors of the old family recipes that shouldn't be altered. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Peruvian Ceviche Mixto for $9.25 completely floored me. The mix of seafood including fish, squid, clams and others, were nicely chilled and flavored with tart lime and fresh jalapeños. I warn you, it might be a bit spicy for the faint-hearted. But all in all, great attempt. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PHOTO BY ADRIAN D. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yunza is located in the Western Addition. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Venezuelan Pabellon for $10.25 is shredded beef cooked with tomato sauce and served with fried eggs, steamed rice, black beans and slices of yellow plantains. The presentation of the dish was simple and the aroma was slightly seductive without being overwhelming. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Published by Third Eye Media Charles Hack Sandy Staggs Pedro Tuyub |
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I have to admit that the seven varieties of imported sodas could make any geeky soda connoisseur squeal. Sodas range from Pony Malta from Colombia to Kola Inglesa from Peru. Definite try a few varieties and tell a friend. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Overall, Yunza did pique my curiosity about South American cuisine. The service was caring and the food was comfortingly good. The neighborhood might be a little on the spotty side but who cares? Just mind your own business and enjoy the experience. Go in, say hi to the owner and have a seat. If I've scared you too much, just get it to go. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yunza Restaurant - South American Cuisine | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1109 Fillmore St. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Sunday | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(415) 674-5650 / 922-5540 |