Causwells

Causwells Restaurant Review:

Having hired the trendy Bon Vivants design team to strip an historic space down to its Art Deco bones and trim them with neo-retro light fixtures and sleek inlaid wooden seating, co-owner Alvin Garcia (Delarosa, Lolinda) launched this lively slip of a shared-plate restaurant adjoining the Presidio Theatre. Executive chef Adam Rosenblum, formerly of Flour + Water, augments hearty, mainly meaty fare such as smoked brisket, roasted sea bass, Pilsner-brined chicken and sculptural pink slabs of pork terrine with bits of rococo whimsy: smoked trout spangling deviled eggs, for instance, and tiny avocado-mousse turbans dotting a crunchy, refreshing grape-almond salad. Deceptively simple standouts include pillowy house-baked Parker rolls, charred sweet corn and a towering chocolate "Deco" cake. Popular with the hipster regulars who pack this place is Rosenblum's signature dessert: smooth, sticky "bread" pudding made from leftover donuts. A respectable beer and wine list favors the small and artisanal; try alcoholic ginger beer for a sweet surprise.