San Francisco Guide to Eating
Name: Levende Lounge
Address: 1710 Mission St. (map it)
Along Mission and Duboce underneath the looming freeway underpass lies a special little secret that is nothing short of decadent. It’s somewhat of a mystery, with thick beige curtains that keep the regular passerby from catching a fast glance at what goes on inside. Behind those thick curtains, though, is Levende Lounge, a swanky, colorful, and ultimately fun hangout that is all too enticing if you have had a tough week at work and adore flavorful bites and unique cocktails.

A pleasant staff makes sure to seat guests immediately and help choose from the extensive wine and cocktail list. All the wines are served in a tall elegant glass that is so large it seems like a goblet.

Then comes the food. The Roasted Beet Salad ($12), which is composed of pecan crusted goat cheese, mizuna, haricot vert, maple served with maple and mustard vinaigrette is a hit--don't be surprised if the perfectly shaped spheres of goat cheese covered in pecans got the most attention from the table. A texture that was once crunchy upon the first bite soon oozed into softness revealing scrumptiously soft goat cheese underneath the pecan crust. They are irresistible, so much so that the beets and veggies they are served with are but a distant memory.

If you're in the mood for fusion cuisine, try the Indian Spiced Mini Lamb Burgers with onion chutney, cumin yogurt sauce, and pickled cukes ($12). While far less exciting than the first dish, the light yet flavorful mini burgers' taste is accentuated by the yogurt sauce, leaving you satisfied. The main entrée list is expansive, but pales in comparison to the appetizers: the Tamago Sautéed Mahi-Mahi with spicy stir fried blue lake green beans and tobiko sesame aioli ($22) is a bit too spicy and definitely way too greasy. The tobiko sesame aioli is a bit too much, and the general pink appearance of the dish as a result was not exactly appetizing. In spite of this the mahi-mahi is tender and silky as could be, and is definitely worth digging into in spite of its flaws.

The most delicious dish is the simplest: Mac & Cheese with applewood bacon and sage ($7). The mac and cheese itself is warm and gooey on the inside with a light brown crust covering its top layer. Add the smoked bacon (what could be better than cheese and bacon?) and it will easily be a hit at the table.

After the meal, finish off the night with a few drinks. Levende’s Ginger Drop cocktail with Skyy 90 vodka, ginger infused simple syrup, with a sugared rim and a leaf of pickled ginger ($9) is a crowd favorite. If you're not a fan of ginger, though, Levende offers many other juice-infused cocktails and traditional favorites.

With great drinks, friendly service, and a pleasing ambiance that encourages a good time (don’t worry you won’t miss the game, just sit near the big screen TV) Levende Lounge will never falter in bringing in a regular clientele, but whether it can please an avid foodie is another question. Perhaps this is not the ultimate goal of a lounge anyway though, and if you’re looking for a good place to kick back while making sure that the people on good old Mission and Duboce can’t see a thing of it, this is definitely your place.