So we went to the place which JohnZ raves about… or well, at least he used to always tell us about the owner who is very talkative and friendly.
Albona on citysearch.
It’s a small place on Francisco street in North Beach. First, we all split the fried gnochhi and fried sardines appetizers. I went with the sauerkraut stuffed pork loin for my main course. Then for dessert, the four of us split a orange-vanilla crème brûlée and an espresso mouse with brandied cherries. The food wasn’t bad, though JV was somewhat disappointed by his catch-of-the-day Halibut. We all felt, though, that it was somewhat expensive for what we got. Maybe we ordered too much, and weren’t able to appreciate it all.
I guess this place gets props for being unique. I certainly didn’t know what Istrian food was, nor anything about the Istrian Peninsula. The owner was certainly enthusiastic and talkative, but at times I felt he made us order more than we wanted (especially concerning the appetizers).