Favorite dishes from Coqueta, South and 1601

This week I did a cuisine mini-tour featuring flavors of Spain, Sri Lanka, New Orleans and West Marin.

Photo #1: One of the most exciting dishes came from the new 1601 Bar & Kitchen, where chef/owner  Brian Fernando uses French techniques and Sri Lankan flavors to create a distinctive menu. Lamb and pork meatballs ($13) have a medium-coarse texture, and are paired with a relish made with fresh green garbanzos and Straus yogurt.

#2: I could feature several dishes from my first visit to Coqueta, Michael Chiarello’s Spanish-inspired restaurant on Pier 5. One favorite was the almond gazpacho ($6), where the thick soup is topped with slices of grapes and swirls of Syrah reduction and a Syrah and grapeseed oil.

#3: At Bin 38, where former Va de Vi chef Arnold Pulido took over the kitchen several months ago, I got my fill of asparagus ($12), about a dozen large spears topped with a Peekytoe crab-potato salad on a pool of Green Goddess dressing.

#4: In Olema at Sir and Star,  Daniel DeLong  produced an exceptional local king salmon  ($20) described like this: “On a throne of buttered Bolinas cucumber defended by fava beans.” The menu changes nightly so it may not be served every night, but something equally good will no doubt take its place.

#5:  South in the SF Jazz Center features Louisiana-style food. One of the best dishes is the Toulouse sausage ($13) on a bed of red beans and rice.