Firefly Restaurant   

4288 24th St
San Francisco, CA 94114
415-821-7652
www.fireflyrestaurant.com

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The eclectic art on the walls and the tent-like draping of the ceiling suggest influences from all corners of the world, but food at Firefly leans toward traditional fare from the heartland. Comfort food anchors the menu, though you may find an occasional Asian-inspired curveball like the tempura battered ahi roll or the shrimp and scallop pot stickers. The chefs certainly are capable of innovation -- this evident in a curried green pea spread du jour -- but most selections are familiar American favorites. Tomato soup is spiced up with chipotle puree and a parmesan crouton, while classics like pot roast arrive with the traditional fixin's: carrots, mushrooms, onions and spuds. The aim at Firefly is to dish up good food at reasonable prices, and judging by the crowd in this Noe Valley nook, the formula works. San Francisco can be a fickle town for restaurants, but Firefly seatings are full, the room bustling with patrons of every age and stripe. Consider the ownership's Midwestern roots and you'll get a sense of the warm neighborhood feel Firefly offers. Plates don't strive to be fancy or fussy, but they are artfully presented. Firefly uses only organic, locally grown produce and meats, so even familiar combinations are fresh and inspired. -- Jamie Junghans