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    3rd Cousin

    4.0 (569 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndNew American, French, Japanese
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    3rd Cousin Photos

    Business Info

    3RD COUSIN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Intimate
    Happy hour specials

    Recommended Reviews - 3rd Cousin

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    Reviews With Photos

    Maine Lobster Risotto
    Alli W.

    Not a fan. Check-in process was smooth since we had a reservation. Street parking only. Service: 3/5 Staff was nice but.. 1) They kept on giving us extra utensils and plates maybe thinking we're going to share the items but we weren't... so there were 2-3 extra sets on our small table that no one noticed or removed. 2) Waiter kept spilling water whenever he refilled the glass that was across the table and never bothered to clean up. Food: 3/5 Sweet corn and kale fritters - These were beyond crispy.. almost hard and burnt. All 3 pieces tasted bitter. Uni crème brûlée - Best dish of the night. Loved that they offered more toasts to finish it off. Creamy, tasty, and all the taste blended so well together. Maine lobster risotto - Risotto was slightly undercooked and saturated with too much yuzu = sour. Sonoma duck breast - Rice was undercooked and soaked in the sauce... duck was too chewy, especially the skin.

    Outside
    Trevor B.

    I would have given this restaurant 5. However the end of our dinner there was some miscommunication between my party and the server we had. The food was delicious and throughout the entire experience we had a great time. We had the tasting menu and each dish came out at the perfect timing.

    Cynthia G.

    The perfect birthday dinner! Our server was so kind, she wished me a happy birthday multiple times and she was so kind and really made my first time at 3rd cousin so warm and memorable. What I enjoyed most about 3rd cousin was that it wasn't pretentious. I'm not necessarily a fine dining connoisseur but I have been to some nice places and this was the epitome of down to earth, friendly service. We had been out all day and weren't necessarily dressed up (just a black t shirt and jeans) but that did not negate us from receiving incredible service. The warm mood lighting against the restaurant's dark emerald walls were so visually appealing--absolutely the cherry on top after doing a sunset walk through Bernal Heights to whet our appetite. Seating was close but not cramped, and I really enjoyed the 70s music and bergamot rind soap in the restroom. These little details really took dinner to the next level. The food was incredible. I wanted to come here to try the Uni crème brûlée but we ordered too many other amazing dishes so it will have to wait until next time. Definitely get the asparagus soup. Definitely get the grilled octopus (the smashed fingerling potatoes included in the dish? To die for). And definitely get two desserts, at least. Our server was so sweet and put a candle in the pistachio cake for me to blow out. Paired with the chocolate pot de creme... I have no words. Thank you!

    4th time here, came today for my bday specifically because I was gifted inkind gift cards, but was told their internet doesn't work and they cannot accept it, and left it at that. Very frustrating . Food was good. Update: owner chef greg called to help fix the gift card issue. Thank you!

    Corvina
    Chastity V.

    Celebrated a friend's birthday here with a lovely group dinner! We all got the 5-course meal for $89, which was satisfying overall. We had a nice long table by the window. Service was attentive. We were given menus and were able to choose our pasta, entree, and dessert. Here's what I had: 1) Fried rockfish & oyster (4/5) good, but not memorable 2) creamy squash soup (4/5) Extra: Uni Crème Brulee (5/5) made for sharing but I could have eaten the whole thing, this was so good! 3) Campanelle (5/5) excellent pasta dish with broccolini. 4) Corvina (4/5) good fish entree 5) Apples and Cream w/ fruit sorbet (4/5) This is an excellent deal for a 5-course meal! Even though I wasn't wowed by every dish, I liked them all enough and there were a couple of standouts that made this worth the drive.

    San Francisco Restaurant Week menu (Spring 2026) at 3rd Cousin in San Francisco.
    Jason F.

    After experiencing the finely crafted dishes and attentive service during a recent visit to 3rd Cousin, it feels like I was promoted to 1st Cousin on my first time out! Located on a rather quiet stretch of Cortland Avenue which is a main thoroughfare that travels through the Bernal Heights neighborhood in San Francisco. 3rd Cousin comes from chef and owner Greg Lutes, who actually found the time to make the rounds and greet customers, and is truly representative of the hard work and ingenuity of what is possible when an independent business owner is allowed to achieve when given the chance. 3rd Cousin is a lovely small bistro that focuses on fresh ingredients through local agriculture and fishing industries that the Bay Area is so well-known for. A true romantic restaurant that is perfect for meeting up with that someone special or a someone who just enjoys a good meal, 3rd Cousin has been around for over a decade, building on their credentials by being recognized by the Michelin Guide, thanks to the local love that is put into every dish. I have had my eye on visiting 3rd Cousin ever since they started participating in San Francisco Restaurant Week, which is a promotion that local restaurants participate in, in order to lure in locals and tourists alike to their restaurant over the course of roughly 10 days where they offer a three or four-course pre-fixe menu for diners to select various items from their a la carte menu. 3rd Cousin usually has multiple tasting menus from eight to five to a tasting counter menu, but this four course menu is sold for 75 dollars, and is the most affordable on their menu. Reservations are easy to make via the OpenTable website, but be warned you do have to make them via your credit card and they do charge if you cancel within 24 hours. My friend and I did arrive before our rather last 7:45 p.m. reservations, and the host team at 3rd Cousin was gracious enough to make room for us. Although four courses are served, your first course is a wonderful amuse bouche of their Cauliflower and Crab Bavarois, which was shredded crab meat served on a bed of cauliflower puree and topped with fish eggs. This was a real delight for your taste buds and made us expect even more from the rest of our meal. For our second course, I ordered their Green & White Asparagus Soup which was topped with herby croutons, ramps, and onion sprouts, while my dining mate opted to order their Crudo & Tartar of Bluefin Tuna, which was topped with daikon, namasu, yuzu buttermilk, and Thai basil. I loved my soup, which was rich and creamy with every spoonful, while my dining partner liked but didn't necessarily love her crudo, as they have enjoyed better versions in the past. For our entrées, I ordered their Snake River New York Strip Loin which was served on a bed of miso and black garlic crushed potatoes along with asparagus and morel mushrooms. My dining partner ordered their Alaskan Halibut which was served with a bed of fregola pasta, New Zealand spinach, fiddleheads, kohlrabi, and with lobster nage. To pair with our meals, we both enjoyed red wine from their wine menu, with me being able to savor their 2021 Domaine Des Homs Cinsault sourced from L'amandier in the Loire Valley of France, while me friend enjoyed their 2022 Prima Materia Barbera sourced from North Coast and Lake County in California. Everything about our dinner was truly satisfying from the plating of the dishes to the overall quality of the ingredients used to compose the dishes. The atmosphere is quite lively inside of 3rd Cousin, as their open kitchen was hopping with activity in addition to diners sitting at their countertop there in addition to multiple tables that are rather close in their dining room. For our dessert course, I enjoyed their Cherimoya & Coconut Panna Cotta, which was topped with kumquat, pine nut granola and matcha, while my friend enjoyed their Valrhona Chocolate Pot D'Creme which was topped with candied nuts, toasted marshmallow and blood orange. Neither dish was too sweet and was the perfect way to conclude our meal. With a bill that totaled about $138 per person, our experience at 3rd Cousin was perfect from start to finish. It's good to know that Chef Lutes has always believed that there is nothing more intimate than sharing a good meal amongst friends, and everyone is invited to his table, and I for one am lucky to have finally experienced this gastronomic journey that beautifully captures the essence of our region's agriculture and sustainable seafood sourcing history. May 3rd Cousin continue to be that special gem that locals truly get to experience first hand for years to come!

    Nirsh A.

    I had such a wonderful dining experience here. We opted for the chefs tasting menu and we were able to sample so many delicious dishes. The standouts for me were the buttermilk Crudo and the caviar crème brûlée. Those were two dishes that were so unique and flavorful. We also did the wine pairing, which is really nice because I think this was my first time actually doing a wine pairing with a tasting menu so I felt like I was learning a lot about the different wines. Our service was fabulous, and everyone was super knowledgeable and was able to answer all our questions.

    Brittney D.

    The food here is definitely very thought out and you can really see how much effort they put into every dish. Did the 5 course tasting menu and was definitely full by the end, but that's not to say the portions aren't on the smaller side. If we wanna get technical, I would maybe rate it a 4.2 as I felt like the flavors could have been a bit stronger? Like a bit more of every sauce used for each item lol. Overall a really great experience in terms of service and ambiance as well.

    Flat Iron Steak
    Tanya D.

    We came here for restaurant week. Reservations were pretty easy to come by. We were greeted and sat right away and the staff was super friendly, especially our server. We were really excited to try the lobster risotto on the menu, which was a little extra and definitely the worth it! The tuna tartar was yummy. The flavors were delicious and the plate was beautiful. The steak was really good, cook exactly how we asked. The halibut wasn't my favorite, but the flavors came together well otherwise. The desserts were not great. I feel like they were trying to do too much and we didn't really enjoy either one of them, which was a huge let down. All in all good meal, nothing spectacular. I'd go back again if they switch up the menu a little bit.

    Lisa T.

    We did the 8 course pairing on a Saturday evening. Reservations were easily obtainable. Parking wasn't terrible on residential streets. Hosts and main server were professional and on point with friendly banter, without being overbearing. The rest of the service staff was terrible. I had my phone out in between and instead of waiting for me to move my hand or phone out the way, she just knocked it out of the way. Sometimes, they would just haphazardly toss a plate on the table. Excuse me, for the price point in this economy, I would expect a little more professionalism and patience. On to the food next, which did not disappoint until the lamb and the extra Wagyu dumpling. Sir, a dumpling for $8? You better have truffle or caviar in there. (It did not). I was pretty turned off by the ho ho dessert, but the panna cotta was full of flavor. The scallops, rock fish and ravioli were all tasteful and beautifully presented. Unfortunately, there were too many misses for me to recommend this restaurant wholeheartedly I can see why it no longer has a Michelin star.

    Bass
    Ryan B.

    Dined during SF Restaurant Week. Lovely ambiance but the servers could be friendlier. Overall, every dish was decently flavored and executed but not once did anyone ask how the food was or if we wanted another drink. In terms of everything, this place definitely has room for growth and refinement. I'd come back but not right away. There are definitely more compelling places to try.

    Wagyu ribeye
    Florence K.

    Came here for restaurant week and got the three course price fixe meal. The restaurant is very small so definitely get a reservation ahead of time! We were first served with a biscuit. I chose the hamachi crudo, which was slightly too warm, Wagyu ribeye, which was cooked to perfection, and we shared a panna cotta and a chocolate cake (the cake was too rich for me). Service was very attentive. I'm taking one star away because of the appetizer and the chocolate cake. Would come back for non restaurant week menu though

    Halibut crudo
    Shia L.

    Loved our SF Restaurant Week experience! Very high quality ingredients, bold but balanced flavors, creative desserts. I've never been in this neighborhood before ("Bernal Heights"? Learned the name from passing buses ) but am looking forward to come back already.

    Porcini Mushroom and Black Truffle Ravioli Francese

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    3 months ago

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    Greg L.

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    Wonderful food, with fabulously friendly service! My wife and I will be back, again and again.

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    Great place to eat! Amazing food and amazing service. I try to go back there as often as I can.

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    Page 1 of 15

    3rd Cousin Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - 3rd Cousin

    Ala carte or tasting menu? My first inclination is the tasting menu. But there are items not on there that look good to try too! What is your best recommendation?

    The tasting menu is always the best way to experience the cuisine of chef Greg Lutes, and the hospitality of 3rd Cousin. there are certain items on the tasty menu that aren’t available on the à la cart specifically for the menu. And we hope to see… 

    Do you offer any special promotions or happy hour deals?

    Through July we have a Weekday 3 courses for $75 with no corkage on Wednesdays.

    Are children welcome in your establishment? Do you have a kids' menu?

    Yes, kids are welcome and we have a a small kids menu.

    Hi. Would we be able to sit outside even if it rains?

    Yes, they have a covered parklet.

    Is walk-in available? I'm a tourist and I just found out about this amazing restaurant however the…

    Are small dogs allowed?

    Yes we sat with our small dog in their outdoor parklet!

    Do you get the $25 deposit back?

    Yes, it is applied to you final bill as payment.

    Do you have any gluten free options?

    Yes, the menu denotes GF with an asterisk. Cheers

    Good for vegetarian?

    Yes, we have lots of vegetarian choices. Greg

    Is this restaurant baby friendly?

    Yes it is.

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    Oasis Fusion Kitchen

    Oasis Fusion Kitchen

    4.4(28 reviews)
    1.8 miMission Terrace, Outer Mission

    The food was great overall, and I really enjoyed how well-seasoned everything was. My husband and I…read moreordered the Crispy Chicken Sandwich and the Eggs Benedict. We arrived at the restaurant around 12 PM. Unfortunately, the Crispy Chicken Sandwich was not crispy at all. I was also expecting it to be served on a burger bun, as is typical at most restaurants, but it came on plain white bread that was only slightly toasted. The sandwich also came with just one small piece of lettuce, which felt a little disappointing. The chicken was somewhat dry, so we asked for extra sauce. Thankfully, the sauce that came with the Eggs Benedict helped add more flavor to the sandwich. The Eggs Benedict were flavorful and cooked perfectly. However, we were told that about half of the menu items were unavailable due to limited supplies. Because of that, I had to substitute the potatoes for fries. While the fries were fine, I was specifically looking forward to the salsa and mini potato slices that came with the dish, so I was a little disappointed. The drinks were definitely a highlight. I really enjoyed the churro coffee and the mango lemonade. The service was nice, and the staff were friendly, which I appreciated. However, the cleanliness of the dining area was disappointing. The tables and tablecloths appeared dirty. When we poured the water from the table into our glasses, we noticed small specks of dust floating in my water floating inside the glasses, so we decided not to drink the water. The dirty tablecloths also took away from the overall dining experience. Overall, I would come back again, but I would have lower expectations next time since I felt a little let down during my first visit. The food was generally flavorful and well-seasoned, but the Crispy Chicken Sandwich did not meet my expectations. The Eggs Benedict were much better, and the drinks were delicious. With better food availability and improved cleanliness, I think the overall experience could be much better. I would originally rate this experience a 3 out of 5. However, because I was unable to comfortably drink the water--or drink it at all after noticing specks of dust floating in my water in the glasses--my rating has gone down to a 2 out of 5. Cleanliness is an important part of the dining experience, and this significantly affected my overall impression.

    What a difference a week makes…read more Thought a repeat was in order. Big mistake. Whomever was cooking last week, knew what he was doing. This experience was horrible. Ordered the strawberry matcha this time with light ice.. it came packed with ice. The matcha flavor wasn't there. The puree had a sour taste to it. Blueberry pancakes: they arrived looking like dark goop was dropped on them. The pancakes were overcooked, with very few blueberries. There was nothing to like about this dish. It was like eating dry bread. The side order of bacon. The bacon was horrible. It was overdone and tasted like they salted it. Who does this ?!? The chilaquiles were even worse. The chips were over done, and tasted burnt. The Rojas and verde sauce was thin, salty, and only made the burnt chips taste worse. The chicken was properly grilled, but unseasoned and pretty blah. The steak wasn't better. Why are they heavily salting their food. It was inedible. This was such a sad meal. Was I able to say anything? No. Why? Because the service is nonexistent. We did ask for napkins, and were given dirty napkins. Sadly, we won't be back. I would encourage you to try other places! The inconsistency, and the overpriced horrible food this second time, is a hard no. Feel free to compare pics.

    Photos
    Oasis Fusion Kitchen
    Oasis Fusion Kitchen
    Oasis Fusion Kitchen

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    The Front Porch - Fried Chicken + collard greens

    The Front Porch

    3.9(3.4k reviews)
    0.6 miBernal Heights, Mission
    $$

    This place definitely feels more brunch-y but I came here for dinner with some friends and still…read morehad a great meal! Our server was great, and the vibe was excellent, definitely a classic SF restaurant! I got the slushee of the day + rum which was super tasty. For food I got the risotto with blackened chicken. It was good, but not the best risotto I've had. There was a bit too much of the misc toppings, and I wish the actual risotto had a bit more flavor. For dessert, we got the beignets. Also pretty good, but not the best ever. They were freshly made and super warm, which was great. Prices are a biiiit steep, but the overall experience and quality of food makes up for it. I would definitely come back!

    Writing a review like this is difficult for several reasons, and I very rarely leave negative…read morereviews. As someone who has works in the restaurant industry, I understand firsthand how challenging this business can be, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for the people who work hard to make a dining experience memorable. That's why I don't say this lightly when I say that our food experience tonight was extremely disappointing. We ordered the pork chop, which was okay, but the cabbage side was honestly hard to eat. I'm not sure if it was intended to be slaw or steamed cabbage, but it was essentially wet cabbage with very little flavor. The potatoes were decent, although the portion was quite small and they had a texture that tasted almost like boxed mashed potatoes. The biscuits were extremely dry and hard, and unfortunately, the butter served alongside them wasn't very good either. The spinach that came with the special was, without exaggeration, one of the worst parts of the meal. It had a very unpleasant taste that made us question whether something was off with it. There really wasn't another way to describe it. For a $44 plate, I expect the steak to be cooked properly, the sides to be flavorful and thoughtfully prepared, and the entire dish to feel worth the price. We also ordered a peach soda that was $10, which already feels very expensive for a soft drink. What was even more surprising was finding out that refills were not complimentary. That's something I feel should be clearly communicated when ordering. This is supposed to be soul food, a style of cooking known for bold, comforting, flavorful food. Unfortunately, our meal just didn't deliver that. Everyone at our table left feeling unsatisfied. We spent $163 for three entrées, three drinks, and two orders of biscuits. When you spend that kind of money and the food is exceptional, you leave feeling like it was money well spent. When the experience falls this far short, it's understandably frustrating and leaves you questioning the value. I do want to give credit where it's due: our server was wonderful. We had absolutely no complaints about the service. He was attentive, pleasant, and did her job well. I genuinely hope this feedback is received in the spirit it's intended. I know how difficult the restaurant business is, and I'm not looking to tear anyone down. I simply believe that when a meal costs this much, the quality, flavor, portions, and overall execution should reflect the price.

    Photos
    The Front Porch - Bar area!

    Bar area!

    The Front Porch - Asparagus with poached egg

    Asparagus with poached egg

    The Front Porch - Citrus and arugula salad

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    Citrus and arugula salad

    Memento SF - Moqueca Fish Stew

    Memento SF

    4.6(105 reviews)
    1.4 miNoe Valley
    Locally owned & operated
    Romantic vibe

    I went there with my friend on a quiet weekday evening andwe were both super impressed…read more Cocktails were tasty (though they don't have a full bar), ingredients were super fresh, and appetizers and entrees had just the right level of fusion - a good balance of tastiness and edginess. We particularly liked the millionaire taco and squid ink paella. What impressed us the most was the friendliness of the owners. They were funny, humble, and definitely very proud of their establishment. Will definitely be going back there again.

    2.75 stars. I…read moreshould've trusted my instincts. Momentarily, I questioned the reason behind Memento's low review count. Sure, sometimes it's nice to visit a lesser-known restaurant in hopes of finding a hidden gem, but the reality is -- any eatery worth Yelping about is being Yelped about. Every part of dinner further solidified Memento's status as a one-and-done deal. The mocktail we ordered was so syrupy thick, it needed watering down before we could drink it. Paella with sausage had a thin layer of crisp rice. Oddly enough, the tomatoey elements coupled with the type of sausage used reminded me of pizza. My bf reported that the steak in his surf & turf was undercooked & had a "funny" flavor. 'Nough said. As much as we'd like to support a neighborhood restaurant, it cannot be at the expense of good flavors & basic cooking techniques.

    Photos
    Memento SF - Short Ribs crispy rice cakes

    Short Ribs crispy rice cakes

    Memento SF - Taco paella and millionaire tacos

    Taco paella and millionaire tacos

    Memento SF

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    Ernest - Mala tonkatsu pork chop 5/5

    Ernest

    4.3(669 reviews)
    1.7 miMission
    $$$

    Finally got to try Ernest. I booked this restaurant a month in advance for a table for 5 and I…read moreliked that the table was located on the second floor with a nice view of the restaurant interior. It's really interesting how food were super fusiony and since menu wasn't extensive, we ordered a good amount of food from the menu for share. I had the daiquiri bolognese and it's slightly sweet and foamy on top. Some of us ordered wine and I was impressed with the quality of the wine. We had the uni toast, oysters, sushi rice and swordfish prosciutto. Sushi rice is a must order. I didn't get to try the prosciutto so no comment on that. I would rather prefer Uni on rice to on the toast. We had the house rolls which performed average. Chicken liver was very smooth and done well. I normally don't eat organs like liver but this is actually good and didn't taste like organ. Next up we had the fried rice, eggplant and burrata. Fried rice kinda tastes like Thai basil fried rice but the rice was harder and with some hint of non Thai sauces. The eggplant dish gives Mediterranean vibe and burrata is a combination of Chinese mala, Italian burrata and lots of fresh figs. I'm not sure who's the winner here but I really appreciate the fun experience eating a seemingly traditional dish with a modern international twist. Onto the meat and seafood- the hanger steak tastes like Chinese (Cantonese) style bbq pork and very tender that is served with mustard and pickles. The grilled hamachi with nardello peppers were made very well and the Smoky flavor of both compliment each other very well. The pork dumplings with rendang curry was also good. Dessert was basque cheesecake and non caffeinated tea and both were ok. Would love to try their other desserts next time. Good job Ernest!

    Ernest delivers creative Asian‑inflected California fare, with plenty of raw‑forward dishes on the…read moremenu. The cocktails were the standout here -- well‑crafted and thoughtful. Service landed right in the middle, nothing terrible yet nothing particularly attentive. The dining room gets quite noisy, so conversation can be a challenge. Our party of three spent roughly $400 total. It's a solid Michelin‑plate spot for a fun night out, just manage expectations for noise level and overall value. Would come back for drinks and small bites, but not rushing for a full dinner.

    Photos
    Ernest - Open kitchen

    Open kitchen

    Ernest - Succotash fried rice

    Succotash fried rice

    Ernest - Basque cheesecake, hazelnut soft serve sundae

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    Basque cheesecake, hazelnut soft serve sundae

    Kitchen Story - Stories begin by true love

    Kitchen Story

    4.1(4.3k reviews)
    2.0 miCastro
    $$

    This is a busy spot for a reason. The brunch at Kitchen Story is SO GOOD! We've been here a handful…read moreof times and have loved every trip. Get the bacon and the pancakes! There is always a wait, but it moves quickly. If you're smart, you'll send someone to get you on the waitlist while you grab coffee at a nearby coffee shop. That way by the time you arrive your table will be ready. Be prepared to sit outside if the dining room is full. They have a covered parklet and sidewalk tables. Come ready to eat because portions are plentiful.

    Kitchen Story was actually such a cute and memorable experience, but let me just be real for a…read moresecond. The food? Delicious. The vibe? Very San Francisco brunch-core. But the service... yeah, that's where they fumbled the bag a little. Our waitress barely checked in on us the whole time. She was visibly way nicer and more attentive to the table right in front of us laughing, refilling drinks, constant check-ins. Meanwhile, we were over here like " Gworl hello"? It definitely changed the energy of the experience. Now the Million Dollar Bacon... BABY. That alone is worth the visit. It's such a fun, unique item crispy, sweet, a little smoky, and honestly lowkey addictive. If you come here, please order that. It's their moment. Overall, food was great, ambiance was cute, but the service could've been a lot better. I still gave it 4 stars because the flavors definitely hit, and that bacon is a whole personality by itself. Would I come back? Yes however, I'm praying for a different waitress next time.

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    Kitchen Story
    Kitchen Story
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    3rd Cousin - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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