When people think of seafood in San Francisco, Fisherman’s Wharf is usually the first place that comes to mind, but sometimes the best food can be found where you least expect it. 

In San Francisco’s Sunset District, there is a seafood restaurant called Bearing West located on  2325 Taraval St. The restaurant had a charming interior and exterior, though unfortunately I did not get the chance to dine inside. Instead, I ordered take out. 

When looking through the extensive menu, I landed on a classic: crab cakes. The order only took about 15 minutes, and came in a plastic white take out box within a brown paper bag. As I opened the white box, I noticed that the smell of the meal wasn’t particularly strong, which slightly lowered my expectations for the taste. But, I was pleasantly surprised when I bit into the cake. 

The crisp but soft outer shell allowed my teeth to pass through with ease, and as soon as I started chewing, my mouth was blanketed with warmth and a subtle but firm taste of shellfish presented in a stringy texture. The cake was mostly crispy, but the bottom got a little soggy from the salad it was served on, but it didn’t take away from the taste. 

Before I knew it, I had finished both of the cakes served to me. Having just come back from baseball practice, these crab cakes hit the spot and had me feeling refreshed and nourished after a long day. 

Overall, I’d rate Bearing West’s crab cakes a nine out of ten, for executing a classic dish pretty well, and leaving me feeling nourished and satisfied.