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Only one review so far??? I love this place! Old Time San Francisco atmosphere. A beautiful restaurant with a very lively bar as well. Yes, it is expensive and it is a place for a special evening out. I was there again a couple of weeks ago. The food was outstanding and the service from our waiter, Ron, was perfect. He is one of the few truly professional waiters left in the city. My bean soup was so good and would have liked another bowl except for the fact that I knew more was coming. The petrale seved on top of spinach was as good as I have ever had. Moist, flaky and tasty. This is not a typical hotel restaurant! Treat yourself and go!
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Big 4
Cuisine: American (New)
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Nob Hill |
2/10/2008
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They need some advice! Lunch on a Monday afternoon. Beautiful restaurant!. Cold reception from the guy at the desk until a nice lady showed up and helped us. First course was duck buns which were delicious but waaaay too salty. Next I had the "Tuna Melt". Tuna mixed in a creamy sauce and on top of a brioche type of bread. Lukewarm when it reached our table. Tasty but very rich and waaaaaaaaay too salty. (They must own stock in a salt company) The brioche bread was tough and I could not cut it with a knife. I could not eat all of it as it was so rich and salty. Dessert was gelato which was very tasty. Lay off the salt, guys! I'll go back though and try it again as it is a very pleasant setting and will try to order more wisely.
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Pres A Vi
Cuisine: Eclectic Small Plates
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Presidio |
2/10/2008
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Four of us had dinner here Christmas Eve. Beautiful dining room. Prix fixe five-course dinner was $85 ++. Dinner was delicious, beautifully plated and very rich. Lobster bisque, crab salad, scallops, rack of lamb and dessert. Service was good, not great. Pleasant waitress but she brought the soup before we had finished our cocktails. A big no-no in my book! Dessert included ice cream on the poached apple and pastry but we were only given a fork. Hard to eat ice cream with a fork! Had to request spoons. I would like to return sometime when a regular menu is offered. (They neglected to tell us it was prix-fixe when we booked) When all was said and done, the total bill was over $500 for the 4 of us. However, we expected it to be expensive, so no complaints there.
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Cafe Majestic
Cuisine: American (New)
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Pacific Heights |
1/2/2008
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I was here recently for a pre-concert dinner. Was very impressed how they handled the crowd and got us all out on time! The food is very good, not incredible but very good. Service has always been very good every time I have been there. Considering that the owner/chef is a restaurant critic, I think the food should, however, rise above "very good" . I will return but only for a pre-concert meal. Maybe she is making such a good income from her books that she does not have to pay that much attention to her restaurant????
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Hayes Street Grill
Cuisine: Seafood
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Hayes Valley |
12/24/2007
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Have eaten here twice now and not sure what to say! Unique? Different? Funky? Quantity over quality? Yes, all of the above. Doubt if there will be a third time. Just not my style.
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Q Restaurant
Cuisine: American (New)
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Inner Richmond |
10/29/2007
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Following an unfortunate reception and seating experience, we had a great meal! Got there just when they opened. Got seated at a table where two little children were expected. (no one else in the restaurant at that time) We like children but not when making a ruckus while we wanted to eat and visit. Headwaiter (owner?) moved us to other end of restaurant. Sat down, then he said no, we would have to move. We got up, then he decided we could sit there after all! I had delicious stuffed calamari, then a pasta dish with scallops (2), shrimp (1) and lots of clams in a wonderful broth. Dense chocolate cake for dessert. Yum! My friends had veal saltimbocca, pork tenderloin and lamb chops. They each said "delicious". Wonderful breads. I have been here several times and they have definitely upgraded. Other than the seating problem, we had a great evening.
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Ristorante Bacco
Cuisine: Italian
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Noe Valley |
10/29/2007
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A total flop! Long wait for order to be taken. Bread did not arrive until we were almost finished with appetizer. We ordered sole meuniere and were told not avail as fish order had not arrived. (It was 2PM!!) One beet salad (so-so), 1 tomato soup with puff pastry cover. (delicious). One main of pasta with 3 kinds mushrooms. (too salty and not tasty), one main of coq au vin. (Gloppy sauce so dark I couldn't find chicken. When I did, drumstick was dry, so did not try the breast meat. Not much flavor. Had to salt the dish (and I rarely use salt). A big disappointment all around. Waiter very unattentive. Waiter got a 12% tip as a result and that was generous. Wine list is insanely expensive: most about $40 and waaaaaaay up. They had a bottle for $5,000 and I cannot imagine even a gazzilionaire paying for that with that quality food. Our glass of wine (half full) was $10 and it was the second cheapest.
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Jeanty At Jacks
Cuisine: French Brasseries
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Downtown |
9/24/2007
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This is a good place to eat! The service is always good, the ambiance is very pleasant and the food is delicious. I was here last Saturday with three friends for dinner. About my 5th time at the Buckeye. The calamari appetizer was scrumptious, the brisket of beef was perfect. Shared an excellent lime pie, one of my favorite desserts.
My only (slight) complaints: too much food on the plate tends to turn me off as I know I cannot eat it all. Also the Manhattan was off a little. Not a real zinger. But those are quibbles. Left the restaurant feeling very satisfied, as I always do.
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Buckeye Roadhouse
Cuisine: Steakhouse
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Mill Valley |
7/10/2007
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I have been on a French kick lately, so today we had lunch here. Very good! Nice reception, good service and pleasant ambiance. My appetizer was the special for the day: a cod mixture the consistency of mashed potatoes baked in a ramekin and served with toasted baguette slices with what seemed like fig jam. Also included little ramekins with very tiny blanched pea pods another with black olives. Delicious! Main course was croque monsieur ( a no-no on my diet!). Not the best I've had but pretty tasty. The pommes frites were good but not as good as Chez Papa. My friend had beet salad which looked excellent and salmon served with fingerling potatoes and cherry tomatoes. After, I had one of the best cafe cremes I have ever had in SF. The waiter was very attentive but not obtrusive and we liked him. Highly recommended restaurant if you are downtown for lunch or dinner.
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Cafe Claude
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Downtown |
4/2/2007
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SUMI, It has been some time since I ate here, courtesy of this web site and winning a prize there. I forgot to write a review for which I apologize, as it was a very pleasant experience. The restaurant is very attractive and the staff was very nice and welcoming. The food was excellent! My friend and I both remarked how delicious everything was and our waiter could not have been nicer. The lady who I assume is the owner was very welcoming as well. A nice place!
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SUMI
Cuisine: Fusion
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Castro |
4/1/2007
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Joy Luck Place, This is mainly a dim sum place. It is ok in a pinch but there are better places! Grease is the mainstay here. The take-out in particular is pretty greasy.
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Joy Luck Place
Cuisine: Dim Sum Seafood
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San Mateo |
4/1/2007
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Chez Papa Bistro, Had lunch here a week ago. Very nice! Second time here. Staff is very French and pleasant. My Salade Nicoise was done with fresh seared tuna, quail eggs and so forth - a new take on a traditional dish and it was good. My friend had the beet salad which he said was excellent and the frites, which I tasted and they were some of the best I've had in San Francisco. The restaurant can be very noisy - it is small and lots of hard surfaces. But noisy restaurants seem to be very common now, so we have to accept it. All in all, I recommend a visit here - you will enjoy it.
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Chez Papa Bistro
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Potrero Hill |
4/1/2007
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Lunch here yesterday was very nice. The reception desk lady was very welcoming and we were shown to a table downstairs. The waitress took a while to get to our table and apologized for it. My lentil soup was delicious as was the chicken breast, ham and manchego cheese sandwich which was served hot. My friend had a small salad and mussels which she said were excellent. The place is attractive, very French in appearance and I detected several people speaking French amongst the patrons. ( A good sign!) I will definitely return for lunch one of these days when I am downtown. A nice experience.
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Cafe De La Presse
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Downtown |
3/27/2007
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A new "Chinese" restaurant in Strawberry shopping center in Mill Valley. I was there two weeks ago and came away from it less than charmed. Two of us were put at a big round table when there were smaller tables empty. Then we asked to be moved to a smaller table, which they did very nicely. Then we waited - - and waited - - and waited for someone to take our order. Finally a waiter appeared and wanted to know what "you guys would like to order". (we were a man and a woman, not two guys). We gave the orders and, "Thanks you guys" was the response. We got the food and it was good, not great. Teeny tiny portions and big prices! A clay pot with, count em, 3 small pieces of pork. Calamari that was just ok - a bit greasy. My companion had a pot of tea for which we were charged $2.50!!!! And one cup to drink it in as the menu stated that it was for ONE person and they meant it! The waiter kept dropping by to ask, "are you guys ok", "you guys want anything else" etc etc. So skip it.
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Harmony
Cuisine: Chinese
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Mill Valley |
2/24/2007
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Just got home from here. First I have to say that this is one of the noisiest restaurants I have ever been to. It was not possible to hear what my dinner companions had to say even though they were almost shouting! On that score alone, I will not return. However, the meal was a big disappointment. A block away is La Provence, a superior restaurant. There were 4 of us and two liked their meals and two of us did not. The appetizers were good. Asparagus soup, frise salad Lyonnaise style and two beet salads. The two who liked their meals had a chicken breast dish and the other had a vegetable lasagne. Two of us had lamb brochette. Neither of us who had the lamb ate more than two pieces. The lamb was tough and tastless. One of the things on the plate was white beans (which I love) and these were inedible as they were very undercooked. There is no excuse for that! Doesn't the chef taste what he is cooking? They should never have left the kitchen.(beans, I mean, but maybe the chef should too
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Garcon
Cuisine: French
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Mission |
1/20/2007
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Had lunch here today with a friend and we ate using the Dine Around plan. It was very good! She had a Caesar salad which I tasted and it had just the right amount of anchovy taste. I had an excellent butternut squash soup - something which is too frequent now in restaurants, but this one was very tasty. We both had the meat loaf on mashed potatoes with glazed root vegetables. That was excellent! Dessert of butterscotch pudding was lip smacking good. The staff was very nice - receptionist pleasant and the waiter was tops. The decor is very attractive and I intend to go again. Be careful, though. We looked at the menu and it is EXPENSIVE!!! One steak offered was about $45, which is out of my league. Good wine list, by the way.
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Lark Creek Steak
Cuisine: Steakhouse
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Downtown |
1/15/2007
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I had brunch here today with some friends and it was good. However, in spite of having a reservation and showing up 10 minutes early, they made us wait about 10 minutes for our table. (The restaurant was only about half full). The waiter took our drink order and the drinks were a long time coming. We ordered when the drinks were served and the food came in good time. Everyone liked what they had (rock shrimp omelet for me). The Bloody Mary was excellent! Over all, I would give it a B+. The place is very attractive, by the way.
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Americano
Cuisine: Italian Californian
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Embarcadero |
12/2/2006
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Lunch here yesterday was excellent. I did not know the portions were so huge however. Too much on the plate folks!!! I watched the plates go back to the kitchen and almost every one had food left on it. Too Much Food!!! However, I have to say it was very tasty. Unfortunately, we split a crab salad first and that was enough. The main course was Too Much Food. Got the idea, Fresca owners? You could save money by serving smaller portions and not wasting so much. Service was good, by the way and they were very busy. I will return and split my order with a companion.
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Fresca
Cuisine: peruvian
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West Portal |
9/4/2006
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Had brunch here last Saturday. I had fettuccine with calamari and shrimp. Plenty of the seafood but sauce lacked sparkle. So-so. One friend had blueberry pancakes but the menu-advertised blueberries on top were missing. The third one at the table had pork tenderloin sandwich and he said it was very good. Current scones served were excellent. Service was prompt and cheerful. I don't mind noisy restaurants (are there any other kind now-a-days?), but this one was crazy! We had to shout at each other, which only added to the din, of course. Overall, this was an ok, but not exciting experience.
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Bambino's Ristorante
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
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Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
9/4/2006
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I was in the area on a Monday a few weeks ago and decided to have a bite at Lil's. I had been there once a long time ago and this time, alone, I ordered a Cobb Salad. It was excellent. Good thing that I was hungry as it was very large. The place has a lot of character and a nice crowd that eats there.
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Liverpool Lil's
Cuisine: English Pub Food
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Marina |
8/22/2006
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I have not been here in several years. So found myself downtown helping a friend pick out some furniture. We went to Farallon to have lunch only to find out they no longer serve lunch, at least on weekdays. So we went to Postrio, only to find out that THEY don't serve lunch either, at least in the main dining room. (Gotta get downtown more often!) But we did eat in the lounge area. We split a crisp fried calamari plate (I give it a B+) and then we each had the Lamb Pastrami sandwich which was excellent. A huge sandwich so if you order, be hungry! It was moist, the focaccia was wonderful and the mesclun salad on the side and the crisp fried onion bits were very good. Would have been even better with a glass of wine, but we had some serious shopping to do.
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Postrio
Cuisine: American (New) Pizza
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Downtown |
8/7/2006
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Went with 3 friends last evening. My second visit and this was even better than the first. The staff is super friendly (except for the hostess who could use some schooling in tact. She questioned if I have made a booking in spite of the fact they had called me to reconfirm. Then came by a second time questioning me! She was not French, by the way) Our French waiter more than made up for it as did the host. At one point, he placed a new napkin in front of me, which puzzled me, until I saw him bend down and pick the one off the floor that had been on my lap. Now that's attention to detail!. The food was superb. I had a salade frisee as good as any I have had in France. Nice frisee lettuce, crisp lardons and a perfectly poached egg on top. My mussels were delicious although the broth a bit salty. Dessert was a pear tart with chocolate on it. Excellent. I highly recommend Chou Chou. By the way if you get there early there is parking in their lot next door.
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Chou Chou
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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West Portal |
8/6/2006
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I went here for lunch last week with a friend and we liked it very much. The decor is attractive and they put us at a table in the window where we could watch the passing parade on Clement St. I cannot remember the Turkish names of our dishes, but they were very tasty and having been to Turkey, I can say they tasted very authentic. Let's hope they don't decide to add belly dancers!!!
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Troya
Cuisine: Mediterranean
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Inner Richmond |
8/6/2006
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Just got home from having dinner here. My first time and it was excellent! Has a very authentic French feel to it. My salad of arugula pecans and blue cheese was so good. Entree was mussels which were very nice although a little butter in the sauce to thicken it would have been nice. The pommes frites were terrific. Low point was the lemon tart. Tasted as if it had been in the fridge a bit too long.No lemon taste apparent. My companion's chocolate mousse was perfect, however. Service was good, though the main course a little slow in arriving as was the sugar for our coffee. These are minor quibbles. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and will go back as soon as I can.
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Baker Street Bistro
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Cow Hollow |
6/9/2006
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I have a confession to make - - - I am not crazy about pizza! However, once in a while it has an appeal. Recently, on a whim while looking for a place for lunch, a friend and I were in the Potrero hill area and we decided to go to Goat Hill. We just had the slice of pizza/salad combo. I have to say that this pizza approximates very closely pizzas that I have had in Italy. Thin crust, not teeming with toppings, nice cheese that is not the kind you could make car tires out of, mild tomato etc. They have it right. Salad was just, well, just a salad. Pleasant service, nice neighborhood crowd. Good place for pizza if that is your thing.
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Goat Hill Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
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Potrero Hill |
6/8/2006
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I ate here with three friends two weeks ago. The meal was good but not great. I had read reviewers who raved about the pommes frites and so we shared an order and I must say that they were terrific. My entree was good but not memorable. (I say that because I cannot remember what it was!) Again, because of previous reviews, I ordered the gelato and it was a big let down. I think it was supposed to be vanilla with flecks of coffee beans - - - or chocolate chip pieces????? The flavor certainly gave no clue. The decor is nice and we had a good table in the window with a view of the passing parade of pedestrians. Service was good though a bit strained on the part of the waitress. An ok place to eat if you are in the neighborhood, but not worth a drive across town.
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Florio Bar & Cafe
Cuisine: French (Bistro) Italian
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Upper Fillmore |
6/8/2006
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Some things never change, thank goodness! You do not go here for a trendy, "gourmet" meal. What you get is good, nicely prepared seafood. They have some meat courses, but come on, this is a seafood restaurant! Just had lunch there and as always, came away satisfied. Nice shrimp c***tail (all shrimp - no shredded lettuce but too much sauce), saute of sole that melted in my mouth (4 big pieces) and that wonderful half round of crusty sourdough. Waiters still wear tuxes, booths, old club feeling. Please do not change a thing! June 12, 2006. Went for lunch today and had fried oysters which were the best I ever had. Light, not greasy and just plain delicious.
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Sam's Grill & Seafood Restaurant
Cuisine: Seafood
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Downtown |
6/5/2006
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Very disappointing! I have considered going here any number of times and I finally did on Easter Sunday with two friends. Pros: we got there on time and were seated within minutes even though the place was packed. Our waitress was right there and very nice even though she was incredibly busy. Now for the cons: In two words: The Meal! Salad was the best part even though it had too much dressing on it. The beef was tender but without flavor. The creamed spinach was tasteless and not too "creamed". I was asked if I "wanted everything" on my baked potato and she wasn't kidding! So much stuff I could hardly find the potato. Yorkshire pudding looked like a flat pancake. This is a good place for people who like quantity, however. Tons of food placed in front of us which also turns me off. So, afraid that they won't see me again.
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House of Prime Rib
Cuisine: Steakhouses
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Polk St./Van Ness |
4/18/2006
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had lunch here on a Saturday. Very crowded but the wait was not so bad. My friend and I both ordered the Croque Madame, which was very tasty, tho a bit greasy. He had an apple tart for dessert, which I tasted. Good but not sensational. I got a kick out of seeing lots of little kids with their dads taking them out. Nice! Apparently a popular place to bring kids.
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Rigolo
Cuisine: Italian Bistro Bakeries
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Presidio Heights |
3/27/2006
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so-so. Went there last Saturday with a friend who likes the place. No complaints about the service. We had a very attentive, nice and cheerful waiter. There was a crowd waiting for a table but we were seated much sooner than the 20 minutes they predicted. Food was just "ok". I had a Santa Fe crepe and since I don't eat too much spicy food, the waiter kindly suggested he put the salsa on the side and also a little dish of sour cream at his suggestion. The crepe was not too exciting - rather bland but not bad, just bland. The salad and the potatoes that came with it were tasty. The coffee was excellent. Will go again but order something different.
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Savor
Cuisine: Mediterranean
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Noe Valley |
3/27/2006
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A friend and I had dinner here last Monday when it rained very hard. Consequently, we were alone there except for one other table. I give this a "conditional" green plus. The place is attractive. When we walked in, the owner was right at the door to greet us and seat us. From then on, he did not pay one whit of attention to us - not that the place was overflowing with diners! Our waiter was very nice and attentive, however. The other table was a family with two small kids that ran riot in the place and neither parent seemed to care or have any control over them, which dampened our evening. No pun intended - dampened - rainy night - forget it! We have baba ganoush (sp?) which was ok. The hot bread wonderful. Then lamb kebab which was just ok. Tasty but overcooked. Rice side was good and the salad was outstanding. Not sure I will go again, however. Fattoush on Church is better and in my area.
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Bursa Kebab
Cuisine: Mediterranean Vegetarian
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West Portal |
3/1/2006
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I had an early dinner here yesterday with a couple of friends. Loved it! Small, very attractive, good service. They whisked away empty dishes as soon as we were finished with them Lots of smiles and in general, very pleasant. The decor is very nice and I don't quite understand what the previous reviewer was indicating about the fly strips! Perhaps she meant in the former place there. Certainly none when we were there. Oh yeah, the food. Terrific! We had hot and sour soup which is so ubiquitous in Chinese restaurants, but this one was excellent. Vegetable pot stickers were good, we had a lamb dish and a chicken dish, both very tasty and plentiful. Cons? They charge $4.00 for a pot of tea (although you have a choice of about 5 different kinds - we passed) and they serve the saltiest soy sauce I have ever encountered. I would go back in a minute.
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Xiao Loong
Cuisine: Chinese
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West Portal |
2/5/2006
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It's "ok". Just what you would expect. Had not been here in a long time and dropped in after seeing a movie. We were seated right away and the service was good and waitress very pleasant. Food? Well, lots of it. Tasty and no summits reached, for sure. My tuna melt was - well - Big! Nice and greasy and loaded. Fries too thick and too many. So? It ain't the Ritz Carlton - its deli food! Menu is overwhelming. I wound up ordering that tuna melt which was not even on the menu but they were very nice about it. You get what you expect and that's not all bad, is it?
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Max's Opera Cafe
Cuisine: Deli Dessert
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Civic Center |
2/1/2006
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A wonderul little restaurant! Tucked away downstairs in a small hotel such as you would find on the left bank in Paris. The food is not only excellent but nicely presented. The waitstaff has always been more than polite (I have been several times) The prix fixe dinner is one of the best values in town. I have enjoyed every meal I have had here. Especially the lamb dishes and on Fridays, the Grand Marnier Souffle is one of the best. The decor is a bit over the top but fun and colorful.
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Jeanne D'arc
Cuisine: French
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Downtown |
1/5/2006
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Anjou is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. I have been here at least 10 or 12 times and my first visit was just after they first opened the restaurant. It has been consistently excellent, no matter what I order. Have never been disappointed. I went there today for lunch with a friend and we both had the liver with onions and bacon. Seems to be one of my favorite dishes here. My friend had a celery root salad and she said it was excellent. I had the rabbit terrine studded with pistachios and served with a cucumber salad that was delicious. My dessert was a chocolate wrapped cake with a bitter marmalade sauce. YUM! Service is always polite and professional. Our waiter was French and knew what he was doing. Can't wait to go again!
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Anjou Restaurant
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Downtown |
12/28/2005
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Had lunch here yesterday. About my 3rd time here. I liked it very much. It is one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city. Our waitress was very charming and efficient as was the hostess. The lunch was very good. We had the prix fixe one at $24, which included a very nice corn chowder, sea bass and a fine creme brulee (a dessert that is overdone, but this one was good). In all, a very nice experience.
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Grand Cafe (Formal Dining Room)
Cuisine: French Californian
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Downtown |
12/13/2005
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Four of us had dinner here last Sunday evening. First, it is an attractive neighborhood restaurant. Very crowded but they honored our reservation the minute we walked in. Waiter was one of those "personality kid" types, but that's OK. At least he was cheerful. Service was good until the last. We waited for quite a while before we got our espresso. I finally had to flag down another waiter. Same with the check. It came promptly but took a while before anyone noticed my credit card sitting there. In fact, I had to give it to the hostess. That being said, the meal was scrumptious! I would say very authentic Italian cuisine and reasonable. Except for steak and one other entree, the average entree seemed to be around $17. People at our table had risotto, a whole fish, a pasta with crab and a pork dish. All were delicious according to each diner. I am so glad this place is in my neighborhood!
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Incanto
Cuisine: Italian
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Noe Valley |
12/10/2005
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We had lunch here today (12/10/05). Two of us and the wait was not too bad, about 15 minutes. We thought the food was excellent!. Best mushu pork I have ever had. Garlic chicken was dee-licious but only for dedicated garlic lovers. Fried pot stickers were good but have had better. All in all, a great lunch. Service was pretty good and the restaurant was full. I will go again.
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San Tung
Cuisine: Mandarin
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Inner Sunset |
12/10/2005
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Just had lunch here last Saturday. My second time here and enjoyed it. The decor is from outer space and may not be to everyone's liking, but I enjoy it. Food is quite good - my salmon was perfect. The staff on both times has been very pleasant and courteous and make it a pleaure to be there. Mainly seafood, but they have some things for meat eaters. But why go here if you don't like seafood unless it is to be with some friends who are fish eaters.
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Farallon
Cuisine: Seafood
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Downtown |
7/12/2005
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It's ok, not up to the hype I heard about. At least it is in my neighborhood, so will probably go again.
Ok, I have gone again and have to say, it was better.
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Eric's
Cuisine: Chinese
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Noe Valley |
7/12/2005
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What's the big deal? Food is good but not THAT good! Rather stark decor but great view due to its location, but you can't eat the view. Way overpriced and too tough to get a reservation to bother with it. Just as good Vietnamese food at the Tao Cafe at Guerrero and 22nd and half the price. I guess it has to be considered an "in" place. You're welcome to it if you feel you have to travel with the crowd.
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Slanted Door, The
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Embarcadero |
7/12/2005
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Two weeks old as of this weekend (July 9, 2005). I felt like I was back in southern France, eating here. The food is, in a word, terrific! This is in the spot where La Fiamma used to be and they have done wonders with this small place. It is in a light, cheerful yellow with white flooring and dark wood tables and large colorful posters on the walls and fresh flowers on every table. Open kitchen. Owned by a man and his wife (his family is from Aix en Provence) My first course was a salad with heirloom tomatoes and goat cheese on wonderfully crisp toasts. Main course was the best rack of lamb I have had in San Francisco. Perfectly cooked, well seasoned and delicious. The accompanying vegetables were excellent - grilled eggplant and zucchini, haricot verts and a lovely cooked tomato mixture. A delicious lemon tart (house made) for dessert topped off a perfect meal. Service and kitchen a bit slow, but this was only their second week! More than satisfactory.
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La Provence
Cuisine: French
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Mission |
7/11/2005
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I went here yesterday with two friends, one of whom is Chinese. The best way to do it! As a result, I ate some things that I would not have chosen on my own and they were delicious. We had the usual (as a concession to me, I am sure) such as pot stickers, shrimp dumplings and pork buns; but we had a wonderful turnip cake, tubular pasta-like things filled with pork, long beans with mushrooms etc. The finale was a treat of little pastries filled with hot coconut custard. As for the service: it could not have been nicer. The ladies all smiled and came by our table frequently. I arrived before my two friends and was shown to a booth and offered a pot of tea while waiting for them. Secret - on Monday, they have Monday street cleaning on Anza St. a block away. Truck came by at 1010 am and I slid in behind. Then walked the Geary st shops for a while until the appointed time of 11 am.
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Ton Kiang
Cuisine: Dim Sum Chinese
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Outer Richmond |
6/28/2005
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This is as good as the Slanted Door in my opinion. Quiet (too quiet sometimes which worries me) and gracious service. The menu is shorter than the SD, but the food as tasty if not more so. A decided French influence in some dishes. They should be better known than they are. The Zagat review has helped them I hope.
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Tao Cafe
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Mission |
6/27/2005
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A small place on Church street handy for the J car as parking is dicey here. The food is very good, not great. However, it is not expensive and this is a good chance to try Middle Eastern food. Heavy on the lamb courses so if you are a lamb lover as I am, you will be very happy here.
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Fattoush Restaurant
Cuisine: Middle Eastern Mediterranean
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Noe Valley |
6/27/2005
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First, this is a very pretty restaurant. Have only been here once but intend to go again soon. Ask for a table in the back part of the restaurant. The food was outstanding and I am not crazy about Mexican food as you find it in most places. This was much more authentic than the Tex/Mex stuff most places serve. Perhaps the big and delicious Margarita helped but even without that, I would like it. They serve small and very hot tortillas with the meal with three kinds of sauces. UMMM. The main course was excellent and even though we were on the late side for lunch, the staff was very nice and never hurried us.
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Colibri Mexican Bistro
Cuisine: Mexican Small Plates
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Downtown |
6/27/2005
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Another one of my favorites. Tucked away in a quiet area with (yes!) free valet parking (tips gratefully accepted). The food is perfect. Often described as "Italian" but more than that. Try the stuffed calamari for a starter. Yum! I always ask Bruno, the chef/owner to choose the wine, which he does with great relish and always hits the mark. From the first course to dessert, you will not be disappointed. A hidden gem.
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Albona Ristorante Istriano
Cuisine: Italian
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North Beach |
6/27/2005
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One of my favorite neighborhood places! Only had one disappointment here and it was minor. Have eaten here at least 10 times, so cannot complain about that one time. The food is always tasty with ample portions but not overwhelming. The staff is perpetually cheerful and makes dining here fun. Noise level is somewhat high but tolerable. Parking? Not too bad actually, and the restaurant is only about two blocks from the Glen Park Bart station in a very interesting neighborhood.
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Chenery Park
Cuisine: American (New)
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Glen Park |
6/27/2005
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I was taken here for my birthday recently and it was excellent. We were the first ones in after it opened and by the time we left, every table was taken. The food was wonderful, nicely served and the portions were just right. The ambiance of the place is pleasant and yes, it can be noisy, but that seems to be the way things are now everywhere. Everything I ordered was very tasty and well prepared. Not sure what the final cost was as I was a guest but intend to return as soon as I can.
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Quince
Cuisine: Italian
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Pacific Heights |
6/27/2005
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comments
I have been here twice in the last few weeks. Both times, it has been a nice experience. I had a very good Crab Louie the first time with a mountain of delicious fresh crab on it and the dressing was excellent. The next time I had a good chicken breast sandwich preceded by a wonderful appetizer of hot goat cheese wrapped in crisp prosciutto and with a nice basil sauce dribbled on the plate. They do a wicked gin martini! Service was good and pleasant. Update as of Feb 2006. Went again with one of my best friends and her daughter. The crab louie was wonderful! Waiter very nice, but someone tell the hostess to sweeten up, ok? The view is great.
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Waterfront Restaurant & Cafe
Cuisine: Californian Mediterranean
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Embarcadero |
3/6/2005
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Mediocre is the word here. My roast chicken tasted like it had been in the refrigerator for several days. Waitress was very flippant.Maybe a great place for TGIF, but forget the food.
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Palomino
Cuisine: Mediterranean Californian
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Embarcadero |
11/30/2004
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Had a great lunch there yesterday.Pleasant waiter and nice ambiance.Will go again.
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BOULEVARD
Cuisine: American (New)
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Embarcadero |
11/30/2004
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