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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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Why doesn't 3rd Cousin have a Michelin star or two? Someone at Michelin needs to get on the ball. 4th time here. First time was only to try their famous Uni crème brûlée. I kept returning because everything else was great as well. But I had the Chef's Tasting Menu for the first time and was overwhelmed. It was fantastic! From the tempura lobster sausage to the porcini truffle ravioli. From lobster risotto to the two desserts, plus chocolate and a cookie. Had an excellent wine recommendation from my waitress, Hamel Family Wines in Napa, their Cabernet Sauvignon. Excellent service throughout the meal. Even if a waiter or waitress wasn't assigned to my table, they helped out or took a request. You must go and have the tasting menu! read more
2 years ago
Went here for Thanksgiving with the family. My mom called and asked if they had vegan options prior to making reservations and they checked with chef and they said yes. For Thanksgiving dinner the three of us had to pay the same amount for our food, but I got so much less. The salad was fine. I wish that the "vegan option" meant more than omitting the meat and dairy components while charging you the same, but most restaurants operate like that. I wasn't mad. Then we got to our entrees. I was immediately amazed by how little food that I had compared to everyone else. You can't tell me that a pasta with no sauce takes as much effort and costs as much to make as a huge slab of prime rib with several sides. I asked the waitress for salt or pepper or ANYTHING, but that did little to save it when there was no sauce. Now as mentioned, I am a vegan. The pasta dish was originally made to be vegetarian with a cheese sauce, but that was omitted and instead I had olive oil. Maybe if you eat the dish as a vegetarian who eats dairy, it's flavorful and filling. I was hungry an hour later . I think that had I shown up with no previous warning that I was vegan, I would have been more forgiving. But they knew I want to say at least a week in advance. They said that they had options. They have a Michelin star! I guess that I at least hoped that they would create a really amazing dairy free sauce to go with my pasta. I will say that the server did ask how everything was tasting and my mom, who had the turkey, said it was good and the server walked away before I could say that my food had zero flavor and wasn't filling. So if you eat meat, according to my mom, her food was good. But I felt like they had phoned mine in. Looking back I wish that I had spoken up sooner. But I've had far more flavorful meals in the city for 1/10th of the price and I didn't have to be confrontational to get it. read more
3rd Cousin was the stop for our food adventure last Friday. I have been wanting to try 3rd Cousin for a while and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT FOOD - 9/10 OVERALL BIG EYE TUNA AND OYSTER CRUDO - 7/10 This is a new dish added to the menu after restaurant week. It was solid but does not feel like it was the best tuna or oysters we've ever had. The tuna and oysters was not very fresh and there was not a lot of sauce UNI CREME BRULE - 10/10 ( may be more like 11/10) As you are reading this review you might already know we all go to 3rd Cousin to try the "legendary" Uni Creme Brule. It was definitely the taste of heaven and we ended up getting a second one. We just cannot have enough of this dish. It is definitely a MUST TRY. LOBSTER RISOTTO "ANIMAL STYLE" - 9.5/10 They have a half and full size and we ordered a full size to share. The half size is like an appetizer and full size is like an entre for one person. With "Animal style" you will get the addition of salmon roe, caviar and uni for an extra $25 and it makes the dish taste wayyy better. The lobster felt a bit overcooked and the peas were a bit undercooked but the whole concept of this dish just works!! Everything went so well together and just melted in our mouth. Definitely will order it again next time we are here. DUCK BREAST CONFIT - 9/10 The duck confit was really soft with crispy skin and it was nicely seasoned. The veggies paired really well with the duck. My only critique is the portion is a little so small for an entre SERVICE - 9/10 Our server was so nice and friendly. She let us try different wine before ordering and always checked in on us after every dish. My only critique it sometimes they served new dishes even when we were still working on a dish. Definitely a lovely experience dining at 3rd Cousin and definitely will come back soon since this place is literally caters to my palate. I am not surprised if this is getting a Michelin star some time soon. The food and service is amazing - maybe just need a little finesse here and there. read more
Yesss!! you absolutely come here for the tasting menu and splurge for the wine pairings because they absolutely took my palette to another level, but even if you are not a wine drinker, the dishes are amazing. As mentioned by others, the uni crème brûlée is divine and my second favorite from the tasting was the baja striped bass. I added the A5 as well and that was melt in your mouth deliciousness. Check out my experience on IG @Letty____chi read more
This is a cool and cold spot in the city. Very typical of San Fran Eatery. Heat is provided for outside seating a must here. They have a chefs taster menu a small regular menu as well as a variety of wine staring at about $300 working down. You can dress to impress or casual smart. The place is pretty small and packed. Reservations is recommended. We only tried one item the crème brûlée Uni. To me it was just ok one pice if uni tasted fishy that through me off and ruined the dish. But the Uni that was creamy and fresh matched the dish well. It sounded better than it tasted. My sister loved the dish but I thought it was just ok. read more
I was able to make a last minute reservation for 5:15pm. I was seated promptly and got a walk through of their menu. I am currently pregnant and can't eat raw fish, but wanted to try the hamachi crudo and they were able to accommodate that by cooking it. My party and I ordered the uni Creme brûlée, fresh green salad, hamachi crudo, grilled octopus, wagyu steak and pistachio cake. I really enjoyed the veggies and fruits used in a lot of the dishes. The salad tasted so refreshing and the splash of acidity just hit the spot. We really enjoyed our hamachi crudo, grilled octopus and steak the most. The pistachio cake was also delightful. The service was excellent and attentive. We were lucky that we came in when there wasn't a crowd, so we got a lot of attention before more people came. read more
3 years ago
Wow - it has been a few years since last visit & even better than I remember - such delicious food, impeccable service, elegant environment give off a Asian / rustic Napa vibe - the devil is in the details here even down to the beautiful glassware and flatware. Such an impressive neighborhood gem the most elevated dining option on Cortland in Bernal. Love that unlike many places the desserts are just as much show stoppers as the other dishes - sublime chocolate soufflé & the most delicious and fancy banana bread I've ever had! read more
San Francisco is a fine dining city and I'm fortunate enough that I've been able to eat my way through all of the usual lists (Michelin, SF top 100, Eater SF) so it's a real treat whenever I have a great dining experience at a restaurant that feels like an undiscovered or forgotten gem. I found this place via one of those social media ads. It flashed what looked like Uni with caviar and I was immediately intrigued. I came here for Saturday dinner and they offered a la carte, a seven course tasting menu and a grand tasting menu. I would have normally picked the grand tasting menu but I was attempting to eat less. The food was fabulous and on point. The chef's signature dish - the Uni creme brulee lived up to the mouth watering picture in the ad. The menu also had a great mushroom and truffle ravioli that was impressive. Apple cider carrot soda was an amazing non-alcoholic pairing for the evening. The plate size is on the small side but I was sufficiently full after the seven course menu. No need for that burger afterwards. This tasting menu is definitely competitive with the one Michelin star restaurants in the city. Service and pacing of the meal were good. I really liked that the chef was out and about mingling with his guests. It adds a nice and warm feeling to the experience. Extra points for playing 80s music. With tax and tip, this was about $150 - the same as what you'd pay at a one Michelin star restaurant in SF. Highly recommended!!! read more
1 year ago
7 years ago
Finally got around to paying 3rd Cousin a visit. Remarkable experience. Extremely friendly and helpful staff. Contemporary decor and cozy atmosphere. Now the important stuff. Had the ravioli, duck confit, and multiple orders of the uni creme brulee. Don't judge me lol. The duck isn't your traditional duck confit so if that's what you're looking for you might be disappointed. However, I enjoyed their take on it. The ravioli was quite amazing and almost ordered more lol. But the star of the show was definitely the uni creme brulee. It was so good I had to have a couple orders plus extra crostini. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
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5 years ago
*** Review for SF Restaurant Week 17Apr21 *** Well, we were not successful to secure a reservation and saw they offered a four course prix fixe menu for $65 and allowed walk-ins. We called and called for 2 days with no answer. We showed up at 4:45pm on Sat the 17th with hopes to get a table outside when they opened. Sadly, no. It was explained to us that they had only 4 tables outside and were sold out inside. The host mentioned they had a 7pm spot at the counter, which is inside, and we are not ready to sit inside yet. Politely, we declined. I used to work a busy hostess stand in a busy popular restaurant in Houston and know how to turn tables. I was really hoping that we could have sat at a table outside that was not booked at 5:00pm with a compromise to vacate it when the confirmed party showed up. There was no offer like this made to us, so who knows how long those tables sat empty. Oh, well, thank goodness, Cortland Ave is full of delicious restaurants and we got super lucky right down the street, in more ways than one! Weird turn of events to get a phone call from the host advising us they had a cancellation at 5pm inside. Well, by this time, we had already settled in at another restaurant offering their SF Restaurant Week menu and we were already over 3rd Cousin and totally happy at the other restaurant ;) read more
3 years ago
A bit rustic if you will and cozy, 3rd cousin is a warm neighborhood restaurant garnering attention for its unique and affordable menu. I really wish I came here hungrier as I wanted to try more things but unfortunately we ate a super late lunch :( We got the classic uni creme brulee, octopus, and 1/2 lobster risotto and 1/2 truffle ravioli. I felt as if each dish was pretty hit or miss but will leave that the highlights were the brulee and the ravioli. Risotto had a weird earthy plasticy after taste to it but lobster was well cooked. Octopus left to be desired, was confused by the pancake. Overall service was fine and attentive +10 points for free sparkling water!! read more
I called the restaurant and was able to score a seat on the same day. Upon arrival, I decided to try the Chef's Tasting menu and everything from the food to the service was amazing. After each plate, a new set of silverware would be replaced and my drinks were always refilled before it was empty. Chef Greg does an amazing job visiting each table as well and I had a great time learning about the idea behind some of the dishes. The menu provided a great variety of seafood and meat dishes, and I was honestly starting to feel full about half way through the course. I will definitely be back to try out their other seasonal dishes! Thanks Chef Lutes and team for provided great food, service, and ambiance! read more
2 years ago
One of my all time favorite restaurants that remains underrated and accessible to reservation bookings. The food here is creative and tasty, and the chefs put a lot of effort and thought into each plate. The garnish and visual presentation is consistently appealing. The interiors are rustic yet elegant, with lots of ambient lighting that makes for a great upscale restaurant. I have always ordered a la carte, and felt satisfied about the quality to price ratio. You can expect around $70-90 per person here if you have a hungry party, so I would consider the prix fixe. read more
4 years ago
I don't know where to start with this review. To highlight just the food would be a disservice to the environment that 3rd cousin and Chef/Owner Greg Lutes have cultivated. From the moment you step in the door, till the final dish is served, the staff makes you feel part of their family. The overwhelming hospitality and service that 3rd Cousin offers is unmatched anywhere else in The City. Will definitely be back soon to devour more of the meticulously designed plates they have to offer. read more
This place had a great ambiance and the food was so decadent! The presentation is super classy and fancy and each dish is a perfect combination of flavors. You can tell that the ingredients used are really fresh and top quality as well. It was a busy Saturday night but the service was a bit slow, it took a while for the server to come and take our orders. Also between each course it was a bit of a wait but might just be because each course was pretty small and I'm not a regular at fine dining. What I tried: 1st course - spaghetti squash & kale fritters - this was my favorite course I loved the fritters and they were cooked to perfection! 2nd course - a salad with burrata 3rd course - striped bass - this one wasn't anything too special in my opinion 4th course - pistachio cake - I really enjoyed this dessert (but also am biased because I love pistachios) Come Again? Maybe, I would have to consider the occasion and the price. If I'm willing to spend that much I'd probably want to try out another place for that price range. read more
Everyone comes for the famous UNI Creme Brulee, as did I. It did not disappoint. Smooth and buttery. Every dish was delicious. What stood out the most of the the dishes was the grilled octopus: peewee potatoes, fennel, romanesco, vadouvan garlic dip. Plated pretty too. Also I dined in during truffle season, add that to our steak, it was incredible. Service was friendly. Cute neighborhood gem. One of the best restaurant in Bernal Heights for sure. read more
3 years ago
Went as part of a large party and we had a prix fixe menu. Multiple small plate courses, each beautifully prepared with extremely fresh local ingredients. The flavors and textures were fantastic. Loved the white asparagus and potato and spring onions soup. River snake flat iron - had morel mushroom which are bomb!!! Sauce was bomb - celery purée was good. The Baja Sea bass - fish sauce vinaigrette yummm crispy goodness. We will def come again! read more
8 years ago
This neighborhood spot is known for their super photogenic uni crème brûlée. If you are a fan of uni, you have to try it! On my first visit, the crème brûlée was spot on - the creamy medium was a perfect compliment to the equally creamy uni. The roe trio added a nice salty pop. The second time I had this dish, it was overcooked and firm, but the flavor was still delicious. The highly seasonal menu varies, but the lobster ramen is a current mainstay I also enjoyed. Chef Glute's loose interpretation of ramen features lobster AND bacon. Can't go wrong there. Hamachi crudo was another highlight. The super buttery cuts were accented with umami from the smoked shoyu. During truffle season, the black truffle ravioli is good (and they have truffle supplements to add on if you are feeling extra!). Service was friendly and attentive. A solid spot for creative, California cuisine. read more
4 years ago
Small intimate restaurant with unexpectedly good menu and wine list. Small tapa type dishes that all were absolutely delicious. I will come again. read more
Recently came in the other night for dinner. Was greeted promptly by the host and they allowed us to switch from our allocated reserved table to another farther from the door (they leave it open for outdoor dining so it was pretty breezy) so that was nice. Server came by with water and drinks, she was pretty nice. 2 things I was a little disappointed about was that the sparkling water was poured into my still, probably wasn't intentional though so I didn't say anything. Another *small thing* I was a little disappointed by was one of the food runners just plopped the food off at our table. Sweet corn: this was alright, I didn't really read the description for what it was (I just love corn) so I was a little surprised they kind of came in looking like fried balls in a tomato sauce. I enjoyed this but nothing amazing and 3pcs for $14. 4/5 Brussel sprouts: this was pretty good, I really enjoyed the sauce it came in 5/5 Uni crème brûlée: loved the bread this came with, a decent size of reserve caviar for $27, but also was not that wow for me 4/5 Lobster risotto: not that great, few lumps of lobster and the risotto just didn't taste right 3/5 Snake wagyu: very basic, nothing special once again. Felt like I could make this at home, but I still liked it so 4/5 Pistachio cake: I personally don't like pistachio but my sister really enjoyed it 5/5 Chocolate soufflé: Bit too sweet for me but still liked it, can't really go wrong with this 5/5 read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
1 year ago
Came to 3rd cousin and found choice after choice to be phenomenal. The service was also very good, but the extra touches for my birthday were a really nice surprise. I thought the personal handwritten birthday card from the restaurant was truly unique. We began our meal with the Tartine bread and seasoned butter. If you haven't had the chance to taste Tartine bread, then you haven't truly broke one of the best breads in the pantheon of breads. You should obviously try Tartine bread at Tartine though, just saying....but this will work in a pinch. Next came the grilled octopus, hamachi crudo, and seared sonoma foie gras. Gosh, each was better than the last. Presentation was beautiful and the taste was exquisite. I particularly loved the floral undertones on the hamachi dish and the texture of the grilled octopus. Up next was the truly memorable uni creme brulee. The caviar, tobiko, and trout roe combined beautifully to provide a briny, yet buttery topping on crispy crostini. To say that this was a must order is an understatement! For shared entrees, we went with the maine lobster ramen, the pappardelle, and the grilled duck breast. My favorite was definitely the duck breast which was prepared perfectly. Our table was split on the grilled legumes, but I liked the combination of textures and colors. It was a delicious dish in my opinion. The pappardelle was good, but very rich. The lobster ramen was also good, but probably the least impressive dish of the night in my opinion. To round out the night, our table opted for the chocolate souffle tart and butterscotch pot de creme for dessert. Both were absolutely decadent, though I would have much preferred a straight souffle, just saying ;). All in all 3rd cousin is an amazing treat for your tastebuds. I will undoubtedly have happy dreams of this tonight! read more
5 years ago
Sometimes a restaurant has good food, doesn't take itself too seriously, a chef that also knows how to work a heat lamp...and it all makes sense. First time at 3rd cousin did not disappoint. The tasting menu was incredible, wine pairings were delicious and the parklet was very cozy. If i had any critique to give it would be that they gave us too much wine (if that's possible). Take you friends here, that special someone here, your mother would probably dig this place, or just go by yourself. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
I had come to 3rd Cousin years ago when Greg had first moved into the space up the block. I will say, it seems rare for an SF restaurant to get better over time but it feels like 3rd Cousin is doing it. I had a lovely experience again, not just with the food, but also due to exceptional service. Our server talked through the wine list with us in depth and was friendly and personable with a great sense of humor. My friend and I shared 4 or 5 appetizers and then a half serving of the lobster risotto. The risotto was so bright and delicious that we skipped dessert and ordered more risotto! The octopus with potato gnocchi was a close tie for favorite with the risotto. The crudo and little gem salad were also outstanding. The wine list has a wide variety of wines, including some natural wines. All the gluten free options are clearly marked (thank you!) which is always a plus. Not sure if we caught a low wind night, but we found the outdoor patio to be well heated and quite comfortable. I love a good neighborhood spot, and 3rd Cousin stands out not only as a neighborhood gem, but as a must try on the SF foodie scene. read more
4 years ago
We were so excited to try it for restaurant week and we were absolutely heartbroken when the whole experience fell short of what was expected. This is another michelin recommended restaurant and maybe I'm just not a michelin star kinda gal since all their restaurants tend to fall short. Lets start with the service. We came in early at 6.15 for a table booked for 6.30. They told us that the table is not ready so we waited. We were obviously starving so we checked again at 6.30 and the table was still not ready. It was probably be 5 to 10 minutes later when we got seated. Which is fine tbh. If we were on time it wouldnt have been a long wait but there were obviously other tables that was empty... i dont know why they didnt just seat us...the other thing I absolutely hated was we were there to celebrate a birthday and the service was soooooooooooooo slow. It was horribly slow. The meals came out on time but our waiter barely checked on us and took so long to grab both the check and our order. We got a vinegar based drink that didnt taste like anything for my boyfriends birthday. We didnt know what that was and didnt really enjoy it. Lastly, there was no cocktail menu. Only wine. And it was so expensive...1 glass of malbec was 30 dollars cos they added automatic 20% service and 6% sf staff mandate. Ridiculous. They did leave us a birthday note. So i guess overall service was 2/5. The food: Kabocha soup 2/5 Meh. It was good. But did not blow my mind. It was a creamy pumpkin soup with nothing in it, topped with truffle oil. Crudo of ahi and oyster 2.5/5 This was a better choice. Fresh tuna and oysters. Nice pairings with the pickled sumono and veggies. The only caveat its 2 slices of tuna sashimi and 2 pieces of oyster in a plate as small as a soy sauce plate... Sea bass 3/5 Perfectly cooked. Sea bass was not tough and still have some bounce and buttery texture. Exactly how this fish should be cooked. Not fishy at all which is perfect. Couscous was okay, good chunks of crab meat there which I enjoyed. Nice pairing with the veggies too. It was tom yum broth which was mostly sour which compliments the fish since it packs quite a punch of sourness. But to be honest it was a little bland for my asian palate. Good for an american probably. Its like a white person's version of deconstructed tom yum. Flat iron steak 2.5/5 The beef huge disappointment. I dont even know why they would grade this a wagyu it was chewy AF. It was perfectly pink and medium rare. Crispy on the edges but chewy in the middle. Looks like they cooked it right just didnt pick the right cut of beef maybe? The mashed potatoes and veggies that go with it was perfectly smooth and flavorful though. Really carried the dish. Banana foster cream dessert 4/5 Not an unfamiliar flavor, nothing you've never tasted before but very very well done. Not too sweet, but sweet enough to satisfy your sweet tooth after dinner. Perfectly smooth with a crunch of candied pecans. Balanced. Lemongrass pana cotta 5/5 Perfection. Granola crunch matched with the smooth lemongrass pana cotta, topped with sweet and sour berries. All the flavor worked so well together and the texture balance is played nicely. Honestly the only thing that made the whole experience tolerable. Overall the food was not bad but the portions was Super tiny. No one left full and im a 5'2, 120 lbs asian woman. The bill was 230 dollars for 2 person with 1 glass of wine. way overpriced. Not worth it in our opinion. read more
2 years ago
More info about 3rd Cousin
919 Cortland Ave
San Francisco, CA 94110
Bernal Heights
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(628) 466-0252
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http://www.3rdcousinsf.com/
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Ask the Community - 3rd Cousin
What is the corkage fee?
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…
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
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
30 reviews that are not currently recommended
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3rd Cousin - newamerican - Updated September 2026
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