Drinks great, really neat speakeasy vibe. Music is great. Would recommend a reservation though, especially if you don't want a standing table. read more

Bar Crenn - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Took a late reservation at 9pm and the experience was exactly what I wanted. Two spots are the bar with velvet, comfortable stools. Excellent staff and drink recommendations for both alcohol and NA. The sound bar drives the atmosphere and Bar Crenn's chef and food speaks for itself. Sexy spot for a late date night tucked into the marina. Bonus: the bathroom has the black toilet I've been looking for my own home. Great vibes overall. read more

Bar Crenn - Chef's surprise ala carte - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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When you have experienced AC and got so excited for Bar Crenn because one of my good friend took me for my belated birthday. Him and I left extremely disappointed. Just say, after the last course and they said it's time for dessert, I was thinking did they forgot my main course? The main course was two tiny pita bread with small amount of a fish spread. We were so hhungry that we order the supplement which was $50 dollars each, came with one peice of uni and tiny pita bread instead. I know it's label as snacks but the meal was $125 without tips and tax. Comes with 4 bite size amuse bouche like course lol and a dessert. I loved my AC experience, but how the heck did Bar Crenn get a Michelin Star??! I am not saying the food is bad but it wasn't great. Service was not perfect. Dropping silverware, explanations of the dishes was not clear (ask to repeat a few times), had to ask for water a few times as well, they didn't give my friend the chocolate he ordered for my birthday. Plus no acknowledgement of birthday at all. I would expect more from a Crenn restaurant as I did try all of her restaurants in SF. As for the ambiance, they remodeled the last time I was there. Very nice but that was about it. read more

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my bf and I came here for the UPSIDE experience. a friend from college recently promoted the UPSIDE chicken on their IG influencer account. I immediately emailed the bar to see how to make a res for it. I was told reservations are released at a certain time on a certain day of the month, and UPSIDE reservations are available only on the first saturday of the month. I'm so glad we were able to secure a res! first, the door to enter is confusing. use the horizontal (normal) handle under the big vertical decorative one lol. now you're in. it's dim, not dark. basically all staff is in suits and everyone looks hella chic, professional, and cool. it's a good noise level, leaning a little muted, thanks to the decor. seating arrangements look set up for intimate parties, but functionally some work better than others. service was fantastic. staff did a great job explaining things and offering suggestions. I don't like to drink alcohol bc I don't like the taste of it, and bar crenn has a great NA selection. I love that they give mocktails so much attention and intention. lets people still have the drinking experience without the alcohol. my bf and I actually liked my NA drink more than his cocktail. (marginally) since we reserved the UPSIDE experience, we were limited to ordering a la carte off the set menu. we ordered everything from the menu, except the caviar service. the UPSIDE chicken is wild. tastes and looks like chicken, texture is like chicken. skin was perfectly crispy and flavor was *there*. I'd eat UPSIDE chicken instead of an actual chicken any day. I wasn't able to tell the difference. I have no notes about anything else we ordered, just that I was amazed, astounded, and in awe. truly a great experience and I can't stop recommending bar crenn x UPSIDE to my friends. read more

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Incredible place with incredible drinks. Check-in can be hit or miss. If you get Oud to check you in, you're guaranteed a great experience -- welcoming, efficient, and genuinely kind. If you're checked in by the larger gentleman with earrings, unfortunately the experience is the complete opposite. He's consistently unwelcoming and makes you feel like you shouldn't come back. No wonder why they don't have 5/5 rating. Fantastic bar overall, but service really depends on who checks you in read more

I recently had the pleasure of checking out this spot, and it did not disappoint! The ambiance was cozy and had that effortlessly cool, NYC feel that made the space feel warm and inviting. Everything we ordered was absolutely amazing-- each dish had so much flavor and was beautifully presented. They have a really impressive, well-curated cocktail menu with great attention to detail-- definitely worth exploring. The espresso drink was my favorite which paired perfectly with the sweet treats we chose. Lastly, thank you to Xunel and Florian for the stellar service and making the experience more memorable! Both are very knowledgeable about the menu and gave us great recommendations. It was an enjoyable night out-- can't wait to come back! read more

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This casual (but very expensive) neighbor to Atelier Crenn shares a lot of the same staff, the same kitchen, and the same attention to detail, but at a (slightly) cheaper price point. The major differences between the two restaurants (I ate at the flagship pre-pandemic) is the number of courses - here it's eight spectacular pescatarian, dairy-free dishes - and the far-more-relaxed vibe. The chef is great, like the really fun ones at a good omakase spot, Localis in Sacramento, or Benihanas (but with actual good food). Service is so good you almost don't notice it's happening. And every dish is executed perfectly. This is not the kind of food you can make it hope, taking full advantage of that Michelin-star technique and equipment to elevate already-very-high-end ingredients. My favorites were caviar with beets (it pairs perfectly), a perfect crab, and, best of all, an abalone dish that is smoky, delicate, and not-at-all rubbery. I didn't really need the truffle supplement (I keep making this mistake at restaurants - I like truffles but they're not worth that much) , and the price really is quite high. I left full (bread service helped) but it's an indulgence. Worth it, but very pricy. If pushed, I'd recommend Atelier Crenn first. But if that's not an option, or the stuffiness terrifies you, this is a perfect introduction. read more

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Bar Crenn was everything I hoped it would be! Dominic Crenn has curated a space and cocktail menu inspired by San Francisco's rich history and her own culinary journey. The lounge can be found just next door to the famous Atelier Crenn. We found a spot at the bar and soaked in the vibes under dimly lit lights and ambient sounds of there vinyl collection. The space reminded me of cocktail bars in Tokyo or Kyoto. The service was unmatched. The drinks ranged between $17-$20 so I'd consider this a spot you'd go for a date night, special occasion, or if you're just tryna "treat yo self". I loved the experience and look forward to going back again soon. read more

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This place has a very cool vibe. The inside is dimly lit, decorated elegantly, and an impressive wall of vinyls. I have been spoiled in the past with live DJ's spinning vinyls, but this location uses a record player. The drinks were tasty and packed a punch. We only came here for cocktails, but felt very pressured by staff to order food. Upon inquiring about the food, we were told that the menu items could only feed one person. Staff kept coming back and asking us and almost giving us attitude. It felt very stuffy and snooty and as if we were being watched. read more

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GIFT CARD: PAID UNDER $15 FOR A $130 MEAL Around the Christmas before COVID my cousin gave me a gift card to eat at Bar Crenn, which at that time was a Michelin Star restaurant. I was thinking about using the gift card soon. Then COVID happened. For the next 3 1/2 years I wasn't able to use my gift card. I was worried that the gift card would expire. After all these years I was about to make a reservation at Bar Crenn. Things changed since I got the gift card. Bar Crenn was no longer a Michelin Star, but Le Comptoir at Bar Crenn is. To make a reservation at Le Comptoir you would have to pre-pay. Also even if I was about to use my gift card, which valued at $115, there would still be a significant balance remaining on the bill. After deliberating I decided to make a reservation at Bar Crenn. I came here on two Wednesday nights ago. When I sat at the bar I showed the bartender if my gift card still applies. He said it does and confirmed that the gift card has no expiration date. With the gift card I was aggressive what I was going to order. For the cocktail I ordered Rose Three Ways. This cocktail was soothing palette throughout my dinner. The two items I ordered first were the white asparagus tart and scallop carpaccio. The tart had a savory texture while the scallop had a sweet texture. This was totally opposite than what I expected. I'm a sucker for bread when I saw the baguette served to another party at the bar I had to order the baguette. For the entree I went back and forth between the grilled mackerel or steam halibut. I asked one of the bartenders and he recommended the mackerel because of the sauce. I tend to like my fish meaty than flaky. The mackerel was flaky, but the sauce made this dish as there was an umami taste. I'm glad I listened to the bartender's recommendation of the halibut. I wanted to exhaust the value of the gift card even if it meant going slight above amount to pay the difference. When is the next time I will be able to use the gift card? The item that pushed the total bill above the gift card was the dessert coconut custard. From outset the outside looked too spicy. However when I took a bite of the cococut custard the crust had the texture of the Filipino dessert leche flan. This was a great way to end dinner. What's unique about the inside of Bar Crenn is the albums displayed on the shelves with a record player. The sounds of music from the albums soothe you while you dine. Everybody is relaxed with no tension regarding service. Having a combination of a lounge and bar setting eases the customer. I've never eating at a Dominque Crenn-owned eatery before. I am glad this is my first one. I do plan to come back here again. This time it would be the Le Comptoir at Bar Crenn. read more

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Bar Crenn has amazing atmosphere and vibes! Love the decor, all of the staff were very attentive and so kind! The food was excellent. I will say that the "Greatest hits" was such a good way to try out all of the popular dishes. The onion turnover and cauliflower tartlet were absolutely amazing. All of the drinks were super good as well! I enjoyed both but really liked the M.I.A. It was a take on a paper plane! I would love to come back here and plan to do so! read more

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Made a reservation here by mistake instead of their sister restaurant and what a happy accident it was! We were welcomed in immediately by the host and greeted with a moody, dim but warm ambiance. I sipped on a light and refreshing strawberry cocktail as the first dish arrived: the epi baguette! This came recommended as our server's favorite item so it was a must try for us and oh my goodness that anchovy spread was to die for! I don't even know what was in the crenn salad but I don't think I've ever loved a salad more than this one. A little bit bitter, sweet, and umami; you get all these yummy bites of garlic and wow, just chef's kiss! I would probably pass on the congee next time. It was good but not as spectacular as the rest and more on the too fishy side for me. The little piece of halibut though was worth every cent. It was incredibly soft, buttery, and the sauce they spooned over was the perfect amount of citrusy and savory. 10/10! read more

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Re: my partner's original review *somehow* no longer shows up I recently visited Bar Crenn and I hate to be that person, but unfortunately, my experience fell short of expectations due to poor handling of a seating situation, leaving me and my companion feeling undervalued as guests. When we arrived without a reservation, we were told we could order at a standing table, which we were completely fine with. A couple minutes later, the host informed us that a reservation hadn't shown up and kindly seated us at a table, which we very much appreciated, and thought was considerate of the host to offer. However, about 30 minutes later, as we were enjoying our drinks, the same host abruptly told us that a new reservation had arrived, and we needed to move back to the standing table immediately. While we just got the check and said we'd head out, at no point was it communicated that seating us at the table was contingent upon future reservations nor were we given a time limit for seating. We were abruptly asked to move without a warning, which felt disruptive and unprofessional--the host was quite literally reaching for our drinks as they were telling us this. A simple five-minute heads-up would have allowed us to finish our drinks rather than feeling hurried. I've never been sat at a place before then told I had to get up again after being seated. The host didn't apologize or explain the situation in a way that showed care or empathy. For a place of Bar Crenn's caliber, I hope for better hospitality and professionalism. That said, I want to commend our waiter, who was incredibly professional and provided excellent service throughout our visit. Their attentiveness and demeanor were one of the few highlights of the evening. Suggestions for Improvement: Clear Communication: If seating is contingent upon reservations, guests should be informed upfront to manage expectations. Courteous Handling: Rushing guests to move without warning or apology is disappointing for any establishment, let alone one with a reputation for excellence. While the drinks were great and the waiter's service was excellent, the lack of proper management soured our experience. At this price point and reputation level, Bar Crenn should focus on delivering a seamless and respectful guest experience. read more

Such a great experience! Bar Crenn feels like a speakeasy when you walk in - the decor, bar setup and retro record player make it seem like an oasis. Onto the food: my favorite dish was their Bafun Uni dish which is a congee topped with Hokkaido uni. It's not often that Uni is served on a hot dish and the blend of flavors/cuisines Chef Crenn executes in this dish are super intriguing. I also got their oysters served 3 ways and the XO Scallops. The staff here is excellent. Carlos and Chris were really welcoming. Chris even showed me around Atelier Crenn next door. I'll definitely have to come back for their tasting. Thank again! read more

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We stopped in midweek on the off chance we could be seated just for dessert. We were pleasantly surprised they had an open table and were treated to an amazing three course dessert selection. The wine was delicious as well. read more

Bar Crenn - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Quintessential SF bar for cocktails and bites. This is fine dining and fine sipping. Although being a bit unconventional, Bar Crenn totally deserves the Michelin star. The service is palace level. And overall good value for money. Just go. read more

This review is for the cocktails only. They were mediocre at best. We'll start there... the lemon gin drink was so syrupy and overly sweet it tasted like a basement umeshu that your cousin made in college. The Negroni was... fine. 26 dollars fine? No. The flavor was sub par (not in a positive golf way) and was poorly blended. I was expecting much better quality from the other reviews and photos but the flavor was lackluster with both drinks and a big disappointment. The decor was beautiful and well done (minus the bathroom... definitely needs a solid once over more than opening and closing) but the entire atmosphere overall was stuffy and boring. Great spot for an Instagram photo, not for a cocktail. read more

Bar Crenn - Mezcal Negroni and lemon gin drink - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I LOVE this place sooooo much. Definitely need to visit again soon. The food, service, and Ambiance are 10/10. It is a little bit on the pricey side but I think that's well deserved considering the experience you get. Apologies in advance for how often I am going to say the word "delicious." But OMG EVERYTHING WAS SO GOOD!!! We started with drinks and got the Japanese connection as well as the Mezcal Coffee Negroni. These drinks were delish! We then got the Miso Salad and the Bread with Anchovy Dip (I think it was anchovy). I don't even really eat fish but both of these were delicious!!!! The Miso Salad is TO DIE FOR. It's a must try for SURE. I need to figure out how to recreate that at home because I think I would eat it every day if I could. We ended with the passion fruit spritz which was SO Unexpectedly DELICIOUS. It's so tart and not too sweet which was perfect for us. Also - the passion fruit seeds were crunchy and would pop which was a wonderful experience. I highly recommend checking out this spot if you're in the Marina/Cow Hollow area. read more

Bar Crenn - The Japanese Connection & the Mezcal Coffee Negroni - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Vinyl lounges are the thing and this place makes you feel well taken cared of, even when you dont feel you deserve it. If you dont want to feel out of place, dress smart. Should you make it special destination, just a destination or skip? I'd make it a special destination. read more

Dominique Crenn is a goddess. Her unwavering attention to detail is an art in itself. Obviously, her food is mind blowing and every other review will focusThe 1920's French vibe with a touch of Shanghai influence sets the tone for a distinctively intimate culinary experience. The wine book opens to a floating framed image that extends the nostalgic interior theme and invites us into her world with an embedded photo from her childhood. The menu is printed on pearlized delicately die-cut cards reminiscent of a traditional invitation and pays homage to her respected peers as well as highlights her own creations. The hand selected glassware features highly skilled craftsmanship. (Visited in 2018). I just found this draft review, years after visiting. I can't believe I never posted it! I didn't even describe the food which was the best part!!! Even though my visit was years ago, I distinctly remember this wonderful experience and remember it fondly. read more

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Bar Crenn was an absolutely magical experience. Initially intended to visit before seeing Stevie Nicks at Chase Center. To start off the night, my boyfriend and I met Chef Crenn and soaked up the cozy interior. I had brought a bottle of La Grande Dame , I believe corkage is $90. Throughout our visit records were played and the general vibe was very refined and welcoming. At one point our waiter Gabriel (?) put on a Fleetwood Mac album which was so nice as the concert had actually been postponed. The Mise En Bouche Menu is truly a snack menu. We knew that we would not be leaving full. My favorite snack was the tart which surprised me as I don't usually enjoy parsnip. We also enjoyed a supplement of Uni. The snacks were all extremely unique, tasty, and were snacks that we couldn't relate to past dining experiences. The service was warm and engaging. We ended our experience by taking a tour of their three kitchens and taking a peek at the newly renovated Atelier Crenn. The price is steep and was not super clear from the reservation site or website. If I could mark half a point I would for lack of clarity around the price before arriving. Bar Crenn is absolutely food destination worth visiting and I hope to return soon for the full menu. read more

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Excellent bar service, creative/craft cocktails and unique and delicious bar bites -is how I would describe a typical experience at Bar Crenn! Had a fantastic time and you pay for quality. Check it out and be ready to have a fun time. A small place so reservation is a must. read more

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One of the best places to ever eat in the nation, love this amazing place with a great ambiance and the best servers and staff. Her place is immaculate is a dark but dimmed bar with so much energy and such a wonderful selection of food and music. Omakase style servings for only the best of the best- which is you - read more

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My first experience with Dominique Crenn's restaurants. The bar is set up to be a different experience from the main dining restaurant(which is impossible to get resy). You have a set menu and must also reserve a alcoholic or non alcoholic pairing. We went with the alcoholic but could've easily had the meal without any pairing. Each dish was intricately designed and made. Didn't get much of a French feel more of a Mexican and Asian influence. Didn't really see a theme or story going from dish to dish so the experience was a bit of a miss for me overall. The bar is also used in the main dining experience as well, that's why the time line of bar menu is strictly enforced. Would I try Crenn's main restaurant, yes I would give it a go. Would I come back to the Bar, likely no. Didn't really support the price tag in my experience. read more

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My recent experience at Bar Crenn was like being in a dream, and I'm still processing how lovely the entire evening went. I was able to reserve a place through my credit card company, who hosted a private event and did a buyout of both Bar Crenn and Atelier Crenn (which I'll review separately). This was a bit different, as we did not order food or drinks off the menu; instead, this was a pre-event time for canapés and champagne. The champagne was wonderful (both a white and rosé were offered) and glasses were constantly refilled by the amazingly attentive staff. Friendly staff also walked around with the three canapés: a pastry filled with crème frâiche and topped with a heaping amount of caviar; a puff pastry filled with a light cheese and topped with truffle shavings; and a seaweed cracked topped with (I believe) halibut. I can't pick just one as a favorite, as they were all delicious. What made the night truly special was getting to meet Chef Crenn herself. She mingled with guests and never made the conversation feel rushed. It was lovely to hear about her plans for her next restaurant and her hopes for the restaurant industry (and hospitality industry in general) to change to better care for its employees. read more

Bar Crenn - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I came here in January (to celebrate my birthday), but have found some extra time on my hands with SIP, so better late than never.... While the food may be better than mediocre (3.5 stars for just the food), why I provided a haircut for my overall review is due to one thing that stuck out like a sore thumb the whole time we were at the restaurant - abysmal service. I came to dinner with a mild headache, and as a result wasn't in the mood for any alcohol. Our waiter, on the other hand, was only too eager to get us to commit to a wine pairing with our meal and when I gently told him I wasn't interested he gave me this look of utter disapproval and bellowed "What? No alcohol?" Service only went downhill from there, as the waitstaff realized that our overall tab (and hence, their tip which is based off a % of the bill) wouldn't be inflated by the addition of their ridiculously marked up prices for wine. Just to think I wasted my last fine dining experience before SIP at this establishment still pisses me off today.... read more

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Food and wine pairing for my birthday! Amazing experience and food, friendly staff, will surely return. Loved the music too! read more

Bar Crenn - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Overall a much less than stellar experience. I'd visited Bar Crenn a couple of times several years ago and found it to be a stylish and memorable setting, reminiscent of a Parisian salon. On both occasions Chef Crenn herself stopped by, there were numerous interesting and stylish clientele occupying the bar seats, and the whole place was quite the vibe. Aware that the format, but hopefully not the atmosphere, had changed, I recently returned for a special occasion but unfortunately left disappointed. Despite laying down a credit card to reserve ahead of time and making a note that it was my partner's birthday, which received zero recognition, we were directed to seats immediately to the left of the entrance. This must surely be the worst table in the whole place - a low top with comfy chairs but one of the seats is directly under a lamp which, especially if you're of above average height, makes you feel like you're in one of those overhead hairdryers in an old school hair salon. Fortunately we were able to switch to a table with a chaise lounge right at the back, apparently Dominique's preferred table, a major improvement. We weren't the only guests to have problems with the original table - the people seated at it after we vacated were also desperate to switch and ended up taking seats at the bar. We'd already had a nice dinner elsewhere so this was mostly for a nightcap but we found the drinks selection lacking. For wines by the glass it was $25 for a basic crémant and $55 for a NV rosé champagne which I'd never heard of but, from a quick search, costs about the same amount as the retail price for a whole bottle. For context, a glass of Dom at the notedly fancy, and frankly more elegant, Holbrook House is $58. In the end, figuring the wine offering wasn't worth exploring, we went with cocktails. I ordered the gin-based Shiso Cool ($26) and my partner the Lillet Rosé/rose-infused tequila-based Rosé Three Ways ($25). Frankly, if we're talking getting creative with rose-based drinks then why not include an actual Rosolio?! Both cocktails were unremarkable. The Shiso Cool didn't really have any discernible shiso, in fact it tasted just like the Cucumber Gimlet you might get at Tunnel Top (a great bar incidentally, and honestly way more fun). Similarly, the Rosé Three Ways was going for subtle tequila flavors but just ended up tasting fairly insipid. Based on those we weren't excited to try anything else. In terms of atmosphere, despite its apparent transformation into a "Japanese-style listening bar" and, fair enough, an impressive vinyl collection gratifyingly featuring plenty of Bowie, the place now had zero vibe. The crowd was kind of disjointed and disappointingly casually attired. The people working there really had no spark. No sense of wanting to get to know guests or offer up anything interesting or stimulating, neither by way of conversation nor the libations themselves. Rather the servers mostly seemed to be looking for affirmation that we were wowed by our experience [we weren't]. Were this place not associated with, and situated adjacent to, Atelier Crenn, I can't imagine why anybody, other than out-of-towners, would bother to come here. It's not like we're lacking alternatives these days - there are now so many other nicely designed spaces and bars with far superior cocktail programs. Perhaps the apathy of both crew and clientele simply reflects the reality of San Francisco in 2024 but, as somewhere I'd have previously heartily recommended, I'm sad to say that Bar Crenn is now off the list. And seriously, get rid of that f**king lamp. read more

I recently visited Bar Crenn and I hate to be that person, but unfortunately, my experience fell short of expectations due to poor handling of a seating situation, leaving me and my companion feeling undervalued as guests. When we arrived without a reservation, we were told we could order at a standing table, which we were completely fine with. A couple minutes later, the host informed us that a reservation hadn't shown up and kindly seated us at a table, which we very much appreciated, and thought was considerate of the host to offer. However, about 30 minutes later, as we were enjoying our drinks, the same host abruptly told us that a new reservation had arrived, and we needed to move back to the standing table immediately. While we just got the check and said we'd head out, at no point was it communicated that seating us at the table was contingent upon future reservations nor were we given a time limit for seating. We were abruptly asked to move without a warning, which felt disruptive and unprofessional--the host was quite literally reaching for our drinks as they were telling us this. A simple five-minute heads-up would have allowed us to finish our drinks rather than feeling hurried. I've never been sat at a place before then told I had to get up again after being seated. The host didn't apologize or explain the situation in a way that showed care or empathy. For a place of Bar Crenn's caliber, I hope for better hospitality and professionalism. That said, I want to commend our waiter, who was incredibly professional and provided excellent service throughout our visit. Their attentiveness and demeanor were one of the few highlights of the evening. Suggestions for Improvement: Clear Communication: If seating is contingent upon reservations, guests should be informed upfront to manage expectations. Courteous Handling: Rushing guests to move without warning or apology is disappointing for any establishment, let alone one with a reputation for excellence. While the drinks were great and the waiter's service was excellent, the lack of proper management soured our experience. At this price point and reputation level, Bar Crenn should focus on delivering a seamless and respectful guest experience. read more

Ambiance was impeccable, staff was friendly and professional. I felt very well taken care of. The drinks were great, but probably just a touch below a True Laurel or Pacific Cocktail Haven. I felt they could have used some more variety and inventiveness -- they were mostly takes on classics. The Gospel was a standout, but most of the mezcal drinks tasted very similar to each other. If the cocktails were a bit less whelming than expected, the food was more. I had the Greatest Hits and the Scallop carpaccio, both of which were slam dunks! All in, I'm splitting hairs in my feedback though. If I'm comparing against the general bars/restaurants in SF this is a clear 5! read more

Beautiful spot in the marina. Reservations required which elevates the unruly and inability to enjoy all Crenn has provided! Delicious libations with attentive team! read more

2nd time here and both times service was less than subpar, especially the most recent time. Drinks and food is mediocre. Ambiance is nice but for being a high end spot, the service lacks. read more

Bar Crenn with small plaque at its entrance is the more visible sibling to next door Atelier Crenn which is like a mysterious, blank canvas. I had tried to reserve at Atelier 6 weeks before the selected date although 1st on the waiting list. On the appointed day I was told that it was full so got shifted to next door Bar Crenn instead. Just as well since Bar Crenn was having a one night special first of a series of Tour de France tasting events which featured the Champagne region. I got there a half an hour before opening so the kitchen & front staff were frolicking & modeling in front of and in the pink Laurent-Perrier Citroën roadster parked In front so the staff excitement was already high. The interior of Bar Crenn is not your typical restaurant. It's more of a chic salon w/ cushy sofas, wing chairs, divans, coffee tables, and a long bar. Great place to mingle w/ perfect strangers since the seating is so informal. Waiters come by w/ trays presenting foods in serial order. 1) Bone Marrow Custard topped w/ Siberian Ossetra Caviar, lemon zest, chive leaf. Creamy, bacony, fatty beefiness all inside a delicate egg shell. 2) Green Pea Emulsion, Crème Fraîche, White Sturgeon Caviar: Sweetness from the fresh pea purée, bit sour from the cultured cream, perhaps a hint of Vadouvan/French curry. 3) Hama Hama Oyster: Seared coatIng like Crème Brûlée tastIng buttery & creamy. Oyster has ocean minerality & bit of sea funkiness. 1-3a) Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut: Raspberry, strawberry fruitiness, acidic minerality, chalky, agrodolce, refreshing. 4) Brioche Biscuit w/ sweet Normandy butter: Plush, soft buttery, lightly yeasty, yolky bread. 5) Boudin Blanc: Buttery, egg yolk brushed Pâte Brisée pastry encased moist herbed, meaty chicken. 6) Croquette: Fried, fine bread crumbs surrounding bit of bacony liver, Australian black truffle, Chanterelle mushroom. Topped w/ a thickened agrodolce sauce & minty, licorice tarragon leaf. 4-6a) Laurent-Perrier Demi-Sec: Cakey, yeasty, citrus, woody scent. Chalky, dry, peppery, sense bubbles breaking on the tongue. Finish continues on w/ lemon zestiness. 7) Pâté de Foie: Jiggly, livery, dark mousse that has been Brûléed. Dressed w/ sour plum sauce. Sablé adds a touch of crunchy texture. 8) Sausage w/ a snap, mustard, Sauerkraut surrounded by an oval shaped roll. Kind of a pig in a blanket. 7-8a) Laurent-Perrier Grande Cuvée Grande Siècle: The ultimate, blending of the best years & then rested for 16 more years. Tête de Cuvée. Woody, chalky, caramelized, toasty almond, doughy, touch of citrus. There is a sense of dignified gravitas. Dessert: 9) Chocolate Truffle covered in bitter chocolate powder on a bed of chocolate nibs. 10) Biscuit Rose de Reims: Reims is the unofficial capital of Champagne since so many Champagne Houses are headquartered there. Airy, delicate, crispy, vanilla tinged, sprinkled w/ confectioner's powdered sugar. It reminds me of an ultra light version of Italian Savoiardi used to make Tiramisù. Can be dipped in Champagne. 9-10a) Espresso Doppio's bitter, rich, coffee paired well with the above desserts. Enthusiastic staff: The dark haired gentleman serving us the bone marrow custard & chocolate truffles in my posted photos was especially kind & helpful. Special thanks to Courtney, Beverage Director who realized this event and Lead Sommelier Paul for his informing us about the different styles of Laurent-Perrier Champagnes, and our having a short discusson of what would pair well w/ the Pink Champagne that we were drinking during cocktail hour. Unfortunately, Dominique Crenn was not able to attend. Truly a glorious time leisurely noshing on rare tidbits paired with exquisite Champagne. 5 Yelp star gala event in an une étoile Guide Michelin restaurant. read more

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We head to Bar Crenn for our first San Francisco meal. This is one of Chef Dominique Crenn's three restaurants. It's designed to reflect the elegance of a French winebar and received one Michelin Star. Her signature restaurant, Atelier Crenn, located next door, received three Michelin Stars. We start with Crème de Cassis and dry cider which are encased in white chocolate. Next we are served Oyster & Shallot and then Truffle Custard (which contains an amazing farm fresh egg yolk). We are offered a choice of Baguette and Sourdough. The butter has a subtle blue cheese taste. Abalone & Sauerkraut, Mushroom Ravioli and Broccoli & Onion finish the entrees. The menu focuses heavily on fish. For dessert, Quince (a fruit ice, palate cleanser), Apple (a crunchy shell filled with chopped apples and caramel) and Mignardises (a box of decadent chocolates). read more

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Loved this spot and would have rated it 5 stars, save a few small details because the balance of the cocktails, freshness of the food and flavors, moody sexy ambiance, and excellent (bonus: beautiful) French staff are magnifique. The cocktails were delicious and the food very fresh with stunning flavors. The snap of a nice yuzu, black garlic, and sesame sent me to pause and relish in the moment on two occasions. Truly well done on 4 out of 6 dishes, I would say. Lobster Bao and Tomato Tart were the only passes for me. The spontaneous bao cart was a thrill with dry ice theatrics. We loved it. The dish itself just needs a bit more lobster (as the bao is so steamed it's very soft and sticks in the roof of the mouth). A little tricky on a date night ;) I would also pass on the Tomato Tart as it's not made with a filo or flour crust, so it's thin and not very meaningful on the palate. I prefer a hothouse heirloom tomato and these are most like cherry tomatoes. The crust is a cracker texture with a layer of pesto, but the pesto needs to be slightly thicker with more nut and less oil. That said, the Scallop Carpaccio, Salad, and Nori bites were FANTASTIC flavors. The scallop had a punch of yuzu and black garlic (I believe) which made it taste unreal. I'd go back just for the scallop dish below and the French 75. Truly a piece of art as is their man of the house/bar manager/lead bartender, Florian, who wrote a book about cocktails and makes the best French 75 I've ever had in my life. I'm not joking. Between that and the scallop I was in heaven. There's *truly* greatness here. The only other helpful feedback to keep the sexy vibe and premium service: get new seating with a bit of a back for lounge seating by the bar. It's tough to sit after 30 mins and otherwise you have to lounge pretty far back to get back support which makes it hard to be intimate and hear your date. All this said, I will definitely come back for cocktails and a few dishes before dinner next time. We had Bar Crenn as a dinner and drinks plan, but I think you're better off doing this for pre-dinner drinks and nibbles spot or post dinner cocktail experience if you want to have a proper meal. read more

Bar Crenn - Nori (it's smaller than it looks here, but delicious flavor with peanut almost like pad Thai flavor) with the Tomato Tart in the background. - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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came here for a friend's birthday to try the snack menu and drinks and had a nice time, but was disappointed with the service. prior to coming in at our reserved time, we had some trouble with the hostess - it seems like because others canceled their reservations for that night, the bar staff wanted us to move ours as well but we were unable to. after some back and forth for two days, they honored our original reservation but it was unpleasant to see that making a reservation here may still mean they want you to come at a different time. we came in later in the evening on a wednesday and were the only ones there, but it was still such a lovely ambience and we had a good time together. i understand that you are paying for the quality of the ingredients, but i think the snack menu with drinks is not worth the cost - i would spend the extra $150 or so and just upgrade to le comptoir at bar crenn. you get 4 savory items and 1 sweet item. for the savory items, we got caviar and scallop paste on a crisp, a scallop with cream and tapioca pearls, a pea tart that was beautiful, and cilantro-filled flat breads with fish roe and uni. our sweet item was a chocolate waffle filled with hojicha cream. i would try everything except the flatbreads and the sweet item again. the cocktails were delicious but no different from something you'd get at a specialty cocktail bar elsewhere in sf - these were just twice the cost. we tried one with cucumber and one with coconut fat-washed rum and they were delicious, but can easily be replicated at a bar like true laurel for half the cost. we also had to specifically request a candle for my friend's birthday, which i was surprised about. i'd return to try the dinner menu, but don't think the snack menu itself is worth it unless you're on a budget and really hoping to try dominique crenn's menu! read more

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Let's see. 1. If you have no reservations they will 99% turn you away. 2. Most of the place is the bar seats, there are a few tables but the chairs are super low and make it uncomfortable to sit over time. I took one star off as my back was starting to hurt after an hour. 3. The space is small and our table was pretty close to the restroom which sucked. 4. Cocktails were very good, they were on the savory side, I had 8 and none were sweet, you can probably order a non-menu cocktail if you want those. 5. Food was meh, the portions were really small. The tomato tart was not very good. The crenn salad was two bites. The scallop was nice, but was one scallop. In short, I don't think the food was worth close to $20 per dish. 6. Staff were super nice and knowledgeable. They did like to throw around a lot of I worked in Paris. Great,,,, I worked in London, Gothenburg, Tel Aviv, New York City, etc. But I'll turn a blind eye. 7. The whole place is like a 1970s lounge with records, the waiters are decked up, but then they were allowing some clients in with flip flops, shorts and T-Shirts. Let's sum it up. If you are in the hood and want a cocktail or two before going elsewhere. I'd go as the cocktails are great. For anything else, I'd go elsewhere. read more

Was very excited to visit Bar Crenn for my birthday. Unfortunately I can only comment on the cocktails and service we received as we were basically denied food service. Cocktails (Timur, Venice) were good. The glassware was beautiful and the Venice was really flavorful. Quite pricey for "good" cocktails; there are better cocktail bars in SF in my opinion. Decor is a nice vibe, felt high quality without being stuffy and had great music playing. Service started great and ended poorly. We were greeted at the door and seated promptly. Our server was very polished and answered our questions about the menu, clarifying with the chef about ingredients. Server asked if my question about the inclusion of Nori in a dish was a "preference or allergy," this should have been a red flag I noticed. We ordered drinks and food and disclosed a peanut allergy (the allergy was also clearly listed on our Tock reservation that we'd made many weeks ago). We were asked about the severity of the allergy and we were honest--that it was severe but we had necessary medical supplies. Our server said okay and went to place our order. Our drinks come out ~10 mins later, our server informs us that the kitchen is uncomfortable serving us any food at all due to the allergy. We share that we regularly eat out at nice places like theirs and while yes, if we ate peanuts directly, we'd have a problem, anything in the air or that had touched a surface was fine and in line with the risk we were used to taking. The menu discloses other allergens and ours was no different than that. Server says he will "check with the chef," and disappears. Between this and when the GM finally comes to talk to us, our table mates receive and finish three complete courses and our server checks in to see if the "chef has come to talk to us yet." We probably waited ~30 mins for the GM to drop by to pressure us to leave, but not before saying "if we were absolutely sure we'd like to stay, I'm sure there is "something" we can prepare for you." This experience left us feeling upset and disappointed. By the time they got around to telling us they might be able to feed us something at all, it was almost 9 pm on a Saturday night and we'd been in the space for an hour. We decided to take our chances on finding a new reservation last minute because of how poorly they handled something as simple as an allergy we'd pre-disclosed. Especially when the menu called out other allergies--guess what! Any allergy can be severe, including tree nuts, which was cited in the menu that evening. Just say you can't handle any allergies upfront and save everyone the hassle. 2 stars for ambience and comping the 2 cocktails we received during our visit. Overall we will not be back for a number of reasons. Very surprising experience based on the supposed quality of the team and Crenn franchise. It's probably lovely if you don't have any dietary requirements. read more

Overpriced and overhyped! I've followed Dominique Crenn for years, but Atelier Crenn was out of my budget, so we decided to come to this Parisian wine bar instead. We made reservations online pretty easily about 2 weeks in advance. As soon as we walked into the restaurant, it was like we were whisked away to Paris. The ambiance was super nice, with the wall art, cutlery, music, and decor all very French. Our Asian waitress was great! Super nice and took the time to explain each dish. However, the food left much to be desired. Between the two of us, we got 2 Bone Marrow Custards ($24 x 2) - This was probably the most expensive 2 bites I've had, because it's literally a whipped bone marrow custard in an eggshell topped with caviar. It was absolutely delicious, but way too overpriced. Tarte Flambee ($15) - This was honestly a glorified bacon pizza. While the first couple of bites were good, this got to be way too heavy because the pizza was drenched in oil. Neither of us really wanted to finish the pizza because we just felt so sick from the oil. Worst dish of the night. Cabillaud Au Jambon ($25) - This was black cod served with butter beans but was wayyyy too salty. The red pepper jus did offset some of the flavors, but we were reaching for our water glasses repeatedly. Torchon De Foie Gras ($34) - We're both big fans of foie gras, and this foie gras + truffle was pretty good! It came with a small plate of bread, but the bread was way too hard and cut the roof of my mouth. I wish we could have had the option of getting the truffle add-on or not. I didn't feel like the truffle added anything to the dish, besides mark up the cost. At the end of our meal, they added a 20% service charge. We each got a glass of wine, and in the end, we both paid more than $110 for a pretty mediocre meal. Unfortunately, Bar Crenn didn't hit the mark for me at all. With high prices and oily/salty food, I won't be back....unless someone else is paying for me. read more

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This is one of those places that you do once or once in a while. It is very expensive for the amount of food you get. The food is delicious. Some of the best food I've ever had in my life. It's amazing to have as amazing dishes (I mean bites) and the chef doesn't use dairy or meat. We were given several small bites including an optional uni for flatbread. All of this was good, but we did have to go out to dinner after. It was nowhere near enough food. My wife paired her bites with wine and said each was better than the next. I don't drink, the nonalcoholic options are lacking and as expensive as those with alcohol. They have 2 mocktails and one spirit free wine. I tried the spirit free wine, which was made on Dominique Crenn's farm. It was $18 for a glass. I thought it tasted like Lemon Lime Gatorade, my wife thought it tasted like Kombucha. It wasn't that carbonated, but it was a little, so we met half way and agreed on Mountain Dew. I wouldn't recommend it due to the price and the fact that it taste like something you get from a gas station for $2.50. The overall ambiance is nice, with a lot of copper and hardwood. The bookcase is nice and the music is a nice touch. The soap in the bathroom Is is own unique scent. The service is exceptional. The server compared many of the meals and wine to his experiences growing up in Italy. It was nice to hear these stories. Also our waters were always refilled. I like this place, you will have some of the best food you will ever have. But expect to need to eat a meal and expect to pay a lot of money. read more