In all honesty, we walked into this restaurant braced for disappointment. Too many times we partook of a tasting menu only to realize midway that we got taken in by an Instagram reel and overpaid for basic ingredients plated in a flashy way. But - I am so happy to report that Birdsong exceeded all expectations and is so, so worth the price tag! I strongly urge everyone to come and see why they truly deserve their Michelin star (and why they should be given two more). From the moment we set foot onto the property, we were wowed. Every single thing you see was carefully curated. The cylindrical chopstick rests are used by the servers later on to indicate to each other which course a table has already been served. Every staff member's movement is purposeful and coordinated with almost military precision. How quickly you finish your water is discreetly monitored because once it is a third empty, someone is there with a pitcher to give you more. To say that the food was delicious is like saying traffic in Los Angeles on a Friday night is bad. So much nuance in how it is all cooked and presented. I don't know how they extracted the bone marrow from a tuna - and before I could even ask the question, they put an actual tuna spine on the table to demonstrate its origins, showing that they waste no part of the animal. The combination of the marrow with tiny seaweed vegetables was a stroke of brilliance. I loved how the salty, briny, slightly sour flavors melded on my tongue. The abalone dish was shocking. I expected it to be meh, but the liquid was both rich and refreshing - in equal parts and at the same time. How was that possible? Apparently they do something with pig liver and parts of a pig's face - so with each bite, we had something crunchy, chewy and soft. I didn't understand what I was eating but I didn't care - it was so delightfully strange. The sea urchin cream puff was also wonderfully disorienting. I was told to eat it in one bite - so it was slimy (in the best way), umami, crunchy and gooey all at once. How could butterscotch taste so good in a savory way? Birdsong challenges everything we know about food. But their menu also clearly demonstrates Birdsong's superior mastery and manipulation of the rules of food chemistry. The ice cream was such a whimsical touch that my husband loved. He normally hates having folks sing Happy Birthday to him but for this he made an exception. The idea of putting together his own dessert made him feel like a child again (because he was so depressed about being older than Baby Yoda). We ate slowly to prolong the awe. After plucking the olive oil jam popsicle from what seemed to be a eucalyptus plant, we just sat in respectful silence. We all fully understood that Chef Chris didn't just flex his culinary muscles. He gave us an immersive education on what could be done with food. He got us excited to experiment with ingredients in our own kitchen and drove home the point that no part of an animal or plant needs to go to waste. We took photos with the genius behind this restaurant and promised to book another visit with them soon. They apparently change their menu with the seasons. So grateful for this opportunity! And they gave us a keepsake before we left - a copy of the evening's menu to commemorate the occasion. Birdsong raised the bar for us . It's going to be hard for any other restaurant to top this experience. read more

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A cozy spot in an unassuming place. Thoughtful courses and memorable wine parings. Birdsong was a comfortable and casual yet upscale experience. I got the discovery menu with the reserve pairing. Also the caviar and cornbread. I was full and satisfied but not stuffed. Love the stone dinner wear. Personally a fan of the music that night, Alanis Morissette and Tracy Chapman kinda vibe. I enjoyed the attention to the different preparation of the same ingredients. Also the use of texture and visual aspects. Hidden crispness in velvety foams gave me the best kind of surprises. The quail plum quail and the california Cod with the bread were stand outs for me... Also the Sake. Mixed into the parings was a pleasant addition. The desert kinda fell flat for me. A kind of fruit mochi with foam ambrosia was a disappointing way to end a decent meal. Service was friendly but sort of stiff. Small mistake but got still water after asking for sparkling. read more

Birdsong - Quail - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Birdsong absolutely blew us away. My wife and I did the Journey tasting menu, and she opted for the wine pairing. Without exaggeration, this was one of, if not the best Michelin-star tasting menu experiences we've ever had. From the moment you walk in, it's clear that every detail has been thoughtfully considered. The restaurant itself is stunning. The colors and materials throughout the kitchen and dining room flow together perfectly, creating a space that feels warm, intentional, and incredibly inviting. One of my favorite touches was noticing radishes hanging from the ceiling as decor, only to later learn they were actually being dry-aged for service. That perfectly sums up Birdsong: everything has a story and a purpose. Even the plates are part of the experience. Every course is served on custom pieces, including beautiful boxes and stone-like vessels that open to reveal what's inside. We learned that a local pottery artist creates them specifically for Birdsong using foraged clay. The amount of care and craftsmanship put into every aspect of the meal is honestly remarkable. What really sets Birdsong apart, though, is the team. Many of the dishes were presented by the chefs who created them, and each person took the time to explain the inspiration behind the dish and how best to enjoy it. You could genuinely feel how passionate everyone was about both the food and the guest experience. Chef Chris also stopped by every table to check in, and it was obvious how much pride he takes in both his craft and his team. We left with huge smiles on our faces, and somehow the 3.5-hour experience absolutely flew by. As for the food, every single dish was exceptional. I loved how many courses included an element of surprise -- a box or stone opening to reveal a culinary masterpiece, or a dish that appeared simple at first glance but unfolded into layers of complex flavors and textures with each bite. The standout dish of the evening was the egg custard with corn and sweetbreads. We added the bone marrow and caviar, which elevated it to another level entirely. Rich, decadent, and completely unforgettable. I could eat that dish every day, although my diet probably wouldn't appreciate it. My wife's favorite was the cherry dessert with buttermilk and sorrel, served with fresh blackberries and an incredible vanilla cream. Pro tip: make sure to get a little vanilla cream on every bite. They generously provide plenty, and it makes an already amazing dessert even better. Other highlights included the abalone, black cod, and surprisingly, the dry-aged radishes with smoked trout roe, which delivered some of the most memorable flavors and textures of the night. One final bonus: parking was incredibly easy. There's a secure garage just a block away for around $20, which made the entire evening completely stress-free -- a rarity in San Francisco. Birdsong isn't just dinner; it's an experience. We can't wait to return. read more

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Went here for my bf's birthday and overall, was pretty good. We had been big fans of their COVID project (Bird Box) so decided to try their flagship out. We sat at the chefs counter which was a great experience, loved seeing how they were smoking the meats and a bonus was being in front of the fire which kept us toasty. I believe the menu is seasonal/changes monthly or quarterly, but the abalone they served was one of my favorite dishes - super fresh and the broth was so so creamy, it was divine! The quail was super juicy with crispy skin - smoked to perfection. I've discovered that perhaps I'm not a huge fan of the smokey wood flavors but i can appreciate the technique. I also loved all of their desserts (including their take on a deconstructed birthday cake which i thought was super cute and fun) Ton of food, left absolutely STUFFED. read more

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Birdsong delivers a dining experience very similar to Saison with its open-fire style of cooking--to the point where you could almost think they're sister restaurants if you didn't know otherwise. I really enjoyed the bold, assertive flavors, which align perfectly with my taste and are clearly a strong point of the kitchen. That said, the service felt a bit inconsistent. While our main waiter was excellent, some of the other staff seemed unsure when explaining dishes, almost as if they weren't fully trained or confident. It created moments that felt a little awkward and less polished than expected at this level. The pacing between courses was also uneven, with some dishes arriving too quickly and others taking longer than expected. Unfortunately, dessert missed the mark--the tapioca balls were undercooked and stuck together, which was disappointing given how strong the earlier courses were. Overall, the food shows a lot of potential, and if the service becomes more refined and consistent, Birdsong could easily rank among the top two-star restaurants in the Bay Area. read more

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Went to Birdsong for a special occasion and honestly the room itself does a lot of the work; dark, moody, kind of theatrical, and you can tell they thought about every detail. Really beautiful space. The service matched it too. Our server was attentive without hovering, knew the menu cold, and made the whole night feel taken care of. The food is where I landed somewhere in the middle. Every plate that came out looked incredible; genuinely some of the most creative, beautiful presentations I've seen. But once you actually start eating, a lot of it fell kind of flat for me. For the price you're paying, I also expected more courses than we got. I've had meals at places in the same range that just delivered more, both in flavor and in value. read more

Amazing new American restaurant in SF! Service was super warm. My favorite courses were the Santa Barbara Uni on a butterscotch cream puff, Montego Bay Abalone and the Black Cod. They mix acidity, textures and fattiness seamlessly. Lots of Asian influences, fermentation techniques and open fire concepts. Huge thanks to the team Anna, Tanjee, Marcus, Noe, Misaki and Cherkab. A must stop for fine dining in SF. read more

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Birdsong is known for their live wood fire cooking and the food definitely lives up to the hype. It's in the middle of the Tenderloin so not the best area, but inside it's bright and nicely done with dried flowers hanging throughout. The food was amazing. Everything leans bold, rich, and pretty heavy, which I personally love. The red abalone was a standout, super creamy and honestly tasted like nothing I've had before. They also do a lot with different flavored butters that they add to dishes which makes everything even more indulgent. The quail and antelope were cooked perfectly, and the BBQ carrot was another highlight. I didn't even know carrots could taste like that, it was almost meaty. Desserts perfectly balanced out all the heavy flavors from the night and were refreshing, yet light. Service is where things fell off a bit for me. Everyone was nice, but it was hard to understand a lot of the dish explanations. They kept switching servers and some were really quiet or seemed nervous, which made it confusing. At one point a course was brought out one dish at a time instead of all together, so we didn't really know how to approach it or what went with what. You can kind of tell the kitchen is very intense, but credit where it's due because the food coming out is seriously good. I'd love to come back for their food, but the service is not up to Michelin quality. read more

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We've eaten at Michelin star restaurants across the world, and this is a top 5 meal for us. Diners are invited to watch the kitchen at work, with seats at the chef's counter. They work with incredible quiet precision. The wood fire burns in the back of the kitchen, warming the room and filling it with the smell of wood smoke. Dishes and wine pairings are served at the perfect interval. The wines/sakes matched perfectly with the dishes served. I won't go through the whole menu (see photos), but standout dishes were the uni served over choux pastry filled with butterscotch cream (literally brought a tear to my eye), and the grilled abalone served over abalone liver sauce. It's pricey - maybe the first or second most expensive meal we've ever done. But...such an incredible meal. I can't recommend it enough. read more

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Absolutely phenominal, every aspect of the dinner was meticulously prepared, presented, and tasted amazing! We went to celebrate my wife getting her citizenship after 10 years and the staff made it such a special night for us. We really love the menu as a special touch and keep it on our fridge. The overall ambiance if the place is really interesting as they hand some of the fruit and vegetable to dry over a period of time. We cant wait to come back and experience it again for the next special occasion read more

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Everything was genuinely great the food quality creativity and execution were impressive. The only part I didn't enjoy much was the service style. It felt a little too formal and stiff almost like being in court sometimes instead of relaxing and enjoying dinner. I know it's common at this level of dining but this was the strongest formal fine dining vibe I've felt in a while. That's honestly why places like Lazy Bear feel more enjoyable to me service wise still high end but much warmer and more natural. read more

Birdsong is an incredible experience, carefully crafted with locally sourced ingredients and filled with amazing dishes. We opted to sit at the chefs table which gave us premiere seating to take in the aesthetics of the dining area and kitchen, where we watched eat dish carefully prepared and executed. Chef Chris took us on a journey of well thought out dishes that left us in awe. The entire menu did not miss a beat, every dish that hit our table, we were mind blown with different flavors he curated and all presented professionally and with details on each preparation and background. There are items on the menu I'd never tried before and still truly blown away with each preparation. The entire dining experience takes approximately 3+ hours but with so many different courses and a front seat of the kitchen it flies by. read more

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Birdsong was so good. The flavors here were on the richer side for me, but that's not a complaint. We went on new years eve to celebrate new years there and had a great time. Surprisingly my favorite dish of the night was this little semi sweet pastry thing with caviar on top. I won't write a whole essay on it, but 5/5. Service was good, ambiance was superb. read more

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11.27.24 I took my boyfriend here for his birthday, as this restaurant has been high on his list of places to try for some time now. SERVICE: We made reservations for 7:30pm and were not seated until 8:12pm. We were offered champagne for the wait, but we did not think it was worth the time we waited. They told us our seating was delayed due to the tardiness of the earlier parties, but a 40min delay is not acceptable, especially for a 2 Michelin-starred restaurant. After being seated, the stated 2 hour experience for the Discovery Menu turned into a 3-hour experience. The wait between each dish was noticeably delayed. FOOD: There were a few standout dishes: - abalone, roasted over fire - black cod seared over embers - squab pithivier - aged elk, cooked on the bone However, because the squab dish contained nuts, my boyfriend's dish was substituted with hen of mushrooms which was good, but not an equal substitution. We were not a fan of the stew of rice & pine. It was overall too earthy and had too much of a pine-dominant flavor and mushy texture. AMBIANCE: Loved the whole vibe of the place. Loved the open kitchen aspect and the mix of modern and earthy environment. OVERALL: Perhaps, this was an off night as it was the night before Thanksgiving, but for such a highly anticipated dinner, we were let down by the wait. It was our first time experiencing a significant delay at a fine dining institution. read more

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Best Experience in dining i've had in SF ever!! "The Journey", for $375/person delivered!! The Tuna Marrow, was a good light first course. Throughout the night, every course is a flavor bomb!! The Radish was so complex in its preparation as a gel, a crunch and a smooth! The abalone was so smooth, tender without any gaminess! The "fish glitter" bread was so rich! yet not overpowering.. The perfect transition into the main courses! The squab had a "propane"-esque after-taste, but still prepared amazingly!! I still can't get over the Custard Flavor Bomb... The hospitality from the service staff is top notch! Definitely a $600 experience, for half the cost! Thank you for making my Engagement, a memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience! read more

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This is the restaurant that truly opened our eyes to GREAT food. We had the BBQ carrot years ago (pre-COVID) and the intensity of flavor from such a simple preparation (albeit long dehydration time) was just kind-blowing. And we've been coming back every year since! Chef Chris is a genius. There really are not adequate words to describe the flavor of the dishes that are derived from the techniques of prepping it from the time the ingredient arrives at the restaurant to when it finally reaches your plate (which can be months). It's familiar flavors that just exploded in intensity, always with the perfect layers of complementary flavors and textures. It really is just something your mouth will have to experience for itself (my mouth is watering typing this). The service is impeccable. Their director Zoee is such a sweetheart and always greets us with a genuinely welcoming presence. Their entire team is always friendly and smiles, it's easy and a pleasure to converse with anyone and everyone that works there. Just be prepared for a long meal (3-4 hours). Everything is cooked to order and they are very meticulous, so it does take time but the immaculate presentation and "perfect" bite is worth the wait. The area can be a bit rough and parking is not easy, so the recommendation is to take a car so you're dropped off right at the entrance. Otherwise we haven't had issues getting there. In short, if you love to see how food can be transformed to new heights, this is your restaurant. read more

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I had a delightful experience at Birdsong! Even before entering the restaurant, we were greeted by a gentleman (one of the hosts) in front of the sign, who offered to take our photo. We arrived a bit earlier than our reservation time and they had a waiting area for us to sit until our table was ready. The ambience was lively, modern yet cozy. I appreciate the many bird-related decorations and the choice of utensils and cutlery were a great addition to the dining experience. One very nice staff member, Zoee, pointed out that one of the nicer, wooden plate was carefully crafted using bits and wood from their very own hearth. The multi course menu was creative and served at a perfect pace. - The quail course was enjoyable and the meat was cooked nicely. I really liked that the chef chose to use every part of the bird, utilizing the ingredients to derive creativity! I liked being able to enjoy the grilled quail with my hands and lick it clean. (The soup that came after was slightly salty and didn't add to this course.) - The lamb was also cooked well and served two ways but unfortunately the salty accompaniments overpowered the main course. - The Crab dish was extremely tasty and served with an incredible smoked yam! - My favorite dish would be the red abalone! The red abalone was tender and sauce was umami along with some crunchy bits and the cooked vegetables. This course was memorable and I'd visit again just for this! - The dessert courses were good; the cold treats added a nice final touch to meal. As I was here on a birthday occasion, the chef included a birthday sundae with many toppings for each guest. I haven't had sprinkles in so long and the in-house sprinkles just gave me the warmest nostalgic feelings. Birdsong is clearly a culmination of a person's (perhaps more) life work and passion. The attention to detail at every turn is quite impressive. From using the heat in the kitchen to dry age hanging radishes to fully utilizing ingredients to make delicious representations and to the many kind faces who seem passionate about the wine they're offering or food they're describing, it was my pleasure to see Birdsong thrive. I will be visiting Birdsong again and I look forward to trying the new seasonal menu along with seeing the lovely and attentive staff! Oh, there is this weird feeling you might notice as Birdsong is a whole different world than the reality that waits outside. read more

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Birdsong is definitely a great place to celebrate a special day. Their service is outstanding--on par with the best I've only experienced in Japan. The open kitchen and locally sourced ingredients are a highlight. The dishes aren't heavy on spices, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine. Because of that, don't expect bold flavors, but it's still very tasty and well executed. Presentation is elevated and thoughtful, though nothing truly exceeded my expectations for a Michelin-starred restaurant--until dessert, which surprised me, especially since I'm not even a dessert person. Overall, Birdsong is a solid choice for special occasions, particularly for someone who appreciates novelty and healthy, ingredient-driven dining. read more

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My return trip to Birdsong was even better than the first. Every dish was delicious, creative, and balanced. It's notable that my favorite bites were some of the more mundane ingredients that they elevated: the carrots, the bread, the daikon. Chef Chris and the rest of the team were top notch, and their dedication to making sure we had a memorable night is appreciated. I don't think a detailed dissection of the menu is necessary or even helpful, so I'll just leave it at this: this was easily our best meal of 2025. read more

Husband took me here for my birthday and we had an amazing experience. The moment we got inside we felt welcomed by the great staff. During the whole meal someone explained every dish and wine we had. And each dish was delicious and beautifully presented to us. It was great to see how the dishes were created since we sat at the chef's table. read more

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This place is very unique and the dining experience was incredible . I came in for an event and everything we got : the appetizers (incredible skewers and crab bites ), the meal itself (we had about 6 dishes which I don't exactly remember to describe but were each super unique not only in their flavors but also the way there were served . We also had wine pairing which was good (I have to say I expected better wines to be honest , except from the dessert wine which was amazing and aromatic ) The service was incredible . I suspect this is not a cheap meal , but the experience was one of a kind read more

Came here for a special celebration! Loved the open kitchen concept of seeing the chefs prepare the dishes and the head chef okay'ing each dish before it gets sent out. I think the seafood dishes in the first half were superior to the second-half meat dishes (squab and lamb were okay but not standout) and desserts. The most standout dish was absolutely the broth in the cod dish which was fantastic! Raw halibut with seaweed was also a strong opener. Wine pairing was overall enjoyable. Neighorhood is a bit sketchy but we had no issues parking at the Civic Center and walking to and from the restaurant. read more

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Went here for my special bday dinner, a set menu that was one of the most unique dining experiences we've had! The vibes honestly kinda reminded me of the film "the menu" but like in a brighter, not scary way. Honestly the first 5 courses were all my fave; they were insane. But then I started getting full after course 7 and still had 2 meats and 3 desserts to go. Everything was amazing!! but this was the first set menu I've done that I physically couldn't finish, so if I went again I'd do the smaller set menu option! Overall I still think about this meal a year later and definitely recommend for a special occasion! read more

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Ngl the price was a bit much and the drinks pairing IMO wasn't worth it TO ME, but the dishes were really creative and fresh and presented in a great way. Overall, the food was good and the flavors were unique. I also really wanted their chicken sandwich but they didn't serve it anymore so I doordashed one from The Bird and stored it for me which was nice. read more

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Had a nice meal at birdsong recently - overall a good experience, it's a nice but laidback atmosphere, with tables and seats around the focal point kitchen. Opted for the shorter discovery menu (still took 2.5-3 hours, 9 courses total), there were a few highlights while others missed the mark for me. Highlights were the uni bite, the abalone with liver custard, the pithivier, and quail lettuce wraps, as well as dessert. Others weren't as memorable, and my dining companion's subsitutions as a pescatarian seemed like an afterthought (zucchini wraps vs quail, asparagus shaved on asparagus vs. ham, omitting sweetbreads from the custard vs. replacing, etc.) - the one area where the pescatarian menu excelled was the bbq carrots which were phenomenal. and maybe it was the shorter menu format, but no amuse courses and only one small dessert for a 2 star michelin was a bit surprising Service overall was good, the somm was great, most courses were served by the kitchen team with a couple by FOH. read more

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Took my girlfriend here for her birthday, we were promptly seated in a corner booth with a great view of the kitchen (honestly they're all great views of the kitchen). Vibes were immaculate, not overly pretentious, and serious where they needed to be. Music was great, inside temperature was perfect, and nothing was too loud which allowed for conversation while still having the background hum of a busy team of talented chefs. Service was spaced out nicely, and each dish was presented with the appropriate background and information. The food itself was reflective of the fire/smoke infusion they were going for, and every dish felt very intentional in its execution. We were very pleased with the overall experience, we will likely go again when we can. Thank you! read more

The ambience was amazing! We sat at the chef's table right in front of the cooking fire pit. The food was delicious and I am still salivating over the sea urchin puff! Worth the money for a Michelin Star restaurant. If this is your first time to a Michelin Star restaurant, this is not a bad choice to begin your culinary tasting journey! read more

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Excellent service. Food was good but some bites weren't my favorite. Details below. The restaurant has a great ambience and vibe. Elegant but not over the top. It is located in a rough neighborhood and they made sure to tell you in advance about taking an Uber/Lyft. Most of the pescatarian bites were great. The spot prawn cream dish was the best of the night. The other quail/ squab dishes were not my favorite and it's 100% my personal taste. You might like it. I definitely preferred the grilled quail at Californios. The experience of cutting my own herb from the bouquet, making a wrap and finally was served with a broth reminded me of eating phở. The broth was flavorful, quail's skin was slowly fried, crispy yet the meat inside was moist. Desserts were fresh, decent but something was missing. read more

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Had a lovely experience at Birdsong on a Thursday evening. Quick disclaimer that I'd technically give 4.5 stars but don't want to mark them down for my review. I did the Discovery menu in February 2025. My coworkers had gotten me a gift card which paid for maybe 1/3 of the meal, but I'm grateful because I probably wouldn't have gone if not for their help. The customer service here is top notch. They offer to take your coat when you enter, I got shown to my seat a little bit early since I was early (5:15 vs 5:30), and the service is still great after you sit down. Since you have to prepay for the meal, the only thing you have to pay for on the night you go is any drinks you order, which is kind of nice because it feels like you're spending less money in the moment. Also, your water glass will never be empty. There were about 10 courses for the Discovery menu when I was there, which was just enough for me because the meat courses are a little bigger and more filling, and I got full by the quail course. However, my favorite dishes here were mostly the seafood ones. The radish one was tasty as well, but the quail and boar courses were probably the least stand-out to me. They still tasted good, and you can tell that a lot of prep went into the dishes, but I preferred the seafood courses. I sat at the counter facing the open kitchen which was a nice experience, especially with the head chef standing next to me calling out all of the dishes for the chefs in the kitchen to fire up! Just like in The Bear. ;) Each dish was explained to me by the person who served it really well, and that person rotated a lot so everyone is definitely trained well here to be knowledgeable about the processes they use to make each dish. You can tell a lot of thought and prep go into each dish. I love that the concept here is to use all parts of the animal (or vegetables) that they use here. It seems much more sustainable and less wasteful! The standout dishes for me were the red abalone (especially the sauce and stuff underneath the abalone). It was such a good mix of flavor although pretty salty, but I like that. The black cod was delicious, but the tasty broth underneath was almost better than the fish! They also give you a piece of a Parker house roll to absorb all of the broth after you finish eating the contents of the dish. But the winner of the night was the sea urchin (uni) cream puff. I saw this dish on Yelp, and I thought people were just hyping it up. But it was not just hype. It was the best example of a flavor explosion because they recommend you eat it in one bite. The creaminess of the uni, the salty/sweetness of the savory butterscotch sauce, and the pastry which I think is marinated or mixed with mushroom is just the most interesting combination of flavors. SO good. I could've eaten so many of those. It probably helps that I love uni. Everything else was tasty too, but those were my favorite bites. Because of the portion sizes for the Discovery menu and because not each bite was a flavor explosion, that's why I said I'd technically give this place 4.5 stars. It's a hefty price for what you get. That being said, there is SO much thought and prep that goes into each dish, so I can understand the reasoning behind the price of the menu. Plus, they have 2 Michelin stars! The decor here is very cute, very green, and feels very lively. They even had radishes hanging in the kitchen to dry age them. Also, they play bird songs in the bathroom. Super cute and nice touch. Parking is really limited in this area, so I just Ubered. It's also not in the nicest neighborhood, so just beware of your surroundings and wait inside for your Uber, where it's warm and cozy. I would recommend this place for a special occasion, but it's just a little too high a price tag for me to make it here on any sort of regular basis. Maybe one day... read more

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This is a bit of a late review but just wanted to highlight how exquisite the dishes at Birdsong were presented. Not only were the plating of each dish abstract and picturesque, the food was stupendous! This is on my top 5 favorite restaurants in California. Service was impeccable and it was pleasant to be able to see the cooking area open. Highlights Sea urchin cream puff- the brininess work surprisingly well with the butterscotch that it was enveloped in. Light, delicate, sweet and. Creamy. Heavenly. Cornbread with caviar- assembled and served table side! The cornbread was perfectly baked and did not crumble apart. What I'm assuming is crème fraiche was velvety and worked well with the caviar. Lamb loin- it was not gamey whatsoever and the meat was succulent and well seasoned. There wasn't a single bad dish during the whole meal and I was thoroughly fascinated! Dare I say this is better than some of the three Michelin starred restaurants I've been to. I can't wait to be back! read more

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My partner and I came for dinner to celebrate my birthday and it was definitely an experience to remember. The atmosphere was great and service was excellent! Delicious food is a given. All the dishes that we had were curated with great ingredients and were paired very nicely together. It was really neat to explore flavor combinations that I never would have thought of myself. I still think about their uni cream puff often. It was seriously the perfect bite. read more

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A memorable dinner for a special occasion! We had the journey menu at the chef's table overlooking the kitchen. The decor is elegant / modern rustic, and the service is perfect. Menu featured lots of variety in seafood including sashimi, kelp, Dungeness crab, black cod, abalone, uni, and caviar. Non-seafood mains consisted of quail, BBQ carrots, and wild boar. - Favorites were the abalone & pig's face (so creamy and a wonderful mix of land & sea) and the quail. I was surprised by the quail, which was perfect done, rich with a sweet glaze. True to the restaurant's name, it was the best bird I've had in recent memory - Love the concept of caviar & cornbread, but thought the flavor of the cornbread overpowered the caviar a bit - Enjoyed the interactive experience of cutting herbs for the quail soup & eating the quail leg with our hands - Dessert was the least memorable part Great two Michelin star experience, especially if you love seafood! read more

Birdsong - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I dined here on Saturday 2/24/24 and I think they were having an off night because dinner service was a bit chaotic. The food actually didn't speak to me unfortunately and I found everything to be a bit underwhelming for a 2 Michelin star restaurant. I didn't feel wowed or impressed by most of the dishes and left feeling a bit disappointed. Given this is just my experience of the dinner service and I'm sure it's a great restaurant but on the night I went, I was left feeling let down. I think there was a lot of new staff as the dinner service was chaotic and they seemed to struggle with communication, serving, and getting dishes out. My favorites of the evening were the sea urchin cream puff, bbq carrot, old beef, and the gooseberry dessert. My partner and I found the remaining dishes a bit lackluster in comparison to our other Michelin star dining experiences. Their proteins were all cooked well and the temp was great on them. Except my squab pithivier was a bit on the cold side. For a restaurant with an emphasis on dry aging and fermenting I expected more vibrant/exciting flavors but this was not the case in my experience. My actual favorite thing of the entire evening was the chanterelle mushroom accompaniment that came with the beef. It had a beautiful char and flavor to it. I typically love open kitchen concepts and jump at any and every opportunity to dine at the chefs table/counter because I love watching the meticulous work of the chefs creating intricate dishes. But the energy of the dinner service was very tense and it actually made my dining experience a little uncomfortable. I would rate my overall dinner experience a 2.5/5 stars, the little gift of their homemade lamb jerky to take home was delicious and which bumps it up to 3 stars. read more

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We selected the Discovery tasting menu since the timing was perfect for catching a Broadway show, and it was an excellent experience. The way the team orchestrated the and presented the meal felt so personalized, with each team member coming to introduce their dish along with recommendations on how to enjoy it best. It was fun watching everyone work in the kitchen with such attention to detail. The flavors were shockingly good. I mean I had high expectations, but still, each bite was thought provoking (for lack of a better description). The serving size, the presentation which includes the beautiful serving dishes and cutlery were perfect - although the glutton in me wanted more. The wine recommendations were also perfect, with much attention to ensure a match to our palette and meal. It was much appreciated. We will most definitely be back. So quick recap: awesome and skilled team, delicious and creative food, and oops, almost forgot to mention the decor, the place is beautifully designed. Hopefully see you soon. read more

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Absolutely incredible! The service, food, and ambiance at Birdsong were all equally impressive. The playlist was kind of funny and brought levity to the dinner. I went with a group of three and they were able to meet all of our differing dietary restrictions. read more

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Birdsong is amazing. This is currently my favorite 2-star restaurant in the bay area. I rarely have this urge, but I really really want to visit it again soon in a different season and taste what the chefs have to offer. Get the chef's counter if you can. You will be able to see all the action and the fire pit. The service was friendly and informal, which is nice, but it is probably the only major area of growth for them. The noise level was low even with an open kitchen. It is very easy to have a conversation. I think it is perfect for low-stress special dates and celebrations. Each dish has layers of flavors and texture contrasts. Birdsong masterfully incorporate "time" into the hyper seasonal menu. The meat are aged or cured in house, and so were the bones for the stock. There are vegetables hanging from the ceiling drying, and fermented vegetables are used throughout the meal. The burst of acidity and flavor are much appreciated whether to bring out the flavor of the main ingredients or provide balance. It brings me so much joy even as I am typing about it now. Something that surprised me in a wonderful way is how they use the traditional "luxury" or exotic ingredients. The sea urchin on the cream puff was not the center of the attention. It is there to provide temperature and texture contrast and a hint of bitterness as the counterpoint to the sweetness from the filling. It is a perfect entry point for someone to try sea urchin for the firs time, and it is also a pleasant surprise for experience eaters. The caviar and blue cornbread was another great example. The caviar was not the star, but the vehicle to provide briny flavor and popping texture to the expertly prepared, butter-soaked cornbread. The cream (if I remember correctly, it was made from kelp?) offered a cooling relief from the richness of the butter. It was a brilliant way to use the ingredients, and it was the best cornbread I've ever had. I can't say enough good things about Birdsong. Please go and experience it yourselves. Service Dine in Meal type Dinner Price per person $100+ read more

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How do you describe a Masterpiece? Birdsong is just that. From a detailed tasting menu customized to your dietary requirements that you can specify when booking. This place is hard to get into so pre planning is a must. When you arrive they review your tasting menu. The beverage selection was wide and they have zero proof options that match the mastery of the menu to come. I must mention the staff. As you are welcomed into the seating area you have full view of the kitchen. All staff and cooking areas are on view. They move in a smooth way as if a ballet scene is to unfold and it actually does in orchestrated synchronization for four people service you have a plethora of staff. If you ever wanted to know what elegant dining and interactions with staff are, this is the place. The staff are impeccable. The tasting menu was delightfully arranged to offer trios of tasting experiences to solo standouts. The cascade of the flavor and partnership of choices for each setting and the attention to detail is beyond anything I can ever imagine . With each setting you get place settings that fit the dish from chopsticks, dining ware , and many hand held food experiences. The food was never ending. I was dizzy with delight and hypnotized if the cascade of each selection until after 3 hours the final act was revealed and was so delightful it deserved a standing ovation. I had tow settings modified due to shell fish , so my menu was customized to me. I feel I went to another world I have never seen and I will always dream of going back to again. read more

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Came here for a birthday celebration and we had a wonderful time. The location was super shady though, right across the street was a homeless encampment, and we walked to the restaurant so felt a bit unsafe while walking there. We also arrived before the restaurant opened so we had to stand outside for a while before they opened their doors. We sat right by the kitchen, so we were able to watch the chefs prepare all the food! I won't go too into all the dishes, but I really enjoyed the experience overall. Lots of unique dishes and small bites. I think the dish that stood out to me the most was the bread with caviar on stop. It was super tasty. The presentation of everything was wonderful and unique. The whole experience was a journey through different flavors and types of meat, so really enjoyed our experience here! read more

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Absolutely incredible service which truly made the entire experience heightened and special. Have never felt so well taken care of by the staff. The experience is unparalleled. Loved the wine selection and had the most friendly and inviting experience with the somm. Overall felt the food was a little fussy which is probably just a preference given the presentation was incredible. Overall just wished it was a little more approachable. read more

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The four stars take into account the $400+ price tag after taxes, no drinks. Birdsong was a lovely experience, and unlike many tasting menus, does not shy away from giving you the stars of the show. Apart from one carrot dish and dessert, the meat or seafood was front and center, cooked perfectly and in enough amount to truly enjoy. The restaurant itself is beautiful and the service is impeccable without being overbearing. Food was maintained at an extremely high quality throughout and its easy to see why birdsong has two michelin stars. Some areas of improvement-- menu progression could have been better. There is a parade of extremely savoury courses in the middle that was a bit tiring. I think there could be more salt or spice especially in the sashimi course and the lamb course, both were slightly too bland. My favorite course was the abalone chawan mushi, which was soooo delicious and the one course that totally blew my mind. If you love meat and seafood, highly recommend checking this one out. read more

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