I finally was able to try this restaurant while celebrating a graduation and it did not disappoint! Every item on the tasting menu was delicious, and the wine bottle we were recommended based on our taste preferences was also some of the best I've ever had. The views of SF from inside the restaurant are beautiful, and the staff were very friendly and accommodating. I will definitely return for the next special event to celebrate! read more

See all

Officially a tourist trap. I'd been here twice before but in 2023 and the restaurant was amazing. It clearly at that time was operating at a loss providing excellent chef driven cuisine. Since the executive chef after not receiving perhaps a coveted Michelin star has moved on to a new project and is not present at empress. The staff is largely new, inexperienced. The food was like a fancified Panda Express but at about $150 a person for a weak tasting menu. A "spot prawn" is really just a previously frozen shrimp.... There are premium ingredients - keluga caviar, sea cucumber, jellyfish, morels - but they are presented in bland and uninspired dishes. I think at this point the restaurant is mainly trying to pull in tourists for the view and prior hype. read more

Empress by Boon - Cantonese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Last tuesday I treated my two besties to a Chinese New Year's Celebration dinner, all of us dining there for the first time. Ready to drop some coin. Have seen pics of the dining room, modern and beautiful, destination dining, my favorite. Been dying to come here. Familiar with Hakasan, (dined there dozens of times, so sad it's gone from SF), so it was a guarantee of quality right? Wrong. First off the bar was completely empty at 7:30pm. Dining room held all of two tables. Caucasian folks like us. Uh Oh. somethings wrong here. Yep. But.... delicious cocktails, the bartender was new (as was everyone else??) we talked baijiu but he was not too familiar. He dredged up three bottles. I inquired if one might be on offer for this gala new years dinner ($138 per person, $60 each supplemental beverages/wine plus $20% gratuity ++) and he didn't know, check with your server. Beautiful view from our table, SO QUIET in there, nice music but no buzz, no clatter of dishes, sounds of people, .... where is everybody no staff...... then we did get some staff after 15 minutes, clever lighthearted waiter, a somm? stopped by. We are in the biz so we ourselves selected the brut rose sparkling from Loire. Yummy. (super limited wine list, why??? ) The somm never returned to see how we liked it... At 8:45 our server came by to say the bar was closing and did we want any other drinks? Seriously. Our jaws dropped. we were half way through our meal.... I swear I am not making this up. Multicourse dinner, some nice offerings but the abalone was terrible. Awful flavor. Crab w/ caviar was mushed up with undercooked egg white mixed in? ok, maybe a familiar dish for chinese? But come on, were looking for tradition but also for things that actually taste good ! Mains were served family style, why? a prix fixe dinner served family style? Pork knuckles awesome. Waxed duck was actually fried rice, no bueno. (With bones in it? so weird) Desert was good but again family style. Three of us trying to split two plates of mini deserts....? just weird. "Don't take too big a bite" like we had to portion it out ourselves. $993.00 dollars later we graciously left and said to ourselves "disappointing" !! Next time we will return to our favorite HARBORVIEW RESTAURANT for their truly amazing cantonese dishes. read more

Empress by Boon - desert for 3 ?? - Cantonese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Entrance is very low-key, but once you step inside it feels like you've been taken up to a hidden Michelin-star-level restaurant. I parked at a nearby parking lot and it was only about a 5-minute walk, which was easy and convenient. The food is Cantonese style, beautifully prepared, and thoughtfully executed. Every dish tasted refined and well-balanced, not overly heavy, and clearly made with quality ingredients. Service was excellent--attentive, warm, and well-timed without being intrusive. This is a great spot if you want to enjoy a meal at a slow, relaxed pace, savoring each course rather than feeling rushed. Perfect for a quiet dinner, date night, or when you want something elevated but understated. read more

See all

Went for a work dinner and we did the prefix menu in a private room. I thought the food was phenomenal! Some dishes were served with a little presentation and it was definitely more than enough food for the size of the group we had. My only complaint was the drinks service was extremely slow. We didn't get our first drink until almost the third round of food and then they never went around to ask if anyone wanted a second drink. Overall would definitely go back, and would be interested to try the regular dinner menu! read more

Empress by Boon - Lobster - Cantonese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Tried to buzz in, no one answered. Called then had to try buzzing in again. We're seated immediately at a great spot with amazing views, but we were left there for a while before any water or menus being offered. Water came, and she only had ice water as an option? Ordered tea (~$20), and our server just left and never asked if we wanted anything else? Tea comes and she spills it while pouring for us. they were out of Riesling, got prosecco and she spilt that too. Food was all ok. The eggplant (the color was off, they overcooked it and it was gray) dish was cold, the wagyu seasoning was odd, our teapot was never refilled. The duck was an extra $50 for 8 or 10 thin slices, at least that was good. Dessert was not included. They did add a candle and small chocolate fixture saying happy birthday to my partner which was nice. The music genre was off and too loud. Overall, for a meal that was roughly $500, 20% service charge was included, it was just ok. read more

See all

This is a far fancier place than I'd ever expect in Chinatown -- definitely a gem that I wouldn't have expected! * Our server might've been new. They accidentally served the dishes in the wrong order, then had to take the dish back after serving. Then they got scolded in front of us, so it was a bit awkward. Unfortunately, this was probably the most lasting impression of that night. The senior staff didn't really come by to explain, and the intern just kinda disappeared after that. But even the senior staff seemed upset and wasn't very friendly. Everyone seemed stressed and unhappy. That alone wasn't a deal breaker but the public scolding kinda stuck with us. * The starting shrimp was very delicious and massive. The gua bao was honestly the best I've had in the US, definitely giving its cousins in Taiwan a run for their money. The lobster was surprisingly enjoyable, despite me not normally like lobster very much, and I love that there was a bun for the sauce. The dumplings were very goofy and I'm all for it; the koi were adorable. The final set of 3 dishes were interesting but not my favorites. They seemed more like typical Asian fare, a bit higher quality but kind of an anticlimactic way to end the meal. Overall, I'm super happy I came! I had really high expectations though, given it's an upscale version of one of my favorite cuisines, so I think just a one time experience is enough. Certain dishes stood out, but overall a negative experience and some lackluster dishes. I recommend trying at least once! read more

See all

Out and about at Empress By Boon Resturant Our bartender was Eddie, he was amazing and fun. Drink: Let it be Pacific house gin, suze, lemon, honey Snack: Dried scallop Turnip cake Chicken salad with green papaya and mango Beautiful design, so comfortable and relaxing. Great place after work to hangout. Cheers... read more

See all

Let me start off by saying that this place is gorgeous. We celebrated my friend's birthday here and were tended to promptly with great service. This was my first time and I had no expectations going in, I have to say I was a little underwhelmed. For larger parties you have to do a pre-fixed menu which is completely understandable. They are very accommodating to allergies/preferences and the server will ask you before serving the next course. For me it just did not meet my flavor profile expectations. I love Asian food, but for some odd reason many of the dishes lacked flavor or even texture. For the price point I didn't feel full after the 8 courses...which was a bit of a let down. I think I will definitely have to come back and NOT do a pre-fix menu to really see what empress by boon has to offer! Unfortunately I was not impressed :( read more

See all

Glad to have experienced Empress. Overall impressive interior / window view and service. The food is from a set menu that left me full. The food was good although seemed pretty similar to significantly cheaper restaurants around Chinatown, the appeal seemed to be more of the variety, ambiance, and great service. We added on the duck and deserts which were good. They also gave a little anniversary desert and wine which was nice. read more

Empress by Boon - Window view - Cantonese Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

This was an amazing experience! Went with my husband on a Thursday night at 8pm. The menu is prefixed and you have 5 singular dishes and then 3 family style dishes. Everything was super delicious. The only "complaint" I can do is that the service was maybe too fast than expected. Beyond that, I can't complain about any of the dish tried. The decor of the restaurant is also very beautiful. read more

See all

I really enjoyed my meal here Friday night, it was solid! Some good flavors, a hearty amount of food and amazing service. What I really liked is they actually feed you, unlike some other tasting menus where you're still hungry after I left pretty full. However, I think if we ate meat this would have been better but we are pescatarian so some dishes were modified. The place was huge and half empty on a Friday night which is usually not a good sign. Food was a 4/5 ...some of the dishes not pictured. Most dishes were good but lacking some depth. Desert fell hard and was a 2.5/5 but everything else was good. Presentation was beautiful and elegant. Service was 5/5 amazing fine dining service forsure and ambience was just wonderful for me 5/5! I love a dark moody atmosphere! It was romantic, elevated, modern, and tastefully done. The views were just as amazing and I loved the layout of the seating. Overall worth the visit, if the food could match the setting a bit better I think they would get 5/5! Yes if some dishes were refined it could be a slam dunk! Anyway I still wholeheartedly recommend! read more

See all

This is a beautiful bar and restaurant located right in the middle of Chinatown. Modern, dark and moody, perfect for a date. We ordered drinks and some small bites here.. and my cocktail was delicious. But it kinda just stops there. Turnip cake was still cold when we got it. Shrimp dumplings were hot but tasted pretty basic. It was cute though how they made it into little gold fish. Uni/sea urchin fried rice was the most disappointing dish ever. Zero flavor. I believe the uni was mixed in with egg and also had a mild flavor. I understand most strong flavors would overpower the uni, but if you can't make it taste good, just skip it. Duck noodles was only Ok as there was very little duck but the flavor was there. The service here was fantastic. We enjoyed our time here and was very well taken care of. However I would only come back for drinks, service and the views. I would skip the food all together. read more

Empress by Boon - Turnip cake - Cantonese Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Absolutely amazing experience at The Empress by Boon. The service from all the staff was top tier and the food was delicious. The location is very beautiful and I don't believe there is one bad seat in the entire place. My wife and I had a window seat and there is plenty of amazing views to take in. Special shout out to our server, Gabbi, who was terrific throughout the whole evening. We even got to meet Chef Boon! High ratings overall and we can't wait to come back! read more

See all

Despite the mixed reviews, I wanted to give this place a chance and form my own opinion. Unfortunately, I think many other reviewers were right. Empress by Boon is overpriced for the level of quality food and dining experience you receive. We ate here for my partner's birthday dinner on a weeknight. Our reservation noted the special occasion and while we were greeted by the host downstairs, it was never acknowledged by our server. That was disappointing. The best part of the place was the view. We were seated by a window so we could see Coit Tower and Chinatown during sunset. For food, the dishes were mostly hit or miss. Our absolute favorite course was the miso cod (wish I could learn to remake this!) We also ordered the duck supplement, and that was also good. However, many of the other dishes tasted way too salty or boring. You could easily get better Chinese food at other locations for a fraction of the price. There are also plenty of other prix fixe menus at restaurants that give more bang for your buck. read more

See all

Empress by Boon is unreal. The food is so good, the view is insane, and the space? Probably the most beautiful restaurant in SF. Massive, moody, dramatic in the best way. It's in the old Empress of China space and they did a full glow-up. Total transformation. Chef Ho Chee Boon used to run Hakkasan and it shows. The menu changes monthly and everything feels super thoughtful and layered. Modern Cantonese that still feels like comfort food. Every dish we had was a hit. Service can be a little spotty depending on the night but I honestly don't care in this case. The vibe and the food make up for it. Def worth the trip! read more

See all

I had a reservation at Empress by Boon on a Thursday at 6:30pm and had food off the Prix Fixe menu. There was the usual downtown traffic getting there and I ended up parking in the parking garage under the playground (the restaurant does not validate). From the street there is a small sign marking the location of the restaurant and once inside I was escorted to an elevator. Once off the elevator, I was immediately greeted by the hostess and seated. The dining area is large and spacious and surprisingly at this time the restaurant had more empty tables than occupied tables. Since the Prix Fixe menu was already chosen, that saved time ordering and I assume the food preparation started by the time the menu was provided. The chilled abalone was the first dish brought out and it was cool since it had cold steam aggressively coming out; although the abalone texture was nice and chewy as expected, it could've used a little more sauce or something to enhance the flavor. The scallop and keluga caviar roll, crispy lobster puff, and chilled fresh lily bulb were next. The plating of the dishes was nice and made the food itself look very good, but in reality these three items reminded me of prepackaged exquisite pastries I could've bought down the street. Next came the steamed shrimp and squid dumplings. The intricacies of the preparation of the shrimp and squid features were nice and it was funny how they were "swimming" in the small amount of sauce at the bottom of the dish, but again the taste was nothing exciting and they tasted like something available from the many dim sum shops in the area. This far along into the meal I was already very underwhelmed. Moving into the more savory entrees, the braised squab breast looked simple but prepared with care on top of a thin bed of tofu. This dish was okay, but since I kept seeing pigeons lingering around the outdoor seating area I immediately began to question where the squab was sourced from. Finally, the domestic Wagyu Mongolian beef, XO asparagus and chanterelle mushrooms, and Kai lan and cauliflower chicken rice were the final dishes to come from the Prix Fixe menu. The Wagyu Mongolian beef was okay with easy to chew pieces of meat in a nice sauce. The asparagus and mushrooms felt like a typical side dish that was nothing out of the ordinary. Lastly, the cauliflower chicken rice felt a bit too Americanized since the main ingredient was cauliflower rice. For dessert I had the passionfruit cheesecake and black sesame cremeaux. The cheesecake was nice since it was really three desserts in one: Brillat Savarin cheesecake, Sauterne citrus gelee, and vanilla ice cream. This was probably the highlight of my meal since each of the three was prepared nicely though the passionfruit was a bit too sweet for my liking and I know passionfruit can be really sweet. The black sesame included milk chocolate & black sesame cremeaux, salted dark chocolate ganache, sesame florentine, and yuzu & honey ice cream. This was prepared well also, though I think the yuzu did not go well with the rest of the dessert. Overall, Empress by Boon has a nice elegant ambiance which counters the action and craziness of the street down below. However, considering the quality and taste of the food relative to the pricing, I think I'd rather dine at another nearby restaurant where I can stuff myself and not worry about leaving hungry. read more

See all

Amazing service and delicious food, but like some other reviews, I felt like the food was a bit overpriced. They were very accommodating of a nut allergy we had in our party and adjusted one of their dishes with cashews accordingly. Went for my birthday back in March, so they had a Dungeness crab starter. I wasn't super blown away by the dim sum pieces because, growing up in SF, I've basically tried dim sum everywhere. The shared dishes like beef with vegetables and cashews and the lotus root were pretty traditional fare. My favorite was the roast duck that we added on. The skin was so perfectly crispy and the meat was tender and juicy. The ambiance with the mood lighting and large comfy booths to sit in with a view of the Coit Tower definitely helps make this a memorable experience. read more

See all

My friend's engagement party was here and it was the best time! The food was very good and what I expected from a high end Chinese restaurant like this one. From the menu, there was only one thing (a salad) that I didn't think fit the vibes or quality. I had no idea this restaurant existed even though I've walked past it many times before. Their service with all the hors d'oeuvres was very nice as they kept coming back with more! For a party of 20-30, the room felt like just the right size. read more

See all

Taking over the 6th floor space of Chinatown's legendary Empress of China is Empress by Boon, an elegant fine-dining restaurant with a prix fixe menu inspired by Cantonese cuisine. The array of six courses began with an appetizer of a spring roll filled with chopped jicama and nuts, along with a crispy tiger prawn in sesame vinegar sauce served over a slice of watermelon. Then came a steamed lotus leaf bun with a filling of Jasmine tea smoked short rib; and a playfully-plated course of a shrimp dumpling (shaped to look like a koi fish) and a squid dumpling (shaped to look like a squid) "swimming" in a broth of hot and sour soup! The next course was a plate of chopped quail stir-fried with jicama and peanuts, served with a steamer basket of two thin, chewy moo shu pancakes for making little wraps. But my favorite course was definitely the Live Boston Lobster, which came with a delicious lobster tail and crispy claw over a creamy lemongrass curry sauce, and served with a fried mantou on the side, perfect for wiping every bit of the delicious sauce. The final course was served family-style and came with three components: ginger scallion noodles, fatty braised pork belly with woodear mushrooms in a savory sauce, and stir-fried chunks of chicken with asparagus in hoisin sauce. All of the food here was tasty and nicely presented, and the service was on point too! At the end of the meal, I got to meet the chef Ho Chee Boon, capping off a memorable experience! read more

See all

Had dinner with friends at Empress by Boon. This restaurant is located on Grant Ave in San Francisco Chinatown. You can park at the Chinatown parking g garage. We had their set menu which is charge per person. Wine pairing and dessert are extra. The food tastes pretty good. It has taste of Asian cuisine with menu of western style restaurant. The duck dish tastes excellent. The service was good. Staff is friendly. The dessert tastes very good. The atmosphere was great. It was quiet on a weekday evening which is good, can have conversation with your company. It is located on the 6th floor so it has done good view, for example the COIT tower. Overall, if you want to try some fine dining in San Francisco Chinatown, this is a good place. read more

See all

Empress Delight Situated in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown, Empress by Boon opened during the peak of COVID in 2021 replacing the historic Empress of China restaurant famed for its traditional Cantonese cuisine and upscale dining The complete reimagining of the restaurant space capitalizes on the space's sky high ceilings and picturesque skyline views but features an entirely new prix fixe menu While Chef Ho Chee Boon has Cantonese cuisine training by way of Hakkasan, the dishes also reflect the influences of Malaysia, Bangkok, and more reflecting his experiences opening restaurants worldwide We loved the creativity and the flavors of many of the night's dishes but the highlight of our meal was definitely speaking to Chef Ho Chee Boon himself who often stops by table side when he's at his namesake restaurant We heard tales of the challenges of opening during a pandemic, his passion to bring high-end, Chinese cuisine to the forefront, and the diverse clientele who now occupy his restaurant as San Francisco finds its identity with remote workers and rising costs Favorites of our meal included the steamed dumplings, the phenomenal braised pork belly and, the add-on organically sourced and exclusive to Empress's Peking duck, easily one of the best renditions I've had anywhere Prix Fixe Menu $118 ~ Crispy Vegetarian Bean Roll, Pine Nuts, Tiger Prawns / Jasmine Tea Smoked Short Ribs Buns / Steamed Squid and Shrimp Dumplings / Gullian Stir Fried Quail / Live Boston Lobster / Noodles with Ginger Scallion / Wok Fried Asparagus with Chicken / Braised Pork Belly / Roast Peking Duck (supplemental add on) / Assorted desserts (add-on) Empress by Boon (San Francisco, CA) Reservations are recommend. Indoor dining only. All credit cards including AmEx are accepted. read more

See all

Honestly not sure if we went on an off night but for the price point, the food was just ok. Even for a cheaper price point it really wasn't doing anything for any of us. The ambiance is luxurious though. Don't think I will be back. read more

See all

We were at Empress by Boon last Thursday. It is one of those rare San Francisco dining experiences where the setting alone is worth the visit, and the food holds its own beautifully alongside it. Perched above Chinatown, the restaurant opens up to a sweeping, cinematic view of the city, with Coit Tower standing out like a postcard centerpiece. As the light shifts from late afternoon into evening, the skyline slowly comes alive--soft golden hues giving way to glittering city lights. The food is memorable, polished, thoughtful, and rooted in Cantonese tradition with a contemporary edge, especially the seafood and roasted dishes. It's a place where the view and the food make it a great choice for a special night out. read more

An unforgettable dining experience tonight. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere felt effortlessly elegant -- soft lighting, a beautifully designed bar, and a calm, intimate vibe that makes you want to slow down and truly enjoy the evening. Every dish was thoughtfully presented and full of flavor. The roasted duck was perfectly crisp and tender, the vegetables were fresh and balanced, and even the desserts felt like little works of art. The passion fruit dessert was especially memorable -- refreshing, delicate, and beautifully plated. What I appreciated most was the attention to detail: the plating, the ingredients, and the overall experience all felt carefully curated. A place where great food, beautiful ambiance, and a relaxed evening come together perfectly. I'll definitely be back. read more

See all

Delicious food, but incredibly SLOW service - well beyond what was reasonable. Decent wine list. Great views by the window. Not sure if I'll come back. Many other great options in the city. read more

Mother's Day 2026 set menu: Fabulous experience! Will return. Did not know. Ambience in day is fine, interesting views.

Came here for the pop up cocktail event with the world reknown mixologist, Simone Caporale. Bites were provided by Boone and I was pleasantly surprised by how many options there were! Everything tasted amazing but the duck bao and BBQ pork bun were standouts for me. The drinks were good and it was fun to try a variety. The place was definitely slammed and needs to work out some kinks but overall I had a great experience! I definitely want to come back and try their normal tasting menu! read more

See all

I'm so happy that empress restaurant in Chinatown is an active business now! I have so many memories coming here for Chinese wedding banquets as a kid! For ~$100, the experience was great but not something I would come to again. Perhaps I'm just not a fancy eater. read more

See all

My friends took me to Empress by Boon for my birthday. It's a beautiful set-up and has gorgeous views of the city. We ordered the tasting menu and it was ok. Our tasting menu consisted of the following: Braised dungeness crab with kaluga caviar Braised pork belly puff California sea prawns with seaweed and green wasabi mustard Steamed shrimp and squid dumplings stir fried quail with lemongrass served with pancakes Grilled Black code with soya honey and cloud ear Wok-fried celery, bell pepper with chicken and coriander Mongolian-style pan-friend wagyu beef with crispy taro Thick noodles with lobster It was a good experience but I doubt I will go back. The food was just OK. Service was nice but not outstanding. It's a nice place to check out at least once. read more

Ugh, never got to eat here because the chef has a crazy ego and insists on playing poor quality streaming music that destroys the atmosphere... try asking them to turn down or God forbid off the nasty music... funny I don't know a Michelin star restaurant focused on shit quality sound was a thing??? read more

I have been to Empress by Boon twice now. The first time was right after it first opened, and while everything was tasty, I wasn't blown away by anything. I also remember ordering a cocktail that was blue and not liking it at all. Anyways, 3 years later, we decided to try it again for my dad's birthday. I was able to easily secure a reservation for 3 a few weeks out, and even saw that tables were available a few days before. We got there right at opening and were the first party seated at a table with a great view. Over the course of the 2 hours that we were there, the restaurant got more crowded, but was never completely filled. Service was friendly and attentive, food was all tasty, and drinks were better but still with some mishaps. One of the drinks we ordered didn't taste like the description so we inquired with the server. He reassured it was the right drink, but after further investigation they realized they had used the wrong tincture. They were apologetic and made a new one right away. Overall, this experience was slightly more enjoyable than our first time due to the menu feeling a bit more innovative and exciting. However, there were some dishes that felt under seasoned and we were underwhelmed by the desserts. Highlights for us were the prawn wrapped in seaweed, the scallop/caviar roll, the homemade tofu with uni, and the peking duck off of the ala carte menu. I don't think I'll come again for the prefixe menu, but I would definitely come back to order ala carte from the bar and enjoy the beautiful restaurant interior and view. read more

See all

Amazing presentation, taste and views! Highly recommend for a special occasion! We celebrated my husbands birthday here read more

See all

The Peking duck, dumplings, vegetables, and shrimp with wasabi were absolutely outstanding.. each dish was beautifully executed and full of flavor. A special shout-out to Chef Ho, whose culinary expertise truly made the evening exceptional. The entire experience exceeded our expectations. The ambiance was refined and inviting, with sweeping views of Coit Tower and North Beach adding a scenic backdrop. The décor was tastefully curated, blending modern elegance with thoughtful nods to Chinese culture and architectural elements. The bar area was especially impressive. Drinks were on point - i enjoyed the Broken Promise mocktail and there was a nice selection of Japanese whiskies. Service throughout the night was attentive, efficient, and genuinely kind.. a seamless complement to the overall dining experience. read more

Empress by Boon - Cantonese Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Okay so I loved Empress by Boon, but there are a few caveats. The space is stunning and the ambiance alone is worth seeing at least once--especially with those sweeping views from the window tables. However, be aware: if you ask for a window table, they require you to order the full tasting menu, even if you let them know you're only staying for an hour. We made that clear ahead of time, but were still charged for the full dinner. It felt a bit rigid and transactional, which took away from the otherwise beautiful experience. Just something to keep in mind if you're hoping for a quick drink or a light visit with a view. read more

See all

WOW, i'd give this place 1000000 stars if i could. my boyfriend took us here for our 2 year anniversary and it was amazing! all the dishes were over the top, and mouth watering. Everything paired together so well. The staff were super friendly and were happy to answer any questions we had! read more

See all

Amazing dining experience! The food was absolutely delicious！You can really tell everything is freshly made. Love it! Highly recommend -- we will definitely be back! read more

See all

Disappointing Experience at Empress by Boon - Not Worth the Hype or the Price - Could not stomach any of the dishes. I had high hopes for Empress by Boon, but unfortunately, the $225 per person set menu left a lot to be desired--and then some. To start, the dishes were random, unpalatable and poorly executed. A fruit salad (of CANNED fruit!!) and scrambled eggs as part of a high-end tasting menu? Really? The dumplings, while shaped like little fish (a bizarre idea), were soggy, bland, and carried an unpleasant fishy aftertaste that lingered in all the wrong ways. One of our friends started gagging as soon as they took a bite. The biggest disappointment was their handling of vegetarian guests. I switched to the vegetarian menu halfway through since all the dishes tasted like rotten fish. Rather than crafting a thoughtful substitution, they were simply handed the side dish from the regular entrée, as if dietary preferences or needs were an afterthought. For a restaurant with this price point and reputation, that's both lazy and unacceptable. The service was fine, and the space is undeniably beautiful, but a stunning interior doesn't make up for uninspired food, lack of care in dietary accommodations, and a price tag that suggests a far more elevated experience than what's actually delivered. I really wish we went to chotto matte instead. It's pricey but food is amazing compared to this place. Save your money--and your taste buds--for somewhere that values both serving edible food and not trying to scam you with canned fruit salad on a high end tasting menu. *NOTE* 2 stars is ONLY because the interior is actually very beautiful - what a shame! read more

Empress by Boon - Scrambled egg appetizer - Cantonese Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

For our anniversary this year, we made a reservation for Empress by Boon. The menu is prix-fixe at $108 per person, for a 9 course meal. Although some plates are small, we both left full. We were seated near a window, where we got great views of the city skyline and Friday night Chinatown event below. We got a really nice few of the sunset. We ordered a couple Chinese Puffed Rice Pale Ale beers which were pretty good and a couple cocktails later with the meal. First course was the first three items served at once and were all dim sum sized plates, but delicious. The steamed lobster dumpling, roasted duck and pumpkin puff, and scallop and keluga roll were very well presented. I couldn't tell you which was best, but they were an impressive start to our meal. Next up was the Dungeness crab soup over housemade tofu. The flavors were good, but mild. Next up as one of my favorite dishes of the prix fixe, the Grilled Alaskan Black Cod, which was so savory, tender and delicious. The stir fried quail and pancake came next, followed by the short ribs and wok tossed eggplant. Each dish was very good, but I think the eggplant was above and beyond what I would have expected for this dish. The last dish of the night was the homemade noodles with Perigold truffles and mushrooms. We were happy with our meal and glad we could try another spot on our bucket list. The food, atmosphere and service were above par. read more

See all

I've been eating Chinese food for 84 years and this was the best cuisine I've ever experienced. Chef owner Ho Chee Boon, and his beautiful wife, provide a gracious ambience, exquisitely, decorated with spectacular views of the city of San Francisco Every one of the staff were warm and friendly, and their attire was magnificently curated. For the first time in my life, I went back to a restaurant two nights in a row this time bringing my dear friend, the world, famous rocket scientist, Creon Levit, and his lovely lady friend Maxine. They also were delighted. I will be gratefully luxuriating at the Empress Boon every time I go to San Francisco. Dr Richard Louis Miller read more