this friendly and cozy neighborhood restaurant came highly recommended by a friend and we made the trip together when we finally got a reservation for the four of us on a friday night at 9. a little late but the best we could do. parking in this area is of course horrendous. we sat upstairs in the back and it was nice and cozy. i was afraid i was going to have to listen to the couple next to me all night but the surroundings really melt away after a little while. the servers seem icy at first and i thought he was arrogant and rude but more time told me that he was just blunt and knows his stuff. when asking for recommendations you really get just that, a recommendation. we started off with gnocchi. and for the first time in my life i did not spit gnocchi out. i dont know why i never liked gnocchi but this was good. we also started with duck confit salad also very good. the dishes felt season with the gnocchi paired with squash, mushrooms and the salad containing dried cherries. i got to try a little of everyones dishes and i must say it is true what they say about the pork chop here! it is delicious! they brine it first which keeps it moist. the chicken is also very flavorful and juicy. i had the seafood stew and enjoyed how they put in cod fish etc. the risotto also had a nice kick. we were all so stuff at the end we didnt have room for dessert. next time! read more

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Actually left this place thinking that I might die of fullness, but I couldn't contain myself around Frascati's unbelievably delicious food. Called Saturday around 3pm and easily booked a reservation for that night. Were immediately seated by a very friendly gentleman upon our arrival, and were invited to choose upstairs or downstairs for our table for three. We chose upstairs, which was very cozy and quiet. Frascati's overall ambiance is romantic and relaxed, with dim lighting and close tables. Nothing to go crazy for, but definitely pleasant and comfortable. BUT THE FOOD! I honestly cannot remember the last time I had this good of a meal. Our waitress was very helpful and attentive, and provided some helpful advice that led us to order the mushroom bruschetta, two orders of the pork chop, a swordfish, a side of brussels sprouts, and to top it off a vanilla bean panna cotta with carmel and bananas. INCREDIBLE! Everything just kept getting better and better (hence my eventual food coma). The mushroom bruschetta was great, overloaded with toppings including goat cheese and pancetta, but not too messy. It did only come with two pieces though, so I would recommend to share between two people, cutting them for three was a little awkward. The side of brussels sprouts was a great twist on the vegetable--an addition of capers gave it a little something special. I don't like fish so I didn't get to personally try the swordfish (though my Dad loved it) but hands down the best pork chop I've had in my life, or at least since I can remember. The sauce made it absolutely mouthwatering, and the side yukon gold potatoes with bacon vinaigrette provided the perfect complement. I couldn't take a bite without talking about how great it was! The other items on the menu also sounded great, but I really don't think I could ever order any other entree after experiencing this pork chop! The night was complete with the most delicious dessert- a perfectly sized panna cotta with a side drizzle of carmel and sliced bananas. Again, just amazing! They even brought it out with a candle since it was my birthday! I could not have left this place happier, or more stuffed full of deliciousness, and would hands down recommend this restaurant for any occasion. read more

Frascati - Mushroom bruschetta - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Always surprised when I'm asked about a restaurant I haven't come across on yelp and already bookmarked. Not sure how I missed it but so glad my date thought of it. Who isn't huge fan of cute, intimate restaurants that have great food & wine?! A date night winner! Im not a frequent visitor of Russian Hill area so I found this charming place a nice treat and a perfect change of scenery from the mission. We had a 9pm reservation so it was not too crazy when we got in but still quite busy. We started off with the gnocchi and a bottle of Merlot, whats there not to love?! The gnocchi was perfect! I went with a heirloom tomato risotto and my date went with a Halibut dish. Although it was carb overload for me with the gnocchi and risotto, I was happy with my choice. The risotto was one of the best I've had! We ended dinner with very little room for dessert but decided to try the bread pudding which was heavenly! The ambiance + service were absolutely wonderful! I would def recommend this as a date spot. read more

i came here for dinner with my boyfriend for our anniversary. the restaurant is kind of small and cozy. the atmosphere is classy and romantic, with dim lighting and candles on each table. most of the customers were dressed up nicely. we made reservations and were seated upstairs. the menu states "cell phones in use will be confiscated and made in soup. sports caps were made for the sports field" haha. my boyfriend and i decided to order a n appetizer, two main courses, and two desserts. they also serve you free bread with olive oil while you wait for your food. steak tartare (5/5) - this was delicious! i'm not really sure how to describe this, but it's like flavored ground beef with bruschetta bread. grilled pork chop (4/5) - i don't eat pork as much because it's usually really dry. i enjoyed the pork chop with the parsnip puree and the other stuff that was part of this dish. roasted half chicken (5/5) - i love eating chicken as my main meat and this chicken was pretty good. the skin was probably the best part, though it was a bit salty. the brussel sprouts, potatoes, spinach, and onions helped with the saltiness though haha. i would recommend this dish! affogato (5/5) - chocolate chip biscotti + espresso + vanilla ice cream = yummm. the concept is similar to a root beer float. might be a bad idea to eat this at night time because of the espresso haha. blackberry sorbet (5/5) - i'm a huge berry fan. anything berry flavor, i will eat! this was really delicious! after eating half of my scoop, i had to slow down and drink more water because the sorbet was getting really sweet. the service is really good here. they check up on your table pretty often. it does get kind of warm inside here because the kitchen is open on the right side of the restaurant rather than being in the back. it does get pack here, so it doesn't hurt to make reservations! and the food does take a while to come out. i think it took about 30 minutes for us to get our main courses, so make sure you snack on a little bit of the bread they offer while you wait for your food! read more

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Good, Italian spot. Intimate atmosphere. Probably not a restaurant you would go to for an every day meal but definitely worth it for a good date night spot. I was here at a work dinner and will definitely be bringing my wife back here. read more

Pros: Excellent mediterranean food. Anything with cheese, truffles, or pasta in it here is outstanding, and the wine pairings are great too. Cons: Hard to park in this neighborhood, so take a taxi! Fun: Any street with a cable car running down it and a European feel makes for amazing ambiance. This stretch of Hyde Street is one of the most charming in San Francisco, and at Frascati they have some of the best food to match. read more

Great food, wine, staff and ambiance. My wife and I found ourselves in the neighborhood unexpectedly one weeknight, so I called last minute at 6:45p and asked if they could get two in that night asap. Maitre d' said to come on by, 7p would work. We show up and I'm in full tech start-up uniform: jeans, T-shirt, and one day's stubble. Everyone else is in collared shirts and dresses. (It *is* Russian Hill, after all.) Guy doesn't blink, offers us any table and suggests a great one in the window. I'm appreciative. The wine list is great: maybe ten selections for each varietal, domestic and imported, but great range in price and hidden gems. We got a great recommendation for a white (The Fatto a Mano Tocai Friulano for approx. $34) and they have a reasonable corkage policy: $20/25/30 for up to three bottles. The food was great, too. We started with Monterey Bay sardines, which came with a chili aioli that cut the fishiness with a little bit of heat on the back end. The watermelon salad was a little disappointing: just four small pieces of watermelon, drizzled with balsamic and some crushed pistachios. All in all, very good food, great friendly service and nice ambiance. read more

Frascati is a strong 4 in my book. I have been twice and definitely look forward to my next visit. I lived in the neighborhood which was nice given Russian Hill's notorious lack of parking. As others noted, you can take the Hyde St trolley here which can be fun from time to time. Frascati is on the pricier side, but you definitely get what you pay for. When I want a delicious, intimate dining experience in an ultra-local neighborhood, Frascati is high on my list! read more

Frascati is the ultimate date spot for a special occasion or just a nice grown-up weekend dinner. Secluded on a romantic corner of Hyde, Frascati-diners are treated to a fine European meal in an intimate and charming environment. Imagine yourself on a secluded block of the cobble-stoned Marais in Paris, sitting at a small table overlooking the sidewalks from your romantic perch with a bottle of red wine. This is Frascati. Some notable dishes from the 5-7 times I've been here: --Wild Mushroom Bruschetta: delectable combination of mushrooms and goat cheese, this is the perfect plate to start the meal with --Roasted Half Chicken: my favorite chicken in San Francisco (far better than Zuni, in my opinion), topped with herbs and breadcrumbs, this is the perfect dish --Black & White Chocolate Bread Pudding: I'm not really a bread-pudding person, and neither is my boyfriend, but this is one of our favorite desserts in the city. Warm, and oozing with chocolate, I could almost always eat another order. Classy, romantic, and charming, Frascati is the perfect upscale neighborhood spot. read more

Came with my husband for his birthday dinner. The host/maitre d was very welcoming, setting a very nice tone for our evening. The food: delicious. The cheese plate was interesting, the octopus salad was earthy with chorizo (?) and olive accenting perfectly grilled octopus.The entrees: Filet Mignon, tender and juicy, and Bass with a silky lobster jus -so good. Dessert and coffee (the panna cotta was delicate and the chocolate chip cheesecake was not too heavy or too sweet), were worthy compliments to the starters and the entrees. The service. Our waiter was... odd. He wasn't outright rude, he was cold and unfriendly. He did the weirdest thing: My cell phone was on the table, and when he came to ready the table for the food, he picked it up and put it on my bread plate. Like that was the best place he could think of to put it, OR, he was was trying to scold me for having my phone on the table. Weird. He was not engaging. When we sat down and he came over I said we were here for my husband's birthday, he sort of blew that off. I was hoping for a candle or something on his dessert, nothing. I wasn't expecting a routine a la Friday's, but something to acknowledge the occasion would have been appropriate. Our dessert was brought by the host/maitre d, and his smile and warm tone was such a nice change from the pinched, uncomfortable episodes with our waiter. Why our dessert/coffee were served by the host is a mystery to me. Again, he wasn't terrible, it was "serviceable" service. He was fine. I tipped over 20% (because the reality of the experience didn't hit me until I got home, and the food was great.). The host held the door open for us as we left, big smile on his face, gracious from start to finish. As we passed our waiter he had the same mask on his face that he had the entire evening. Would we return to this restaurant again? Based on the service we had, no. read more

Charming spot on Hyde: great service, excellent food, wonderful wine list. Try the house-made duck pate appetizer: extremely well-done. The pastas are so silky and fresh that you'll clean your plate! read more

A great date restaurant. Small, cozy, romantic and welcoming. Great cheese plate, great charcutery plate, and consistently wonderful entrees. Usually easier to get last-minute reservations (or a walk-in table) at than other Russian Hill superstars like 1550 Hyde (right down the street). Still I'd recommend reservations Thursday-Saturday, or any day after 8:00. Wine by the glass list is serviceable, but could use some expansion. Service is consistently awesome---friendly, knowledgable, prompt. This is one of those places I'm mad at myself for not going more often. read more

I thought the food was incredible. One of our servers was the "how is it?...walks away before you can even answer" type which was mildly annoying but the rest of the staff were very attentive. A beautiful neighborhood spot with great food. read more

I have a confession to make. It's only Wednesday but I've already been to Frascati this week...twice. It's not entirely my fault. I've had friends in town, which means it's my duty to show off the local cuisine. And Frascati is a mere three block walk from my apartment so...can you really blame me?? At least I didn't order the same meal twice. Trust me, it wasn't easy. I am completely and utterly obsessed with Frascati's duck with spaetzle and huckleberry sauce. Normally I'm more of a seafood entrée person, but I don't even glance at the other menu items. The second time around, however, I opted for the lighter two appetizer route: a savory mushroom and goat cheese bruschetta followed by a deliciously crisp pear and gorgonzola salad. And wine, obviously. But the REAL reason I drag my poor (lucky) friends to Frascati time and time again is the dessert. If you know me at all, I'm sure I've already evangelized the Frascati warm black & white chocolate bread pudding, but bear with me. If a molten chocolate lava cake and bread pudding mated, this would be their offspring. (Not sure that dessert sex is an appetizing concept but, oh well.) All in all, I've been to Frascati about four times in the last month. But it has to stop, mainly because...I was caught. On trip #2 this week the host gave me a weird look and started to say "Waaaaait weren't you here..." until he was stopped short by my searing glance. My friends should think they're special, and not just excuses to indulge in orgasmic desserts. Can't it be both? read more

My date and I decided to come here Friday night after doing a bit of Yelping. We ordered appetizers, mains, and dessert. For appetizer we ordered foie gras torchon and gnocci. For mains we ordered pork chop and duck. For dessert we shared the warm black and white chocolate bread pudding with hazelnut ice cream. Dinner was extraordinaire!! This is the BEST dessert I've had....EVER. The warm CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING was crunchy and chocolaty and perfectly balanced with the hazelnut ice cream. The MAPLE LEAF DUCK BREAST was cooked to perfection. It was tender and juicy and crispy with the right amount of wild mushrooms. We also LOVED the GNOCCI. Definitely coming back here very soon. read more

I've eaten here a few times for special occasions and each time, it's been absolutely charming and wonderful. The service is consistently pleasing, the food artfully presented and filled with delicious flavors and enchanting combinations and the wine list is quite thorough and accommodating. It's a small intimate restaurant and it's easy to feel as if you're in Italy. The wait staff is also fully knowledgable and helpful in making astute wine recommendations. We ordered and shared the following: *Monterey Bay Sardines with Meyer Lemon Aïoli, Chili Oil, Herb Salad and Grilled Ciabatta - These were just so fabulous and you must make sure to get the sauce in each bite. It really made it and the sardines were cooked perfectly. Not everyone can serve delicious sardines and these were yummy! *Calimari salad (a new addition I believe) - Delightful. We were sad when it was gone! *Cappelini Puttanesca with Tiger Prawns, Dungeness Crab, Roasted Tomato, Anchovy, White Wine, Olives and Herb Bread Crumbs - I'm not much of a pasta person but the pasta itself was truly delicious and fresh. The fish was outstanding and cooked perfectly as well. *Fennel Dusted Halibut with Fennel Salad, Salsify Purée, Tomato Salsa, Mâche, Red Onion and Charred Scallion-Pancetta Vinaigrette - This was so beautifully done. The fish hardly required a fork it was so tender. There was such great flavor throughout. Another dish we were sad to finish! *Blueberry peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. - I was getting full but it truly was delicious. My date loved it and there was certainly nothing left! The atmosphere is quite romantic both during the day while watching cable cars go by and during the evening while enjoying the warm glow of the terracota walls accented with chandeliers throughout. Just fabulous! Looking forward to my next visit! Tip on parking: it is a drag but if you're having a tough time, there is parking just down the street on Hyde (in the same block on the same side) towards the water. It was $10 for 2 hours. read more

I have such fond memories of this place! I've dined at Fracscati on three separate occasions - a birthday, semi-reunion and group outing - and had an amazing meal each time. The restaurant is very "homey" and cozy so I would recommend coming here with a plus one or small group to avoid waiting forever. Favorite appetizers: Watermelon salad (seasonal) and homemade gnocchi Entree: Maple leaf duck breast. I am not a fan of spatzel and replace it with potatoes or another side Dessert: Apple Crumble with ice cream.. baked to perfection! read more

Do you ever have one of those weeks where, no matter where you go, you seem to get shitty service? (And so you wonder--all damn week--whether last night's spinach is still stuck in your teeth; whether your deodorant has stopped your pits from reeking; whether your skirt has been perpetually stuck in your pantyhose...) I went to Frascati on the tail end of a week of bad service, hoping to bring it to an end. That didn't happen. Our server was mostly absent; irritatingly chatty when table-side; and slowwwwww. Not slow in the lazy bistro way--slow in that the-dining-room-is-overcrowded-and-I'm-too-busy-to-refill-your-water way. I mean, we spent $200--a little attention would've been nice. But I'm four-starring this place nonetheless. Let's review why. First, I didn't order the cheese plate, but it included two of my all-time favorites: Humboldt Fog & St. Andre. Plus 10 bazillionjillion for Frascati. We did order two other appetizers: the fig-prosciutto-blue cheese salad & the heirloom tomato-couscous-feta salad. Although both were good, the fig salad far outshone its companion: The figs were juicy & meaty, dripping with balsamic vinegar & wrapped in generous cuts of a thin, salty prosciutto that neither overtook the figs nor was lost in the acidity of the balsamic. Really well-done. For my entree, I chose a crusted halibut (also generously portioned!) set atop fava beans and topped off with a "mushroom salsa." Although I found the beans unremarkable, that mushroom salsa had me at hello--it was a sweet, rich chop-chop of multiple mushrooms that just dissolved in my mouth. As for dessert, I first tasted the "pavlova," which actually was just a cookie-like meringue topped with powdered sugar, mixed berries, and fresh whipped cream. If you know what real pavlova is (a SOFT-baked meringue, not a meringue cookie! UGH!), don't bother with Frascati's version. But then I tasted the famed chocolate bread pudding. Believe everything you read about that one. Overall: I'd order the cheese plate; fig salad; and the chocolate bread pudding ... and maybe have a few words with the waiters? read more

Our manager took our entire sales team here for dinner one night to celebrate our production levels. I was floored by this place. This totally quaint and understated little hole in the wall on the corner of Hyde street serves some of the best food I've ever tasted. Their menu changes seasonally and they have two of the most memorable dishes I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing: White truffle gnocchi and pork tenderloin. Though their pork comes on and off the menu, the gnocchi stays on there for a good amount of time. Don't get me wrong, so much of their menu is delicious, and the prices are quite reasonable compared to some other restaurants of the same caliber quality. If you're ever in San Francisco and looking for a great dining experience, I HIGHLY recommend Frascati. read more

Had a very nice time at this restaurant, we didn't feel that it really lived up to it's hype. The 3 of us started with salads and a potato-leek soup, had a salmon dish, roast chicken and a pork chop for entrees, and an apple cobbler, chocolate bread pudding and affogato for dessert. Portions were good (desserts were definitely for two people each). The pork chop was undercooked and the other dishes were unremarkable. Service was pleasant and unpretentious, but nothing special. There were some (more than 3) strange bugs at our table and one landed in someone's drink, but otherwise the restaurant seemed perfectly tidy. No valet is a bit annoying for that neighborhood. read more

With all the over-hyped, wait-two-months-for-a-reservation, SF restaurants, Frascati deserves serious accolades. Had wondered about this place but until recently hadn't had the opportunity to try it. Sooo glad I did. Just strolled in the other night with no reservations and was seated immediately - at a cute little table right in the window to watch the cable cars roll by. The food, wine and service especially rivaled anywhere I have eaten in the city. The pinot they have by the glass is amazing and our server kept offering us tastes of all the wines to make sure we had the glass we liked best. The bread salad was incredible. I would go back just for this. Also amazing were the charcuterie plate, the cheese platter (love Humboldt fog), and the special of fillet over risotto. Parking may be a bitch - so take the cable car or a cab. Or ... move in to my apt which is a block and a half away! (Don't worry, I'm moving out of it... ;) read more

I reserved a table for 2 on a 3rd party reservation internet site. We took the Powell-Hyde cable car from Union Sq and got off literally in front of the bistro, which was a pleasant and unique experience. We were seated upstairs, which I preferred, as there is a more cozy ambiance without all the traffic moving through the restaurant. Our waiter was patient and answered any questions we had about the menu. His wine suggestions were spot on; two glasses of cabernet later, and I was three sheets to the wind! The bread was warm and fresh, the wine was absolutely flawless, and it is here that I had the BEST gnocchi of my life. I'd been to Italy and other fine Italian restaurants in the States and nothing has ever compared to what I had here. I was in heaven. I had the duck and my date had the fillet mignon. Personally, I preferred the fillet but the duck was pretty good. We each had two glasses of wine, a first and second course, all for just under $150!!! I would come back in a heartbeat! read more

This place has delicious pasta! It's one of our favorite Italian spots in San Francisco.

Good - not great. I have been going to and sending my best freinds to Frascati since I moved into the neighborhood in 2003. The food was always great, but it was the service and attitude that made it #1 on my list for an important night where I knew everything was going to be just perfect. A great date place and friendly, reliable place I could trust for important business dinners as well. I made my reservation, asked for a specific waiter and table; "fine we'll see you then." I showed up on time exactly, not knowing it had been recently sold, I still saw a lot of familiar faces when I walked in and felt Ok, but the waiter wasn't working there on Fridays anymore (how can that be?), the reservation upstairs - expressly asking for a table upstairs - was not available (was I in the right place?), no hospitality was offerred for our 30 minute wait - I never waited for more than 5 minutes before under same circumstances, and if I did one of the fine folks working there would offer a taste of wine for the wait. I decided to go across the street for a glass of wine to wait for 30 minutes, 25 minutes later just as I am paying my bill across the street I get a phone call, "Are you coming back?" with a little tiny atttitude. It was 9:00 now and the place was thinning out a bit. I still did not get the table I wanted, bread took 10 minutes to find its way to us at least, no friendly looks, the FEEL was very different. The wait staff regulars were going about the business of serving and the mechanics of ordering and so forth was average. The menu was different (no more short ribs sadly) but the choices were interesting ,our selection was cooked perfectly and the presentation was great. I had Cod and my guest had the lamb chops - exellent too. Bread pudding, my favorite, was a little too crispy in some places, but still very good. Food = good, above average for sure. The wine list looked smaller, not sure but it had good choices as normal. So in my humble opinion but also as someone who has eaten at Frascati over 3 years and maybe 30 times the food was good and the service was fine. You need more than good food and service in this class, you need great service. I don't go out of my way in SF to find good food, its easy. I do, and will in the future, for service. Its a very GOOD neighborhood place with class. I probably won't go out of my way to go again. The new owners have some team building or something to do. Good luck, I'd rather hold on to my memories than build others that will bring me lesser joy! read more

This is a quintessential San Francisco Neighborhood restaurants. Small/borderline cramped, great services, delicious California cuisine and fantastic atmosphere. Our server was very friendly and always there with a suggestion and funny insight into the menu. The wine menu covered a lot of different wine regions but I thought it was lacking in the Cab department. The pork chop was tender, moist and with a perfect crust. Easily the best pork chop I have had at a restaurants. My dads double cut brined and stuffed pork chops are still number 1. The potatoes that came along with it were OK and had some type of vinegar on them. I am not a vinegar fan so they didn't really appeal to me. The desserts were absolutely amazing. By far some of the best I have had in the City. The bread pudding was more a chocolate brownie sundae than actual bread pudding. And the apple crisp was on point. Another surprise was how large the size of the deserts were. We laughed at the sized and told the waiter that we should have order 3. He told us that he wouldn't have let us order three. Sad thing is that we ate every last bite and could have had more since it was so delicious. My only complaint of the restaurant was the pear salad. It was rather pedestrian and tasted like any other one I have had before. I guess it's is my fault though for not ordering some more adventurous. read more

4.5 stars, really. Went here for dinner on a Monday night and had a fabulous dining experience. We sat upstairs...really cozy place. Food was delicious...we had the duck and a pasta dish.... both wonderful and the bread pudding was a great way to end our meal. Our waiter couldn't have been any more tentative! Highly recommended...and you know a restaurants is good if it's a Monday night during a year of recession, yet the place is STILL PACKED! read more

Delicious!!! A must go, especially for special occasions :) Hyde street is such a charming place to be... you've got the cable car, tree lined streets, and views of nob hill. It's such a beautiful place to be in San Francisco. The restaurant is very cute but also looks like it can be very romantic. There is a second level with seating which adds a nice touch. Went here on one of the hottest days of the year and the restaurant does not have air conditioning... so they set up tables outside along the side walk. This was amusing because we noticed a slight tilt in our food and drinks. I liked how they serve their bread with olive oil -- I LOVE dipping bread in olive oil, mmmmmm. We ordered the watermelon salad (which sounded yummy on the menu - especially for a hot day but the "salad" turned out to be four pieces of watermelon, srsly? But the Duck Confit Salad was delicious!!! I do not like to eat salads made with spinach but I could not get enough of this one... and the duck was delectable (my mouth is watering just thinking about it!) On to dessert! We had the Pavlova (not impressed) and the Warm Black and White Chocolate Bread Pudding with hazelnut ice cream (OMG nom nom nom!). Throw in two glasses of really good wine and our bill was pretty expensive already :O Overall, this place is DELICIOUS and I can not wait to eat such yummy food again!! ...the next visit will get a 5 star rating, I just know it read more

I went here for my birthday - July 18th. I enjoyed a 3 course meal with my wife and mother-in-law. We arrived at 6:30pm on a Monday with only 3 tables seated. Within 30 minutes the entire restaurant was full. We began with wine by the glass and a cheese board. The cheese board featured 4 cheeses, each paired with honey, nuts, apple, etc. Each pairing was genius and created a combination better than the sum of the parts. Between the 3 of us, we had a Sangiovese, Cabernet, and Zinfindel by the glass. I found all 3 to be really average. I would personally reccommend bringing a bottle from home and eating the corkage fee. Additionally their wine menu seems to center around $40-$50 bottles, with the next step up being $100. I'd like to see more options at more pricepoints. For our second course, I had the bread salad and mushroom soup. The bread salad was surprisingly tasty, but could have been a smaller portion. The mushroom soup had a great mushroom flavor, but could have used a second dimension (truffles, etc.). For the third course I had the gnocchi which was homemade in a beautifully naughty butter sauce. My wife had the sweet corn risotto. Both were total homeruns! The cheese plates and the entrees are what made this so special. Now for service, I am disappointed. We put in the reservation that it was my birthday. My mother-in-law also mentioned it to the waitress while I was in the bathroom - and they didn't even say happy birthday. Kind of lame. I am a grown man, but it would have been nice for at least some recognition - after all we dropped well over $200 on the tab. Food - 5/5 Ambiance - 4/5 Service - 4/5 (I will give them the benefit of the doubt) Value - 3.5/5 read more

Frascati effortlessly eased into my Bay Area Top Five restaurants last night, with a delightful dining experience from start to finish. Above the bustling restaurant and kitchen, there is split level, quieter dining, and our small party was able to converse and really enjoy the spread of wonderful food offered by this gem of a restaurant. The staff was helpful, attentive without being smothering, and fining was leisurely-paced. Ambiance: warm. We started with the wild mushroom bruschetta, which were out of this world. The Monterey Sardines were also fresh and tasty, but I think I'd probably go for the burrata/prosciutto instead. Both the duck breast and filet were cooked to perfection, and it's quite possibly the tenderest, best-prepared duck I've had in the city. Don't expect traditional length noodles on the spatzele, but it's delicious nonetheless. Both the panna cotta dessert and the blueberry cheesecake were good, though not great, but still didn't diminish the fact that this restaurant is a wonderful place to enjoy overall great food, in the company of great friends. Recommend most highly. read more

I'll break this into two reviews that I can sum up as follows: Food: very good, Service: Not so much First, the service: We had an early reservation at 5:45. I understand that restaurants have a limited number of seats and need to turn their tables, but our waitress was just rude. She was smarmy and bordered on annoying. (long dark hair, older and dark thick black glasses). We no sooner glanced at the menu, when she came over to take our orders. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and hoped she was just being friendly. 3 minutes later the same thing. When we finally are ready, she is obnoxious. I ask her to tell me more about a dish and instead of describing it she looks at me and says "what do you want to know?" I want to know what it tastes like! That's why I asked. You work here, and part of your job is to help me enjoy my visit by answering any questions I may have. That's how you earn tips. The first course was served while my wife was in the bathroom; no-good. The main came about 3 minutes after they cleared the plates from the first course. We no sooner finished our mains than she was hocking us about our desert order. The spoon hit the table and our check was in front of us. I've never had a server do such a great job at ruining a meal with her terrible attitude and desire to kick us out the door. 1 star for service Second, the food: The wife started with a fig appetizer that was outstanding - baked figs stuffed with maytag bleu cheese, served w/ prosciutto balsamic glaze over bread. This was a well thought out dish that was perfectly executed. I had the foie gras torchon--another solid A+. Main courses were also quite good. I had duck served over spaetzle; the duck was cooked to perfection, and the setup was great. The wife doesn't usually like duck that much and loved it. She had a branzino that was good, but not my favorite. It wasn't bad, but something in their tasted a little odd. She didn't love it either. For dessert we had chocolate bread pudding w vanilla ice cream. I'm not sure if it was bread pudding or just warm chocolate cake, but it was divine. All in all, I'd give the food a solid 4 stars, maybe even 4.5. Dear Frescati: Keep the chef, replace the waitress. read more

We dined at this restaurant last night and the food was so good. The wine was excellent and the service impeccable. I will definitely be returning. read more

My favorite San Francisco restaurant (so far...) My Mother and I enjoyed a meal with pitch perfect ambiance, wine (chardonnay and pino noir), roasted pear salad, pork chop for my Mom, and branzino for me. Finished with a divine affagato and panna cotta. My mother and I loved sharing the pear salad, it was something else! My mother said the pork chop was the best she had ever had. My branzino skin was flavorful and tasty, I feel sad for anyone who was not daring enough to eat it with the skin on! One Thing! The affagato should have chocolate drizzled of the rim of the glass and a spoon dipped in chocolate in order to be perfect. O, and one other thing, the wine was divine, but how about a cocktail list? Then Frascati would be perfect. read more

Non-existent street parking. Circled neighborhood for 25 minutes before scoring quasi-legal space. Excellent menu: we had the cheese plate, burrata, gnocchi, seafood risotto, half chicken and filet mignon. Wonderful wine list. We had two bottles, with the score being a Nebbiolo. Competent and friendly service. read more

This bustling little Russian Hill restaurant is like a twinkle in the sky: it rests on a fairly quiet residential block of Hyde near a few other restaurants, and is usually the busiest and most packed spot each night. Once you've dined here, you understand why. At Frascati, there's attentive, welcoming service; a knowledgeable wait staff that offers thorough descriptions and recommendations about dishes and wines; and a tight but intimate dining area that has the feel of a small, hidden neighborhood gem as well as the fine food and overall experience of a well-established restaurant competing with the best this city has to offer. Starters I've tried include the duck confit salad, mushroom bruschetta, and tuna tartare -- all worth trying (especially the salad). I ordered the risotto, which was very tasty; had a slab of the venison, which wasn't at all gamey (it wasn't what I expected, but was still juicy in all of its medium rare glory); as well as the pork chop, which was also decent. I tried two side plates: the spaghetti squash and the brussel sprouts, both of which were quite rich (and buttery). For dessert, we had the warm chocolate bread pudding, topped with ice cream, as well as the crispy apple cobbler, also served with ice cream. For our party of three, the bill came out to about $250 with tip (that included a low to moderately priced syrah). Unless you have the funds to splurge frequently, dining here is reserved for special occasions. read more

Sometimes the best things in life are entirely unexpected and unplanned. Such was my experience at Frascati. On an ordinary Sunday evening, I began surfing the web for restaurants to try on a whim. I stumbled across Frascati, which sounded interesting, so I thought, why not give it a try? After all, it was a beautiful evening in the city, and I decided that I might as well make the most of it before diving into a new work week. Little did I know I was about to discover one of my favorite restaurants. Frascati is located in Russian Hill in a quaint and picturesque neighborhood, which merely adds to its charm. The inside of the restaurant is small and warm, and has two levels for seating. I was fortunate to be seated on the top level near the railing, giving us a view of the restaurant below and the street outside, where a traditional San Francisco trolley would occasionally roll down the street. Shortly after being seated, our waiter stopped by our table I asked for suggestions on a glass of wine to start. I was looking for a buttery Chardonnay, and the waiter recommended what turned out to be an excellent, creamy, buttery, and smooth glass of wine. The dinner was off to a good start. Next I had the Grilled Bread Salad. The salad was large, full of fresh ingredients, delicious feta cheese, and was covered in a delicate champagne vinaigrette. For my main dish I ordered the rack of lamb and I think that this is the best rack of lamb that I have ever had. It was cooked and seasoned perfectly (and was also nicely complemented by my second glass of wine, again recommended by the waiter). Finally, for dessert I had the bread pudding. And this was one of the best bread puddings that I have ever had - so warm, buttery and comforting...I wish that I was eating it right now. So while not every impulsive decision is rewarding, this one was, and I highly recommend Frascati. Disclaimer: This review is based on my experience at Frascati about 18 months ago. I presume that the quality has not changed. read more

10 years living in SF, this is by far my favorite restaurant and the most consistent in quality, service, and blowing my epicurean mind! Owner, staff, everyone is amazing. Wine, Bruschetta, Octopus Salad, THE CHICKEN (SF's best) or whatever amazing little special they've dreamt up is money in my mouth. Love is an understatement. read more

I just had the most incredible evening at Frascati! My (now) husband and I were looking for a place to dine following our civil wedding ceremony at SF city hall. We wanted something upscale, romantic and delicious - and Frascati delivered. I was able to get a reservation just a few days in advance and was very happy when we were seated right away upon arrival. Noting this was a very special day for us, our host gave us table that was perfectly intimate and treated us with champagne. The service, food, and ambiance were all incredible. We would come back here - special occasion or not - on a heartbeat. A lovely find! read more

My wife and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary at Frascati, and they did not disappoint. To be honest, I thought I made the reservation at a restaurant that had a full bar, but it was okay that they just served beer and wine. The food and service were excellent. I had a special appetizer that had clams, mussels, and some other seafood in a tomato sauce. It was amazing... the best mussels and clams I've had in a long time. My wife ordered the filet and I opted for the duck breast. Both were excellent - prepared perfectly and very flavorful. Overall I was very impressed. The restaurant is small, but we had plenty of room and it was very quaint. And what a value for the price... I've been to much more expensive restaurants that weren't nearly as good (service or food). The only downside is they did not have a full bar - only beer and wine. That wasn't a problem for me but my wife doesn't drink beer or wine, so we left as soon as we finished eating and went to a nearby bar for a nightcap. read more

I busted out my 2001 Brunello di Montalcino La Togato Riserva for dinner. I was saving this wine since my trip to Montalcino, Italy 4 years ago. Oh this dinner will be a memorable meal!!! I started with the butternut squash gnocchi based on the waiter's recommendation. It was good but when the sardines were served in the table next to ours I was wishing I had ordered the sardines instead. For the main I got the Maple Leaf Duck Breast. It was perfect. Medium rare. The waiter suggested venison but I tend to not like leaner meat. I ordered a side to get brussel sprouts. Don't ask me why. I have tried brussel sprouts several times and everytime...gag reflex. It's just so bitter. Well, it was all good because I had my Brunello to wash it all down ;-) The desserts looked deeelish and I would have ordered something if I hadn't just baked a ginormous chocolate devil food layer cake at home. I didn't bring it with though because of the $3/person cutting fee. Corkage was $20 which isn't great but I've seen worse. Cute little restaurant, awesome meal. I'll be coming back. read more

Russian Hill is one of those neighborhoods that I rarely frequent, but when I do, I'm struck by the neighborhood feel. Frascati is one of those neighborhood places that is cozy and comforting. On a recent late fall evening, a round of Brussels sprouts, gnocchi and beet salad were the perfect accompaniments to a crisp, borderline SF cold night. We lucked out and got the best seat in the house in the corner window. If you go, be sure to request that coveted window seat and sit back and take in the glorious neighborhood that is Russian Hill. read more