This place was absolutely delicious! Our favorite dish was definitely the Tips de Maduros. The meat was incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor don't skip it! The Sambusa was also excellent, with perfectly cooked meat and a light, tasty sauce that really brought everything together. We also ordered the Arroz con Pollo and the Chicken Curry, and both were rich in flavor and cooked to perfection. On top of the amazing food, the service was good. Everyone was welcoming and attentive throughout our visit. The prices felt fair for the quality, and it's a wonderful place for a date night or a nice dinner with friends. Highly recommended! read more

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Came here for dinner before a comedy show. Service was exceptional. We were immediately greeted by the hostess and waitress. Decor was art deco speak easy vibes. We were not too hungry so we just ordered small bites. - calamari - delicious! Seasoned well, nice crunch, and came with 2 big fried shrimps - chicken sambusas - was good but on the doughy side -yuca fries- flavorful, came w a sauce that was on the sweet side -collard greens- delicious! Our favorite dish on the night! Will definitely come back and try their main dishes! read more

Meski Restaurant - Chicken Sambusas and Calamari - Ethiopian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Really good food overall! We tried the tomahawk steak, bone marrow, Yetsom platter, and duck yuca fries, and everything was delicious. The food was definitely the highlight of our experience. The service and seating, however, were questionable. We were seated downstairs in the corner at one of the bar tables, and there was barely enough room for all the food we ordered. At times, other patrons were also sitting right next to us at the bar, so it didn't feel very private or intimate. The restaurant itself has a dimly lit, intimate atmosphere that seems perfect for a date night or even a double date, but unfortunately, we didn't really get that experience. The downstairs area where we were seated was much louder and had a completely different vibe. Parking is also horrible, and the surrounding area can feel pretty rough with a lot of homelessness nearby, so just something to be aware of. Overall, I'm glad we finally got to try this place, and the food was really good. I'm just not completely sure the overall experience was worth it. Still a positive experience, but I think better seating would have made a huge difference. read more

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Surprisingly flavorful food (more like Afro-Caribbean fusion than strictly Ethiopian) and a beautiful dining room (modern greenery). The favorite dish was the Gulf Shrimp Tibs which had a yummy curry sauce and pretty good portion size. The Steak Tibs was also tender and the injera wasn't too sour. Service was friendly. Could be a good spot to book out for an event. read more

Meski Restaurant - Shrimp Tibs Criolla - Ethiopian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Delicious and innovative dishes! Loved everything we ordered. The pollo guisado sambusas and the steak tibs pintxos were highly recommend, our waitress said that people come just for those dishes and I see why! The main entrees were also great and very easy to share. Got the arroz con pollo, the oxtail gemelli and Meski platter. The atmosphere is very cool and sexy, would be a great date spot or a fun group dinner. read more

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First time visiting Meski and the ambience is warm and elegant! Their dishes are a blend of Ethiopian and Dominican cultures , so expect lots of spice and color! Steak Tibs were a 10/10, very tender and packed with flavor Sambusas were a 7/10, crispy yet the sauce was a bit basic. Auxum Passion Cocktail was a 10/10, the presentation and taste was exquisite! Joshua made my friend and I feel comfortable and explained his favorite reccs. Was very attentive even on a busy night! This place is perfect for a girls night out or an intimate date night out! read more

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Been wanting to check out Draymond Green's restaurant for a while and it did not disappoint. Didn't take pictures of the drinks, but had several. Oysters were fresh, Oxtail Gemelli was great and can't go wrong with NY Strip Bistec. Service was great and ambiance was good vibes all the way will definitely be back in the future. Parking is just like other parking in SF downtown so just be prepared to walk a block or two. read more

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Oxtail Encendido Gemelli ($42)Was flavorful and great amount. Ny Strip Bistec ($57) 12oz was a bit smaller than expected because of the photos I've seen online, but the chick pea sauce under the steak tasted good(we had to request for more on the sise) and the cilantro/tomato sauce on top was ok. The steak itself was a bit bland but with everything mixed together, it was good and clean eating for a steak. The Duck Fat Yuca Fries($11.00) with a curry sauce on the side was actually pretty good. Nice portion size as an appetizer. We had to request for more curry sauce. We were offered a complimentary honey infused wine that smelled like apple cider vinegar BUT it tasted really good! read more

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I was really excited to come this restaurant because of their interesting fusion menu and upscale lounge vibes. The restaurant is upstairs and there is a bar/ lounge downstairs. I really enjoyed all the dishes we ordered especially the caviar plate . I was sad to hear that it isn't on the menu anymore. The bone marrow really melts in your mouth and the fried injra bread gave it some nice texture. The Ethiopian plate tasted great and it was so nice to have a vegetarian option. The staff were on top of everything the whole night and even helped us get some great pics for my friend's birthday. read more

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We had our company dinner here this past week and it was amazing! From the service, to the curated ambiance, and the impeccable flavors of the food were so beautifully crafted. I definitely recommend this place for social gatherings, date nights, or corporate gatherings. read more

Cute vibes and space with mediocre food. The duck fat yucca fries were fine, maybe a bit dry. Oxtail gemelli was also just fine- tastes like rehydrated pasta with a watery sauce. Yetson platter was as expected, nothing that special. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but walked away underwhelmed. read more

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FOOD | DRINKS | VIBES Everything about this place was so good! Food we ordered: Pollo Guisado Sambusas Steak Tibs Pintxos Oxtail Encendido Gemelli Arroz con Pollo Drinks: Bidi bidi bam bam Papi G (nonalcoholic) The food was really flavorful. 5/5 for the sambusas and the steak tibs. 5/5 for the pollo con arroz. It was cooked perfectly, seasoned well, and so tender. The pasta wasn't that bad, 4/5. Bidi bidi bam bam drink was spicy but yummy. Papi G was very refreshing. Decor was beautiful. Loved the music. Great place for a nice date night. Service was good as well. Absolutely recommend. read more

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Me and the girls had an absolutely fabulous time here last Saturday night. We went for my birthday celebration and stayed for the sexy lounge vibes. Luxe interior and decor, and we loved the live saxophone player- he played nothing but hits. The atmosphere was lively, buzzing during Super Bowl weekend and service remained on point. Staff were exceptional. We enjoyed the complimentary birthday cocktails, I loved the birthday card and the food was all good. We really enjoyed the grilled oysters and the shrimp creola. Perfect place for a romantic date night out to celebrate a special occasion. read more

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Came on a Thursday night around 7:30 without reservations and was able to get seated right away at the high-top tables. Service was attentive and friendly, which I really appreciated. The bartender even offered me a cocktail taster because I couldn't decide on a drink. I'm glad he did, because I ended up going with my second choice which was the Caribbean G&T. It was floral, refreshing, lightly carbonated, refreshing, and not overly sweet. Appetizers: - Kifto Tartare: A great appetizer to start with. Served with crispy injera chips that added a nice texture contrast. -Charred Oysters: The awaze and lime had good flavor, but unfortunately it overpowered the delicate oysters. It also leaned a bit too salty for my taste. Mains: -Grilled Branzino Escabeche: Nicely seasoned, but be mindful of bones which may be off-putting for some. I'm used to it, so it didn't bother me. -Doro Wat Caribeño: Delicious. The injera was nicely fermented, giving it a tangy sour taste, with a soft, spongy texture. Perfect for soaking up the sofrito. read more

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I had my birthday dinner at Meski and was glad I did! My girls and I had a theme color dinner of forest green and gold and to our surprise, Meski's decor was mainly green and gold as well so it was perfect! I made reservations at 8 but was running 15-30 mins behind due to the rain and they were very accommodating and pushed it back to 8:30 for me. We got there around 8:15 but had to wait downstairs (at their lounge area) for our table, which was fine since we did push it back. Meski's dinning area was small and low lit throughout the restaurant making it a very intimate dining experience. They even had a birthday card for me on the table which gave it a special touch. It was 5 of us and we ordered a 3 appetizers and 4 entree and 1 dessert to share, and it was the perfect amount. Everything we ordered was very tasty and welled cooked. I'm very happy I picked this place to celebrate my birthday. What we ordered: -Sambusas 9/10 (we got 2 oder, it was 3 sambusas each) - Gulf shrimp 9/10 - Arroz con pollo 10/10 (our favorite dish) - meski yetsom platter 9/10 - ny strip 10/10 - whole branzino 10/10(our favorite dish) - brown sugar peaches and cream (must try!) read more

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I had a reservation for 8 at 6:30 on a Saturday night. They were able to seat the early arrivers at 6PM, which I really appreciated. The staff definitely made me feel special on my birthday. And I'm also gluten free, and the waitress knew what was gluten free based on the food items I asked about. The gulf shrimp was my favorite, it was super flavorful and I loved scooping up the sauce and tomatoes with the injera. I also got a side of yucca fries, and these were alright. I was expected to taste something different because the menu explicitly says duck fat. But it just tasted like regular yucca fries. For the entree I ordered an arroz con pollo. The rice was very, very fragrant, which is not preferred when I eat locrio. The chicken was juicy. There were 3 Dominicans in my group. They felt the sambusa were the best out of everything we ate. And almost everyone ordered a cocktail, and these were big hits as well especially the coco puff one. For dessert, I got the birthday song along with a Caribbean passion dessert with a rum flambé. Really happy to have tried this place. Thank you Meski! read more

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Super fun spot. Mezzan was our waitress and she completely made our experience! That girl is not only extremely diligent and accommodating but she is also such a hoot lol read more

Walked in on a Saturday around 7pm, and was able to get seated quickly at the bar. I wasn't expecting the inside decor to look as amazing as it did, felt very upscale and fancy. Service was very good, I felt that everyone was attentive and friendly. The food and drinks came out at a really good pace. Food: Duck fat yuca fries - crispy and flavourful, loved this Arroz con pollo - chicken cooked well with crispy skin, great flavour combination Oxtail pasta - just a bit salty for me, but still a good dish Drinks: Ethiopian milk punch - such a fun drink, it was really sweet (which I like) Caribbean gin and tonic - fruity, sweet, fizzy read more

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Had to try this place out and the food is definitely worth it. Really well executed and balanced in flavor. The drinks were also top notch and the overall decor was really great. So why the 3 stars, its too dark to see anything in some of your seating locations, and thr lamps are too short to shine above the height of the dishes so we were basically in the dark. We brought this up and even thought there was a lot of seating, there was no offer to move. I help the lamp up with one hand just so we could eat Will definitely be back because aside from that everything was absolutely fantastic. read more

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A true see-and-be-seen hotspot, this restaurant has serious star power--owned by Golden State Warriors superstar Draymond Green--and it delivers on both energy and flavor. The space is vibrant, stylish, and undeniably sexy, with a crowd that comes dressed to impress and a buzz that feels more like a nightlife destination than just dinner. The Afro-Latin and Ethiopian fusion menu is bold and creative, and every dish we tried was packed with flavor. That said, the oxtail pasta completely stole the show--rich, tender, and unforgettable. If you're looking for a place in San Francisco with great food, an energetic atmosphere, and a glamorous crowd, this spot checks every box. read more

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************BLACKED OWNED BUSINESS ALERT***************Meski..Meski..Meski..Very excited and appreciative that I got an opportunity to break bread here. I was able to see where the vision for the cuisine was going....I really enjoy Dominican Dishes, so remarkably flavorful, especially when done right. Ethiopian cuisine is something that I am still trying to understand, maybe even accept. It has nothing to do with the food and all of the delicious spices,it has everything to do with how you eat it. I am not used to eating with my hands and having someone else eat off of the same plate with their hands. Something that I have to work towards. I get that you use the Injera Bread but I not a fan, No Ma,am. I have been to this space several times that has housed a few other restaurants, and I believe that we have a winner. Come to support the owners and the business; you'll see that you will be in for the most expected treat. Not to leave out the service, music, and atmosphere. It's a vibe read more

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I came here with friends to celebrate my birthday and it was a really good time. The place is the very visually appealing and beautiful inside. The lighting is lovely in the dining area and the artwork in the restaurant is fabulous. Downstairs, where the restrooms are located, is really nice with a full bar, music and seating areas. There's a great spot for mirror photos too. Service was great! I believe our server's name was Jordan. Even though it was put on the reservation that my birthday was being celebrated (it asks when you make the reservation if you're celebrating an occasion.) this was not communicated to our server. Jordan was so polite and apologetic. He brought over flutes of Ethiopian honey wine for our party as a birthday gift. It is a must try! So delicious! I am definitely going back to try other foods. This place is a whole vibe! A great space for a date night and happy hour as well. My only recommendation would be better lighting outside of the restaurant, maybe a bit brighter. When we got out of our uber my friend stepped in feces. Not sure if it was human or not but brighter lighting in the front and side of the restaurant might deter this type of behavior, loitering and most importantly we may have seen it before she stepped in it. read more

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What a super cute find! I really enjoyed my dinner at Meski! Arrived on time for my 7:45pm reservation and was immediately greeted by the hostess. Lucky for me, my friend had already made it and I was able to be seated with her right away. After some catching up. I was ready to peruse the menu. First thing, the decor here is stunning. All the greens and golds, I was in girly heaven. Definitely felt royal in there. The restaurant itself was cute, quaint, and perfect for a girls night. The waitress was amazing! She was super informative about the menu and seemed very passionate about Meski. I was too excited to try everything and I did! My absolute favorite was the start of the meal, The Sambusas and the tiradito were incredible. So flavorful and delicious. Out of the two starters, the tiradito was the star. I'm a sucker for raw salmon. For our mains, we both had the oxtail pasta. So comforting! Definitely an SF worthy dish. It was chilly out and this warmed my whole heart. Cant forget the drinks, I had the Bidi Bidi Bam Bam. Totally refreshing and fruity! Right up my alley. Lovely little night at Meski! I loved the new age modern twist on some classic ethiopian food. If i ever get the chance, ill definitely be back. read more

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Meski is everything! The atmosphere, decor, service, food, and drinks were 10/10! We received a warm welcome upon arrival and were seated right away. Very intimate setting, The aesthetic was beautiful from the artwork to the chairs, and the bar. Good vibes all around. Jordan was a great server, very knowledgeable and helpful. All of his suggestions were spot on. The oxtail pasta was perfect. It had just the right amount of spice and sauce, I can't wait to come back and try it again! Everything is super flavorful, and delicious. Even the dessert! Parking is limited but they do have valet. He was friendly and very helpful as well. Overall, we had a great experience and I would definitely come back again. read more

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We specifically chose Meski before our show at the Curran Theater because this is not a restaurant or food style we can find back home. The unique Latin and Ethiopian fusion is distinct and did not disappoint. Dinner reservations last 90 minutes. They ask you to order all your food at once and they course it for you over that 90 minutes which I love. You don't feel rushed. You can tell they have the pacing down. Our server was really nice and checked in frequently without hovering. Their supporting team was also amazing and kind. The food was top notch. The bone marrow and grilled oysters kicked us off with a bang, and the Tarrijo (sweet Latin-style bread with ice cream and fruits) was a perfect way to end the meal. The dim lighting and chic decor paired with the great food definitely make this worth a reservation. For my out of towners, I'd recommend ubering to and from here. In the dark, the neighborhood didn't feel the most safe to be walking through. read more

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I've been a fan of Chef Nelson for a while and a huge Draymond Green stan, so when I heard about the opening of this restaurant it was an automatic yes. Luckily, it didn't disappoint! The afro-latin and Ethiopian fusion was right up my alley. We loved all of our food and the cocktails were great too. My fave bites were the Pollo Guisado Sambusas and the Meski Yetsom Platter. The service was friendly and attentive. The vibes are upscale and although it's a restaurant it still gives bar & lounge - so it's great for a date night, catching the Warriors game, or even a business meeting. Definitely check this place out if you're in the area. read more

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Meski is a really cool spot - loungy lush vibes on the second floor, darker lounge vibes when you take the stairs down. Arrived on a Saturday at 7 (it's definitely in the tenderloin) and the hostess said the valet wasn't there yet, but found street parking quickly. Speciality cocktails were great and different, but they also have a full bar and n/a mocktails. Apps were the highlight - loved the plantains, steak bites, potatoes, etc. all were small plates, but easy to share and loaded with flavor. Mains were ok - arroz con pollo was good and the meski veggie platter was fine. Next time I think I will just order all of apps and skip the mains. I'd say this spot is more of a cocktails and apps kind of place for future visits. read more

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Great food, beautiful room, overall great vibe. Service was spotty but I dont blame our server (gave her a generous tip) - seems they were having other service issues that night. Had a reservation for 4 on a Sunday evening. Seated immediately. Service was initially great. We ordered some drinks and an appetizer to share while we decided what to order - and they were happy to accommodate us. We ended up with Fried calamari: delicous, with a tasty dipping sauce Sambusas: Crispy pastry, full of flavor, with two side sauces that were yummy Ceviche: really nicely prepared and presented, but the serving size was very small - almost like a tasting plate rather than an appetizer. Arroz con pollo: magic. We licked the plate clean. Branzino: full fish, perfectly prepared. So, except for the portion size on the ceviche, would order all these things again and definitely am interested in the rest of the menu. Minus one star for the service, which started great but then dropped. Mains took a long time, they forgot one round of our drink orders. read more

Great food with outstanding service! We came in right when they opened and easily got a table. Definitely must get the kitfo tartare and the oxtail encendido gemelli. read more

Meski Restaurant - Kitfo tartare and fresh oysters - Ethiopian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Went to meski for dinner. The service was excellent with servers being attentive and kind. The food was flavorful. The oxtail pasta was great in flavor and had a kick of spice. The appetizers, we got yucca fries and chicken sambosas. The yucca fries are dense and did not give much of a dick fat flavor. The sambosas were flavorful and crispy on the outside. The donuts were crispy and needed a more filling. The chocolate mousse was beautiful in presentations but the alcohol was overpowering and there was only a little bit of mousse. There is a bar on the top and bottom level, The location of this restaurant is not very ideal. The parking busy street parking and located very close to tenderloin. read more

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Overall, really good food and I would come back. I came around opening in April so I think they have a few kinks to work out that may already be figured out. The main one was parking. My friend thought she read they have valet, but apparently it's only Friday and Saturday. I took uber which is easiest but there are some lots nearby. The service was decent, but I did feel a little rushed throughout service. The food was overall really good! Having been to alamar & Sobre Mesa I expected good food here. Our pasta dish didn't come out hot but the flavor of the oxtail was amazing. We tried a tomato salad that I didn't love, so I'd probably opt for the gomen instead next time. The pollo guisado sambusas had great flavor as well. The bistec was cooked well, but overall the dish fell flat for me. For dessert, I'd skipped the pan a cotta. We shared everything so we could try a few items across the menu, but I expect the menu to change since they're still a new restaurant. The cocktails here are great. I loved the Ethiopian milk punch. Very beautiful space. We sat upstairs but there's also a lounge area downstairs. read more

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I was pleasantly surprised by my visit (1st) last night. I have seen the reviews and it seems the initial buzz has worn off a bit. I had downgraded my expectations accordingly but on a whim decided to try it. Glad I did. As others have noted they inherited the upscale vibe by the former restaurant The Saratoga. They only needed and did slight alterations to preserve the integrity of the interior and it works, with a nice / upscale feel that is perhaps not what you'd expect from a Lat Am / Ethiopian fusion place but they put a lot of thought into the menu and with the friendly staff and full restaurant the place has a unique charm that I will be enjoying more of. For me, though, the draw and primary focus is the food. I was surprised to see the ox tail dish because I thought I read from another reviewer that it disappeared. I confirmed with the server that they did indeed bring it back so I ordered it. Wow, that is a phenomenal dish. The heat from the spices is intense but they are blended perfectly with the ox tail, which was not fatty at all. The pasta is the perfect companion for the beef and along with what I think are sweety drop peppers this dish is a 10.5/10. Absolutely spot on and amazing. We ordered 2 of the tomato salads because the wife is a vegetarian. I really loved mine and again there is a kick to everything they do here so the fresh jalapeños provided a nice punch to a more classical tomato dish. The crunch of the small croutons made this a spectacular salad. 10/10. I ordered the duck fat yucca fries and I must not have paid attention to the menu that clearly states yucca because I was surprised when I was served. They are in fact yucca but that is only slightly different than a regular potato and the accompanying sauce is out of this world good so you will not miss a Kennebec in any way with these. 10/10. I tried 2 drinks which I don't see on the current online menu so I can't tell you what they were but the second one I tried won me over. It's a gin based drink with strawberries and other tasty additives. It's kind of like a spritz but it went down very very well with the spicy entrees. All in all I'm thrilled to have found a suitable date night spot nearby my residence and look forward to many returns. The one thing I'd ask the chef to consider though would be more vegetarian entrees. The meats obviously steal the show here but don't forget about our plant eating crowd please! read more

Meski Restaurant - Out of this world ox tail pasta dish. - Ethiopian Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love Draymond Green and the Warriors and celebrity chefs and I love the Tenderloin neighborhood--which isn't that related to this review, because Meski is located in Lower Nob Hill (I firmly believe that the TL is South of Geary, and Meski is North of Geary so there.) I've been seeing Meski in the news and wanting to go (because Dominican-Ethiopian-Latin food? Yes please!), and finally made the time to do so! Luckily (or unluckily for my wallet because I will be back for brunch and to try more dishes), it exceeded my already-high expectations. Everything was unique and delicious--mains, appetizer, side, and the cocktails. Getting here: walk or take the bus. Maybe bike. Not much parking. The 90-minute dining limit scared us, but wasn't bad. Service is efficient. Upstairs has bar seating and a few tables and booths. It was pretty busy when we walked in just after 7pm on a Thursday. The lighting was dim (good for date night) but it also looked like there were some families and business groups eating there at the same time. Drinks: very good and unique. Appetizer: Marin Miyagi Oysters ($24.00). Unique and flavorful. Side: Duck Fat Yuca Fries ($10.00). Crispy, rich, well-seasoned but not overly-so, and great sauce (Korerima sazon, salsa Afrikana.) Mains: - Arroz Con Pollo ($32.00) . Great salsa verde and vegetables. Loved the grilling, flavor, spices, and rice. - Lamb Gemelli ($32.00). Unique, complex flavors. Drinks: - Pina Colada Spritz ($18), Caribbean G&T ($18). Wonderful, unique, refreshing, complex taste. Ambiance is upscale and service was helpful and attentive. Lots of staff and employees running around, but in a professional manner. Can't wait to come back to try more of their unique dishes--haven't seen these elsewhere in the Bay Area (or in other places for that matter.) read more

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This restaurant is new and maybe they are working out details, however, I expected more from the food. The flavors were lacking in everything we tried with the exception of the goat dish. The restaurant is beautiful and the ambiance in the restaurant and lounge are cozy, lively and upscale. Everything you could ask for. BUT the food was disappointing. I'll visit again in a few months. read more

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The restaurant has seating and a bar upstairs and another bar downstairs with some limited seating. The service was friendly and helpful given the uniqueness of the food. The food was really flavorful. We had the chicken and steak. I'd say if you're looking for something different with lots of flavor give it a try. read more

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3.75 STARS Have a chicken tender kinda person in your life who's a Warriors fan and want to gently expand their palate? Meski. My sister is a huge Warriors fan and never had Ethiopian, Dominican, or Latin food (outside of burritos and quesadillas) so I knew Meski would be the perfect place to take her for her birthday. Opening in April 2025, Meski is the hyped resto from Draymond Green and Top Chef Alum, Chef Nelson (also owns alaMar Kitchen & Bar and Sobre Mesa). They took over Members Only which was previously The Saratoga. Draymond wasn't in the house but Chef Nelson was. Rezzies were hard to come by because it's a small dining space upstairs. First come, first serve at the bar. 90 minute dining limit. Gripe: We had weekday rezzies at 5 pm (not busy) and were seated at this weird makeshift table to the side of the bar. Our view was of the bar station and swinging kitchen door. M E N U Afro-Latin and Ethiopian Fusion Cuisine. Seasonal menu. Different menu for upstairs dining area and the lounge downstairs. They just launched Sunday brunch service. Full bar. D R I N K S Our sweet server kindly brought over two complimentary glasses of Tej, Ethiopian honey wine for my sister's birthday. F O O D * Kitfo Tartare: Raw beef tenderloin, nitir kibbeh oil, cured egg yolk, chervil, injera chips ($19): https://tinyurl.com/4cyhhp6j Great steak quality dressed in clarified butter creating a rich, silky mouthfeel but underseasoned. More berbere and/or mitmita please! Most of the flavor came from the injera chips' subtle tang. * Meski Tomahawk Bistec: 32 oz cream co. steak, pickled shallot, cashew salsa macha, awaze butter ($165): https://tinyurl.com/bd264dw7 - Requested medium rare: https://tinyurl.com/2cw4a3xu - Feeds 3 to 4 people Meski's signature dish and for good reason, the quality and cookery on the tomahawk was phenomenal. Nice smoky sear on the outside, perfectly medium rare, and incredibly juicy and tender with some nice fatty bits. FAT = FLAVOR. Beats the tomahawks I've had at steakhouses. I appreciate that they lightly salted the steak so you can appreciate the natural beefy taste but I couldn't detect the flavor of yhr cashew salsa macha and the pickled shallots didn't have much acidic punch. The aji dulce peppers (?) added bursts of mild sweetness and heat. * Habichuela Misir Wat: Dominican red kidney bean, spicy Ethiopian lentil ($9) Misir wat is my fav vegan dish and this fusion rendition was sorely disappointing. It tasted like an unseasoned watery bean stew, absent of any flavor and heat. * Dominican Vegetable Locrio: Yellow Dominican rice, sofrito, berbere ($8) Cooked well with tender grains but lacking the named aromatic spices. Also, the portion was quite small, more for one person. * Injera: Ethiopian Sour Flatbread ($4) Fresh, spongy texture. Very mild flavor. I prefer injera that's fermented longer with stronger sour flavor. Side Note: Usually, you can request a spice level for Ethiopian food so I asked if it was possible to make the kitfo and misir wat: spicy. They can't. Instead, we were given a bottle of Cholula (Mexican hot sauce) which was disappointing for an upscale resto. Hope they consider making a house hot sauce. S E R V I C E Fantastic service from all the staff we encountered. Our server was awesome; very warm and gracious. I told her we had to leave in 60 minutes (2nd rezzies at a rooftop bar) and she made it happen, thank you! I didn't catch her name but it was unique and she wore a head scarf. The busboys always kept our water glasses filled and the thoughtful bartender helped pack our leftovers. A M B I A N C E Very vibey, sexy date night, "see and be seen" kinda place with fashionistas and a lively Reggaeton playlist. They kept much of the furnishings from Members Only but added their own touches with paintings and greenery. Upstairs, there's 10 tables, 4 high tops, and bar seating. The downstairs lounge is moody with TVs for watching the game. P A R K I N G Street parking in the TenderNob/Lower Nob Hill area is rough! Nearest garages (1-2 minute walk) at 1101 Sutter and 80 Hemlock. Valet available on Friday and Saturday. Overall, ahhhhhmazing tomahawk steak that's worth the splurge but IMHO, Meski seems more like a place for the vibes. Unfortunately, I share the same sentiments as the 3 star (or less) reviews...the food was bland. I really hope they consider kicking up the seasoning several notches because fusion or not, Afro-Latin and Ethiopian cuisine should be flavorful, vibrant, and richly spiced. Never bland. read more

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My wife and I looked forward to trying this new popular restaurant. Reservations are definitely recommended as we planned a week in advance. We were greeted promptly and shown to our high top table. My wife loves a good Pinot Noir but we noticed the pour appeared to be a little light. I ordered the Coconut Con Leche but they were out of this drink. For an appetizer we shared the Tibs De Maduros...the plantain and sauce were so flavorful. My wife is vegetarian and had the Meski Yetsom Platter. Once again, the best item on this sampler was the plantain as the beans, string beans and collard greens seemed to lack flavor. I wanted to try the lamb but it was unavailable. I ended up selecting the Arroz Con Pollo and it was tasty...especially the rice. Overall , a good experience but I was surprised they were out of my first two choices and it was only 6PM. We look forward to trying more restaurants in San Francisco. read more

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Going in, I had very low expectations for this restaurant but it shocked me in every way possible. The food, service, ambiance--everything was absolutely fantastic! We got the pollo guisado sambusas (chicken samosas/empanadas), tibs de maduros (plantains), duck fat yucca fries, tibs de chivo (goat), and rabo encendido casarrece (braised oxtail pasta). The pollo guisado sambusas were extremely crispy and the chicken filling was generous. I love plantains so not much explanation needed there. The duck yucca fries were good but definitely outshined by all the other flavors, so would recommend another app or entree if you're with a bigger group! The oxtail was soo tender. Goat was also tender and flavorful, not gamey at all. Some of the dishes came with olives which I don't like but it wasn't difficult to just pick them out. Most of the dishes came with little peppers that were so fresh and delicious! The service was phenomenal, everyone was so kind and attentive and made sure we had a great time. The ambiance is super vibey, everyone dressed up (not a requirement but it matches the upscale, dimly light, tastefully decorated interior). Would love to come back if/when hype and resys calm down, altho the hype is extremely warranted!! read more

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Honestly this exceeded my expectations going in. I definitely prefer the lounge cocktails to the cocktails offered with dinner. The steak tartare and arroz con pollo were were my favorite dishes. The sambusas were good and the chicken was cooked well but I thought it was lacking in flavor comparatively. Service was great everything came out quickly and the kitchen coursed our dishes for us. Also they play very lively music! Definitely try the donuts if you have room for dessert- they were a mixture of salty and sweet with an airy dough. read more

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The food was delicious. I went with family members, so I was able to sample taste several dishes. I must say all were delicious. I myself ordered the NY steak. The flavor was great & it was cooked to perfection. But I felt the steak could be more tender. The oxtail pasta was great. The collard greens as a side were also delicious. The branzino was grilled to perfection. My wife ordered the chicken & tasted great. Each dish was filled with flavor, but none were overpowering. I would highly recommend this restaurant & will be back. The interior looks great & most importantly the hostess along with the hospitality was on another level. I must add parking will take a minute to find. read more