Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Mr Pollo

    4.4 (721 reviews)
    PriceyNew American
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Mr Pollo Photos

    Business Info

    MR POLLO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Mr Pollo

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos - Mr Pollo

    Darci K.

    In one word... outstanding! Yes, this is a hidden secret. I'm tempted to keep it that way because this is one of those IYKYK. The quaint, eclectic, almost on the verge of wanting to be Bohemian, but not quite there. Mr. Pollo is truly the best! I'll just get this out of the way, reservations are made 2+ weeks in advance. It's San Francisco so parking is what it is. Mr. Pollo should be in the Michelin Guide. Michelin people are you reading this?? When you make reservations, there is one seat, seating, and one seating only. Be on time! As laid-back and comfortable as the restaurant is, it's obvious that everything is timed because the ones seating, which again makes us perfection. The menu is constantly changing, and every meal is sure to be mouthwatering delicious. When you were seated, you're handed a light wine menu to select from and your evening is off! This is a tasting menu, and I can assure you you want to have it all! Our menu was: Cold Spanish soup with fermented grapes, fried almonds, with a beautiful drizzle of olive oil on top. The soup was magical. Can I describe it in any better words? No. All I know is that I could not get enough of it. The second dish: This over the top house-made pasta that enrobed with this garlic, cream sauce, sausage, sun-dried, tomatoes, with a generous portion of Parm and breadcrumbs, and if your mouth isn't watering... It really should be. I wanted to dive into the bowl. The third dish: Braised duck. If anyone wants to learn how to make duck into the most tantalizing delicious dish, this one's for you! I don't know what magic is going on in this restaurant, but keep doing what you're doing. The duck was served over a bowl of tasty grains, with pieces of fresh apple, squash, and herbs and OMG remember it's not polite to lick a bowl/plate in public. The fourth and final dish: Dessert. I thought that each dish was a surprise, and then dessert was served. Keep in mind at this point I was beyond full, but who's going to ever turn down dessert?? Pear Moscato ice cream. It was served with this made fresh in front of us whipped cream that was spectacular just on its own. This is the whipped cream that you definitely want your own bowl a spoon and a sit quietly in a corner and be left alone while you enjoy every drop of it This sat all on a bed of Moscato honey syrup. This is the dessert that you could enjoy all year long. I was stopped and I walked away wondering what it would've been possible to have taken dessert home because I wanted this again. Hell I wanted this whole meal again! These guys have created such a wonderful space, and they make it look, just absolutely effortless. I know that it's not, but this was probably one of the most magical dining experiences that I've had in a very long time. Thank you for a wonderful dinner and I can't wait for the next time!

    arepa
    Linda Y.

    Yum! A great four-course for its price point, tucked away in a small room close to the 24th Mission Bart. I made a resy a few days in advance - would recommend since there's limited seating inside. I really enjoyed the cozy, dim lit atmosphere inside and everyone cooking and prepping the food was very friendly (it was open kitchen, and folks at the bar could interact directly!). Our first course was seasonal fig which was a great palate opener. Next up was the arepa which had a nice texture -- the avocado and pickled onion also cut through. (Personally I would have liked if this one was beef more, since it did kind of just taste like a normal sandwich). The money dish was the shrimp risotto... the corn and leek, the texture, the taste was all amazing. I was literally savoring this one and thinking about it after. Last came dessert! It was a nice chocolate ganache over pear crumble/ice cream and really liked the combo of rich creaminess with a tiny bit of tartness. Overall would love to come back to Mr. Pollo and try new seasonal flavors on their menu! Good hidden gem.

    Vivian H.

    Loved this cozy prix fixe dinner, super casual but quality food, a surprise menu of whatever the chef is feeling or finding at the market. Would try for a counter table in the future - that's definitely more the vibe. Server was really sweet. Would definitely recommend and plan on a return visit soon!

    Short rib with cauliflower
    May W.

    Love coming to Mr Pollo in the mission! 4-course tasting menu is always unique and leverages in-season produce and fruits. Nowhere else in the city can you get a 4-course meal for $49. This place is legit. Reservations only on Resy and it's an intimate 12-person sitting. It almost feels like you're hanging out at a friends place :) it's a good thing! Owners are super nice and the food is amazing! We've been here 4+ times. In January 2025, the menu was (in my simple terms): 1. Spiced squash soup with lemon cream. Spices were perfect 2. Pasta with apples and chicken 3. Short rib with cauliflower. SO tender and flavorful 4. rum cake with caramel. Delicious ending to our meal I have to admit I do miss the arepa, but excited to see how the menu changes each time we go.

    Lamb shoulder
    Marissa P.

    I got to try this restaurant thanks to a random 6pm Tuesday night reservation opening up, and I was excited about the 4 course menu for $50. There's only 12 seats in the very small interior and I was at a table in the corner, although I wish I got to sit at the chef's counter as it looked fun to be able to watch the cooking up close and chat with the chef. The menu for my dinner was a sformatino with goat cheese, a ringlet curl pasta with octopus, braised lamb shoulder, and an apricot sorbet with an almond cookie. Overall the meal was good, but not as special as I expected especially with the hype I've heard for it and how it's always booked up. I also thought all the dishes besides the dessert had too much parsley, both in quantity and in size of the leaves. In the end, the sorbet and the pasta with octopus were my favorites. While enjoyable, I'm not necessarily rushing to go back or labeling this spot as a must-try for me.

    I don't remember what this dessert was! It was good! :)
    Aaron Z.

    It's a tiny place so they release (required) reservations two weeks at a time. I've seen this on several lists as one of the best affordable chef's menus in SF and I'd agree. The experience is pretty fun and intimate. I think they seat only up to like a dozen people and you see the chef make everything behind the counter. I don't think they can easily cater to individuals' dietary preferences, so this is best for omnivores. The courses included: a delicious heirloom tomato dish; a cheesy gnocchi; an entire (!) buttermilk fried quail with a summery salad of golden watermelon, avocado, cucumbers, and pickled onion; and a pretty dessert of ingredients I can't remember, but were delicious together. Very fun and interesting to see the chef show you what he's got.

    Salmon
    Aye K.

    Great tasting menu in the city! Went for a weeknight dinner and absolutely loved it. The restaurant is in a fairly busy neighborhood, but once you step inside it feels peaceful and intimate. Service was friendly and efficient, and you can tell they've perfected the pacing of each course. The tasting included four dishes, which I believe rotate over time. We started with a vegetable string bean appetizer in a delicious red pepper vinaigrette, followed by pasta cooked perfectly al dente, then a beautifully prepared salmon dish, and finally an apple dessert. I might be off on some of the exact details since I don't recall all the ingredients, but everything was excellent. I was definitely full by the end. It would be nice if they provided a small menu card listing the night's dishes, but that's just a minor preference! Overall, I would come back to see what new dishes they create next. They offer only two seatings each night (6pm and 8pm) and reservations fill quickly, so plan ahead!

    Almond soup - with grapes and marcona almonds and a type of cured meat.
    Madhuri K.

    Excellent food and service. Tiny place - need reservations for sure. I can't wait to go back.

    Becca H.

    I thought this was a super unique dinner! They only do two dinner seatings each night and it is a different menu depending on the chef's choice. Two guys own it and are the only ones that work the space, which is super cool! The food was well done and definitely had a different twist on it. I highly recommend for a cool experience - there's 4 courses!

    Quail
    Candace T.

    I've been wanting to go to this place for forever and I finally got the chance in October 2025. They have a seasonal fixed menu at a reasonable price. It is a fairly quick service since it's quite small and they do two services a night with one person cooking and one serving. It's an efficiently run business making full use of the limited space they have. It does get a little stuffy in there with the number of people + kitchen, but the food was excellent.

    Shrimp Arepa
    Amy T.

    Came here with my sister on a recommendation from a friend. The appetizer was pretty tasty. I never had straciatella cheese before but I loved the creamy texture. The asparagus was cooked perfectly. I was not a fan of the cubeb garnish. The arepa this week, which the protein changes weekly, was shrimp. I was very disappointed that this was served cold with a cream sauce, it was messy to eat and did not taste good to me with the cold, hard arepa. I was looking forward to a warm bite, maybe not pork like my friend had but something warm. The entree was a halibut with butternut squash smear and a variety of greens. I enjoyed most that was on this plate, the butternut squash was a bit too sweet and I would've enjoyed the dish more without the mint and hairy bean pods. The halibut and snap peas were cooked perfectly. The dessert was probably my favorite. It is a vanilla bean ricotta mousse with cherry puree, dark chocolate chips and toasted chopped almonds. Yum.

    Chicken Arepa
    Thu N.

    Amazing four-course meal featuring seasonal ingredients, unique dishes, and wholesome home-cooked flavors. Super intimate 12-seat dining space with attentive service! price: ~$50/person for the four courses - Eggplant with Black Sesame Dressing: I don't normally love eggplant, but this was phenomenal. The eggplant was tender and the sauce was perfectly nutty. The mint stood out super well in contrast to the rest of the flavors. - Chicken Arepa: Comforting, soft, and not too overwhelming. The avocado was delicious! - Pork Loin with Corn and Zucchini: I normally feel sick eating most pork, but this was so delicious. The pork was a bit on the tougher side, but every bite was delightful and the savoriness paired super well with the sweetness of the seasonal corn and zucchini. - Vanilla Ricotta Mousse with Cherry Puree and Almonds: I was stuffed at this point but this was too delicious to leave behind. The vanilla is light and sweet and pairs well with the slight tartness of the cherry, while the almonds offer a nice dark textural contrast. Service was excellent and pinot noir was superb! Thanks for the great dinner :-)

    Sue L.

    I was lucky enough to snag a reservation on Resy at 6pm on a Tuesday for my husband and I just a couple days ago. I assume someone must've cancelled since reservations are extremely hard to come by. The restaurant only seats 12 guests at a time. Honestly, I did not know what to expect when I walked in. The inside was dark but felt very cozy and intimate. We decided to seat at the counter because we wanted to watch and engage with the chefs, which we did and had a blast! Mr Pollo was established in 2010 and used to be a fast food Colombian restaurant. They offer a 4 course tasting menu for $49 that changes every few weeks based on what's in season. Each dish was simple but had a unique twist to it. Our first course was the asparagus ricotta tartelette. I was a bit thrown off at first since the tartelette reminded me of an egg tart, which is supposed to be sweet. It was actually savory and creamy from the ricotta. The second course (my favorite) was the pork arepa . I loved the house made sauce and the crunch of the arepa. The third was the halibut and it was so soft that it practically melted in my mouth. The snap peas was another ingredient that tied well with the dish. We also had blueberry clafoutis and fig leaf gelato for our last course, and wow did not expect the fig leaf to taste like coconut. We had a wonderful experience, and I'm so glad I was able to stop by and give this place a try. Also very impressed with how smoothly this place runs with only the 2 of them. Loved the ambiance and vibe! Would love to come back again to see what else they come up with!

    Quail fried in milk sauce

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Daron C.
    263
    248
    433

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 5
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sue L.
    104
    526
    2717

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Ria D.
    0
    13
    35

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Audrey L.
    0
    27
    114

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Iris H.
    763
    230
    3044

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Tina S.
    347
    438
    1111

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Adel W.
    407
    837
    2920

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Dan F.
    875
    610
    18862

    3 years ago

    Helpful 16
    Thanks 2
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Peg W.
    2
    20
    0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Rebecca R.
    184
    58
    106

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 19

    Mr Pollo Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mr Pollo

    Is the menu 100% fixed? I can't eat seafood, does this mean your restaurant is off limits for me?

    Hey! It’s always a fixed menu, and whether it includes seafood depends on what we’re serving that night. We definitely prefer to avoid dietary restrictions, but if someone in your party doesn’t eat seafood, just make a note when you make your… 

    I'm gluten free, would that be a problem for the tasting menu?

    We can usually make that work. Just be sure to write it in the reservation notes.

    We are wondering if we can do this ahead of an 8 PM show. If we have a 6:00 reservation would we be done by 7:30 or so?

    Yeah, that works!

    How far out do you open reservations on Resy? i.e. if I see nothing for march, is it all booked, or should I check in feb?

    Hey! Reservations for 5 people or less open on Resy 2 weeks in advance. So each day at noon a new night opens up. You can always try the notify option on there if a night is full and you’ll get an email if someone cancels. Hope to see you soon!

    Is your restaurant wheelchair accessible? What about the restroom? Thanks.

    Is there a wine list or can I bring my own bottle?

    Yes, there was a wine menu, not a huge one but with enough variety I think. They offer limited ones by the glass also. I didn't notice anything on the menu about BYO but I may have just missed it as my eyes aren't so good.

    Do you take walk ins?

    No sorry, we don’t take walk ins. We are a very small restaurant and all seats are reserved through Resy.

    I dont see the website for reservation? How do I make reservation? Thank you.

    Reservations are on Resy these days. They open 2 weeks in advance.

    Is it possible to see the menu (due to dietary restrictions) before making a reservation?

    Sorry we never post the menu ahead of time. We try to avoid dietary restrictions as much as possible. If you contact me closer to the reservation I can most likely give you a good idea of the menu.

    Jonny are you still the chef there? We haven't been to see you since before thenpandemic?

    Jonny moved during the pandemic. The new chef is Graham Bellefeuille.

    Do you seat single diners?

    Yes, we do. If you only see space for 2 and not 1 you can contact me directly and I can check.

    Can the restaurant accommodate a table of 6?

    From their reservation page - "If your group exceeds 5 people, there is the option to book the entire space (12 people) but that must be done by texting the number listed."… 

    Anyone know how I can get reservations for when Mr. Pollo opens back up?

    We use yelp reservations so they will be available on our yelp page when we are allowed to and ready to reopen.

    Do you take credit cards?

    They do I'm pretty sure

    Do they accommodate vegetarians?

    I've been there with a vegetarian friend and was able to let them know before hand (a day before our reservation). Our vegetarian friend was very happy with her meal. Not sure if they still can accommodate you, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

    Looking for grilled chicken moderate price?

    I think you've got the wrong place - this place serves a prix fixe meal

    View All 21 Questions

    You might also consider

    Ingredients

    Ingredients

    4.9
    (87 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    We were in the city visiting, found ourselves near Diamond Heights around dinner time, found this…read moreplace Ingredients on Yelp. High ratings, few reviews, but we were adventurous and decided to try it, glad we did. Ingredients is on a corner, looked relatively new from the outside LED "Open" sign prominent in the window. Once we walked in, however, we entered a different world from what we were expecting. Luxurious mustard seats, lots of tables for four, seating with high gray bench banquettes, reminding me of a 70s tune ("Diamonds in the back..."); retro vibe elegantly done with modern lighting and sconces. Not cheesy by any stretch, but in a neighborhood place you could wear sweats or a suit to eat at. Our waiter was Jackie, an enthusiastic young man who seemed like he wasn't just there to wait on tables. Throughout the evening he was easy to chat with while being knowledgeable about his food he served without being condescending. He made someone unfamiliar with the menu feel new-to-us dishes weren't going to be an experiment. We ordered the beet salad, the 8 ounce hamburger with fries, the mushroom risotto, and on Jackie's recommendation the Nepal BBQ ribs. In the meantime they served us house made brioche buns-warm, soft, delicate and chewy, flaky; reminded me of Texas Roadhouse buns, but far better. Served with a little olive oil and balsamic in a separated dish, you could eat them plain and enjoy the craftsmanship of baked excellence. We wanted more but in retrospect we would've been filled up with brioche and not enjoyed the meal. Tough choice. The roasted beet salad, served with shaved fennel, a beet balsamic jus, and an apple-citrus slaw that was fresh, sweet with hints of citrus offset by the fennel so it wasn't cloyingly sweet. The textures were enjoyable-the softness of the beets with the crunch of the fennel slaw, we anxiously cleaned the plate! Next came the risotto and the burger. What was enjoyable was the mushroom risotto-a refreshing presentation of toothsome Arborio, creamy yet firm, interplaying with a variety of mushrooms that immediately became one of the better risotto we've had, texturally excellent, not one note like most risotto, it came out hot but not searing; deft hands created a concoction that kept us going back for more. The burger was simple, cooked medium, but one of the best we've had in a very long time. We should qualify the burger as a cheeseburger as we were given a choice- bleu cheese or cheddar, we chose the bleu cheese and it was a good choice, just the right amount complimenting the veggies that came with burger. Oh, the fries-skinny, perfectly fried they stayed equally crunchy from first to last, served in a mini fry basket that was cute but it also showed they meant business, these fries were better than that Irish fast food place, and aren't they the iconic standard of French fries? IMO Ingredients is now the new standard. They were served with house made ketchup, excellent with or without. The ribs came last originally accompanied by a Mac and cheese but since we ordered risotto they served the ribs separately with a slaw. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone, but a little more savory than sweet , served with just enough sauce to accompany the ribs without being messy, easy enough to eat using knife and fork, the kicker was a hint of five spice, subtle enough if it's in your background, but not an annoyance if it's not. Flavorful, hearty, filling, delicious, We ended our meal with a homemade "apple pie," a creation made of thinly sliced apples, perhaps poached, with cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, along with fresh fruit, and a yummy scoop of "creamy"mango sorbet. Lots of surprising good vibes-no crust, all apple, not heavy; the mix of spices played well with each other; mango sorbet wasn't icy like sorbets tend to be, the fresh fruits added a touch of freshness to the dish that could have been sweet-centric, but not. A delicate yet satisfying end to a delicious meal. We met the chef, Sok, at the end of our meal, who had his culinary training n Kathmandu and expanded his repertoire in his world travels. He definitely knows how to elevate a good meal, and his Nepal and French influences add an understated flair to what he cooks. Sok takes tremendous pride in what he presents to the diner, evidenced by who he hires, and how each dish is presented. Dining in Ingredients is gratifying, from the dining room to the staff to the dishes themselves. More people should give Ingredients a try, a gem of a neighborhood find, a rarity in SF! Thank you so much, we have a new favorite restaurant!

    My wife, 2-year old, and I had an amazing dining experience at Ingredients. It was very easy to get…read morea reservation, and they seated us specifically so that our child could get a great view out the window. The wait staff was fantastic--friendly, kind, attentive, and speedy, and they went above and beyond several times throughout the meal (making accommodations for our son, as well as even gifting us a free dessert wine for no apparent reason, which I won't complain about!). We ordered the momos, Brussels sprout salad, carne asada, and rack of lamb (as well as a spaghetti with a side of wild mushrooms for our son). Every dish was spectacular and cooked well, delivered with good pacing, and had really lovely plating. For dessert, we enjoyed their apple pie with gelato. Highly recommend! It's awesome to have a tasty restaurant in such a great location.

    Photos
    Ingredients
    Roasted beet salad, fennel slaw
    Roasted beet salad, fennel slaw
    8ozhamburger, blue cheese,fries, house made ketchup

    See all

    8ozhamburger, blue cheese,fries, house made ketchup
    Trestle

    Trestle

    4.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$$

    One of my favorite dining experiences in SF (and it's a tough category to win in)! This review is…read morelong overdue as I had an amazing experience at Trestle for a birthday dinner a whole year ago. By sheer luck, my birthday coincided with the 4-course for $45 promotion they were running for their 10-year anniversary. I had to jump at the opportunity, especially since the menu was built from the all time favorite items at the restaurant since their opening. I really couldn't think of a better way to experience a restaurant for the first time. While some set course meals have a few misses, this one was just hit after hit the entire way through. I really felt as if every course was complimentary, but different enough in their own way to stand on their own and make an impact. Tldr: the food was amazing! The icing on the cake (figuratively and literally) was just how far they went out of their way to make my birthday night special. Exceptional service, bringing out a complimentary dessert with a candle, and even leaving a personalized card elevated this experience to the next level. Would highly recommend paying Trestle a visit, and I can't wait for the next time I'm able to try their new menus myself!

    Can no longer recommend for special night…read more My husband and I came here a number of times probably 8-10 years ago. We always had a really great dining experience but after moving further away and having kids, we never found our way back until recently. Having nostalgia and taking advantage of being child free, we came here for my birthday. While we were greated with great friendliness by the female hostess and even handed a nice little happy birthday card/note, the mood was pretty quickly killed. Our waiter (an Asian male) literally dropped off the menu and asked for our water order with zero conversation. I took regular still water and my husband asked for sparkling water. We waited quite a while watching him exchange pleasantries with the table next to us (a group of 4) and even the other table of two on our other side. I could see the dining room from my seat and noticed that the tables of people who arrived before and after us all has their drinks - some with cokes and other with wine. My husband after maybe 5-10 minutes still had no water. When the waiter finally came back to us, he said in the most curt tone I have experience at a restaurant - tell me your whole order now. I interjected saying, excuse me my husband has not even received his water yet. He seemed annoyed at my response and just said, your water will come out with your food. What kind of response was that? It was not apologetic and almost accusatory that I dated ask. I told him that I'm seeing everyone else served their drinks, water seems like a bare minimum request after all our wait. He continued to be pretty rude. Never explained the menu or made any recommendations. Just "ok". It was a really unpleasant birthday dinner. We told ourselves maybe he has some spectrum qualities, but based on his interactions with the table next to us that didn't seem like a plausible excuse. Service aside, the food pacing was so fast. It felt like there was no time to enjoy the meal because once they took one plate away it seemed like the next course was immediately served. Overall the meal was satisfactory, but I don't think we'll ever be coming back at this point with so many other options in the city. We felt really unwelcomed by the service for whatever reason.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Cod with potato and cabbage
    Cod with potato and cabbage
    Pickle beer

    See all

    Pickle beer
    Ernest

    Ernest

    4.3
    (653 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    definitely do the tasting menu for $138!! they say its 3 courses but each course has like multiple…read moredishes (apps had like the entire app list). service was really good and the waitress came by alot to fill our water, ask how everything was going. if youre not doing the tasting menu, i would recommend the ikura tartare, uni toast and oysters. the banana bread caviar was interesting but kind of clashed. for the mains i wanted to try the morrel mushrooms but the steak was rly yummy. eggplants were also bomb but pretty small portion. lastly, you gotta try the dessert: kakigori or sundae. i think the ice flavors rotate depending on the season. we got sat upstairs right by the kitchen which i loved (open kitchen kinda) so we got to see all the dishes come out. it is perfect ambiance for a date night!

    I made a reservation for 5:30 p.m. Our table was booked until 7:30 p.m., and we arrived right on…read moretime. The moment we walked in, the host greeted us with: "Just a reminder, we need the table back by 7:30." We sat down. Immediately, the waitress came over: "Just a reminder, we need the table back by 7:30." While we were waiting for our friends, our waiter brought us water: "Just a reminder, we need the table back by 7:30." Our friends arrived seven minutes later. Guess what? "Just a reminder, we need the table back by 7:30." Mission accepted. The food came out at lightning speed, family-style. We barely talked, ate like we were competing in the Olympics, and crossed the finish line by 6:55 p.m. starters and mains completely demolished. We were so proud of ourselves! Dessert arrived at 7:15 p.m. I always like to enjoy dessert with coffee, so I ordered a cold brew from another waiter. A few minutes later, our original waiter rushed over: "Cold brew takes about 10 minutes... and you'll be out of time because we need the table back by 7:30." At that point, I almost replied, "Don't worry, I'll just inhale it." The entire meal felt like a timed exam. The staff seemed stressed, robotic, and not a single smile in sight. Ironically, after we paid the bill and got up to leave... our waiter finally gave me the biggest, warmest smile of the night. Oh brother! The food was delicious, but the dining experience nearly gave me high blood pressure. Next time I'll bring a stopwatch instead of an appetite!

    Photos
    Open kitchen
    Open kitchen
    Shaved ice
    Shaved ice
    Onion rings

    See all

    Onion rings
    Nopa

    Nopa

    4.2
    (5.7k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$$

    I don't even remember what else we ordered, but they gave us a plate of grilled broccoli on the…read morehouse. It was delicious: smokey, flavorful, crunchy. It was fun to watch them grill it over the flame. We got a salad, a chicken, and a beef dish. They were great. I'd come back again.

    FYI: definitely make a reservation and if you're looking for a more quiet dining experience, maybe…read moremake it for one of their outside tables this place was recommended to us by a bunch of bay area natives so we figured we should try it out at least once. WHAT WE GOT: duck egg shakshuka, salmon crudo, bread & butter, tagliatelle, grilled broccoli, apricot tart PROS: good lord the flavor of some of these dishes was insanely good and you could really taste the freshness of the ingredients. my favorite of the night was probably the shakshuka, but that's just cause i'm a tomato gal and i love a good dippable dish. the grilled broccoli was also super lemony which balanced out the heaviness of the tagliatelle nicely and complimented it nicely. service was top notch, our table was literally never dirty because of how often they came by to clear things away or wipe things down. overall good experience. CONS: now ok...once again i know this is san francisco but if i'm paying $21 for a shakshuka, i'm expecting it to be at least enough food to feed maybe 4 people. imagine my surprise when this dish came out and the shakshuka was sitting in a bowl that was about the size of a candle jar lid....and like 2 pieces of bread. i'm sorry for $21????? that's criminal. as good as all the food was, NOPA felt like a one time deal for me because i quite literally can't justify the price to portion size ratio. also it was so incredibly loud in there, i could barely hear my husband talk from across the table. those tables are packed TIGHT.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Complimentary mint chip ice cream and espresso
    Complimentary mint chip ice cream and espresso
    Panhandle punch was delicious

    See all

    Panhandle punch was delicious
    Rise Over Run

    Rise Over Run

    3.9
    (256 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    I came by for brunch and was really impressed by everything from the food to the service to the…read moreambiance. Avocado Toast can be pretty boring, but honestly, it's not hard when they do it right. Their eggs were well made, their sourdough was perfectly crispy and the true star were the perfectly whipp'd avocados (yes, the avocados were perfect). We also shared the chicken and waffles, and honestly, the chicken was so juicy and went great with the slightly sweet and surprisingly (and pleasantly) not strong sauce. The service and food came at a perfect pace made the experience even better. Not too fast and not too slow. The rooftop was nice too. Service and Food just right. 10/10 honestly.

    Views: 10/10 Service : 9/10…read moreFood: 8/10 Drinks: 10/10 I was finally able to make it over to this place. As a rooftop connoisseur, this place was on my list for a while. I will say that this place is absolutely stunning and beautiful compared to a lot of others San Francisco rooftops that I have visited. This is located into the tenderloin, so please be aware that you will have to find your own street parking but parking a garage is preferred. This place has stunning views nonetheless, it's very chill and in a relaxing setting. The music is not overpowering, which is nice enough to have a conversation without having it overly crowded with 50 other people around you. I've definitely been back here a few times to take other friends and family and I will continue to do so. There are also heaters outside when it's very cold, chilly and windy. The staff is amazing as they are also willing to accommodate you and give you blankets if needed. Can't wait to go back!

    Photos
    View of the indoor seating area
    View of the indoor seating area
    Fried Chicken (4 pcs) $22.00; southern biscuits $8.00
    Fried Chicken (4 pcs) $22.00; southern biscuits $8.00
    View from outside

    See all

    View from outside
    Wildseed

    Wildseed

    4.5
    (1.8k reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    I'm not vegan so I have been hesitant to come here but WOW I was so impressed! We came for a brunch…read moreand got a reservation! I highly recommend a reservation as it does get busy especially on a Friday night! First the atmosphere is adorable. The decorations and ambiance are so beautiful. Lots of windows, plants and the bar is stunning. Service was wonderful! Now the food!!! We got the chilaquiles, French toast and spicy sausage omelet. All were delicious! Just egg is amazing when cooked right! Favs were the chilaquiles and French toast! I recommend sharing so you get a sweet and savory! Will be back for dinner!!!

    Wildseed is a beautiful restaurant that was well lit, decorated with lush greenery and warm wooden…read moreaccents. The seating is spacious and sectioned off rather than one large open dining room, which allows for different arrangements and a nice sense of privacy between groups. The downside is that this layout seems to leave patrons on the right side, behind the wooden partition, nearly forgotten. We were handed our menus and then left alone for almost 15 minutes without anyone circling back to take our order. When we finally did order, the servers brought dishes to the wrong table and couldn't keep track of who had ordered what. That said, the food, atmosphere, and location could easily make up for it, I would consider coming back if I had to return to San Francisco.

    Photos
    Restaurant inside
    Restaurant inside
    Heirloom tomato bruschetta
    Heirloom tomato bruschetta
    Caprese girl

    See all

    Caprese girl
    Terrene

    Terrene

    4.1
    (208 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    The food is very good - we've been here twice and had great food all around…read more Our first visit we had some trouble with the service, feeling rushed thru for what is a pretty expensive dinner, but the team there contacted us after (we had a reservation so they had our email) and they made it right by inviting us back as guest of Rob, the Bev Mgr. The 2nd visit the service was impeccable, everything went exactly as we had hoped. We will be back. We can recommend the scallops and the Salmon, the chicken was very tasty. Also, for the food, I recommend the dips and the fresh pitas, so good. We'll be back just for that. Reminds me of the old Berkeley restaurant years ago, Holy Land (IYKYK). Mmmm. Thanks!

    We each ordered the sunrise sandwich - one with bacon and one with sausage. The sausage was super…read morethin and dry. The bacon was fine. The sandwich comes with a small dressed salad and three tomato halves. It was nice. The potatoes served with the sandwich were roasted but served cold and dry. Like they were left over from the night before. Randy enjoyed his mocha. We shared a very dry, flavorless except for the two small bits of jam in them, "cheese" danish. Definitely skip this $7 item that you could get at a circle k for $1.50 and it would taste fresher. You order when you walk in and someone delivers your order and then you're left to fend for yourself. We were able to locate some ketchup for the potatoes on our own. Nobody ever checked on us. This is the second place on this visit that's charging an extra 5% fee so that their employees can have a living wage and health insurance, which absolutely, every employee should have. With the prices they charge, they should already be able to do that, though. I read an article about this fee with many different names and I would rather pay a bit higher of a price and know the employees were taken care of than be surprised by this fee later. Two sandwich breakfasts, a mocha and a danish on top of tax and their healthy sf fee was $63. Steep for the quality we got. Won't be back.

    Photos
    Terrene Lounge
    Terrene Lounge
    Steak and eggs
    Steak and eggs
    Seared scallops

    See all

    Seared scallops

    Mr Pollo - newamerican - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...