I would return for the ribeye and the foie gras. A new restaurant with foie gras on the menu....I'M SO THERE!!! I'm getting my foie gras fix every chance I get before the ban kicks in on July 2012 prohibiting restaurants from serving this delicacy. (That will be the day when my heart dies just a little) Parallel 37 is more semi formal with a casual comfortable atmosphere despite it being at the Ritz. One word for the oysters on the half shell with elderflower mignonette - FRESH!!! This was a teaser since a serving only came with 2 tiny oysters. What was memorable: Beef ribeye. The portion was small. There were 3 pieces of super tender ribeye with yukon potatoes, chanterelle mushroom, red onion jam, pinot noir reduction and they melted in my mouth. My guess was the portion equated to about 6 ounces of red meat. It was not enough to fill a hungry stomach for the price but it was really good meat and it reminded me that quality should always come before quantity. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/GnxzYamcJRd5NG94wGxdcw?select=OEEoF7aS8VcgFUrqS-wZWA) Inconsistent: The first serving of foie gras was perfectly seared and the huckleberries balanced out the richness.(http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/GnxzYamcJRd5NG94wGxdcw?select=FeBbJchYmJA434p8QMoaEg) So good that it left me wanting more so I ordered a second serving. Unfortunately the second time, the foie gras was seared to a burnt. It was still good but I could taste the burnt texture. My point is that the food was inconsistent. What can be improved: side order of assorted mushrooms with meyer lemon was very forgettable. It should NOT be called "assorted" if it only came with 2 types of mushrooms, oysters and enoki and it was skimpy in portion. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/GnxzYamcJRd5NG94wGxdcw?select=LD816kTEvFJeyVD3f4SL8A What I don't care for: Sweet treats on the dessert menu was a disappointment. An assortment of sweet nibbles that changes daily. Macaron with caramel buttercream, watermelon fruit pate, chocolate bon bon, pine nut cookie - tasted like almond cookies, eclaire - chewy rubbery like stale bread, marshmallow with graham cracker crumb coating, chocolate cake pop. The best item on the treat plate was the cake pop in comparison to the rest of the treats but I wouldn't order any of them again. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/GnxzYamcJRd5NG94wGxdcw?select=GBaJmSwxzVSXJe4AeDFl3A Service: 5 star to the waiter who did not include the burnt foie gras on the bill. read more

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Having very positive experiences at other Ritz-Carlton's, I was let down here. Went to a celebratory group lunch in their private dining area. Three course prix fixe with a soup or salad and three very plain options for lunch; pasta, a chicken wrap, and their signature P37 burger. An amuse of Thai green curry shrimp was included. I was missing the flavor from the chili and the richness from the coconut milk. Bland. Just like the salad. Their burger literally tasted like the Whopper from Burger King. Their duck fat fries with house ketchup were phenomenal. Tell me why for a table of 14 in where 12 ordered the burger they only bring out 3 sets of fries to share? The food was just boring and bland. For this price point was expecting more. Instead of fine dining, the dining experience was just fine. Ambiance and decor are the best attributes. The dinner menu looks better but I think I'll pass and opt for a places like Boulevard instead. Feeling generous with 2 star review. read more

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********************* 1534 *********************** I've been wanted to come here for a long time since the new chef Michael Rotondo arrived from Charlie Trotter, the iconic Chicago restaurant. Chef Rotondo was the right hand man there for almost a decade long until the day the restaurant closed down. The anticipation was high and I got to dine with 2 fine dining foodies/Yelpers, although they are not Elite but they have dined around the world at some of the best restaurants. My kind of dining partners Kenneth L. and Cindy C. Thank you for joining me. Parallel 37 design and layout are more modern than what I expected of the Ritz Carlton style. The place is spacious, plenty of space between table which I love. I don't want to smell the cologne of the guy next to me haha. The bar is a bit uninviting for my taste. It's too structure and had that cold feeling to it. I love the entrance with that gorgeous wooden piece, that's the warmest thing of the entire restaurant. The beautiful smile hostess greeted us nicely, but our table wasn't ready. The Tuesday after the Memorial's Day weekend. The cool bartender has been there since the Dining Room day was nice, recommended Banshee's wine to me which I enjoyed. Made a tasty cocktail for my friend, and a cold beer for another. We literally tried a bit of everything on the menu. We ordered the a la cart so three of us could share everything. Great idea, we got to try 9 dishes and I was beyond full, fat and happy afterward. Everything was delicious! - AMUSE BOUCHE - CAVIAR - I was heavenly in love. Thank you chef. - LOCAL BACK COD green beans, cucumber - delish - SEARED OCTOPUS, green shiso, crispy garlic - unusual dish, refreshing taste. - PAPPARDELLE PASTA asparagus, red wine, fennel sausage - I love this dish, the way chef rolls the pasta, beautifully presented. - ALASKAN HALIBUT polenta, wild fennel, manila clams, bacon - moist, perfectly done, so much flavor here. - HERB CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB 48 hour braised shoulder, potato gnocchi, arugula - ORDER this dish! Thank you to our waiter recommendation. - CENTER CUT RIBEYE dijon mustard, spring onion, short rib - it was cooked to perfection. Dessert with chocolate and more. Service was good but not present all the time, they were very busy and the servers seem to rush to run to the next table. We had to wait a bit to order the wine. I would expect a smoother service from the Ritz. Since we already know what we wanted. We didn't ask for the Sommelier. Next time I would like to have the Somm recommend us. Their wine list is quite nice. If you get the black AMEX to spend , I need a third job to afford my dining out habit haha! We also got to meet the chef. He was super cool, down to earth, warm, and we truly love his food. The dishes were beautifully plated, fresh ingredients, technique, and full of flavor. I got to chat with chef a bit about his time at Charlie Trotter. I used to live in Chi Town also. We all love the food, and I can't wait to come back to try other dishes with my parents. read more

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During the holiday bustle of Union Square, I was excited to have our (before) Christmas dinner...and this new place at the Ritz made it memorable. Upon arrival, they already had me at the warm welcome and the new modern decor. I have no complaints whatsoever about their service either. We started with the oysters and they were perfect. Both small, but I was pleased with the refreshing flavor and texture. We also ordered a side of the assorted mushrooms. The lemony flavor was pretty average, and I was expecting more of an assortment. I had the Masami Beef Rib Eye. One of the best beef rib eyes I've had. So tender at medium rare....it melted in my mouth. Taste spelled quality, and adding the pinot noir reduction and red onion jam just made it heavenly. Sadly, I didn't care much about the potatoes and mushrooms...it was all about the beef! I wouldn't mind ordering this entree again. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/GnxzYamcJRd5NG94wGxdcw?select=OEEoF7aS8VcgFUrqS-wZWA My friend had the Foie Gras, and I was able to snag a few bites. It was very good, so we had to order another one to share. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/GnxzYamcJRd5NG94wGxdcw?select=FeBbJchYmJA434p8QMoaEg Desserts we had were just okay. Presentation was better than taste and texture. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/GnxzYamcJRd5NG94wGxdcw?select=GBaJmSwxzVSXJe4AeDFl3A P37 is new with a not bad looking menu and wine list. I wouldn't mind coming back for more! read more

Who would have thought it possible? My favorite restaurant in the City was born from a YEE that I crashed! Yes, hard to believe. Back to the meat of it, I started dining here in 2013, shortly after chef Michael Rotondo arrived and revamped this sleeping giant of a restaurant on Nob Hill. Being thoroughly impressed by the YEE meal, I quickly became a regular here... regular as in a few times a year. And the best part is that he hasn't failed to impress me each time I've been back. With the latest changes, my review will be a two-part one, so please bear with me: 1) Dinner - Having hosted a couple of special occasion dinners with relatives during the summer, I was more than happy to share this find with them, dining at both the kitchen table and their private room (the venue of said YEE). Everyone was impressed and astonished at the food quality and fine service offered here. Both times, chef Michael greeted our party and asked whether we enjoyed our meal... the five stars answers that question. Recently, he emailed me that bison (http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=4dPkqZKDvGGUnNu4Zwyp6Q&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) was again available... I'd been chasing him about bringing that back on the menu for over a year now. Well, that was enough to prompt two more dinners for work and casual friends. The Autumn tasting menu featured this! The other highlight of that meal was the foie gras tortellini (http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=YM1GXAR1hN98GI7H4ionvg&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q). As was the scallop on that menu (http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=hCWGM_y0h4XzYuzegrsV-w&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q)! 2) Sunday brunch - To show you how behind the times I am, I did NOT know that the hotel no longer served a Sunday buffet at the Terrace restaurant downstairs. Nor did I know that they no longer offered the Christmas Day grand... and I do mean grand... buffet in the ballroom. So it was a bit of a surprise to me when chef Michael invited me to their first rendition of Sunday brunch here in mid-December. They plan to offer this brunch on the 2nd Sunday of every month. I brought several friends including my best friend here to enjoy this wonderful, scrumptious meal. Knowing the layout almost too well, I felt right at home navigating myself throughout the dining room. Please note that this buffet is one of quality over quantity as the selections are not as wide as their sister restaurant Navio in Half Moon Bay. However, let's just say that I would be a happy boy just camping out at the hot plates and carving station in their private room. Between the in-shell scallops and the prime rib and rack of lamb... well, you know. Trying to pare down those calories in preparation for holiday feasting, I've been holding back on the sweets. The dessert table here will bring you to tears. The pastry chef has macarons as well as a variety of seasonal small bites that will leave you nodding your head. My favorite were those passionfruit tarts that were topped with pomegranate seeds. (My apologizes for no photos as my phone battery died). Well, I've given you two quick reasons why this has become one of, if not, my favorite restaurant in the City. I don't think you'll be disappointed dining here. read more

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My visit to the newly redesigned Parallel 37 at a YEE in 2013 was a memorable event. When a got an invite from Mike C. for a special dinner gathering for his day, I was looking forward to celebrating a special day at this fine dining establishment. After our party of ten was seated, our waiter took our drink orders. We then sat back and enjoyed a fine tasting menu consisting of: Amuse bouche: A trio of Tuna Tartar, lemon cucumber and Jimmy Nardell Peppers; Courgette Essence with salmon and potato beignet; Hamachi Collar with kimchee brown rice, picked daikon. As palate openers, each of these three were tasty with their own unique flavors. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/parallel-37-san-francisco?select=8dWt08WIHjhEt_TvivbKSg#8dWt08WIHjhEt_TvivbKSg) Sweet Corn Soup with Fried Squash Blossoms. This cream soup was not rich and had an explosion of corn flavors. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/parallel-37-san-francisco?select=8dWt08WIHjhEt_TvivbKSg#spBP1LGC8IS9AFXWsdyS7A) Heirloom Tomato Panzanella, Quinoa, Mixed Greens, Aged Balsamic. Love Quinoa and this course highlights the grain with the complementary flavors. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/parallel-37-san-francisco?select=8dWt08WIHjhEt_TvivbKSg#_Fiu5FRaWdqkLA_04XvGow) Fiddler's Greens Farms Carrot Tortellini, Greek Yogurt, Madeira Jus. A soft pillow filled with pureed carrots. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/parallel-37-san-francisco?select=8dWt08WIHjhEt_TvivbKSg#lgd-D4dvw2bv3-SNBnmftQ) Roasted Organic Chicken, Chanterelle Mushrooms. The chicken was so moist and tender. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/parallel-37-san-francisco?select=8dWt08WIHjhEt_TvivbKSg#iYaMu5OLWdWhAB5Fj-Z-PA) Aged Ribeye, Braised Oxtail, Cherries, and Bloomsdale Spinach. A delicious combination of protein. A tender piece of medium rare Ribeye and braised oxtail that was shredded and formed into a crusted cube. Very unique and rich dish. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/parallel-37-san-francisco?select=8dWt08WIHjhEt_TvivbKSg#qZ9Dpz_ynTV7hV-VgCq-Ug) Melon Granite, Compressed Melon, Basil Buds. A nice refreshing palate cleanser. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/parallel-37-san-francisco?select=8dWt08WIHjhEt_TvivbKSg#Wr9jcjxFx8n6Zvq7hOzWzg) Pistachio Mousseline, Strawberries, Matcha. Reminded me of a delicious Budino that I had at another restaurant. One of the highlights of the meal. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/parallel-37-san-francisco?select=8dWt08WIHjhEt_TvivbKSg#Jr6_0HCHTGAY9Tzw_itb5A) (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/parallel-37-san-francisco?select=8dWt08WIHjhEt_TvivbKSg#A2_Sx_oRvi8H7yNpM6Kvxw) Overall, it was a delicious eight-course meal with unique and tasty dishes. In comparison to other fine dining restaurants, Parallel 37 needs to fine tune its service and its bread offerings. For several dishes, the waiter was not certain about the ingredients/details. On several occasions, the dishes did not arrive at the same time. The dessert was served to 8 of the 10 guests. It was another 2 minutes before the final two guests were served. From other tasting menu experiences, guests are provided artisan bread and rolls. We were provided what appeared to be toast with a nice sweet butter. Maybe, in my next visit, it will be a true five-start dining experience. read more

Was staying here for the duration of my stay while I was in SF and came here for breakfast the day of my flight since I did not want to travel far out just hours before my flight. And I was given once last treat before I left as I thought the food and service here was both very well done. I ordered myself a latte and the huevos rancheros. The latte was great as I needed something to wake me up and the rancheros fed my hunger as every bite only wanted me to follow that up with an immediate bite right there after. Very well done, will be back here next time I am staying at this hotel while visiting the San Francisco area. read more

I ate at Parallel 37 as something of an afterthought, if I'm being honest. I was hungry late at night while staying in my room at the Ritz, and thought I'd try it out. The bar area was completely empty, but the dining room was relatively well populated at about 8:30p on a Saturday. I ordered the Brandt beef tenderloin with a side of the gold Yukon potatoes. It was fantastic - the vegetable yakitori was well-balanced and had a good variety, with good seasoning. I feel like kind of a numbskull because the grate on the small porcelain grill kept falling through. The mashed potatoes were exactly what you would expect - just rich, very well made mashed potatoes. The tenderloin itself was excellent also - tender, of course, and even though I ordered Medium Rare, it was more on the rare side, which also works for me. The sauce served with it wasn't really worth mentioning, and the chimichurri was good. The most interesting part was the potato salad side with the tenderloin. It's literally potato salad stuffed into a cylindrical cage of spiral potato strings. The "cage" was hard to eat, but the potato salad itself was good. All in all, a very positive experience! read more

this place is way under-rated. For a restaurant at a hotel I think it deserves accolades for not making boring food for the average visitor scared to venture out and try authentic food. Heard good things about the new chef's team and chose this restaurant for a night out since we had a babysitter. Every dish was unique, tasty, and didn't compromise on flavor or culture. This place is a fusion place but does it well. Bauer commented on the decor but I think it is fitting for San Francisco, because yes it kinda feels like the inside of a bar but it's classy yet casual (i'd say 35%/65%)-- which, my friends, is what SF is all about! even at the Ritz, you can wear jeans and be served with respect. It has the same feel as RN74 in terms of decor. The service was spot-on, friendly, not over the top. We had: zucchini soup $12 (by the way they use the sous vide style of cooking in several dishes...mmmm) hamachi (great take) $17 linguini was infused with paprika and reduced OJ (never thought of that kinda preparation but it worked; tart in a good way) $19 trump mushroom $20 chicken wing (again a unique but eye-popping take on the classic wing) $16 flank steak looked dry but it wasn't at all! I think it was the sous vide thing again. $24 pork loin $22 Cune rioja was also a nice treat. While everyone had probably gone off to a BBQ, we were starving by the time our 8:30 reservation rolled around (have an infant that consumes our days!). The restaurant was honestly empty by the time SF fireworks stole the show but we truly enjoyed the attention and quality of food that July 4th night! read more

Amazing food and even better staff. My husband and I get nervous when we bring our infant to fancy restaurants for the obvious reasons. On the other hand we still like great food. The staff made us feel totally at ease. The food was probably some of the best we have ever had. I also need to say that the hostess, Rosana was not only an amazing hostess, but an amazing human being.... She drew a beautiful picture of our baby that is going to go in her baby book and she'll have for the rest of her life. Thank you so much for the amazing service... read more

Parallel 37 - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

The only thing I really loved eating here was the Foie Gras. It was a big piece of seared heaven! However, all the other dishes we ordered were lackluster. I was very disappointed in everything else we ordered, but I was kind of expecting it based on all the reviews. If Foie Gras ever comes back to CA, I'll definitely stop by the lounge and order it, but the rest of the menu definitely needs work. read more

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Returned for another visit at parallel 37 to try their new family style dishes, in this case whole roasted lobster w lobster beignet, consommé lobster roll and the best whole lobster tail prep I ever had. Also had the ahi tuna w crispy rice and the dessert called caramel and orange w caramelia mousse orange jam and hazelnut crumble. Service was great and the experience wonderful. read more

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It has been a while since a restaurant has truly wowed me from service to plate, and this restaurant truly does. I was celebrating my birthday here and every employee was gracious and made me feel like I was the only one dining- from free drinks to dessert. I truly was royally spoiled. The cocktails here are crafted perfect, an excellent balance of flavors. The food was impecable, from the signature seared octopus- the textures, and the explorations of cold and hot in the dish brought your palat on an awesome journey. The duck was also a wonderful balance of sweet and savory. Hands down a wonderful experience all the way around. read more

Parallel 37 - Octopus, Must Have - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Verrryyyy good if you're looking for a bougie night out. Basket of bread comes with a v fancy and unique assortment of butter/oil and the breads are so good fml I did the three course menu and got the oysters, black cod and the lamb dishes. All three were so good omfg Black cod was by far the best thing I have eaten this month. Restaurant is also very accommodating; made a special vegetarian/carb heavy meal for my mom who was running a marathon the next morning. read more

Parallel 37 - Bread & butter - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

I LOVE this restaurant. Had a fabulous chef's tasting menu and wine pairing meal. YUM read more

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I was here for a corporate dinner and we had the whole restaurant to ourselves. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Great company, ambience and food. I had high expectations given that this was the Ritz after all. The bar tenders were friendly and attentive. Even charged my phone for me since it was almost out of juice and I was about to have a panic attack. Service was excellent, very attentive and unintrusive. The sashimi appetizer was excellent. The steak and dessert were really good. I was a few drinks in by that point and don't remember the exact names. ;-) Maybe that's why I thought it was so good. Anyways, Parallel 37 gets my sign of approval. read more

Disappointed that a mediocre restaurant (at best) could be located in a five star hotel... I decided to take bestest out for his graduation dinner. I couldn't decide between three restaurants so I sent him the list to choose. I booked a reservation through opentable.com for a Tuesday at 7pm. FOOD: *Veal Tortelloni ($15) - Pass as this wasn't a great start to our meal. Though the tortelloni was stuffed with a generous amount of veal, the veal was a bit dry. The worse part of the dish was the undercooked pasta skin which resulted as the skin being doughy and dry. *Mushroom Risotto ($24) -The risotto was nice and creamy. If you're a mushroom person, I'd recommend this dish since the mushroom flavor was really brought out in this dish. The only thing I would've done differently was ask for no fava beans. *French Fries w/Housemade Ketchup ($8) - Definitely a must order! The fries were sliced thin and were deep fried until crispy. The first taste of the homemade ketchup was a bit odd but quickly grew on me. The housemade sauce is made from tomatoes, mustard seeds, and various herbs and spices. SERVICE: Our waiter was nice, but didn't seem to be seen most of the time. There were very few parties in the restaurant and our waiter seemed to disappear most of the time. Though the servers kept our water glasses filled at all times, kitchen service was completely unacceptable. While our appetizers came out in less than 10 minutes, we sat around for close to 30 minutes waiting for our entrees. PARKING: Valet is available through the Ritz or there's plenty of metered street parking after 7pm down the block. read more

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I recently stayed at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco on a work trip and made a stop into Parallel 37 to grab dinner before heading out to catch my flight home. I had the Truffle fries for an appetizer and they were great, but that was only the beginning of a great meal. I had the Nob Hill cheeseburger which was wagyu beef topped with braised short rib and cheddar cheese and I can't explain how amazing this burger was, it was easily the best burger I've ever had. I'm not sure how soon I'll be back to San Francisco but when I am, I'll definitely be back for another burger at Parallel 37. read more

Parallel 37 - Nob Hill Cheeseburger- Wagyu Beef with braised short rib on top. - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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First Review! Enjoy! It is with great pleasure that I get to write my very first review about my experience at such a beautiful restaurant. Lets dive right into this unforgettable 6 course meal! Bread: The bread was heavenly. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that P37 does not make its own bread in-house but wherever they get it from, it deserves 5 stars on its own. They had a variety of breads and a great variety of complementary spreads. 1. European White Asparagus, English Pea Custard, Coriander Encrusted Ahi Tuna I usually eat Ahi Tuna cold, but this time, it was served in a warm White Asparagus soup. This was absolutely tantalizing on the tastebuds and a new take - at least for me - on a classic preparation of the beloved fish. Peas were in season and were cooked very slightly so it added a great crunch to the otherwise softer dish. 2. Sweet Corn Risotto, Poached Maine Lobster, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Sweet 100's (http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=nmwrLYVIb1-eIBPySnvexg&userid=7JNWJToIaBivj2Pc3PQTrw) The Chanterelle Mushrooms had an amazing crunchy texture to them that contrasted very well with the sweet Risotto. The only minor setback in this dish was that my particular lobster was slightly overcooked so it had a tougher, stringy feel to it. Visually a stunner. 3. Liberty Farms Duck, Farro, Seared Foie Gras, Cherry (http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=srbrTQPaJMQpIWEZ_w9_VA&userid=7JNWJToIaBivj2Pc3PQTrw) The Duck was well prepared, but it was lackluster compared to the Foie Gras and the Farro combination. This dish smelled incredible and very rich. The Foie Gras was seared perfectly on both sides and melted in your mouth. They Cherry component left a note of sweetness that worked well. 4. Roasted Lamb Loin Crispy Polenta, Heirloom Tomatoes, Romano Beans (http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=HxP1EksMeZwABXiRrM8kNA&userid=7JNWJToIaBivj2Pc3PQTrw) As I continue writing this review, I believe I am more in awe of the side components than the supposed stars of the dish. The Heirloom Tomatoes were prepared and seasoned very well. It made a bigger fan out of this long time fan of tomatoes in general. The Polenta did not add much to the dish. Lamb was on point per usual. 5. Ginger Soda, Cucumber Sorbet (http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=nyrOCuZEKeIlYGXX-kUNWg&userid=7JNWJToIaBivj2Pc3PQTrw) This dessert was equally unique in its taste and components. The Ginger Soda added a carbonation and a strong ginger profile that was smoothed out by a cool relaxing cucumber sorbet. The ginger was overwhelmingly present in this dish, but the sorbet cooled it down and added a great texture to this dish. 6. Vanilla Parfait, Cherry, Lemon Chutney (http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=wqaOhfbSVTvYXfhNxgQWTQ&userid=7JNWJToIaBivj2Pc3PQTrw) Parfait was light and a perfect end to this dining journey at Parallel 37. Cherry was again used beautifully in this dish. 10/10 would try again! TLDR; Pro: Worthy of the price tag, great overall experience, vegan friendly (sister had her own vegan 6 course meal), great ambience, seasonal foods were greatly prepared and paired Con?: A more casual gourmet dining experience. We had a big party so it did not feel as formal or intimate, but if you are intimidated by the stuffy suits and getting dolled up, this place may be a great medium for a great meal that is a little less dressy. read more

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The food is amazing and chef Michael is very accommodating and came out to thank us for dining at parallel 37. You can't compare. He and his team personally goes to the farmers market at least a few times a week to handpick their own vegetables! I've been here multiple times and every time I go, we usually get the prefix meal. Each time has been different and amazing. Highly recommend the prefix meals. read more

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This review was started months ago so please forgive the late posting. I was truly looking forward to enjoying Ron Siegel's cooking again. Years ago (or is it a decade now?!?) I enjoyed one of his meals at Masa's. I don't remember what I had but a happy grin comes on whenever I think of that dinner. To quote my friend that night. "it was a party in my mouth". So when a dear friend offered to take the nieces and I to Parallel 37 to celebrate the girls' birthdays, I said YES! The hostess was excellent and acknowledged the birthday celebrations. There was a candy bowl on the front desk and the little niece's eyes went big. Later the hostess told us take as many of the caramels and nougats as we wanted. Believe me the little niece did. I started with the Vaudeville Punch. Tasty and refreshing. It had Hanger One Vodka, Dimmi liquore, caviar lime & Fentimans rose lemonade. My friend had Ketel One with an onion. The girls had an "orange dreamsicle" which was interesting. I think there was pepper in it. Not sure. One of them really liked it but the other didn't. For appetizers, the table split the shortrib ravioli and the English pea tortelloni pastas. My friend and I also split the foie gras. It might be our last chance in California! And we ordered french fries with the housemade ketchup. The fries were yummy. Unfortunately my friend and I had some housemade ketchup on the Big Island once and we are forever trying to find some that's just as good. This was not it. Maybe we have an idealized memory of that ketchup. (I know, I know. Am I seriously salivating over ketchup? Well, actually, yes.) I like that there's a children's menu. Sometimes the girls just want macaroni and cheese or plain pasta with vegetables. Those were on the menu as well as a fruit plate which was beautifully presented. I order the duck breast and enjoyed it. My friend had the ribeye. Dessert was good but sadly I can't remember what we had. My friend was peeved that the nieces' birthdays weren't acknowledged initially but the waiter made up for it by bringing by a second round of dessert for them. It was a good meal at Parallel 37 but I wasn't wow'd. We enjoyed our meal but there was no spark. Did I set my expectations too high? I'm not sure. Maybe I'll just have to head back to see if the experience will be different. read more

I was greatly impressed with the food here and can't wait to go back. We had the 3- course menu but my bf and I can't wait to go back and try the Fall Tasting menu. His favorite dish was the duck and mine was the pasta. AMAZING. Impeccable service and lovely fine dining food at an affordable prix fix price read more

Tonight's dinner incorporated several Japanese ingredients and inspirations. Some, like the chawanmushi and the shiso sorbet were amazing but others fell a little short. For some reason the chefs liked to incorporate gritty textures and I don't care for that sandiness in my food. The Medium rare rack of lamb was tasty but hard to eat. Overall, though, a very pleasant dining experience. read more

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Birthday celebrations are great excuse to go fancy places with gfs. Ritz-Carlton in DT SF is top notch the moment you arrive. Doormen are friendly and help you get to where you need. Parallel is to the left when you step thru the main entrance. Very chic and inviting. Luv the nice clean bar area, spacious. We had a table for five in the back corner with comfy seats. Fun servers that didn't mind our lively convo. Ordered: mixed green, cheese platter, bucatini pasta, seared octopus, raw bar combo of: tuna tataki/hamachi/fresh oysters, squash soup, bone-in ribeye steak, and the black cod. They said the food was scrumptious!! Looks great! read more

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We were a bit of a captive audience due to circumstances and $100 credit to work (drink) off... Bar Fly: Bulleit bourbon, Benedictine, poblano pepper, vanilla and lemon Fair Game: Fernet Branca, Fentimans Dandelion & Burdoch Soda, lime, housemade hibiscus bitters and soda. Despite the laundry list of ingredients, neither drink was particularly notable or worth it, in my opinion, nor is the place such a "scene" in any sort of way that makes going such a big deal, so there's not much of a point. read more

As recommended to me by my favorite chef, Ken Carter, from Gather I was uber excited to try this place. Both Ken and Parallel's chef worked at Charlie Trotters creating magic in the kitchen for over 20 years! Lovely place-ambiance is calm and trendy at the same time - kind of chic. Its def more $$$ than Gather's price point! We ordered a bunch of dishes to share: salmon salad was the least of my favorites; the octopus was the best - not chewy at all - extremely tender and flavorful! We also got the squash tortellini which was uber tasty! Chicken w peanut sauce I barely tried since Im not a fan of peanuts...heirloom tomato w duck confeit was my second favorite! Nomnom! And the finale was a beautiful dessert w strawberries n basil n ice cream! It was delicious! In general i really liked it and would definitely go back for more, especially on companys buck! ;) read more

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Great dinner without a really long wait associated with fine dining. Service was not pompous, instead it was very friendly! Plating and presentation was excellent. We had the black cod and the lamb entree which had perfect portion sizing (not huge and not tiny). We indulged in the chocolate dessert and creme brûlée with a glass of baileys. The chocolate dessert was very decadent; the creme brûlée was more balanced. read more

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I had high expectations for Parallel 37's weekend breakfast buffet. I've been to one other Ritz Carlton brunch buffet and have been impressed by the selection and quality of food. The buffet here was pretty standard fare, with eggs benedict, sausage, bacon, smoked salmon, French toast, etc. Nothing special. Our service was slow and awkward, not at all what I would expect at the Ritz. The only stand out was the truffle omelet (a la carte), which was very flavorful and decadent. read more

Parallel 37 - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here for SF Restaurant Week with the coworkers and I'm sad to say that it did not live up to expectations. Walking into the Ritz Carlton gives you high expectations of a decadent meal (I just moved to SF and thought the building we were walking towards was some fancy shmancy government building), but it honestly wasn't worth the money. Between us, we tried everything on the Restaurant Week menu: the black garlic taglioline, beef tartare, the duck, bread crusted sea bass, chocolate cake, asian pear consomme, plus an order of truffle fries and many of the cocktails. The taglioline and asian pear consomme were hands down the best part of our meal but bookended very mediocre entrees. The taglioline had a nice chewy give and was great with the creamy cauliflower sauce, and the mascarpone mousse had a light sweetness that nicely balanced out the refreshing asian pear flavor. The truffle fries were also good, but you can't really go wrong with truffle fries. The sea bass, however, was so overcooked that it had that stick to your teeth texture and was extremely dry. The duck was a bit better, but still nothing great. And the cocktails were way too pricey for tasting like they had no alcohol in them. Suffice to say, we left considering the option of heading over to the Mission or North Beach to hit up a bar and another meal. read more

Came to San Francisco for vacation and after last year's dining experience at Parallel 37, I had to go back! They met my high expectations for fine dining, excellent service, creativity and putting the customers first. The food was delicious and my group had the multi course chef's dining experience--a meal never to be forgotten! Chef Michael Rotondo's team easily accommodated our group's eclectic tastes and dietary restrictions, making special gluten free bread and cocktails for us. Our favorites included the bouillabaisse, the aged ribeye and oxtail, and the guinea fowl. Each course unique and with its own complex flavors. Pastry Chef Andrea Correa's pistachio mousse topped off the night! We will definitely come back to Parallel 37 every time we are in SF! read more

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This is a nice a quiet bar to hang out and chat with friends or co-workers. I met a friend visiting from out of town and we had a nice conversation because they are open pretty late. It looks nice and classy and the drinks are fine but not too overpriced. read more

We had a wonderful time at Parallel 37 tonight. I'll be honest, I've been hesitant to dine here due to the mixed reviews, but finally gave it a try tonight. I'll say this: the restaurant is underrated for sure. Our server was wonderful and attentive. And the cocktails were pretty solid as well. But what really blew me away was the food. It was unexpectedly good. We had the chef's tasting menu, and I really loved the flavors of every course. The two courses that stood out the most were the pasta with peas and sea urchin butter, and the bison with three types of mushrooms (including morel mushrooms). While the dessert wasn't particularly memorable, the rest of the meal definitely was. Will definitely return in the future. read more

I cannot believe I've missed such a fab review - My bad!! Why so few reviews for Parallel 37? :( I've eaten here about 10 times in the past 3-4 years, and you should all know that it is pretty freaking amazing. Don't be fooled - the Ritz does tend to draw a stuffy crowd; but, Parallel 37 is one of those off-the-beaten path gems that's "casual fancy" as I like to put it. I drop into every now and again for great happy hour or a delightful dinner. Super chic atmosphere, fresh cuisine, farm to table at its best. They've changed chefs a couple of times since I've been going, but each chef over the years has been ***vegetarian friendly*** (YAAASS), and how could they not be? Ever since Parallel 37 has remodeled, it's been all about fresh, bright and tasty cuisine. Not to mention, cocktails are divine. Some of the highlights of Parellel 37: **A fabulous happy hour with killer cocktails and affordable bar bites ***If you're ready to spend a little $$, then by all means, stay for dinner. Never miss dessert. ****I don't know if they're still holding that private kitchen series, but if you they are (or if it comes back), then GO FOR IT. It's a behind-the-scenes look at the kitchen that you won't get anywhere else. ******If you EVER get a chance to eat at 1) the chefs table, or 2) the private room, then DO IT. *******Parking in the neighborhood can be a beyoch. For that reason, valet is recommended ;) All in all, a casual 5-star experience: 4-star affordable, 5-star tasty, 5-star chic. read more

Picture this. 10:15 pm. Wednesday night. Family of three sitting at a table finished eating. Mom - drinking wine, glued to the iPhone. 9 year old daughter - head down asleep. Dad - passed out in his chair, asleep. Mom - making no effort to leave or take her eyes of that god damned phone. It was a hell of a sideshow that both angered and entertained me. Now, on to business. I realized something about SF and restaurants that surface here. It can't be forced. You can throw in a ton of money, top chefs, hot people, and fancy drinks. These days though, that doesn't guarantee success in this town. Unless it grows and adapts organically, we're just not all that impressed. While this place has good food, a great vibe, and a decent bar, I was just "meh" on the whole thing. We've all dated someone like this in the past. Everything on paper was perfect, it was just missing that "X" factor that made you want to lock her down. Parallel 37 is one of those places. Good to check out, but a repeat offender on both my wallet and waistline? I think not. Genuine. read more

I still think the food is OUTSTANDING (service, ESPECIALLY at the bar, needs to improve DRASTICALLY -- getting rid of super moody camber would be a good start). HOWEVER, they used to offer a 4 Course Tasting WITH Wine Pairing for $110. That has now changed to a 3 Course Tasting with Wine Pairing for $160 -- representing a 45% increase! I don't know many people who have gotten a 45% raise last month, do you? I know this is SF and the market can price things at RETARDED levels. Just sad to see Chef Michael and Team acquiescing to the tech rubes and joining the bandwagon. :-( read more

Had Thanksgiving Family dinner (Prefix) @ $149 per person, not including drinks. The quality of food had a lot of room for improvement. The service was simply disastrous. Dishes were coming out in the wrong order, Wrong dishes were being sent to the wrong tables. Could barely get any server's attention. The whole meal was simply a grotesque experience. I could not recommend this overpriced disastrous restaurant to anyone. read more

A lot of my favorite spots in the city are rated three stars on Yelp--this isn't one of them. Parallel 37 is a what-you-see-on-here-is-what-you-get-in-real-life place. It was disappointing at best, and I'm sad I blew $60 on an appetizer and entree here (that's 15 delicious banh mi's)! I had the foie gras with huckleberries and apples. MZ had raved about how big, beautiful, and badass the foie gras was when she ordered it a couple of months ago--claiming it rivaled my gold standard at La Folie (http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-folie-san-francisco). Unfortunately, the foie gras was half as big as she remembered this time. The flavors were fine, but it was literally two bites... and done. I also had the Pacific halibut with artichoke ravioli per our server's recommendation. Although fresh and delicate, the flavor was underwhelming. For fish that will blow your mind and mouth, I would head to Roy's (http://www.yelp.com/biz/roys-restaurant-san-francisco). My girlfriends had the beef ribeye, and they were equally unimpressed--I think their words were "bland" and "small." Needless to say, I won't be spending anymore of my hard-earned money here. And I predict Parallel 37 won't be renewing its lease at the Ritz-Carlton. read more

Food and service has always been top notch three years in a roll. Always enjoy the lovely Christmas meals.

After waiting for months for the new Ritz Carlton restaurant to open across the street from my house, Jole S. and I popped over last week to check out the new digs, with high hopes that we had found a restaurant close enough that we can see it from our house, saving us a trip down (and back up the hill). But that did not work out, and we are one and done on Parallel 37, thanks to ridiculously minuscule portions of bland food, a "bar program" that I could have topped in my kitchen, and prices that are completely out of whack for both sizes and quality. Look, I know its the Ritz Carlton, meaning everything comes with a Ritz tax. But $7 for one potato-wrapped mid-sized shrimp (which the bartender warned us about, meaning people must have already complained about the portions), with a side of sauce that I think came from Trader Joe's (which I love, but really?). Or the pulled pork slider... my date guessed Scrooge McDuck must have been on QC that night, because my slider had multiple whole peppercorns (not something you want to bite into!), a tiny bit of meat, and was otherwise so sweet it reminded me of a sloppy joe. As for the cocktails, they weren't terrible at all, but given the pre-opening hype about the bar program I expected more. I've had much better drinks at the Burritt Room--I'd pick Tunnel Top over P 37 for drinks. I know this place will do brisk business regardless of my review, but for people visiting from out of town, do yourself a favor and skip Parallel 37--you'll have a much better experience for the price at just a walk down the hill (or a cab ride) away. read more

I came to Parallel 37 on a Sunday for brunch with a friend and we were not impressed with service. More than ONE STAR only because the restaurant is inside The Ritz Carlton and it's a beautiful hotel. I ordered a bloody Marie and asked to make it not spicy. I took the first sip and thought I was gonna choke because it was too spicy. Of course I had to send it back. Then the waiter spilled coffee on me and I was wearing a white dress. Without asking if we wanted any desert or anything else, our check arrived and I absolutely didn't appreciate that since the restaurant was only 10% full. I don't think I'll be coming back. read more