Waiter Stefan is the best! He is friendly, warm, personable, knows every dish and takes care of every detail! Always makes our lunch extra enjoyable! We live near by, just a few blocks from Waterbar, and this is our Go-To restaurant for seafood and The Bay Bridge View! The Oysters, prawns, fishes are all super fresh, and prepared to Par! Choices of wine is plenty and Stefan always suggests the best to pair with our food! We went there yesterday celebrating my husband high school friend's anniversary and birthday! They offer a new prefix lunch now and that's what the girls got, birthday boy had Fish & Chip, and my old boy had Grilled Halibut. The prefix had 3 courses, mixed salad, grilled squid, and raspberry shortcake. We also had a dozen of their daily oyster and Acme sourdough bread. And the girls had white wine while boys had beers. Just delicious and perfect! Thanks Stefan and Happy Birthday! (6/7) read more

Waterbar - Happy anniversary complimentary dessert! - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Food was delicious, service was a disappointment. We felt completely ignored, items were forgotten and I paid by phone and was questioned on the way out. Fortunately I photographed the receipt payment. It ruined the experience for me especially since the food was so good. read more

A solid four star dining experience. Not great to be a five and not terrible enough to be a three. The views and the staff are what saves it from three star territory for me. I highly recommend reservations. I made reservations two weeks in advance-visiting from out of town-and saw people being turned away or told it would be a long wait. Even though I had 5pm reservations and I checked in at 4:50, I wasn't seated until 5:05. I got a seat near the window so I could see the waterfront and all the passing dogs! I love dogs! But the down side of the window were all the flies that were on it. At least six flies that I had to keep waving away from my food and face. The food was fine. Nothing great at all. The salmon was good and the filet mignon was good but way overcooked even for a medium. The sauces were really good though! They do have their sauces dialed in on their appetizers and sides. I had the ricotta and artichoke app and cauliflower side. read more

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We decided to dine outdoors for the first time, and the experience was nothing short of delightful as we had Stefon as our server. He was exceptional and made my visiting family feel special and well taken care of. The warm weather and stunning views made for a memorable evening. Waterbar is a go-to destination for my out-of-town family and friends, thanks to its exceptional food and impeccable service. The view of the Bay Bridge is simply irresistible, making it a must-visit for special occasions or romantic dates. If you're traveling from the East Bay, the ferry ride to the ferry building is only a 10-minute walk. However, parking across the street is available, but unfortunately, their valet service is no longer available. read more

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The infamous Waterbar, as if it needs another review. I came here a few months ago with friends, and it reminded me why this place is always so popular. The view of the Bay Bridge never gets old and is worth the visit on its own. The oysters were fresh and delicious, the cocktails were well-made (and generously poured), and every other dish we ordered was just as good. The ambiance is beautiful, and the service was attentive throughout our meal. read more

Visited on a Saturday for happy hour that starts at 2:30pm. Waited 25 minutes to be seated outside. It was worth it for the view of the Bay Bridge. Ordered 2 dozen oysters at $1.55 each. Note to self, 1.5 dozen is enough for 2. Oysters came out relatively fast after ordering. A bit annoying to pick out tiny shell pieces. No happy hour drinks except for M-F. read more

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We recently celebrated a Birthday and had a perfect view of the Water front. We had showed up on time for our reservation and were greeted by friendly Hostess and Servers. The Oysters and Cauliflower were our starters and a few Adult beverages. We had a Glass of House Chard and a Short Straw which was a Strawberry whiskey libation. We also ordered Milk bread and a side order of Garlic noodles. I had ordered the Miso Black Cod and Wifey ordered the Halibut. The older kiddo ordered the Filet Mignon and everything was portioned and tasted great. Our Server Marco was on point and made sure we had everything we needed. He even offered up a Tres Leche Bday dessert which was complimentary. A nice view and great ambiance made it the perfect Birthday venue for a celebration dinner. The Food was also the star of the experience. read more

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Waterbar is beautifully set on the water in San Francisco waterfront area. We were there for the oysters. Wow so many good varieties. All were fresh and perfect! I'm from east coast so it's nice to get some west coast oysters. We had 3 dozen We also had the grilled octopus over hummus. Delicious Highly recommend the Waterbar for great seafood, beautiful atmosphere and lively view! read more

Waterbar - Bar area - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I had really high hopes for this place :( We didn't have reservations and they were able to accommodate us for 2 people. We ordered and unfortunately they forgot about us. It was about 1:30 min later until we said something about not getting our food and another 1:30 min later until they said that the order didn't go through and gave us milk bread as an apology. The milk bread lacked in flavor and was hard in texture. The octopus was very delicious to me I was head over heels. The inside is obviously beautifully decorated with amazing view of the bridge. I would rate higher but the service was just so poor I don't know how a high class place like this doesn't check up on tables or notice that we've been unattended to for 2 hours. read more

Waterbar - Inside - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We celebrated a birthday here and could not have been more happy with their food and service. We enjoyed octopus, salmon, whole branzino - all were paired beautifully with sides on the plate and the flavors were delicious. The restaurant is beautiful without being stuffy and we had the best time! Will definitely return! read more

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The flavor were perfectly balanced and the presentation of the food is gorgeous. All the butlers are very attentive and approachable. The ambiance is versatile ! I always in love to hang out and refresh here. read more

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How fun! Okay, disclaimer I've only been during happy hour and all my friends have only been during happy hour, but it's a HAPPY HOUR indeed. Lovely views. Great decor. Very relaxing, yet fun place. Service is warm and hospitable. Wonderful all around! $1.55 oysters, cheapest in town?? And a lovely selection of wine. Try the stag's head Sauvignon Blanc if you haven't yet. Great pairing. Happy Hour: everyday 2:30-5:00pm. Go, you deserve it. read more

Waterbar - Oysters and a glass of wine - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Delicious food right along the water with a beautiful view. I got the halibut and garlic noodles- both were very good but I would not say outstanding. But the service and ambiance more than made up for it. It is a perfect place for a fancy dinner! read more

Waterbar - Garlic noodles - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Best views, beautiful ambiance, and exceptional service from Brian and his colleagues. The food was delicious, and I couldn't have asked for a better birthday lunch experience. I love that they offer a reservation system, and everyone here is genuinely warm and welcoming. The restaurant itself is a vibe...elegant, inviting, and beautifully designed. The two large fish tanks really elevate the entire dining room and create a unique atmosphere. The martini was also excellent. This is exactly why I keep coming back time and time again. read more

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Happy hour oysters were 2.55 each. Not bad for the nice area. Ceviche was tasty! Service was kind at the bar. We did wait a bit when arriving during happy hour. read more

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Really expensive. Just ok. Service was very slow - all in all about 2.5 hours for dinner. Starters - little gem salad, fine. Octopus, not great - first bite was good and thereafter overcooked and just ok. The sea bass was great, specially the cabbage. The branzino - tons of bones - we didn't eat it. The short rib - pretty good. Cheesecake with banana - no bueno. All in all a very expensive dinner - just ok read more

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We had a great experience at Waterbar! The food was excellent, the atmosphere was vibrant yet relaxing, and the waterfront view made the whole experience even more special. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. If you're looking for a great spot in San Francisco with amazing food and an incredible view, I highly recommend Waterbar! read more

Waterbar - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came here for dinner on a Thursday night without a reservation around 7:30 PM as a party of 4. They were able to seat us down pretty quickly. The fish was a lot less tasteful than I was expecting and wished I got a crab instead. Housemade Milk Bread - 0/5 - imo skip because it's a waste of calories Grilled Mediterranean Octopus - 2/5 - octopus was good but didn't go well with the hummus Tiger Prawn Cocktail - 4/5 Steamed Manila Clams - 5/5 Oak Roasted Wild Striped Bass - 1/5 - fish was a bit dry & did not go well with the peas Thai Garden - 3/5 - never had markrut before but it for some reason seemed like a savory drink like a pho broth I ended up ordering the oak roasted wild striped bass, and I did not think that it was too fishy, but there were 2 people in my party that did think that the fish was particularly fishy and couldn't end up eating it. I thought it was okay, aside from the fact that there were lentils being served with it, because I personally do not think those 2 go together. The primary reason for poor ratings is just that the food was not special in any way and lacked a lot of flavor. There's also no salt / pepper available on the table. The people who also delivered the dishes did not ask who ordered what and just started setting dishes down in front of people so we had to rearrange the dishes because they got them all wrong and we only ordered 3 different entrees. Mid way through our meal they turned down the lights significantly, which I assume was to set the ambiance. It was a bit louder than I would have liked as well. I'm not sure if it would have been more quiet in the front of the restaurant but in the backroom there was no ventilation and it was super loud. ~~Service: Good. It didn't take long for us to get seated. ~~Best Part: The chocolate brownie with espresso square that they give you at the end of your meal. The best actual item that I had was probably the Tiger Prawn Cocktail because it was almost just as good as the cocktail at Peter Lugar. ~~Worst Part: The house made milk bread. There was absolutely no salt on the butter itself though there was salt on the bread itself, but it honestly tasted like nothing. ~~Tips: Maybe get the appetizers & the seafood tower but imo there was nothing special about the fish dishes. ~~Return: No. read more

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Went on a short-notice reservation based on reviews. We requested a window seat with bay views and we were accommodated. Every aspect of every dish was carefully designed and delivered with amazing flavor; the truffle butter was stunning with the lobster, my halibut couldn't have been more perfect! John, our waiter, was attentive and helpful. I highly recommend the coconut cream pie from the dessert menu (John's recommendation), it was an unexpected and very tasty treat. The portions are on the small side with prices on the high side, but for a special occasion, Waterbar hits the mark! read more

Really beautiful restaurant with aquarium tanks inside and scenic outdoor seating. Service is super attentive and friendly, and also very efficient. We didn't have to wait long between courses and they cleared our plates and wiped down tables before dessert. The vibe inside is not too loud during lunch time and the view of the bridge is pretty. I really liked the halibut ceviche, milk bread with butter, and the lobster roll. Although the lobster roll itself was pretty small, the bread was fantastic and the lobster was so tender and not fishy at all. The coconut cream pie dessert was also so good! They have ~$2 oysters and lots of seafood options on the menu. Definitely a great spot to try different seafood dishes with a big group! They were able to accommodate 7 of us day of by calling. read more

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Absolutely stunning restaurant decor with a magnificent view of the bay bridge. The food was really good as well as the drinks. All of the staff were really nice and I would say for the location and quality of food the price point is fairly reasonable (about $125-150 pp). When I'm in San Fran again I will definitely visit. read more

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I had the most wonderful birthday dinner at this restaurant. The sea bass I ate was very delicious. The service was very friendly and my waiter was nice enough to ask me about my food allergies. The ambiance of the restaurant was amazing too. I highly recommended that restaurant. I wish I could give them 100 stars ! read more

Waterbar - Happy birthday - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I got surprised here for a birthday dinner date. We got here almost 20 minutes late to our reservation. We called ahead of time to give them a heads up and they were nothing but kind and accommodating. Right when we went there, the staff at the front desk wished me a happy birthday, and once we were seated, the waiter (Jeremy) started off by giving me a birthday card which was signed by the entire staff. What a thoughtful gesture and made me feel very special! Jeremy was also very friendly and was helping us throughout our menu selection with all the questions we had and nicely explained where the food is coming from and the care taken which we appreciated a lot. You don't see service that amazing like this everywhere. For the food, we started with the chef's selection of oysters (6 count). Two Buckley Bay, two Kumamoto, and two Tomasini. The Buckley Bays were the ones to get. Oceany and very fresh, but not too salty. Drinks were the Pineapple Express. Very sour. Very boozy. For starters, we got the steamed purple clams. Absolutely incredible! The garlic sauce was so good we ordered a side of bread just to soak it up. Entree was the seared black cod. The fish was buttery, smooth, and lightly salty. Came with a sweet and well balanced hollandaise that didn't overpower it. The butternut squash on the side was cooked perfectly. Genuinely the best butternut squash I've had. Dessert was the Brooklyn blackout cake. Great flavor and a really unique ice cream. Just wish the cake itself was warm. And they ended up giving us the dessert and bread on the house, and they even gave us a serving of the brussel sprouts on them which was a really nice gesture. This was definitely a place to remember and cherish and will definitely be back! read more

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We came here for the restaurant week special on a Saturday for brunch. The drinks in particular were very good and the food was I'd say just good. The waitstaff was lovely and it's in a very pretty spot! You definitely pay a premium for location but the restaurant week special was a good deal and fairly priced. read more

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I visited during happy hour and sat outside. The bay view was amazing. It was really busy and the staff were very nice, but I would recommend making a reservation. While I really appreciate a good vinaigrette, the one here was pretty underwhelming. I like one with more shallots. The oysters themselves were very fresh that day. I'd definitely come back for the location and view alone. read more

Waterbar - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Such a beautiful place to eat and watch the water and bridge in San Francisco. The food is amazingly fresh and great descriptions of where everything is sourced from. The bartenders were very knowledgeable as far as suggestions for small bites as well as the raw bar. the dollar 55 oyster special was just what I needed. The wine list was extensive and great suggestion suggestions for pairings with the dishes that I had the tuna tartare was buttery and fresh. The seafood bisque was light and the bread and butter with sea salt was a great pairing would absolutely not miss coming to this place. read more

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Beautiful restaurant for lunch in the city! First thing about this iconic waterfront restaurant along the Embarcadero is that it's right next to the San Francisco Bay. Inside there is a stunning panoramic view of water and the Bay Bridge. We got here when it first opened for lunch and were seated by the window. We started with some raw oysters. There are a few to choose from and each day there's a featured one for only $1.55. Cocktails are a must here. The Pineapple Express with mezcal is perfect for me. The Ultimate Bloody Mary was $25 but worth it for two Tiger prawns and bacon as topping! The housemade milk bread complemented well with the seafood bisque. For entrees, we ordered their single brunch item, lobster eggs benedict, which is only available on weekends. The seared dorade was very tasty. We also ordered their one non-seafood item, flat iron steak. They also offer chef's special prix-fixe lunch for $39 and have daily happy hour 2:30-5:00pm! We also had an amazing server Sidney who was attentive and took great care of us. read more

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Food: 4 stars Service: 4 stars Ambiance: 5 stars value: 4 stars We heard about the happy hour oyster special and decided to drop in on a saturday around 3;30. there was a wait but we were seated at the bar within 20 minutes The wait staff was friendly as was the clientele. The $1.55 oysters during happy hour are a great deal. They let you order 2 dozen at a time. My husband and I put away 4 dozen between the two of us. We also ordered a couple of glasses of wine, fish and chips and the loaded fries from the happy hour menu. The Fish and chips ($16) came with one small piece of fish and some fries. I can't comment on the loaded fries ($28) as they never arrived but we do wonder what they'd be like at that price. Located on the embarcadero, the view of the bay and bay bridge is really nice. This is a prime location so it is not surprising that regular menu items are pricy. Two glasses of wine ($18 each), fish and chips and the oysters set up back $176 which included %20 gratuity and nearly a $10 kitchen surcharge. If you're looking for a restaurant with a friendly atmosphere in a good location, and love oysters, this is the place to come. read more

Waterbar - Dr Loosen Riesling - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Waterbar is a SF gem for dog lovers! I visited with a very well behaved puppy I was dog sitting and was sat outside in the patio. Everyone was excited to say hi to the puppy. My waitress provided a water bowl and even presented peanut butter based dog treats the chef specially prepares for their 4-legged guests. During the winter they cover their patio and turn on their outdoor heaters so we were very cozy. Vibe: Every seat, indoor or inside, has a beautiful view of the water and the bridge. The service is always amazing. Food: Considering the location and the lovely ambirance they create the prices are fair! Waterbar has oyster happy hour from 12-5pm and their fully happy hour menu from 2-5pm. It's hard to beat the price they have on their oysters during the HH. I am someone who loves oysters, I've always been impressed with their selection. read more

Kicking off the afternoon on a Sunday at Waterbar, Sam Francisco. The best was stealing a kiss from the fish... Enjoy great food , amazing service and drinks always. The fish aquarium is a wow experience all the time. They still have the holiday vibes going on. A must visit... Henriot, Brut & Barebottle Hazy IPA Oysters Damariscotta Flat, Harpswell Beach, ME Hope Point, Nanaimo, BC Humboldt Kumamoto, Humboldt Bay, CA Kussi, Deep Bay BC Olympia, Tomales Bay CA Sarah's Shore, Colville Bay PEI Halibut Ceviche, jalapeño, pineapple, cilantro Soft Pretzel Sticks, smoked salmon rillettes Exec Chef Parke Ulrich's Special Prawns A La Planca on a sweet Pepper sofrito Bed! Cheers! #sanfrancisco read more

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Best oysters I've had. Stunning location right on the water. Drinks delicious. Views beautiful. Service incredible. The service was beyond expectation. The staff was incredibly nice and it felt very genuine for being a more "upscale" dining location. It still felt very personable and relaxed. There was a very minor hiccup with a dessert menu being presented when it wasn't yet being served. We were offered a treat for the small mistake and it was extremely appreciated, although not expected. So I was very happy and grateful. They are so kind. read more

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Came for the oyster special, and they were super fresh. Service was quick and efficient, and this is a super cool afternoon spot right on the bay. Can't beat the price during oyster happy hour time. read more

Waterbar - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

We celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary at Waterbar yesterday. My husband baby and I had a wonderful time and enjoyed our experience at the water bar. Pros: The Views!! We got seated in the patio with beautiful bay bridge views. Great for celebrations and fun hangouts. Except for a few things that didn't go well: 1. We booked a table for 2.30 but were running slightly late as we were driving from south fremont with a baby. I called on the way to inform them however they said they can try to give lunch menu but can't guarantee. And they can only offer us happy hour menu. We reached at 2.45 and we were super hungry but the happy hour menu was so small, limited options, the portions are so less that we were left hungry by end of the meal. Happy hour usually starts at early evening, keeping it at 2.30 is steep and not offering us lunch menu for being few mins late is so unfair. 2. We ordered Happy hour cocktails. My husbands margarita had barely any alcohol in it. It felt very mild. And my drink was like a mocktail. I barely have drinks so even a sip or two of real alcoholic drink will buzz me and I haven't felt anything even after downing the entire drink. 3. We ordered fish and chips. The fish was lacked seasoning and was over crispy. The deviled eggs were $18 for literally 1.5 bland eggs. Speak of ripoff. 4. There wasn't anything to feed my son. He's not a picky eater and eats well from restaurants but I didn't find anything for him. He didn't eat the fries as well for some reason. Overall we enjoyed our lunch date because of the ambiance and the views. read more

Waterbar - Fish and chips - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I always wanted to try this place. And today was the day. We ordered some appetizers. They have a daily special of chef's choice oysters for $1.55 each with a limit of 24. They were Rockpoint oysters and they were very meaty and delicious. We also got the halibut ceviche that came with fried plantains. That was definitely a game changer. It paired very well. I also got their aperol spritz which was ok. It tasted very flat. Service was good. And we had a spectacular view of the bay bridge. And it was a beautiful day. read more

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If you're looking for the best happy hour oysters in SF, just come to Waterbar between 2:30 pm-5:00 pm, it was so worth it. We ordered 24 oysters (limit per table at one time) at $1.55 each, and they were super fresh and briny. We also got the Halibut Ceviche ($19) from happy hour menu and wow, the fish felt really high quality and not fishy at all, probably from the sauce, pineapple and jalapeno. Ceviche was served with taro chips , which was thinly sliced, very crunchy and nutty. It was my favorite part of the meal. For drinks, we tried 2 whites. Henriot Brut ($28) was a sparkling wine, I felt a bit too acidic and strong but it paired perfectly with the seafood. I personally prefered Brundlmayer Gruner Veltliner ($15) because it was more on the sweeter side and I like it that way, but I have to be honest, it didn't pair well with the seafood. That wine just made the fish taste way too fishy, so maybe skip that combo. Another thing I like about this restaurant is the view. I mean, I was sitting right by the Bay Bridge eating delicious seafood. What else could I ask for? Highly recommend if you need a place to date without breaking a bank! Thanks me later read more

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Racist! My wife made a reservation 2 weeks ago only 2 arrive 30 mins early and check in to be told it's a 10 min wait only for use to be seated after walking back to the hostess after 15-20 mins. We were the only black ppl in the restaurant and the lack of service turned us to EPIC Steak next door who celebrated us and our anniversary. Do not go if you are Black, worst restaurant experience ever and we traveled from Chicago for this ‍ Can't wait to see what Rich T says. Business manager cleaning up a PR nightmare! read more

Waterbar - Epic Steak - Seafood Near Me - San Francisco, California

Heard a lot of great things about their Happy Hour Oysters so I gave Waterbar a try when I visit the Pier recently. Got seated immediately with a high table next to the windows to enjoy bridge view. I love how aesthetic the bar section look with the unique chandelier. Service was fast and friendly, we ordered 2 cocktails, a dozen of oyster, and truffle french fries from their happy hour menu! Everything was tasty but the highlight of my visit was definitely the fries, they know how to make good fries here. The oysters were fresh and you cannot beat the price $1.55/each in this economy tbh lol, it tasted good. Drinks were also good and enjoyable. Overall it was a great place to check out if you around the Pier area. read more

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Another awesome dinner at Waterbar. We have a guest from France, so where else to go but Waterbar! Great dinner with a gorgeous view of the Bay Bridge! There is no more valet service, we found a spot kinda far away, and the weather was blustery cold tonight. We had a sumptuous shellfish platter, black cod so delicious, a delicate quail dish and a robust short rib. To top it all we had gingerbread pudding, but my favorite was the coconut pie with the pandan ice cream in phyllo dough. We polished that dessert!!! Thank you, Waterbar, till the next time! read more

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Service is always A+ Views and vibes - excellent. We have been booking the upstairs for a dinner event every year and it's a crowd fave. Events team is fantastic to work with. We splurged for oysters this year and I guess we will have to continue as a tradition because they were a huge hit. Bread and butter - sounds simple but how is it so good? Scallop carpaccio - *chef's kiss* would definitely recommend it was so delicate yet flavorful and let the scallops shine Halibut and short rib - both surprisingly on the dry side. Short ribs could have used a sauce but loved the mushrooms and onions accompanying it (realizing now the menu said kabocha but I swear we got mushrooms) I've also been downstairs and outside for lunch and dinner many times with friends and family - always a crowd pleaser, with locals and visitors. read more

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