I have been here twice now. Went for Brunch a few months ago. Creative menu and bloody marys were delic. Then recently went back for dinner and had a nice bottle of wine adn the ribeye. The meat and seasoning was great. Didnt care for the smoked potatoes too much. They didnt taste like they were really smoked but rather someone added some liquid smoke in. Overall really great meal.
(5)
William M.
Went here a few months ago with a date when original sushi place we were trying to get into was quoting hour and a half wait times. Pleasantly surprised with the menu, good combinations of food and we got seated right away. The menu can get pretty expensive for what it is pretty quickly, and on a busy night service broke down a bit as the place felt crowded. But overall pretty good. I'd eat there again.
(3)
Michael S.
Absinthe is one of those places that you really want to like. It's got a cool name. It's awful pretty inside. Everybody says it's good. 'Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing,' you say to yourself. Or 'That weird guy in the corner won't be the only other person in the bar next time.' Nope. Won't happen. I've tried.
(2)
Mariangela S.
I said years ago there is always a table waiting for you at Absinthe. Never have a problem getting seated quickly, and I always order their Caesar Salad which is delicious. Maybe not Zuni style - but at the top of the list for the city. Great wine list that gets updated pretty regularly, and an attentive staff. Their gnocchi are always quite good, and you can't beat a healthy bistro steak. Of course you would be remiss not to order their amazing French Fries with 4 sauces!
(3)
Helen B.
Review for brunch. What a pleasant surprise! Went here for brunch on Saturday since I wanted to do some shopping in the Hayes. They have a great menu but please do not miss these dishes... House cured smoked salmon, fruit plate comes with an amazing vanilla bean creme fraiche, and the basted eggs which comes with the most unique and smooth tomatillo salsa you have ever had. I am so happy to find a great brunch place in the Hayes to start off my day of Hayes shopping!
(4)
J. Carlos S.
One of our favorite restaurants, ever. They have a great drink menu too, a lot of them from old cocktail books from the 30's. Try the Ginger Rogers, fantastic. And save room for the Lavender Creme Brullee after dinner with some coffee. I love the two items so much, I went out and found out how to make them, but even then, it's best to enjoy them at Absinthe on a cold, rainy evening.
(5)
Michelle O.
Great drinks, and if you're on a budget, order the hamburger ($9) and split the fries. It is seriously the best burger I've ever had.
(5)
Tim G.
Great bar with one fanatic drink menu and a killer burger. I have eaten in the dining room but would say I perfer the bar. The room is comfortable and the service is way above average.
(4)
Jean C.
Good food. Good, not fantastic. Drinks: AWESOME! Skip dinner, go straight to the bar and enjoy drinks with names like "Ginger Rogers".
(3)
Josh M.
There's a reason that Absinthe has been around so long. They've nailed the vivacious brasserie atmosphere, from the warm wood bar to the great mosaic floors and the food is consistently well-prepared and taste-ay. Try one of the fabulous drinks at the bar...on hot days, there's nothing more refreshing than a tall, cool, minty Ginger Rogers...which long pre-dated the current Mojito trend. If you love frites, this could be your home away from home. Thin and crispy, always served hot and in a nice paper cone, these fries can make you skip 'em everywhere else. I haven't had anything there that's been bad, but their fish dishes are classic and excellent and reminiscent of Pastis in NYC or perhaps Bistro Lipp in Paris. Even if you just want a drink before or after theatre or the opera, this is a great place to chill with some friends and talk the night away.
(5)
Jerome M.
i was really looking forward to dinner here, as it was a night on the town (san kids) to celebrate our 10th anniversary. the french onion soup was fantastic, but the filet i ordered was served seriously undercooked (i had asked that it be cooked medium). i don't want to drop $150 on dinner for two and have to send the entree back to the kitchen. overall, a pleasant experience, but scarcely worth the price of admission. fringale's is as good, if not better, and at more reasonable prices.
(2)
D Z.
The decor was very pleasant, with low lighting and soft furnishing. The tables are pretty close to each other, so it's quite easy to be distracted by other conversations. The food, however, definitely made up for it. I had the best swordfish I've ever eaten and my friend really enjoyed his grilled octopus pasta. The draft beer menu had some good options, as did the wine list. Overall, a little pricy but worth it.
(5)
Lizelle G.
One of those places that consistently has good food - both brunch / lunch and dinner. Comfort food with a twist. Great cocktails and nice wine list. I love their french toast with orange-ricotta filling - absolutely delicious. For dinners, I'm pretty simple, pork and steak dishes are my favorite. Comfortable environment. Healthy buzz.
(4)
Jeremy S.
A great wine selection and delicious food makes for a solid romantic date spot in Hayes.
(4)
Guido W.
Today I had lunch and I have a number of different impressions. The first one was not as expected. The seat was too low for me, I felt that I had to lift my elbows in order to eat. Ergonomics is important, even in a restaurant. I thought that the service was very nice and good. The menu is very good but very short and most of the dishes are definitely not french. Overall a good experience, if the seats were comfortable I would give them a 5 rating.
(4)
Ivy Y.
Tres French. Round tables. Chin up waitresses. Excellent food. Rose chilled at the very right temperature.
(5)
Mick F.
This place is a complete duality. On one hand, the atmosphere can be a touch snotty, and a bit Marina District. One the other hand, ive been in there when the barstaff has been completely accessible and incredibly friendly. Its been pretty black and white for me. Decent beer and drink selection, a wee pricy, most likely due to it catering to the symphiny crowd. Highlight - Just about the best hamburger ive ever had in the city!
(4)
J P.
Good fries. Nice place for a drink outside to people watch. A bit of an attitude.
(4)
Allison K.
A bit noisy but the food was great and the atmosphere fun. Agree with Nish that there's quite a diverse crowd and the fries are AMAZING! Get there a bit before your reservation to sit at the bar and order some of their fun cocktails.
(4)
Lula Mae W.
The service here is spectacular. Not exceedingly effusive, but staff are definitely excited about the food they serve. And, Absinthe is the sort of place that could easily be your neighborhood one-stop. I've gone for a drink early and late, brunch on the weekend, an afternoon snack, a special dinner, and a late-night cheese course. And it's not like Absinthe suffers in any one area to make another shine. Not to mention, some of the best fries this side of, well heaven. There ARE fries in the afterlife...please, please don't tell me if there aren't.
(5)
Kevin S.
Maybe it's accidental, but on my visits, Absinthe does just what a restaurant should do. It somehow always makes me focus more on the company than the place. The decor, the mood, the lighting, the fact that you can have just about anything--all this starts relaxing you, so that you wind up feeling more convivial than when you went in. The food is good, but I don't feel like I have to concentrate on it to enjoy it; Conversely, I've never been jarred or annoyed by anything I've had. So I focus more on my company than my food. That's pretty cool, actually.
(4)
Moby K.
Ideally I would give this place a 5 star for the food. But Im bumping it down to a 4 star because of the price. We had several entrees for brunch which were all excellent! The crab omelette and duck confit were exceptional. The french onion soup was very flavorful although a bit on the salty side.
(4)
Suki B.
Oohhh la la! This place is super intimate and romantic. We went here for dinner on my birthday and I must say it's the perfect date night spot! Totally made me feel like I was in Paris or what I imagine being in Paris would feel like, since I've never been. We enjoyed a bottle of wine, the food was delicious and the service was great. Definitely would go back!
(5)
Aly C.
Great food. Great atmosphere. We had such a nice time here and will definitely come back next time we're in SF. Highlights: -the french onion soup -the curry soup -coq de vin
(4)
Rusty M.
Good for lunch or dinner, great for drinks. I've enjoyed several great meals at Absinthe (try the fried chickpea appetizer--simple and amazing!), but am writing to review their Sazerac. After a trip to New Orleans, I have been on a quest to try the Sazeracs in SF. It is not something I want to order in a place that does not feature them, since they can be horribly butchered. But since Absinthe is such a seriously competent bar, and since they have it on their cocktail menu, I was not worried. The verdict: an excellent Sazerac! I was concerned when it arrived in a stemmed glass, since that is not traditional, but it sure looked pretty with the curlique of lemon twist in it. It had the right red color, and turned out to be very well prepared--not too sweet, nice rye whiskey flavor, just enough Peychaud's bitters. Give it a try.
(5)
Rachel C.
Without a doubt, the tastiest duck meatballs out there.... The cheese plate was delicious and the food was very, very solid. Drinks were inconsistent- my first one was delicious and the other two were pretty decent. Overall, a really delicious experience... the tartare, the cheese plate, the duck meatballs, the fish, and coq au vin... everything was amazing!!
(5)
Valerie A.
This is one of my very favorite restaurants in San Francisco! I've celebrated many birthdays and other special occasions here. It's one of my fav spots to have lunch alone. Absinthe somehow manages to consistently be great for either casual or upscale dining experiences. The food is always outstanding and the service as well as the overall vibe are cozy warm and friendly. Eat here, you won't regret it!
(5)
Piper W.
Mmmm! Get the cheese plate. Love the little fruit/nut/honey/jam pairings. The walnut bread that comes with the cheese is ...different. Relatively large drink menu. The burger is rich and moist- just like it should be from a French restaurant. Try it with an egg on top.
(4)
Maria A.
The host is always so kind to us here, and I know every time I go, even if it's packed, I'll be treated with warmth. That's a great thing for a place that gets super busy, especially after shows. The cocktails of course, are gorgeous--the French '75, the Wonderlust--really any of their gin cocktails are just ooh, so well crafted and good. They also have a solid selection of cheeses, and fresh oysters. For some reason it's always here that oysters taste incredibly dynamic. Consistently just makes me love SF. Mm.
(4)
Alexandra O.
AMAZING. Having a pallet for a well crafted meal and being a loyal top chief fan makes this place easy to be a fan of. The escargots in garlic herb sauce had a wonderful texture and flavor--so much that I forgot I was eating snails! The french onion soup was to die for, the best I've had. My boyfriend had the braised beef cheeks which were so tender, you could cut them with your fork! I am definitely coming back to try the scallops, since that was the Chef's specialty during her time on Top Chef. The drink menu is full of classic prohibition-era drinks. I had a Old Havana which was delicious.
(5)
Josephine L.
went to check out this place after a matinee performance of the nutcracker. love hayes valley and the energy here--went with my admin assistant/friend and we really enjoyed the meal--and the masculine cocktails--however, it seemed our server (not sure if he still works here since this was last christmastime) had a stick up his butt--not sure what the other tables were experiencing, but this dude was taking forever, was short with us, and when we witnessed him with the other tables, he was laughing--and so were they-- but we weren't laughing when he would come to us. regardless, being the kosher gal i am, i still tipped him 20%.
I love Absinthe. I'm happy to go here anytime, for any reason. They have great food, amazing drinks, the staff is nice- its a reasonable price, and I just love the place. My husband says they have the best hamburger ever, and I'm a big fan of their brunch. While I enjoy their "dinner" menu, I much prefer their bar menu. its especially fun late at night, too ;-)
(5)
lucie l.
being a fan of jamie from top chef, i just had to come and try out her menu. this is what we had: - roasted bone marrow - grilled scallops - slow cooked pork confit - scharffen berger chocolate pot de crème everything was delicious. i was amazed by all the different flavors and textures that were achieved from this one meal. i will definitely have to come back! too bad i came on a day that jamie was not working. i was told she does not work on sunday, monday and tuesday (just in case you wanted to know). :)
(5)
Claudine V.
I came here for drinks and the pretzel ( to die for!!!!)only so I would have to come back and try their entrees'.This place gets packed even if its early during the week so make reservations. The bar have some tables but those are also for people with reservations.
(4)
Melissa D.
This is my new favorite SF restaurant. I went with a girlfriend, and we split a few appetizers- everything was done just right, not too fancy - perfectly prepared Cesar Salad, Mac and Cheese- and the tempura crab was to die for! I am sure that the main courses are just as delish. The restaurant is very dark, which I love. Its a fun crowd at the bar, and more intimate in the dining area. I will definitely be coming back!
(5)
Jen Z.
Yummy oysters. Nice decor. I had a parpadelle with mushroom sauce --- really delicious. And close to the opera house (good for a bite before the show).
(4)
Claudia P.
Stopped in for Saturday brunch and was not impressed. Service was really good, but the food was beyond lackluster. I ordered the smoked salmon omelet and it was under seasoned and accompanied by thick slices of hard potatoes covered in a sweet, over-reduced onion/wine mixture. My husband decided to send back his steak and fries because the meat was overcooked and the cut tasted cheap. They offered him an extra drink as an apology, but it was a disappointing experience overall. We hadn't been here for a long while and definitely will not be going back. I'd go to Chez Maman if you are looking for French food in the area.
(2)
neha p.
Love this place. You better be willing to pay a pretty penny for food and drinks, but it's definitely worth it! After walking and walking and walking, some friends and I stumbled upon this place. Let's just say, this was the best Sunday night by far. I'm all about ambiance and this place has exactly that, dim lit and relaxing even though it can get crowded. Although, the noise drowns out after you have drink or two while enjoying the company of good friends and eating delicious food. Have a whirl at it, you won't regret it! :-)
(4)
Bhumika K.
A couple things here, we were seated in the back so often times we were forgotten about. Second our server kept saying don't order the pancakes or the waffles because they are so heavy (was this a fat joke?) and so I ordered the garlic flatbread. Not great. I felt cheated. I will come back just because those Banana Blueberry Souffle Pancakes sound like the best food-gasm. Until then, 2 stars.
(2)
Nezza F.
Overpriced, and overrated, but great flatbread and wonderful celery soup. Best part of my meal was the brownie with ice cream. Extensive liquor selection with high end whiskey. Came here on a Sunday night and wasn't too packed. I'd go here again, but the prices keep me from coming back.
(4)
Peter C.
Foursome dined well for $ 306.00. Pricey, but well done. My pork skirt steak was great with breaks and a delicious sauce. Monkfish was really great, with unusual side ingredients. Coq a vin was great!
(4)
Stephanie Y.
It's great when you find a parking spot right outside the restaurant, so that's already a good start. The restaurant was empty because it was 2:30pm. All of the waiter attention was on us practically... obviously a plus. We started with the cauliflower soup and shared the french dip. A pork sandwich that was sooo tender and still pretty juicy is impressive. They put the au jus sauce on the side for us to dip and that was damn flavorful. The fries were a little over fried, but no worries, I still ate them. I must come back for dinner one of these nights!
(4)
Candy C.
Ah, a good sunny day with outdoor seating, already I got a smile on my face before walking into Absinthe. Then, with the wonderful service brought by the attentive&friendly waiter, I, along with my cousin and dog Mocca, enjoyed a splendid time. For food, we got Ricotta-stuffed french toast, the special fried-green tomatoes; and for drinks we had Buck's Fizz and the Perfect Pear. The food, especially the french toast was very delish. The french toast gave me one of those "omg" bites- Soft and crunchy at the exact same moment and yet flavorsome and light. Drinks are not bad for our brunch either ( well, drinking is never bad for brunch time). Both drinks were just strong enough for us to stay happy and focus on the food. Over all. Yay to Absinthe :)
(4)
Stacy P.
Bar and restaurant are both worthy of five stars! My husband and I started out with martini's at the bar. Martinis were stirred to perfection. We were then seated at a great spot near the front window. Upon being seated, we ordered the soft garlic pretzels. They were out of this world! For entrees, I had the heirloom squash - delicious! Husband ordered the potato crusted artic char. He was quite pleased. Service was outstanding, food and drink were equally good. Will definitely return!
(5)
Bill J.
I guess I cannot take stars off for not getting a reservation. My wife thinks they have the best French Onion soup in the world. I like the cheese platters. We all love everything else we consume and always try an absinthe for a treat. My family likes to have dinner before local events and we have loved this tradition. The waiters had always been great and pay attention to details.
(5)
Jess C.
I think Absinthe is movin' on up to my numero uno spot for brunch in SF. I would stray away from the breakfast burrito, and warn you that the burger can get expensive when you add the fixins. The french onion soup was almost too cheesy. Everything else was delicious. I can't wait to come back and try the rest of their dishes and grab a bloody mary!
(5)
Zole A.
Just an overall solid spot you can always get a great cocktail, some great food and meet some nice people. Of course the Soup and The cocktails it usually hard for me to get past the bar Thanks for doing such a great job...
(5)
Flaneur E.
We were a group of 6 and had dinner here prior to a show at the Orpheum (Bourdain & Ripert!) and we were given a great table by the window. It was Friday and I arrived early (5:20pm)oand got a seat at the bar, surprisingly, bartender made great cocktails. I haven't been here in a long time but this time I ordered the Oyster Shooter (with vodka, natch), kale and radicchio salad, spicy pork meatballs. I recall loving their Onion Soup. Coq Au Vin but wanted something different this time. Again, I was satisfied, the food was delicious and the service, terrific.
(4)
Kai H.
My favorite place for a specialty cocktail, I dream about the Havana Sidecars. There is nothing better then sitting at the bar, sipping a manhattan and snacking on their fabulous fries, I could do it all night long!
(5)
Matthew R.
Went there for some late night drinks and snacks and was treated to great service, food, drinks and conversation. Definitely, 5 star drinks, yes they make a superb Manhattan, stirred not shaken. And the Gruyere burger was cooked a perfect medium-rare with those salty shoe-sting fries I love so much. Nice, Nice!
(4)
John D.
BEST RESTAURANT IN HAYES VALLEY Four of us came here for dinner before going to the SFJazz Center. We started with the cheese plate & ceviche. Both were small servings, but superb. The ceviche, oddly, was mixed with avocado, but it worked. I had the Arctic Char with thinly sliced potatoes on top and a mixed green salad. I thought it was perfect. My wife had the Australian Barramundi & it was fishy because they left the skin on it, a la Japanese style. She liked it. This is a great place. Food - 5 STARS Service - 5 STARS Ambiance/Decor - 5 STARS Value - 4 STARS Location - 5 STARS
(5)
David J.
Still 5 stars but they changed the menu and remved 2 of my favorite dishes. It is still a must visit every few days.
(5)
Kristin S.
I'm a big fan of brunch and I was really happy with my experience here. Went for an early Sunday brunch and luckily there wasn't a wait. I had the ricotta stuffed french toast, which had almonds and berry preserves served with it along with some kind of cream. I liked it, although i wish they would have put a little bit of cream cheese mixed with the ricotta as the filling. My favorite highlight was the brunch potatoes, omg, loved them!! One of my friends got them as a side, so tasty, crispy on the outside with just a hint of salt, and perfectly cooked on the inside. Would come back for brunch!
(4)
Mary G.
Very romantic, cute spot with a great bar! I really enjoyed the shared plates and trout.
(4)
Sean H.
My partner loves this place so we come somewhat often but I really don't get it. Granted we've only had their brunch, the food is really so-so. The vibe, however, is really great and enjoyable. Next is to try their dinner.
(3)
Calvin W.
Wowoweewow! Everything (food and drinks) were DELISH. Truly lived up to the hype. My lamb confit over couscous was so moist, I thought I was eating lamb mashed potatoes (not really, but it was moist like you know what!) Mistep: The panna cotta included a basil meringue on top, which I didn't love due to the mixture of savory and sweet. If you like curry flavored chocolate, you might like this.
(5)
E W.
Kind of like a tacky French brasserie... Pseudo authentic interior decor, steep prices for average food buuuuuut: Extra star for knock you dead cocktails! But overall no Balthazzaar. Go to Soho! Now THERE is some cote du boef.
(3)
Ashley H.
This place is pretty legit. I usually go here before the opera or the symphony because its so close by. I've probably been here 6-10 times and it is consistently good. The onion soup is always really good as a starter. Last time I ordered the Coq au Vin and I love it! I can definitely recommend it. My friend had the mahi mahi and the corn soup special, and both of those were also good. They always get you out on time for your show.. so there are no worries about that!
(4)
Lisa I.
Only stopped in for a few drinks at Absinthe on a warm Sunday after wandering around the rest of Hayes Valley, but it was perfect. Their cocktail list is...extensive. They don't display all of them online, but their House Cocktails list is what we ordered from. I had the High Cotton, Greg ordered the Sazerac and one other drink that I unfortunately don't remember. Anyway, long story short, this turned into a lively place with more people coming in to the bar area, even as the sun was starting to go down. I'd definitely come back with more friends since their bar area is pretty spacious!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Brad M.
I have been here twice now. Went for Brunch a few months ago. Creative menu and bloody marys were delic. Then recently went back for dinner and had a nice bottle of wine adn the ribeye. The meat and seasoning was great. Didnt care for the smoked potatoes too much. They didnt taste like they were really smoked but rather someone added some liquid smoke in. Overall really great meal.
(5)William M.
Went here a few months ago with a date when original sushi place we were trying to get into was quoting hour and a half wait times. Pleasantly surprised with the menu, good combinations of food and we got seated right away. The menu can get pretty expensive for what it is pretty quickly, and on a busy night service broke down a bit as the place felt crowded. But overall pretty good. I'd eat there again.
(3)Michael S.
Absinthe is one of those places that you really want to like. It's got a cool name. It's awful pretty inside. Everybody says it's good. 'Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing,' you say to yourself. Or 'That weird guy in the corner won't be the only other person in the bar next time.' Nope. Won't happen. I've tried.
(2)Mariangela S.
I said years ago there is always a table waiting for you at Absinthe. Never have a problem getting seated quickly, and I always order their Caesar Salad which is delicious. Maybe not Zuni style - but at the top of the list for the city. Great wine list that gets updated pretty regularly, and an attentive staff. Their gnocchi are always quite good, and you can't beat a healthy bistro steak. Of course you would be remiss not to order their amazing French Fries with 4 sauces!
(3)Helen B.
Review for brunch. What a pleasant surprise! Went here for brunch on Saturday since I wanted to do some shopping in the Hayes. They have a great menu but please do not miss these dishes... House cured smoked salmon, fruit plate comes with an amazing vanilla bean creme fraiche, and the basted eggs which comes with the most unique and smooth tomatillo salsa you have ever had. I am so happy to find a great brunch place in the Hayes to start off my day of Hayes shopping!
(4)J. Carlos S.
One of our favorite restaurants, ever. They have a great drink menu too, a lot of them from old cocktail books from the 30's. Try the Ginger Rogers, fantastic. And save room for the Lavender Creme Brullee after dinner with some coffee. I love the two items so much, I went out and found out how to make them, but even then, it's best to enjoy them at Absinthe on a cold, rainy evening.
(5)Michelle O.
Great drinks, and if you're on a budget, order the hamburger ($9) and split the fries. It is seriously the best burger I've ever had.
(5)Tim G.
Great bar with one fanatic drink menu and a killer burger. I have eaten in the dining room but would say I perfer the bar. The room is comfortable and the service is way above average.
(4)Jean C.
Good food. Good, not fantastic. Drinks: AWESOME! Skip dinner, go straight to the bar and enjoy drinks with names like "Ginger Rogers".
(3)Josh M.
There's a reason that Absinthe has been around so long. They've nailed the vivacious brasserie atmosphere, from the warm wood bar to the great mosaic floors and the food is consistently well-prepared and taste-ay. Try one of the fabulous drinks at the bar...on hot days, there's nothing more refreshing than a tall, cool, minty Ginger Rogers...which long pre-dated the current Mojito trend. If you love frites, this could be your home away from home. Thin and crispy, always served hot and in a nice paper cone, these fries can make you skip 'em everywhere else. I haven't had anything there that's been bad, but their fish dishes are classic and excellent and reminiscent of Pastis in NYC or perhaps Bistro Lipp in Paris. Even if you just want a drink before or after theatre or the opera, this is a great place to chill with some friends and talk the night away.
(5)Jerome M.
i was really looking forward to dinner here, as it was a night on the town (san kids) to celebrate our 10th anniversary. the french onion soup was fantastic, but the filet i ordered was served seriously undercooked (i had asked that it be cooked medium). i don't want to drop $150 on dinner for two and have to send the entree back to the kitchen. overall, a pleasant experience, but scarcely worth the price of admission. fringale's is as good, if not better, and at more reasonable prices.
(2)D Z.
The decor was very pleasant, with low lighting and soft furnishing. The tables are pretty close to each other, so it's quite easy to be distracted by other conversations. The food, however, definitely made up for it. I had the best swordfish I've ever eaten and my friend really enjoyed his grilled octopus pasta. The draft beer menu had some good options, as did the wine list. Overall, a little pricy but worth it.
(5)Lizelle G.
One of those places that consistently has good food - both brunch / lunch and dinner. Comfort food with a twist. Great cocktails and nice wine list. I love their french toast with orange-ricotta filling - absolutely delicious. For dinners, I'm pretty simple, pork and steak dishes are my favorite. Comfortable environment. Healthy buzz.
(4)Jeremy S.
A great wine selection and delicious food makes for a solid romantic date spot in Hayes.
(4)Guido W.
Today I had lunch and I have a number of different impressions. The first one was not as expected. The seat was too low for me, I felt that I had to lift my elbows in order to eat. Ergonomics is important, even in a restaurant. I thought that the service was very nice and good. The menu is very good but very short and most of the dishes are definitely not french. Overall a good experience, if the seats were comfortable I would give them a 5 rating.
(4)Ivy Y.
Tres French. Round tables. Chin up waitresses. Excellent food. Rose chilled at the very right temperature.
(5)Mick F.
This place is a complete duality. On one hand, the atmosphere can be a touch snotty, and a bit Marina District. One the other hand, ive been in there when the barstaff has been completely accessible and incredibly friendly. Its been pretty black and white for me. Decent beer and drink selection, a wee pricy, most likely due to it catering to the symphiny crowd. Highlight - Just about the best hamburger ive ever had in the city!
(4)J P.
Good fries. Nice place for a drink outside to people watch. A bit of an attitude.
(4)Allison K.
A bit noisy but the food was great and the atmosphere fun. Agree with Nish that there's quite a diverse crowd and the fries are AMAZING! Get there a bit before your reservation to sit at the bar and order some of their fun cocktails.
(4)Lula Mae W.
The service here is spectacular. Not exceedingly effusive, but staff are definitely excited about the food they serve. And, Absinthe is the sort of place that could easily be your neighborhood one-stop. I've gone for a drink early and late, brunch on the weekend, an afternoon snack, a special dinner, and a late-night cheese course. And it's not like Absinthe suffers in any one area to make another shine. Not to mention, some of the best fries this side of, well heaven. There ARE fries in the afterlife...please, please don't tell me if there aren't.
(5)Kevin S.
Maybe it's accidental, but on my visits, Absinthe does just what a restaurant should do. It somehow always makes me focus more on the company than the place. The decor, the mood, the lighting, the fact that you can have just about anything--all this starts relaxing you, so that you wind up feeling more convivial than when you went in. The food is good, but I don't feel like I have to concentrate on it to enjoy it; Conversely, I've never been jarred or annoyed by anything I've had. So I focus more on my company than my food. That's pretty cool, actually.
(4)Moby K.
Ideally I would give this place a 5 star for the food. But Im bumping it down to a 4 star because of the price. We had several entrees for brunch which were all excellent! The crab omelette and duck confit were exceptional. The french onion soup was very flavorful although a bit on the salty side.
(4)Suki B.
Oohhh la la! This place is super intimate and romantic. We went here for dinner on my birthday and I must say it's the perfect date night spot! Totally made me feel like I was in Paris or what I imagine being in Paris would feel like, since I've never been. We enjoyed a bottle of wine, the food was delicious and the service was great. Definitely would go back!
(5)Aly C.
Great food. Great atmosphere. We had such a nice time here and will definitely come back next time we're in SF. Highlights: -the french onion soup -the curry soup -coq de vin
(4)Rusty M.
Good for lunch or dinner, great for drinks. I've enjoyed several great meals at Absinthe (try the fried chickpea appetizer--simple and amazing!), but am writing to review their Sazerac. After a trip to New Orleans, I have been on a quest to try the Sazeracs in SF. It is not something I want to order in a place that does not feature them, since they can be horribly butchered. But since Absinthe is such a seriously competent bar, and since they have it on their cocktail menu, I was not worried. The verdict: an excellent Sazerac! I was concerned when it arrived in a stemmed glass, since that is not traditional, but it sure looked pretty with the curlique of lemon twist in it. It had the right red color, and turned out to be very well prepared--not too sweet, nice rye whiskey flavor, just enough Peychaud's bitters. Give it a try.
(5)Rachel C.
Without a doubt, the tastiest duck meatballs out there.... The cheese plate was delicious and the food was very, very solid. Drinks were inconsistent- my first one was delicious and the other two were pretty decent. Overall, a really delicious experience... the tartare, the cheese plate, the duck meatballs, the fish, and coq au vin... everything was amazing!!
(5)Valerie A.
This is one of my very favorite restaurants in San Francisco! I've celebrated many birthdays and other special occasions here. It's one of my fav spots to have lunch alone. Absinthe somehow manages to consistently be great for either casual or upscale dining experiences. The food is always outstanding and the service as well as the overall vibe are cozy warm and friendly. Eat here, you won't regret it!
(5)Piper W.
Mmmm! Get the cheese plate. Love the little fruit/nut/honey/jam pairings. The walnut bread that comes with the cheese is ...different. Relatively large drink menu. The burger is rich and moist- just like it should be from a French restaurant. Try it with an egg on top.
(4)Maria A.
The host is always so kind to us here, and I know every time I go, even if it's packed, I'll be treated with warmth. That's a great thing for a place that gets super busy, especially after shows. The cocktails of course, are gorgeous--the French '75, the Wonderlust--really any of their gin cocktails are just ooh, so well crafted and good. They also have a solid selection of cheeses, and fresh oysters. For some reason it's always here that oysters taste incredibly dynamic. Consistently just makes me love SF. Mm.
(4)Alexandra O.
AMAZING. Having a pallet for a well crafted meal and being a loyal top chief fan makes this place easy to be a fan of. The escargots in garlic herb sauce had a wonderful texture and flavor--so much that I forgot I was eating snails! The french onion soup was to die for, the best I've had. My boyfriend had the braised beef cheeks which were so tender, you could cut them with your fork! I am definitely coming back to try the scallops, since that was the Chef's specialty during her time on Top Chef. The drink menu is full of classic prohibition-era drinks. I had a Old Havana which was delicious.
(5)Josephine L.
went to check out this place after a matinee performance of the nutcracker. love hayes valley and the energy here--went with my admin assistant/friend and we really enjoyed the meal--and the masculine cocktails--however, it seemed our server (not sure if he still works here since this was last christmastime) had a stick up his butt--not sure what the other tables were experiencing, but this dude was taking forever, was short with us, and when we witnessed him with the other tables, he was laughing--and so were they-- but we weren't laughing when he would come to us. regardless, being the kosher gal i am, i still tipped him 20%.
(4)Mary S.
My husband and I had dinner at Absinthe for the first time Sunday, with another couple who had eaten here before and highly recommended it. Now we know why! We had an early reservation (5:00 p.m.) following an afternoon at the De Young Museum. Getting there was easy - a straight shot down Fulton and plenty of on street (free) parking within a couple of blocks. If you are there on a night when the symphony or opera are performing I think parking would be a little harder to come by, though the restaurant is within reasonable walking distance from the Civic Center BART station. Ambience: great urban bistro feel. Copper-topped bar in front with maybe 20 stools and a few small tables. The dining room had white linen cloths, a mural on the back wall, dark wood and lots of windows. Music playing in the background but predominate noise comes from conversation and plates/cutlery - just enough volume to feel vibrant but no problem holding a conversation. We had a round table for four against a window that overlooked Hayes Street. Fun to watch the street life walk by! Oh and there are a few small tables outside on the sidewalk. This is NOT a place for young children, but a great choice for foodies or pre-symphony dining. Our friends have eaten here a couple of times before performances and, having informed the wait staff that they have a curtain to make, found the staff very capable of moving the service along without creating a rushed feeling. Food: Excellent! We started with a bottle of Prosecco ($34), olives ($4), and spicy chickpeas ($4) for the table. Complimentary sourdough bread too. The spicy chickpeas were sort of addictive - fried, but not greasy, and spiced with Indian flavors. Different and fun. Next up, the gazpacho soup ($10), the melon salad ($14) and the corn soup ($6). I loved the corn soup - sweet and flavorful. I'm not a fan of gazpacho, but my friend is and declared it a winner. The melon salad might have been our favorite though with cold, firm pieces of cantaloupe and honeydew strewn with arugula and crispy pieces of prosciutto - lovely! Not much diversity to our entrée choices as 3 of us chose the beef cheeks ($28). These are falling apart tender (think the most wonderful braised short rib you have ever eaten), a very rich tasting meat on a bed of root vegetables with very thin and crispy onion rings on top. The 4th member of our group had the potato crusted arctic char ($27) which was both beautiful to look at and wonderful to taste! Very, very thin pieces of potato covering one side of the fish - looking very much like the scales of a fish - toasted a deep golden brown and crunchy to the taste. The fish was firm and mild and very fresh. We shared a wonderful bottle of Skewis Pinot Noir ($88) which needed a little time to open up before you could really taste how nice it was. The wine list is huge, with lots of choices for wines by the glass and half-bottles too. Dessert was a chocolate pot de crème for the husband, with a glass of port, while the other 3 of us had a 3-cheese selection. This was a great choice for dessert. We tried the Robiola Borsinia with Marcona almonds, the mildest of the 3 cheeses it reminded us a lot of a very good brie. Also Perail de Brebis, with a slightly tangy flavor and Tallegio with honeycomb, the strongest of the 3 but lovely with the honeycomb. Service: Outstanding! Our waiter achieved the perfect pace for our table, giving us plenty of time to enjoy each course, but never ignoring us. He sent the sommalier over to discuss wines with us, and he too (the sommalier) was pleasant and friendly. Price: We spent $410 for the four of us - more than a usual night out! But it could have been a much less expensive meal had we limited ourselves in the wine department and/or not ordered the soup/salad course. The entrees are all in the $22-$29 range which is perfectly reasonable. But it is such a pleasant place to sit and visit and munch on this or that! We were there for about 3 hours (!) and honestly we were all surprised by how much time had slipped by. Overall recommendation: This is one of the better dining experiences that we have enjoyed recently. I would recommend Absinthe without hesitation.
(4)Jodie B.
I love Absinthe. I'm happy to go here anytime, for any reason. They have great food, amazing drinks, the staff is nice- its a reasonable price, and I just love the place. My husband says they have the best hamburger ever, and I'm a big fan of their brunch. While I enjoy their "dinner" menu, I much prefer their bar menu. its especially fun late at night, too ;-)
(5)lucie l.
being a fan of jamie from top chef, i just had to come and try out her menu. this is what we had: - roasted bone marrow - grilled scallops - slow cooked pork confit - scharffen berger chocolate pot de crème everything was delicious. i was amazed by all the different flavors and textures that were achieved from this one meal. i will definitely have to come back! too bad i came on a day that jamie was not working. i was told she does not work on sunday, monday and tuesday (just in case you wanted to know). :)
(5)Claudine V.
I came here for drinks and the pretzel ( to die for!!!!)only so I would have to come back and try their entrees'.This place gets packed even if its early during the week so make reservations. The bar have some tables but those are also for people with reservations.
(4)Melissa D.
This is my new favorite SF restaurant. I went with a girlfriend, and we split a few appetizers- everything was done just right, not too fancy - perfectly prepared Cesar Salad, Mac and Cheese- and the tempura crab was to die for! I am sure that the main courses are just as delish. The restaurant is very dark, which I love. Its a fun crowd at the bar, and more intimate in the dining area. I will definitely be coming back!
(5)Jen Z.
Yummy oysters. Nice decor. I had a parpadelle with mushroom sauce --- really delicious. And close to the opera house (good for a bite before the show).
(4)Claudia P.
Stopped in for Saturday brunch and was not impressed. Service was really good, but the food was beyond lackluster. I ordered the smoked salmon omelet and it was under seasoned and accompanied by thick slices of hard potatoes covered in a sweet, over-reduced onion/wine mixture. My husband decided to send back his steak and fries because the meat was overcooked and the cut tasted cheap. They offered him an extra drink as an apology, but it was a disappointing experience overall. We hadn't been here for a long while and definitely will not be going back. I'd go to Chez Maman if you are looking for French food in the area.
(2)neha p.
Love this place. You better be willing to pay a pretty penny for food and drinks, but it's definitely worth it! After walking and walking and walking, some friends and I stumbled upon this place. Let's just say, this was the best Sunday night by far. I'm all about ambiance and this place has exactly that, dim lit and relaxing even though it can get crowded. Although, the noise drowns out after you have drink or two while enjoying the company of good friends and eating delicious food. Have a whirl at it, you won't regret it! :-)
(4)Bhumika K.
A couple things here, we were seated in the back so often times we were forgotten about. Second our server kept saying don't order the pancakes or the waffles because they are so heavy (was this a fat joke?) and so I ordered the garlic flatbread. Not great. I felt cheated. I will come back just because those Banana Blueberry Souffle Pancakes sound like the best food-gasm. Until then, 2 stars.
(2)Nezza F.
Overpriced, and overrated, but great flatbread and wonderful celery soup. Best part of my meal was the brownie with ice cream. Extensive liquor selection with high end whiskey. Came here on a Sunday night and wasn't too packed. I'd go here again, but the prices keep me from coming back.
(4)Peter C.
Foursome dined well for $ 306.00. Pricey, but well done. My pork skirt steak was great with breaks and a delicious sauce. Monkfish was really great, with unusual side ingredients. Coq a vin was great!
(4)Stephanie Y.
It's great when you find a parking spot right outside the restaurant, so that's already a good start. The restaurant was empty because it was 2:30pm. All of the waiter attention was on us practically... obviously a plus. We started with the cauliflower soup and shared the french dip. A pork sandwich that was sooo tender and still pretty juicy is impressive. They put the au jus sauce on the side for us to dip and that was damn flavorful. The fries were a little over fried, but no worries, I still ate them. I must come back for dinner one of these nights!
(4)Candy C.
Ah, a good sunny day with outdoor seating, already I got a smile on my face before walking into Absinthe. Then, with the wonderful service brought by the attentive&friendly waiter, I, along with my cousin and dog Mocca, enjoyed a splendid time. For food, we got Ricotta-stuffed french toast, the special fried-green tomatoes; and for drinks we had Buck's Fizz and the Perfect Pear. The food, especially the french toast was very delish. The french toast gave me one of those "omg" bites- Soft and crunchy at the exact same moment and yet flavorsome and light. Drinks are not bad for our brunch either ( well, drinking is never bad for brunch time). Both drinks were just strong enough for us to stay happy and focus on the food. Over all. Yay to Absinthe :)
(4)Stacy P.
Bar and restaurant are both worthy of five stars! My husband and I started out with martini's at the bar. Martinis were stirred to perfection. We were then seated at a great spot near the front window. Upon being seated, we ordered the soft garlic pretzels. They were out of this world! For entrees, I had the heirloom squash - delicious! Husband ordered the potato crusted artic char. He was quite pleased. Service was outstanding, food and drink were equally good. Will definitely return!
(5)Bill J.
I guess I cannot take stars off for not getting a reservation. My wife thinks they have the best French Onion soup in the world. I like the cheese platters. We all love everything else we consume and always try an absinthe for a treat. My family likes to have dinner before local events and we have loved this tradition. The waiters had always been great and pay attention to details.
(5)Jess C.
I think Absinthe is movin' on up to my numero uno spot for brunch in SF. I would stray away from the breakfast burrito, and warn you that the burger can get expensive when you add the fixins. The french onion soup was almost too cheesy. Everything else was delicious. I can't wait to come back and try the rest of their dishes and grab a bloody mary!
(5)Zole A.
Just an overall solid spot you can always get a great cocktail, some great food and meet some nice people. Of course the Soup and The cocktails it usually hard for me to get past the bar Thanks for doing such a great job...
(5)Flaneur E.
We were a group of 6 and had dinner here prior to a show at the Orpheum (Bourdain & Ripert!) and we were given a great table by the window. It was Friday and I arrived early (5:20pm)oand got a seat at the bar, surprisingly, bartender made great cocktails. I haven't been here in a long time but this time I ordered the Oyster Shooter (with vodka, natch), kale and radicchio salad, spicy pork meatballs. I recall loving their Onion Soup. Coq Au Vin but wanted something different this time. Again, I was satisfied, the food was delicious and the service, terrific.
(4)Kai H.
My favorite place for a specialty cocktail, I dream about the Havana Sidecars. There is nothing better then sitting at the bar, sipping a manhattan and snacking on their fabulous fries, I could do it all night long!
(5)Matthew R.
Went there for some late night drinks and snacks and was treated to great service, food, drinks and conversation. Definitely, 5 star drinks, yes they make a superb Manhattan, stirred not shaken. And the Gruyere burger was cooked a perfect medium-rare with those salty shoe-sting fries I love so much. Nice, Nice!
(4)John D.
BEST RESTAURANT IN HAYES VALLEY Four of us came here for dinner before going to the SFJazz Center. We started with the cheese plate & ceviche. Both were small servings, but superb. The ceviche, oddly, was mixed with avocado, but it worked. I had the Arctic Char with thinly sliced potatoes on top and a mixed green salad. I thought it was perfect. My wife had the Australian Barramundi & it was fishy because they left the skin on it, a la Japanese style. She liked it. This is a great place. Food - 5 STARS Service - 5 STARS Ambiance/Decor - 5 STARS Value - 4 STARS Location - 5 STARS
(5)David J.
Still 5 stars but they changed the menu and remved 2 of my favorite dishes. It is still a must visit every few days.
(5)Kristin S.
I'm a big fan of brunch and I was really happy with my experience here. Went for an early Sunday brunch and luckily there wasn't a wait. I had the ricotta stuffed french toast, which had almonds and berry preserves served with it along with some kind of cream. I liked it, although i wish they would have put a little bit of cream cheese mixed with the ricotta as the filling. My favorite highlight was the brunch potatoes, omg, loved them!! One of my friends got them as a side, so tasty, crispy on the outside with just a hint of salt, and perfectly cooked on the inside. Would come back for brunch!
(4)Mary G.
Very romantic, cute spot with a great bar! I really enjoyed the shared plates and trout.
(4)Sean H.
My partner loves this place so we come somewhat often but I really don't get it. Granted we've only had their brunch, the food is really so-so. The vibe, however, is really great and enjoyable. Next is to try their dinner.
(3)Calvin W.
Wowoweewow! Everything (food and drinks) were DELISH. Truly lived up to the hype. My lamb confit over couscous was so moist, I thought I was eating lamb mashed potatoes (not really, but it was moist like you know what!) Mistep: The panna cotta included a basil meringue on top, which I didn't love due to the mixture of savory and sweet. If you like curry flavored chocolate, you might like this.
(5)E W.
Kind of like a tacky French brasserie... Pseudo authentic interior decor, steep prices for average food buuuuuut: Extra star for knock you dead cocktails! But overall no Balthazzaar. Go to Soho! Now THERE is some cote du boef.
(3)Ashley H.
This place is pretty legit. I usually go here before the opera or the symphony because its so close by. I've probably been here 6-10 times and it is consistently good. The onion soup is always really good as a starter. Last time I ordered the Coq au Vin and I love it! I can definitely recommend it. My friend had the mahi mahi and the corn soup special, and both of those were also good. They always get you out on time for your show.. so there are no worries about that!
(4)Lisa I.
Only stopped in for a few drinks at Absinthe on a warm Sunday after wandering around the rest of Hayes Valley, but it was perfect. Their cocktail list is...extensive. They don't display all of them online, but their House Cocktails list is what we ordered from. I had the High Cotton, Greg ordered the Sazerac and one other drink that I unfortunately don't remember. Anyway, long story short, this turned into a lively place with more people coming in to the bar area, even as the sun was starting to go down. I'd definitely come back with more friends since their bar area is pretty spacious!
(4)