There are restaurants you visit and restaurants you plan. Acquerello was very much the latter, and every bit of effort that went into the planning was met and exceeded by what they delivered on the night. I brought someone special here to celebrate their birthday, and from the very first point of contact the restaurant set the tone. Reaching out ahead of time to coordinate dietary restrictions was handled with genuine professionalism and care. I also arranged for a signed menu as a keepsake, and without giving too much away, what they prepared by the end of the evening went far beyond what I had asked for. For someone who truly loves Italian food, Acquerello is the answer to what fine dining in that tradition can and should be. Every course was executed to perfection, thoughtful in composition and beautiful in presentation. The wine pairing was an excellent decision. Each pour was chosen with clear intention, and what struck me was how it didn't just complement each dish but genuinely elevated it, bringing out layers you might not have noticed otherwise. That kind of curation rounds out the entire progression of the meal in a way that's hard to replicate with a single bottle. What I appreciated most about the service was how each course was explained. Thorough, knowledgeable, but never condescending. It felt like being let in on something rather than being lectured to, and that distinction matters enormously in a room like this. A small but memorable moment: the butter. My companion became genuinely obsessed with it and was visibly heartbroken when it was taken away. The kind of detail that tells you everything about how much care goes into every element of the experience here. And then, toward the end of the evening, the signed menu was presented alongside a birthday card personally signed by the head chef. It was unexpected, it was generous, and it meant everything. I'm so glad I got to share a night like that with someone I care about deeply. Acquerello isn't just a great restaurant. It's a place that understands the difference between a meal and a memory. read more

So first, this place has two Michelin stars and definitely deserves them. My review is more - how good is it for the money. The dining room is in a former church and is very intimate and elegant. There's a dress code and you feel you are somewhere special. Staff is super knowledgeable and service is impeccable. We had the tasting menu and mentioned a couple of proteins we would prefer not to eat, and they accommodated. Each dish was well composed, but the balance was occasionally off - some were a little too rich and missing an acid to cut through, or one of the ingredients was too forward and took over the flavor profile of the dish. These were pretty subtle and minor - each dish was still delicious. But at this level you expect perfection. We added the cheese plate and it was delicious and felt worth the extra money - but I'm a sucker for a good cheese plate. The pacing of the meal was slightly off - early courses came out fairly quickly but as the meal progressed there were some lengthy delays between courses. To be fair to Acquerello, I suspect our dietary restrictions threw off the pacing in order for them to accommodate us last minute since had neglected to mention one of them when we made the reservation. So I'd encourage anyone dining here to be thorough with what you would and wouldn't want to eat ahead of time. The menu here is...somewhat adventurous. :) Overall a fine meal and worthy of its reputation, but I don't think we'll be back. None of the dishes blew us away and other than the pasta dish and the cheese plate, I'm not sure I'd want to eat them again. It was a fun adventure though. read more

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My partner took me here for my birthday and it was super special. The service was incredible and the food was delicious. The highlight for both of us was the fake foie gras. The quail everything else was good but those were the stand outs. For areas of improvement, the duck pasta, which was made because of my allergies, was a bit bland and the pasta was too al dente. The meat on the inside was also bland and tasted dry. The dessert cart looked cool but the items were very underwhelming. I love dessert and tried 7 different things between my partner and me and all of them were not very good or worth eating. The birthday cake was good! It was a fun take on tiramisu. read more

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Absolutely phenomenal service, knowledgeable sommelier, cozy decor and vibe but a disappointing four course tasting menu. The crudo, bread and pre dinner snacks lacked flavor and seasoning. The monkfish felt one dimensional. It's hard to describe but Michelin star restaurants all have this umami flavor to dishes and it felt this dish was overloaded with this taste and no acidity or brightness. Was it good? Absolutely. Would i go back? Probably not read more

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Every dish we had from their four-course menu was delicious. Tried their squash tartlet, hiramasa crudo, and vitello tonnato appetizers. Favorite was their hiramasa crudo. Don't typically like foie gras, which is why I didn't order their signature ridged pasta. I tried some of my husband's though, and it ended up being our favorite pasta dish. Kids loved their rabbit mortadella-filled cappelletti too. Their duck was superb, and I also enjoyed their Wagyu beef. Their monkfish was slightly chewy and my least favorite. Hesitant to order their "unusual" selection of Italian cheeses since I usually prefer mild cheeses, but glad we did. Their cheeses and condiments were amazing. Favorite dessert was their panna cotta. Served like an egg in a nest, it was visually beautiful, but also loved all of the different textures and flavors. read more

Not impressed. The biggest issue was that I felt like almost everything I ordered was... wrong. But how could anything be wrong at a two-star Michelin restaurant? When there is a hefty price tag attached, the expectations are naturally very high. We also opted for the wine pairing. While most of the wines were great, one pairing completely missed the mark. They paired a sweet dessert wine with a sweet dish, the foie gras pasta, which made the whole course overwhelmingly sugary. It just didn't balance well at all. Honestly, nothing from the first through the fourth course was particularly memorable. I will say the duck was delicious, and the kohlrabi vegetarian dish was seasoned perfectly. That one genuinely impressed me. It was the kind of dish where you know you could never replicate it at home. But everything else felt... mid. Some dishes were too sweet, others too sour, and a few just tasted flat. read more

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In a city where Michelin stars come and go, Acquerello has quietly held its shine for nearly two decades -- and for the past ten years, it's earned two Michelin stars through their dedication in consistency. From the moment we stepped into what was once a small chapel, the space felt calm and timeless -- vaulted ceilings, soft light, and the kind of attentive service that feels effortless -- always there at just the right moment. We chose the full tasting menu, and was glad the cheese course that Michelin calls a visual masterpiece was added. The line up of the dishes were my all time favorites. Every single dish was a highlight on it's own. Starting with chilled Maine lobster brightened by passion fruit and hearts of palm. Followed by glazed black cod in smoked brodo with artichoke and asparagus -- smooth, buttery, and aromatic. The rabbit mortadella cappellacci with sweet English peas and velvety Vacche Rosse fonduta was rich and savory. Wolfe Ranch quail arrived, paired with fennel confit, tangy rhubarb, and a gentle warmth of pink peppercorn. Then came ridged pasta in a Marsala-infused sauce, smooth, aromatic, and pure indulgence in every bite. The lamb loin -- juicy, smoky, and balanced by sweet Nardello peppers, silky eggplant, and briny Taggiasca olives -- offered a beautiful harmony of richness and brightness. We finished with an exceptional selection of Italian cheeses, a must for any true cheese lover. Ending with beautifully tasty desserts that felt like art -- light, balanced, and quietly luxurious. The Italian wine pairings were equally impressive: each glass distinctive, every match flawless, leaving us with a whole new appreciation for Italy's wines. Chef Suzette Gresham's cooking embodies refinement and heart -- classic Italian roots elevated by modern technique and a deep respect for ingredients. Acquerello isn't just dinner -- it's a master class in balance, precision, and timeless grace. Every detail reminds you why this restaurant continues to define fine dining in San Francisco. read more

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So so good! I came here with my sister recently and we were so impressed with both the service and the food. We were celebrating my sister's birthday and they provided a card and complimentary food to celebrate. The servers were all so attentive and it felt like they were all so knowledgable about the food. The real highlight for me was the dessert cart! I loved getting to pick from the selection of desserts at the end and it felt like an elevated version of getting to pick out candy at a candy shop. I thought the inside was stunning too. Our dinner took us about three hours in total and it didn't feel rushed or delayed at all, so I would recommend booking an earlier dinner if you have plans later. They even sent us home with biscotti for the next day. read more

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June 2025 Seasonal Menu I enjoyed my first visit at Acquerello! The restaurant carries a particular warmth and leads a vintage ambiance. I liked the fresh florals at many corners and the dimmed lights make for a romantic atmosphere. The seasonal menu included 9 courses with two optional choices for their caviar course and cheese course (you can share these and do not have to order per person!). I really like their chef's small surprises bites at the beginning of the meal which included some fresh Dungeness crab cake and a savory Comte financier. I love that every dish here is seasoned but not overly salted! Their pasta with faux foie gras and truffle dish was delicious and stood out. The menu included 5 proteins which made for a full and well-rounded meal. The cheese course included three types of cheese and arrange of accompaniments of fruits and sauces and crackers! The meal ended with two desserts, one rhubarb then one strawberry based alongside a dessert cart which was a sweet surprise! (You can choose 3-4 items from the cart) I really appreciated the prompt and lovely service by Vidal and our nice hostess Liz who was attentive and helpful! Thanks to them, the meal was much more pleasant and smooth! I look forward to coming back to Acquerello to try their four course menu to pick my favorite dishes! read more

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Fantastic experience in the restaurant. We were served by Franco and his team, everyone is really attentive and welcoming. Without asking for water they keep coming to fill it up for us and check in on the food. We came to celebrate a birthday and every dish is really delicious. With mandatory service charge and mandate without wine pairing is around $220 per person. read more

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Really enjoyed our dining experience here celebrating our 20th anniversary. We were 20m late due to parking challenges but they were very welcoming. Service was impeccable while being warm and friendly. Food was outstanding, I especially loved the melon dish from first course. We added the cheese course and it was enough food. Highly recommend for special occasions! read more

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Acquerello is a 2 Michelin star restaurant. I have been wanting to try this place for couple years but always had a change in plans. I am so glad I finally got to try this place out because it did not disappoint! We'd ended up doing the tasting menu and came here on the Saturday of Valentine's day. The restaurant filled up eventually and the ambience of the restaurant is incredibly beautiful. It was romantic and the decor of it brings me back to Italy. The food was delicious, with each bite bursting with flavors! The pasta with the 'faux foie gras' was moth watering! What an amazing dish, I still think about to this day! I am also not a fan of veal and was hesitant to try that dish but I am so amazed by how delicious and easy to eat that meal was here. The chefs did a wonderful job balancing each dish with its complementing flavors. Our servers were attentive and polite. We truly enjoyed our experience here! I have tried many Michelin restaurants and not all meets its deserving stars but I must say, this place is one of my favorites and I would love to come back here again. Parking is very difficult but we realized there was the Chinese new year parade happening on the same day we were there so definitely try to avoid that unless you are getting dropped off. We ended up being 15mins late due to parking. We hope you can give this place a try too! read more

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Tasting Menu is $275/pp and we opted for the supplemental caviar course. 2 Michelin star Italian restaurant. Every plate was delicious and beautifully plated/presented. Staff was very attentive and explained every dish. There is a parking garage right across the street that is a flat rate of $15 in the evening (As of February 20025). read more

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A wonderful dining experience in San Francisco with attention to detail a focus of the entire staff. Such a cozy restaurant in a wonderfully historic building with amazing architecture. An absolutely amazing food experience and wine pairing. The chef's menu experience took through multiple courses one better than the last. I have to say that one of the pasta courses was probably one of the best I've ever had in my whole life. Plenty of options to add on to their seasonal menu if you don't feel that the offerings are going to be enough (OMG!) LOL We were invited by the Sommelier to come into one of their multiple wine rooms, which is a wonderful experience as well I highly recommend this restaurant to try some spins on Italian cuisine read more

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This was an amazing experience from start to finish with presentations and flavors. I love being open to trying foods that I'm not familiar with. The wine that was paired with each dish was perfect. Friendly attentive staff awaits you come try Acquerello for that special night/day out. read more

I have so many great things to say about Acquerello that I don't know where to start! My husband and I came here on Black Friday this year for a combo celebration of Thanksgiving and late wedding anniversary. We had both been looking forward to coming here for a while as its a two Michelin star restaurant and focuses (ish) on the region of Italy where my husband is from. Once we decided to go, I was easily able to make a reservation online, and we were able to be seated shortly after arrival. We both had the four-course menu. I wasn't certain if it would be enough food when I made the booking and reviewed the menus, but actually after the fact it ended up being more than enough since there were some "surprise" courses as well. I shared pics of the menu and the courses, each of which was so beautifully presented and described by the staff, and it's difficult to say which one was my favourite. IMHO I don't always enjoy every course of a tasting menu, but Acquerello was certainly the exception since each dish was so tasty and delicious and I'm sure I could have had more if given the option. The staff were very attentive and friendly and helped to create such a positive fine dining environment. The restaurant itself is tasteful (no pun intended) and had a constant hum of good vibes and conversation from the other diners, without feeling full or crowded. I look forward to a future visit here and to trying out more of their excellent dishes! read more

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I dined at Acquerello over two years ago, and despite many Michelin-level experiences since, it remains the most memorable and complete fine-dining experience I've had. From the moment you enter, the atmosphere feels warm, elegant, and quietly confident rather than performative. The service was impeccable: attentive, gracious, and genuinely invested in the guest experience without ever feeling rushed or rehearsed. It struck the rare balance of professionalism and warmth that defines true hospitality. The food itself was extraordinary, both technically and emotionally. I still think about the Marsala, truffle, and faux foie gras pasta years later. It was deeply layered, luxurious without heaviness, and profoundly satisfying in a way that transcended novelty or trend. It is the kind of dish that imprints on your memory and becomes a benchmark. Acquerello delivered what fine dining at this level should: coherence between atmosphere, service, pacing, and flavor, all in service of pleasure rather than performance. An unequivocal recommendation, and a restaurant I would return to without hesitation. read more

Made reservations to celebrate a special occasion and was not disappointed. From start to finish the staff was friendly, attentive and helpful. Every plate was incredible and presented beautifully. Dessert is part of the tasting menu and they also bring over a dessert cart and send you off with biscotti! This was a 10/10 experience and I be back in the near future. read more

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My friend and I decided to come here for a joint birthday celebration! We booked a couple weeks in advance for 6 pm on a Friday night. The interior is stunning with the dark wood fixtures and building details. The service is immediate right when you enter the door with them taking your coat and taking the time to give you a dark napkin that matches our outfits. Starting with the amuse bouche, the one topped with nori and the last cake-like item were our favorites. We also got some starter bread, one was lighter with rosemary and one was a darker wheat bread. They gave us fermented butter which was harder but melted nicely on the hot bread and the best topped with the flakey salt. Huckleberry Shrub - The staff described it as a stronger drink and it was very flavorful. It had a hearty berry flavor that made it sweet and tart. We opted for the four course menu and an interesting thing about the menu is that you can choose 4 courses from any of the sections, except the main entree section, so we opted for two pasta dishes, one entree and one dessert. Caponata-filled mezzelune - This was very light, the sauce was sour and fresh. Usually, I expect pasta dishes to be very heavy but this one wasn't. Added with the red pepper agrodolce, it had a little more of a punch of flavor and hint of spice while the pasta itself was soft and had a subtle flavor. Ridged pasta with faux "foie gras" - This dish was different and had many layers to the flavor. The staff said that in cooking the foie gras, there is a natural sugar and sweetness that comes into the dish. This pasta was my favorite, perfectly al dente while being hot. It was reminiscent of a caramel texture with a rich, savory and sweet flavor. I really enjoyed the texture from the truffle as well. Dry aged liberty duck - The duck was so tender and fatty, served with the duck jus that enhanced the duck with meaty and savory flavors. I enjoyed the turnips as well because it reminded me of the consistency and texture of a brussel sprout. On the other hand, the duck sausage didn't stand out or did the spinach add much to the plate. Vanilla Creme Fraiche Panna Cotta - It was cool that it looked like an egg but the amount of milk chocolate to the panna cotta and preserved apricot was a little disproportionate. There were apricot pieces at the bottom under the egg but it was overall a very sweet dessert. They gave us a birthday dessert as well which was nice which was a raspberry tart that was pretty well balanced and a meringue.. At the end, they brought over a cart with small bites and I enjoyed everything. The house made marshmallow with mango passion fruit flavor was a standout. Overall the service was top tier and a little pretty spaced out in between but always in sync with when our dishes arrived and ensuring that every dish was with clean cutlery. The price, however, was a little steep as with the additional charges and another service charge, made it less worth it despite the experience we had. read more

Acquerello - Birthday Dessert - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Fine dining at value I didn't know that an experience this good could be achieved at this price. The dining experience here was excellent at many levels - the service, the decor, and most importantly, the food. The default menu here is the 4 course a la carte menu, which I shared with my wife. We got to taste 8 great dishes as a result of choosing different dishes. A quick rundown: Starting trio of appetizers 5/5 - all light and surprising. Didn't mind the gold leaf, but obviously not necessary. The potato tube with creme and caviar was light, crispy, savory - easily my fav. The foie gras cone was also tasty with a sweet finish Chilled Maine lobster 5/5 - cooked perfectly in a sweet sauce with just a touch of sour Vitello tonnato 5/5 - Legit a work of art. Veal was tender and perfect, paired so well with the parmasean cube. The olive jelly had an interesting texture Ridged pasta with faux "foie gras" 5/5 - The signature dish and I can see why. Flavor was incredibly intense, like a concentrated umami and caramel flavor bomb. Paired well with the truffle Cappellacci 5/5 - Pasta was cooked perfectly and the hat shape was incredibly cute. The rabbit was soft and tasted like pork? Bluefin tuna 3/5 - This one was a miss for me. Tuna, while tender, was a bit fishy. The escarole and the potato on the side were excellent tho Dry-aged Liberty duck 5/5 - Duck meat was cooked perfectly. Looked like art with a even golden crust. Crispy outside and steak tender on the inside. Duck sausage on the side was interesting, but I prefer regular sausage lol Buttermilk Bavarese 4/5 - Tasted like a strawberry shortcake Vanilla crème fraîche panna cotta 4/5 - Another work of art. Looks like an egg on a nest. They cut the egg tableside, revealing the apricot "yolk". Tastes like chocolate on more chocolate As a bonus, they also gave us an extra tiramisu as we were celebrating our anniversary. Meal ended with an array of small desserts from which we could pick and choose. read more

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ok TLDR super lovely vibes & main courses were BOMB but dessert and service disappointed for a 2 michelin. i'll start w the positives. fav dishes: the amuse bouche was so unique and i loved. hokkaido scallop was so fresh and had a decadent sauce. foie gras pasta is probably the best pasta ive ever had in my life. so creamy rich and the freshest truffles. and the quail was so tender and caramelized and idk how they made the parsnip so flavorful. crudo was also v fresh and good. the duck caramelle was super unique and i didnt know fig could pair w pasta so well i personally wasnt super impressed w the venison. they said medium rare but the inside wasnt warm but the flavor with the jam and stuff was actually pretty good. the pear crema literally tasted like pear apple sauce with a cream on the outside idk not my cup of tea. the tiny tiramisu they brought for pedros bday was infinitely better. the bon bon cart was super fun but i tried 5 of them and they were all just bad except the black sesame caramel was fire. the service....i actually really like a long meal but it toon them 30 mins to bring the first course which is a bit excessive. 4 hour meal for 9 courses is kinda wild like ive had 22 course meals be shorter. ALSO i think we just got a new server but he was so nervous, stumbling over his words and we caught that he explained a lot of stuff completely wrong bc he brought out the cheese plate and after tasting them we were like uhhh whatever he said was the goat cheese was clearly the pecorino and the jams tasted nothing like what he said and after listening to the other server explain at the other table, we realized that a lot of the things he said were very different. we laughed about it but thinking now like when ur paying $750 for a meal part of what youre paying for is the excellence of service which just wasnt there (i feel like a snob but). overall, the food is 2 michelin level but im surprised theyve kept both stars w the service we received read more

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This was a lovely experience with some misses in flavor. The service was very structured, you could see that everyone was well trained to behave a certain way. Decor and setup of the restaurant was beautifully but inviting. I got the tasting, which is detailed below. Standouts were the cod and lamb. I think Chez TJ was a very similar experience I had with more consistent flavors, but could be the difference between Italian style and French style! Chef bites- was good but not great. The tartlets were kind of sharp in texture. I wished for a bit more flavor Rosemary Bread- so delicious! Lobster- a very passionfruit forward preparation, so a little sour. But nice and refreshing and the lobster texture was wonderful. Olive bread- this was just okay but I also don't love olives Black cod- this was amazing. Texture was perfect, flavor was light but savory. One of the best preparations of cod I've ever had Rabbit cappellacci- not sure about this one. I think the textures could have been improved. The pasta was very soft so it blended with the filling and felt a bit mushy. Meanwhile the peas were very strong in the flavor but the tasty cheese as the bottom was harder to pick up in combination with the pasta. Quail- very nice. No complaints here Truffle pasta- this was their signature and I was really looking forward to it as all the reviews highlight it, but it was not the best for me. It was weirdly sweet, almost like it should be dessert. Don't know if that's normal but disappointing. Lamb- this was flawless- so tender, and the accompaniments were perfectly cooked and seasoned. Great end to the savories. Desserts- they were fine. A bit sweet but interesting combinations of flavors. The mignardises were particularly well made. read more

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We came here to celebrate our first wedding anniversary and got the four course meal. The reservation process was a breeze and we were seated promptly upon arrival. My choice for each course was: - Antipasto: tonnato (a type a tuna) - Pasta: oxtail farfalle and sweetbreads - Entree: Dry-aged duck - Dessert: huckleberries and lemon with almond sablé My favorite was the oxtail farfalle and sweetbreads. Each pasta was stuffed with oxtail bone marrow. It was juicy and had a umami flavor. I didn't mind the sweetbreads but I prefer to not know which organ they came from lol. We did a cheese board add-on for $30. It came with an assortment of cheese, jams and fruit bits. My favorite was the truffle cheese. In addition to the course set, we received a cream tart for the special occasion. I have to say this was my favorite dessert item of the night. We were also given a generous refill of the rosemary bread with butter from Vermont, and a few appetizer and dessert samplers. The entire staff was super attentive and the service was impeccable. I think $165 for a four-course meal at a 2-star Michelin establishment was very reasonable. We were more than satisfied in both terms of the quality and quantity. read more

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We had originally planned to dine at Californios, but when our group increased from six to seven, the experience quickly took a turn. We were told, "We typically cannot accommodate a party of over six guests. We do have one table that would fit 7, but it will be a bit tight, and there is a premium charge for a large party of $417 per person." When we asked what the additional charge included, the owner stated, "It would not change the menu. The higher price is to accommodate for the strain on service, as it takes almost our entire staff to service a table of this size." Despite being unable to accommodate our group, they refused to cancel the reservation only offering a refund if another party happened to rebook the table. It was an unnecessarily rigid and impersonal experience that lacked any sense of hospitality. Fortunately, Acquerello had reservations and they stepped in and transformed the night. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed and seated in their elegant wine room. The staff was gracious and attentive, making us feel truly cared for. We chose the tasting menu, and every course impressed. The ridged pasta with faux foie gras and black truffle was rich and unforgettable. The glazed black cod was buttery and delicate, and the Wolfe Ranch quail was tender and deeply flavorful. Dietary accommodations were handled seamlessly when a few guests requested no lamb no fuss, no judgment, just excellent service. Though we didn't opt for the full wine pairing, the sommelier recommended two beautiful bottles that paired perfectly with the meal. She was knowledgeable, kind, and intuitive an absolute standout. Acquerello delivered not only an exceptional meal, but an experience rooted in hospitality and heart. They reminded us that true service is about making people feel welcome! Acquerello has the soul and a masterclass in true hospitality. Californios could take a few notes. read more

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This place didn't disappoint, but I felt like it was a little stuffy for me. Service was on par and attentive. We did the tasting menu and I felt like there were 1 or 2 items that were off. I did enjoy the company and the food overall. Looking back, I would recommend to try this restaurant at least once, but be prepared to pay $$$$. read more

Everything from planning this private dining experience with Isabella to last minute changes and the actual dinner was exceptional. Isabella was easy to work with and made my last minute event so wonderful! Service here was top notch - I think they had a server for each person that was seated. We ordered the 5 course dinner with wine pairing. Dishes here were slightly sweet for me, but paired nicely with all the wine. My favorite dish was the lobster panzerotti. I used the bread to soak up all the rich broth. I didn't think I would like the peaches and cream dessert, but it blew me away with presentation and taste. Will definitely need to find another reason to plan an event here! read more

Acquerello - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

I dined at Aquerello for the second time with my parents for a joint birthday celebration with their four course tasting menu. Right away, my parents were impressed with the card Acquerello left on our table, wishing both of my parents happy birthday (by name!). This is an excellent splurge restaurant, especially if you've never been to a Michelin star restaurant with Michelin style service before. We started with the amuse bouches, 3 different small bites. All were excellent. For our starter, my father and I both had the lobster, which was very citrusy and fresh. My mom had the tonatello, which is such an interesting dish and was excellent. The two stars of the show for me were my second and third courses. The house special is the second course's pasta with black truffle in Marsala sauce. My parents were both blown away by this dish! I'd had it previously on my first visit to Acquerello, and it was so good I had to get it again. For the third course, I opted in for the supplemental wagyu steak. Fantastic choice. The steak was so tender and flavored. The Cab Sauv wine pairing also quite possibly made it the best steak/wine pairing I have ever had. I've never had the flavor of a wine cut through and blend with a steak like that before. My parents both got the tuna, which had a strong peppery flavor. My mom loved it, and my dad liked it, but he noted he's also not a huge tuna person. So if you're on the fence about tuna, you'd probably like it but are better off ordering one of the other mains. Finally for dessert, my mom got the huckleberry dish, my dad the vanilla panna cotta, and I the chocolate tart. All the desserts were fantastic, with the presentation of the huckleberry and panna cotta especially standing out. The huckleberry was extremely fruity. The panna cotta was probably the best overall, but I did love the chocolate tart as well. Our server also brought us two desserts for my parents, a tiramisu and a tart with meringue. Both excellent. We finished the night with some treats from their dessert cart. We were very impressed with the service. The interior is elegant and fairly standard, with nice lighting and white table clothes. read more

Acquerello - Huckleberry and Meyer lemon cream dessert - Italian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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What a traumatizing experience. We went there last week to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We decided to book a 2 stars Michelin because we wanted a perfect experience with service and food. We often do stars Michelin restaurants so we have a sense of where the bar should be. And for sure the bar is not at all where it is supposed to be. Let me walk you through our deceiving experience, which wont necessarily focus on the food but more on the service. We arrived on time, as expected, at 20:30pm. Our table was not ready and we waited round 10min. That was the first red flag but I was still hopeful. When we got to our table, we waited another 20-25min to get our first meal. I was starving by this time. It's a pretty old restaurant, the atmosphere is warm but not modern and that's not what I like the most but that's ok. This is just personal taste. When we got to the 3 or 4th course, i was eating the last spoon and ended up with a piece of plastic in my mouth. A PIECE OF PLASTIC, in a 2 stars Michelin restaurant. That was choking. ok. Mistakes happen. Let's see how they are handled. I called the lady who served us and showed her the piece of plastic. She said : "oh no! I will let them know". And this was the last time we heard about the incident. The next time she came to serve the next course, she acted normal as if nothing happened. And we never heard about it until we left. No apologies, nothing, NOTHING. I was wondering if I dreamed it or not. Own your mistakes guys!!!That's terrible. Another incident happened later when one of the man was cleaning the table and dropped the knife on me. By this time I was searching for the hidden camera in the room because I thought this was a joke. Seriously, as 2 stars Michelin restaurants, the standard are high and those mistakes are a big NO. And if they happen, which they shouldn't, you have to do everything for your guests to forget about them. Be a good host. Later when we were ready to leave the restaurant, nobody walked us outside. It's just when my husband opened the door that someone came to hold the other door. Food: 3/5. Traditional. Okay. Service: 2/5. Did I mention that there was traffic sometimes to serve us because tables were so close to each other. Instead of waiting, the serve served my plate behind my husband back and was talking behind him to describe what the meal was. Ambiance: 3/5 Conclusion: this was the last time ever we went to this restaurant. I do not recommend. For the restaurant: if you read or care, you should constantly work on maintaining the high standards and expectations of 2 stars Michelin restaurants. This experience is not acceptable. read more

12/28/2024 Sat dinner Seasonal 8 course Tasting Menu @ $275/pp Opted in for the caviar ($85) and truffle pasta ($95) supplementary courses Wine pairing @ $185/pp (optional) 20% service charge add on 4% employee benefits surcharge add on Duration: 4 hours 2 Michelin Stars Reservation: Made via Tock with a $100 deposit per person, credited toward the final bill. Appreciated the detailed information provided on Tock, including the dress code, parking options, and cancellation policy. Decor: Romantic and cozy ambiance, simple yet elegant, not overly fancy. The kind of place you'd want to impress a date with. Parking: No valet service, but Tock noted a parking garage across from the restaurant. Luckily, we found a spot right outside. Service: Exceptional. Each course was served in perfect sync by two staff members. I even noticed a staff member ironing table linens after a table was turned. Water glasses were always topped up without having to ask. Food: The savory courses were stellar. You can tell the chefs' attention to detail in crafting each dish, with thoughtful ingredient pairings and great composition. The supplemental caviar course was particularly memorable: a beet panna cotta base topped half with caviar and half with smoked sturgeon, echoing the origins of the oscietra caviar. It demonstrated the chefs' intention and creativity. That said, the desserts fell short in comparison. They lacked the same level of thought and innovation. A creative twist on something classic, like a tiramisu, would have elevated the experience to match the savory courses. Pacing: The meal stretched to four hours, which we didn't anticipate. There were a few lapses between courses. While we weren't in a hurry and enjoyed the leisurely pace, it's something to keep in mind when planning your visit. Amuse bouches - 1) seaweed tart - 2) apple ginger compote duck mousse cone - 3) savory financier filled with caramelized onions top with Comte cheese on top Course #1 - Cold smoked trout and roe Supplement - Caviar Course #2 - Lobster Course #3 - Pasta oxtail farfalle / supplement white truffle pasta Course #4 - Quail Course #5 - Signature foie gras pasta Course #6 - Venison Course Dessert #7 - Sorbet Course Dessert #8 - Quince and Arborio Rice pudding Birthday treat - tiramisu square Petite Fours - Dessert cart pick your own Parting gift - Almond biscotti read more

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Such a hidden spot. Came in early for our reservation and thankfully they were able to seat us. Cute rustic decor. We came in right at opening and throughout the course of the evening, only four other tables were sat. It was quiet and staff was very attentive. I was very full by the point we had three more courses left. We added the wine pairing as well and found it interesting that the wines were meant to pair the secondary ingredients of each course. Favorite course was the black cod, perfectly cooked with an unparalleled glaze. The vegetables are amazing as well. A close second is the quail, so juicy and tender. The ridged pasta with faux foie gras was too sweet for me, though if you're into that/love marsala then I'm sure you'd like this. Cappelecci was a bit of a let down, too gamey and dry for me. We definitely had some courses we felt a bit disappointed by, but as a whole it was still an enjoyable experience. read more

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Came here for a special occasion and it felt very personal from the service to the ambiance. This was my first time at a two-star restaurant and the first of what I would call a food-as-art experience! Amazing and thank you for making my night so special!! read more

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Came here for a birthday! The staff did a great job making me feel special - personalized custom menu, birthday treat, special napkins etc. The food course was awesome! Left feeling full and satisfied. Really impressed with the amount of truffle dishes and the amount within each dish. They didn't hold back. Real standouts were the dessert! Decor of the place is inviting, upscale, and intimate! read more

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I've been here twice now, once with my BFF for our 6-year friendiversary and again with my mom 2 or 3 weeks later when she was visiting me. Each time has been genuinely perfect! Truly some of the best meals I've had in my life, and we all left absolutely stuffed. I'm pescatarian, and the second time, the restaurant offered these incredible off-the-menu seafood items that rocked my world. On top of well-portioned main dishes and decadent dessert, they give you all the fresh bread and cultured butter you can eat, and at the end of the meal, there's a lovely surprise... All in all, a real treat, and for a 2-Michelin star restaurant, it's less expensive than you'd guess. (I mean, still pretty pricey, but worth it if you love food.) HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended. I will be back! read more

TLDR: A 2 Michelin star restaurant with impeccable service. The food was also delicious of course, and they're very accommodating of dietary needs. It was so wonderful to celebrate my birthday here, and as someone with a big sweet tooth, the 5 dessert courses at the end were the cherry on top of the experience! ------ FOOD: * Divine! We tried the seasonal tasting menu and the northern Italian flavors really came out in multiple dishes. Expect a lot of acidity and actually quite a good amount of meat and seafood The MUST TRYs if given the choice: 1. Butter poached Maine lobster (insanely buttery and fresh) 2. Wolfe Ranch quail (quail was excellent and the chestnut mousse was such a treat) 3. Lychee Sorbet (sorbets don't usually excite me but this lychee twist with pineapple was the most refreshing way to start the dessert courses) If you also have a sweet tooth, here are the 5 dessert courses I was talking about: 1. Lychee Sorbet 2. Burnt honey cake (this actually was not my favorite flavor-wise or texturally) 3. A raspberry meringue tart (a special birthday dessert that was to die for but on the sweeter side) 4. A dessert cart to choose 3-4 treats from (the cake pop and the black sesame desserts were my favorite here) 5. Take-home biscotti to have with breakfast the next morning (or for dessert at home the same night!) ------ SERVICE: * Impeccable service, the way it should be at restaurants of this caliber * My BF is lower carb so we were actually able to request swaps for the pasta dishes. They surprised us the day of with the swaps and they included innovative alternatives such as cuttlefish "pasta". They were very accommodating * Sommelier was knowledgeable and gave wonderful recommendations ------ ENVIRONMENT: * The restaurant is in a converted church building and the main dining room features really unique vaulted ceilings reflecting this fact * When you walk up to the restaurant, here's someone there waiting to open the doors for you and escort you inside * They have an expansive wine cellar inside that you can peer into while you wait to get seated * Located right off Polk Street read more

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This was a wonderful meal. Service was fantastic and their dishes made me fall in love with fine dining again, after being jaded by so many over-priced experiences at other restaurants. The dining room is small and intimate and a bit dark, but it all worked. I will definitely be back, hopefully for one of their special wine dinners that they host with some regularity. read more

Gianpaolo and his team were all so efficient and a pleasure to watch as they did everything synchronized and with such care for every guest. The wine pairings were all perfectly paired with the amazing food and definitely enhanced the experience. My wife went for the vegetarian options and we both thought those were probably the best vegetarian dishes we've ever had. Everything was plated so beautifully she almost didn't want to start eating. Our server Leslie was so welcoming and knowledgeable. A server from another section Jesus was also very warm and welcoming. Everything is so thought out and carefully placed to create the perfect atmosphere and ambiance. read more

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This was, without a doubt, one of the top culinary experiences of my life thus far. From the moment we walked through the door, the service was top notch. Since I was here for a team event, we were escorted to a quiet private dining area where we were able to chat at ease. The staff afforded us great attention and we were very well taken care of. Every dish was stunningly beautiful and delicious. It felt like every plate was a work of art, and you could feel the work the chef put in to every bite. My favorites from the set menu were the veal appetizer, the tuna main and the dessert! They also aren't joking when they say the pasta is heavy. It's so rich and creamy, and surprisingly sweet. Overall, a great experience! read more

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Came here with friends for a joint birthday celebration. We opted in for the 4-course tasting menu. This is a classic upscale Italian restaurant, which keeps the dress code. I was running a little late due to childcare situation. Once we all showed, they led us to our table. They provided a nice cushioned stool for purses. Rare these days and I truly appreciate the accommodations. The four course menu comes with 3 standard options for each course and one supplement choice for $75 extra. While going through the menu, we also got some help picking up the wine. They would tailor their recommendations to your needs. We got a really nice bottle of full body/multi-layered flavored Italian wine for less than $200. Wow. So delicious. We were also greeted with a birthday card. Very thoughtful. I went with coffee cured white beets, acquerello risotto, duck, dark chocolate mousse with banana confit. We welcomed some refreshments first with a 3-phase little surprise, starting with a crabmeat-avocado mousse-a touch of pomelos (nice choice for phase 1 to be light refreshing), a liver mousse icecream shaped treat (slightly heavy but need it to kick off the meal), followed by a mushroom filled pastry (good hit of mushroom with buttery pastry). My meal was absolutely beautiful and delicious. I am recovering from a cold and really appreciate the light, citrusy white beet. The coffee cured choice was unexpectedly delicious and weirdly worked. The risotto was delicious and light. Love the bites also. My duck was a delight. The fennel and coriander crust was absolutely delicious and provides the nice texture. I asked for medium well for my duck and it was so well executed. My chocolate mousse was so yummy. The dark chocolate crust was so nice and the banana confit was nicely blended. All plates were beautiful. After meal was served, we were asked if we could like to have coffee and another table of treats were presented.... Okay... I often pride myself of a being big eater.... I couldn't believe that I found myself being challenged of standing up after the four course meal.... lol Service was spot on from the start to the end and no details were forgotten. My friend organized the birthday celebration and it made the birthday girl and boy feel that we were invited to a warm house greeted and taken care by wonderful hosts and the entire house. The place was very classy and warm. Would definitely come back! read more

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Had my birthday dinner there at Acquerello and had high expectations since I wanted to try their food for a long time. The decor was unique, atmosphere was beautiful, service was spot on delightful, food was amazing....for the most part. We started with chef's surprises which were incredibly tasty that I almost got up and danced. Next few courses didn't disappoint-- they kept on hitting the surprise elements. The black cod, quail, and truffle Marsala pasta with faux foie gras, in particular, landed high on my list, their luxuriously velvety sauces paring perfectly with the main protein, which of course, were cooked to perfection. However, our last savory course (I had duck breast and my friend had lamb) were a bit lacking--still delicious but nothing memorable. Unfortunately, desserts didn't bring the anticipated home run-- the rhubarb and ginger sorbet was not tangy enough with a way-too-sweet base foam. The buttermilk Bavarese, which I had high hopes for, turn out to be quite clumpy and not very flavorful. Strawberry top layer, not fragrant as I expected, and texture was off. The shiso oil felt like an afterthought as it brought an odd note to my palate. They pushed around a dessert cart after the main dessert-very kind service wise-but all of my choices (pistachio tart, almond cookie, pineapple parfait) were way too sweet to the point that my palate was screaming for a lot less sugar and a lot more sophistication and balance. I think overall as a two Michelin star restaurant, Acquerello had an exciting food adventure in mind, which it had delivered for the most part. I would highly recommend that they upgame their desserts since that's usually what their guests would remember at the end of the day finishing their last bite. read more

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Acquerello is considered one of the best Italian places in the bay and it's a recognized SF establishment with long roots- you will certainly notice that as soon as you walk in, as the ambience can feel more stuffy compared to the newer Michelin-starred locales that have sprung up over the years. That said, depending on when you go, the menu can be very hit or miss. Service and ambience are excellent, as would be expected for a 2 Michelin star restaurant, but I highly recommend you review the nights menu prior to making a reservation. read more