Boulevard was good! I came across this restaurant while looking on Utrip. After doing a little research about it and looking up photos I thought it would be a good place to try. My husband and I meet up with one of his friends that moved out here 2 years ago. I called and made same day reservations. Our reservations were at 8:15 PM and when we got there we were immediately seated. The staff and waiter was nice. We started our dinner with appetizers. I ordered the Beet Salad. My husband ordered the Spanish Octopus with Calamari, and his friend ordered the Ahi Tuna. The appetizers were the bomb dot com!! Amazing! My salad was so light and refreshing while so good. It had mixed greens, beets (they seemed pickled), walnuts, blue cheese, and vinaigrette dressing. Everything played well together to create a nice flavor and wonderful salad. My husband's appetizer was very good as well. It was Grilled Octopus and Fried Calamari over a small bed of risotto. It was all cooked and seasoned well. A very nice combination. His friend's dish must have been good as well because he cleaned his plate. Lol. Next for our entrees. I ordered the Sole set like the Halibut. This means I ordered the Halibut dish but replaced the Halibut with the Sole. It was Sole over a bed of risotto with Asparagus and mushrooms with a fried mushroom on top. It was very good and light. The Sole was cooked perfectly and tender. The fried mushroom was a nice addition. The asparagus was cooked perfectly as well. An overall good dish. My two only suggestions/complaints for this dish is it could have used a tad more seasoning. Also, the risotto was a little more on the runny side. I like my risotto to be a little thicker. My husband and his friend both ordered the Lamb T-Bone. My husband said the lamb was good. I didn't try this so I don't know but I take his word for it. We ended our dinner with desserts. I ordered the Carrot Cake and my husband's friend ordered a scoop of their Roasted White Chocolate Ice Cream. The Carrot Cake was very good. Light but still had all the hearty goodness like cream cheese frosting, walnuts to add the perfect crunch, and the cinnamon cake itself. My dish was served with a scoop of the Roasted White Chocolate ice cream as well. The ice cream was very good. My dish also had a carrot crisp on top. Overall, Boulevard was good and I would recommend them for others to try. I also really loved the portion of their dishes. Not too small but not too big either. I also liked that I could end my dinner with a nice dessert. I hate going to restaurants and everything is good then you get to dessert and it sucks or their menu options for desserts are lacking. Not the case here. read more

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Amazing tapas. Steak tartar with a panko deep fried nori was clever and tasty. Great staff made us feel so welcome. Great view of the shore but....... That odor when you leave the restaurant just jars you and reminds you that you're in Pelosi's district. read more

Went here for our anniversary. Absolutely loved the drinks, service and ambience. Food is great as well. I'm a vegetarian and the menu was't very accommodating though. The chef who was super nice got me a special custom-made entree' (don't remember what went into it anymore) which tasted great and fresh. The desserts are a must have. Among the two we tried, the chocolate semifreddo with creme fraîche and chocolate crémeux is incredible. Occasion place and totally worth it! read more

Boulevard - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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$$$$, but worth it. Both the service and the food are some of the best in San Francisco. After dinner take a stroll along the Embarcadero.

Exceed my expectations! Excellent quality, preparation and service. Thanks for great evening and we will be back.

What happed to Boulevard? Hostess was indifferent to us when we arrived. Lousy table, even with many open tables. Waitress had clearly made a poor choice of occupations. Disappeared often and slow. The restaurant was dirty-seriously. The menu had a limited selection. We both had risotto, which was served cold. Not just cold because of the cool cheese, cold at the core from sitting too long on the kitchen counter. We seldom send food back to the kitchen but did so in this case. The delay in finding the waitress was so long that our guests had finished their entrees before our "hot" food was served. $40.00 corkage is theft. Container of truffles on the kitchen floor poor form. We have dined at Boulevard at least 25 times over the years. Never again. Sad. read more

***Boulevard is a nice, rustic and seasonal restaurant; there are parts of each course that are very impressive, but I do not think it is as good as my favorite rustic restaurants--Lucques, the now closed Campanile, The Village Pub, and The Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant*** Nancy Oakes' Boulevard is a very longstanding upscale San Francisco restaurant. It recently won the James Beard award for best restaurant in the country and it remains popular today. Despite the large size of the restaurant, it was quite busy for lunch on my visit. The lunch menu at Boulevard is very seasonal from starters to desserts. Their lunch menu includes a lot of lunch-type dishes like salad entrees, but you will find more dinner-esque items too like housemade pasta, scallop starters and ambitious desserts. I started with their salad of mixed organic lettuces, poached Seckle pear, Hamada persimmons, Bayley Hazan blue cheese, and candied walnuts. The salad immediately reminded me of a Waldorf Salad. It was a great combination of flavors and contrasting textures. The produce was fresh and vibrant. While I felt the greens were kind of ordinary and the blue cheese did not have the uniqueness of great blue cheese I have had, I really liked the poached pear--lightly sweet and tender but not soggy or too soft. The candied walnuts provided a good and sweet crunch. I also liked the persimmons, which had a good flavor though Lucques' burrata and persimmon salad is superior to this one. Next came the beet pyramid ravioli. The ravioli was pretty good. It had a good pasta thickness and the beet puree was very creamy though the beet flavor was not as strong as I was expecting. The garnishes were great. I really liked the crunch from the toasted almonds and rye berries. The Cana 'd Cabra goat cheese was very creamy and had a more distinct flavor than the earlier blue cheese. I then had the seared day boat sea scallops and they were nicely cooked--good outside sear (nicely golden and flavorful), soft and moist. The base of succotash with yellow and white corn with heirloom beans was the kind of side you would just not find at a merely good restaurant. The succotash was fresh and very evenly cooked. The overall flavor combination was not as great as other scallops dishes I have had, but this was still a good dish. I had the butternut squash cake next, which was garnished with creamy and sweet maple sugar creme, sage ice cream, a very tart brown butter hard sauce, and crunchy Piedmontese hazelnuts. The cake was soft and not dry though the butternut squash flavor was not as strong as it should have been. It was not a great dessert, but it showed that the kitchen might be able to put out some excellent desserts in the future. Service was good. The servers were pleasant but not as friendly as other places--mostly due to the brisk pace of the restaurant. The service was attentive, efficient and quick. Lunch prices are not too bad here. Boulevard is definitely pricey, but it is an upscale place with high quality ingredients and strong talent in the kitchen. The decor at Boulevard is okay. It has an open kitchen, which is nice. At first blush, the room feels out-of-fashion, but it has a decor that embraces its building's existing structure and design, which makes the decor feel right and not needing of a change. Boulevard is a good and solid restaurant. There is definitely strong technique in the kitchen and a very good attention to detail (down to the nicely plated desserts and good table bread with a great chew). I like the seasonal approach and the freshness and flavor of the produce. Boulevard is not as ambitious or creative as some of San Francisco's newer and more contemporary restaurants, but it remains a solid choice for a nice upscale lunch. Valet parking is available. You can also find metered street parking near the Ferry Building. read more

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The best Valentine's Day dinner I've had in SF. We started with the abalone and pan seared foie gras. I literally melted in my seat as the foie gras melted off the fork in my mouth. It's the guilty pleasure I love to indulge. Thank you little bloated duck for sacrificing your liver for my delectable meal! For my main course I had the duck breast and the ravioli filled with shaved truffles. I'm surprised that some say the duck here is tough or bland. Maybe it was because it was Valentine's Day weekend, but the duck was so tender I could have cut it neatly with a fork. The ravioli was a miniature package of different flavors. My boyfriend also seemed to enjoy the wood grilled walu. read more

Boulevard - Chocolate Creme Brulee - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

"OH WOW!! WHAT'S THE OCCASION?" This is always the first thing to come out of anyone's mouth when I tell them that I lunched here. Funny how Boulevard has always been known as the special occasion spot. Did you know that you can have lunch at Boulevard for less than lunch at..... Hog Island or Anchor & Hope? But you would never ask what the special occasion was if I dined at either of these restaurants, correct? Perhaps it's because the implied prestige of Boulevard that automatically makes one think that dining here is too steep for their pockets. The reality is that I can share an appetizer and have my own entree for $30.00 including healthy sf tax/sales tax/tip, while I'm paying $40 for a similar order at Hog Island or Anchor & Hope. The lunch menu at Boulevard is quite extensive with items ranging from sandwiches, burgers, seafood, and appetizers. The great thing about this place is that most of the appetizers & starter salads are priced from $9-13 and the majority of their entrees are under $20. Last time, I ordered their squid ink pasta with soft shelled crab for $16 and shared an arugula salad for $13. Both dishes were satisfying and delicious. Other times, I've enjoyed the beef carpaccio, fresh crab salad, and tuna tartare. Best of all, it's all packaged with their impeccable service. Next time someone asks you where you want to lunch, don't be shy...say Boulevard!! One might seemed shocked at first but you'll get the last laugh when the check comes because it's not as pricey as people may think!!! read more

Boulevard - crab salad - delicious! - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My bf has been wanting to come here so I knew I'd finally take him here for his birthday. I made reservations weeks in advance and they got booked up pretty quickly, but I was able to get a table for 6:15 this past Saturday night. Our waiter Jeff was superb and super sweet! My co-workers have been here and they weren't kidding when they said that this place is pricey and kind of a tight squeeze. *Glass of Rose ($9.50) & Riesling ($10). Easy to sip on! =) Oh, and our waiter informed us after we finished our glasses, they offer half glasses of wine too! *Soft Shell Crab ($17.50): Fried soft shell split into two served with chili noodles with a coconuty lime light curry-like sauce. Very good! Fried nicely and not heavy at all! *Filet Mignon ($39.75): Served with banana fingerling potatoes, little baby mushrooms, gorgonzola sauce & some roast beef jus. It was okay! I requested medium rare which it was more towards the center. It was tender however not that juicy. *Pork Chop ($36): This was his. It was cooked more on the medium side and was juicy and the fat on it gave a good flavor. He liked his accompanying sides as well. His was the better of the two. *2 Dulce de Leche Bon Bons ($3.50/each): Yummy! Nice dulce de leche ice cream with a hard dark chocolate shell. Perfect sized dessert. I thought of Boulevard more of a 3.5 stars as the dishes weren't spectacular but rounded up due to the superb service. read more

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16TH MICHELIN STAR EXPERIENCE: CALIFORNIA FOIE GRAS DELIGHT "My First Review of the Year" Last year in 2014 was a great year for my family. My cousin who was unemployed for more than two years was hired at Futuris, a company Tesla contracts to, in June. His older brother had his first born son. My nephew earned his GED in December. On Christmas my sister and her husband announced they're expecting their first child. Me? I didn't go to Brazil for the World Cup as I had done for the three previous World Cups: Japan 2002, Germany 2006, and South Africa 2010. However I went to Las Vegas twice for free, but I would have preferred going to Brazil for the World Cup. In terms of Yelp accomplishment I did receive my first Elite status. However I'll take family accomplishments any day over personal achievement. What will 2015 entail? This year is my high school reunion, which I hope to go. As a horse racing fan I would love to go to Louisville, KY to watch the Kentucky Derby live in person. My ultimate goal in 2015 is to get accepted to an MBA program. So far 2015 has started great because last Wednesday US District Judge Stephen Wilson decided to strike down the California ban on foie gras as he deemed it unconstitutional. So my first Yelp review of this year is fitting because of the foie gras ban that was lifted. I decided to eat here because I had foie gras after the ban was implemented. I ate here last night to eat my foie gras legally for the first time after the ban was lifted. The seared foie gras was smaller than the last time I had it. Would the foie gras be as memorable as last time? I ate my first bite of foie gras legally in more than two years. It was heaven in my mouth because it tasted like butter. The analogy statement it tastes like butter fits perfectly with my first taste of foie gras in long time. What helps the buttery texture was the toasted seeded sourdough that was with the foie gras. Those two combinations were like eating butter on toast, but in a luxurious manner. I wanted to savor each bite of the foie gras because I didn't know if I was dreaming. Ok I know it's just duck liver, but it tasted great even more so because foie gras is legal again. To compliment the foie gras I had it with a glass of sauternes. Regarding the main course I had most of the main courses at Boulevard before like the prime rib pork chop, quail, and lamb t-bone. I was hoping there was filet mignon topped with foie gras butter, which was on the menu before the ban. I decided between the California swordfish or the local petrale sole. My server described the dishes by stating the swordfish is meatier while the local sole is more delicate. I decided the swordfish. I was glad I ordered the swordfish as I overheard from another server that the sole was eventually sold out. The best swordfish I've ever had was at Firenze by Night, an Italian restaurant based on Tuscan cuisine at North Beach, because it reminded me of sliced ham due to the presentation and the texture. From appearance the swordfish at Boulevard was smaller than the one I had at Firenze by Night. However I was worried about the swordfish at Boulevard because my first bite it tasted dry on the outside. I thought I had made mistake and maybe shouldn't ordered the prime rib pork chop, which I had the first time at Boulevard and was the best pork chop I ever had. As I continued to consume the swordfish it was moist in the inside. I tasted broth inside that made the swordfish more delicious. How much was I craving for foie gras? I looked at the dessert menu hoping to see if there was a foie gras as a dessert. Since there wasn't any I decided not to get dessert. The verdict? When I had foie gras at Boulevard illegally I rated my rating experience as five stars in spite of the foie gras ban. However since eating foie gras legal again in California I have to be objective. It was a very satisfying dinner. The foie gras was delicious and while the swordfish was slightly dry in the outside was juicy inside. I enjoyed my first foie gras meal after the foie gras ban was lifted. I'm starting off in 2015 in fashion with my foie gras eating adventure. read more

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Still not feeling it. Service and presentation are both good. However dishes don't seem to have that wow factor of other top venues. For me it all comes down to the music that the flavors play: do they sound alone or (more thrillingly) do they create a symphony. My last experience was more of the solo variety, not bad but not magical. I did appreciate their ability to accommodate us without a reservation, though this was a combination of luck and late dining (9pm-ish), you should seek out reservations here it's typically booked up. The dining room is attractive, not trendy but not quite Grandma either. It's a more formal atmosphere than typical, but I take back my stuffy comment. Diners do tend to be mid 30s and up, similar crowd to Myth, Spruce, etc. read more

This restaurant is so accommodating! I'm the events coordinator at my job and one of my duties is to find restaurants that can hold up to 60 people for our annual Holiday party! I wanted to have our Holiday party here at this restaurant and Pam was such a big help! She answered ALL of my questions! She was so patient and I would recommend celebrating at this restaurant! The day of our Christmas dinner, they allowed me to come early to set up! They also allowed us to have a karaoke machine for us to get a little wild after having a few drinks since our party was open bar. Our waiters and our bartender was so nice! We can tell our bartender was getting a little headache from all the crazy out of tune singing, but he was such a sport! The menu we picked out was so delicious!! For appetizers, we had crab cakes, heirloom chicken, chorizo and cheese frittata, and fried shrimp! I am so mad at myself for writing this review so late! I forgot what these appetizers were called! All I know that everything we ordered was so delicious and out of 60 people, there was no negative comments at all! For dinner, we got to choose either a filet or lobster. I ordered the lobster and my husband ordered the filet, so I got to try both!! I can say they were both so delicious! So tender and juicy!! Lots of rich flavors! For dessert, we had two options. We had ice cream topped with berries or a chocolate cake. Since I planned the party, one of the doctors said I can have both!! Yay! Again, I forgot what the correct names for the dessert, but I'll post a picture to show you! Everything we ate was so delicious!! I hope to come here again real soon! read more

Boulevard - Lobster - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My wife and I have a drinking game. Every night during the Stephen Colbert Report we take a drink after Colbert says the word "Nation". So do the math. The show starts at 8:30 which means by about 8:58 we are both schnockered and slurring "I love you honey!" and spilling wine all over our couch. Nation! Boulevard is one of those kinds of places where you can integrate a drinking game. Every time you hear the word "classic" said by your waitperson and trust me, you will be completely wasted by the time they are finished telling you what the specials of the evening are. Good restaurant, not great and slightly overrated. I see that that I have two compliments to approve from my pal Sparkley K. Nation! read more

The Kobe Beef burger ($15.5) here is better than great, easily one of the top 3 burgers in the city. The light and airy house made bun let the Kobe beef be the star of the show. The beef was so flavorful and juicy, I had to hold it gently with my fingertips to ensure that no excess juices escaped. It was topped with award winning Cowgirl Creamery's latest cheese, wagon wheel. A nice compliment to the sweet heirloom tomato. Their fries are a little bit of awesome in a bronze tin. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Tttm1r5Dw1sRMCfc3EQWPw?select=ttSYFde6vbFbEGnh81WkIQ) As far as my experience. Let's just say my weekday lunch here was exhilarating! Sat at the chef's counter so had full view of the frenzied pace yet finely tuned precision of the chefs and restaurant staff. They chefs were churning out Italian burrata & assorted heirloom tomato salads left and right! They made an extra tamarind glazed scallop dish and they sent it our way, on the house! Love it. - Maine lobster risotto ($16) - They put a generous amount of lobster knuckle and the risotto was everything you want it to be; rich, creamy, and buttery. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Tttm1r5Dw1sRMCfc3EQWPw?select=CAtC7792jZe_vFJzu7AybQ) Service here was very welcoming and top notch. Even though I was in Levi's and Van's they didn't treat me any different from the guys in black suits and earpieces. Yes, black suits and ear pieces as in Secret Service agents. Hilary Clinton was in town for APEC so there were several (I overheard the chefs talking) foreign diplomats dining here. Love the architecture of the space and bar. Might have to come back for a birthday or anniversary dinner. Valet is $12. read more

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This review is a long time coming as I haven't dined here since my BY (Before Yelp) period in life. Nancy Oakes is one of the local pioneers in the San Francisco dining scene, starting with L'Avenue on Geary, Boulevard, and the newly opened Prospect. Here's what we ate: Appetizers (shared) 1) Big Island Abalone - Two tender pieces in a creamy bean sauce. The sauce made for a great bread soaker. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Tttm1r5Dw1sRMCfc3EQWPw?select=OWOaiduW8Bwg8PkNWlxGCw) 2) Tuna Poke and Sashimi - Served with rice puffs and fried seaweed, the sashimi was mouth melting tender while the poke was creamy and topped with Wasabi tobiko. Refreshing starter. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Tttm1r5Dw1sRMCfc3EQWPw?select=55vQ8swirwFxxNW1_gOoXA) 3) Fried Soft Shell Crab - Cut into two halves, the crab was crispy good. Accompanied by an Asian flavored slaw and pickled radish strips. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Tttm1r5Dw1sRMCfc3EQWPw?select=kaE2AhAANwV6cxWNrADeCw) 4) Dayboat Scallops - Three medium large scallops seared well and topped with a spicy red sauce. Potato cubes mixed well with the sauce. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Tttm1r5Dw1sRMCfc3EQWPw?select=jGVeUqYzXCwQjYm1x1dvZQ) Entree 5) Grilled Pork Prime Rib Chop - One of their classic dishes, the meat was a bit more well done than I like, but still tasty. The garnishes provided a carousel of flavors with spinach with garlic, baby carrots on a small mound of mashed yam, four interestingly flavored croutons (crunchy yet soft centered), and fresh Bing cherries. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Tttm1r5Dw1sRMCfc3EQWPw?select=cnMHLvH4lzVMXvwurUKyug) Dessert (shared) 6) Chocolate Cherry S'mores - Chocolate Devil's Cake topped with melted marshmallow sauce with a scoop of Cherry Ice Cream. A shortbread cookie came with this dish. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Tttm1r5Dw1sRMCfc3EQWPw?select=h50IGBOqLhMIspOhvTnyWg) My friends were kind to give me bites of their entrees, roasted lamb (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Tttm1r5Dw1sRMCfc3EQWPw?select=1AIwgMyisOgfQdbYPTEsWg_ and roasted white sea bass (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Tttm1r5Dw1sRMCfc3EQWPw?select=QmxkSEF7xpyHy-1awihRLQ). The restaurant hasn't changed much over the years. On a holiday weekend Friday night, it was busy, but not packed, with mostly out-of-towners and older local couples. Wait... think I'm one of those older customers there. Our waiter, also local, was surprised that we were locals and joked with us about other fine dining restaurants in the city. Besides the comforting atmosphere, I always remember their blue glassware (water glasses),a rarity in restaurants these days (The Restaurant - Ritz). The food is comforting and uses local, seasonal ingredients. My friends hosted the dinner which came to just around $85.00 per person (no wine or alcohol). Definitely not an everyday dining spot, this restaurant is a nice destination for those special occasions. Nice to see things haven't changed much over the years. Happy 4th of July! read more

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I remember when Boulevard was the new kid in town. It was the early 90's... Everyone oohed & awed. Everyone gushed. It was "so beautiful!" And the food was "so unbelievable!" A former colleague of mine & I used to have dinner together almost every week after work. Boulevard became part of our rotation. He was hooked on their sweetbreads & the filet mignon. Sweetbreads aren't even my thing, but they're unforgettable here. I usually went w the salmon, or the sea bass. Or...the foie gras. Boulevard is a restaurant that can, & does, prepare a supremely decadent dish, like foie gras, & a pedestrian comfort dish, like a hamburger, w equal parts excellency. The former rich & tender to the point of divine, the latter taken up a notch (wagyu beef) to the same point. Desserts. The desserts here are not backseat or afterthoughts...they are stellar. Nancy Oakes uses the same care in employing a pastry chef as she does with the rest of the kitchen. Even if you're full, order dessert. Trust. Why not 5 stars? Service. Service can be an odd mix of professional w amateur; of cold w accessible. All in all, a classy, classic restaurant. And a great venue for both business or pleasure. 4 stars. read more

3.5 stars I was born "thirty-something" years ago (well, now that and 6 days ago, to be accurate). Last week, a slew of birthday dinners began. Birthday dinner #1 was with a bunch of friends who took me out to dinner. My food friend, Mike, is someone who believes I do not eat anything but pricey food - which is so not true, and Boulevard became the venue. I had been hearing all week long, "YOU have not eaten at Boulevard? How is that possible? YOU?" Yes, me. In all of these years, I had never dined at this San Francisco icon of a restaurant. As we discussed this - Rob reminded me that he did make reservations here last year for Valentine's Day, but then ended up taking me to Paris instead. Yeah - no matter how nice a restaurant may be - Paris wins. That said, I was excited to try Boulevard, and our party of 10 sat down at 8:30 PM, after a 30 minute Happy Hour across the street at Americano. Photos uploaded. First off - it was a very warm evening in San Francisco - - and the restaurant was downright HOT. Being sensitive to temperature - I asked everyone at the table and all agreed, it was steaming hot in this restaurant. The booth we were seated in was roomy and had a nice curved table and bench seat with huge chairs surrounding the table. Considering this dinner was being bought for me, and given what I had heard time and again regarding Boulevard's pricing, I brought two bottles of wine to save a bit on costs - one bottle of a great Chianti, and ol' faithful, a 2004 Joseph Phelps Cabernet. Saving those for the entrees, we decided to order some bottles of white wine to begin the dinner - and perusing the menu, I noticed the wine prices were decent, as was the selection. On the menu was a "fried abalone" appetizer, and I knew I'd be opting for that. Others ordered salads, or scallops, mostly. Mine was interesting - I have never seen it offered before, but the concept was more interesting than that taste. The portion was ridiculously small, too. The scallops were very good, but my take is that the only way to make scallops bad is to overcook them. They were nicely done at Boulevard. For the entree, I opted for the lamb - which was very flavorful, lacking any gaminess, and presented nicely. Great choice - and several of us had picked this dish. I did try everyone's else's entrees - including the halibut, filet mignon, and pork. I was generally unimpressed with all three - - the halibut was plain as day, the filet mignon was boring and overcooked by about 45 seconds, and the pork was entirely too salty for my taste, though some disagreed. They were all "pretty good" - but nothing stood out except the lamb. This is where Boulevard lost the half-star in my book - - you can't be a four-star restaurant without impressive entrees. The service was good, but nothing notable. A restaurant of this caliber has to offer service at least this good - - but there was nothing personal, fun, or unique about it. Everyone was polite, and our server made recommendations. We never needed for wine or water refills either. All in all - a strong 4 stars for the service. We then opted to order desserts. It's been a little over a week since I went to Boulevard, and the only dessert I can remember is the chocolate mousse my friend ordered. That was not just delicious, it was heavenly. Other than that dessert, the rest faded into the background, though the "Happy Birthday" candle and chocolate was appreciated. The Cafe Americano I ordered was extremely tasty - great coffee! Now, having been to Boulevard, I can honestly say that this is a good expense account location. The restaurant is large, with an excellent location that looks out at the Bay Bridge, that provides "pretty good" food with good service. It makes my date list solely because the ambiance is nice and in spite of being large, it feels intimate. That said - there was nothing "special" about Boulevard. My tastebuds were ready and excited to get knocked out of this world for the evening, but that failed to happen. To be clear, one friend of mine replied to the invite that was sent out with, "I hate this place but for Grace, I'll be there." On the contrary, another friend who LOVES Boulevard, knowing I had been terribly sick all week long, wrote on the night before to the whole list, "Um... so Grace has been ill all week. If she can't go tomorrow night, will the rest of us still be going to Boulevard?" (Alright, we know why HE came....ha!) I should note that despite what I am writing about the food, it is totally appreciated that my friends took me to dinner here. I am truly glad I tried it, and had a wonderful time. What they lacked in culinary delights, we made up for in good conversation, excellent wines and lots of laughter. A good life begins with good friends. And that, if nothing else, I seem to have. Thanks, guys, for a great evening! (sniffle sniffle) read more

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Man, I've been waiting to come here forever now. Finally got to come here for dinner. This place was packed... even at 9!! Hostess was extremely nice and let us know that our table will be ready in a couple minutes... even though it's more like 15-20, it was OK cuz I got to see what everyone was having.. and you know if you want good things, you gotta be patient and wait.. Finally got out table near the back where you could see the Bay Bridge.. Awesome view.. We started with: *Ahi Tuna Tartare: Wasabi Tobiko, Miso Mayo, Cocktail Grapefruit with Lotus Root Chips and Crispy Nori ($17) There were three small portion squares with all three toppings on each one. My favorite? the Miso Mayo.. Not a strong miso smell/flavor but enough to taste it.. If you could get the whole thing to yourself, I highly suggest you do.. *Local Calamari Stuffed with Crab ($16.50) It came with a little side of fried stuff but wasn't sure what,, I know there were fries rosemary and I was hesitating if I should eat that but I did and it was really good.. Th calamari stuffed with crab was awesome.. No skimping on crab. I only wished that there were more then two so instead of getting one small bite, we get one whole thing for $16.50.. For my entree, I had the Angus Filet Mignon ($39.75) It was served with sauteed spinach, crispy fingerling potatoes, and red wine beef jus. The steak itself was a little more cooked then I wanted it to be so it was a little too dry. I mostly fed my BF the meet so I filled up more on the spinach and potatoes.. Dessert time is here! *Almond Butter Cake: Extra Dark "Hot Cocoa" Ice Cream with House made Toasted Marshmallow Marcona Almond Araguani Chocolates Blood Orange Sorbet ($10.75) Great plating! It looked good even when I didn't take a bite of it yet. The almond cake was moist and had a good almond flavor. I loved the marshmallow. Makes me want to make some myself right now, The extra dark "Hot Cocoa" ice cream was too dark. Flavor wise.. I'm not a big fan of dark chocolate.. *Sticky Toffee Pudding with a Caramel Custard Top Earl Grey Tea Ice CreamCandied Kumquats, Almond Biscotti ($10.75) Almond biscotti was DELICIOUS.. Probably one of the best I've tried so far.. I liked this dessert more the the Almond cake one.. The taste was just better.. Caramel Custard top was smooth and creamy... *Fleur de Sel Caramel Bon Bon ($3.50) I should of saved the $3.50 cuz I could of made it myself. =) The bill was expensive! 3 shots of Remy was fucken $67!!!!! My fucken goodness, I could of just bought a bottle for myself! With tips, it came to about $102 each! The portions are definitely on the small side and expensive! Thanks to my future brother in law, I didn't have to pay.. =) I love him..! read more

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Very nice restaurant, located a block from the pier. Nice decor, upscale atmosphere and very friendly staff. The menu is very limited in my opinion. Just a handful of entrées, apps and salads. Not a lot of choices. I opted for the tuna tartare as appetizer, which was amazing, and the pork chop entree. It was good, but not excellent, and a bit undercooked. The accompaniments were really good. Our desserts presentation was great, but they weren't as good either. Overall, a good restaurant, with great service, but lacks variety. read more

Not A Cheap Date - But One You Won't Regret..... Pros: Great food. Professional yet friendly service. Warm ambiance. Cons: A tad (or 2 tads) expensive. Bathroom is in a strange location. Suggestion: Request a table by the Embarcadero window. Order the Chocolate Pot De Creme. Star Ratings: - Overall: 4 1/2 - Food Quality: 5 - Food Quantity: 4 - Menu: 5 - Wine List: 5 - Service: 5 - Bathrooms: 3 - Price: 4 - Value: 5 - Parking: 4 - Ambiance: 5 It's been said there are more restaurants per person in SF than anywhere else in the US. I believe it. So when a couple of clients came to town at the beginning of a 4 day vacation in Napa Valley, my partner (in business) and I wanted to find something worthy of 2 very good people. A place which looked and tasted fine without breaking the bank. - Location: Boulevard is in a beautifully restored building facing the Embarcadero at the end of Mission Street. If you're lucky enough, you might get a spot with views from the Ferry Plaza to the Bay Bridge. We did. It was gorgeous. - Dining Room: The room is much longer than it's wide with a good sized bar along one wall in the middle. As befits a long-time establishment still in great demand, tables are spaced to almost maximize the number of patrons. However, you can get around without bumping the elbows of strangers and hold a conversation in a nearly normal tone of voice. Ambiance is expensive yet warm and friendly. Upper crust for everyday people. - Menu: The menu is rather small, but as I said to a dinner companion, it doesn't need to be large if the selections are well chosen and executed. Although the number and type can change on a daily basis, I counted 10 "starters", 7 entrees and 7 desserts. The written descriptions were a bit high-fallutin' as if well versed prose counted toward more points, but I guess that goes with the territory. - Food: Good looks will only take you so far. Did the interesting menu translate to the plate? It did. Three of the 4 diners began with a "starter", including Pan Seared Scallops, Fairytale Pumpkin Soup and Beet Ravioli. Portions were not huge, but everyone was happy. The sauce with my ravioli was so good I needed extra slices of Boulevard's Acme sourdough to sop it up. That sourdough was so tasty I could've had dinner with just bread, butter and wine. Entrees were along that same vein...exotic sounding but with both feet close to the ground. Everything earned a thumbs up. My Alaskan Halibut sat on a bed of tomato risotto with small amounts of vegetables on the side. The sauce draining through that risotto was so compelling I once again called upon the Acme bread to help clean my plate. Good sourdough is as close to heaven as most people will get. My tablemates had Wild King Salmon...Lamb Prime T-Bone...and something called New England Lobster Clam Bake with a cornmeal clam fritter and steamed mussel. Each was accompanied by vegetables. Nary a complaint was voiced. Dessert was unreal. While our clients chose to close dinner with a drink, my partner and I each ordered the "Chocolate Pot De Creme". It was ONE OF THE BEST EVER. We each received a bowl with flourless chocolate cake topped with caramel malt syrup, Guinness meringue, milk chocolate lace and malted ice cream. Just the right amount and combination of ingredients. Holy moly. - Wine List: As expected, the list was rather extensive. However, it was well grouped and easy to understand. When we had a question, our server flagged the Sommelier who provided good advice without running up the tab. We each had a glass of chardonnay and shared a bottle of Fiddlesticks Pinot Noir from the Fiddlehead Winery near Lompoc. A fine choice for $72. - Service: Friendly, efficient and accommodating. Our server, a youngish woman (aren't they all?), had an excellent understanding and perspective of the menu. In particular, her patience to answer what some might consider "niggling" questions was quite admirable. - Price and Value: Boulevard is not cheap. $460 for 4 people is a bit steep to become a habit except for those with top tier jobs, a portfolio of lucky stocks with a low cost basis or an expense account. Of course, value is something else. It's not a cheap date, but one you won't regret. - Parking: Valet parking at dinner is a reasonable $10. Self parking is available a block away. Parking on the street is chancy...especially at night. - Bathroom: The bathroom was fine - when we found it. You need to exit Boulevard through a seemingly innocuous door into the hallway of an adjacent building and walk down a flight of stairs. At least it was good exercise. For people living 50-60 miles away from San Francisco (such as me), Boulevard is almost a destination. Despite the hassles of driving through traffic on potholed streets, I must say the end justified the means. I'll be back. read more

What can I say? When I saw the beautiful building and the private room we got seated in I couldn't wait for the rest of our celebration lunch to unfold. Wine bottles lined one side of our private room and candles on the sides. The brick ceiling gave it a rustic look and the lighting was perfect. Their menu has something for the herbivores and carnivores. Of the variety of starters we ordered (see the photos posted) my favorite was the heirloom tomatoes and mozarella. Honestly I never thought a simple appetizer like that could taste so good! My coworkers and I were in agreement. The flavors were saturated in and it was absolutely delicious. The tuna tartar was also wonderful. By now we were enjoying our champagne and our entrees arrived. My salmon was buttery, soft and delicious. Noone at the table was dissapointed either. Our waiter was very attentive and even wiped down the champagne bottle for my Yelp pic :). Points! He was very sweet and had a smile on which made a difference in our experience. For our dessert round I ordered the pink pearl apple cake. The presentation was artistic and tasted heavenly. I didn't share this one and I have no regrets. Ha! One of my coworkers absolutely recommends the butterscotch pudding so do think about that if you are looking for something sweet to finish your dining experience. Overall, a very good experience. I would come back for another celebation. read more

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I swear google maps keeps #trolling me bc I was trying to go to BOULevard but got sent to BLANDevard instead. #dgmw the menu *sounded* cool, the plating *looked* interesting, but my taste buds said otherwise. Hoping it was an #offday bc the food's still intriguing in theory. (^_^) Arnold Palmer $4.75 (http://bit.ly/1NH5CrB) Straw too short for the glass. #thatswhatshesaid (-_^) Calamari & Charred Octopus $15 (http://bit.ly/1Osg2yL) ::shrugs:: Was expecting a tentacle. #thatswhatshesaid (-_^) Apple Juniper Kombucha $7 (http://bit.ly/1YIr3vf) Light not heavy. (-_-) Seafood Double Decker Sandwich $17.5 (http://bit.ly/1NH5Gaw) Stiff bread, overall low flavor. (-_-) Lobster & Hearts Of Palm Fritter $14 (http://bit.ly/22sZIlw) Texture kinda neat, not much taste. (-_-) Coleslaw $w/Sando (http://bit.ly/1MAFtXn) Tongue fell asleep. I'd actually planned #atribecalledquest -based review draft but lost the inspiration to write it upon tasting my dishes. Still rounding up to 3 stars bc my waitress had good customer service in a hectic environment. What was with all the drinks spilling everywhere? read more

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Finally got to try Boulevard! Came for a work dinner. I got the octopus, peach/stone fruit salad, and vegetarian entree (cheese and pasta oriented). I didn't love my entree but maybe that was my fault; the rest of my party got more meat centered such as the lamb which they enjoyed. Their menu appears to change frequently so I'd like to come back and try other items. read more

Just finished a meal here and I'm neither disappointed, nor on cloud 9, hence "a-ok" 3 stars. Service here is spot on, I am blanking on his name but we were taken care of by a bald man with glasses and a goatee who was very warm, funny, and easy-going. We were a bit late, but seated promptly. We were seated in the back of the restaurant, at a table right in front of the ramp, most likely as a bit of the slap on the wrist for being late (there were plenty of other tables open). No matter, I took the seat closest to the ramp so that my parents could sit peacefully towards the inside of the dining area. As i predicted, one of the bussers with a goatee bumped into me almost every time he went down the ramp, knocking me with extra chairs, a tray, his arm, etc. He also bumped into my dad once. While the restaurant was busier than normal (Fleet Week, Giants Game, 49ers Game, Madonna concert, etc.) and I'm sure he was tired, it was kind of excessive. We ended up moving the table backwards towards the dining about half a foot, problem solved. They should considering just making that table a table for two, instead of three. We had the heirloom tomato mozzarella salad, ravioli, and ahi tuna (in order of preference). Of these, the heirloom tomato salad was the winner by a long shot. The quinoa was phenomenal, and I've never had it prepared like that. The mozzarella was quite creamy and the tomatoes were very juicy and fresh! The ravioli was the next best thing, which usually comes with 1 rabbit piece and 2 wild greens and ricotta pieces, but since there were three of us and we were sharing, the waiter suggested we add an additional rabbit piece. The rabbit piece was very nice, much better than the greens/ricotta. Finally the ahi we could have (and should have!) done without, as the texture was just so strange. It looked (and tasted..?) like worms! We would have much preferred it to have been cubed or sliced. For the mains, we had the halibut, lamb t-bone, and quail (in order of preference). My halibut was slightly overdone, but the white tomato risotto underneath was just right. It came with a single squash blossom stuffed with rock shrimp and fennel, I wish they could have given me another! The lamb usually comes medium rare but we were asked if this was okay, and we asked for it medium. It came out about half way in between both, and tasted a little gamy. The purple potatoes were very nice though. The quail was also very gamy, and overcooked. We were told this one comes at a specific temperature (which we were fine with), otherwise it tastes like liver. Well, it did end up tasting like liver, so if you are upset about the foie gras ban you should definitely come here, order the quail, and ask for it overcooked. At this point of the meal I was actually still hungry, because the portions were so small. I think I preferred the small portions because nothing was that amazing, but I would have otherwise been disappointed if it was much better and still small. Finally for dessert, we had the chocolate marshmallow pie, the sticky toffee sundae, and the house sent us chocolate hazelnut bonbons as we were celebrating a birthday. The dessert was the best part of the meal, phenomenal! Don't let the medjool date cake turn you off, I like dates, but thought the cake would be some type of weird health freak thing, but it was delicious and didn't really taste like dates. We couldn't decide which dessert was better but they were both very good. Jessica Sullivan, you are an amazing pastry chef! Weaver's decaf coffee was very smooth and the cappuccino also very nice. All in all, I don't think that I would return or particularly recommend this place, but I don't regret coming here either. read more

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In a talk given in Lafayette, Thomas Keller said that food is all reference points, and indeed, he was right. Because once my teeth dug into the most tender abalone, once my taste buds became enchanted by the sweetness of a lobster scallop duo, and my senses experienced the most beautifully executed chocolate dessert, there was no turning back. No doubt in our minds, Boulevard deserved the coveted Michelin Star. It was a perfect way to celebrate our first Valentine's together. People believe dropping Benjamins on food that will only take a few minutes to devour is such a waste of hard earned money, but I defiantly disagree. Food of this caliber will resonate with me for life. My memorable dishes: Monterey Red Abalone, Roasted Abalone Mushroom, Clamshell Mushrooms, Chives & Lemon Aioli-Tender, tart, and savory. Whom ever created this dish was very well aware that the taste and texture would create the most satisfying combination. The mushrooms and abalone were so tender that I struggled to distinguish one from the other. The tartiness of the lemon aioli enhanced the overall dish while the chives and fried shallots carried the dish to the finish line, making it not only my first, but favorite entree of the night. Maine Lobster & Royal Sweet Sea Scallop, Meyer Lemon & Limoncello Risotto, Black Trumpet Mushroom & Crispy Sunchokes, Lemon & Chive-Thus far the most naturally sweet and succulent lobster and scallop I've tasted. The ingredients used really brought out the flavor of the seafood resulting in a lobster and scallop triumph elevated by creamy risotto and crispy sunchokes. Chocolate Macaron with Roasted White Chocolate, Chocolate Mirror Glaze & Chocolate Curls, Truffles, Pressed Pear & Pistachio Tuile, Pistachio Ice Cream-A busy, chaotic masterpiece. Simplicity is overrated and this dessert kept my attention because of its complexity. My eyes couldn't focus on just a single part of the dessert but hopped from the chocolate truffle and macaron, to the ball of pistachio ice cream and scoop of roasted white chocolate laid out on top of a platform of chocolate heaven. I'd love to meet the pastry chef who created such a divine chocolatey treat. The quality food, delightful ambiance, top-notch service and let's not forget the cozy love seat booth, all lend to the amazing experience we had at Boulevard. A perfect way to celebrate our first Valentine's and mark the beginning of more great things (and food) to come. read more

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Main Impression: Boulevard seems overhyped and the dishes are pricey for what you receive. I felt that the entrees were mediocre entrees and not Michelin quality; however, the appetizers and desserts were tasty. My rating for now stands at a three given that any Michelin ranked restaurant should be able to deliver solid entrees. Service was great and the atmosphere is warm and elegant. ****** My boyfriend and I were so excited to dine here after hearing all of the rave reviews. Perhaps our expectations were too high, but Boulevard did not live up to the hype. Our main entrees were mediocre; however, they were bookended by solid appetizers and desserts. For entrees, my boyfriend and I shared the roasted local swordfish and the kurobuta pork chop. I found the swordfish to be a bit bland in both flavor and presentation-- I felt like you could get the same dish somewhere else for much cheaper. If I'm paying $33 for a small piece of swordfish, I'd like each bite to be amazing. This may sound strange, but the pork was a bit "soggy". I believe that we did not finish the plate. Though the entrees did not live up to the Michelin star hype, the appetizers and desserts left us wishing we had skipped our entrees all together. Each bite of the california squab was bursting with flavor and I definitely fought for the last piece of the mouthwatering, crispy sweetbreads. If I could have supersized something on the menu, it would have been the sweetbread appetizer. For dessert, we shared red velvet cake and another chocolate dessert. I don't condone this at nicer restaurants but my boyfriend, the resident chocoholic, literally drank the chocolate sauce out of the mini gravy boat and licked the plate clean. Staff were very attentive and made sure to get us to the symphony on time, despite us running late, ordering 3 courses, and adding an extra appetizer at the last minute. Though the main entrees were underwhelming, I would probably come back to enjoy the atmosphere. Many restaurants are unable to achieve the balance of charm and understated elegance while still feeling warm and welcoming. Whether you dress up or dress down you'll feel right at home--though I don't think a hoodie would necessarily be welcome here. . We were among the formal crowd since we were attending the Symphony but I saw people wearing an assortment of cocktail dresses, dark jeans, sports jackets, and polos. read more

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The contrarian instinct to criticize the most elite restaurants seems strong in user review communities. I understand--I sometimes feel cynicism hood my eyes and tastebuds the moment I sit down in the most hyped, trendy San Francisco establishments. Maybe it's the same instinct that has us call size 4 actresses "fat" and Miss America runners-up "hideous." After reading a chain of yelp reviews bashing Boulevard, I wasn't sure what to expect. In the end, I'm siding with Michelin. Boulevard earned that star. Our meals were some of the best we have had. The Heirloom tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella starter may have been the most pedestrian listing on the menu, but by no means was it dull. The tomatoes looked and tasted like they had just fallen off the vine, the mozzarella tasted more like burratta, and the sprinkling of toasted spring onions were like teeny-tiny onion rings, taking the dish out of the realm of caprese salad. My quail was perfectly cooked and I can't praise the farro enough. The filet mignon was just as good. The dessert was a highlight (but then, that's always my favorite part of a meal). We split a deconstructed s'mores: a buttery homemade cookie-like graham cracker, a square of devil's food cake with a thick layer of ganache, topped with a layer of bruleed homemade marshmallow, a scoop of homemade cherry ice cream, and a sprinkling of cherries. I could have eaten ten of them. Oh, and you might have sensed the theme--yes, every dessert, including ice cream, is homemade. The service is top-notch. I've read other reviews that complained that service was too attentive. Really? Personally, I like a full water glass. And I won't chide anyone for being too good at a job. That's like when a peer tutor came into my class and told my students that they were "over-prepared." Yes, the prices are high. And the portions are small, which is good for the American waistline, although I do prefer being fuller after an expensive meal . . . read more

Though this has been on my list for years... we wound up here rather spontaneously, as their other restaurant, Prospect, was closed. We walked in without a reservation and the very friendly front of the house sent us to the bar and had us seated within 20 minutes or so. Our server, Jay was wonderful... super friendly, knowledgable, and all of her recommendations were spot on. We started with the Sea Scallops, served with Celery Root, Smoked Sturgeon Remoulade, Golden Caviar and Vodka Cream. Adding a 4th scallop, since we were sharing, was the right thing to do! They were cooked perfectly and so delicious. Scallops cooked this well may just be my favorite thing. Though I much prefer getting different entrees, so we can taste and share... and the California Lamb T-Bone was calling my name... my friend and I each opted for the Berkshire Kurobuta Pork Prime Rib Chop... Good call, as I would have been jealous... maybe... This was Wood Oven Roasted, and served with Calvados Mutsu Apple Fritto, Cold Pressed Apple Miel, Poppy Seed Spaetzle, Half Moon Bay Brussel Sprouts & Double Smoked Bacon, Deviled Red Kuri Squash & Roasted Sage Pork Jus. Well that's a mouthful... and was... a most DELICIOUS, SUCCULENT MOUTHFUL! The pork was beautiful, tender and juicy... and yet as good as that was, I saved my last bite for all the other things, that were bursting with such stunning flavors. Wow. Glasses of the Riesling went perfectly with these amazing dishes. We were full, but had we skipped the dessert we would have been disappointed... Thanks for pushing us, Jay. The Butterscotch Pudding With Dark Chocolate Bavarian Cream. Pecan Shortbread, Wild Pecan Granola and Vanilla Chantilly was nothing short of heaven. The room, the decor, the service, the staff and of course the fantastic food make this a place to remember... and return to... I hope!!! read more

Classic. Contemporary. Chic. That's Boulevard, alright. Kuleto's Boulevard has been around forever. The building has been open since 1906. It's a historic gem. You also can't go wrong w/ San Francisco's waterfront location. The views of the Bay Bridge are amazing. The food was amazing. We started off w/ the adriatic figs, summer beets, and goat cheese. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=Rp8hHh-2U8Nh-7FhhspVxQ&select=hftYPmKjEbO0swhj7HNqLQ Impressed by all the positive Yelper's comments regarding the day boat sea scallops, I made that my order for the day. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=Rp8hHh-2U8Nh-7FhhspVxQ&select=hftYPmKjEbO0swhj7HNqLQ. I'd have to agree, it was pretty amazing. My colleague ordered the fresh sockeye salmon, which also earned raved reviews. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=Rp8hHh-2U8Nh-7FhhspVxQ&select=k3dnVR6qEjZuSAzbK2J1_A. Bottom line: It's a great restaurant~ amazing view of the Bay Bridge, delicious eats, and very personable service. Boulevard is a great place to take your family, a date, and even your colleagues. Tip: *If you sit at the bar in the back, you can check out the dishes as the cooks make them in front of you. read more

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I was extremely disappointed with my dining experience at Boulevard. One of the first courses was octopus with clams. The clams were raw of which they should not have been and there was still grit/ sand remaining in the dish. The Clams left a horrible taste in my mouth and I had to politely spit them out. I have not had to do this in years since I was a child especially being at a fine dining restaurant. I told the server although nothing was done to fix the issue. The service and ambiance were good despite this experience. I will likely never return as this literally left a bad taste in my mouth. The restaurant should have done more to have addressed this issue. This is unfortunate as pre pandemic I recall this restaurant as being memorable and a special place to dine. read more

I'm a foolish college student who just turned 21. We had a late dinner reservation so we stopped by a bar while we waited, and drinks were stronger than expected. Do you see where I'm going with this? For my first ever Michelin experience, I was completely smashed. And it was awesome. Drunk fine dining is highly recommended for the following reasons: 1. Be completely underdressed, and don't even give a damn. No tie, no worries. Our server was complete off the charts amazeballs nice. Didn't even bat an eyelash at my jeans or his lack of suit jacket. The service at the place is outstanding which makes sense given its rep. She offered to give us additional small plates so we could share the main courses we ordered. It's a small thing but I know restaurants that charge for this. So cheers to you Boulevard! 2. Drink more while you're already hammered. We ordered more wine at this place. It was a good decision. No further explanation needed. 3. Drunchies: Defined as drunk munchies. And it's so real. But instead of stale chips and salsa, we dined on gourmet quail and lamb chops. At this point, things get a little blurry. But I do remember being amazed that the quail was stuffed with more quail. QUAILCEPTION. And the lamb was like sinking my teeth into a lamb flavored pillow. So freaking tender. Overall, drunk fine dining (especially at Boulevard) is a must for any budding alcoholic. It allows you to get rid of the inhibitions and bask in the glory of a fine piece of quail. read more

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A great place for a super fancy meal on special occasions. The ambiance is very festive during the holidays and the staff working at the restaurant is very friendly and inviting. We started the meal with the scallop appetizer and this was my favorite dish of the night. The scallops were slightly crispy on the outside and very moist and soft on the inside. The scallops were topped with prosciutto, which gave the dish a perfectly smoky flavor. The beans beneath the scallops were also very fragrant from the renderings of the prosciutto. For my entree, I ordered the lamb T-bone, which was cooked medium rare. The portion was small, but filling. It came with a side of roasted white carrots and sautéed chard. The T-bone could have had more seasoning, and the medium rare seemed too rare. The dessert options were bountiful, but I eventually settled on the butterscotch pudding. It came in a large, ceramic disk, and was covered with crispy, caramel coated cereal clusters, fresh whipped cream, chocolate marshmallow toppings, and chocolate truffles. Also, it was generously drizzled with salted caramel sauce. It was very good at first bite, with the crunch of the crispy rice, the sweet caramel and the soft pudding as well as the bitter truffle. There were many textures in one bite, but after one or two bites, it became too sweet. I recommend the pudding, but it should definitely be shared. When I came last time, I ordered the bon bon and these were delicious! They look like a cake pop, but it has ice cream and a cookie inside. The flavor varies, but the combination of a chocolate coating, ice cream, and a crisp cookie is always a winner. read more

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Had an awesome birthday dinner here. The lamb chops were incredible ! Great ambiance and an expansive selection of wines + cocktails read more

I have been going to Boulevard since it opened. I worked across the street at One Market Plaza and dined here many many times through the years. When I think of Boulevard, what comes to mind? Nancy Oakes, mashed potatoes, amazing sauces and creativity. Our dinner this past week was really not up to par with what I've come to expect from Boulevard. Let me start with what was GREAT: The service, the valet and the cocktails. Any restaurant charging these prices for a meal need to have those items covered. Here is what we ordered. The starters were FAR tastier and creative than the entrees. Starters: - Ahi Tuna Tartare (quite good, but pretty safe) - Seared dayboat scallops (same as above) - Monterey Red Abalone (very tasty & creative, but for 20.00, you barely get 2 bites of the abalone. It's about the size of a silver dollar) Dinner/Entrees: - Wood Grilles Walu (very tasty, but not very filling) - Sonoma Duck Breast, pan roasted (tough, chewy & low on flavor) - Angus Filet Mingnon (quite good, but pretty safe) Dessert: - We tried 3 or 4 at the table & they were al pretty forgettable. I'm not sure what I expected. But their menu used to be so inspired. They had many options for vegetarians. My duck was a TOTAL miss. It was just a chewy mess, and I love duck. If their menu doesn't get an upgrade, I'll be surprised. I'll certainly head back when it does. On another note, I was also disappointed that the server was hawking the current cook book. Really? Shall I purchase some girl scout cookies while I'm there too? Come on Boulevard - you can do better. read more

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3.5 stars Picking a place to celebrate a special occasion is hard when you live in a city with so many amazing restaurants. It took me a while to make an effort to eat at Boulevard, but a friend of mine told me that he regularly eats here and with their 2012 James Beard award, I knew that I had to give it a shot. So, here is where we celebrated our five year anniversary. First, this place was CROWDED on an early Wednesday night. Make reservations or try to snag a seat at the bar overlooking the kitchen. The decor is more classic than contemporary, which makes sense as it's been around for something like twenty years. I liked the curved, brick ceiling and the velvet seats. The tips and reviews led me to believe that I would be offered a foie gras special despite the CA ban, so I was so, so sad when the server said that there were no specials for the night. I was even sadder when I saw that the scallop appetizer wasn't on the menu for the night, too! Oh well. I have pretty much the same thing to say about everything we ordered. The ahi tuna starter, the lobster, and the filet were all good dishes, a bit on the small side, but nothing that made my eyes roll back. Nothing really bad to say, but I'm not dying to come back here. We split the baked Alaska for dessert, and we both thought that we could have done without it. The cost for one cocktail, one non-alcoholic mocktail, one starter, two entrees, and one dessert came out to $160 after tax and tip, which I think is standard for a restaurant with one Michelin star, but I think I enjoyed my meals at similarly regarded restaurants much more. Oh, and even though I specified that we were celebrating an anniversary in my reservation, it was not acknowledged by anyone. I was surprised. read more

There is no perfect occasion to try this place but on my boyfriend's birthday. Although this place is upscale, the touch of french country flair in its interior makes it a little laid back but cozy. The dishes are simple but artfully put together! I enjoyed my King Quail. They served the leg part crispy, almost like deep fried and the breast part, roasted. Best of both world! The leg part was topped with prosciutto and the breast was on a bed of delicious orange puree. We didn't get much appetizer because we had it at The View in Marriott Hotel but the Sea Scallop was irresistible! No regrets on the Vanilla Bean Mouse for dessert, perfect with what it was served with: Strawberry Vanilla Sorbet Swirl. Service: excellent and not annoying. Thanks! We had an amazing time! read more

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So my birthday is in the beginning of September. But I tend to celebrate all month long. Last year, I decided to reserve the day before my birthday for Boulevard. I'd never been, so I was excited to try it! I made reservations well in advance since I wanted to secure a table around 6p on Thurs night. We ordered: -Zabuton beef carpaccio & crispy monterey calamari ($16.50) - Lightly pickled armenian cucumber, fermented garlic & nori paste, buttered korean hot sauce. -Ravioli di mare ($19) - Maine lobster & rock shrimp cappelletti, savory sweet corn pudding & cognac fennel milk. -Sea scallops ($18.25) - Job's tears, cloud ear, petite shiitake & clamshell mushrooms, miso, lemon & hon wasabi. -Soft shell crab (half) - Pepita & sumac dredge, lime crema, smoked carolina rice grits with huitlacoche, frying pepper salsa fresca. -Angus filet mignon ($45) - Wood oven roasted. Rancho gordo tepary beans, white sweet corn & gypsy peppers, yukon gold potatoes & roasted king trumpet mushrooms, grilled early tomato & beef jus. -Eden valley berkshire (kurobuta) pork prime rib chop ($37) - Wood oven roasted. Black rice & chorizo stuffed sqaush blossom, fresh shell beans & pole beans, marcona almonds, px vinegar, roasted pork jus. -Sweet cream cheesecake ($11) - Local blackberries & blueberries, summer corn cookie, lime sorbet. -Chocolate funfetti cake bon bon It was just me and the roommate, but I loved that we tried a variety of things on the menu. Our server was awesome! Super funny while still being attentive and on it! Parking can be difficult, so we just valeted the car. The atmosphere is a little old school, but since my Dad's French restaurant had that feeling, I found it cozy. Thank you Boulevard for a great birthday dinner! read more

Food, service and decor were all wonderful. I do have to say that comparably for the price, there may be better restaurants out there - but Boulevard is definitely a great spot for a celebratory dinner. The ambiance is lively, there's great energy and noise but you definitely feel like you can sit and chat for quite some time without feeling rushed. Service is impeccable and our waiter was lovely. I had let the restaurant know ahead of time that it was a going away dinner and the waiter knew exactly what to do, was super helpful such a charming gentleman. The food is delicious but in terms of wow factor, I don't think I was blown away by the dishes and flavors, it felt safe and solid so no complaints, but if you're looking for the extra oomph, I might suggest some other also high quality restaurants in the bay area. Drinks: We tried some of their specialties like the hibiscus moscow mule, cucumber gimlet and dolores swizzle - all great choices and provided an excellent atmosphere to start off and went fine with all our orders. Appetizers: We ordered the sea scallops, as well as the sweet white corn and dungeness crab ravioli for our starters. The scallops were delicious and very flavorful - highly recommend. The ravioli was delicious as well, but smaller in portion than what I expected. Entrees: Halibut with fingerling potatoes, brussel sprouts and lobster mushrooms. This was wonderfully cooked and seasoned but again nothing that will blow your palette away. The Lamb T-Bone was delicious medium rare with eggplant stuffed burrata. tomato and basil (I really enjoyed the stuffed eggplant!) and lastly one of my friends ordered something that was like a pasta dish with truffle and I really cannot remember what it was called, so sorry! Again, everything was tasty, but just didn't blow us away. Desserts: We got the strawberry icecream bonbon which was really yummy! I don't normally like strawberry ice cream, but it was matched so well with the white chocolate hard shell covering it made for a such a scrumptious bite. We also ordered the peach and vanilla tart and it made for a wonderful closer. It wasn't too sweet and topped off the night just right. Overall, great experience, atmosphere, friendly staff - did i mention views of the bay bridge? location is great if you want to walk around along the water, and even stop by the ferry building area after I would say that it's definitely a worthwhile place to visit but set your expectations accordingly! ~chow! read more

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Before entering i saw the building i was worried about the view of the place. When i got in the view of the bridge wasnt that great. But the atmosphere was a fancy place. Got greeted when i walked in. Everyone was dressed and looked nice. Not a simple casual lunch or dinner according the people watch i observed maybe just one person with a polo short sleeve shirt on. Got seated and then ordered. I got the waygu beef burger and requested med rare and french fries. The burger was 14 bucks and french fries was 6 bucks more. i asked for different selection of fries like garlic or sweet potatoe fries. They only got regular fries and the server said it was good. I doubted her when she said it. Next they served the bread. The bread wasnt good it was hard and not fluffy. I believe it was sour dough. The butter they served had sea salt so it tasted better. My burger came out and it was delicious on first bite. The meat was pink and medium rare. The meat was juicy and can taste the char grilled flavor. The burger was cheesy and the bun was soft and fluffy. the grilled onion was burnt. I believe its the bslamic vinegar on it. The tomatoe was dark as well. The fries was excellent. Like it was very crisp and light and golden brown. The fries was fluffy and not hard or soft. The texture was perfect. Its not the meaty fries it just natural skinny fries without the skin. Doesnt seem like its worth six bucks tho. I do like the atmosphere and vibe and feels classy and fancy and more of a dress up place. The view is not too great but the service inside makes up for it. I like the location convenient and nearby all the hotels. I will return again and try something new next time. read more

Boulevard - Waygu burger - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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