Have dined here twice and both times did not disappoint! The service is great, and the food is…read morefresh and delicious. I especially love the dip trip and grilled halloumi. The burrito salad was alright, could have used a little more flavor in my opinion. I really like the small plates and sharing atmosphere of this place, and appreciate all of the vegetarian forward options. The space is small and intimate, definitely great for a date night or girls night! I will say if you make a reservation (I'd recommend, it's a small place and gets busy) be sure to be prompt as part of our group was running about 10 minutes late, and the servers kindly let us know we only had the table for an hour and a half, which is fairly strict on weekends.

Came by on a Sunday during happy hour. We ordered a few food items off the happy hour menu: hummus…read moreand muhammara (a must!) with pita, aleppo fries, and falafel. We also ordered the non-happy hour burrata salad and the filet kebab. Our server was very attentive, though our main food items were somehow forgotten and we had to remind them.. but once they arrived, everything was great! I loved the pomegranate in the burrata salad. I also appreciated the non-alcoholic options, including my favorite Fentiman's rose lemonade. I would definitely recommend this place, especially for happy hour. My only small critique is the restroom, since the entire restaurant is so classy and chic, it would have been the perfect finishing touch if the restrooms matched the same vibe.

If Paris had a secret bar hidden inside San Francisco, this would be it. Bar Crenn feels like a…read morecandlelit salon - intimate, old-world, and effortlessly elegant. And the service matches that energy perfectly: polished, warm, and present without hovering. And don't skip the cocktails. They're a core part of the experience. Their version of an Espresso Martini was my favorite of the night... and I'm not even a coffee drinker. Foodwise, everything was paced beautifully. We started with their playful "smoke break," a crunchy seaweed cigar stuffed with sweet Dungeness crab and caviar. The agnolotti was filled with ricotta and goat cheese, layered with Burgundy truffle and mushroom, and tied together with an aromatic onion porcini consommé. Warm malted pretzel bread came next with a silky Mornay sauce topped with caviar and mustard for dipping. The brandade of salted cod with light, airy whipped potatoes disappeared in a few spoonfuls, and the dry-aged kampachi mosaic, paired with truffle purée and finished with uni béarnaise and more truffle, was one of those bites you pause for. The highlight was the two-part course: matsutake chawanmushi with crab dashi and browned butter, paired with unbelievably tender abalone finished with a sauce made from its own liver. Closing: Bar Crenn isn't about big portions or spectacle. It's about intention, atmosphere, and a rare level of refinement that still feels welcoming. If you're looking for a special night that feels transportive from the moment you sit down, this is absolutely worth the reservation. 5 stars.

My friend made reservations for my birthday on a Monday at Bar Crenn for 7pm, we arrived and were…read moregreeted by the host who sat us at the bar. Space is beautiful, low lights, wood paneling, velvet seats, a very relaxing but elegant design. Drinks: Mizuwari - good, this is prebatched and carbonated upon service, nice light fruity flavors with a light sparkling effervescence, whisky definitely more in the background, didn't pick up much floral in this one either but enjoyed it Arlequin - good, nice creamy foamy texture from the egg white, nice acidity, with subtle berry notes, and a whisper of scotch in the finish, a very unique take on a whisky sour Baxter - boozy and on the sweeter side, with a strong cognac flavor in the finish, fruity upfront, a slow sipper Food: Nori Rolls: great, loved the fresh Dungeness crab within the crispy nori shell almost like a wafer texture with just a little bit of rice to hold it together, grab was sweet with a subtle saltiness, chives added a burst of light delicate onion flavor, came with two small pieces per order Scallop Tacos: good, thin slices of raw scallops topped with mildly spiced xo sauce, on a very crispy chip like textured shell, the citrus added a burst of freshness, good but was expecting more of a traditional taco with a tortilla, this was a canape sized bite Pretzel Bread with Mornay sauce - pretzel i believe was a buckwheat base so a bit more dense than i was expecting, nice salty crust, mornay sauce was very tart and acidic with a thin runny texture, mustard forward as well, had higher hopes for this wouldn't recommend if you are expecting a classic pretzel Lobster Roll - served in a brioche bun that was a bit dense and lacked the airiness I was expecting, lobster was also a tad tough and chewy, loaded with bearnaise which was creamy and rich with a subtle saltiness but overpowered by the hot sauce served ontop Paris Breast: highlight of the night, really light airy choux with a slight crisp exterior filled with a delicious lightly sweetened vanilla cream, passionfruit orange and guava in the curd and filling was also excellent and made for an exciting end to the meal. Service was solid fairly attentive, plates and serviceware and water refilled and refreshed throughout. Food was well paced. Drinks took a little time to order but understandable given there were only two bartenders for the evening. Overall Bar Crenn was a little disappointing, other than dessert nothing was particularly note worthy. Cocktails were good but not outstanding, small bites were pretty hit or miss with small portion sizes. Glad i got to try this spot but not likely to return.

This place is absolutely excellent! My friends and I were looking for a spot to grab drinks and…read moredecided to check it out, and we were so glad we did. From the moment we walked in, the staff was incredibly welcoming and friendly, which immediately set a great tone for the evening. The service was excellent -- attentive without being overbearing -- and we never felt rushed. We ordered margaritas, which were really well made and delicious. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun, making it a perfect spot to enjoy a drink or a light bite with friends. Overall, it's definitely a place I'll be coming back to. Great drinks, friendly service, and a welcoming vibe make it a must-visit!

The restaurant has a puzzling ambiance. Plush couches adorn the interior, with the sparse titular…read more"patio" at the back. On the patio, the heat didn't reach every seat leaving parts of the table chilly. Unfortunately, the food seemed to follow the standard set by the furnshings, and was equally mediocre. The short rib was a touch overcooked, though the mashed potatoes it sat upon were lovely. The mac and cheese had a delicious blend of cheeses, but the pasta was too ordinary. The fried chicken that sat upon it was also plain. Service was the bright spot. Our server was warm, gracious, and patient with our large group. For a big dinner group where seating and service matter most, the restaurant has its advantages. But overall I wouldn't give it a recommendation.

Arrived an hour before they closed. Nice ambiance. Nice place to have a nightcap or start out…read morebefore your journey out. Great selection of wine, but reds in particular. California reds, but not the overpriced name vineyards, just a great picks of what's good. They also have a wine club that has been around for a lot longer than most bars. You can have wines shipped to your door and meet up with other like minded wine enthusiasts.

Greg The owner is super nice and super friendly! He walked us through the history of how he built…read morethe bar 52 years ago and was one of the first people to really start getting in on the California wine trend. He met a lot of the famous California wine vineyards that now can go for $500 a bottle 30 years ago or 50 years ago when there were just getting started and only for $5 a bottle. He is super friendly and accommodated us even for a last minute Monday wine tasting a few minutes after the original 8:00 and said he was just excited to have us come see the space and also talked through about how hard it is even make the wine shelves which he made all by himself selecting the redwood lumber and cutting everything there while a junior in college! Greg got into wine through taking a wine class at school way back and got excited by how a lot of the fathers at his school were both into wine and classical music and really shared his passion with us -- talking about not only a wine but also the farm to table movement and how Chez Panissse helped to innovate there! Additionally, the other folks at the bar were lovely talking about how they got into wine and their journeys and favorite wines! Definitely would suggest Monday wine tasting nights !!! Also you can read about the pup mascots over the years such as Murphy Lucky and Arfie!

Let's Go! Fabulous wine bar! Nate poured our wine and made sure we were take care of. Kiani is the…read moremaster of hosting us and keeps us coming back!!

Howell's is such a fun spot for a wine bar! I sat upstairs, which had a nice, cozy vibe and felt a…read morelittle more private than the main area. The service was excellent -- the staff was friendly, attentive, and made the experience really enjoyable. I always enjoy their wine bar menu; they have a great selection of wines that pair perfectly with their small bites. The atmosphere upstairs is relaxed but lively, making it a perfect spot for a casual night out with friends. I'll definitely be coming back to try more from their wine selection!

I had brunch here today & it was great. They offer bottomless mimosas & I opted for that (they…read moreoffer orange, pineapple & cranberry juice & I tried all 3). My friend chose cocktails but I forgot which one. We shared the burrata, which was presented with sliced apples & blood orange & regular orange sections with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar & served with toasted baguette slices. It was delicious! I had the mushroom eggs Benedict with a side of bacon with potatoes & it was also delicious! The spinach & variety of mushrooms made it a healthy choice to offset the crispy bacon (4 generous slices too). Service is friendly & helpful. They have a back patio which is uncovered & front parklet for outdoor dining but we opted to sit inside because it was chilly today. The main dining room is sleek & modern with a wall of wine bottles as decor but it also served.

Cultivar has a great happy hour and it goes until 6pm, which is a nice bonus. We got a Sauvignon…read moreBlanc and a Cabernet Sauvignon for $10 each, and both were solid. For food, we each got the Urge sliders and the ahi wonton tacos ($8 each). Everything was good! The wonton tacos came with a spicy red sauce that caught me off guard. I usually expect more of a chipotle sauce vibe, but it was still tasty. The service was great and we were checked in on multiple times. We sat in the patio area. Cute with a fireplace.

Our waiter, Rafa, was fantastic! Super helpful with recommendations and made sure we ordered just…read morethe right amount of food. Everything we tried was fresh and delicious, especially the hummus and pita, the chicken, and the torchio pasta, which were standouts for everyone at the table. The menu changes daily which keeps things exciting, and you can really tell how fresh everything is. The ambiance and lighting inside are beautiful and perfect for a date night or a special celebration. Highly recommend ordering family-style so you can try a bit of everything. We'll definitely be back!

A charming spot with a great atmosphere. The music is at the perfect volume, making it easy to…read moreenjoy good conversation. The food was delicious, served at the right temperature, and beautifully presented. Definitely a place I would recommend and come back to.

We believe in second chances. And by we I mean me, my friends, and Tom…read more We showed up last night and immediately the atmosphere was different. Every single table was full and bustling. The people were laughing, the drinks were flowing. It smelled really good, which we would later find out was from the food especially that Mac and cheese. We started off with different wines, some that Tom recommended based on what we told him we didn't like or did like. He apologized for our previous experience and was genuinely a nice guy. Honestly it's very admirable for a business owner to take feedback to heart and want to incorporate it. Plus he's a really cool guy when you get to know him. The staff was busy running around but still made time to come check on us. Our final verdict is we came on a bad day. This time we got the actual Waystone experience. We finally got to try the chicken bites with a creamy aioli, fries with yogurt sauce, and the star of the show was the Mac and cheese. Tik tok did live up to the hype and we will have to come back for one of their jazz nights. Be warned this place gets busy! But it's worth it.

Waystone is technically a wine bar, but spiritually it's a community living room disguised as a…read morejazz lounge with snacks. Yes, the wine is excellent..(not selling you 'natural' actively fermenting bottles) thoughtfully curated... the cab franc , interesting without being pretentious. Yes, the bites hit (shoutout to the watermelon salad). But what really makes Waystone magic is the people. Everyone who works here is warm, funny, and present in a way that makes you feel like you belong, whether it's your first visit or your 50th. Live jazz nights here are their own kind of therapy. I once saw a harpist who made me feel like I was floating inside the music. No cover, no pressure, just ridiculously good musicians making the whole place glow. One thing I love: the rotating local art. The walls change every so often as new artists take over, and it completely shifts the energy of the space. You might not love every piece, but that's kind of the point--it's alive, it's personal, and it's supporting real artists in SF. And if you do love something, you can take it home (yep, everything's for sale). Whether you're here for the jazz, the wine, the art, or the people.. waystone shows up with soul. I'd give it six stars if I could.

Visited this past Friday night with a friend. I live in the neighborhood and have been meaning to…read morevisit for a while, so we stopped in for a glass of wine. I loved the atmosphere here, and will be back! It's great having such a lively wine bar in the neighborhood without having to walk down to Polk!

Very vibey wine bar! Loved the ambiance inside -- feels very cozy and intimate. Came here with a…read morefriend and we sat at the bar. It was super lively on a Sunday night but not too loud where it was hard to hear someone. The service was also super friendly and we didn't feel rushed at all. I got the non alcoholic apertif spritz which I enjoyed a lot! The short rib raclette dish ($25) was also surprisingly filling / a lot of meat for the size of the cast iron. It comes with potatoes and lots of cheese and crunchy pickles. The house cheese dip wasn't my fav and I wish the bread had been toasted/warmed up as it was served rather cold. The other dishes on the menu looked super good so I'd definitely come back to try more (eyeing the burrata)! The charcuterie/cheese selection also looks fun.

Came here on a weekday night after a workout class, and this was one of the few Italian places in…read morethe neighborhood that didn't have a wait. I've heard a lot of good things about the Montesacro in SoMa (specifically the pizza), but was in the mood for pasta. My friend got a seafood bucatini (special for the night) and I got a gnocchi that had tender meat in it. The pastas were good and chewy but not super standout. The arancini though was fantastic, one of the best I've had -- perfectly crispy outside and creamy inside. The ambiance is moody and chic inside and would be good for a date night, or there's a big table for groups too.