Maria Isabel is the rare restaurant that's both technically dazzling and deeply personal, and you feel it in every course. Laura and Sayat have built something that tastes like a memory - Acapulco brightness, chile and citrus, smoke and coastal seafood - filtered through an incredible amount of precision. My friend and I were obsessed with the uni tamal, served in its husk under a silky, vanilla-flecked sauce, was one of the best bites I've had all year. The ribs also came out glossy and seeeeeeasoned with blistered shishitos and a salsa that we kept dunking our tacos into. And the corn taco, piled with cream, freeze-dried corn, and lime was a delightful ending! The service is hospitable, well-versed in the menu, and very attentive! Love what they have done in Pac Heights in this small intimate space - full of vibes. read more

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I was super excited to try Maria Isabel after having gone to Dalida, their Mediterranean restaurant in the Presidio a couple of times. I love Mexican food and this menu reminded me of the elevated Mexican dishes I've tried in Mexico City. My friend and I were torn between doing the tasting menu or ordering a la carte and we ended up going a la carte as we wanted the Dungeness crab ahogada. It was the right choice as this ended up being our favorite dish of the night! Loved this spin on a drenched sandwich which is a portable street food in Mexico but made into something fancy here with generous crab filling and the most delicious, luscious crab sauce to cover the sandwich. We also ended up ordering the ceviche acapulqueno, duck carnitas enmoladas, and black cod zarandeado. Loved the crispy shrimp heads in the ceviche and the aguachile packed a nice tan. The duck carnitas enmoladas and black cod were good as well but my friend did find the cod a bit fishy. I enjoyed the black bean sopas which were served with the fish and made the dish really feel like an entree. We were stuffed by the end but saw the corn choco taco on the dessert menu and had to try it. Honestly, it was pretty disappointing as I though the freeze dried corn pieces were fun but the ice cream itself was simply a vanilla cream and the white chocolate masked the corn flavor. I was really hoping for housemade ice cream. All-in-all between 2 people this was more than enough food and we left fully stuffed. The dishes are on the pricer side which I don't mind as this restaurant uniquely serves the kind of food I crave outside of Mexico City but I wish the flavors were overall more vibrant. read more

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To start- I have NOT been to Dalida so I had no expectations other than my friend seeing this pop up as one of those restaurants to watch. We had a late reservation but the food and service was superb. We went with the tasting menu with both of the upgrades. Right off the bat was the Caviar Guacamole Bunuelo which was absolutely delicious. I would say it's exactly what you'd expect with a bite of caviar and the price so splurge if you want but it doesn't necessarily enhance the meal. The Quelites Salad was unique with the sorbet. A delicious and unique take but I think I'd rather keep my dessert separate if I'm being honest. Now we're getting to the highlights: Smoked Mussel Sope was absolute fire. I'd order this again and again any day due to the flavor profile. The Caldo De Pescado was perfectly cooked and I'm a sucker with any nicely roasted baby corn. Next up was the best dish of the night: Sea Urchin Tamalito De Maiz. the sweet corn tamal with the sea urchin was a masterpiece. The next two dishes threw me for a bit of a loop. The Duck Carnitas Enmolada was paired with 4 difference sauces (the green was my favorite). I'm not sure I would've enjoyed the duck as much without any sauce and I appreciated the pairing. The Gaonera Taco wasn't as tender as I'd expect and maybe I expected the meat quality to speak more for itself than it did. Lastly, the Rice Pudding Empanada was delicious. Overall, service was fantastic, it's a cool atmosphere, and the food is delicious. A few highlights and a few near misses. I'd come back for the few dishes that blew my mind and maybe a few others but would say you can pass on the tasting menu. read more

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As someone who loves Dalida, I was really looking forward to trying out Chef Laura's new restaurant, Maria Isabel. Reservations for an early dinner were hard to come by, but I finally managed to score one for my sister's birthday. Once we entered, I was somewhat surprised to see the casual decor, lighting and floor plan. The dining room next to the windows overlooking the street corner felt a bit more like a nice bar rather than a fine dining restaurant. Fluted glass separates the kitchen from the dining room, so you can't see much of what's going on back there. The first dish was an interesting salad with herbs, picked nopales and a quenelle of prickly pear sorbet. The smoked mussel sope had a nice tart-like crust to it. Unfortunately, I got a bit of broken shell in my first bite. But the smoky flavor of the mussel and depth of other ingredients got me through it. Of all the dishes on the tasting menu, I'd say that the black cod was probably the most refined and delicious. The cod was perfectly cooked and the broth inside the bowl was savory. The duck enmolada was a little bit dry between the heirloom corn tortilla, and the less than succulent duck. The Wagyu taco was good with the salsa verde, but a bit thin and oily. I was hoping for a thicker cut of Wagyu. The sea urchin tamal was a uniquely dessert-like dish with a sweet and creamy sauce topped with a few pieces of sea urchin. For my cocktail, I ordered the Pedro Paramo, an avocado washed corn whiskey with a corn husk and a little peanut butter disc to pair with each sip. I found the spirit to be a bit too forward, even with the two globes of ice. We also tried the Pozol, an iced chocolate drink with red masa and vanilla bean. It had a unique flavor that I wasn't familiar with but enjoyable. I do think I would've liked it. More served hot to get the full aroma that the ice muted. The staff was very friendly and helpful. For my sister's birthday they brought out a special cake that was white speckled with colored and very flavorful gelatin. The rice pudding empanada was powdered with granulated sugar, giving it a bit of a doughnut texture. The pecans had a nice crunch to go with the peach sorbet. It wasn't an unequivocally amazing meal, but that may be because my expectations were unrealistically high because of my experiences at Dalida. That said, I still appreciated and enjoyed the creativity of each of the dishes. I'd be happy to return, but next time probably to try the à la carte menu rather than the tasting menu. read more

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After hearing some positive reviews from friends, I was excited to come and try this restaurant. Pro tip: If interested in the tasting menu, they also have a non-advertised pescatarian tasting menu for $10 more that includes the Sea Urchin tomalito, which is a $34 surcharge on the regular menu. Left very full. They started with complimentary champagne as we were celebrating an occasion. The caviar guacamole bunelo ($32) addition was quite tasty. Super crispy. I do wish there was a little less guacamole as it overpowered the caviar a bit. Quelitas salad: This was a surprising highlight of the night! Very refreshing from the sorbet. Smoked mussel sope: Great mixture of flavors and surprisingly hearty and filling. Caldo de pescado: Cod was well cooked and flavors were comforting. Sea urchin tamalito: The sweet corn tamal was good, but a bit one note. I'm glad I tried it, but not sure it's worth a $34 surcharge. Rice pudding empanada: I liked this more than expected. The empanada was nice and hot and reminded me of a stuffed churro. Quite a delight. Overall, the meal was solid. The most disappointing was the pacing. We waited about 20min between the savory dishes and had to flag someone to get an update. However, for the price point and quality, I would return. read more

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The service was very nice. Ambiance was a bit loud, and the vibe was nice but felt like character was lacking a bit. Now onto the food, the reason we're here. Honestly everything was fine! We started with rockfish pedcadillas. They were presented well, but could've used more of the passionfruit. A common denominator across all the dishes was we just wished there was more salsa. Next came the aguachile, which was inventive and delicious but a disappointing portion. Another common denominator. After that we followed with the queso fundido and the cheese (a very small amount of it). The sourdough tortillas were delicious. Our last course was the chicken milanesa. The flavors in this composition were my favorite, but the execution fell a bit flat. Very dry, hard to cut into, and I didn't see a reason why it would be served with tortillas without any more salsa. At almost $40, I was sad about this one. The highlight by far was the ice cream taco dessert. A really fun way to end the night. Overall, I don't know that I'd return at this price point. I appreciated the effort and the intent but I had higher expectations based on word of mouth. EDIT: After this meal, the team reached out to better understand how they can improve and made a huge effort to sincerely consider my feedback. Maria Isabel is very much still finding their footing as a new restaurant. I appreciate their efforts to improve and I hope they implement the feedback they've received from myself as well as other reviewers! While I am not adjusting my review of my experience, I did want to affirm that the team here is very dedicated to figuring out what works best. read more

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Can be a cute date spot; friendly service:) Food for 2 people: 1. Ceviche acapulqueno (5/5): love the shrimp heads - super crispy and juicy - soaks up all the sauce! Also super fresh. Wish the avocados weren't in it tbh since they take away the crispness of the dish 2. Caviar guac (5/5): biased because i LOVE caviar but i also did a nibble without it and it literally tastes like mediocre guac on a rice cracker. But i love caviar so... 3. Chorizos y queso (4/5): comes with 2 types- red and white. The white one was my favorite- earthy in a good way with a good crunch from the pistachios. The red one was very bold and flavorful- almost too flavorful for me 4. Duck carnitas (4/5): i liked the lighter sauce wayyyy more than the darker one - the darker one was a little bitter and tasted medicinal to me but i also don't like mole (yes we've been to mexico many times and i've hated all mole) a 5. Black Cod (5/5): sooo good and delicate - hard to ruin black cod honestly. 6. Pineapple flan (4/5): it was good but idk i wish they didnt use poached pineapple throughout and added some fresh ones... the flavor throughout was very one dimensional read more

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Maria Isabel is an incredible homage to Mexican food, starting from the executive chef's hometown of Acapulco and traveling across Mexico and up the California coast. It's hard to believe the space used to be a diner given the stylish interior and lively and buzzy ambience. They have a full bar that is cranking out a seriously creative cocktail program, and our server Tamara was the sweetest, as she had such an infectious energy and the enthusiasm with which she described every dish and drink really elevated the whole experience. Ambience, food, and drinks are all important, but service that goes above and beyond is what makes a meal memorable in a city full of so many great options. They do offer a tasting menu but we opted to go the à la carte route since the tasting menu required the full table to participate and we really wanted to try as much of the menu as we could. Given everything we did try I think it was absolutely the right call for our party of 4, and the below is a rundown of everything we tried: - Aguachile Negro - Fresh hamachi and squid with a lovely textural contrast from the crunchy chicharrones. The sauce was bright and delicious and tied everything together nicely, though I would have loved a lot more spice and punchiness, as most of my favorite aguachiles tend to have. - Dungeness Crab Tortita Ahogada - Good, but not my favorite. The description made me expect a bigger explosion of flavor, but it felt a little muted overall. The crab was fresh and naturally sweet, but I did not get much spice from the chile de arbol sauce or much smokiness from the charred pineapple. - Sea Urchin Tamalito de Maiz - One of my favorite bites. The creaminess of the uni balanced perfectly with the sweetness from the tamal and the smooth corn crema. I just wish the fermented habaneros brought more heat, because that could have taken it to the next level. - Heirloom Tomato Memelita - Probably the dish our server was most excited about, and it absolutely did not disappoint. The freshness and sweetness of the tomatoes on top of the lightly toasted masa round made for such a fun bite, almost like a thinner, lighter sope. - Duck Carnitas Enmoladas - Essentially enchiladas covered in mole instead of the usual red or green sauce, and it was delicious. The two moles really did a lot of the heavy lifting flavor-wise, though I wish the duck came through a bit more prominently as it almost got lost entirely. - Lamb Ribs Barbacoa - So, so good. Fall-off-the-bone lamb ribs packed with flavor in every bite, served with fermented carrots, blistered peppers, and lamb consome for dipping. Even better, you can turn it into a taco with the fresh tortillas on the side. - Chochoyotes & Mushrooms - A really interesting concept executed really well. The blue masa dumplings had a slight crust that contrasted beautifully with the smooth filling, earthy huitlacoche, and rich broth. The bruleed bone marrow on the side somehow paired perfectly with the rest of the dish. - Choco Ta-Corn - A whimsical and delicious take on the choco taco that was so fun to eat. It leaned into corn at every level, from the semifreddo to the freeze-dried kernels to the waffle made from masa. It was an exciting meal and dining experience from start to finish, even if I found myself wishing for more spice in several dishes and for the duck flavor to be much more prominent in the enmoladas. It felt like the kitchen was playing it a bit safe, but overall this was still a fantastic experience from start to finish. read more

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I've been waiting so long to get a resy here... and the time has finally come! I am partial to Laura & Sayat's restaurants because they taught a class when I was in culinary school at SF Cooking, but I swear their food is amazing every time. When you walk into Maria Isabel, there's a warm and charming vibe to it. My partner and I opted for the tasting menu and we loved it! The quelites salad was herby had a refreshing sorbet in the middle which was a strong start to the meal. The mussel sope was another stand out for me - crispy masa paired with smoky mussels and a creamy avocado sauce. We loved the flavors of every single dish that came out. If I had one gripe about anything, I wish that the tortilla underneath the ribeye taco held itself together a bit more. I think the juices from the meat softened it up a bit and it kind of fell apart - the salsas were so good with it though! Overall, amazing meal. Our server was so sweet too. I would definitely come back to try more items on their a la carte menu. Thank you for a wonderful time. read more

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So delicious and flavorful with a variety of interesting selections on the tasting menu. My favorite was the wagyu taco and the caviar add on bite. I also thought every single sauce on the menu was incredible. I had a margarita which was tasty and the cocktail menu is very diverse and fun. Would suggest making a reservation and they book pretty far in advance. A nice spot for a small group or a date night. There is also bar seating. read more

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Bordering on 4 stars. We enjoyed our meal at Maria Isabel but loved our meal at Dalida. Our favorite dish of the night was the sopa with the smoked mussels. The duck mole was good but for carnitas I wish it was a bit more crispy vs stewed like. read more

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Our anniversary dinner was not the delicious and memorable meal we hoped for. Dalida always blows us away with yummy food, but our first time at Maria Isabel fell short. First off, it's on a busy corner across from the Fire Credit Union and the JCC. The sun shines straight through the windows, so at 6:30pm you need sunglasses indoors. The space still feels more like a breakfast or brunch spot because of the counter and table setup. The mood says "mimosas," not "prix fixe anniversary dinner." We were greeted with complimentary bubbly, which was a fun touch even though we don't drink champagne. We shared the asparagus salad, which was yummy. I had the fish, and he had the chicken. My $54 fish was dry and pretty boring. He enjoyed the chicken. Drinks were tasty and water glasses stayed filled, so service was attentive. The meal came with tortillas that we were told we could make tacos with our food which seemed confusing. One disappointment was the lack of vegetarian options beyond the salad. Overall, it just didn't feel special enough for the price point or occasion. read more

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Stopped by here on a Tuesday after our appointment! They were able to sit us right away at the counter! We had been wanting to come ever since we read that one of our favorite restaurants, Dalida, was opening a sister restaurant. And guess what - we got to meet the chef and owner of Dalida! Who greeted us at the door - what a treat! The two of us ordered 3 dishes and it was plenty for us - the aguachile negro, the queso chorizo fundido, and the lamb barbacoa. Everything was delicious, but in particular the aguachile and queso stood out. Both came with fresh tortillas - one corn (the lamb) and one sourdough (the queso). So so good. A good hot fresh tortilla goes a LONG way with me. Overall I'd say this was a 4.5 - amazing service and overall very good. The lamb was a little disappointing - the tortillas were meant to be dipped but they did not hold up well and the flavor wasn't super stand out - but all in all so good. read more

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I admit I'm a bit biased in that I'm rooting for Chefs Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz. I think Dalida is fantastic, and so I had really high hopes for Maria Isabel. Having eaten there, I was surprised by how much Maria Isabel delivered. To begin the tasting menu is VERY well priced. $90 pp for a 7 course tasting menu is wild. But it could have cost anything and I would have thought it worth it. The closest comp I have is probably Californios, and I thought that Maria Isabel is definitely on the same level for the quality and flavor of each dish (if not ahead on a couple). Also, the space is really nice. Like Dalida, the design is incredibly thoughtful, and makes for a very cosy experience. The warmth from the selection of fixtures, lighting, seating, and choice of wallpaper was reminiscent in a way of eating at Quince. It's a contrast from the airy and bright feeling of space at Dalida, and I liked it. But what blew me away was the quality and flavor of the food. It was a rare experience where I kept second guessing myself as to what my favorite dish was. I had to invent subcategories to cover all of the ways in which I enjoyed eating here. We started with a really bright, tasty salad. The herb greens were deliciously paired with a prickly pear sorbet and a creamy dressing. I have never had a salad with a sorbet, and it added a really interesting sweet flavor element to the herb flavors of the greens and the salty creaminess of the dressing. Next was a smoked mussel sope with an avocado crema. This may have been far and away my favorite thing. The masa was deeply flavorful, and the crisp outer texture was divine. The contrast between the creamy richness of the avocado crema and the mussel was extraordinary. We also got the supplementary uni tamalito, and I enjoyed that quite a bit. If I could eat that tamal masa forever, I happily would. It was so flavorful, and had pieces of the very fresh and tasty corn within it. Paired with the uni and the vanilla crema, it was a fantastically rich dish. The duck carnitas enmolada is probably going to be one of their signature dishes and is perfect. Each mole can be paired with a bite of the enmolada and enjoyed alone. Each one was bursting with deep complex flavors, and was remarkable. I especially enjoyed the more fruity mole (bottom of the picture): it has a sweetness and flavor profile unlike any other mole I've ever had. And the more classic mole (dark brown on the top) was a world-beater: a flawless execution of the usual mole I get, with rich deep chocolate and spice flavors. And the enmolada itself is out of bounds tasty. Firstly, duck carnitas is a genius idea. The plantains give it a sweetness, and the duck is savory and rich. The tortilla was exceptional: the nixtamalized masa has a distinctive flavor and richness, and the texture is wild. It's the perfect level of crisp, chewy, and soft. The steak taco is really simple, and I think demonstrates how expert Maria Isabel is. To get the level of flavor and enjoyment from a dish composed solely of tortilla and steak that is comparable to something as complex as the mole or the duck enmolada blew my mind, the steak was simply seasoned, but perfectly cooked. The meat quality was high and made for a juicy, flavorful crisp piece on the tortilla (which as I mentioned before for the enmolada, is peerless). Finally, let me just say that the dessert was noteworthy and I really enjoyed it. That a place can do such an inspired dessert while serving food as good as this is unique. We had a fried pastry filled with rice pudding, served on a berry compote with ice cream. It was all kinds of sweet, but each type was distinct and stood in its own. I anticipate that Maria Isabel will probably get a Michelin star soon, and that the tasting menu will not always be at this price. So I'm really grateful I was able to go now. read more

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Well, not to tell you the ending before I begin, but... Like Elena's a couple of months ago, another new upscale Mexican restaurant that did not measure up to my expectations. First a warning that the signage is the same color as the outside wall, so it is very hard to spot. Pro tip: cheapest and closest parking is at the Jewish Community Center, which is open to the public. Our first impression was underwhelming. I had reserved the dining room, which includes the counter, which is a high top, and we like to have our feet on the ground. After hemming and hawing about how to satisfy that request, they finally said we could sit in the bar, but we would need to leave the table within 90 minutes for the next guests. We asked how long it would take for us to finish the Prix Fixe, and they said we could probably get in and out in that time, so we took it, but it put pressure on us not to linger. T ordered a Truchita, Tequila, papaya seed, grapefruit oleo, granada valet, warming spices $18: 4*. very tasty, not too sweet, a not shy on booze, but large round ice cubes made it hard to get to the bottom without freezing your nose. I had a Margarita de Tommy, Blanco tequila or mezcal, lime, agave syrup, salted rim $18: 4*. I had it with mezcal and it was great. My ice cubes were standard, but filled the glass so full, I had the same problem. I won't go into too long a description of the prix fixe courses, since they're all spelled out in detail on the photo of the menu I shared. I'll just give you our reactions. The Quelites Salad was kind of a strange combo with sorbet on top and crema under. I started trying to build bites with different combos, but half of the way through, I just mixed everything together, and I liked that even better: 3,5* Smoked Mussel Sopa was the favorite of the night. The smokiness of the mussels combined with that delicious macha salsa with it's nuts and seeds and crunchy chile flakes and then luxurious avocado mousse below knocked it out of the park!: 5* Black Cod with trimmings gave us the traditional drama of pouring the little carafe of soup over ourselves at table side. The cod was perfectly cooked but the soup was bland. 3.5* Duck Carnitas Enmolada was one of the more disappointing dishes. When I hear carnitas, especially duck carnitas, I think crispy, crunchy edges. This was the consistency of stewed meat and the handmade tortilla didn't hold together well. I had to end up eating it with a knife and fork. I like all of the moles, but none of them was really spicy at all. The mole negro was my favorite. 2.5* Gaonera Taco was my least favorite. The wagyu ribeye was tough and overcooked, and very greasy. The grease totally permeated the tortilla and made this actually kind of unpleasant. 2* We were pretty full by dessert and our 90 minutes were almost gone, so I ate a bite of the Rice Pudding empanada. It had a very gooey texture. The peach sorbet was good with the nuts, but the raspberry coulis on the bottom seemed out of place here. 2* Service was exceptional. I wish I could remember her name so I could recognize her in this review. We've been to the sister resto, Dalida, three times, and we love it. Such a shame Maria Isabel was inferior. Lots of exotic and interesting ingredients, but it just wasn't a hit for us, especially at a $90 price tag. we didn't get either of the optional items. the table next to us got the Caviar guacamole bunuelo for an extra charge of $32. It was only about 2.5 inches in diameter. Seems high for that size! Food: 25/40 Service: 19/20 Atmosphere/intangibles: 12/20 value: 15/20 Overall: 71/100. barely make 3* read more

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Got a reservation and tried the tasting menu. It's a nice space inside and the bar area side a bit darker and upscale feels. We got seated right away and ordered the tasting menu. Service was friendly and pretty attentive. My favorite course was the smoked mussels. The flavor was amazing and texture and balance was great. The uni and sweet corn tamale was a decent portion for 2 and melt in your mouth. The salad was refreshing and the sorbet in it added a coolness and good flavor. Everything was fresh and high quality. Cocktails were also well balanced and a little unique. Courses came out a bit slow as the table next to us also did the tasting menu but were seated after us and were done before us. It's a busy place so def recommend a reservation read more

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Pretty good - didn't fully live up to the hype or the impossible to get reservations, but was enjoyable nonetheless. Glad I tried but won't rush back. We walked in on a Wednesday. They keep 4 counter spots open for walk-ins and the other two didn't fill up until 630. Drinks were amazing! I particularly enjoyed an NA cocktail and their chocolate drink selections. Cocktails were unique to SF and very tasty. Great Mexican wine and spirit selection. Food was hit or miss - sea urchin tomalito was the winner of the night! Ceviche acapulqueño was okay - warming spices in ceviche was odd. Artichoke tetela delicateness overpowered by the salsa matcha. Black cod was a deconstructed zarandeado but lacked the signature smokiness of that dish. All told the food felt like more muted versions of traditional regional Mexican dishes. The ambience on the 'dark side' aka the bar side is where it's at - I would try to sit over there. read more

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531... In one day, 531 rezzies were made for Maria Isabel (that's what OpenTable showed). You would think they were giving away an exclusive tote or a tumbler with dinner! Opening today, Maria Isabel comes from the culinary power couple behind Dalida, Noosh, and Istanbul Modern. With Michelin and fine-dining pedigrees, they've earned numerous accolades, and Chef Laura was a semi-finalist on Top Chef. Indoor dining for dinner only. For now, they're not accepting walk-ins. No takeout available. M E N U Modern, regional Mexican cuisine inspired by Chef Laura's family roots in Guerrero and Sinaloa, using seasonal Californian ingredients. A la carte menu or chef's tasting menu ($90 pp for 6-7 courses). Full bar. D R I N K S * Mama Chuy Laurel Gin, shaken w/ twist ($14): https://tinyurl.com/2jh4xve6 * House Margarita ($18) Stiff cocktails! They have a thoughtfully curated selection of small-batch Mexican beer, wine, bubbly, and spirits that you won't find in the city. F O O D * Aguachile Negro: Pacific Yellowtail & Monterey Bay Squid w/ ajo blanco, mooli radish, pork chicharrónes ($23): https://tinyurl.com/2ny3r382 Great palate opener with fresh, citrusy flavors and soft-crunchy contrasting textures. Just wish there were four pieces of yellowtail instead of three. * Chorizo y Queso Fundido: Green & Red Chorizo, salsa morita, sourdough tortillas de harina ($26) Who can resist a sexy cheese pull?! The bubbly molten cheese is crowned with a garlicky spiced red chorizo and a pistachio studded green chorizo. While rich, it's balanced by the slight tang of the chewy sourdough tortillas. Loved the tortillas so we ordered extra (2 pc-$5). * Duck Carnitas Enmoladas w/ mole negro, rhubarb manchamanteles, plantain ($32): https://tinyurl.com/2kne39y5 Deeply rooted in Mexican home cooking but elevated with a modern flair, the soft corn tortillas are filled with savory duck confit and smothered with two moles: negro (rich, earthy, subtly bitter) and manchamantales (fruity, savory-sweet). Each mole had depth with a distinctive flavor profile that was complementary and kept each bite interesting. If you order the chef's tasting menu, the enmoladas include two additional moles: verde and blanco. * Lamb Ribs Barbacoa w/ lamb consommé, fermented carrots, tortilla ($46): https://tinyurl.com/ye2fm448 Incredibly tender, richly-marbled ribs with a crispy bark and savory smoky flavor. Use the tortilla to pull the meat off the bone and dip into the flavorful consommé. DIY lamb birria tacos! SO BOMB. To nitpick, the nixtamalized corn tortillas were dry and crispy around the edges. * Skinny Churros w/ palo santo chocolate & strawberry chamoy sauce ($14): https://tinyurl.com/52e88ca8 Crunchier and less doughy than your typical churros, they're coated in warm cinnamon sugar and served with two delicious dips: a rich, earthy dark chocolate and a tangy strawberry chamoy with a sweet heat kick. Balanced, not too sweet. S E R V I C E Warm, polished, and attentive service by Jerry and the GM. Courses were well-paced, water glasses were never left empty, and fresh plates and utensils were replaced between courses. A M B I A N C E Intimate dining area with earth tones and modern touches. With the resto named after Chef Laura's mother (Maria) and sister (Isabel), the dining area is split into two distinct rooms each with its own unique vibe. For a hot date, request a table at the sultry Isabel room with lounge and bar seating. P A R K I N G Residential street parking IS hard so allot an extra 15-20 minutes. Overall, solid opening day. If you're looking for an elevated Mexican dining experience that honors traditional flavors while showcasing seasonal California ingredients and modern techniques, Maria Isabel will be your jam. read more

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Yo this place is mf fire im liking every bite so far. Sure im in the middle of the meal but service has been great and ambiance is beautiful food is amazing. Can't complain. Bridgette out read more

Maria Isabel - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Maria Isabel is an upscale Mexican restaurant from the chefs behind Dalida. Dalida is one of my favorite restaurants in SF, so I had been eagerly awaiting Maria Isabel's opening. After dining here, I feel disappointed. Irregardless of what expectations I may have had coming in, the tasting menu did not deliver for the price of admission. The servers were friendly and cheerful, but I did find them to be slow at refilling water and a bit messy at clearing the tables. If the price were lower I would consider recommending it, but as it stands I just can't. Quelites Salad One of the highlights of the night. The prickly pear sorbet provided tang and creaminess that balanced the meaty nopales. Smoked Mussel Sope A disharmonious hodge-podge of flavors. The earthiness of the grasshopper and nuts overpowered the smoked mussels. There was too much avocado. The sope itself was extremely greasy. Cod a la Talla My other highlight of the night. The cod was beautifully cooked and the charred pineapple was a great topping. Duck Carnitas Enmolada The duck was devastatingly mediocre. The tortilla was crumbly. The moles were all fine. Gaonera Taco The ribeye was beautifully cooked. But the tortilla is once again crumbly, and a bit dense as well. In fact, I found the corn tortilla obscured the flavors of the meat. I found the salsas to be meh. A larger complaint I have is that there was no heat or spiciness in any of the food. Gelatina de Mosaico Since it was my dining partner's birthday, they gave us a small jello treat. It mostly tasted of gelatin. The flavors were barely noticeable. Conchita A fine dessert, but underwhelming for the price. I'll close with the caveat that this was their first day open. They assured us they've already ironed out inconsistencies in the menu. Still, since it was opening night, I'm giving this a 3 instead of a 2. read more

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Mixed bag which saddens me because I love Dalida and I like & admire Chefs Laura & Sayat. First the great - the table service was outstanding. Friendly, efficient, informative etc. Best I've had in a long time. Mixed - the food was extremely unique and flavorful with very fresh ingredients and an obvious amount of care in each dish. Unfortunately, we didn't love or would order anything again. The uni dish was particularly unloved - and I adore uni - just a very strange combination of flavors and textures that didn't work for us. Perhaps our expectations were too high after a trip to CDMX. Good - I disagree with the reviews that say it's overpriced. We had two small dishes, two medium dishes and three drinks for $143 before tip. In SF right now, I think that's very reasonable, especially considering the complexity of the menu (obviously highly labor intensive). Bad - the reservation process/seating/hosting was frustrating and a bit chaotic. It's impossible to reach someone on the phone. They ask you to text, yet our texts were ignored, like my friend's birthday (mentioned 3x). Our table wasn't great (in the sun and very loud), but they wouldn't switch us to the counter (that we had requested 2x via text in advance) though it was empty the entire 2hrs we were there. When we first arrived (on time) they ushered us to the bar for a drink, saying our table wasn't ready though we could see a handful of empty tables. If the kitchen is backed up, say so. If you don't read or respond to texts, don't tell people that's the way to reach you. I'll stick with Dalida! read more

This place is such a gem! Hard to get resy so I booked a month in advance for the tasting menu. It was absolutely delicious. Started with the mezcal cocktail which was a little sweet and perfect with my meal. The quelites salad had sorbet when mixed with the crème underneath was a Sweet and savory dressing, perfection. The sope was filling, dense taco with almost chili like salsa and mussels. The caldo was one of my faves. The cod was cooked perfectly. I only wish there was more of it! The duck carnitas was also my fave. I've never had duck like this, where it almost falls apart. Seasoned so well. The mole sauces were inventive, creative and a journey of the tastebuds. I personally enjoyed the original mole the best but it was so nice to try the others. The rib eye taco was also good and paired well with the salsa. Lastly the dessert was fantastic. Ice cream inside a crunchy crust concha and banana cream on the side. For someone who's not a huge fan of Mexican food, duck, or banana cream...this restaurant turned that upside down. This place knocked it out of the park for me. Few places I would go to again and again. This is one of them. I feel with time, their menu may change with seasons and I can't wait to see what they come up with. Excellent tasting menu and experience! Hands down will be back!! read more

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Wonderful experience at Maria Isabel! My dining partner and I opted for the tasting menu, including the optional caviar and sea urchin dishes, and ordered one each of the wine pairing and the spirits pairing. The food was fantastic - of the 8 courses we enjoyed we had 6 that we considered to be stand outs - the caviar, the quelites salad, the smoked mussel sope, the sea urchin tamale, the gaonera taco, and the conchita dessert. Wine and spirits pairing were thoughtful compliments, and the wine pairing came with the added benefit of having Jerry the delightful sommelier speak to his choices as he poured the glasses. Service overall was well paced and tidy. Our server was very knowledgable and approachable. The restaurant itself is beautiful - we were seated in the lighter upper dining room, and will be interested to enjoy the moodier setting of the lower dining room when we come back to try the a-la-carte menu. Very excited by this new addition to the neighborhood - we are lucky to be walking distance and will certainly be returning! read more

Was excited to try the tasting menu on opening night. The tasting menu was $90 for 6 dishes - salad - sope (mussel) - 3 tacos (fish, duck, ribeye) - dessert The dessert was my favorite dish followed by the sope. Overall, it was good, not extremely memorable. We were the only ones near us that got the tasting menu. The other dishes looked a lot better, I wished we wouldn't have done the tasting menu. 2 tasting menus and 4 drinks, total was around $350. We aren't huge foodie people but like to treat ourselves every one in a while. Worth it? Probably not, but we had an overall good time! I will definitely come back to try the regular menu! read more

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Great date night spot, but wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to dine again now that we have experienced it. Ambiance needs some improvement (we were seated at the bar counter) and for that room I would definitely pull down the window shades to block out the view of the industrial looking intersection with all the cars passing through (and to also help create dimmer lighting). This room and the cuisine definitely calls for a lower light environment. Mezcal classic Margarita was impeccable. Seasonal spicy Margarita was great and better than any other spicy Margarita in the city. Aguachile Negro: delicious, would definitely order again, crisp, citrus forward, very flavorful. I was spooning up the sauce at the end!! Caviar Guacamole Bunuelo: delectable, worth the price and would definitely order again. Dungeness Crab Tortita: too sweet for me, and a bit unimpressive. My husband was spooning up the sauce at the end, but when I asked him he said he ultimately didn't feel he'd order this again. Sea Urchin Tamalito: so delicious, absolutely would order this again. This is a must order! Tomatoes & Goat Cheese: good but I wouldn't feel compelled to order it again now that I've had it. It added a nice vegetable dish to our overall order but it was nothing to write home about. Duck Carnitas Enmolados: I didn't enjoy this dish, too sweet, generally felt like the most unremarkable dish of our meal. What we saw others order and WISHED we had ordered based on appearance: Chorizos y Queso Lamb Ribs Barbacoa read more

We had our first dinner and came away quite pleased with the experience. The warm and welcoming ambience enveloped us from the time we entered the door. Such excellent and friendly and polite staff and they made sure we knew all of the menu options. The Tascalate and Tommy's Margarita were both very tasty. We started with the delicious Ceviche Acapulqueño and Sea Urchin Tamalito de Maiz. The latter had an incredible sweet corn flavor. Our entrees of Chochoyotes & Mushrooms and Black Cod Zarandeado were quite pleasing. We finished off with the Choco Ta-Corn dessert which brought happy smiles to our faces. Overall, a wonderful culinary experience. Brava Chef Laura! We will return to discover more of your amazing menu and hospitality! read more

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Came in during their very first week open and somehow... everything was already flawless. That almost never happens, but here we are. First impression: this place is gorgeous. There are two dining rooms and both are stunning, with incredible wallpaper and design touches that make the space feel special without being stuffy. It strikes that perfect balance of stylish and comfortable. The food is just as impressive. Every dish came out beautifully plated, nicely paced, with thoughtful, nuanced ingredients that made things feel elevated while still deeply satisfying. And the portions are generous--especially for the price. Also: tortillas. So. Many. Tortillas. Different kinds, constantly appearing, warm and perfect. What a carb filled dream. Standouts for us: Queso fundido with house-made chorizos (the pistachio chorizo was so special) Scallop and shrimp ceviche, super fresh and bright Lamb ribs birria style, rich and deeply flavorful And the best sopes I've had in a long time The whole meal honestly took me back to nights in Mexico City--amazing food, lively energy, and dishes that feel both traditional and creative. Another thing I loved: the owners are present and visible, checking in and clearly proud of their new project. That kind of energy and care for staff showed in the service, which was top notch--casual, warm, and felt genuinely friendly. My only "complaint?" We got too excited and ordered too much and were too full for dessert. Why did we do this to ourselves?! Already counting the days until we go back (reservations are a challenge... but I have hope!). Don't sleep on this spot! read more

Maria Isabel - Ceviche! - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Maria Isabel is that rare new restaurant that is already firing on all cylinders. The food is top notch as is the service. Can't think of another place nearby that serves this type of cuisine. Californios is close but far more expensive. We were scared off dining at new spots by Jou Jou, this reminds us that new places don't have to suck. Is this restaurant worth a 5 minute drive? Yes 30 minute? Yes 1 Hour? Yes Maria Isabel Signature Dishes - Enmoladas, Cerviche, Fundido, Flan Maria Isabel's Menu has seafood starters, small plates, corn dishes and large plates. Not a lot of options for gluten free or vegan folks. Tasting menu is available. read more

Just ok, been waiting to eat here for a while, to their credit restaurant was packed. Food presentation is very nice, but flavor is lacking. Some servers understand the dishes and others need better training. Price is reasonable but also overall not worth it. Can skip read more

We have loved Laura and Sayat since we started going to their popups almost 10 years ago. Over the years we have delighted in watching this dynamic duo thrive and over deliver on the promise of those precious early days. We lived Noosh, we adored even more Dalida and have taken many friends there since it opened. Tonight at Maria Isabel was a revelation. My fellow diners and I ordered almost every appetizer, one salad, and one main. Each dish was a melange of complementary flavors and textures, beautifully presented and skillfully delivered. The ambience was perfect. At the end of the meal, my partner and I compared it with Quintoníl, Pujol and Contra Mar in CDMX, all amazing, Michelin restaurants, and agreed that we liked Maria Luisa better than all of them. I am still basking in the afterglow of this meal, so will halt here, and will come back later to elaborate on the dishes. read more

Maria Isabel - Pulpo tostada (L) and another amazing seafood dish, the name of which escapes me at the moment but was one of my favorites. - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

Our group of 5 had a wonderful time at Maria Isabel An amazing food adventure for all 5 of us including the 3 foodies among us. We ordered about everything on the menu! and a bottle of Mainque Chardonnay from Patagonia. The wait staff was perfect. Everyone friendly & informed on the menu. Food arrived in a steady stream. Staff struck that balance between checking in & giving us space too. Our favorite dishes, ceviche, crab, duck roll with mole, cod. Desserts.... the choc waffle with berry jam & corn on top! & the flan & cold chocolate drink. Truly standout were the many unique sauces that came with the items. Less favorite. Octopus, Rock fish, lamb ribs a bit fatty. Bottomline, we all want to come back to Maria Isabel SOON. Thanks again for your help with our reserv read more

Food was creative and tasty, service was a bit uneven (had to ask someone to take our order), the window coverings must be improved to better block the sun (multiple patrons had to move seats to avoid looking into the sun and glare coming off of car windows). We are huge fans of Dalida, so expectations were high, and must admit the experience fell short of expectations. Would only return if we were in the area and needed a place to go. read more

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I brought my wife here for dinner, and we were absolutely blown away. If you think you know Mexican food, clear your mind, because this place operates on a completely different level. The food is incredibly complex, elevated, and easily rivals any Michelin-starred tasting menu we've experienced. The Asparagus Ensalada, the Artichoke Tetela, and the Lamb Ribs Barbacoa were absolute masterclasses in flavor and presentation. The whole vibe of the restaurant is effortlessly cool. It strikes this perfect balance of feeling incredibly exclusive--like you've been invited into a private, luxury casita--while keeping the energy lively and modern. The attention to detail is insane, from the woven curtains and hanging corn cobs down to the bespoke ceramic tortilla cases and the wooden spoons for mixing the barbacoa sauce. Even the playlist is perfectly curated: authentic and upbeat without a single cliché. The cocktail program is also unreal. You absolutely have to order the Whiskey Maiz. It's a full sensory experience served in a heavy rocks glass, garnished with a corn husk and a piece of chocolate. Speaking of chocolate, they wrap up the night with an unexpected, highly sophisticated chocolate program that seals the deal on a flawless meal. An incredible, high-end experience from start to finish. Highly recommend. read more

We had the tasting menu which was excellent, each dish was unique and flavorful, our dinner lasted for 3 hours, the service was excellent and our waiter was very knowledgeable about each dish, the Zinfandel wine was great with our meal. read more

I loved everything about this place, except the parking situation. Service was excellent, food was the star. We enjoyed this date night. Can't wait to go back and try other dishes. I don't have to travel to Oaxaca or Mexico City for delicious food. It all started with the margarita with mezcal, perfection!! Followed by more perfection = FOOD!! Thinking the chicken milanesa with that amazing green sauce was my favorite but so was the tétela. I would probably not order the ceviche next time. read more

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Delicious beyond my high expectations The starters are where the menu hits home run after home run. Take my word for it...this place rocks! read more

Meh for the amount spent I would have expected more. It felt pretentious and reliant on the fact that the owner is a top chef semi finalist... I understand the precedent but stand on quality, not showy accolades, especially when you already didn't come off well on the season. read more

Do NOT go! Save your $$$$$$$$$ I visited Maria Isabel after hearing all the buzz and wanted to experience it for myself. As someone who has traveled extensively, visited Mexico many times, and grown up in Latin America, I had high expectations. I'm also a passionate foodie who appreciates both fine dining and authentic regional cuisine. Unfortunately, this was one of the most disappointing Mexican dining experiences I've had. From the moment we were seated, things felt off. We were placed in a section that felt more like a cafeteria than a fine dining restaurant, and the floor constantly vibrated throughout the meal, making it difficult to relax. Service was inconsistent at best. It was obvious that some tables received far more attention than others. I was dining with my 10-year-old daughter, my mother, and a neighbor. My daughter is accustomed to dining in upscale restaurants, so this wasn't about accommodating a picky child. We simply asked if a meal could be modified for her, and the request was denied without any effort to help. Then came the food. The $54 pescado zarandeado was the biggest disappointment. Instead of highlighting the fish, it arrived smothered in an overly sweet sauce that reminded me of cotton candy. The sweetness completely overwhelmed the fish, which was also excessively salty. For a dish at that price point, it was unacceptable. The beans were undercooked and hard. The sopes were forgettable, and I've had far better at countless neighborhood Mexican restaurants. The final blow was the $18 hot chocolate, which tasted watered down and lacked any richness or depth. Mexican cuisine doesn't need to be complicated. Its beauty lies in fresh ingredients, balanced seasoning, and bold, authentic flavors. Instead, this meal felt over-engineered while missing the fundamentals. Between the disappointing food, inconsistent service, and lackluster atmosphere, I left wondering what all the hype was about. This meal cost several hundred dollars for our table, and not a single dish justified the price. I rarely tell people to skip a restaurant altogether, but this is one I cannot recommend. Save your money and support one of the many restaurants serving genuinely outstanding Mexican food. The ones impressed are those who have not tried real authentic Mexican food. Save your money and skip this place! read more

Our evening at Maria Isabel was truly memorable. The menu offers elevated, original takes on familiar dishes, and each plate was thoughtfully composed. The presentation and flavor combinations were unlike anything we've experienced when ordering similar dishes elsewhere, turning dinner into a bit of a culinary adventure that made the night feel extra special. Highly recommend the octopus salad, ceviche, sea urchin tamalito de maíz, and lamb ribs barbacoa--each dish stood out in its own way. The cocktail menu is equally impressive, with a wide range of creative options to explore. One of the highlights of the evening was the staff. Chef Laura spent time in the dining room connecting with guests, which added to the welcoming atmosphere. Daniel, our server, was warm, attentive, and knowledgeable, offering thoughtful guidance without ever feeling too formal or overbearing. Donny, the bartender, clearly knows his craft--his expertise with unique cocktails and confidence in recommending them made the bar experience especially fun. From the inventive menu to the welcoming staff and warm atmosphere, Maria Isabel delivers an exceptional dining experience. A must-try in San Francisco! read more

I have eaten at some of the best Mexican restaurants in the world. I have been to Pujol, Contramar, and El Chapulim. This restaurant is on another level altogether. The team behind SF's best restaurant, Dalida, have worked their magic once again. Montezuma himself could not have eaten better. read more