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Modernist

3.6 (81 reviews)
Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM

Modernist Photos

Business Info

MODERNIST ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Trendy
Upscale
Classy

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Recommended Reviews - Modernist

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Reviews With Photos

soju, calpico, yuzu, tonic
Samantha O.

It was quite crowded here when I went. It felt super high end and exclusive on the outside but the inside didn't really reflect that vibe. The cocktail menu was ok, I got the one that had soju and calpico but was honestly rather disappointed with the presentation and taste.

Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup
Cyn C.

I wasn't here for an event or drinks but was invited by a member for dinner. The chef makes an amazing Taiwanese beef noodle soup!

Tien N.

This is my first time in a private club (so I have nothing to compare against). From my view and normal go-to location, this place is fancy. You need a membership to get in and they save leftover alc that you do not finish under your name. The place has limited ceiling lights ; however, there were plenty of floor lights so you don't trip over anything. I only went through association :) Despite their only alcoholic option menu, they are very flexible to switch out or make any off the menu for your preference. The service is good. The snack bites are also delicious: truffle fries, karage (okay), and fillet mignon cubes (slight salty for my tolerance but soft to chew). The place doesn't play loud music, so it was an ideal location for social event. I'm so glad to get this experience thanks to my big boss. Hope to get a chance to come again!

Menu 2/2020
Tu-Anh N.

I've been here a several times now for different events--from birthdays, to halloween and even panel events! This spot has some great events, and I like how intimate they are! This swanky spot not only serves unique cocktails with fine ingredients, but serve delicious food too! I've had random bites here and there in the past, which I can't write about because I don't remember much. I will write about the recent drinks I've had: TRUFFLED FURIKAKE CHEX MIX This is complimentary for those who order drinks. It's the best. It has a nice combo or sweet and savory and they make it all there! FOURTEEN - $17 Mezcal, Asian Pear, Walnut, Meyer lemon Oil, Smoked. I loved the smoked part. You definitely sense the walnut and taste the subtle asian pear. There's a good balance of sweetness and strong taste. This drink was perfect. I always have a great time here. The venue isn't too big but it has separate-ish area so it doesn't get too noisy. I look forward to coming back!

Albert K.

Great cocktails at the Modernist. Very courteous staff and always a seat, given it's a private venue. People are social, nights can get busy, and people are open for discussions. Always a great time!

Harneet K.

Came here spontaneously and I had an amazing experience! The entrance is almost hidden and can be easy to miss if you don't know what you are looking for. The inside looks luxurious and its a great place to get together with friends. This was my first private club I've been to and I went with a friend who knows one of the bartenders. I asked the bartender to surprise me with a sweet refreshing drink! I absolutely loved my drink and everyone I went with had an amazing time. Looking forward to coming back.

Ingrid L.

These are some of the sexiest drinks around. The price is right and the atmosphere is lively. If you want unique drinks with special flavorings, you'll find them here and you'll be dying to return. The service is phenomenal. They make you feel so important and the partying demographic is chill. Everything is just amazing here.

Apple O.

The best cocktails and vibe for a TH fashionista at a press conference! There is a variety of drinks tastes ad food! The sushi is bomb and the NioZoMien is AMAZING (only served between 10-11 pm)!!! Love this exclusive vibe!

Tasting menu with drink pairings. Dishes served did not follow menu order.
Adrienne L.

Modernist is one of those private, $$$, invite-only clubs in SF. When my friend decided to have her birthday dinner here, I was like oh daaayum girl! Then I realized they offer public reservations for the dinner tasting menu at 7 PM, every Tuesday through Saturday. Some of the sheen was lost, but I admit I was still excited to check out this semi-exclusive spot. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the bites were for a drinking establishment. It was clear that everything was streamlined and heavily pre-made, but the end product was delightfully enjoyable nonetheless. FOOD Tuna Poke - One of my favorites of the meal. Tuna poke is so common now, I usually don't care to order it. Modernist's interpretation was awesome though. I loved the cube presentation, and the marshmallow-like wasabi base contrasted nicely with the cracker sides. Crab Chawanmushi - Cute presentation, though the tiny spoon was more form than function. Savory flavors were good, albeit a tad heavy on the sodium. Lobster Tempura - The tempura batter could be lighter, and lobster was a tad chewy, but this was a hit. Seabass Shumai - Unique idea, but failed in execution. The shumai dough was undercooked, so it was a bit chewy. The seabass needed more seasoning. Sous Vide Duck Breast - The size of the bite was a little unwieldy, but the duck was quite tender. Seared NY Strip - My piece was a tad stringy, though it was juicy and nicely seasoned. This bite was probably the favorite among my table. Short Rib Gua Bao - Ugh, so good. Soft bao, tender meat, and bursting with flavor. This Taiwanese girl was very happy with this bite. Truffle Macaron - This was a savory sweet macaron, sort of similar to PB&J. I didn't taste the truffle flavor, and the inside had some sort of fruit jelly. My table agreed that this was least favorite bite of the meal. COCKTAILS Modernist knows how to make a damn good cocktail! My absolute favorite cocktail was the Waygu Whiskey, Cab Reduction, and Truffle Oil. I've previously had a pork belly infused bourbon cocktail that I didn't particularly care for - too weirdy meaty. The waygu whiskey reminded me of that drink, but it had none of the animal taste and all of the fatty silky texture. Combined with cab and truffle flavors, I couldn't stop drinking this. Luckily they kept the refills coming! I also enjoyed the Tomato Celery Blood Orange Compote, Calabrian Chile Oil drink, as well as the Japanese Whiskey, Cinnamon, and Jasmine combo. SERVICE The timing was atrocious, taking nearly three hours from the first bite to the last savory bite in a 10 bite meal. I was looking forward to the Reese's Coupe dessert, but after four hours in and no dessert in sight, I called it a night! The tasting menu was also served out of order because they decided it would be better in a new order. Other than confusing our group and having multiple people ask about skipped courses, it also seemed like careless service. Besides the timing, service was good, with water glasses and cocktails constantly refilled. They weren't skimping on the prix fixe drinks. I would recommend Modernist for a special occasion or celebration, as long as you have four leisurely hours to spare and aren't starving.

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3 years ago

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7 months ago

We had an alumni gathering at Modernist, with cocktails and snacks. The restaurant was shut down. But the bar and cocktail area were lovely.

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5 years ago

Nice atmosphere. $95 for three cocktails with measured shots. Only accept cash tips on top of that for some reason. Enough said.

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Ask the Community - Modernist

How do I try this beef noodle soup WITHOUT being a member or having to do the tasting menu? I love beef noodle soup but don't need to do the tasting menu or be a member. Thanks!

If you know a member you can get in. Or sometimes public events. Beef noodle soup is only served Friday's and Saturdays after 10p.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - Modernist

Carlo created beautiful, delicious cocktails, the sushi was A+, Chris, Erin and the rest of the staff were perfectly attentive.

Mentioned in 5 reviews

Read more highlights

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4.9(135 reviews)
1.2 miTenderloin
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My bestie already celebrated my birthday with me, but she still wanted to take me out on a little…read moredate -- which was honestly so sweet. She surprised me with a reservation at Ox + Tiger and I was immediately impressed. The restaurant only seats 8 people, making the whole experience super intimate and personal. When Japanese and Filipino flavors come together, you get such a unique fusion cuisine inspired by chef couple Ej and Hatomi. Dinner was more than just a meal it was a 2 to 2.5 hour storytelling experience about their menu creations, how they met, and the grind behind keeping their dream alive. The menu changes monthly, so even if I told you what we had, you probably wouldn't get the same dishes unless you book now lol. It's a 3-course menu with optional add-ons, and definitely unlike any restaurant I've been to before. As a Filipino, I'll admit I can be picky with Filipino-inspired food because we grow up spoiled by our parents' cooking but this? I was genuinely impressed. Think familiar flavors recreated in their own creative and elevated way. Highly recommend.

First started as a pop-up in 2018, Ox+Tiger offers Filipino/Japanese fusion cuisine inspired by the…read morelives of the two chefs behind the kitchen. Situated in a small, 8 seat counter, dinner is intimate with dishes being prepared right in front of you. The menu features three courses, an appetizer, main, and a dessert - with the option for an additional add-on. Our meal featured a focus on fish, in particular mackerel and monkfish. Each of the dishes were deconstructions of familiar concepts such as Caesar salad and a California roll, but enhanced with new flavors. The mackerel was sublime, perfectly charred exterior with a still raw interior. The monkfish was tender, coated in a ginger, wasabi sauce next to crispy sweet rice and avocado. The dessert was by far the most unique, being a miso dashi, mushroom cherry coated coconut ice cream with a tupig-like mochi on the side. The savory, sweet, sour combination completely catches you off guard but becomes increasingly addictive the more you eat. So bold and absolutely memorable. Ox&Tiger takes familiar concepts, breaks them apart, then fuses them back together with a flair of Filipino and Japanese flavors. This results in dishes that are utterly unique and innovative. Additionally, with menus and playlists designed by family, this truly feels like the epitome of a family-run business and a meal cooked with so much care in front of you. This is absolutely worth a visit and an opportunity to try new flavors you've never experienced before.

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Do-Re-Mi - Taiwanese Pork Onigiri ($3.80)

Do-Re-Mi

4.8(83 reviews)
2.8 miMission

Update: Iam so impressed with how this was handled. shortly after my first review, the management…read more(Judy) reached out to me personally. they were genuinely concerned about the mistake and the potential allergy risk, which I really appreciated. They quickly cleared up a mix up with the order number and issued a full refund immediately. The onigiri and sushi bake were already hits with my daughter, so we'll definitely be returning soon. My son is still looking forward to trying that taiwanese minced pork bowl

I came here at the recommendation of a friend in the neighborhood, and honestly, my thoughts about…read morethe place so far are that the food and experience were average. Everything about the ordering process and the quality of the food itself was good but not great. There was no wow factor or anything that left me feeling extra motivated to return, but I also wouldn't be opposed if I were nearby and craving onigiri. There's a single kiosk in-store to order at, but you can also place an order with the person working the counter if it's not too busy. I wasn't sure what I wanted immediately, so I waited for one of my friends to finish before ordering. I added 1 unagi eel, 1 unagi onigiri, and 1 crab onigiri to my basket and checked out. I have absolutely no idea what's the difference between "unagi eel" and "unagi onigiri", and when I went to pick up my order, the staff member told me my order was two unagi and one crab. However, I was charged $4.50 for the unagi eel and $4.30 for the unagi onigiri, so go figure. I could not detect a difference between the two, and the price of each averaged out to $4.40, so it's whatever. I unwrapped one of the unagi onigiris to eat in-store as we waited for a Zoox to arrive. It was actually pretty difficult to extricate the seaweed and rice ball filling in one piece to consume together, which I presume is because the onigiris are each made-to-order and due to the freshness, the separate ingredients haven't had a chance to marinate and congeal together. As I had not eaten all day, I quickly devoured the onigiris before and after our short ride back to a café where some of our other friends were waiting. The onigiris were, as I mentioned before, pretty standard minus the fact they kind of fell apart. I would say if you like onigiris, then these will get the job done, but they're nothing exceptional, so keep your standards at baseline.

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Do-Re-Mi - Onigiris so yummy

Onigiris so yummy

Do-Re-Mi - New fave spot! Kind staff, yummy sushi bake (I ate it all ), refreshing drinks & great prices. Will be back--highly recommend!

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Do-Re-Mi - Taiwanese pork onigiri, salmon onigiri, honey chrysanthemum tea

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Kothai Republic - End of season persimmons

Kothai Republic

4.6(471 reviews)
4.5 miInner Sunset

I'm truly heartbroken to hear that this restaurant has closed and even more so that I didn't get a…read morechance to visit one last time in it's last days. I've dined here more than a handful of times and every visit was memorable. Sung and his team consistently delivered exceptional food, every dish was solid and clearly made with pride. You could taste the quality and it was consistent every single time. Beyond the food, what always stood out was the hospitality. Sung genuinely made an effort to connect with his guests, remembering faces, checking in at the table and ensuring everyone felt welcomed and valued. He made sure you had a good experience and you could tell he cared. One thing I've learned on my food journey is this: follow the chef. When you find someone who pours heart into their craft, you support them wherever they go next! Looking forward to whatever Sung does next. I already know it's for sure going to be just as good!

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Sisterita

Sisterita

4.5(1.1k reviews)
0.6 miFinancial District
$$
Locally sourced ingredients
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Excellent service! My only advice is to come and see for yourself. When we called to ask about a…read morewait, they mentioned there was not wait... part of the reason they do that is because they don't keep a list. You either have reservations or you're a walk in and you stand in line until a table is available for you. At first this was strange, but I think it makes for a better experience. The team was incredible, they were so kind on a day that can be stressful for a small restaurant. We had incredible food. I was so happy to get my Eggs Royale and my husband said the French toast was the best he's ever had. (Even comparing it to French toast in Paris) No notes. This will be our Mother's Day place going forward next time with reservations.

My partner and I decided to go to the city one weekend and decided we wanted brunch. After looking…read morethrough some place, we came across Sisterita and it looked very promising. It seems like this place is an asian fusion brunch place incorporating french dishes into thai/asian themed dishes which is up our alley. We made a reservation at 1:45 PM and we had to wait for about an extra 30 minutes before getting seated. Initially, I wanted to try their crab fried rice but unfortunately they were out of crab. We decided to get the Alcatraz Escape and the Brioche french toast which were recommended by the wait staff. The staff was generally friendly and accommodating but I can tell they were swamped and stressed out with all the people they were trying to serve. The food itself tasted decent, the Alcatraz Escape had a tasty flavor which incorporates tom yum paste (sweet, sour, tangy flavor) into their scramble with about 4 shrimps. The side of crispy chicken was good but nothing that stood out to us. The brioche was soft but there wasn't much flavoring besides the fruits and caramelized banana. It was served with evaporated milk which made the brioche soft but not adding much flavor to it. The price however was quite pricey. For two dishes as a side we paid around $78 with tax and tip.

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Modernist - social_clubs - Updated May 2026

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