Have been wanting to try this place for a while and glad I finally did. They are in the same family as State Bird and Anchovy Bar so we had high expectations. Every dish had really great flavor, but the standout was definitely the smoked duck. I haven't had one so well cooked in a restaurant! We also got the drink "one punch man" which is a play on the anime (I think), and was deeeeelicious. Staff were pretty attentive as well. Highly recommend for date night or celebration. read more

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Came here twice recently -- once set menu, once à la carte -- and loved both experiences. My favorites have been the smoked duck and the floating island dessert. I love the peanut rice that comes with the smoked duck, and the floating island dessert feels like a true Michelin dessert with unique flavors and beautiful presentation. I'll be back! read more

Had a chance to try The Progress, sister restaurant of State Birds Provisions and had a great time! If you are looking for a Michelin Star restaurant this is a nice spot to try out for a different variety of dishes. The meal is meant to be family style, so what you order is fun to share with the entire table. Service was also very nice here - and enjoyed that they changed the plates after a few of the tries - I do wish though that some plates were not so chipped. We got to try: * tempura zapallito squash (3/5) - this was a deep fried squash dish which came with a nice sauce on the bottom which added flavor. This dish was okay, but nice if you are looking for a crunch * Full belly farm fresh dug potatoes (4/5) - I really enjoyed this dish personally as I am a huge fan of the fish - the creamy dill sauce was fantastic and the flavors went well together * corn & black pepper-ricotta cavatelli (5/5) - I really liked this dish a lot, especially with how unique it was. I am a huge fan of corn and every bite a sweet pillowy cheesy crunch to it which I enjoyed * caviar potato cloud (5/5) - If you like caviar and potatoes this is a really cool dish. I loved that there was a potato foam on top and there was crispy crunchy pieces of potato on the bottom. Overall the dish really went well together and would highly recommend to try one! * Alaskan halibut (3/5) - this dish was good but nothing outstanding in terms of a unique sense. It was a little more poached and came with a nice broth sauce. The fish was tender but nothing I haven't had before * Grilled bone-in pork chop (5/5) - I personally really loved this dish as it also came with fried squid, beans and this delicious berry compote. The pork chop was nice and soft - and all the flavors and textures went really well together * bbq liberty farms half duck (4/5) - this is the dish that the Progress is famous for and it did not disappoint! The duck was soft, melt in your mouth and really well made. Personally, i wish there was some sort of sauce that went with the duck (as the fried rice was yummy but very simple) but this was a fun dish to try * Donuts w ice cream - this was the first dessert on the menu and I thoroughly enjoyed this. I wish the donuts were a little warmer but delicious nonetheless! * semifreddo - this is a lighter dessert, with creaminess and tart. Overall enjoyed this one as well! Progress was a good experience and definitely worth to try out atleast once! read more

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Good spot for a drink or a date night. The BBQ LIBERTY FARMS HALF DUCK is definitely a winner. The CAVIAR POTATO CLOUD is tasty, but at $14, it's a bit overpriced. The TEMPURA FUTSU SQUASH was lovely, and for dessert, the soufflé cheesecake was a nice finish. ENJOY! read more

I came here because a friend reserved a table upstairs, which was very cute and cozy. Unfortunately, the service left a lot to be desired--our servers were cold and not very communicative. I wish they had been a bit warmer and more welcoming. The food was okay--not exceptional--but I did enjoy the rice with duck and the cucumber dish. They also had a nice selection of wines. read more

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The place is nice with lots of seating. You have to reserve it advance. Food is not great and they force you to order more dishes. Good selection of drinks with good service. Overall decent experience. read more

The Progress - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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*LOCATION* This restaurant is located in Japantown SF. There's street parking but don't leave stuff in your car since the area is not that nice. The front of the restaurant itself looks very unassuming and is almost like a hole in the wall. *WAIT TIME* We had a birthday reservation for Saturday night at 7:30pm, so we didn't have to wait. We got seated instantly despite it being a packed restaurant. *FOOD* There is an a la carte menu with a diverse range of dishes ranging from veggies to meats and appetizers. - Caviar Potato Cloud: small portion, but DELICIOUS!!! It was very airy and light, like potato foam. Suggest ordering one for each person. - Fire-kissed shishito peppers: spicy and tasty. the sauce was interesting and leveled out the spicier pieces. - Cavatelli pasta: Pasta was nice and chewy. the blackberries actually paired pretty well - Half duck: Unpopular opinion but the duck ($$$!) was just okay. It had the texture of ham, which is not something we expected. The rice was good, but a little too gingery. Not a fan of how the rice was inundated with sauce. - Doughnuts with ice cream: The doughnuts were more chewy rather than fluffy but the ice cream was good PRO TIP: make sure to finish your appetizers before expecting the main entree. We were trying to save the pasta to eat with the duck, but ended up sitting there for a looooong time before realizing that the waitress was waiting for us to finish the pasta. OOPS LOL! *SERVICE* Our waitress was great! She patiently answered out many questions and checked on us several times throughout the meal. *AMBIENCE* The inside was fully packed but it surprisingly wasn't too loud. The interior looked very clean and modern. The only con was that I felt the tables were a bit little too close together... I could literally reach out and touch the person next to me! read more

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Really enjoyed this spot! Great to come with a group. Apps were okay... mains were delicious. Service is fast and the ambiance inside is so lovely! here is what we got: -Caviar Potato Cloud (3/5): it was honestly a bit cold and the potato was not as crispy as I would have liked. The flavors were there though, just a bit dull given the temperature and texture. -Bok choy and tofu (3/5): also just alright... nothing special. nice lighter addition to the meal -Albacore (2/5): honestly, was not a huge fan of the albacore. Not as melty as I would usually like fresh sashimi that is seared. -Brown butter seaweed noodles (4.5/5): these noodles were cooked perfectly al dente with a nice mushroom sauce, excellent savory flavor! I was really scraping up every last bite of sauce since it was so good... I just wish the portion was bigger! -Half duck (5/5): honestly, this made the meal. Might have been the best duck I have ever had, and I do not even like duck. The meat was so tender and juicy, with the nice crisp skin, and the fried rice was cooked perfectly! a bit al dente almost, with a nice almost crispiness, pairing so well with each thinly sliced piece of duck I would come here for the brown butter seaweed noodles and the half duck! Those two make the progress so worth it :) read more

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We went last night for a small bite and drinks. They don't disappoint. We were happily seated and greeted very kindly by the wait staff. Everyone was extremely welcoming and friendly. I honestly love San Francisco because of this type of warmth of a restaurant. I enjoyed the scallop crudo so much. I was tempted to get a second one. It was lovely and meticulously displayed on a bed of ice. Seriously, the attention to detail is really remarkable. Thank you for being so close in proximity to us and so enjoyable. I'm so grateful that the atmosphere and the people and staff were oozing with friendliness. I can't commend them enough. The restaurant design is killer too. Definitely go, and you won't be disappointed. Neighboring table got the seaweed noodles and it smelled incredible. The sparkling brut was a tad sweet but still a treat. Thank you for giving me a taste first. read more

Convinced by a friend, we gave The Progress a try despite not loving State Bird Provisions years ago. We're glad we did, as the food had some great highlights. Overall, we enjoyed the meal, though some dishes stood out more than others. The caviar potato cloud was fantastic (great texture contrast), the Hokkaido scallop crudo was refreshing, and the black cod was absolutely perfect--moist, soft, and smooth. Less impressive were the Hodo tofu and the sesame bread, which was served cold. We were surprised by the service and seating for a one-star restaurant. Our waitress was unhelpful with recommendations and the general service felt less attentive than expected. The close seating (our table was half an inch from the next) was also awkward and unexpected. We may return, but it's not a top priority for us. read more

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honestly it's worth a try because of the hype for the duck, which is good, but maybe not spectacular. a lot of the menu is overpriced and you will definitely leave feeling not fully fulfilled. service is amazing and they give great recommendations since they know the menu well read more

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The Ambiance was amazing. Sultry and beautiful interior. The bathroom was beautiful too. The food was incredibly tasty but the duck was easy overpriced at $80. I will say that you should get reservations here. They are very crowded. The bartenders weren't too attentive though. I would come back here again though. The food is definitely delicious. read more

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A Stellar Experience at The Progress in San Francisco Dining at The Progress in the Fillmore was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel like we were guests at their dinner table--warm, and welcoming JJ our server was incredibly knowledgeable. Her passion for hospitality truly set the tone for a memorable birthday celebration for my son Austin. The bartender, Will, was fantastic and crafted a delicious cocktail called The Punchman and the P-40 which we thoroughly enjoyed. Every dish we tried was beautifully prepared, but a few stood out as unforgettable: the caviar potatoes cloud, which was an unexpected and delightful surprise The seasonal squash salad was light and crisp a wonderful delight to my pallet, and the duck--absolutely scrumptious. I'd come back just for that. This restaurant deserves every bit of its Michelin star. I'll be returning and recommending The Progress to all my friends and family! read more

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I had an excellent dinner experience here. The service was very attentive and they paced the meal very well, which can be difficult with this style of "small bites" eating We loved all the food that we got, and the tofu was a surprise highlight. We ordered nine dishes for the four of us, and that was probably a few too many... We were all stuffed!Many of the dishes I felt like I had not had anything like it before, so it was super fun to discover each dish. Potato cloud - it's a classic for a reason! it's somehow very potato-y and the caviar with the crispies are just delicious. Seaweed noodles - these are super savory and taste like the sea in a delicious way Guinea hen sausage - this is the only item I probably wouldn't order again. It was tasty, but just not as special as the other dishes. This is definitely a special occasion restaurant for me, but well worth it! read more

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I love State Bird Provisions, and finally got to try The Progress! The entrance is a little tight, but the space opens up and the restaurant came off as cozy and bustling during the dinner rush; a fairly intimate atmosphere. Though the space is tight, I found the staff friendly and never felt rushed. The standout dish of my night was the caviar potato cloud, it's sized for one person, so get your own, unlike the rest of the menu which is for family-style. I also heartily recommend the seaweed noodles for the sauce, and the half duck if you have the room for it. I don't usually get duck and this was my friend's choice on it, but wow! It was a great pick as I don't think I've tasted duck this great before. Dim lighting enhanced the relaxed vibe. I appreciated the gender-agnostic private restrooms. Definitely check out the cocktail menu, and probably a spot I would come back just for the cocktails (when it's less busy, if ever!). I went with a friend and we tried a few, and "One Punch Man" is a must-try highlight from the list! read more

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Celebrated a big birthday so my friends kindly hired the balcony table which seats about 12. Prix fixe .. food & service were superlative It was a magical night & while the trout & sliced Duck breast were delicious, the standouts were the salads & vegetables I had forgotten how great this place is. Service too was outstanding & the whole experience sublime Thank you for making a milestone birthday one of the best dining experiences I've had in yrs. read more

Came here for the duck. While it's good the highlights were the caviar potato cloud and Hikari Farms cucumber. Good starter before the duck. Service was lacking that evening. I noted on the reservation it was for a birthday celebration but there was no acknowledgment whatsoever. Our server seemed to come over after her teammates already cleared the dishes etc. Maybe that's how they operate. Good team work. Ambiance - dark and noisy. read more

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We absolutely loved the progress as much as we did state bird! The service was excellent with the correct number of check-ins, everything came out timely and the ambiance is exactly what we were expecting on a weekday reservation. It's cozy and spacious and the music isn't too loud so you can actually have a proper conversation. The standouts: One punch man is an excellent drink. Might I say one of the best cocktails I've ever had? The alcohol is subtle and the pandan adds a unique twist that isn't too coconut forward. We could definitely finish over 10 of these! The duck and caviar cloud were my absolute favorites and the yuzu semifreddo (not pictured). read more

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TLDR: ambiance = awesome, service = fine, wine = very solid, food = most disappointing Michelin star meal I've had. Their sister restaurant State Bird is one of my favorites in the city, so we were really excited to try The Progress. The restaurant is beautiful, and echos some of the aesthetics of State Bird but much more tranquil and upscale. We split 6 dishes on the menu, and not one of them really "worked", maybe with the exception of the potato foam caviar cloud (fun and unique). The albacore was beautiful but the spice on the fish completely overwhelmed the dish and it ended up tasting like eating fish jerky with pickled habaneros. The squid and sausage sounded delicious but just didn't go together, it was like someone took two random ingredients and threw them on a plate, the tofu was fine but very forgettable, the masa dumplings were kind of like luke warm tater tots, and to cap things off the Josey Baker donuts (while we love all things Josey) were cold half way stale next to some meh ice cream, we probably should've sent them back but at that point we were kinda done. I'm not sure what is going on here, but it's definitely not a spot I'll return to with so many other options in SF read more

This restaurant has been on my list for a while, and I finally checked it out recently. It didn't disappoint! They release reservations 30 days in advance through OpenTable. If you want to secure some prime dinner time over the weekend, it's better to set a reminder to secure your spots. They serve creative family-style meals featuring local produce. We ordered a variety of dishes to try, and our top favorites were: BBQ Liberty Farms half duck - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! It's their signature dish~ The meat was thinly sliced and cooked to perfection, with a tender texture that paired very well with peanut fried rice and pickled vegetables. Brown butter seaweed noodles - the noodles were springy and flavorful. Loved the oyster mushrooms and umami flavor. Coal-roasted peas & Half Moon Bay wasabi - the ingredients were so fresh, and the wasabi sauce helped cleanse the palate and added a refreshing element to the dish. read more

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3.5/5 For a Michelin-star restaurant, I did expect a bit more. First off, the ambiance is definitely not for a romantic date, a one-on-one, or even most family events. I'd say it's more business casual, a place you go with coworkers or for a work dinner. It's financial district personified. The noise level is high. I was there on a Tuesday evening for a birthday dinner with my partner back in November, and we didn't get much quality conversation in. We were able to strictly enjoy our meals, though. To our right, a couple of doctors were chatting endlessly. How do I know they were doctors? They couldn't stop talking about it and gossiping about their co-workers' level of education. Very status- and elitist-type conversation. Honestly, it was a turn off, and I had trouble focusing on my partner and my meal because of the level of obnoxiousness. :( On the bright side, there was a couple on a date night to our left who were genuinely sweet! I didn't try the famous duck (I usually stick to chicken or fish), but the diners next to us generously shared theirs unprompted, which was soooo kind of them. I love authentic acts of kindness. My partner did try the duck, and he said it was delicious. Honestly, from the looks of it, it's a huge portion and too much for two people unless you come hungry! So now onto the meal we ordered: 1. Whole Wheat Sesame Bread - 7/10 Tough and crunchy with a slightly burnt exterior, soft inside, and super salty butter. 2. Caviar Potato Cloud - 8/10 I enjoyed it! It wasn't quite as hyped as I expected. Yes, it was very light and fluffy, but I still thought it would be a bit denser. I mean... how light can you really make potato? This comes close, though. I suppose I could put mashed potatoes in a frother and make the same thing (kidding, I have no idea lol). 3. Hokkaido Scallop Crudo - 7/10 Hm, interesting. If you like poke bowls with fresh fish, you'll probably enjoy this. Not exactly my cup of tea, but maybe my partner liked it more! 4. Brown Butter Seaweed Noodles - 8/10 Yummy and VERY buttery. I'd dial down the butteriness just a touch, even though, yes, it literally says "butter" in the name. 5. Fried Whole McFarland Springs Trout - 7/10 The crispy, crunchy exterior kind of overpowers the flavor of the fish itself. Overall, still decent! 6. Conejo Malo (Drink) - 10/10 Delicious drink with the coolest giant rectangular prism of an ice cube running the entire length of the glass. I need to try this at home. 7. Pumpkin Chocolate Ice Cream - 10/10 Absolutely loved it! read more

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Hands down one of the most incredible dinners I've ever had in SF. Every bite was literally 5D -- the multidimensionality and delicate balance of each flavor profile subtly balancing sweet, savory, umami, texture, and saltiness was perfect in every bite. I already know I'll be dreaming of this again. read more

Came here for an anniversary dinner and I can proudly say another Michelin star restaurant has been experienced. From the service to the food to the drinks, this is truly one of the best that sf has to offer. To start off, the one punch man was a knockout cocktail that was a rum and bourbon base with pandan that was slightly sweet and smooth. For dinner we tried the tierra vegetables masa dumplings, tomato and eggplant, turmeric grilled alaskan halibut, and bbq liberty farms half duck. Each dish was fresh, unique, and delicious and the star had to be the duck dish. I love duck and this was the best I've had it even down to the presentation and fried rice that was paired with it. The service here is fantastic and the style felt upscale and modern. Truly a fantastic experience. read more

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Very nice dinner, but not necessarily where I was expecting. The food was overall great, service was a bit uneven.. We waited a very long time between our second and third course while entree to dessert time was instantaneous. They add some random 6.5% charge which is very disappointing - wish they would include that in the menu prices instead. We got Potato caviar cloud - not as good as I expected, cloud was too soft, caviar got lost. And it felt like it needed a runny egg. Crudo- very delicious, great flavors, hard to screw up crudo any way but this was a good specimen. Progdog- gotta say this was the best hot dog I've ever had. It's very satisfying. Duck - was really expecting a great duck based on reviews and it was... Good. The rice was the highlight, so delicious and crispy parts were the best. Duck itself was okay - very mild flavour and I've definitely had lots of better duck breasts. The duck leg was actually really good though. I would not get it again if I came back. Semifreddo - wow!! Amazing dessert, such interesting combination. It had a jam at the bottom which I think actually took away from the dessert and made it a bit too sweet but really standout. read more

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My wife and I felt like eating at a one Michelin starred restaurant. We were able to get reservations here the night before. Upon entering, the restaurant was very light, airy and clean. Noise level is on the higher side. The format here is family style. Service was excellent. Everything looked good on the menu. My wife cannot take any type of spicy heat. Tried to stay away from that. We ordered: josey baker whole grain bread 4/5: came with homemade butter topped with nuts. The bread tasted fresh but wished the whipped butter had a stronger butter flavor. riverdog farm pig head 4/5: this was a cured ham on top of fennel and lettuce with a citrusy sauce. This was very good, but a bit too spicy for my wife. burrata & crispy scarlet runner beans 5/5: this surprised me as I didn't expect the beans to be that crispy. This was served with some peaches on top. The flavor combinations put together was very good. Again, it was bit too spicy for my wife. hikari farms cucumber & strawberry salad 4/5: this tasted very fresh. I liked the cojita cheese on top. I didn't think would be spicy, but it was, so my wife could not eat too much of this either. bbq liberty farms half duck 5/5: this was the star of the night. Loved that each piece was charred on the top yet cooked perfectly so that it was not dry. My only request was that a half portion could be offered when only dining with two people. So good, but ended up taking some home. earl grey old fashioned donuts 3/5: this was a bit on the dry side, needing the ice cream that accompanied it. My wife liked it, but I would not order this again. buckwheat crêpes 3/5: these crepes were good accompanied by bittersweet chocolate ice cream and cherries. The combination was good, but would try another option next time. Overall, I enjoyed my experience at The Progress. I wished more of the dishes were not spicy, so that my wife could enjoy it more. The spice level was perfect for me though. So if you are the type who does not like spice, beware. Other than that, great experience. read more

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Absolutely delicious! The service was great, everyone was very friendly. Very accommodating of my nut allergies. For drinks, we ordered the vodka martini and Manhattan. I liked the rosemary oil in the martini and the Manhattan had a nice, subtle taste. We ordered the Riverdog farm pig head, Full belly farm fresh dug potatoes, Local halibut crudo, and Bbq liberty farms half duck. Riverdog farm pig head: 7/10 fennel, aprium, & chile fish sauce. Needed a sauce or drizzle to add some moisture to the dish. The pig head slices were comparable to prosciutto in texture and taste. Full belly farm fresh dug potatoes: 9/10 mendocino nori tartar & summer squash. The sauce that is under the potatoes was SO yummy. It was tangy, dilly, and creamy; I'll be craving that sauce for a while. The potatoes were cooked perfectly. Local halibut crudo: 10/10 watermelon aguachile, cucumber & nigella seed. The aguachile is to die for. Everything about this dish was fresh and light, but flavorful. The halibut tasted like it was just caught. I liked the pieces of cantaloupe. Bbq liberty farms half duck: 11/10 fried rice & smoked chile vinegar. The dish is nut-allergy friendly, the peanuts are only a garnish and can request to not include it. This duck dish was so delicious. The ginger in the fried rice complimented the duck. The duck was cooked perfectly. Perfect portion to share between 2 people. Let me just say, all of the dishes we ordered were delectable and everything tasted SO FRESH and cleanly cooked. The pricing is overpriced, especially for the portion sizing of the dishes (besides the duck). But, for how fresh everything tasted, I would say it's semi-worth it. I 100% recommend The Progress. Perfect spot for a date night or small party for a special occasion. I will be going back soon! read more

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Finally visited the Progress after seeing their BBQ duck everywhere! Definitely on the pricey side for the amount of food, so I'd reserve this spot for nicer occasions. We came for a birthday and brought in a cake, which cost $6 per person to cut and serve. Our reservation was around 8:30, and we stayed until about 11! Standout dishes that we ordered: the brown butter seaweed noodles, Duck (of course), and pork chop. I'd skip on the potato cloud and shaved pigs head next time. Service was attentive and great, but dishes took a while to come out. read more

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Spent Valentines Day 2024 and a monthaversary at The Progress, after having been to State Bird a year ago. (Sister restaurants FTW! And they are not just sisters, but they are neighbors... literally) Made reservations a couple days in advance through Open Table and upon arriving, I was greeted and coat checked. Ambiance is classic, modern, relaxed vibes with tables, booths, and bar seating. Interior is dimly light, perfect for date night! We ordered: Hokkaido Scallop Crudo, Caviar Cloud, Artichoke Toast, Smoked Andouille Sausage, Dungeness Crab & Parsnip Anglotti, and the Chocolate Rye Cake. For drinks, One Punch Man. The Caviar cloud was a miss for me. While the play on texture with the cloud like potato and crunchy bits were fun, the caviar itself was a miss. Super tiny caviar that was saltier than normal for me. The Sausage dish was also a miss. Nothing fancy... taste like the hot dogs my mom puts in her Filipino Spaghetti. However, the Scallop, Artichoke Toast, and Dungeness crab dish made up for it. The cheese with the artichoke and black trumpet mushroom was a match made in heaven! The whole dish complimented itself incredibly well. And the toast was PERFECTLY toasted.... not too toasted where it's crunchy and scrapes the roof of your mouth each bite but just the perfect amount of crisp. The scallops were fresh and had tons of flavor. The dungeness crab with anglotti and truffle was CHEFS KISS!! The best pasta like dish I've ever had, and it beats out Flour + Water/Penny Roma pasta for me. Service was kind - made sure we were taken care of promptly and that we had water at all times. Happy to have had the chance to dine here! read more

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Dining at The Progress feels like attending a dinner party thrown by your coolest, most talented chef friend--who also happens to have a Michelin star. The vibe is warm, stylish, and just the right amount of upscale without feeling stiff. The family-style format means you get to sample a little bit of everything, and trust me, you want to try everything. We kicked things off with the house-made sourdough with seaweed butter--simple, but a total standout. That butter is briny, rich, and totally addictive. Then came the hamachi crudo with citrus and chili--it was bright, balanced, and beautifully plated. Like eating sunshine, if sunshine had umami. The heritage pork with fermented chili glaze was pure magic. Charred on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth tender inside, and bursting with layered heat and funk. It was the kind of dish that made the table go quiet for a second--always a good sign. Vegetables aren't an afterthought here either--the charred cabbage with sunflower seed miso was one of the sleeper hits of the night. Deep, nutty, slightly sweet, and incredibly satisfying. For dessert, the milk tea ice cream with brown butter mochi was wild--in the best way. Creamy, nutty, chewy, and nostalgic all at once. Service was on point: warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely excited about the food. You can tell this is a team that loves what they're doing, and it shows in every bite. The Progress is the kind of place you go to celebrate something--or just to feel like something should be celebrated. read more

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I'm always a bit nervous to dine at a restaurant I have high expectations for -- The Progress is one of those rare beauties that absolutely lives up to its reputation. From the service to the decor to the food, everything was exceptional. Our waitress was attentive but not overbearing, and the lighting was bright yet cozy -- not particularly romantic, but certainly intimate. The menu rotates seasonally and offers a mix of fusion Californian fare. We started with the smoked sausage, which was flavorful with a bit of sweetness -- it wasn't overly porky and we liked that it was make entirely in-house. Our next dish was asparagus and lime tofu, which turned out to be surprisingly delicious, and would've been our favorite of the night if it hadn't been for the duck. But wow, was that duck something else. The presentation was gorgeous, and it tasted even better than it looked. It was an extremely large portion, and we couldn't finish it between the two of us (they were kind enough to pack us the leftovers, but the fatty duck wasn't as good the next day. We'd recommend splitting the plate between three or four people and adding on a second, smaller entree to share). We closed the meal with the mochi donuts, which while good were nothing in comparison to the rest of the dinner. Dessert could be skipped in lieu of another of the creative appetizers or sides. Overall, The Progress will stand as one of the all-time best meals we've had in SF. It's well worth the work securing a reservation and the accompanying price tag (which, notably, didn't break the bank too much). read more

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My husband and I finally got to try the progress! It's been on our list for some time. We ordered the potato cloud, the toast with artichoke and the duck of course. I thought the potato cloud with the caviar on the bottom was pretty unique. You likely won't find that elsewhere. The artichoke toast was pretty decent. The duck was as cooked perfectly. I do wish there were 1-2 more dishes on the menu that gave that wow factor. I'd definitely want to come back to try it. But if it's your first time here, order the duck and you won't be disappointed. Comes with a fried rice, served almost Thai style. Service was good and tentative. The restaurant itself was booked even on a Monday! read more

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I came here for my birthday dinner and had an absolutely wonderful time and experience. Service was attentive and kind, plus the ambiance is stunning. My favorite dishes of the night were the pig head, smoked duck and scallops. The drinks were also delicious and well balanced. If you need a spot for a special occasion, this is the place for you. read more

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The Progress was my first Michelin-starred restaurant experience and I was looking forward to it very much. And the food was delicious! We were seated right when it opened at 5:30pm, and the first 20 min of the evening were fantastic. We started with caviar potato cloud and masa dumplings, and they were heavenly. The music was fun with an 80s underground vibe (Roxy Music, Talking Heads, Cure...some of my faves). My margarita was very good too. And then the restaurant filled up, and the experience went a bit off the rails. The music got louder. People were seated next to us, almost shoulder to shoulder, and their loud conversation made it difficult to hear my spouse right across the table. A server asked if we had received the potatoes yet (which was odd - don't they keep track of what food they bring?)...at first I said "yes" thinking they meant the caviar potato cloud, but we then realized they were asking about the front porch farm potatoes, so we clarified "no", we had not yet received the potatoes, or the crispy hodo tofu, or the liberty farms duck. A different server popped by and said they noticed one of us was a vegetarian and asked if we wanted some extra fried rice with the duck and we said, "yes please." My wife enjoyed the tofu, and I enjoyed the duck. And we both enjoyed the yummy cheesecake. We didn't really enjoy the very loud conversation from the next table about, like, horror movies or like, coworkers like, with bad fashion sense ( they said "like" a lot). Those front porch farm potatoes we ordered never showed. Nor did the extra fried rice that was kindly offered. But when the bill came, it included a charge for the farm potatoes. The server removed the charge, after pushing back a bit. I thought that challenge was also odd. If the bill had been $125 for the two of us, I'd give 4 stars (average of 5 for food and 3 for service). But since the bill was almost double that, I think there should be a higher standard for stars. I hope my next Michelin-star restaurant experience goes better! read more

Unfortunately, I didn't have a really good experience dining at The Progress. I came here to celebrate an anniversary dinner with my partner and upon entering, all of the staff were so kind and the ambience was so beautiful. As we were seated however, I noticed that the tables were so squished together and almost touching so that we could hear every conversation next to us. Our server was really nice and attentive and we ended up splitting about five dishes. Overall, I thought the food was good, but not super memorable or spectacular. The portions are definitely on the smaller side, but the dishes we ordered felt pretty light (with the exception of the brown butter seaweed noodles). For the smaller bites, I tried the caviar cloud which was a nice rendition of "chips and caviar" and also the masa dumplings. The masa dumplings felt a little bit underwhelming to me and I wish that the huitlacoche was more prominent. I think one of my favorite dishes was probably the scallop crudo as I thought the citrusy sauce was really bright and complementary towards the buttery scallop. The Bok choy and hodo tofu was light and well cooked, but again, nothing spectacular or to rave about. Everything in the dinner felt pretty light up until the brown butter seaweed noodles. I thought that this dish was good overall, but also really really salty. I wish they would've cut back on the salt a bit to let the umami flavors shine. After this, I finished off the meal with the lemon olive oil cake, which was good and then the peanut milk. Had this experience been it, I probably would have given four stars. So why three stars? So as previously mentioned, the tables were really close to each other, and we noticed that the couple next to us were also celebrating their anniversary and then the other table next to us was celebrating a birthday. The two tables next to us opted out of dessert and they were all individually presented with complementary peanut milks as a celebratory thank you. Me and my partner had ordered a dessert and then we decided to share a peanut milk so we ended up paying for that, but it definitely rubbed us the wrong way that everyone else got free peanut milks whereas we paid to split one. To be clear, I do not expect any free food nor do I feel entitled to anything, but when you see other tables that were in your situation around you get free peanut milks, it definitely left a bad taste in my mouth that we were excluded. We brought this up to our server and she was super apologetic and explained that it was because we ordered dessert and the other tables didn't so " they didn't want the other tables to go home empty-handed". So I'm being punished for buying more food and buying dessert?? I didn't make a big deal out of it, but then she talked to her manager and then the manager came out in a huff with two free peanut milks as if to signal " stop complaining now" whereas we had already paid for one and it wasn't about getting more. Our intention wasn't to get more peanut milk, we had already paid for one; it was just to point out the unequal treatment so that their policy can be more consistent. Overall, I don't think she understood or rather it didn't feel that way because she gave a little bit of attitude and this whole experience definitely left a sour taste in my mouth. Other than that, all the service members have been really kind and fantastic. read more

The Progress - Brown butter seaweed noodles - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Food- We tried almost the whole menu and the dishes that stood out were the duck and pork/squid. The duck was served with a fried rice that had a deep umami flavor. Pork sausage and squid was cooked in a tomato sauce which was delicious. All other dishes were honestly okay, the flavors were lacking on some and others were leaning too much towards salty/sour. Service- Pretty attentive, the servers were nice and continuously refilled waters and drinks. Also gave us the background of why the peanut milk was given "world peace." Ambiance- Nice to place for a smaller group, 6 and under. They don't have large tables aside from the upstairs dining area. read more

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My partner treated me to a most delicious and incredible birthday dinner here. I was seriously and sensationally blown away by everything we ordered and all of the strange and amazing flavors and ingredients that I was having for what seemed like the first time! Between the 2 of us, we shared the corn dumplings, burrata and runner beans, and the INCREDIBLE duck with fried rice--this was more than enough food. Maybe too much food for just 2 people, but my birthday is a special occasion and so this called for a special exception. I'm knocking down a star because of a hygienic issue--we sat by the front next to the windows in the booth and kept having to swat away bugs and flies, unfortunately, which really detracted from how great of a meal this was. I really hope they're able to fix this issue, as it sounds like from reading other reviews that other people have encountered this as well. read more

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I came here on a Saturday evening for a birthday dinner and was blown away. The inside of the restaurant is very cozy and offers both bar and table seating. My boyfriend and I ordered: full belly farms fresh dug potatoes - fluffy potatoes with garlic butter- flavorful and filling. smoked ras el hanout sausage - i like eating meat :'). this was a good starting dish that left me wanting more. bbq liberty farms half duck - the flavor of the duck fit perfectly with the peanut fried rice and smoked chili vinegar. you also get both crispy and tender cuts of the duck. The portions are pretty large and three dishes was the perfect amount for two people. The waiter was also super nice and explained many of the dishes to us uncultured people. I'm hoping to bring my parents here soon! read more

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I had a great time during my last visit to The Progress while my parents were in town visiting. We tried: dumplings, artichoke toast, seaweed noodles, lamb and the classic duck. The dumplings were our least favorite - it was a bit heavy and not as flavorful at the same time. I'm generally just okay on artichoke, but I surprisingly really enjoyed the artichoke toast. The lamb was tender and flavorful. I also loved the umami flavors in the seaweed noodles and thought the springy texture of the noodles were just right! Our duck was great as well, which is their signature dish - highly recommended! For drinks we tried the one punch man and spiritual state. We like both drinks! I am a sucker for trying milk washed cocktails and am also a sucker for pandan, so I loved my one punch man drink - the pandan was strong as well! We accidentally spilled the whole one punch man when we were first trying out the drink and our server was so kind to replace our drink. Lastly, because we were celebrating an occasion, we were each given a shot of complimentary peanut milk! It was a bit sweet though - not something I would order on my own. Anyway, a great experience overall! read more

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The Progress provided an outstanding dining experience, from their flexible service to their exceptional ambiance. Despite not having a reservation, they accommodated us within a 1-hour time slot, which was impressive. The service was rapid, and the staff were notably attentive, providing extra utensils for each dish to enhance our dining experience. The interior ambiance was truly exceptional, contributing to a memorable evening. We enjoyed a variety of dishes, including the Brown Butter Seaweed Noodles, Riverdog Farm Pig Head, and Local Halibut Crudo. The Pig Head was my favorite; it was incredibly unique and delicious--a culinary adventure I had never experienced before and highly recommend. **Highlights:** - **Service:** Great, with super attentive staff - **Quality:** High, with unique and flavorful dishes - **Atmosphere:** Exceptional, perfect for a special outing - **Price:** Fair for the quality and experience **Tips:** If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, try the Riverdog Farm Pig Head. It's a standout dish that's as intriguing as it is tasty. read more

The Progress - Brown Butter Seaweed Noodles, Riverdog Farm Pig Head, and Local Halibut Crudo - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

I haven't written a review in a while and admittedly eat out far less now with 2 little kids in tow, but even relatively recent trips to Atelier Crenn and Californios (3 and 2 M star establishments, respectively) left me feeling underwhelmed and hence no review posted. I only ever posted reviews for experiences I either loved or despised - never felt a need to report on the mediocre haha ‍ So that brings me to The Progress last night. AAAAmazing. Start off with the service (including full staff and customer service) - they were really accommodating long story short when timing almost got really messed up for our res, a shining bright spot these days. Ambiance is solid and food was out of sight. Actual service top notch as well. We had the radicchio and apple salad (dressing deeeelish with a slight kick), a scallop crudo dish that had me salivating and yearning for another portion, the shrimp dish which was tremendous as well and finally the epic half duck, done to perfection with flawless sauce and accompaniments. Pic of duck here. Very deserving of the J Beard if I saw that correctly (I think they won or were at least nominated for it a while ago). Way to go SBP people! Another gem! read more

The Progress - Selfie with the shrimp dish which - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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