Beautiful romantic eatery for a date night or business meeting. Unique flavors and eats.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Roasted Duck Breast
Foodie
We had a brunch/early lunch before a performance at SF Jazz on a Saturday. There were few people in the restaurant because other performances wouldn't start for a while. Absinthe is an institution, it mimics a Parisian bistro and does it well, while nodding to the local farms and fisheries. Fresh oysters and Dungeness Crab were on the menu. Service provided by a man of a certain age with old world manors and a California sense of humor was attentive without being cloying. We will continue to enjoy Absinthe when we can reserve a table.
Michael Dvorkin
A great place for a cocktail, a glass of wine and a fantastic meal. The menu is amazing. The food is delicious. Even the simplest dishes are executed to perfection tion with a special twist. Love this place
Franchesca Bush
This would be a great date night, but came for work. It's a bit pricey but definitely delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
KrishnaK
Our table was perfect, set near the window, and our waiters were attentive, knowledgeable, and made good recommendation on drinks and food. The oysters were amazing, and the onion soup and duck breast were excellent. We brought a bottle of wine and it was decanted for us, which was both elegant and appropriate for the occasion. Its a fun, and busy spot in Hayes Valley and I would recommend it for anyone who would like to spoil themselves in a little decadance San Fran style.
SFCA
The crab salade was just okay. The pureed avocado in the salade made no sense. A week ago I had noodles with much more crab at Per Diem. A few slices of avocado would have been much better. Puree of avocado is for dipping, not in a salade. The music was annoying interfering with our conversation. I have been dining there for decades & usually it is a dependable place to dine.
Swaila Rasoully
My husband and I are visiting from Upstate NY and this restaurant was recommended by my cousin who lives here. The ambiance was chic and romantic, the food was delicious, and the service was great! Our waiter was helpful and answered any questions we had. It was my first time having French food and escargot, I enjoyed it very much! We had a lovely evening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
LeslyeL
Had asked for a quiet table away from the bar and was very pleased with the one we were seated at. Service seemed a bit inattentive especially since they were not that busy but everyone was friendly. Was my first time there to have dinner before the ballet. Nice but think I will just becoming back for drinks at the bar afterwards. Do wish it stayed open a little later for that.
MarilynnN
Obviously, Absinthe is one of my favorite restaurants, but I must mention how wonderful our waiter was. We have two young girls, ages 4 and 6, and he remembered that they love extra foamy steamed milk, oysters, and crab salad. He is always so professional and patient.
SBils
A beautiful restaurant for a belated Valentine's dinner. The food was delicious, particularly the sol. Our waiter was very friendly, and gave good recommendations. We also loved how the music wasn't too loud - we were able to enjoy a conversation without sensory overload.
Returning to one of our favorite Hayes Valley destinations! We ate at the bar...the bar staff was very welcoming and helpful. the cocktails and the wine list was very good! we also enjoyed our meal!
Ariadne15
In addition to impeccable service, Absinthe's personnel, either servers or greeters always ask about time limits - and they hold to them! My dining companion had to leave by 7 and they made it happen. Plus, we also had dessert. The food is consistently good, so it's a pleasure to dine @ Absinthe. We will, of course, be back.
DanaK
There is no better food and service in San Francisco! Steak prepared to exact requirements. Superb always fresh coffee. Spotlessly clean restroom. Very friendly, welcoming hostess and management. Very expensive and worth it!
TimS
A little underwhelming. Although our reservation was for 8 on a Friday, they were out of two of the things we wanted. We split an app, a salad, an entree and a dessert and only the entree was exceptional. Our table was in a not so nice area of the restaurant and right on a major thoroughfare. Our server was not particularly helpful and the food did not come in the order we requested. All in all, a rather ho-hum experience. Last time we were there, everything was amazing so we will probably give it another try.
Dean McCauley
It is nice to still have a classic French restaurant where you can get all the expected luxuries like escargot, caviar, and Beef Bourgogne. Nice non-alcoholic cocktails. Professional service. $105 per person including appetizer, main course dessert, tip, 6% mandate but no alcohol.
Beautiful romantic eatery for a date night or business meeting. Unique flavors and eats.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Roasted Duck Breast
We had a brunch/early lunch before a performance at SF Jazz on a Saturday. There were few people in the restaurant because other performances wouldn't start for a while. Absinthe is an institution, it mimics a Parisian bistro and does it well, while nodding to the local farms and fisheries. Fresh oysters and Dungeness Crab were on the menu. Service provided by a man of a certain age with old world manors and a California sense of humor was attentive without being cloying. We will continue to enjoy Absinthe when we can reserve a table.
A great place for a cocktail, a glass of wine and a fantastic meal. The menu is amazing. The food is delicious. Even the simplest dishes are executed to perfection tion with a special twist. Love this place
This would be a great date night, but came for work. It's a bit pricey but definitely delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our table was perfect, set near the window, and our waiters were attentive, knowledgeable, and made good recommendation on drinks and food. The oysters were amazing, and the onion soup and duck breast were excellent. We brought a bottle of wine and it was decanted for us, which was both elegant and appropriate for the occasion. Its a fun, and busy spot in Hayes Valley and I would recommend it for anyone who would like to spoil themselves in a little decadance San Fran style.
The crab salade was just okay. The pureed avocado in the salade made no sense. A week ago I had noodles with much more crab at Per Diem. A few slices of avocado would have been much better. Puree of avocado is for dipping, not in a salade. The music was annoying interfering with our conversation. I have been dining there for decades & usually it is a dependable place to dine.
My husband and I are visiting from Upstate NY and this restaurant was recommended by my cousin who lives here. The ambiance was chic and romantic, the food was delicious, and the service was great! Our waiter was helpful and answered any questions we had. It was my first time having French food and escargot, I enjoyed it very much! We had a lovely evening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had asked for a quiet table away from the bar and was very pleased with the one we were seated at. Service seemed a bit inattentive especially since they were not that busy but everyone was friendly. Was my first time there to have dinner before the ballet. Nice but think I will just becoming back for drinks at the bar afterwards. Do wish it stayed open a little later for that.
Obviously, Absinthe is one of my favorite restaurants, but I must mention how wonderful our waiter was. We have two young girls, ages 4 and 6, and he remembered that they love extra foamy steamed milk, oysters, and crab salad. He is always so professional and patient.
A beautiful restaurant for a belated Valentine's dinner. The food was delicious, particularly the sol. Our waiter was very friendly, and gave good recommendations. We also loved how the music wasn't too loud - we were able to enjoy a conversation without sensory overload.
Restaurantji Recommends
Returning to one of our favorite Hayes Valley destinations! We ate at the bar...the bar staff was very welcoming and helpful. the cocktails and the wine list was very good! we also enjoyed our meal!
In addition to impeccable service, Absinthe's personnel, either servers or greeters always ask about time limits - and they hold to them! My dining companion had to leave by 7 and they made it happen. Plus, we also had dessert. The food is consistently good, so it's a pleasure to dine @ Absinthe. We will, of course, be back.
There is no better food and service in San Francisco! Steak prepared to exact requirements. Superb always fresh coffee. Spotlessly clean restroom. Very friendly, welcoming hostess and management. Very expensive and worth it!
A little underwhelming. Although our reservation was for 8 on a Friday, they were out of two of the things we wanted. We split an app, a salad, an entree and a dessert and only the entree was exceptional. Our table was in a not so nice area of the restaurant and right on a major thoroughfare. Our server was not particularly helpful and the food did not come in the order we requested. All in all, a rather ho-hum experience. Last time we were there, everything was amazing so we will probably give it another try.
It is nice to still have a classic French restaurant where you can get all the expected luxuries like escargot, caviar, and Beef Bourgogne. Nice non-alcoholic cocktails. Professional service. $105 per person including appetizer, main course dessert, tip, 6% mandate but no alcohol.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5