Memento SF

1305 Castro St, San Francisco
(415) 829-3099

Recent Reviews

Jane Khoury

Momento is a hidden gem. The food was creative and fresh, service was attentive, not over bearing, location was easy to park and ambiance was relaxed.I don’t want to give too much away but definitely order a drink and save room for dessert ( Carmel flan was delish )It’s our fun find.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Jonathan Dirrenberger

Finally got around to visiting Memento, one of the new restaurants in our neighborhood, and had pretty high expectations based on reviews, and wow, this place delivered. The starters/appetizers we tried -- salmon tartare with avocado and mussels with curry sauce -- were amazing (creamy!). The mains were very good though not as good as the starters, but then again most were so pricey that we stuck with the cheapest options so can't comment on those. The cocktails -- mostly built around soju -- were excellent (especially Black Noir: never quite tasted anything like it) with incredible ice cubes (edible flowers inside!) though the ice cubes were so big that it took up about 1/3rd of the volume and hence felt like you were getting short changed on the drink. The dessert we had, a chocolate-caramel-coconut flan was absolutely amazing, especially paired with a desert wine (though again, expensive: the desert wine was $15 for basically a shot).And then there was the service. We went on a slow Tue evening so maybe we were predispositioned for great service, but it was outstanding. Not just our server, but everybody we interacted with.And can't forget this: super clean bathroom! Great modern ambiance in general.Overall, with amazing food, outstanding service, and great ambience, we'll be back and I hope this restaurant is around for many years.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Caramel Flan, Shishito Peppers

Nha Ha

Cozy restaurant in Noe. Service was great and friendly.Food was decent.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 5

MaryM

My favorites were the delicious fried empanadas and portobello mushroom burger with truffle fries. Very friendly and attentive service and a lovely piece of happy birthday cheesecake and hb song for my friend! Thank you Memento!!

Carol O.

This has been an outstanding experience. We sat at the bar and ordered. - shishito peppers. Outstanding with an umami rich sauce - curry fried chicken - delicious - mussels - one of the best mussel dishes I have ever had - truffled fries - fantastic I cannot remember a better, tastier meal. 5 stars. Please come and support this restaurant. I want them to succeed. Noe Valley is the better for them being a part of this community! Outstanding. Also- a shout out to Alex behind the bar. He could not have been nicer! Wine was also outstanding!

This has been an outstanding experience. We sat at the bar and ordered. - shishito peppers. Outstanding with an umami rich sauce - curry fried chicken - delicious - mussels - one of the best mussel dishes I have ever had - truffled fries - fantastic I cannot remember a better, tastier meal. 5 stars. Please come and support this restaurant. I want them to succeed. Noe Valley is the better for them being a part of this community! Outstanding. Also- a shout out to Alex behind the bar. He could not have been nicer! Wine was also outstanding!

Alex I.

I absolutely adore this restaurant! The entire staff is incredibly welcoming and it provides a great environment for date night, dinner with the girlies or even just grabbing a drink at the bar! The cocktails were delicious and I loved every dish we ordered. If you want to try some really unique and tasty items, I would definitely check Memento SF out!

Beth Watts

Such a delicious meal with lovely waiting staff. We’ll definitely be back soon!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Truffle Fries, Shishito Peppers, Smash Burger

Scott P.

My new favorite spot in San Francisco ! Great Noe Valley gem. My filet was cooked perfectly and the empanadas were delicious ! The owners came and checked on us and couldn't have been nicer !

Alfred Rosanes

***This review is a culmination of my multiple experience at Memento***Memento is not just a restaurant, it's a sentiment where warm genuine hospitality emanates; paired with it's eclectic low ABV cocktail program, inventive small plates and curated entrees.The interior is moody, it's warm dimmed lighting just gently kisses your skin, this is a great spot for a date night, perhaps with some friends who enjoys dining out or a time alone at the bar with your glass of wine and a book.After coming here a bunch of times, I can say that Memento is a neighborhood spot like no other in Noe Valley, the food here is different and experimental without straying away from Californian roots; and freshness is still the main focus. The ingredients are top tier and well selected both in the kitchen and the bar.Drinks:I love the low ABV cocktails here, look out for the: Ghost Rider (complex and elegant spice), Memento Mori (tropical fruit and clean fresh notes), You had me at Hello (for the french 75 lovers) and Green Dragon (tea forward flavor profile). The drinks are well balanced and visually enticing. Also, ask for their mocktails because it's not listed but it's available. Their wine and beer selection is intentionally curated to pair with your food, so don't sleep on that either and ask for recommendations or any new concoction they're formulating.Food:The small plates section (tapas) lets you go on an experience, they recommend sharing multiple plates. My personal favorites are:***Empanadas (the dough here is the real star, it's light and not too doughy and the filling ratio pairs just right).***Mussels w/ Grilled Focaccia: this dish is just out of this world, it's almost addictive, just the slight sweetness from the coconut milk mixed with curry, makes this dish unforgettable. The sauce on this with the grilled focaccia.... you have to experience it for yourself***Za'atar Flat Bread: perfectly cooked flat bread, fresh mozzarella and tomatoes truly speaks to the quality of the ingredients. The Za'atar spice also leaves a memory of a spice market, it's nostalgic and quite memorable.Going to the Mains:I have so much thoughts on this but I have to summarize my top favorites:***Roasted Beets & Ricotta Rigatoni: this menu item sounds almost like an alliteration, and the flavor of this dish is something you'll only have here. It's vegetarian, but the beets serve as the base notes to ground this dish against the zingy ricotta and lemony parsley. Very inventive and playful! I never had anything like it before.***Crispy Curry Chicken: The texture of hummus puree on this with coconut milk enlivens the Filipino in me, this dish is also gluten free since they use crispy garbanzo for the chicken, this is a must have and a legacy here.***Filet Mignon: This entree doesn't need a description because it's something you need to experience for yourself. I like this dish as medium rare and the cauliflower puree on this plays well with the filet's leanness.Desserts (Pls make room because this is my favorite part!!!)They have other desserts on the menu and they are all really good! but...***Caramel Flan: This is the winner, I honesty don't like desserts unless it's flan or tiramisu, so you can call me a snob on these two desserts (since I've had flan in Mexico, Spain and the Philippines). This Flan is the happy medium of rich and savory, it's also the right amount of sweetness while remaining rich and light, also without that weird eggy taste (iykyk). The caramel part of this dessert is not overbearing, it's a dance between two major components that could make or break a flan for me. This dish alone... I can write a 14 page thesis/review here... but that will probably get me banned for being obsessed here... But humor aside, bravo! This flan is perfection.All in all, after reading this review, it's your turn to try it for yourself - hopefully I am the instrument that leads you to your favorite new spot and dishes in the city!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Wynde Priddy

Wonderful dinner at Memento, service for our large group was perfect and everything we had from the menu was extremely good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Katrina N.

I came here to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday and we had a wonderful time! The servers were extremely hospitable and very helpful is answering any questions we had. Because we were celebrating a birthday, we got a free cheesecake and a cutely signed card which really made our night! The ambiance was nice and romantic, perfect for a date night. Though the place is on the smaller side, they were still able to accommodate two big parties at once. The desserts were absolutely amazing! Caramel Flan - 5/5 thick and creamy and possibly the best flan I have ever had! This dessert is something you definitely shouldn't miss. Lime mousse - 4.5/5 delicious with a generous portion, but towards the end it became a little too sweet. The dessert is also quite tart at the same time so if you don't prefer sour desserts I would stay away from this one. Mussels - 4/5 a bit on the sour side, I personally didn't love them but my boyfriend enjoyed them a lot Mushroom burger - 4/5 big portion but the bun was a little dry Smash burger - 4/5 also a bit dry, but still good Overall, the food didn't blow me away (other than the desserts), but the service was so wonderful that I think they deserve 5 stars! A nice place for date night with easy to find parking on a Saturday night!

Peter Stone

I’ve been eyeing this place for awhile and finally checked it out for a date night with my wife. All of the food was delicious and beautifully presented and the service was great. I would highly recommend checking out this neighborhood gem.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Empanadas, Roasted Beets & Ricotta Rigatoni, Salmon Tartare

Chad Nitschke

Great food, inventive cocktails, and a very friendly team. Highly recommend the mussels and mushroom burger, we look forward to trying more things next time!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Curry Chicken

Barkev Meserlian

My wife and I recently had the pleasure of dining at Memento SF restaurant and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The restaurant exudes an inviting and sophisticated atmosphere that set the stage for a delightful evening. The service at Memento SF Was impeccable. The staff was not only attentive, but also genuinely warm and welcoming. we felt well taken care of throughout the entire evening, Adding to the overall enjoyment of our dining experience.For starters, We opted for the muscles, And they were nothing short of perfection. The freshness of the seafood combined with the flavorful broth left our taste buds, dancing with joy. It was a fantastic choice to kick off our culinary journey.The star of the night however was the filet mignon, Cooked to perfection, The tenderness of the meat, Paired with the accompanying sides, Showcase, the chefs, culinary expertise, It safe to say that the filet mignon at Memento SF has earned the top spot on our list of favorite dishes.In conclusion, Memento SF Offers a dining experience that goes beyond the ordinary. From the inviting ambience to the impeccable service and mouthwatering dishes, It’s a place that leaves a lasting impression. We look forward to our next visit and highly recommend it to anyone seeking a culinary Adventure.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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