We met up with some friends here for dinner and were met with a delicious menu and very helpful waiter. I got the mixed greens salad (a good starter), wild mushroom tagliatelle (creamy and flavorful), the Firebird, and the Red Swan (both excellent drinks). We appreciated that the drinks were all named after or referenced orchestral pieces/composers. Great place for an upscale dinner!

Looking for a mind blowing brunch? THIS is the place. Talk about mouth watering, fresh ingredients and flavor for days. The waitstaff is on their game and the can be noisy but nothing a cocktail can't help you deal with. Viva la brunch!

I just can't get enough of this place. My partner knows this is one of my favorite places to eat at, and last night was no different. (Well, maybe our waiter. I got a weird vibe from him but that might just be his personality.) But the food. Always yum. Their yellowfin carpaccio always has the most odd combination of flavors but I always come back for more. Always. My partner had the beef tartare to start (because I don't eat meat) and it was a lot of food! Be sure to share with the table if you order it! Our mains - I had the sole, and I also loved it! Consistency was delicate, the puree around it was a nice balance, and the sauce wasn't aggressive. I loved it. Partner had beef bourguignon and he also inhaled every piece of it. Even those lentils! Get a few cocktails. They won't disappoint. Get a glass of wine or two; they never disappoint!!! I almost forgot to mention the dessert!! So by this time, I was definitely full and didn't know if I could do another round, but the strawberry lemonade gelato was calling my name and my partner NEEDED that pineapple upside down cake. So much yum!!

Swung by for some pre 5pm cocktails and snacks. Ethan was by far one of the best, if not the best, server I've had in a decade. Funny, attentive, and just a genuine good human who happened to be bringing us food and drinks. The sazerac hit the spot. And then a c2 with gin, I don't even like gin but it was great. Absinthe to sip for fun and an espresso with raw sugar to keep us going. The fries in duck fat were to die for dipped in mayo. And some other bread with cheese that was so good I forgot the name. Great spot to enjoy and have fun in Hayes, a must go.

Review is for the limited menu/bar service since we just came in for a drink during this timeframe. We sat at a high top near the bar and were served by Ethan, who was fantastic! We ordered a cocktail each and watched as the bartender made the drinks. I ordered the Aria, a gin based drink. It wasn't my favorite drink ever, but it was a well rounded and balanced cocktail. My boyfriend ordered their French 75 because it was made with whiskey instead of gin. When our drinks were delivered we noticed the French 75 was very light in color and didn't look like it had whiskey, we both tasted the French 75 and noticed it tasted like gin. Turns out the bar ran out of the whiskey and the bartender replaced it with gin without checking with us or our server. Super odd, but our server was happy to get a new drink for my boyfriend, who ended up going with the sazerac and loving it. We ended up keeping the French 75 for me to sip on since I do enjoy a gin drink.

Service is consistently good, with knowledgeable staff taking timing into account (as their in the Fine Arts district, it's a common place to get an upscale dinner before a show...we were on our way to SF Jazz). The vibe is a nice "white tablecloth" French restaurant and this wasn't our first time here. I started with cocktails (my negroni was noteworthy), and we shared their escargot appetizer. It was a somewhat non-traditional presentation, and nicely done. For entrees, we went with the steak and duck breast. Both were very nice, and presentation was elegant as well. We also shared a side of Brussels sprouts, and ended the meal with a pineapple upside down cake and coffee. Why not five stars? While the meal was nice, I find it difficult to see where the dining experience briefly described above represents a $300 value. It's roughly the same objection I have with Monsieur Benjamin (less than a block away, also catering to opera / symphony patrons). While the meal was good, I'm having trouble seeing the value at the prices charged. Perhaps with inflation being what it is, I've become out of touch with restaurant pricing in general? I don't think so - we had a marvelous dinner at Isa (Steiner and Chestnut) the night before, and I still believe that venue presents perfect value. Absinthe? While this wasn't our first time here, the pricing will probably give me pause before we book again.

Came here recently for a 3 course private whiskey dinner event in the back room. Incredible service throughout the night - food and cocktails were equally amazing. I ordered: - Heirloom tomato and watermelon salad: Wow what a beautiful presentation, tasted so fresh with the feta. One of the most memorable appetizers I've had in years. 5/5 - Pan seared duck breast: Perfectly seared duck breast (medium) with lots of lentils. Also beautiful presentation. 5/5 - Oven baked cheese dip with mushroom. Wanted to try this in lieu of a dessert, was pretty heavy but cooked and presented very well. Everyone else loved this. 4/5 For cocktails I got a paper plane, final ward - both were well balanced and very good. The place itself is quite large with a private back room. Highly recommend this classic institution! Can't wait to go back to try absinthe.