Absinthe Brasserie and BarGreat place for breakfast/brunchGreat place for breakfast/brunch - had the best bacon here ever!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMMother's Day lunchMy sister and I had lunch before the ballet. This was our second such visit. The first time we were seated out front in the bar area, but this time we were seated in the back room and it was much quieter and more relazed. I'm not sure if this room was only open because it was Mother's Day and they anticipated a crowd or if it is alwyas available for lunch, but I would definitely ask for the back room in the future.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMI was planning on having theI was planning on having the duck confit ragout for brunch until I saw the latest addition to the menu -- smoked trout BLT. It was .outstanding! For dessert I had the chocolate pot de creme. I had to restrain myself from licking the bowl. Next time I'll have the duck confit ragout.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMBetter on Sunday nightsI have been to the this restaurant many times, but always on Sunday. This was my first trip Saturday. I like the energy and the service better on Sunday. It was still a very good experience, just not the outstanding experience that I have had on Sunday. Their Sommelier on Sunday is outstanding and really adds to the experience. My Sunday outings here have been so delightful, that I have starting coming to San Fran for the weekend from Atlanta with the main purposes being visiting this restaraunt.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMcan't go wrongwaking in for the first time, there was a very high energy bar scene.
It was fun.
The restaurant seating area was very comfortable and not noisy.
The food and service could not have been better. We were surprised by the relatively small list of dinner choices, but were impressed by the product delivered.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMRemember Absinthe! It is wonderfulThe food is excellent: complex combinations of flavors and natural ingredients. The wines are good and well priced. The service is friendly and attentive. Early in the evening it is quiet. The seating encourages intimate conversation (little banquets for two). Really a pleasure.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMExtra effortWhen I booked the time I was unaware that the Ballet would run long. They held my table for a half hour.
Very generous of them.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMDon't be absent at AbsintheThis place is always a good time with very good food and service -- and the lighting makes the ambiance just right, so don't miss the opportunity to go and enjoy!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMA bit too noisy which madeA bit too noisy which made conversation difficult otherwise outstanding.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMGood experienceMy wife and I lived in the City for several years and moved away a 2 years ago. We were back for a vacation and this was our one "good restaurant" night out during the trip. We had a great time at Absinthe. The food was excellent. We drank some absinthe after dinner which was fun too. The service is outstanding. I highly recommend this place for a nice night out.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMMostly Great -- But That Banquette!Much too low for the table. An absurd error for an upscale restaurant so superb in other respects.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfection on our plates!Perfection on our plates! Every dish sang with true, focused flavors.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have been to Le ColonialWe have been to Le Colonial for dinner many times. It continues being one of our favorite restaurants in SF. The Sea Bass is awesome! The brussel sprouts, as a side, are fantastic!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMDelightedAlways outstanding in every aspect. My wife said she could hear the
Angles singing when she tasted her yam and Chèvre cheese ravioli entre, and my Coq au Vin was the best I have ever had - including a number of times in Burgundy.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat choice for a special occasionWe were celebrating our anniversary and our Absinthe dinner made it a special occasion. Cocktails were distinctive and tasty, every item on the menu that we tried was very good--each had its own special twist. And the service was great. I wish the room were a little quieter. I miss the days of the tablecloths. But that is a minor complaint.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMSolid brunch spot... thatSolid brunch spot... that takes reservations. Good food, good service, efficiently delivered.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMconsistent winner near operaconsistent winner near opera house and Davies Hall4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMcaviar is a must and watchcaviar is a must and watch for the absinth if you choose to drink it is strong but the food and service was outstanding and I really enjoyed it4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMso happy to see Trevor there,so happy to see Trevor there, a favorite. Waitstaff is great about getting people out for performances4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful food and a wonderfulWonderful food and a wonderful staff. I've forgotten how many times I've eaten here, and they've been consistently great. I always start of with a plate of their "pretzels"4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsinthe remains one of theAbsinthe remains one of the top SF restaurants. The menu is always interesting and varied. Oysters and crab are superb, but so are the hamburgers! Their fries are outstanding! Their bar is exciting and they have a great wine list. There is something for everybody! Service remains exceptional. They like to know their customers so you feel like it's "your place" after a few visits. That is old-fashioned service that keeps folks going back often.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMThe chef certainly has a wayThe chef certainly has a way with Mexican-style food. Loved the pork enchilada with fried eggs, queso fresco, tomato-chipotle sauce and guacamole. For dessert I chose the wonderful bergamot tart with mint granite and Earl Grey meringue. It was very refreshing. Another perfect brunch at Absinthe!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a good long dinnerWe had a good long dinner before the ballet. You can have several courses in an average restaurant and still feel like they are hustling you out the door--not so at Absinthe. Each course was lovely including our olives at the beginning. Terrific elegant trendy place before symphony or ballet performance.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMA consistently good restaurant.A consistently good restaurant. Great wait staff -- attentive, but not in your face. Wonderful wines, nice surroundings, very relaxing. Def., a repeat.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMThe chef was awesome to prepareThe chef was awesome to prepare me a vegan dish. I had checked the menu on line and there looked to be things I could order, but when we got there, there wasn't much. But the chef made me a delicious quinoa and vegetable dish that was fantastic. Five starts for service!
Thank you Absinthe! We'll be back.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place in Hayes ValleyGreat place in Hayes Valley for a Saturday girlfriends' brunch. The food was outstanding as was the service. The salmon omelette was excellent as was the duck confit with poached eggs and bernaise sauce. I would definately go again.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMOur brunch dishes and cocktailsOur brunch dishes and cocktails were delicious. I would definitely recommend Absinthe.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a great brunch andWe had a great brunch and the service was wonderful. My only complaint is that the restaurant was very noisy, difficult for conversation.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMSecond time, loved it. TriedSecond time, loved it. Tried the yummy garlic pretzels. Fish dishes were outstanding.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways wonderful.Consistent quality and strong offerings. The classic burger is one if the best in town as is the pork belly sandwich. Service was attentive, knowledgeable but not over bearing. So wonderful to see it keep its quality over the years.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMArrived late (10 pm) and wasArrived late (10 pm) and was told that only the bar menu was available. That turned out to be fine, because we still ordered an appetizer plate of oysters and a fabulous steak. It was actually one of the best meals I've had in San Francisco yet. Brilliant food, great service. Love this place.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMOur Easter Dinner Was ScrumptuousWe had an excellent dinner at Absinth. We were greeted by a friendly hostess and seated promptly when we arrived. The waiter was very helpful and friendly. Drinks were excellent and the menu interesting. I ordered the shaken cocktail made Bols Genever and creme de violet, which was good; but I should have ordered the drink made with pomegranate infused tequila and absinth like the waiter recommended. I started with the Cream of fennel and leak soup, which was excellent. Then I had the grilled pork chop with pureed white beans, some and guacamole. The chop was nicely charred on a grill and delicious. I ended the meal with an absinth with water and ice, which left me nicely obliterated.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsinthe is always packed,Absinthe is always packed, and for good reason. Great food, albeit a bit overpriced for the quantity and quality. The cocktails are great, with several unique ones and great standards. And the wine list is truly insane. Service is definitely top notch all around, from the sommelier and wait staff to the hostesses and dining room staff. Our meal was paced out perfectly and our servers were great.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had reservations for brunchWe had reservations for brunch and arrived 20 minutes early but were seated right away. The waitress was prompt & professional. When asked she made good suggestions about menu items and based her opinion on what she had enjoyed not just what other customers were ordering. The food was thoughtful and well prepared. Interesting pairings of different ingredients that tased good together. The drinks were amusing and well made (not too watered down or alcohol forward). Overall a very nice dining experience.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWe've heard about AbsyntheWe've heard about Absynthe for a while now and were looking forward to going. We were not disappointed. The service, in particular, was friendly and responsive. Our meal was excellent -- the arctic char, the romaine salad, and the bergamot tart were our favorites (the mixed green salad and the white chocolate tart were a bit disappointing). The drinks were excellent. The atmosphere was nice -- it was rather full and tables are close to each other, but it felt cozy rather that crowded. We definitely plan to return, especially if we have symphony tickets.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMFab!Loved everything! Food was amazing, service on point and great selection of libations! Can't wait to go back. Reservations highly recommended! We had the meatball appetizer that was tender and yummy, lamb shank that was falling off the bone , side of mushrooms and he had a filet of sorts... All amazing! Thanks for a great dinner!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMThe chicken has to be theThe chicken has to be the best chicken dish I've ever had. The wine Som also treated us well with some GRACE . Thank you so much for making our pre show dinner great.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMAmong the very bestOne of my very favorite restaurants in San Francisco.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMSuper foodThe food was incredible. My brother had eaten here several times and has raved about it. I decided finally to take the plunge and go. My only wish is that the menu had been a little more expensive. But aside from that, each thing we ate was just Wonderful. My friend had the Berra Monday which is a fish outstanding sauce. And I had the Porkchop which was Tender and beautifully prepared. And the accompanying items added just the perfect amount of texture and flavor. Then shared the milk chocolate Napoleon for dessert. While it was small, it was outstanding and very easy to share. I could not recommend this restaurant more highly and look forward to my next visit. I probably will get exactly the same thing. The service was outstanding. Th3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMI've been trying to get aI've been trying to get a reservation for over a year. Never called early enough. The service is excellent; the food was outstanding. They allow sharing of appetizers and salads--wonderful for older people who eat smaller portions or who are watching their intake while wanting to eat well. It is, of course, more expensive than some of the other restaurants in the area--but worth it on occasion. They are most accommodating of theater attendance and ask when you are seated--that's a wonderful touch! I'm so glad I had the opportunity to dine there.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMHad a great dinner, and excellentHad a great dinner, and excellent service .... finally a restaurant with the 'needed' etiquette again.. thank you...3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe ravioli was delicious! MyThe ravioli was delicious!
My husband loved the Coq au Vin!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMMy husband and I love Absinthe,My husband and I love Absinthe, and it is always a highlight to our ballet season dining out experience. The service is always outstanding, and the waiters do a very good job timing the courses and managing the overall time so that you get out of the restaurant in time if you have an event to go to afterwards. Noise is definitely a factor if you sit closer to the bar, but just a few tables away makes a huge difference!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMFood/Service A+ / Seating C-My only issue was the seating as I felt cramped in such a small dining space where I was unfortunately brushed up against by either the wait staff or fellow patrons. However, our meal and service were superb so I tended to ignore the prior element. However, should I return or extend a recommendation, I would strongly encourage a corner booth for privacy and comfort. Otherwise, it was a delightful experience. Thank you.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsinthe never disappoints.Absinthe never disappoints. It is easily one of the best restaurants in the city!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMNeighborhood gem!Always a great experience!
Never a disappointment!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe bar area can get congestedThe bar area can get congested which is always a pain before theatre time, but it's usually worth the wait.
Just don't leave your change out of reach on the bar for too long, or it will become the tip!3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMOur entire experience wasOur entire experience was wonderful. Our wine choice and entrees were excellent. We will be back to try Absinthe again.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThe pork enchilada is oneThe pork enchilada is one of the best brunches I've ever had.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMSommelier makes the trip worth itI have become a regular of Absinthe even though I live in Atlanta. The food was excellent as usual. I also had very good service. And the wine is fantastic. And Oscar, their Sommelier, is outstanding at helping you naviage their wine list.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AM