O3 Bistro & Loungetasty food; great cocktailsWe had a really wonderful meal here before the opera. Pretty much everything was good. The pork belly and pot stickers were particularly great. The cocktails were VERY good. I will say that I wish the service had been a tad prompter -- folks were very friendly and helpful, but sometimes it would take the waiter a while to come by. Fortunately, we'd booked for 5pm, so we still got over to the opera house by 7pm; if we'd booked 5:30, we would've been late for the pre-show talk.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat cocktail program!Creative and delicious cocktails, a testament to the return of the cocktalian as artist! Would that the wine list were as well thought out. It is short, without much of a theme, and over-priced, though there are a handful of gems for those who know.
But the food is delicious. Appetizers were generously proportioned, as were the entrees. Recommend ordering for the table and sharing, as you'll want to taste as many as possible.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect for Opera & SymphonyWe were first attracted to O3 by its convenient proximity to Davies Hall. Having been unable to book pre-concert reservations at Jardiniere or Absinthe, we were delighted by the choice. Every diner in our party of five was favorably impressed by each dish, including the steamed clams, pork belly, mushroom roulade, New York steak and lamb chops . We agreed that the brussels sprouts were the best we had ever tasted. The cocktails were also unique and refreshing. The bistro was surprisingly uncrowded and relaxed on a pre-concert Sunday night. We would recommend it without hesitation for other concertgoers.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat restaurantO3 was wonderful - excellent food, service, wine and cocktail list - prices were very fair. We had a lovely dinner before a nearby concert - this restaurant has an Asian twist - potstickers, lobster garlic noodles, and entrees - scallops and lamb chops were extremely tasty. Dessert of green tea ice cream was a wonderful end to the meal. Looking forward to going back.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMDuck was perfectly preparedHad a quick dinner here and got the duck - perfectly prepared - well worth a try5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat service, interesting menuThis was our first shot at this restaurant. We like to sample the offerings around the opera house and Davies, since we're needing a place to dine around there and reservations aren't always available. This time we were heading for the Jazz Center and thought time would be tight for a 7:30 show. NO problem, however. When we informed them we might be tight on time, food came in a hurry giving us a more relaxed meal than we had expected. Check the menu. One friend had the marrow (not to my taste, but heck!), and she thought it was the best. Other items we well prepared as well.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMInteresting menu and everyoneInteresting menu and everyone in our party was pleased. Great proximity to civic center events (ballet, opera, symphony, City Arts & Lectures, etc.)4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWe came back after a greatWe came back after a great dining experience about 4 weeks ago. The food was once again great! I've got confidence the first time was not an accident. I've recommended the restaurant to friends and expect we will be back again in the near future.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMMy second time there....foodMy second time there....food was amazing! Will Return!4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMHighly recommendedI enjoy O3 Bistro & Lounge. Food is great. Service has always been good. Their open face crab sandwich on Friday's is wonderful. I've enjoyed their grilled vegetable sandwich. Was not too impressed with their mushroom soup. This is one of my favorite places to go to in the Civic Center area.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was good, but feltThe food was good, but felt as though the quality didn't meet the price point. I felt like the menu was over priced.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect place to dine before balletFirst time, very impressed with good and service. Perfect spot to fine prior to attending ballet, opera, symphony performances .3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was good. Service wasFood was good. Service was great. Conveniently located.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellently executed food.Excellently executed food. I had the salmon for lunch and it was beautiful: gorgeously glazed on a bed of rice with just the right amount of kick and some raw cabbage for texture and crunch. Very nice. The bread pudding for dessert was heavenly with a salted caramel sauce that was just perfect. Definitely will try this place again when in the civic center area.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMNice romantic place for dinnerNice romantic place for dinner right at the Civic Center. Perfect place to go before the ballet or symphony.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMI love O3 bistro and it wasI love O3 bistro and it was a pleasure to celebrate my birthday dinner w/ my wife there again this year. I def recommend this place as a must have/try if you live in or around the city. It's pricey, but worth every penny bite by bite. I've never left dissappointed.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was really close to CivicIt was really close to Civic Center so that was nice to be able to BART in. The ambiance was great - the bar and lounge area were very modern-looking. The food was delicious and quite affordable. My friend and I shared the Oxtail Tacos, Lobster Garlic Noodles, and I had the Braised shortribs and she had the Duck. So tasty! Her bell pepper margarita was interesting and I really liked the lavender drink that I had. I would definitely come back again.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMO3 Bistro & LoungeThe O3 Bistro and Lounge is a great addition to the Van Ness/Civic Center neighborhood!
We were warmly welcomed and shown to our table without delay.
The spring rolls were outstanding. The green Beens and fried chicken were also very good.
Our server was very pleasant! She was attentive - we never felt rushed.
When we placed our dinner order- our server did not hear us ask for one of the 3 items we ordered. Just as well as the portions are generous.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Food, Service and PresentatioWe needed a restaurant close to the Asian Art Museum for a quick, early dinner. O3 was an experiment, and turned out to be the perfect choice. The four of us tried different things (carrot soup, spring rolls, pot stickers, salmon, duck, scallops & pork belly, and short ribs). All the dishes were tasty, and presented beautifully. We weren't sure about the pork belly, but it was one of the hits of the dinner. The name and the taste were totally different. Glad we tried it. The noise level we experienced at this early hour was low, but it was early and not yet full, so I don't know if that will be true at a more usual hour. (We were there from 5 to 6:30 before an event at the museum.)3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious food and great atmosphereDelicious food and great atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch. No complaints here!!2/15/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and close toExcellent food and close to the Symphony. An excellent find.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat when taking in eventsGreat when taking in events at any of the many cultural institutions in the neighborhood; it's within a block of several.
And, miracle of miracles, we found FREE street parking right out front. Food and service were terrific.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMMy husband and I arrived lateMy husband and I arrived late for our reservation (we had called ahead to let them know), and so we rushed a bit through ordering our dinner (skipping appetizers for example) because we wanted to be able to make it to the beginning of the ballet. There was no need! The food came out so incredibly fast! We were so impressed, and we had time to linger over dessert (rather than over cocktails).4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Civic Center pre-theater findExcellent food with very responsive, thoughtful (and quick) service. Ever since Stars closed, we haven't ventured East of Van Ness for dinner, but O3 is a perfect pre-theater restaurant in the Civic Center area. We'll be back!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Opera House locationPerfect location for a pre-ballet meal, 1/2 way between Civic Center parking and the Opera House. The food was quite good, some of the best crusted salmon ever. The chowder soup special was very good as were the seared scallops. The bar area can be quite loud and busy so give a little extra time to make a show (5:45 for 8:00 just made it). For drinks, beware of the chili salted sweet and spicy -- the salt is really spicy, but good. The menu has changed slightly from the website but not significantly. Will likely go again when attending a show.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Happy Hour with $1 oystersGreat Happy Hour with $1 oysters on Monday, fried calamari, fried oysters, vegetarian rolls, and lots more.3/18/2013 12:00:00 AM