PLAJA Scandanavian GemGood food and service; reasonable prices, and great location.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMSilly small portionsAlthough the waiter was upfront about "smaller" portions of most dishes, the size of these plates were really small. One gulp and it's gone.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMInteresting and varied menu;Interesting and varied menu; unusual, but good, matching of flavors; very attractive presentation; portion size good for light-to-moderate eaters or people who want to enjoy 3 courses and leave not feeling too full; genteel atmosphere; quick service and knowledgeable staff5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMI've been to PLAJ twice andI've been to PLAJ twice and it was excellent both times. The lobster appetizer and the venison really stood out5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMUnique in San FranciscoScandinavian food is scarce and good Scandanavian food the rarest of all! This is nouvelle Scandanavian food-excellent. You will need your server for the translation because there are so many unusual items. The biggest problem for a diner is to know quantities. Some dishes are quite small, and some are large enough to share, but one doesn't know this until the dish is presented. It's not clear either from the menu or the price. The burrata salad was huge. At least for two people, but four could have shared. Other dishes were too small for two to split, although possible to taste. After I ordered four small plates, the server said it would be too much, but which one to cut? So I ate half my burrata dish and the quantity was perfect.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMReal modern scandinavianWith fine attention for taste texture and a feast on your plate5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the best!!!!Food always always superb with memorable unique flavors!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service is helpful andThe service is helpful and attentive, hitting the balance of always being available without being there too much.
The only fault I could find with the otherwise interesting and quite good food was the lamb neck, which was too salty for my taste.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstandingCreative food combos, fairly swank interior, easy mannered, attentive service. The food was delicious! A total hit all around.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMSwedish Fine FoodWe thoroughly enjoyed our evening at Plaj. The place is beautiful, the service was good, and the food was delicious, refined, and interesting because of its Swedish inflections, making it something a bit different for the Bay Area. We liked ordering several small plates to share. This was my second time at Plaj, and both times I enjoyed it very much.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat VenisonLove the venison at this restaurant. Everyone in our party selected it and really enjoyed it. Plajer cocktail is unique and delicious. This was our second time here. The first time we were in room with bar and fireplace which was lovely and romantic. This time we were in corner in back room which felt more like a diner with outdoor chairs. The ambience in the back room does not come near the bar room so when making reservations, if your party is six or fewer, ask for room with bar and fireplace. Service was excellent.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMJust Like Mom's CookingBeing from Sweden and having a wife from there makes us somewhat experts at this type of cuisine.
Wonderful twist on traditional Swedish dishes, our New Special place, and the prices are very reasonable,
we are always surprised at the Tab... Cant Miss, Love it...5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMPlajThis restaurant is a great option for pre-symphony or -theatre dinner. Food and service were excellent!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMPlaj is simply outstandingPlaj is simply outstanding in all respects. The menu is swedish based and in a sense could make the venu a speciallity based occasion. However the comnbination of inspired cookery, and the very comfortable atmosphere along with great service and a short ,but first class wine list that compliments the food perfectly, will bring one back frequently.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMPlaj is PerfectionWe had a completely memorable dinner...will certainly go again to Plaj. The cocktails were unique and the service was perfect from beginning to end. And the food...the halibut was perfectly prepared and the gravlox is one of my favorite dishes. Every was art on a plate with flavors to match. If you love Scandinavian food do not pass this up.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMJust a very enjoyable evening.Just a very enjoyable evening. Staff from bartender to server personable and friendly . Food cry good.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMnice cozy spot in hayes valleyGreat spot, in a hidden gem of a spot near the action without being too much in the thick of it. Food was fabulous- loved it. Will definitely come back again!4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMMy new favorite restaurant!My new favorite restaurant! We visited as a group of 4 before an event at SFJazz, so we dined early. Every single dish we had was delicious and interesting. The 4 of us shared each dish and each one of us had a different favorite (read: everything is tasty!). The bar makes outstanding cocktails. I am especially fond of the different flavors of aquavit. This is also a fun place for just a cocktail before or after the ballet, symphony, opera, or SFJazz.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMWe often stay at Inn at theWe often stay at Inn at the Opera but it was our first time at Plaj. We will definitely go again.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMA Scandanavian restaurantA Scandanavian restaurant is unusual, and the food at PLAJ was in fact unusual. It was also varied and delicious. It worked very well for dinner before the ballet. We will be back!4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMRefreshing menu compared toRefreshing menu compared to many look-alikes today. Herring and venison were delicious.
Lovely setting, and very quiet.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMA very good unique restaurantA very good unique restaurant with a Scandinavian flair. Very interesting food. Extremely convenient to various performances venues in the area. We have now been there three times and no disappointments.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food. The owner/headExcellent food. The owner/head chef came out to talk to our table. Very reasonable, yet tasty wine list. Unique cocktail menu. I tasted 3 and all were superb. Cannot say enough good things about this restaurant!4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the best meal experiencesOne of the best meal experiences I have ever had. Ideal menu: Start off with the potato dumplings, move onto the pork belly, and finish off with the chocolate cake.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMIt's great to have a fineIt's great to have a fine Scandinavian restaurant in SF. A wonderful change of pace from the usual Italian and French styles. Very friendly and knowledgeable wait staff.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent restaurant and diningExcellent restaurant and dining experience. Had been recommended to us and we were not disappointed. Excellent personal service and very interesting menu. Well done!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMPlan a trip to PlajEverything was delicious. The lobster entree with caviar, horseradish, avocado and chili tasted fresh and full of flavor, the Swedish meatballs were in combination with pureed potatoes, lingonberries and pickled cucumber. All those flavors bring out the best in each other and each bite is a treat. The salads were the same and beautifully presented.
We had heard that this was worth a trip but who would think a Swedish menu would pack so much punch. We will return.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMThank you Pläj for a lovely evening* Loved the Scandinavian cocktails
* Delicious food presented very elegantly
* Great service
* Very nice ambiance
* All for a reasonable cost
* Will go back soon3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful dinner, eclecticWonderful dinner, eclectic Scandanavian menu, creative and thoughtful options, delicious offerings, fun ambiance3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is the best restaurantThis is the best restaurant we've dined at in San Francisco. The meal was excellent, the service superb, and ambience was very cozy and warm. The menu has a wide variety of Scandinavian cuisine, which we intend to explore more thoroughly on furutre visits. An additional bonus is that the venue is located only a couple of blocks from Davies Symphony Hall, SFJAZZ, and the Opera House. No wonder Plaj has a long waiting list!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMMy partner and I live in theMy partner and I live in the neighborhood and didn't realized this place existed if it wasn't for Open Table. My partner had the smoked salmon and I had the meatballs. Both were amazing. Lot's of good flavors and textures. The cocktail with the thyme was tasty and refreshing. The staff were very friendly and attentive. Definitely worth a return visit.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and ambiance.Great food and ambiance. Rather quiet - which satisfied us just fine. We came for the food and aquavit - not looking for a "Happening Place".3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMthis hidden gem was the onlythis hidden gem was the only scandinavian specialized restaurant in SF and my boyfriend and I loved it!!! the cocktails were especially good and the creme brulee was delectable3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic food and atmosphere.Fantastic food and atmosphere. Very cordial staff. Loved our food, libations and surroundings!!! A hidden gem.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMintriguing flavors and saucesintriguing flavors and sauces - which all invite dipping with the rustic rye bread. a wonderful first impression. we'll go back to taste more.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMI tried entirely new (to me)I tried entirely new (to me) things, except for the Botanivore gin. Great!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMFrom their amazing bread toFrom their amazing bread to delicate fish dishes, everything was fantastic! Nice people working there too! My new favorite!3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMVery interesting and differentVery interesting and different menu, a great addition to Hayes Valley. Everything we ordered was delicious, especially the caraway smoked salmon.
Looking forward dining here again!3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMLovely restaurant, devoidLovely restaurant, devoid of trendiness. Feels like a local gem with inventive, interesting cuisine and it not trying to hard. Modern cocktails and fresh ingredients. Definitely will be back!3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWe attended the ScandanavianWe attended the Scandanavian Beer Pairing dinner and had a wonderful time. The courses were clean and well paired with each of the courses.3/11/2013 12:00:00 AMMy wife and I spent 4 daysMy wife and I spent 4 days at the hotel while visiting our son, a grad student at UC Berkeley. We ate one night at PLAJ and it was a fantastic meal. The dining area was relatively quiet and it was easy to talk. The food was wonderful and the wine and aperitifs were excellent as were the deserts. We will definitely dine there again when in SF.3/10/2013 12:00:00 AMThis restaurant serves intriguingThis restaurant serves intriguing food that also manages to be great comfort food. Flavor combinations are unusual but distinctly Scandinavian , caraway, lingonberries . It is one of my new favorites! The cocktails are always delicious and have that same Scandinavian sensibility .3/1/2013 12:00:00 AMI haven't had such smooth,I haven't had such smooth, polite, friendly (and lovely) service for a while. Wow. The setting is very nice - posh with a hint of modern. Food seemed true to the restaurant's roots, with a touch of elegance (hard to describe). One of us had the very deep couch seat with three cushions - great couch/concept, but probably not right for the dining room. I kept feeling I was on the verge of disappearing into the pillows. :-) We will return.3/1/2013 12:00:00 AMunusual, great valuePlaj is a welcome addition to San Francisco dining. My second visit, and I remain very impressed (though wish it had been livelier, we were there on a Monday and I guess there was no symphony/ballet etc, pretty quiet). Pork belly was yummy, my friend liked the meatballs, and delish beet salad with real truffles. I also think it's a great value for the level of the food/ambiance.2/25/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was excellent. OurThe food was excellent. Our waitress provided great service. She was in the kitchen when we left but came out to say thank you when she spotted us leaving. The host and the bartender could both learn to smile a little and be more personable. Other than that, everything was great.2/10/2013 12:00:00 AMPlaj has such an interestingPlaj has such an interesting and unexpected menu. And there is a good selection of comfort foods (meatballs and mashed potatoes!). Cocktail selection is quite entertaining.11/16/2012 12:00:00 AMExcellent in all aspects.Excellent in all aspects. Ambiance is warm but not casual. Food is unlike any other local restaurant and all we have had in several visits has been excellent. Be brave and your palate will be rewarded. Service is attentive, considerate, [insert other positive adjectives] yet quite personal. Waitpersons respond in kind, so if you are having fun, they will participate. If you are only focused on food, so are they.1/1/0001 4:00:00 PM