Woodwards Garden

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Address:
1700 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Neighborhood:
Mission

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Cuisine:
American

Price: $31 to $50

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Woodwards Garden Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://www.woodwardsgarden.com
Phone: (415) 621-7122
Hours of Operation: Dinner: Tuesday - Saturday: 6:00pm - close
Payment Options: AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Executive Chef: Dana Tommasino
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Beer, Counter Seating, Farm to Table, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Wine

Getting there

Cross Street: Duboce Avenue
Public Transit: Bart stops at 16th Mission Street
Muni stops at Van Ness
Mission Street Bus stops at Duboce
Parking: Street Parking
Parking Details: Easy street parking as the neighborhood clears out at night.

A word from Woodwards Garden

Our Restaurant is located at the site of the original Woodward’s Gardens, San Francisco’s first amusement park, open from 1866 to 1891. We love that our restaurant is connected to such a sweet part of this city’s past. We like to think that our food also reflects a slower time as it is both… ardently seasonal and locally sourced. Our garden opened under a freeway in 1992 and was one of the first of its kind to establish itself in San Francisco’s unlikely Mission District — now a thriving destination. A tiny jewel box, Woodward’s Garden has been likened by many friends and customers favorite neighborhood bistros in Paris. We love the idea - Dana Tommasino & Margie Conard Continued

Foodspotting photos

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerAmerican
Diners' Choice WinnerRomantic

Woodwards Garden - Best Restaurants in Mission

Diner Reviews

"Loved it! Everything was prepared to perfection. I'd wanted to go for years and so glad we finally went. Did not disappoint!"
Dined on 7/23/2014
"The entire experience at Woodwards Garden is just wonderful. Located in a very urban looking environment, you step inside and enter a world of fine dining and service! The food is fresh, delicious and surprises with some of the combinations. The wine list is short but complex. I look forward to my next visit."
Dined on 7/19/2014
"We always love dining here. The small and cozy space conbined with exquisite dishes that exemplify San Francisco comfort food make is perfect for special nights out. The fact that you can actually hear your dinner guests is an added bonus! Hard to find a nice quiet place to chat that also has excellent food these days."
Dined on 7/16/2014
"Fabulous fresh food cooked well, wonderful wines and wine advice. Understated excellent service. A really enjoyable evening."
Dined on 6/26/2014
"As if to step into another time, another place, this restaurant serves up good food and ambience for a romantic dinner."
Dined on 6/25/2014
"We have visited Woodwards Garden twice. We were impressed by the intensity of flavors and the skill taken to blend them into a wonderful dish. The first time we started with an excellent cheese platter. We also shared a wheat berry risotto combining peas and asparagus, expertly done. We tried the lamb tagine featuring tender pieces of lamb shoulder, a very tasty reduction sauce and grilled vegetables. Our friend had the duck leg with polenta and broccoli di ciccio - extremely moist and flavorful meat and excellent greens. Atmosphere is calm and pleasant. Service is attentive and easy. The wine list and suggestions are perfect. Go to Woodwards Garden to savor the food and enjoy the company of your appreciative dining companions..."
Dined on 6/20/2014
"Finally had dinner at this restaurant after living in San Francisco for over 20 years. Reading the reviews on Open Table are misleading. This is not a Five or Four star experience, it's just not. The food was only OK and the restaurant is in poor condition. There is a baby grand piano in the already cramped dining room...and a curtain against the back wall that only partially conceals a storage closet. It just seems like they've given up on overall maintenance and appearance...and innovation in the kitchen. Sorry...I hate to write poor reviews, but perhaps they'll step up their game. They've been at that location for years, so there must be something to what they've done in the past."
Dined on 6/17/2014
"Very good food and service. A small intimate scene."
Dined on 5/24/2014
"I recommended to my friends from Menlo Park to meet my husband and I there for dinner. It was an embarrasing choice for which I had to apologize. The floor upstairs is under construction and extremely noisy. The lights come on full blast unexpectedly. The staff doesnt seem to mind. My lamb shoulder was very dry. Stay away."
Dined on 5/23/2014
"really loud table next to us, service was fine, chef put together some wild combinations tha tdidn't make sense and both of our proteins had no flavor to them, very bland meal, won't be back"
Dined on 5/16/2014
"My husband and I were travelling from Toronto, ON Canada and were on the hunt for a local spot that had great food, terrific service and an unpretentious atmosphere. This restaurant hit all of those components, and then some. The staff was very friendly and the food was outstanding. Flavours were simple but stood out, portions were a perfect size and the menu was definitely specific to what was available in the area and in season. I would highly recommend this restaurant. "
Dined on 5/16/2014
"We've eaten at Woodwards Garden several times in the past 4 or 5 years. It's always been really good with an inventive, complex menu. This time, though, the food was pretty disappointing; the pork steak underdone, the duck dish dry with accompaniments that seem to have sat around a while. The food did not seem to have sped from stove to table, the way it should. We hope that things pick-up at this restaurant since we've often loved the food and always liked the environment--a kind of broken elegance with crisp linens and uneven floors. Hoping things improve."
Dined on 5/15/2014
"After driving past Woodward Gardens for years, I'm glad that I finally made the effort to eat there. The service was excellent and the food tasty and well presented. I plan to return on a regular basis to enjoy a laid back and cozy experience. "
Dined on 5/10/2014
"Not awful, not memorable. Nothing was mind-blowing. I think the wife summed it up perfectly when she said it didn't make her feel special. I think any fine dining/high-end cuisine experience should do exactly that. It should make you feel special, from the ingredients to the service. When a place makes you feel like they're doing you a favor and you should be lucky to be there, I think that's a major missed opportunity for them for repeat business. I also feel like their insecurities are showing. Places that do the opposite, the ones that deliver on food, experience, service, and overall wow: Sons & Daughters, Millennium, Frances, Baker & Banker. We will continue to go to these and avoid the Woodward's and Haven's of the Bay Area. Thanks."
Dined on 5/10/2014
"I love quaint dining spaces, but the room was so poorly designed I had a piano cutting into my personal space."
Dined on 5/9/2014
"We had been going to this restaurant for over ten years and don't know what has happened. The appetizers were average but the main courses while edible were marginal.We tried to order a side order of radishes and were served two. The wine list of California Whites was limited and ordered two glasses of a red with our main course but were served two tiny glasses that were so small they never appeared on our bill. The waitress was pleasant but every question required her to go to someone else for an answer. Years ago my wife got a salad dressing recipe from the chef and we have loved it. The recipe's this time barely passed muster. We are sad. A favorite has so deteriorated that we will not wish to reserve there again "
Dined on 5/2/2014
"The food was delicious. All food prepared from fresh locally resourced providers. The atmosphere was quiet; you really talk and enjoy each other's company. Service was prompt and courteous. "
Dined on 4/26/2014
"My wife and two friends dined at Woodwards Garden specifically because it was next door to Brick and Mortar where my sons' band was performing. Indeed during dinner we "ran into" (the dining area is quite small) one of my sons with his girlfriend performer and band manager dining before their set as well. All seven of us had great meals but was notably outstanding was the sensitive and sophisticated service offered by whom I believe was the owner of the restaurant. Her suggestion, pace and style reminded me of what I'd expect at a good French or Alsatian restaurant in Europe. Woodwards Garden apparently is located in one of the oldest continuous restaurant sites in San Francisco. We loved its charm, food and service. "
Dined on 4/25/2014
"Great spot for the food--cooked with care by what I'm told are the original owners. Restaurant sits practically under the 101 Fwy, so the entrance is a bit weird. Parking not as hard as you might think, at least not on a weekend evening, but you have to find it yourself, and maybe get lucky. Somewhat cramped quarters but surprisingly quiet for dinner."
Dined on 4/19/2014
"The write ups were rather positive and we wanted to try a new restaurant. Rather disappointing. We order an appetizer of beets and were served one with kale - which actually looked better - we should have kept it. The yellow tail fish was overcooked and dry. Desert was strawberry tart; not bad but definitely nothing that a good bakery could not do better. Very few wines by the glass. Tables are very close together and in a place which is industrial, it is difficult -the conversation of the table next to us was hard to not overhear in an otherwise quiet place. Heirloom Café and others are a much better choice. I assume this was an off night. Some adjustments are needed from our experience: more attentive/helpful service included. "
Dined on 4/19/2014
"We loved this place. We can't believe we've never been before! The food was delicious, fresh, seasonal. The ambiance is great; we sat near front windows right by the open kitchen. Feels like you're in a small European town! Relaxed but still special. Highly recommend. "
Dined on 4/12/2014
"You have to get past the appearance of the building, and the rather close seating, but these folks (and it is amazingly few folks) really put out some excellent dishes. Everything we had was well presented and just enough different to make my foodie daughter very impressed. Can't go wrong for pre-theater dining. Ton's of close on street parking available Saturday night."
Dined on 4/5/2014
"Woodwards Garden is one of those hidden gems in San Francisco. From the meals start with great wine to the finish with delectable desserts and robust coffee, we always have a great time."
Dined on 4/2/2014
"Woodward gardens is located under the highway, but somehow manages to feel romantic and cozy. The menus is always dependable to be delicious and seasonal, and the owner can be relies upon for great wine recommendations. Seating in the front near the windows allows you to watch your chef at work, or sit in the back if you want a table out of the way of the action. Service was very good, as were the citrus salad, soup, and steelhead. I think it would be hard to go wrong with whatever you chose."
Dined on 3/22/2014
"The food and drinks were wonderful -- everything from my rose` to the strawberry rhubarb tart for dessert. The salmon with dill creme fresh was amazing. My husband's citrus and burrata salad was equally superb, and his pork with chimichurri was also good. My lettuces salad with radishes was a little lacking, but being the only thing slightly amiss, I still give it 5 stars. Even my decaf americano was really good (DECAF!). The service was traditional french style -- very subtle / non-obtrusive."
Dined on 3/22/2014
"This place is one of the gems in the Mission. Fantastic food, Best service, great wine list."
Dined on 3/21/2014
"The food is very high quality, well made but not overly fussy. The flavors of the ingredients come through clearly. Delicious. And the wine list matches with high quality wines at every price point. A delightful evening."
Dined on 3/18/2014
"Everything was amazing... I am not sure I personally qualify for being named a "foodie". But I have many friends who give themselves this ID and have brought me along on their restaurant investigations so I have been to high end places... the food at this place rivals and IMHO surpasses most of them. I had the steelhead and a kale salad . The dessert was a fruit based something(cant remember the name--thanks to alcohol prior and during dinnner lol) delicious.... I'm pretty sure the owners do the cooking as well as host the place... Nice to dine at a non corporate owned establishment. Lastly I could have a conversation with my guests without yelling at them.. although it was a tuesday night..."
Dined on 3/11/2014
"We had a good time at the restaurant. The service was fast and orderly. The zucchini soup tasted good. The dates and kale salad was crunchy. My duck was missing flavors but the blood orange cake was delicious. A great venue for a romantic dinner."
Dined on 3/8/2014
"This restaurant is owned by Dana, the Chef, and Margie who runs the front of the house. Very quaint restaurant with that is a favorite of my partner and I. The food is always interesting, seasonal and local. Some of the best food I've had in the city. Their wine menu is also always spectacular. There is a special charm to this restuarant that I love. Partially due to the fact that its under the freeway overpass on the corner of an intersection. I love eating at Woodwards Garden when its raining outside -- it just ads to the special character of this restaurant."
Dined on 3/7/2014
"A hidden gem in plain sight. Never let's you down."
Dined on 2/28/2014
"This was the restaurant for our first date. Now that we recently got married, we enjoy coming back to this special place!"
Dined on 2/26/2014
"A perfect place for a romantic dinner, a low-key birthday or to simply relax and catch up with friends over stellar cuisine and a glass or two of well-paired, reasonably priced wine."
Dined on 2/21/2014
"Woodward's Garden is an amazing little gem. The food is always memorable and delicious.The service is thoughtful and gracious.It is a magical place for dinner."
Dined on 2/13/2014
"Solid offering in the Mission. Food was quite good. Corkage fee is a very reasonable $20. Perhaps our favorite part was the brussel sprout side dish, but everything was good."
Dined on 2/12/2014
"It's all about delicious food, warm and friendly service, and no pretension. Every time we dine here for dinner, we are amazed that such a small kitchen and staff can turn out relentlessly wonderful meals, right down to their lovely and creative desserts!"
Dined on 2/7/2014
"Overall the food was quite excellent. The server was a bit sour but didn't really detract from the excellent food. Had a nice time with daughter, conversation and wine."
Dined on 2/1/2014
"I think they do a very nice job with the food. The service seemed quite personal and pleasant. Overall, a very good experience."
Dined on 2/1/2014
"One of San Francisco's best kept secrets, unfortunately. Why it is not packed nightly is a mystery. Chef creates some of the best, most innovative dishes in town. The service is knowledgeable and friendly and the price is very reasonable for fine dining."
Dined on 1/30/2014
"still a very special spot with wonderful service an intimate feel. food is excellent and the salmon was amazing... as was the dessert.."
Dined on 1/24/2014

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