Woodwards Garden

Woodwards Garden
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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

Diner Reviews

"A hidden gem in plain sight. Never let's you down."
Dined on 2/28/2014
"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
"We have been coming here for years. About time we gave it a review! Great place. Food is wonderful and the wines are diverse and eclectic. Always good. great place for a quiet, easy dinner."
Dined on 1/11/2014
"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
"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
"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
"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
"I always love this place. There is only one server, but she manages to handle it well"
Dined on 1/23/2014
"Food was excellent, service was aloof but not unfriendly, ambience could be improved."
Dined on 1/18/2014
"So many better places in SF. This place didn't really stand out at all. Good food but again so many other places do the menu just as well or better. Ambience was nice enough if you like dim interiors (I do), loud music coming from speakers set in the corners (I don't) and mix matched dinner wear (not at this price point for a meal). Some people will probable love this place. I don't."
Dined on 1/16/2014
"simple, quiet, nice food and great service. nothing over the top, I had the couscous meal that was nice however didn't have the fullness I wanted."
Dined on 1/11/2014
"Woodward Gardens is just a gem. Amazing favors, great ingredients, terrific combinations come together in a sweet restaurant where everything is done with love! While just outside, there is city life, inside you feel embraced with warmth, cared for with wonderful service and leave feeling happy and content!"
Dined on 1/8/2014
"The food is great and exceeds expectations. The service was excellent, my water glass never got down to half full and it was refilled unobtrusively. It's well priced."
Dined on 1/3/2014
"A quaint place in an unlikely location turns out fresh locally-sourced dishes that are simple, rustic and delectable. Lamb stew with artichokes, buttery sturgeon, pear and huckleberry crumble...the preparation highlights each ingredient at its peak of flavor. Service is friendly and unfussy. We felt well cared for by the staff, and all of the menu recommendations were spot on. The feel here is local, intimate and timeless. Excellent place to celebrate with a few close friends."
Dined on 9/28/2013
"What a fantastic hidden gem! We loved the food, wine and our server. My only complaint is that our waitress seemed really busy and she was so cool that I would have loved a little more interaction and attention."
Dined on 12/21/2013
"Excellent meal with group of friends. Love the intimacy, truly a special place!"
Dined on 12/21/2013
"After two decades the entrance through the noisy, unsightly kitchen at Woodward's Garden hasn't changed any more than the nearby freeway. Fortunately we all enjoyed the taste of our food, but we couldn't see it because the only lighting at our table was a single tea lamp. The wine list, like many San Francisco restaurants today, primarily featured imported wines. (What's with that if they are so proud of the local sourcing of the food?) The server was frosty. Then, in spite of the starched white table cloth and prices to go with it, the busboy asked us to keep our silverware after the first course. So is a good meal in the dark by a freeway worth it? Nah. Not for me."
Dined on 12/20/2013
"It has become a tradition for my best friend and I to treat ourselves during the Christmas holidays, The cuisine and service is always at its best."
Dined on 12/21/2013
"The menu is interesting, the cooking aims for perfection, and the atmosphere allows for good conversation while dining."
Dined on 12/17/2013
"We hadn't been to Woodwards Garden for many years. It was a disappointment. The restaurant was very empty, the service seemed slow and the food had no "pop"."
Dined on 11/6/2013
"Delightful dinner with quiet, efficient service. Hot, fresh food with great flavors and beautiful presentation- seasonal and local sources. Excellent and well-priced wines. Felt very comfortable, but special. Thanks!"
Dined on 12/6/2013
"I Love This Place. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a memorable, delicious meal."
Dined on 11/23/2013
"We read the reviews and felt they were good enough to try a new restaurant although not without apprehension. We didn't mind the location under the freeway at all...there was easy parking for us on the street. Digital art work in the second room was unusual and worth seeing. Service was interesting, definitely lacking in attention, but given we were with another couple and very engaged in our conversations, we didn't mind. Lovely intimate setting for the four of us. Noticed some of the table seating for two would be too close to one another for me to be comfortable. Excellent, excellent food. We would definitely go there again for the ambience and the fabulous food in spite of our less than friendly waitress. Hats off to the chef."
Dined on 11/23/2013
"We've been going to Woodwards Garden for years now since our friends Mary Beth and Michael introduced us. It can be hard to find the first time since it occupies an unlikely spot beneath the elevated freeway. I LOVE the view because it's quintessentially urban -- a little gritty with great people watching and lots of sounds of the city. Get there early if you want a quiet meal. The menu always changes, but is consistently delicious with its use of local, seasonal offerings. The steel head was especially delicious the other night, as was a persimmon and chard salad. The owner is super friendly and remembers her guests. This is one of our favorites."
Dined on 11/21/2013
"Woodward's Garden has been very consistent over the years, providing upscale food nicely presented. I can always count on an excellent meal at a reasonable price. The wine list is carefully selected with a modest mark-up. What's not to like?"
Dined on 11/7/2013
"A secret winner that for some reason isn't jammed at all times."
Dined on 11/8/2013
"Walked in to a very empty restaurant and was a little worried. This passed quickly as an incredibly tasty salad with roasted beets arrived and we took our first sips of wine. The food was spot on, delicious. Presentation was lovely. Everything fresh. Sustainable fish and locally sourced ingredients. By the time we finished our entrees, the place had filled. Although the timing was a bit off on the entrees and we waited a bit for a dessert menu, the service was good."
Dined on 11/1/2013
"We returned to Woodward Gardens because of fond memories and because the relatively quiet restaurant suited my hard of hearing husband. We arrived early for our 7 PM reservation and the restaurant was empty. We had specified the need for a quiet table but the server showed us to a small table for 2 wedged among others, then a table directly under the music speaker. Finally, she sat us at a more suitable table that I chose. We intended to have a leisurely dinner, and even though no other guests had arrived, she kept pushing us to order. She remained arrogant and rude throughout the meal, responding to our menu questions only cursorily as if we had put her out. Although the food was good, we will not be back."
Dined on 11/2/2013
"Woodwards Garden never fails to delight. This is our go-to place for consistently good food, quiet atmosphere and pleasant dining experience. Service is attentive and not "in you face I'm your host tonight I'll be serving you" dumbed down. Only dilemma: too many wonderful dishes to choose among--not that the menu is overwhelming, just that everything always sounds so good--and there is never a disappointment. I'd love to keep this place a secret, but would be unfair to Woodwards Garden--and everyone else."
Dined on 10/29/2013
"Have love love loved, this spot for over twelve years. It has never failed to create a meal to talk about and reflect on over and over. Sarah's mastery of food and pairing has always satisfied my food 'CHI'."
Dined on 10/27/2013
"Very nice experience. Kind of pricey, but food and service were both excellent. Funky location, occasionally noisy from the street outside, but the restaurant itself was quite enough to hear my date (for once)."
Dined on 10/27/2013
"A Our threesome had a great night exchanging stories (we could hear eachother) and eating great food! Each dish it's own treat."
Dined on 10/10/2013
"Don't be overly concerned about the location, nor understated decor, the food more than compensates. Locally sourced ingredients and an adequate wine selection makes this a dining value. Our fig appetizer, sturgeon and pappardelle were excellent as were the desserts - homemade ice cream and a fruit crisp. The owner was our server -- and needless to say the service was excellent and the server quite knowledgeable about all facets of the menus!"
Dined on 9/21/2013
"We had a delightful dinner/dining experience and would recommend Woodward's Garden highly."
Dined on 9/21/2013
"WG is a SF gem. The food is not only delicious, it is clever and inventive. The seasonal menu is obviously filled with thoughtful choices and surprising treasures (the grape gazpacho made me discover new taste buds!) Along some classic dishes (Maple Leaf Duck Leg) you will find a new twist on short ribs. The desserts are all equally delicious and always renewed. Margie's wine recommendations are on point and never disappointing. You don't feel rushed or pressed to leave. You are made to feel welcome. I would like to make this place a weekly tradition! You can feel the love and care that goes in this restaurant, it's not just a business, it is a real labor of love."
Dined on 9/21/2013
"I recently had the pleasure of eating at Woodwards Garden for the first time as part of a special event by a local author. I was totally blown away by the taste, quality, and creativity of the food. As a vegetarian, I am used to vegetables getting a second-rate treatment, but this was certainly not the case here as vegetables play a starring role. The vegetarian dishes were wonderfully layered with fabulous flavors, equally substantial in comparison to the meat dishes. Both vegetarians and carnivores will leave satisfied. The food has a farm to table sensibility with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The space is warm, intimate, and rustic and makes you feel at home. I highly recommended this lovely restaurant."
Dined on 9/18/2013
"The food was unique , prepared in timely fashion, but the wait staff was cool & even to the point rude at times, walking off in mid conversation. We has heard the place was great for special occasions, but we were underwhelmed & won't return."
Dined on 9/14/2013

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