We go to fine restaurants all the time, this was a 1st time we saw a .50 charge for a cocktail sauce and .50 charge for a horseradish! Really???? Whats next ketchup charge or a straw? It is not about the money, it s a point of principle. Four of us ate and ordered drinks and the bill was $390.00, which is totally fine, but don't nickel and dime us......

Server was in a rush for everything, very confrontational for anything we asked it was a NO, but then well let me check?! Felt like waiter from Denny'sor Sizzlers back in the day, on the other hand they were much more friendlier. Despite all we still left over 20% gratuity.

Food is great, greater is great. However due to water, not sure if we would like to experience it again.

Chose this restaurant based on the Yelp reviews and just wanted to explore different areas of San Francisco. The neighborhood where Absinthe is located is super adorable. The restaurant is so charming with friendly staff. The menu has a wide variety and everything we had tasted delicious. Look forward to returning to this restaurant.

Really enjoyed dinner here with my friends. Serving staff was friendly and anticipated needs . Favorite items included the pretzel bites, onion soup, tomato and melon salad and the ribeye!!!

Took my friend here to celebrate her engagement. Everything was perfect as it always is at this restaurant.

Great ambiance and delicious food. The only issue was that it took ten minutes to be served our cocktails and we were there when it was not busy.

it was OVER half an hour between when we finished our soup until we got our sandwiches . . .unacceptable

The ambiance continues to be charming. But the food was mediocre, and the service was terrible.

Fabulous restaurant. Now a favorite. I wanted to take my adult son and godchild to experience Absythne before the Symphony.

The food here is outstanding - period. There are really not that many places that provide such a wonderful selection of high quality items, meaning there isn't a TON of selections, so it is obvious the items available are done with attention to detail. Everyone at the meal commented that they had not had this good of a meal for a 'long time'. It's really what I'd expect from a restaurant and this one does not let you down. A side note, very nice bathroom, clean, well appointed, and large enough for several people. I really think that speaks volumes about how the kitchen is kept. If the bathroom is out of order - meaning poorly kept - you can bet the kitchen is, and I personally don't want to eat any where that doesn't care about the customer. Lastly - the management must be told how wonderful they are doing, imagine actually managing your employees to provide outstanding service (quick - efficient - knowledgeable - and willing to adjust as needed for the customer). When you get down to brass tacks these things are somewhat expected in the service industry, but often either overlooked or just not managed properly - so bravo for an outstanding job here at this fine establishment. We will all be back to partake in your other selections, please keep it up, as you earned the tip my friend gave on that fine day.

Food was overpriced for what it is. Had the quiche with salad. The quiche was slightly undercooked and the salad wasn't fresh.

We were seated promptly. I had the scallops and my husband had the coq au vin. Both were excellent.

Was ok overall. Service was mediocre. Main problem was the pace. End to end all dishes were served to our table in 30 minutes. We get rushed. Most food got to the table before the drink have

Went here for my birthday and had a wonderful time. Staff were courteous and accommodating to my gluten sensitivity. The cocktails and wine selection were great. I had the filet shoulder with mashed potatoes and spinach. Good size portion. The sliced garlic chips were quite delicious.

Food was good as it usually is, but on this particular night service was a bit ragged. I think there might have been a short staff for Sunday evening. Not as crowded as usual.

Very mediocre wine selection, a so-called rose' not worth anywhere near the ludicrous asking price of $13.

I liked it but I think some of the flavors were more to please an American palate. using a lot of spices that we don't use in France.

Except for the fact that the city is continuing its endless construction and road repair right in front of the restaurant, it was great! Haven’t been in awhile and it didn’t disappoint.

The road work made it noisy at times but certainly not the restaurant’s fault.

Horrible service, tired food. Finished with food before wine order offered. French onion soup bland. Pork osso bucco unremarkable.

Actually I think I made 4 stars overall but better! Our waiter took great care of us and adjusted easily to varied arrival times of the group which was appreciated.

Came here to celebrate a friend's birthday. The food was excellent but the service staff really made it special. Both our waitress and the service staff gave us attentive but not obtrusive service. I forget how loud the dining room can get, so was happy to pick a super early reservation to ensure that the majority of the meal was relaxing.

This restaurant hacked my phone and added to my calendar a reservation to a restaurant Ive never heard of in a city one thousand miles away from my midwestern home. My advice to you is to have some respect for other peoples privacy

The maitre de was incredibly rude to our party

I had a very helpful waiter. He made a few good suggestions on what I should order. I ended up ordering just the right amount.

I’m definitely coming back.

The osso bucco is everything.

Honestly, it was all Shannon. Shannon was probably the most incredible server I have encountered in years. The love and passion she had for her craft was apparent in every recommendation she made for the two of us. This was my first time at Absinthe.

Just blown away by the service from Shannon!!!

The food was excellent - not superb but excellent. We had oyster shots, shared the onion soup and scallops (which were our favorite), the octopus dish (7/10 here as little flavor) and the burger (9/10 - superb rating here). We had a dessert that I seriously cannot remember but it was amazing.

Drinks were superb as well. We went for their speciality cocktails with recommendations from Shannon.

Superb experience with excellent food.

Thank you Shannon!!!!!!!!!! :)

Best Coq Au Vin I have ever eaten!

Everything, from beginning to end was perfect! My guest was unable to join me, but Absinthe (great greeter) was very thoughtful about my problem, finding a very nice table for me. The server was ultra-professional and attentive--excellent. My Sauvignon Blanc was superb & small French Onion soup perfect! Potato-crusted salmon was as good as I've ever had it anywhere--salmon perfectly cooked and delicious crunchy potato crust + the salad with the salmon was crispy & delicious. Finished off with pot de creme which was rich and yummy. Altogether a wonderful dining experience--thanks!!

Great food, horrific service.

Gretchen is awesome! Food never disappoints.

We usually love Absinthe for a quick bite and drink at the bar- the burger is excellent! Last night we went and sat in a booth for a late night burger, salad and glass of wine. Everything was great, except for the mouse running around under the tables in the dining room while we ate. Our server was aware of the mouse, and did try to find it (along with another customer) but didn't say anything to us, or any of the other customers dining that evening. It was a memorable evening...holding our feet up under the table while we quickly finished our burgers and got out of there.

The usual amazing experience. I've NEVER had scallops so perfectly cooked, and the octopus was to die for. I'll be back, and soon!

Wine list is horrible and WAY overpriced for what they serve. Food is good. Chairs are horribly uncomfortable.

They put us at a table at the very far end corner of the restaurant just because we have a 3 year old. Looks like they are afraid we will disturb other customers. I didn’t bother to argue with them as it was my husband’s birthday and didn’t want to ruin the experience. Pretentious and snobby restaurant.

I haven't been to Absinthe for awhile but I was very disappointed with the menu choices that they now have. The entree choices were limited and not interesting to me.

I had the Salmon which is served with a salad. While the Salmon was nice the salad was the worst I ever had. It was very bland, had no taste. I asked for more dressisng and that was the problem, it was very bland. I also think for $29 they could put a better side with the Salmon then a salad. Not worth the price. I was happy with the Onion soup. Choices for dessert weren't interesting either.

I would not return

Food was excellent - we can always rely on your hamburger and French onion soup being so consistently good. Coq au vin was also tasty but needed a few more carrots in it. Love the wine selection. Our waiter was very helpful. Only one snag - the host would not seat us until after 5pm because kitchen was closed (we had a 5:15 reservation). Bar was full but there were plenty of open tables, there was no need to send us out into the street until our reservation time...

A rare, quality neighborhood gem in SF that has an eye for casual, under-stated quality and sheen.

El lugar esta ideal para caminar en la zona, fuimos saliendo de la filarmonica y esta solo a unos pasos.
La comida muy buena, la hamburguesa extraordinaria y el servicio muy amable y simpático.
Buenos tragos también.
Recomendable

It was my first time there, I was there for a date and it was absolutely perfect. From the food, the ambience and Decour I would definitely recommend this place to friends.

Not our first visit but over 5 years the service, food and ambience have held up to expectations and, after all, that is why we go back. Good place to go before a performance since the service is appropriately speedy if not at time a bit frenetic. The food is very well prepared, of quality ingredients and served appropriately hot as the kitchen and serving staff are well trained and knows how to balance pride in their work with our need to get to a performance on time.

My husband and I were celebrating our 26th wedding anniversary. Our server and bus person were very attentive and the food was exceptional. We started with the french onion soup and duck rillettes. Both were very tasty. My husband then had the grilled rib-eye steak and I had the salmon. Again, both were exceptionally prepared and savory. We also had a Rose' wine that complimented both our main entrees. For dessert we had the Gateau Aux Fraises (white cake with strawberries), it was light and delicious.

However the only drawback was the nats that were flying around in the area we sat. The waitress was very accommodating when I asked for some apple cider vinegar and a drop of dish soap to help get them away from us. We placed in on the shelf in the corner and that did the trick. I recommend not sitting in the corners of the restaurant but if you do and there are nats flying around ask for this simple household recipe and this will help you have a meal where the food outweighs any annoyance.

Overall it was just”ok”. Nothing special. Not a repeat and the food was very average.