Big 4 Restaurant

The ambience is great. Lovely interior decoration. Good service. The food was ok, a little high in price for the quality of it. The live piano playing really made the evening so enjoyable.

We overall did not like the service and attitude of 2 staff members that ruined our experience. Decor is very nice, food is good but service needs to be improved significantly. Not going back ever.

We made a reservation for 7:45pm and ended up waiting A HOUR for our table. The host told us it was just be a minute while the people at our table had not even gotten the check. The host did not apologize for the wait at lot. Our waiter ended up rushing us through our entire meal. We had stopped coming to the Big Four but we were willingly to give it another chance, however, we will not be returning.

Be aware that the restaurant itself is currently closed, and the bar has been turned into a makeshift dining room, with a pared down menu.
The food and service are still great, but, it's not its usual delightful self.
Thanks to the wonderful bar man, who saved our evening from being a complete disaster, when our booking couldn't be found.

We enjoyed everything. However, considering this should be a top restaurant I didn’t give 5 stars for two reasons.
Their online menu is out of date and considering the type of restaurant this is the waiter didn’t crumb the table.

The food was great, nice having a piano playing in the background. Tip the pianist. Little bummed the pork chop wasn’t on the menu but the lamb chops was just fine. Everything was good.

We had anticipated great things from this restaurant, which had been recommended to us. The service was indifferent verging on snooty, the bland chicken pot pie should be renamed potato pot pie for the lack of chicken not to mention the glutenous sauce and the wine list was practically inaccessible for those not willing to spend high. The final bill came to $150 for two for a main course, one side to share and a glass of wine. This restaurant was the one exception to the rule that eating out in San Francisco is a great experience. The Big 4 was very disappointing.

Apparently the main restaurant is undergoing renovations (not mentioned when I made the reservation on line.) So we dined in the cocktail lounge area. We were assigned a small table that was against the Maitre d's stand that was noisy, and were refused another table across the room that was not occupied the entire time we were at the restaurant. The food was quite good, but expensive for the quality. Our waiter was excellent -- friendly, informative, and efficient.
All in all, a nice dinner, but disappointing considering this restaurant's reputation.

A bit overrated. Be prepared to pay a lot .

Es war toll wie immer!

Small establishment with lots of old world charm. Small but well executed menu with live piano music as well.

We came on a Monday very late and still we loved it. But I’m sure it would be completely different in a weekend day. Pianist playing beautiful!!!

Food was good. Menu a bit limited with renovations.

This is a superb restaurant IF they are not remodeling the kitchen and are only using the bar. We should have been told about this ahead of time. everyone was very pleasant, but given the small space we were too close to the pianist, alas. But we'll certainly return when things return to normal. This isn exceptional restaurant when not being remodeled!

The Big 4 is currently undergoing some renovations, so part of the dining room is closed. This is a classic San Francisco restaurant. It never disappoints--even when they are working with limited space and a limited menu, due to upcoming changes. But they promise the ambience will not change. And for us who know and love the Big 4, and its classic elegance, that is important. Classic dishes, well-prepared, friendly attentive staff.

Predictably perfect. We took an out-of-town couple for their 49th anniversary. We had raved about Big 4, and they delivered. The couple next to us was celebrating their 65th anniversary. Yep, it is a special occasion place, and a great place to take out-of-town guests.

The B4R was our go to when friends were in town or of course a natural choice when seeing a show at the Masonic. Service was great in the bar prior to our reservations.

And to be clear, service was fantastic during dinner. But dinner took way too long to get and the food was super mediocre.

Their classic chicken pot pie is always so reliable and great, but not so much this time. We spent around $400 for the four of us which would be fine, but not for this meal.

True bummer. ☹️

Our waiter, Ron was terrific, and the food and ambiance was wonderful. A perfect choice for dinner.

Extremely tasty food and scrumptious desserts! Went here for date night before a concert and had a fabulous time!

We have been coming to the Big 4 for over 45 years and love getting together with my sisters and remembering our mother who lived across the street
What a pleasure to have Laurie serve us...
thank you

The waiter and staff were amazing. I stayed for a relaxing night and this was a topper of the experience.

We revisited The Big Four after more than 30 years and was shocked by how much it has slipped. The service was very good but the food was worse than mediocre. We ordered 4 different main dishes, all sub-par. Since it was very dark, we could not see that the interior has not been cared for but that was obvious when we existed through the hotel lobby, the design of which is more than tacky with threadbare furniture. I have never written a poor review for a restaurant but I couldn't resist this opportunity to warn off others with warm memories of the original Big Four.

Everything from being seated to ordering was a great experience. Our waiter Ali, was wonderful and had a nice sense of humor. The food was spectacular and portions were quite large. We love the Big 4 and can’t wait to go back. It is a must when in SF!

They really need to figure out their breakfast service. Everything took so long to get.

Always a memorable time at Big 4!
You can bank on it!
The service sets the standard.
The food and atmosphere truly wonderful!
Thank you for always being top notch !

Our server disappeared after our food was served. I ordered the steak med rare came med plus. The wine list is limited and not impressive at all. The wine selection by the glass was terrible. Sommelier was very accommadating and professional
At a restaurant/hotel you need more wine by the glass that appeals to everyone

This was our third visit to this restaurant while traveling on business trips. The décor and ambience are outstanding with an old world San Francisco setting complete with piano music. The servers are delightful and work to make the meal experience fun as well as delicious. Not cheap of course (it is San Francisco) but compared to restaurants on the same level probably a good value. Have never had a dish that was not wonderful. Simply a wonderful restaurant which we look forward to visiting when we are in the city. Definitely recommend it for couples, groups of friends, and business meals.

NOISE WAS A HUGE PROBLEM.
Waiter was great...food so so. The noise detracted from the evening.

The food, view and service were top notch. Our server Paul was the best!

Always love being at the Big 4.... I love the pianist BUT when sitting at the cocktail tables I am not able to talk to my guest next to me.. the pianist is lovely but too loud for me especially the table closest to the door. I would tip him more if it was background
Otherwise love our experience

Quiet and romantic "old school" restaurant. Impeccable service. Wood paneled interior with leather booths and low lighting. The drinks and food were first rate. Expensive, but you are paying for the ambiance, the location, the whole package. Our only small complaint was the dessert, the flourless chocolate cake. It had a slight refrigerated taste, didn't taste fresh. The other food was excellent and well prepared. We'd definitely go back.

Very good food that was overpriced and wine was also overpriced. Service was spotty at the beginning. Ambience is old world dark wood and low light. Not a good value compared to other very good restaurants nearby.

Always a favorite!!! As a SF native I love the traditional decor and old San Francisco feel!!

Perfection from beginning to end. Ron was a fabulous waiter and historian

This is a terrific restaurant; very comfortable seating, quiet so you can chat, splendid piano music in the background; four of us all had a different entrée, the salmon, the steak, the duck and the pork shop and we all raved about our selection. It's so San Francisco; a great place to entertain visitors. Can't wait for a revisit.

Amazing service and food!

Big 4 did not disappoint! I took my boyfriend for his birthday and he loved it! Love the clubby feel of the place, very old school San Francisco! Get a martini to start, very traditional.
I had the steak, which being from a Texas, I was very impressed with it. My boyfriend had braised short rib, which he loved!

Dîner de fête des mères réussi : belle carte, bons vins et service irréprochable dans une ambiance feutrée digne d’un soap américain. Ça change de nos ambiances épurées à la française et du coup, on a adoré ! Merci pour ce moment.

Always a fun and cozy place to go for drinks and dinner.

Love the atmosphere but since new ownership something missing. Didn't particularly like the scallops and asparagus risotto. Very few asparagus and scallop slightly undercooked. I know chefs like to simply
sear them but I don't like to eat them when raw inside. Best item to order here are the crispy french fries which a friend always does as a starter. Thought $400 very expensive for a so-so meal that didn't include wine and only two main courses. Not sure I'd go back with all the choices in SF.