Gardenias

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1. b

   bethb

   San Francisco

   53 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   53 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Such a great local spot. Great atmosphere, service and vibe. The food is delicious, fresh and creative. Will be back!

   Report
2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 20, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Charming ambiance and great service. Delicious food without high end prices. Ordered the duck and black cod which were prepared nicely. Scallop crude and Brussels sprouts salad appetizers were perfect.

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3. EO

   EllenO

   San Francisco

   18 reviews

   5.0

   18 reviews

   Dined on November 14, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We shared two appetizers, the warmed leek in vinaigrette and the fig, grape and prosciutto with buratta. Both were delicious, but the standout was the fig dish. Just a perfect combination of flavors and textures. So good! We had two dishes that were just the thing for a cold Fall night-- the duck with root vegetable gratin and red cabbage and the short ribs with polenta. My husband asked for a substitute for the Brussels sprouts and had the red cabbage and loved it. The duck was the best I've ever had; tender, delicious, and perfectly paired with the vegetables. We got the pricey bread and butter (8$!, but hot, crusty, and delicious) because the sauces were too delicious not to mop up. We both had their one pinot noir by the glass which paired perfectly with both dishes. We took home dessert--no room! Our waitress was both attentive and helpful. She answered questions very well and made great suggestions. The room was quite chilly! We both kept our coats on during dinner, but still the atmosphere was very pleasant. It would have been worse if it were hot! All in all a wonderful anniversary celebration at a delightful restaurant. Note that the restaurant is small and so is the menu. This is not the place to go if you need many options. There were no specials. Still, we felt there was lots to choose from in terms of variety.

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4. s

   sfeater

   San Francisco

   114 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   114 reviews

   Dined on November 13, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We've been here before, but it seems much improved over previous visits when the service was spottier. The food is excellent. There are a number of inventive and delicious starters and entrees so that a variety of.food preferences are available. The back patio area is cozy and just the right combination of fresh air and comfort. You're protected from the wind, and the heated lamp is more than enough to warm up the contained patio area. We are still sticking to outdoor eating right now, so having this option (as opposed to a blustery parklet) is greatly appreciated.

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5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 5, 2022

   overall5food4service4ambience4

   All in all great experience and good food.

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 4, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Lovely and cozy on a cold late fall evening. Everything was perfect to make a memorable evening.

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7. CS

   CraigS

   San Francisco

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on October 31, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great food without being pretentious. Standout dishes include the shaved Brussels Sprouts starter and the Short Ribs main. All desserts are fabulous.

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Philadelphia

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on October 29, 2022

   overall4food3service4ambience4

   The ambiance was great, but the food was extremely greasy.

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9. S

   Sheila

   San Francisco

   29 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   29 reviews

   Dined on October 23, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Always wonderful.

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10. AN

    AlanN

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    the nectarine upside down tort is to die for - yum!

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11. y

    yum2

    Orange County

    80 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    80 reviews

    Dined on September 24, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Nice neighborhood restaurant with friendly and accommodating staff. The outdoor patio in the back has comfortable seating. Food is well prepared and entree portions are just the right size to have room for dessert.

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12. G

    Guillermo

    Mexico City

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on September 18, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Excelente lugar, excelente cocina, extraordinaria opción

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Gardenias has a quiet intimate patio just off the main dining area. You are protected by a leafy fenced in area. On cool nights heaters heat the area. The staff is friendly and efficient. The food is unique and served at perfect temperature. Very good wine list for pairing.

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14. R

    Ross

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing food and service. My wife and I had a lovely time. Thank you!

    Report
15. M

    Marian

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I’ve loved this place for years and stil do. The service is attentive without being overbearing. The food is great! The menu is seasonally driven (always a big plus for me) and the room is lovely. Outside dining is still available on the patio. (The parklet is no longer being used.) Gardenias is a Neighborhood Gem and a Destination Restaurant in one.

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16. T

    Todd

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I brought visiting family from out of town with some special dietary restrictions (gluten/red meat) to Gardenias for a final dinner out before they headed out. I’ve dined there in the past and the food, ambience and service never failed to impress. The experience this time exceeded all expectations. Our waiter worked with us to ensure that our menu choices, shared family style, could be enjoyed by all of us. They were all deliciously prepared. He helped curate the perfect wine and dessert choices to finish off the meal.

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17. J

    Jan2017

    San Francisco

    31 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on August 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Corn chowder was superb. Duck was wonderful but too many competing spices to taste the flavor of the duck. Brown butter plum tart was perfect sweet ending.

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18. CW

    CarmenW

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2022

    overall3food2service4ambience3

    The overall experience was drenched in too much: fat, dressing, butter, shouting guests, oil. Short ribs are a high fat choice, however they are made unpleasant when the neighboring vegetables are submerged in oil. Butter is nice with Salmon, which was perfectly cooked, but the dish was swimming in butter. The salad was described as a Little Gem, but the majority of the greens were frisee. We did not leave smiling. We loved Woodward’s Garden, but the attention to detail seems lacking here.

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19. KW

    KimW

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 5, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience5

    The space is beautiful. The waiter was extremely pleasant. Food presentation beautiful but lots of items super spicy and was not aware when ordering of the spiciness'. If known we would have chosen a different option. Hubby wanted a diet coke but they do not serve any sodas. He does not drink alcohol and the other drink choices for him were sparkling or tap water. The food does not measure up to the prices of the entrees. But we understand prices are up due to current shipping and product availability. Hope to return to try a different item and give another shot but probably not with hubby. Hope to have the same waiter. He was great! KW

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20. JL

    JoshL

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    1.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2022

    overall1food5service1ambience3

    It was our anniversary and the server only came twice (one to take our order and one to get our check). He seemed more focus on the family of 5 and the other couple that he ended up chatting with them and not checking on us. We were going to order more drinks but the experience has soured so much that we couldn’t wait to leave

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21. SB

    SheilaB

    San Francisco

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on July 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    As always, a fabulous dining experience. The food is delicious and they always have new, creative dishes on the menu. The service is wonderful.

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22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Adorable place, very nice little patio w/a heater. Nice for an intimate meal.

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23. C

    Chaukokecks

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 2, 2022

    overall4food3service4ambience4

    I come to Gardenia's for quiet conversation in a casual setting. Their food tastes like it comes from someone's home kitchen, which is nice. But sometimes, it's almost too much like something I can make at home. After a recent dinner, I felt their dishes could use a bit more punch/flair. Also, I'd love if hot dishes came out hot rather than lukewarm. The service is efficient and friendly and it remains a sweet neighborhood spot.

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24. W

    Wildkress

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fabulous neighborhood restaurant worthy of leaving your neighborhood! Everything I love about San Francisco dining--vegetable forward, charming, delicious.

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25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 27, 2022

    overall2food2service4ambience4

    The food was delicious but there was so little of it. $38 for about 2 oz of lamb and I am not kidding. I had the black cod and there was about 6 oz of fish, but there were 2 fingerling potatoes and about 6 peas on my plate. I will not go back. I feel we weee cheered out of a meal. We had to go get more food because we were hungry when we left.

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26. c

    chloes

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Absolutely love this spot! Every time we go I have to get the gnocchi, its super light yet filling at the same time. The service is great & they always give an honest & detailed run through of their menu. Its definitely a smaller intimate hidden gem, a must when in the Pacific Heights area!

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27. CW

    CynthiaW

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    What a lovely experience. We were in the city for a show at the Fillmore and based on other reviews decided to have dinner here beforehand. Boy am I glad we did. If this was my neighborhood I would eat here all the time. I had the gnocchi and am still dreaming of the pillowy, creamy texture and amazing cheesy flavor. Good heavens. We also had the asparagus appetizer which was just enough and super tasty—a perfect combination of salty, crisp and creamy with the bright green flavor balancing the richness of the burrata. I will be dreaming of this meal for a while. Also the space is lovely. I felt like we were dinner guests in an inviting home.

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28. MR

    MarkR

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had vegetarian friends in from out of town so we chose here because of the menu choices. All the dinners were top notch especially the short ribs and the fish. The deserts were also great especially the mint ice cream made from fresh mint.

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29. JC

    JaniceC

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 22, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Such a thoughtful menu, right up to the desserts. Diners are also some of the most nicely-dressed in the city!

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30. MH

    MonaH

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on May 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Once again a fabulous meal at Gardenias. The short ribs are melt in your mouth divine, and fish entrées are always superb. What really makes Gardenias stand out is the over the top creativity of their farm to table vegetable accompaniments with entrees, and the salad and veggie starters. Too many to list, so I'll just note my most recent starter of roasted young carrots, sweet potatoes and beets served over a luscious thick tahini sauce and topped with a carrot top pesto. Yum!!

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31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    This was our first time dining at Gardenias. It was a good experience all around. They have a decent wine selection and we bought one of the least expensive wines which turned out to be a great choice! Their short rips and pork tenderloin were on point. The white bean, pistachio, and olive tapenade was delightful. We had the appetizer, prosciutto wrapped asparagus paired with burrata and golden raisins. It was okay but didn’t make sense. Could have used crostinis or even croutons. It was a great little neighborhood spot we’ve been wanting to try and we will certainly return.

    Report
32. s

    simonian

    San Francisco

    48 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    48 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    Second time visiting this cute neighborhood restaurant - food was a bit uninspired so we were disappointed. I love the space but with both front and back doors open, you do get a bit of a wind tunnel effect - it was cold! I get it that this is likely for Covid safety. Just be warned, you will be cold and your food will get cold rapidly. Scallop crudo was just ok - the combination of chile oil and other toppings didn't really add much. Salad with strawberries was good, but this being peak strawberry season, we were sad to see hard, not very sweet berries in the mix. Gnocchi was described by server as pan browned when in fact they were absolutely not browned at all and a bit flabby. Desserts were ok - not great. Overall, I'd say if I lived in the neighborhood, I might give it another chance, but since I don't, I'll pass.

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33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Limited menu, so review ahead of time. Tight quarters if worried about COVID. Would have liked faster service. Felt like kept looking for server. Food delicious. You pay for bread.

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34. MH

    MonaH

    San Francisco

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Outstanding as always! Gardenias is one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco, and a true foodie's delight.

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35. CP

    CaptainPhillips

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    we had a great time right before a concert at the Fillmore

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36. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Such incredibly delicious seasonal food in a beautiful setting!!! I’ll be back again and again!!

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37. MG

    MargaretG

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fabulous food and excellent service. A little gem of a restaurant!

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38. JJ

    JJESS

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It’s been a few years since we last were there, but the food is outstanding and the service was attentive.

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39. KM

    KarinM

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on April 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    EXCELLENT EXCELLENT Restaurant! One of my favorites! I had the braised ribs with polenta and broccoli which was phenomenal followed with an absolutely delectable pear tart this time. Highly recommend..

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40. s

    sfleah

    San Francisco

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Had a fabulous meal! The carrot appetizer, the leek soup and the swordfish entre were delicious with fresh ingredients. The meringue dessert was the perfect way to end the meal. YUMM!

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