Ethel's Fancy

Ethel's Fancy reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. S

   Stephanie

   San Francisco1 review

   2.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   We have to wait 30min before gets seated even with reservation. Food is ok this round not sure because its the menu or ..
   

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2. L

   Lenore

   Hawaii1 review

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Each dish sent out by this talented chef combines flavors, textures, sometimes colors to make each facet of dining here feel special. Pork belly cubes are topped with sweet orange segments and thinly sliced radish. Even old favorites like striploin appear re-imagined, lovely in their twin sauces and "sticky" carrots. The menu,which changes with the seasons, features small and large plates. Halibut is a standout for finding the exquisite moment of cooking just enough, not too much or too little, so that the delicate flavor of the fish is enhanced and the texture remains flaky and soft. You will want to come back to see the new dishes on the menu. This popular restaurant is mostly full, but managed efficiently. Water glasses (still and sparkling are complimentary) are watched, and everyone is pleasant and welcoming.
   

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3. S

   Steve VIP

   San Francisco83 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The rave reviews are well deserved. My impression is Ethel's Fancy is tantamount to having an Allan Wong's/Palm Grill (sadly both AW's HNL restaurants are closed permanently) in the SFBA. Appetizers: The milk bread was divine. Brocolli stuffed with scallops were crunchy and flavorful. Smoked trout on sesame biscuits were yummy. Entrees: Roasted pork belly was the tastiest ever. Halibut with Japanese curry had well balanced and complementary nuanced flavors. Desert: Chocolate tart with cream coffee topping was over the top good. Ambiance: Modern and monimal. Bright lighting with moderate noise level, Saturday night and full tables. We had reservations for outdoor seating but it was chilly with wind gusts so we were kindly seated at the bar instead. Service: Attentive, professional and friendly. On target. Will return again and again. We were seated between multiple times repeat couples. The menu reflects the owner/chef's delicious and successful blending of a Japanese American growing up in Hawaii and culinary school legacies. Plentiful free parking on street and parking lots.
   

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4. G

   Gordon VIP

   San Francisco46 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Living in the Bay Area, if you have a meal at Borgo in NYC, it's worth the flight to NYC. If you live in NYC, it's worth the flight to the Bay Area for Ethel's Fancy. The scallops with the maitake mushrooms in a salsa verde were sublime, the tuna tartare with rice is elevated beyond belief with the smoked ikura, and the katsu swordfish is so perfectly prepared you will never want to eat swordfish any other way. The kinako softserve and corn fancier with the Hokkaido milk custard will make non-dessert people change their diets--truly innovative and wonderful!
   

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5. K

   Kendra VIP

   San Francisco2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Phenomenal food, great atmosphere, awesome service!
   

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6. VD

   ValerieDemicheva VIP

   San Francisco8 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 30, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Love the high-quality fish they always use in their dishes love the staff love the wines. Beautiful ambience. The only truly high end, but also accessible restaurant of its kind in the area.
   

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7. L

   Lili

   San Francisco3 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on April 27, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   We recently had the pleasure of dining at Ethel’s to celebrate my friend’s birthday, and everything about the experience was wonderful. From the moment we walked in, the beautiful ambiance set the tone for a special evening. The food was delicious — every dish was thoughtfully prepared and bursting with flavor. The service was attentive without being overbearing, and every staff member made sure we felt taken care of throughout the night. Overall, it was a fantastic experience. I would highly recommend Ethel’s to anyone looking for a beautiful setting, delicious food, and wonderful service.
   

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8. B

   Beth VIP

   San Francisco20 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 25, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Comfortable vibe, creative menu, fun, cocktails, great staff. Hard to get a reservation though.
   

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9. M

   Mariam

   Los Angeles1 review

   5.0

   Dined on April 24, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Ethel's Fancy is scuh a gem. The Japanese-American fusion is an experience i didn't know i was missing from my life, and have now decided i cannot live without. Thank you Chef Scott and team for all the heart you put into every aspect of each dish. I felt that with my first bite of each dish, i needed to take a moment to just appreciate how happy my taste buds were. Host, Waiters/Waitresses and all- thank you, you're truly awesome. I look forward to visiting again.
   

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10. I

    Inge VIP

    San Francisco17 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4

    Ethel's Fancy is consistently great - the food is always fresh, unique, and delicious! The service is on point without being intrusive, and the seasonal menu changes with the latest ingredients. Strongly recommend trying them out
    

    1 person found this helpful