The Empress by Boon

The Empress by Boon reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. C

   Chad

   San Francisco3 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   Review of Empress by Boon The food at Empress by Boon was good—well-prepared, flavorful, and filling especially the dumplings. However, the experience was overshadowed by how extremely overpriced everything felt. While the setting is undeniably upscale, the value just didn’t match the price point. Service left a lot to be desired. Our main server, Tommy, was noticeably unfriendly, which took away from the overall experience. To make things more confusing, the bartenders and servers seemed to be working off completely different drink menus, leading to miscommunications and frustration. All in all, while the food itself was satisfying, the lackluster service and inflated prices make it hard to justify a return visit.
   

   Is this helpful?

2. H

   Hilary VIP

   Los Angeles6 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on May 18, 2025

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

   Third or fourth time dining there. Solid dining option. Chef Boon came out to our table and was lovely. Thoroughly enjoyed meeting him.
   

   Is this helpful?

3. J

   Jason VIP

   Chicago2 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on May 17, 2025

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

   The food is really bad for the price. Any decent Chinese restaurant in Bay Area is better than here. The presentation is a Michelin wannabe but not nearly as refined as it should be. Menu is greasy and worn out. It’s like a fake Rolex that merely got the looks from afar. The interior design is the only thing that is good. Anybody with sufficient experience with Chinese food would agree. The restaurant won’t last long unless they turn it into something else. (The first dish with crab meat and caviar is really bad, it even got tiny shells in it that might damage your teeth) it is a joke. Don’t go there just because those don’t know anything about Chinese food tell you to go. If you really wanna check it out. Go for drinks only. Honestly as someone who travels the world and have tried so many Michelin Starred and other restaurants, this experience is among the worst when it comes to the food quality.
   

   Is this helpful?

4. A

   Ari VIP

   San Francisco4 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on May 11, 2025

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

   Every dish was outstanding, service was exceedingly slow and felt disorganized.
   

   • 
   • 
   • 

   Is this helpful?

5. B

   Brian VIP

   San Francisco9 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on May 11, 2025

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

   Our third time visiting Empress was by far our worst experience. While the food quality was good, service was horrible and incredibly slow. Our meal took 3.5 hours! When we sat down there was a dirty glass on the table, and we asked for a replacement. We were told it was just from the heat of the dishwasher and didn't need to be replaced. Dishes were slow to be serviced - we had to hand items to passing wait staff to clear our own the table. Overall, it was incredibly disappointing. If I'm going to spend $1100 on dinner for 4 people, I expect higher quality service. It is unlikely that we will return for a fourth visit.
   

   Is this helpful?

6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco1 review

   2.0

   Dined on May 4, 2025

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

   Quality of the food was not great, especially for the cost. Service was good, the place is nice, but for a prix fixe meal for 2 that is > $300 you expect better than bland Chinese takeout food. A few dishes were delicious, most were bland and massively under-seasoned. A few were just terrible. I would not return or recommend it to anyone. The view from one room (not all) is incredible, but sipping mediocre cocktails over poor quality takeout is not worth it.
   

   Is this helpful?

7. O

   Ornella VIP

   Los Angeles2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 3, 2025

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

   It was an amazing experience with GREAT food. I might seem little in the beginning, but it ends up being too much food by the end of the unending courses !
   

   Is this helpful?

8. D

   Daniel VIP

   Monterrey24 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 3, 2025

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

   Excelente servicio, gran vista y la comida deliciosa
   

   • 

   Is this helpful?

9. J

   James

   Los Angeles35 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 26, 2025

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

   We enjoyed our visit. The food was very good, the ambience is very cool, and the views as night falls are are a page out of the book of SF iconic.
   

   Is this helpful?

10. B

    Bob VIP

    San Francisco78 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 17, 2025

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

    What a great experience! Our server Nat was amazing - helpful, knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. And the food was remarkable - each course had balanced flavors and textures made all the more amazing by virtue of the chef accommodating our group vegetarian with creative and delicious off menu substitutions. Will definitely be back!!
    

    Is this helpful?