Ula Restaurant & Bar Lounge

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1. KO

   KevinO

   Washington DC

   19 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   19 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall4food5service5ambience5

   Service was exceptional - staff was attentive but not overly so. Food was great! I had the sole and my wife the arrabbiata tagliatelle with scallops; great balance of flavors. We went on a Sunday night while attending a medical conference during the day. Just busy enough. The front of the restaurant was a bit loud but the back was perfect for conversation. It is definitely a "do again."

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2. A

   Anonymous

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall1food3service1ambience3

   Waiter was not attentive, understandably they had a large party

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3. RW

   RickW

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Excellent service and wonderful food! Just a fabulous evening out

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Seattle

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Excellent food, service, and an overall great ambiance. The staff took extra care to make our night special.

   Report
5. D

   Dani

   San Francisco

   1 review

   vip
   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 20, 2023

   overall2food2service2ambience1

   I wouldn't recommend eating here. The waiter didn't know what he was doing and messed up our order for a group of 12. The live band was nice but too loud to sit through during dinner.

   Report
6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 14, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Lovely evening! Thank you so much! Sending smiles&gratitude, j

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7. JM

   JamesM

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on January 13, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great service and ambiance excellent food. Will definitely be back

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8. AA

   AAcanuck

   Washington DC

   18 reviews

   2.0

   18 reviews

   Dined on January 12, 2023

   overall2food2service3ambience1

   Ula is no Farallon, the prior restaurant at that location…not by a long shot. The food lacked flavor generally, and was prepared too quickly by all appearances. I had the filet of beef which was fatty, the wine reduction too peppery to the point of overwhelming any flavor in the reduction. The sides looked like they had been thrown onto to the plate. Overall, a disappointing experience. Not going back.

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9. T

   Tony

   New York Area

   339 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   339 reviews

   Dined on January 11, 2023

   overall4food4service4ambience4

   The two of us had a fine lunch. Lamb shank was very good as were the salmon. Also good was the soup and the gem lettuce salad. Service was pleasant and efficient.

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 11, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience2

    This is no longer Farallon and the food is not good

    Report
11. JC

    JChildsWeMissYou

    San Francisco

    32 reviews

    1.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on January 11, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience1

    So many issues with this place. Ok, here goes. First, when I arrived at the restaurant, the hostess checked me in and then said her colleague would show me to the table. But her colleague was on the phone for several additional minutes. After she got off, she then tried to check me in and had to be told by the hostess that I already was checked in. Second, when I got to my table, I was then informed, for the first time, that there would be an $80 minimum per person, apparently because the JPM Dinner Party guests were using the tables to hold business meetings. In other words, Ula was requiring me to subsidize the anticipated reduced revenues caused by tourists who stayed longer than usual at the tables by ensuring that I paid at least $80 per person regardless of whether I was part of their group or ordered that much. That policy seems very questionable. I had someplace to be in 90 minutes and it was too late for me to simply leave Ula; besides, Ula had implemented a $50 cancellation fee policy, already secured by my credit card, and would have charged my card $50 if I had just left. Third, when the server finally arrived, his attitude was of someone perturbed to be doing his job. He never checked to see if the food was all right and we had to ask him for utensils. Fourth, the 20% service charge guaranteed the server's tip, so maybe he thought why bother being pleasant? Fifth, the food was uninspired and $19 for what turned out to be a small, bland, margarita was a rip-off. This was our second visit to Ula but I doubt we'll be back. The restaurant's fancy surroundings do not compensate for average food, lousy service, and price-gouging policies such as Ula's $80 minimum dinner order.

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12. C

    Chris

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 10, 2023

    overall3food2service2ambience2

    The prices were outrageous and the food offerings were terrible. A colleague walked out on their meal because the food never arrived after 90 minutes.

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13. h

    hardcorefoodie

    Houston

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall1food1service5ambience1

    Read the other 1 star reviews - all incredibly accurate, not just on Christmas Eve or NYE, but on a regular night too. Purchased the experience with the live music/dinner and it felt like a total scam. Not sure why they’re considered a French restaurant either. Waste of time and money. Do not bother trying it out for yourself.

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14. SF

    SusanF

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The environment is an elegant dream of an underwater palace. The food is excellent, and wait staff are friendly and helpful.

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15. O

    Oregontruffles

    Portland

    88 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    88 reviews

    Dined on January 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We enjoyed a leisurely meal with courteous, gentle, timely service. The menu was creative and our food was tasty, especially the goat cheese tart and the sole. Cocktails were a tad pricey but absolutely delicious, and while the wine list was limited, it was fairly priced and the wines were unique, not the predictable, corporate wine-by-the glass options found in some high-end restaurants. There was live music, well-performed but a surprise to us, so it wasn’t as quiet as we expected. But we had a very good time, and our server was truly outstanding. We were so pleased and grateful to find a downtown restaurant open on a Monday night.

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall1food1service3ambience3

    Even through the service was good, the meal was certainly not a $125 per person dinner. It was not what we were expecting and too expensive for the food we got.

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17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience4

    Worst dining experience I can remember. We came for New Year’s Eve expecting something special and we’re embarrassed we were tricked into paying so much. The ambiance was good — great live music, fun decor. Drinks were meh and expensive even for San Francisco standards. After that it was horrible. The waiter had clearly never tasted the prix fixe menu and had no recommendations, the tuna tartare was heavily dressed (in retrospect likely to disguise the quality of the fish), the bruschetta was soggy, the table next to us sent back a disgusting smelling lobster bisque (stunk up the surrounding dining area) that was served to a child. Our mains were delivered while we still had an appetizer on the table, and the wait staff were flustered that we did not want our mains yet when they arrived early. When we said we did not want our mains while we were still working on the appetizer, they offered to put it back in the kitchen where they could put it under the heater to keep it warm. It was like they could not kick us out fast enough. My partner was not asked what temperature he wanted his filet, and received a filet reheated to the consistency of shoe leather, and yet still cold. We sent that back and the second steak was still reheated, leathery, and cold. We’ve collectively never sent food back at a restaurant before. The steak sides were just okay. My lamb was somehow gamier like mutton, but also bland (I couldn’t eat it). The potato gratin was crunchy and barely cooked. The desserts, tiramisu and profiteroles, were both very clearly from frozen boxes, which is a little difficult to swallow at this price point. I’m honestly shocked by the number of good reviews written. I don’t know if their typical chef took the night off or what, but I would only recommend diners to stay away.

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18. G

    Geoff

    San Francisco

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great service and presentation! A bit pricey, however, compared to other high end establishments. Wonderful ambiance.

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19. C

    Chris

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This place is amazing. It's a little pricey for what you get but overall great experience. Bruce was our server and was fantastic!

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20. CM

    ChrisM

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    The pork chop and scallops were very good. Do not forget to try the goat cheese tart as an appetizer! Service was attentive and dedicated. Overall a great time for a date night

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21. MS

    MargaretS

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    Overall, good experience. One significant issue. We had reservation. They seated us at a table near the front. There were musicians playing, which made it rather loud and the area was dimly lit. Once seated, the server arrived to inform us there would be an additional charge due to the live music. If we didnt want to pay for the music, we could be relocated to a different table. We opted to move. There was seating in the back of the restaurant which was better lit and quieter. We preferred it to the bar area. However, the initial seating was odd and awkward. The seating preference and fee should have been discussed at the hostess stand - Not after everyone has been seated and water poured

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22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    57 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    57 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Very atmopheric, and mainly delicious food & drink. Not a broad menu, but not the usual suspects either, which was good. Service was impeccable. There was, however, a heavy use of garlic in some dishes. In the beef tartare it was just on the edge of being too much. In the potatoes au gratin, it was over the top, and uncooked as well. A jazz duo at the entrance was nice.

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23. BH

    BridgetH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Outstanding service and food. A tasteful jazz trio provided ambiance for our after dinner cocktails. A perfect place to go with friends and share plates, or for a romantic dinner for two. We'll be back!

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience3

    Great food and service. Didn’t care much for the decor. A bit pricey but not too bad for the portions.

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25. MS

    MichelleS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Unique ambiance. Delicious food! Wonderful service.

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26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall2food3service1ambience4

    Terrible customer service.

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27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 28, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience5

    Great location. Fun place. Decent food. Expensive for what you get.

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28. GB

    GaryB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 27, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Spectacular service. Wait staff was incredible. Highly recommend

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29. NH

    NickH

    San Francisco

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    One of the worst dining experiences in many years. It took an age to get served, the food arrived out of order. We had a few appetizers which they say can be shared but are in fact not at all big enough. The lobster soup was luke warm and with no trace of lobster meat. The Country Pate was rubbery and tasteless. The Prawn cocktail was amateurishly presented. We had 1 soup, four starters and a plate of oysters most of which was left uneaten. We decided against a main course and left. That with two cocktails and a beer came to $250!!!! The owner was rude and accused us of lying about how long we waited. They add their own 20% tip which I guess is because if they didn't then there would be no tips at all.

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30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Absolutely amazing ambiance/service, music, and food was also pretty good. Nice date night on Christmas

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31. K

    Koko

    San Francisco

    20 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience5

    I expected good food and service because memories of Farallon. I was so disappointed. Maitre'd could not find my name and asking us " You are Hawaiian???" We replied "No" but still spoke to us "Your last name is Hawaiian" What was it for?? Foods were all over cooked.

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32. ML

    MLNado

    San Diego

    77 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    77 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    Went for Christmas Day prix fixe menu. Most of the food was quite tasty. I don’t think that they have a pastry chef. The goat cheese tart was served on a pre-made crust out of a box. The goat cheese, vinaigrette and frisée greens were tasty, but all served on a crust from a box. My lamb shank was generous and delicious as was my husband’s pork chop. My older son’s Salmon was meh. My younger son’s beef filet was tiny! Maybe the size of a deck of cards—-an ok size if you’re on a diet, but not for a grown man. Desserts were all out a boxes. The profiteroles were soggy. They obviously came frozen. Same with tiramisu. My husband’s bread pudding was ok.

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33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall2food1service1ambience1

    We ordered lobster bisque as an appetizer - might as well been lobster bath water. The service was terrible, they were either totally absent or trying to rush us, we felt like they were trying to get us in & out very quickly. We were sold that there would be live music on Christmas Eve but where we sat we couldn’t hear any music at all. Not to mention the ambiance was really harsh, the whole room was smokey from the kitchen and the lights were too bright. The cocktails were just okay. For $500+ we were really expecting something much more elevated. Would not recommend and will not be going back.

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34. N

    Nickname

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall2food1service4ambience5

    Nice interior. Food was disappointing for the price point.

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35. OP

    OPG1

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall3food2service2ambience3

    We were there for Christmas Eve. We waited 2 hours to get our food and when it arrived the Pork Chop was so hard we couldn’t cut the meat. We had to send it back but since we had been waiting so long my husband didn’t want to wait for them to remake it. Our cocktails arrived is small champagne classes, the kind they use for wedding toasts. They were $19.00 and should have been served in a Martini glass to at least give the illusion of being larger. We really wanted this to be a great meal and experience and hope that it was just a mishap for us and not others who were there. I know it was extra busy but we would have expected a better experience and meal.

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36. YB

    YandB

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    We went for their Christmas Eve dinner and were unfortunately underwhelmed by the food and service for the price.

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37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall1food1service2ambience1

    We paid $25 per person to reserve the Jelly Fish Room for live music. It was misleading as it was not a room, but next to the entrance by the bar. We were told to arrive at 6:00, the band started to play at 6:30. We enjoyed seeing every customer walk past our table while we enjoyed sub par music. It was a total waste of $$$. The food was just as bad. It was poorly cooked, lumpy and tasteless polenta, beet salad with burrata was a ton of beets and tasteless. The pork chop was ok but lacked flavor. My husbands potato purée was chunky runny potato cubes. What a disappointment on Christmas Eve. I’m embarrassed that I paid almost $400 for such a horrible experience.

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38. BL

    BarbaraL

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience5

    So disappointing in every way. It would take me too long to review all the issues. The only thing good was the OLD decor from Farallon.

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39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Tahoe

    9 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Beautiful interior decor with nostalgia feeling. Our server made us feel home as he was very witty with good sense of humor. Always engaged with us a small talk, made us feel welcome and feel warm, like we were talking to a friend, he is very friendly. Food is overall good with nice flavor, not salty, one thing we felt greasy is the small pancake, blini, paired with caviar.

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40. PP

    PastaPete

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We have NEVER been disappointed at ULA and our family had another wonderful Christmas Eve eve meal, waited-on by the excellent restaurateur extraordinaire, Bruce, who provides perfect service and great conversation. Only reason for less than 5 stars in other categories was a loud group a few tables away but they were having FUN so no harm done really.

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