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San Francisco Anchovies, Pan Con Tomate - Ancora, San Francisco, CA

Ancora

4.5
4.5
123 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood
Ancora is a new seafood focused restaurant and private event space located in the heart of the San Francisco Mission District brought to you by Chef Nick Anichini and Joe & Andi Conte of Water2Table Fish Co. Ancora, which translates to anchor in Latin, celebrates the beauty and bounty of our local waters in a lively, convivial setting. Inspired by his love of European simplicity and fine dining technique, Chef Anichini has designed a thoughtful prix-fixe and a-la-carte menu to be shared with family, friends, and neighbors.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Seafood, Californian, Mediterranean

  • Hours of operation

    Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (415) 757-0825

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Executive chef

    Nick Anichini

  • Neighborhood

    Mission District

  • Cross street

    16th

  • Parking details

    Street Parking

  • Additional

    Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 123 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4Value

NoiseModerate

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  1. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience5
    Lovely setting. The food presentations were lovely but the flavors were not inspiring. The fish was somewhat overcooked. Overall, somewhat disappointing for the price…
  2. Kent

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience3
    Service was slow, food took a long time to come out. Good food, but the price does not really match up to experience offered.
  3. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    I live in Boston and am used to great seafood. The preparation, cooking and sauces set this apart. One of the best fish experiences I’ve had. The grilled oysters are the best oyster dish I’ve ever tasted. The sauce on the sole was superb. I never eat Brussel sprouts but these were also incredible. Be sure to sit where you can watch the cooking. A total wow experience.
  4. Muffin

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Ancora is one of our favorite new restaurants in SF. All of the food is consistently amazing and interesting, with fantastic wine to pair. The tasting course has been surprisingly affordable (especially compared to similar restaurants in SF -- iykyk!). When I'm getting dinner with a friend and they ask me to decide where to go, the first thing I say is "Have you been to Ancora?" Get here!
  5. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful fresh seafood and pasta. The servers are very friendly and knowledgeable. The dishes are unique with wonderful flavors.
  6. Foodie

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    This restaurant was a mixed bag. We arrived on a Friday night, in the heart of The Mission District to a half full dining room. The fish was fresh and cooked well, but the sauces were an odd combination of pungent and salty. Almost everything we ordered was tasteless or oversaturated with salt, mayo, or vinegar. If you are expecting a fabulous fish course delicately seasoned that bring out the ocean flavors of the fish, do not go to Anchora. We started with raw oysters, which were excellent and we were excited. From there it was down hill. I wish I could say there was one course that saved the day, but all three of us in our party, had the same experience. Too many flavors, to heavy on the mayonnaise, and a mix of competing spices. The music was a mix of 70's Pop which made no sense given the price point. The waite staff were friendly and helpful with suggestions on wine and food selections. All in all this restaurant did not live up to its reviews.
  7. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 5, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    I had been previously and execution of the food was better. This time the grilled oysters were burnt and dry (without any sauce), the crudo was lacking seasoning and flavor in the sauce, the sole and trout were overcooked and lacked seasoning. I think the very large birthday party before us was partly to blame as it was likely overwhelming the staff. Regardless, we still really enjoyed our time and the food.
  8. WaitingFun

    New England

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Pros: Thoughtful tasting menu. Refined tastes, great desserts. Cons: Slow service (spent 2.5 hours there); very loud.
  9. SFswimmer

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Truly phenomenal seafood, perfectly prepared and creative
  10. J25Borg

    San Francisco

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on January 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent seafood dishes with assertive flavors. A delightful selection of a la carte items.
  11. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    I hardly ever make reviews, but I just had to because this place is awesome blue me away! Decided last minute to book a reservation at 7:15. Granted I was late, but they still sent me promptly and sat me at the chefs counter, I work in the industry and I decided to take myself on a little date little did I know that this was gonna change my life. I really really enjoyed my experience. I sat at the chefs counter, which, by the way, definitely do that. I could watch that all day, considering I work in this industry. It’s fascinating to me still. I love listening to the ins and outs of restaurants. Both front of house and back of house. Boring from else but fascinating for me. The hospitality was out of this world honestly, some of the best hospitality ever received, and I work in the industry for a while now. Everyone from every chefs to the sommelier all checked up on me. If I didn’t have a drink in my hand, someone was sending me another or talking to me from the staff. My server was a little quiet, but I didn’t mind since everybody else kept checking up on me as well. I think she was just a little shy or busy but it’s OK I am super easy in general. Either way I felt so special kudos to I believe it was the sommelier or maybe one of the manager there he really made me feel so special and kept checking up on me even though you didn’t have to. He made my night since I was sitting alone. He noticed I wasn’t drinking anything and sent me some bubbles and it really just made me feel so special and the food was phenomenal out of this world. He also sent me the best viogner I’ve ever had and I don’t normally like Chardonnay, it was so good buttery and floral. I could drink a whole bottle of that but I’m trying to do dry January lol but I did cheated a little. I had the four course tasting menu and I’ll definitely be back for the seven soon and I’ll definitely be sitting at the chefs counter again highly highly recommend this place before it gets a Michelin star.
  12. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall3food5service3ambience3
    We came at 6pm with our baby and toddler, we tried to order them food right away so we could enjoy our drinks and appetizers but “the chef likes it all on one ticket” so we quickly ordered everything we’d need. They then proceeded to space out the meal in courses rather than how we had requested which was to feed our kids first. It was an entire hour before our entree arrived and my baby was asleep and toddler was losing it so we had to box it to go. People with kids deserve nice food too.
  13. Darcomatic

    San Francisco

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on January 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Seafood and more prepared in ways you've never seen before. Delicious!!!!
  14. PhilY

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 15, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience3
    All table of seven liked the food options. Wish we could have decided to do prix fixe.
  15. JamesD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Just fantastic. This chef gets it. Way outdid my expectations! Service fantastic too!
  16. Ruby

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is my third time eating at Ancora. We are huge fans of Water2Table and when we heard they were partnering with Chef Nick Anichini we had come! We've had the full tasting - highly recommend it if you are really hungry and like to experiment with food and have no food allergies. The wine pairing is amazing with it. You'll have a variety of dishes with seasonal ingredients. The four course was equally wonderful and its nice to have when you are not as hungry put can eat and the choices are equally provocative. Have the a la carte to choose your favorite dishes after you've had the tasting. Everything is fresh, seasonal and incredibly tasty with an incredible staff. Highly recommend you to explore this San Francisco Gem before they get a Michelin star and the prices go up ;)
  17. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    All-around a fantastic meal! All the plates were so delicately prepared, resulting in very unique flavors and textures. Our favorites were the crudo, the brussel sprouts, the tagliolini and the sole. We will be back!
  18. ShellyO

    Phoenix

    9 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    Incredible food & service. Heads up-even if you confirm availability of GF Prix Fixe, staff & Chef will NOT accommodate. Adjusted fine-just don’t get hopeful.
  19. Oly22

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience2
    We ordered the $89 4-course pre-fixe and added a side order of brussels sprouts. The oysters were excellent, the crudo sublime, the squid ink pasta out-of-this world. The Petrale Sole was good, but too rich - some cream in the sauce and the fish was also soaked in butter. For dessert, I really enjoyed the chocolate tart, but not the second dessert, which was some sort of panna cotta that wasn't sweet. The portions, except for the oysters and petrale sole, were generous. When we ordered, my partner questioned whether pre-fixe was a good value relative to ordering a la carte. But, we concluded that it was not a bad way to go, especially since the squid ink pasta - which was the best thing we had - was only accessible via the pre-fixe. We were seated at a table for 2 in the back directly in front of the server station/stand (no more than 2 feet away). While we were able to quickly get our server's attention, this location marred the ambience and detracted from the experience. This was a downer because: a) the front of the restaurant had plenty of seating, b) there really is no excuse for putting a table right in front of a server station, and c) we were also right next to an adjacent table. Finally, with 1.5 glasses of wine per person, 20% mandated tip, 4% SF mandates, and sales tax, the $89 pre-fixe + brussel sprouts tuned into >$165/person. This is way too high for frequent dining. Bottom-line: Great food, good service, marred ambience which can be corrected, and very high price. Due to price, it will be a relatively rare treat for us.
  20. PatrickC

    Hong Kong Islan

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent good, attentive service, friendly and knowledgeable staff
  21. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall4food5service2ambience3
    We went for the New Year’s Eve tasting menu. The food was fantastic! We loved the lobster ravioli, the scallops and the wagyu strip. The service and the ambience were off. It was much louder and more rancorous than we had expected. That, along with lighting that was a little too bright and the lack of a tablecloth, detracted from the experience. Regardless, the food was so good we are definitely going back!
  22. JeremyD

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    No one will believe me, but the food here could go head-to-head with the French Laundry. We hardly spoke at dinner because our mouths were too busy making "mmmmm!" sounds. As we left, I told the chef to remember us when he was famous. You should eat here. Right now.
  23. FrankB

    San Francisco

    43 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Second visit truly amazing food the Celery Caesar was wonderful and very unusual.
  24. MatthewS

    Orlando

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All 7 courses and pairings were perfect! Knowledgable and professional staff! A great evening!
  25. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall1food1service3ambience3
    The food was absolutely abysmal. We did the seven fish and it was a waste from start to finish. I also ordered the Caesar salad and it was just bad slices of ill seasoned celery. For a seafood place all was off. Would never go again. Even left before the end of the prefix menu. Sorry Ancora, just not for us.
  26. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    It was just okay across the board. Go to Angler- way better food and service
  27. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Ancora food and service was exceptional!
  28. Fishfan

    San Francisco

    20 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Nice restaurant and good food. Service was very slow however or I would have rated the restaurant higher.
  29. DavidLandis

    San Francisco

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Ancora is a great place to go in the Mission, especially before a show at the Victoria (one block away). Delicious, inventive, a good value and great fish.
  30. idhfood

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing! Great service and great food!
  31. SFPenninsulaGirl

    San Francisco

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely amazing evening #ancorasf tasting menu artistry of chef @nickanichini and staff! And the amazing service and recommendations from our server Jordan
  32. RobbinC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a really nice time at Ancora on our visit to SF last night. The service was accommodating and it was clear that they were serious about delivering both excellent food and service. We started with the homemade bread and butter and then celery caesar which was tasty and crunchy; an interesting twist on the traditional caesar. The Plankton tagliolini is heavenly . The petrale sole wasn't a killer but was nicely done with an excellent sauce. We would recommend this restaurant for anyone who enjoys an innovative take on Italian seafood.
  33. AnaC

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service, food was delicious, excellent wine list. Liked the fact not a “busy” menu.
  34. TheGaloppingGormond2022

    Hawaii

    175 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    175 reviews

    Dined on December 9, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Small menu. Incredible food. Wonderful service. Not a full bar (wine & beer only). Long wait for table. Will come again.
  35. Brenna

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 9, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Each dish was better than the last, which seemed impossible because our amuse bouche was already outstanding. We look forward to bringing many friends to this wonderful sustainable seafood restaurant!
  36. Lenny

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on December 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent & interesting food wine service
  37. MikeB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had an excellent experience, thanks, all was great!
  38. DavidM

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Outstanding innovative food. Great service and ambience. Must try.
  39. CYNTHIAM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The entire meal was wonderful. The fish was the freshest and the flavors were divine. We will definitely be back.
  40. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing new comers to the Valencia restaurants theme. Ambiance, food, service...impeccable! A must for your dining list!! Trout and pasta with caviar and batarga!!

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily

FAQs

Ancora is rated 4.5 stars by 123 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Additional information

  • Cross street

    16th

  • Neighborhood

    Mission District

  • Hours of operation

    Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Seafood, Californian, Mediterranean

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Parking details

    Street Parking

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Nick Anichini

  • Additional

    Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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