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B Restaurant & Bar
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
Yerba Buena Gardens - Upper Terrace720 Howard St
San Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 495-9800
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Tue-Fri 4:30 pm - 9 pm
Sat-Sun 11:30 am - 3:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
484 reviews for B Restaurant & Bar
Review Highlights
"And of course we couldn't resist the truffle fries."
(in 106 reviews)
"happy hour features a couple food specials as well."
(in 183 reviews)
"Oysters and Prosecco - the oysters were lush and creamy."
(in 99 reviews)
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484 reviews in English
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Review from Jen S.
2/2/2012
hh review only
came here on a wednesday night and we were able to fit a huge party when they moved some tables together. hh was until 7, which is great, plus they have a food menu in addition to drinks! the truffle fries were greatttt!! my friends also ordered the raw and cooked oysters and said the raw ones were yummier but i think that just depends on what you like. they also have daily drinnk specials!
on a nice day/night they also have a beautiful patio/outdoor seating area! -
Review from Naoko M.
1/27/2012
I came here with 3 girlfriends for a catch up dinner on a Friday evening. They don't take reservations for parties less than 6, so we met a the restaurant at 7pm. The restaurant has a long bar and only a few tables inside. The wait was long for a table inside, since there was a party of 7 and another of 8 ahead of us, so we opted to sit outside.
We sat at a fairly secluded area, which was nice since it was quiet. The only con was that they were very understaffed that evening so we perhaps did not get as much attention as you would sitting inside, for example. It was ok though, since we had much to catch up on.
We ordered a pitcher of sparkling sangria to start, which was really refreshing. I can certainly see myself enjoying these on a warm (indian) summer day. I ordered the pizzetta lyonnaise, which comes topped with roasted pork belly, chicories, quail egg, and mustard vinaigrette. The pizzetta was more like a tasty focaccia topped with more goodness. The crust/focaccia was delightfully crisped at the edges, and the pork belly was prepared very well. All of the components came together pretty well, and I particularly thought the mustard vinaigrette was a great complement to the whole thing.
My friend ordered the vegan pizzetta and enjoyed it as well. My other two friends ordered the pork sugo, but when the food brought out it was a beef shortrib dish. Naturally, we were a little confused. Apparently they had run out of the pork sugo but the waitress had forgotten that detail at the time we ordered. My friends just went with the shortrib tagliatelle dish, which they did like.
My friends ordered 2 chocolate ganache cakes (2 people split 2 and my other friend had one herself). I had a bite and it was really really good. Good chocolate flavor without being too rich, and the cake portion was light and airy too.
Despite the pork sugo snafu, I really liked this place. Maybe it was because we had a wonderful table outside and it wasn't actually freezing cold, or because I just love pork belly that much. In any case, I would certainly recommend this place to others for a very reasonably-priced and delicious meal. I also hear their happy hour specials are pretty great, so I want to come check that out some time too. -
Review from Lis M.
San Francisco, CA
1/27/2012
To be completely honest, I haven't had any food from the B Restaurant and Bar. But that's probably because I haven't had any service either. I'd tried to eat here over the holiday break, hunted it down in the maze that is the Yerba Buena gardens, and finally located it, only to discover that they were closed for the holidays. Whooops. My bad. No biggie. I'll just come back when the new year commences.
So tonight I grab the husband and we skibble to Yerba Buena to experience the B Restaurant and....our experience sorta dies a death of boredom before it can even begin.
We make our way to interior of the restaurant. There's a little sign that says Please Wait To Be Seated. We stand next to it. We wait. We wait. We wait. We kill some time by being door-policed by some drunk asshole who yells at us to shut the door when the waitress is going in and out---dude, it's not like she's gonna rearrange her molecules to walk through the glass so you can have a shut door. (It's not even THAT cold outside as the couples dining al fresco can attest.) We wait. We wait. We wait. We see a completely different waitress file some checks at the counter. We see a bartender sorta make long-distance eye contact over the bar. We shrug at the sign. We wait.
So, eventually we give up. And fortunately, I have a back-up plan. So we leave. And I have no idea if the food at B Restaurant is any good.
But I can tell you, they have a long ways to go on service. -
Review from Jean K.
1/13/2012
I will say that I actually never had a chance to experience B Bar in full. I recommended it as a good happy hour location to my colleagues but got caught up with work so couldn't leave until much later. I was only an hour late but by the time I showed up they were nowhere to be found. I wandered around and although I saw staff placed around the bar, there was no host to speak to. I had to go up to a member of the staff whose only responsibility I could surmise was guarding the end of the bar. My suspicions were confirmed, there were no basement rooms, my group was gone.
Turns out that they had gone to Jillians due to the poor service at B Bar. It was a big group and they weren't stupid, they called ahead to let the bar know they were coming and also pre-ordered drinks. Yet the bar staff was completely unprepared when they actually showed up. They were seated outside and after 45 minutes only received 3 drinks even though the bar was empty. Needless to say it was a very unhappy hour so they paid for their drinks and left.
I was pretty embarrassed since I recommended the bar in the first place but I won't be making that mistake again! -
Review from Katherine R.
San Francisco, CA
1/23/2012
Located in the Yerba Buena Center, this posh glass restaurant offers stellar views of the San Francisco skyline. On a nice day, it's a great place to sit outside, perched above the hustle of FiDi. Overall, I give it 3 stars; the ambiance is great but the burger itself was somewhat unremarkable.
The Burger: The menu offers only one hamburger that can be customized with various toppings. The patty itself was juicy and flavorful, but lacked any unique preparation style. Overall, the burger was tasty but nothing out of the ordinary. Served on a toasted bun with spinach greens, tomato, pickles and grilled onions with a spicy string bean side.
The Fries: Although fries have to be ordered separately (a personal pet peeve of mine) they are truly delicious and in my opinion surpass the burger in quality. Lightly seasoned with salt and parsley, and served with ketchup and garlic aioli, these alone are worth the trip!
The Ambiance: The modern glass architecture and great location make B Restaurant an upscale SOMA gem. While on the more expensive side (a plain burger is $12, with cheese, avocado and bacon an extra $2 each) the service is friendly and the view unbeatable. -
Review from Binh H.
San Francisco, CA
1/16/2012
This is the place to go to in the afternoon or during happy hour.
+1 Happy Hour! Oysters for only $1 each.
+1 Food is great. Not too pricey. Must try their truffle fries and mussels.
+1 Atmosphere. Cute vibe but can get hectic during happy hour though.
+1 Location. It's right by the Metreon. They have an outdoor seating area, it's great for sunny weather.
-1 Be sure not to sit next to the food cart when outside. There are flies everywhere.
They use to have sangria in a carafe size, costing about 10 dollars. Now it's only a glass or pitcher ($40). :( -
Review from Vincent K.
San Francisco, CA
12/28/2011
This is probably a one sided review here, but as much as its a nice setting, in fact, a perfect setting to sit on the patio sipping on a drink on a warm night after work, the whole experience is probably shot down by the taste of warm beer. Why is there warm beer? Who would defy the laws of beerology and serve such a nectar of the gods in a warm glass?
And I don't know if its because they're understaffed (why should you be understaffed?) Hire a few extra people or turn on the fan when you wash your dishes because as clean as I like my glass to come out of the dishwasher, the heat kills the beer. 90 degree hot glass coming out of the dishwasher, filled with 30 degree cold beer ends up tasting like 60 degree beer that's been sitting out overnight . GROSS. And twice that happened as if its a staple. -
Review from Heidi M.
San Francisco, CA
1/24/2012
I went here a couple of months ago with a friend, and I was really presently surprised. As it it located in Yerba Buena Center, I expected it to be a tourist trap with poor quality food, and I picked it mostly because it was a short walk away and was open for a late brunch, unlike most restaurants in this area.
It's safe to say that my expectations were greatly surpassed by the wonderful meal and good service I enjoyed at B. My friend and I shared a tasty charcuterie and cheese board. Initially, we had ordered both, but our server very helpfully suggested that each board was quite large and that we could do half and half. I'm not used to SF restaurants downselling, but was glad we took her advice, as it would have been far too much food for an appetizer. I had the prosciutto & avocado eggs benedict, which was absolutely perfect. My friend's dish was also very good - I believe she had the summer squash eggs benedict. I disagree with the reviews that say the portions are small. I consider myself... a big eater, and I was not able to finish my serving. My friend and I also each had a couple of their specialty cocktails which were delicious and potent -- I'd felt the $9 price tags were too high until my first drink came and I realized how boozy it was.
I felt service was well paced, even though we'd arrived near the tale end of their weekend business hours, we were not rushed at all, and our server waited until we'd put a good dent in our appetizer before bringing our entrees. We ate outdoors, as it was a rare warm November afternoon, but the indoor seating looked pleasant as well. We laughed a bit over the strange music selection... they were playing dance/pop type songs from the late 80's and early 90's. After a couple of cocktails, I rather wanted to get up and dance around the patio, but... somehow I restrained myself. ;)
Prices for brunch were a bit steep: an appetizer, entree and two drinks ran each of us $35-40 not including tip. But the food was delicious and I'll definitely be back when the weather is nice enough to eat outdoors again. -
Review from Rebecca w.
San Francisco, CA
1/15/2012
Really nice place for brunch. Great oysters! I had the roasted squash salad and the smoked salmon benedict, you have to try both! The best smoked salmon I have had. Great drinks menu, and a wonderful view especially on a warm day.
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Review from Mike O.
San Francisco, CA
1/18/2012
B is a great place to have a drink in the afternoon, perched up above Yerba Buena Park. Definitely go here if a) you're in the area, b) it's a nice day, and c) you want to relax outside and grab a drink.
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Review from David B.
Come for the view, stay for a drink, leave when the service starts to fall off...'cause they will forget about you here.
Between forgetting about orders and giving it to the table that arrived afterwards in front of me none the less (those were our truffle fries!!!), taking forever to get my drinks going...hey people this is happy hour...so lets maximize it! Mmm kay! ?
Waitress once she saw that we were upset with the service pretty much abandoned us. She didn't even come to take the check. We had to walk up to the bar from our outside dining area. Poor customer service. Girl you are lucky you got anything from me.
You get a star for the 1 dollar oysters and the beer wasn't too bad...all the rest was straight up FAIL.
Still hella love SOMA!Listed in: SKIP!!!!!!
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Review from Angela L.
11/27/2011
DRINK:
1.) Mimosa!
ATMOSPHERE:
omg! This bar is cool! It's in Yerba Buena garden! Second floor... right next to Samovar... Nice outdoor seating, overlooking the YB Garden, what with the MLK waterfall, green rolling mini grass mounds. Def gon go back. 1030 -
Review from Amy L.
Came here for brunch NOT happy hour, so ill give you a quick update on the type of food they have to offer.
Portions are small, they all come out on this plate/bowl thing. If you order a eggs benedict, its more like egg (singular) benedict. Presentation is nice, fresh ingredients and its very tasty and good.
Prosciutto and avocado benedict: one of the more popular dishes
Salmon benedict: Love the salmon, very versatile and goes great with anything.
Salmon tartine: Too much fresh mustard, that was all I tasted. The side salad was nothing special: leaves tossed in olive oil.
Truffle fries: delicious, but not the best I've ever had. The fries are on the thin, crunchy side. I would have preferred it to be a little thicker.
Burger: 12 dollars and it does not come with fries or any sides. Pretty pricy for a burger.
Drinks:
Mango ice tea: taste just like regular ice tea (no refills)
Mimosa: This was delicious
Coffee: french pressed. Looks cool but gets cold throughout the meal
Great location, great scenery: can't argue with that. -
Review from Kim S.
11/22/2011
The waiter was nice enough to offer us a combo charcuterie & cheese board bc we couldn't decide which to order. Such a generous bargain for $12! We shared it & were satisfied.
On another night the $1 oysters were fresh & yummy! And of course we couldn't resist the truffle fries.
The cocktails are both pretty & delicious. -
Review from Damien B.
San Francisco, CA
1/7/2012
I have been wanting to stop in for a wile now, and so glad that I did last night. Food, drink and service was fantastic. I had two great beers, a short rib pizzeta (don't think I spelled that correctly), and great comversation with the bartender and one of the managers. The atmosphere was relaxing, and you can't beat the view. High five B!
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Review from Noah K.
San Francisco, CA
10/30/2011 1 photo
Stopped here after work on Friday with a coworker. We each had a cocktail at the bar.
-1 star for no stools.
-1 star for my friend's drink which was listed as containing "home made ginger ale" which turned out to be a can of Canada Dry.
-1 star for a nasty lime that must have been cut hours earlier because the edges were turning brown and it looked dry.
This was my second time going, I definitely won't be going back. -
Review from Tiffany L.
Berkeley, CA
11/6/2011
I came here a few times for happy hour and this was my first time for their brunch. I think the main attraction of this place is the view/location. It is located in Yerba Buena Gardens (bit tricky to find but if you are walking down 3rd towards Howard, go into YB Gardens and it's to your left, up the stairs).
The brunch was okay, I got the salmon tartine and it was standard. Again, would just come here for the ambiance. -
Review from Tiffany N.
San Francisco, CA
10/23/2011
On the rare occasion that we have sunshine and no fog, and the even rarer occasion that I'd commute downtown - this is a lovely place to B!
It's beautifully located on the little bridge connecting Yerba Beuna to Metreon and its a really nice stroll with the view of the park, the church, and pretty plants!
The food is decent; can't go wrong with Truffle Fries!
Note this was a last year: I forgot what I had but I remember the portion was rather small. I ran over to meet up some friends over a quick lunch since I only had about 45 mins for lunch. Sadly, I waited over 30mins for them to come out with appetizer dish so I scarfed down my meal in 10 mins to get back to work. Their bread and butter is good! Taking account that this consisted of most of my meal there hahaha. It's a nice place and I want to give this place another try when I have leisure time.
Can't wait to come back for a great Happy Hour deal - $1 Oysters
HH is from 4:30 - 7:30pm and 5$ Well drinks! -
Review from K W.
San Francisco, CA
9/24/2011
First and last time ever going there. I was looking for a happy hour spot to go to. I work in SF and I always recommend B Bar to clients but never been. Decided to try and hello discrimination. The crowd was primarily Caucasion from 28-40 and here roll up 3 Asians who look 18 years old. It literally took 15 minutes for the bartender to even greet us. We asked another waiter what was on the HH menu and he mentioned "burgers, fries, and some shrimp thing." Uhm sike- HH only consists of well drinks and $1 oysters. My friends didn't mind the horrible experience because we were out looking for a good time. But for me, who recommended this place to so many people, I was irritable. This place is small, happy hour options are whack, and I'm not recommending or ever coming back.
The end. -
Review from Carolyn R.
Los Angeles, CA
1/1/2012
The Pluses:
the setting - upstairs at Yerba Buena - in the sun (hopefully)- great spacious view -
handsome stonework and glass inside
the cocktail - Love
the burger and fries - perfect
extras - salami, cheese
The Minuses:
the staff - very uneven: they've been smarmy, forgetful, absent, strangely aloof, great, kind, friendly. Very weird with the staff. -
Review from Natalie G.
San Francisco, CA
9/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yuppies find refuge and booze in this glass box of a restaurant amidst the tall towers of the financial district.
We were here for happy hour and a groupon that was expiring. Although the groupon couldn't be used during happy hour, we were staying for dinner. On a thursday around 5:30 it was hopping and the indoor area was filled. We ended up starting our happy hour experience on the patio. As always, it was chilly in SF. Surprise. Surprise. I don't remember there being heat lamps, so bring a little coat and scarf. But a couple glasses of wine and intense catch up sessions with girlfriends, we warmed up quick.
The menu was plentiful, but had some definite hits and misses:
- Dollar Oysters During Happy Hr: These were ok. I wouldn't come back for oysters and instead were would rather hit up Hog Island or Hyde Street Oyster Bar instead if thats what you are jonesing for.
- Polenta Fries: Dang! I love me some polenta fries. And these were no joke. Perfectly seasoned and with that great contija cheese, a nice twist.
- Arancini: Another great twist to a classic italian dish. Instead of ground beef in the inside, these risotto balls had crab and roasted corn. Quite delicious.
- Burger: This was alright. We split it up, but we all found the burger to be dry and uneventful. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing.
I would definitely be back for small bites and wine. They had a great wine list and the service was fantastic. We started the night outdoors, but when a table freed up inside, they moved us in. A nice change of pace that is a bit off the beaten path.Listed in: SF is the land of rice a…
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Review from Joel E.
9/17/2011 2 Check-ins Here
B Restauraunt & Bar has a very pleasant outdoor seating area. I had a very good grilled chicken sandwich, truffle fries with aoli sauce & ketchup. My buddy had a meatball sandwich that also looked pretty tasty. I'll definitely be headed back and will try that one next time. Table service was nicely attentive to our needs.
There is also a nice inside bar area for happy hour or Friday evening after work. -
Review from ruggy j.
8/12/2011 17 Check-ins Here
When it comes to happy hour choices in the SOMA, they're darn near a dime-a-dozen. Nabbing those parched suits with a scintillating incentive to eat and drink at the stroke of 5:00pm can occasionally make or break a bar, so competition is fierce! But in my opinion, few do happy hour in the 'hood better than B.
$5 well drinks from 4:30 - 7:00, as well as a few nice bites, and my favorite: $1 oysters! I'm quite fond of consuming those boogery molluscs as often as possible, and when you have a deal like that staring you straight in the face, it's hard to avoid slapping down $12 for a dozen.
In addition to the food, on a sunny day in the city, few places are more appropriate than B. With the completely open glass window decor (even on the roof!), as well as a palatial outdoor patio, when the fleeting summer months make that occasional appearance, B is the place to be! -
Review from Mish L.
8/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'd been looking forward to you B Restaurant, but you weren't all that.
Yes, your location is prime and sitting outside with the stellar views overlooking the waterfall at Yerba Buena Gardens was probably the highlight of the whole experience. (+1 star)
The rest of the experience left a lot to be desired.
Their beer selection was disappointingly small. A few on draft and a few in bottles. Boo.
Once we were seated, we were forgotten. A waitress finally made an appearance after the bf got up to flag someone down. To her credit, she was apologetic and communicated that the host had neglected to tell her we were back here. So we ordered a dozen oysters, India IPA, vodka tonic and truffle fries. Simple, right?
Our drinks come some time later, and the Vodka tonic tasted like... tonic water. Where's the vodka? :-( Whatever. After another wait, our oysters finally make an appearance. Waitress informs us that our truffle fries will be right out.
We devour the oysters which were creamy and a steal at $1 each for happy hour. (+1 another star for the oysters!) We polished these off and then waited, finished our drinks, waited and waited.... Finally, the waitress comes along with the truffle fries and........sets them down at the table NEXT to us who had arrived way AFTER us. Umm... hello!? Did you not tell us we'd get them? Were we not waiting patiently for the promised fries? The worst part is, she completely ignored us after that when the restaurant was not busy.
By then, we were irked. It took another long wait to ask for the check and when we mentioned we had never received our fries, there was no apologies, no acknowledgment, just a haphazard "Oh, you never got them?" Don't play bobo the clown-- you had just told us we'd get them and then gave them to the other table. Don't mess with my food, woman! Grr.
Seeing as it'd take another millenium to get our tab taken care of, I walked up to the bar, paid our bill with the bartender and we hightailed it outta there. Said waitress was chilling in the corner talking to another server. Great service! Not. -
Review from Allyson S.
Outer Sunset, San Francisco, CA
8/9/2011
Got a groupon to come here. We got there, and the place looks nice. However, it took quite a long time to get seated and get our food. Our waiter not only gave us the wrong order, but did so to the two tables sitting near us. He also gave us the wrong bill. Overall, the service here was pretty poor- they sat almost the whole restaurant at the same time, which of course means all the food orders go in at the same time, so we had to wait extra for our food. Also, they ran out of the potatoes that I ordered and he replaced them with fries- and still charged us for them! The food was good- but definitely overpriced.
The pros: very pretty view of the gardens. Truffle fries were good. -
Review from audie b.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 8/19/2011
Downgrade alert!!! while the atmosphere is hip and charming as ever, and the location is perfect.. we had a pretty bad dining experience last night.
My drink order was wrong , and the waiter seemed dismayed when i asked him to change it. so i kept it, but after a sip, realized it didn't even have alcohol.. sent it back, got what i wanted but got charged for both drinks.
My friend's meatball appetizer tasted and smelled like hotdogs... aggh. i know that great meatballs are made by adding some pork to the beef, but this was just Not Good.
I would still come back for a bar drink , i suppose, but there are too many great restaurants nearby to consider eating here again. sorry b, you've gone from 4 stars to 2 for me!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/1/2008
What a great place! Creative cocktails, great food ( we had halibut and bruschetta) The vibe was… Read more »
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Review from Vanessa L.
San Francisco, CA
10/10/2011
Being new to the SF area, I took friends who were visiting and staying at the St. Regis across the street to the Yerba Buena where we grabbed cocktails and lunch/dinner at B!
It was a beautiful, sunny day and we sat outside with cocktails. It was a perfect afternoon. We started with the truffle fries which were enjoyed by all! I ordered the spinach, strawberry salad with champagne vinaigrette and was underwhelmed. It was a fine salad but nothing too amazing or recommendable! My friends got the Eggs Benedict and the burger with blue cheese and loved both their dishes.
We had a great time but it is on the pricey side. Once I know the city better, I don't think this will be a "go-to" spot! -
Review from Cherylynn N.
San Francisco, CA
10/27/2011 5 photos
A PICTURESQUE HAPPY HOUR ON A RARE, SUNNY SAN FRANCISCO DAY...
B Restaurant & Bar is located on the Yerba Buena Terrace that oversees the beautiful lush garden and cascading waterfall. Other than the amazing views of the gorgeous landscape, B Restaurant & Bar has nothing else to offer.
HH MENU (Tuesday - Friday, 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM)
*$1 Oysters (6 order minimum)
*$5 Well Cocktails
*$40 Pitcher of Sangria
P R O S
*Nice ambiance with amazing views
*$1 Oysters till 7:30 PM which is late compared to other places
*Not crowded
C O N S
*It's more a "bar" with very little dining tables and a limited menu.
*The Oysters are NO BUENO! Some weren't properly cut from the shell while some had a bitter aftertaste to them.
*The food is mediocre ate best. We ordered the following:
--Truffle Fries ($6): http://www.yelp.com/bi... The best thing on the menu, the skinny fries were salty, crispy and earthy.
--Ceviche w/ Avocado, Cashews & Wonton Chips ($12):
http://www.yelp.com/bi... Very bland with no citrus flavors to brighten up the dish. The wonton chips were over fried and not enough was given for the ceviche.
--Crab Rigatoni w/ Ricotta Cheese & Arugula ($15): http://www.yelp.com/bi... Pedestrian; tasted like a warm pasta salad.
*There's only one chef in the kitchen so food service is SLOW.
*Crowd is a mix of mature yuppies and conference attendees (not necessarily a bad thing just not my scene)
OH BUT I MUST TELL YOU....
If you're looking for a nice start to a ROMANTIC evening, here it is:
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
*WINK WINK*Listed in: HAPPY HOUR - The ONLY thing…
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Review from Christophe K.
Berkeley, CA
9/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
We had a great day in San Francisco yesterday with a friend from NY. Weather was so hot that we really wanted an outdoor lunch. We had plan to visit the MOMA, so we voted on B as we needed to try the place. Fantastic views, it was late lunch so very calm.
We had a chardonnay bottle at 35 dollars. The mussels and Fries, the Cheese steak sandwich, the ceviche and the starwberry salad.
The food was great but small portionned. It was a bit slow for the service considering we were alone in the restaurant, but the waitress was very nice. I would say it is a tiny bit overpriced for the portions size but considering the location it made it worth it.
Id go back there anytime. -
Review from Violet J.
Oakland, CA
8/2/2011
I want to give this place 5 stars for the food.
*****+The meatballs in 2 day sauce were spectacular, as were the truffle fries, and yes, how hard is it to mess up fries, and it's even harder to make great fries, these fries were so good I almost smacked the person I was with, "sharing" MY fries, which after the first one I didn't want to share anymore, wah. Not such a good idea on a 5th date after a great walk around MoMA, Picasso, Matisse, Renoir exhibit---and still, I wanted to smack him off the bar stool. Sorry.
Kidding, am I? No.
-***I minus three stars because upon entering the restaurant I see two employees in conversation at the host stand. I was hoping one would stop talking to the other and welcome us to "B Restaurant and Bar." Nope! Just kept on talking, without even acknowledging us, okay.
When I walked to the bar and asked who do I speak to about getting a table. The bartender said, "Oh the manager is right outside, ask him for a table." It was a little chilly and I wanted to stay inside and play charades with the host in international restaurant language----I put up three fingers, to imply that is how many people we needed a table for, to which he ignored me...fine, then I opened the door and said, "I'd like a table for three please." Holy shit, I might have well have asked if he would extend happy hour 3 hours just for me and move my car which was parked in a two hour spot......A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E!!!
I have worked in the industry for YEARS on both coasts, in NYC and SF...and I know what pains-in the ass some guests requests may be, and then I remember, "right, I'm at work, I am in the service industry, these people are here, in the place I work and want service, a patron of a restaurant wanting a table/extra condiments/another cocktail, right....."
Being rude to guests is NOT the new black. It's just rude---the 90's called and they want their self-righteousness back.
On the other hand, thank you Josh and the other bartender, as well as the delicious food coming quickly out of the kitchen, and great space making up so those unconscious, self-important guys matter not so much, unless you are the owner of this establishment and it looks like it might be time to "write a mofo up for shabby, snarky service." That in and of itself can make people not want to go back. Just sayin'. -
Review from Nicole G.
8/2/2011
The concierge at the W Hotel recommended this spot for some drinks & brunch/lunch. As soon as we walked in, I thought that it would be REALLY expensive, but was pleasantly surprised by the modestly priced menu. I ended up getting a burger with bleu cheese added and my GOODNESS was it delicious. It came garnished with some lettuce, pickles and an heirloom tomato slice on the side. The burger was a nice size, not too big. I was able to enjoy it without feeling stuffed- a big plus to me. It wasn't greasy at all. I also had a bloody mary, which was decent. It wasn't too tomato-y and had just the right amount of spice.
The only thing that irked me was that the servers (who really weren't that busy) were having a hard time keeping our orders straight... but that's alright, it was a Sunday afternoon- shit happens ;)
Everyone else in my party seemed pleased with their meals as well! Over all great experience. -
Review from Katy L.
San Francisco, CA
9/17/2011
BRUNCH review - not a great experience
_I made a reservation for 5 but the table was not set up properly, they ended up squeezing a chair in the middle of the walk way so my friend sat uncomfortably. Even with our own effort to move the table to accommodate her, there simply was not enough room.
_toast was either burnt or cold or both.
_yogurt and granola - half hour - the order got mixed up? - not sure what happened
They did try to make up for the things that went wrong by offering us complimentary truffle fries and a sparkling wine.
It should just be B Bar not Restaurant because no self respecting restaurant at this level would conduct brunch the way we experienced it. -
Review from Christina G.
Durham, NC
6/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was advised by my SF dining companion that the chicken sandwich is very "California." And when in Cali...
I ordered it as well as the truffle fries to split. They may as well be called crack fries, because I practically inhaled them. The sandwich came on thick bread with a crusty bite, and had red peppers, greens, and lemon aioli. Good, fresh. My companions tried the coffee and tea, which come in press pots. Service was not rushed (made for a long 1.5-hour lunch), but pleasant. Enjoyed my lunch, and would come back. Need a fry fix now!Listed in: When in SF...
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Review from Joanne W.
Alameda, CA
9/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Two Words: Dollar Oysters!
I had a dozen during happy hour. The only thing I would like to see is more selection on the menu, but other than that, I loved the food, ambiance, and the service! -
Review from Randi B.
5/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had a late breakfast here. There was no seating on the patio, so we agreed to go inside. The inside of this place was way too hot, and there were flies buzzing around. I understand they leave the front open, so it's bound to happen, but it was just unappealing.
We asked to be moved outside. The man who had seated us was very nice about this, and said he would move us when a table became available. Our waiter was incredibly rude and had attitude once we told him we were relocating. In the end, it didn't matter, cause he was our waiter out there too.
We ordered wine and food. Our wine sat at the bar for an eternity, while our waiter took care of everybody except for us. He was really one of the worst waiters I have ever had.
For breakfast I ordered the soft scrambled eggs with chanterelle mushrooms and fromage blanc. The food was amazing. One of the best breakfasts ever! My friend got the truffle fries and their burger. I tried the fries and they were awesome, didn't have the burger, but she enjoyed it.
The patio was a really nice place to sit and enjoy the day, the food was great, but that waiter was so terrible that I have to give them three stars.Listed in: Road tripping up North
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Review from A E.
San Francisco, CA
9/24/2011
With the exception of the fantastic outdoor seating, B Restaurant & Bar doesn't have much going for them.
Case in point, when the next door Samovar was bustling with people trying to get a table on the Sunday of the San Francisco Marathon, B Star Bar was curiously empty.
But I was famished from having run 13 miles and at that point I was ready to swallow a cow. So I settled for their burger with overcooked patty and hard bun.
I then had the food envy and tried picking at the hub's meal (soft scrambled egg - $11 with a side of two overcooked bacon - at an exorbitant price of $5). no better.
Sigh....
I went home and cooked myself a bowl of Sapporo Ichiban ramen. Sad to say that it was actually far more satisfying (at less than a buck!). -
Review from Alysha M.
6/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Usually people say good company makes a place, twas is true. However, B Bar made this place it's own place. Regardless of my great company, I think I would've enjoyed myself either way because everything was amazing.
From the 430-730pm happy hours, $5 well drinks, $1 oysters, $40 pitchers of red, white, & sparkling sangria, truffle fries, cheese plate, cured meat board, meatballs, & chicken. Great service from the talented bartenders, cute cocktails with red hearts, rooftop bar, bumpin' music, and dangerously delicious shots, I couldn't ask for more.
Closed this place out, it was THAT good. -
Review from Jenna B.
8/2/2011
Ohhhhh I wish I hadn't just had my pay cut because spending $12 on an entree (although thats not expensive) and a cocktail would have been, what is now "expensive" for me right now.
First of all, I LOVE the ambiance. High ceilings, gorgeous tables and padded brocade covered chairs. Rad! 3 walls are all glass, so if you are seated inside, you feel like you are outside. I imagine it is just as beautiful at night.
Everything on the menu looked sooo fantastic. I would have ordered the Eggs Benedict with Proscuitto, but I got the seasonal soup instead. It was white bean with proscuitto, basil, and other herbs. I am such a sucker for soup, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. The bowl was small, but I wasn't even able to finish it.
I would definitely go back in the future, the restaurant looks so classy that I was worried that the prices would also be very expensive, but this place is totally affordable. They also had a cheese plate on the menu, which if paired with the right wine... sounds like a perfect thing to share on a swanky date ;) -
Review from jenny h.
San Francisco, CA
9/16/2011
you know what's funny?
every time i say the word sangria, i want to raise both hands in the air and go...
sangri----AHH~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(in a fake opera tone)
idk why. it just seems right. like it's a gift from god...given to us disguised as a refreshing JUICE but NOT cuz looks are deceiving. there should be like one of those moments where sunlight shins through the leaves and one ray of light just SHINES upon the pitcher glistening in the sun~~ *sparkle*
anyways. that's how i feel about sangria....
and back to the review. so...i like this place cuz you can order yumny sangria while stuffing your face full of CHEESE (btw...their cheese plate is HUMUNGO-JUMBO. Yes, that's a real word. I promise.) and then stuff your face even more with truffle fries!! munch-munch-munch.
u know...i really wish there was a way to type out the sounds. cuz this sound im making right now...(in my head) of people gnawing on their food is kinda funny...it's almost the same sound i make when i see people wearing sweats and they get MAJOR WEDGIES and it looks like their butts are eating their pants...u know?? neways....so back to the whole food thing.
don't get the polenta thingie. it kinda sux... -
Review from David K.
San Francisco, CA
7/12/2011
Couldn't be more impressed. Beautiful sunny Sunday in SF. Table outside. Oysters and Prosecco - the oysters were lush and creamy.
Truffle fries. Done to perfection. Light and just the right crispiness.
The salmon tartine!!!!
Brilliant.
