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Cafe La Mar
Category: Restaurants Peruvian Peruvian [Edit]
EmbarcaderoPier 1 1/2
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 397-8880
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
12 reviews for Cafe La Mar
12 reviews in English
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Review from Ty T.
3/5/2012 3 photos
We had arrived early last weekend for brunch, and opted to sit out in the back indoor/outdoor patio area that was heated -perfect for the slight chill that made its way through as mid-morning transitioned to early afternoon. Kitchen fried banana, potato, and sweet potato chips were brought out for our munching pleasure as we were still deciding what to order, with a smooth viscous yellow dipping sauce that had the tasted faintly of spicy mustard seeds.
The bacon infused Bloody Mary definitely sounded better as a concept, than it actually tasted. Not that it was bad, but perhaps the bacon also infused a tinge more salt that left this drink on the more sodium heavy side. But it was my bad, that I thought this would quench my perpetual withdraws for bacon.. perhaps it was simply that it was too much Bloody Mary & not enough bacon.
The Ceviche Mixto was very fresh and offered both a light tang with a bit of heat, and slight hints of mango in the citrus juices. And very well complimented by thin slices of red onion, large white corn kernels, and calamari.
The aromas from my Lomo Saltado was very enchanting. I first encountered this emblematic stir-fry dish during my trip to Lima last November.. enough-so, that I failed to restrain myself from having it only once! Definitely a meat heavy trip for me, but this version was prepared rather traditionally. The south-east Asian influence is very reminiscent of my grandmother cooking. Especially with how she used to marinate her meats in almost the same way.. imperative that the thin strips of meat are marinated in vinegar/soy sauce, and sautéed with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, garlic.
It was a beautiful & leisurely brunch, I couldn't have asked for anything better.Listed in: Places That Make Me WHET
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Review from Ocean F.
Santa Monica, CA
10/22/2011
Go to La Mar for happy hour in San Francisco if you are by the Embarcadero.
Get the friend chicken thigh on the happy hour menu. Maybe order a couple other tastes. Have a drink or 2, and then move on your next destination. Not a place to spend a lot of time, but a nice pit stop after work, before your night begins.
A great place to stop in for a quick bite, and again, try the fried chicken thigh... it was awesome. -
Review from Pam S.
7/15/2011
We waltzed in here because Joyce needed to find a restroom and Cerise and I needed a refreshing beverage... both of our phones had died and we were LOST! LOST I TELL YA! the only way to appease us was a drank... yes I typed DRANK. (don't judge me I'm on vacation! it's my birthday weekend, i'm in my favorite city and laughing my ass every moment I can get)
We went to the Bar which was packed with all sorts of people not a place was to be had to sit nor barely stand. We propped ourselves up at the end of the bar near the well and ordered a couple of their Happy Hour specials. Cerise - Pinot Grigio, Myself - Sangria. Both hit the spot Joyce joins us has her 2 Sangria (as not to leave Cerise on her own since she ordered another glass of wine) Parking is located right there on the Pier and it wasn't to pricey but of course we just ran in for no more than a hour.
Decor in the main restaurant is beautiful, clean and sits on the Embarcadero facing the water of course. We were in the front and it was happening. Drinks were only $5.00 each and the Sangria was THE BOMB! Perused the menu and saw that it was traditional Peruvian food... but alas we were only there to quench our thirst.
I liked this place it was loud and fun a few people (men folk) came by and offered to take our pics since we were having photo ops frequently. I mean talk about friendly customers eh?
Respectfully ReviewedListed in: My Life without Thomas…
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Review from Sonya D.
12/8/2011
Omg yum! This place is sooo good! My company had a client holiday party here last night and they totally took care of us. The service was prompt, friendly, and delicious. We got to try an assortment of their small bites, my favorite being the beef/red pepper/onion skewers, and spoonfuls of fish, potatoes, cheesecake, etc. Oh and how can I forget the mousse as dessert, which was rich and hard for me to resist more than one. I also tried their Malbec and sauvignon blanc wines, which were tasty as well. We could tell that our guests really enjoyed themselves and we of course loved it as well! I definitely want to come back for dinner one of these days...
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Review from L L.
Hamden, CT
3/27/2012
I can't say enough good things about la mar. The cocktails, the food, the wine, the service, the ambiance - all was phenomenal. And it was reasonably priced. I wish I lived closer and I would go there all the time.
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Review from Ellis H.
Seattle, WA
3/21/2011
We were hungry after trekking all over S.F., and we found ourselves on the Embarcadero, looking for a reasonably priced, somewhat down to earth place to eat. We ducked into La Mar, and decided to have lunch at the front bar (I guess it's called Cafe La Mar). The very friendly chef made us feel right at home, as he started us off with some amazing root vegetable chips with three (!) different dipping sauces. The sauces were colorful, fun, and made from traditional Peruvian ingredients. I don't know what exactly was in them, but they were unlike anything we had ever had.
For the main course, we ordered up some Pisco Sours (traditional Peruvian Cocktail) and a couple of the tuna sandwiches. The sandwiches were delectable, and looked amazing as well! Perfectly seared fresh ahi, served on the freshest bread imaginable, again with some magical sauce.
I would have given this place 4 stars, but I have to throw in the extra because of the entertaining visual experience that we had as well. Towards the end of our meal, another chef came out, set up shop behind the bar with a huge tub of Limes, and began cutting them up and juicing them for that night's ceviche, using a very specific technique. It was nothing short of hypnotic, as he hummed along at lightning speed, slicing and squishing those limes in fluid motions. He said that the technique was necessary to avoid using the more bitter juice from the cores of the limes.
Overall, 5 stars for a delicious, unique, friendly, and entertaining trip to Cafe La Mar!! -
Review from evan h.
Oakland, CA
5/4/2011
I take the time to swing by Cafe La Mar for a quick healthy lunch any time I'm in the area. The indoor courtyard is a spacious and relaxing place to chill out in the middle of a busy workday, and the food is fresh and delectable.
I usually choose the seared ahi tuna sandwich with a fresh salad as a side and it's amazing- fresh soft role, tangy aoli, and just slightly seared fresh fish. A sandwich doesn't get much better or healthier.
enjoy! -
Review from S L.
Los Gatos, CA
6/28/2011
Had lunch here on a recent stay in the city. It is in a wonderful location. Right on the water by a pier. Nothing beats a lunch outside on the bay in nice weather! The decor is modern and colorful. Very enjoyable. Service was fine - the place, which is pretty big, was fairly empty - so no huge challenge for the wait staff...
We all had the skewers of different kinds of meat and poultry which my friends recommended. I thought my chicken was good - I really liked the sauce but the side bits I didn't like as well. The potatoes were thick and starchy and the corn, a special peruvian corn, was big and chewy - a weird texture. I would like to go back and try other things on the menu... -
Review from Irina T.
Oakland, CA
11/30/2010
The bar inside Cebicheria Peruana serves as a cafe during lunch hours and offers best quality food that is reasonably priced. It is separate form La Mar lunch menu. The menu selection is not that big but everything on the menu is delicious. Tuna sandwich was my favorite with seared tuna slices with some greens and dressing on the home made bread. Very tasty. The empanadas and alfajores are delicious too. I am coming back there soon.
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Review from Maryann M.
San Francisco, CA
3/27/2011
Haven't had the opportunity to have a meal there yet so this review is for cocktails and nibbles in the bar on a weeknight. Beautiful room, excellent drinks, delicious food and good happy hour specials.
A bit pricey but worth it when you want to eat gorgeous fare in a sexy room. -
Review from Keith J.
San Francisco, CA
5/23/2011
A stunningly rude experience.
You should know that apparently there is no such thing as Cafe La Mar anymore. We showed up, said we were here to dine in the cafe, and were informed that, well, "the cafe guy is in Seattle," or something like that, and that the cafe, per se, was no longer open. The hostess, who seemed confused at best, then waved us into the front bar and suggested we order off the "cafe" menu. We sat at a table in the bar and it went downhill quickly. The hostess curtly delivered the menus and told us we'd have to order at the bar. Ok, odd, but fine, we said. Then, incredibly, she made a point of removing--rudely--each PAPER place mat on the table--from beneath our elbows--and every napkin and piece of silverware and plate. I laughed and asked, "Will we be able to eat off of plates?" She said something on the order of, "This is how we keep our costs down." Really, I'm not making this up. Little did I know how serious she was...
I ordered a sandwich and a salad and two chicha moradas and some chips. We waited, expecting at least our drinks to arrive. Eventually, the bartender showed up at the table with our drinks in to-go cups and a bag containing our boxed food. We were surprised, expecting the food to be served on plates. I proceeded to take the food from the bag, but the bartender approached again, discontented, and said the tables were only for food ordered off "the menu," meaning, I suppose, the full restaurant menu. I could not believe this was happening. Need I point out that there were only 2 other customers in the bar so it wasn't like they needed the table.
Fed up, we left and ate at tables nearer the Ferry Building.
It seems, in retrospect, that while the hostess led us to believe we were ordering from the "cafe" menu, apparently we were ordering from the to-go menu. For some reason, it appears to be restaurant policy that staff is to spare no effort to prevent customers from eating to-go orders on-site, in a practically empty restaurant, even when they were led to believe they were ordering from the "cafe" menu (and even if it means abusing them).
In the spirit of full disclosure: (1) The food was good, once we pried it out of the plastic to go containers (I've always liked the food there)(and it was good despite the bitter taste the experience left in our mouths); (2) the restaurant apologized, after the fact, by email, but never explained how a restaurant of its caliber could treat paying customers so poorly. -
Review from D D.
Bow, WA
4/9/2011
Last Wednesday we happen to stop by at the tail end of happy hour. The food, drinks, and prices were fantastic. However, the cocktail waitress was rude and her service was dreadful. The ladies next to us had mentioned they had been there before on business and received the same type of service from this gal. Although the food and drinks were wonderful, we ended up not staying for dinner due to our experience and walked a few piers down for more polite, responsive service.
