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Firefly
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Burgers American (New), Burgers
4288 24th St(between Diamond St & Douglass St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
Neighborhood: Noe Valley
(415) 821-7652
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Sun 5:30 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
938 reviews for Firefly
Review Highlights
"The fried chicken is crispy yet succulent."
(in 215 reviews)
"Shrimp and Sea Scallop Potstckers."
(in 42 reviews)
"i wish i could make brussel sprouts like this."
(in 82 reviews)
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938 reviews in English
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Review from Brandie F.
1/16/2012
My God. Wow.
This place was a gastronomic orgasm.
The Brussels spouts were so good - as was the mushroom starter.
My husband was so happy it was fried chicken night - I lost him in a zone of joy. I loved the brisket as well (although I had a little bit of food envy for the chicken)
Dessert topped off the fabulous meal, service and lovely atmosphere.
I think this place ticked ALL the boxes. -
Review from Francesca m.
South San Francisco, CA
2/3/2012 Seated via OpenTable
The food is delicious. Our waiter was not so pleasant.
If I had to rate this restaurant based on customer service I would give it 0 stars. Our waiter was rude and hostile. I can't even explain the way we were treated. It was as if we looked like we couldn't afford to eat at this establishment. This was supposed to be my birthday dinner and i had a very unpleasant experience. Had I got his name, I would definitely call him out here on yelp. It's quite displeasing to know this restaurant has good ratings and yet it matched nothing to my expectations.
Food wise:
The food was excellent and prepared nicely. I love how the ingredients are fresh and organic as well as the meat being grass fed and antibiotic free. The 3 course meal was a good touch to the menu.
Interior is cute and dim. It bothers me though they only have restroom. It actually bugs me when ANY restaurant has a one bathroom thing going on.
ALSO, my party and I decided to split the check into two different payments. Some in cash and the other on the credit card. Our waiter made it seem like it was the WORST thing on earth to have to do and he made it very apparent that he was annoyed. Not to mention that he basically threw our check onto our table after he rang us up.
There are other worthy restaurants in the Noe Valley area let alone San Francisco. Like the saying goes "you won't know if you like it unless you try it." -
Review from Sebastian L.
Beverly Hills, CA
1/29/2012
Celebrated my Mom's birthday here with the Fam over the weekend and I'm still trying to figure the place out, but was overall happy with it.
The interior was pretty nice. Very comfortable, very homey, it makes you feel relaxed and at ease. The service was on point and friendly. The price-point is not cheap, but that shouldn't be an issue if you're coming here.
The confusing part really stems from the menu. On the one hand you've got dishes that include pork chops, venison and Ono. On the other hand, they offer pot stickers and the check came in an Asian-inspired holder. It's just a little odd of a combination, I guess, since the place isn't trying to be a fusion of any particular cultures.
The dessert menu was varied, but as someone who is allergic to both chocolate and nuts (and there have got to be others like me), it would be nice if they offered at least a couple of dishes that I could have eaten. Coffee came in one of those nifty press containers, but sadly it didn't really taste all that great.
All in all, I'm not sure that I would necessarily drive to Firefly. But if you find yourself in Noe Valley and want a more intimate, upscale dining experience (say, a date, or maybe a night out with girlfriends), this is the place that you'd want to end up.
And you can trust me on this one; I'm an Elite. ;) -
Review from Stephanie C.
San Francisco, CA
1/12/2012 Seated via OpenTable
The ambiance of the restaurant is cute - it feels like you're sitting in a tent and there are little candles lighting up the place. The atmosphere was very cozy and quaint. However, the food was mediocre.
The bread came with the spread of the day, which was some type of curry paste. It was not anything spectacular and the bread tasted kind of stale. We ordered the shrimp and scallop potstickers due to all the rave reviews on Yelp. To be honest, they tasted sort of like the frozen Ling-Ling potstickers from Costco. Not really worth the fuss or cost. Actually, the Costco potstickers probably taste better since the texture of the skin wasn't very well-done either. We also ordered the polenta, which was a little bland on its own but tasted good when combined with the veggies on the side. The lamb shoulder with butternut squash puree was delicious though - the two tastes together worked so well, with the saltiness of the meat and the sweetness of the puree. I thoroughly enjoyed the lamb shoulder and it almost made up for the mediocrity of the other 2 dishes.
It's a nice place to go if you're looking for a nice atmosphere, but don't particularly care about the food being mind-blowing. -
Review from Yelena G.
Daly City, CA
1/7/2012
Oh mah lawd!
What a tremendous dinner. Came here on a Saturday night with a girlfriend, because we like to get fancy once in a while. We arrived in style in my chariot a.k.a. Toyota Corolla and were immediately impressed with the beautiful atmosphere.
I appreciated the casual ambiance with fine dining flare. Does that make sense? It wasn't stuffy or uncomfortable, which tend to be very present with high quality food and experience.
We started with delicious wine. We had the red and white Pinos. LOVE! While we were waiting for our apps, we received toasted bread with a black bean salsa spread. It was delicious and a great sign for things to come.
For appetizers, we ordered tuna and the shrimp and scallop potstickers. The tuna melted in my mouth and the potstickers, like everyone else mentioned were terrific.
For my entree, I had the lamb shoulder with butternut squash puree. The lamb too melted in my mouth. It was beautifully seasoned and braised to perfection. My friend had the trout and it was equally palate pleasing. We were just blown away. Two fairly simple proteins that became everything they could be and more!
We had to have dessert and settled on splitting the apple cobbler. The apples came on top of a cheddar biscuit with a caramel and some cinnamon ice cream. I'd never heard of a cheddar biscuit with apple, but it made perfect sense to my taste buds. The sweetness of the apple was met with the tartiness of the cheese and cut through what could have been an overly sweet dessert. It was beautiful. The coffee was obviously french pressed and was great.
Compliments to the chef and bravo to the staff. -
Review from maria c.
San Francisco, CA
2/1/2012
Omg so good, polenta with egg on top to die for, and the dessert of cheddar biscuit with sinful apple goodness!
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Review from Zahlia D.
San Francisco, CA
1/12/2012
Came here on a recommendation so my expectations were high, and sadly this place falls short of its veneer.
Ambience is nice -- it's small but very warm and inviting, a good spot for many types of eating occasions.
Service was a little too attentive -- we had a main waitress and then another girl who came by to clear crumbs off our table after every course. I found it disruptive -- I get that they're trying to be fance, but I'd rather put up with a few food particles than have my conversation interrupted every five minutes.
Food wasn't exciting. When you read the menu it sounds wonderful and complex, but the flavors really didn't pop in any of the dishes. On top of that, most of our food was luke warm when it arrived which added to the blah-ness. It's certainly overpriced for what they're delivering.
Fine as a neighborhood restaurant, but not worth it if you're traveling far. -
Review from Devora L.
12/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a cozy little spot! And oh so unassuming. I came here on a Saturday night with my homance, Kristina A, on her word that this was one of the best restaurants in Noe Valley, and now I can see why!
I arrived to the restaurant quite a bit later than she did, and actually right before closing (which l felt really bad about, but gosh darn Google Maps on iPhone gave me directions that wanted me to drive THROUGH a hill), but when I walked in, catching my breath from having sped walked there, I was greeted at the door with a smile and asked, "Are you Debbie?", "Why yes I am", "Right this way" and was led to Kristina. And fortunately, the restaurant was still very much hustling and bustling at that point.
Their complimentary bread and dips -- delicious. Their entrees -- even more delicious. Hello, braised pork cheeks and pork chop. I've never had pork cheek anywhere before, and the pork chop was the biggest pork chop I've ever had. I couldn't finish it. It was quite the chop of pork, and everything was so flavorful.
You really can't beat a cozy ambiance, and tasty eats in such a quaint neighborhood with really fantastic customer service on top of that. Can't wait to go back for their infamous fried chicken. -
Review from Virginia M.
San Francisco, CA
1/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
I really can't tell you something that hasn't been written. Tuesday F.C.N., being allowed to have a taste of a new wine, the brussels, the pot stickers, the blinking sculpture outside, the warm, friendly atmosphere. A true bistro. I've been several times, and admit I like sitting at the bar or in the window. Things are sometimes a little uneven, but you don't always hit a homerun at home, do you? Comfortable.
-
Review from Dina H.
San Francisco, CA
Came for dinner a couple weeks ago with an old friend. We both thought the food was great! Was it worthy of 5 stars though? It came pretty darn close.
Ambience:
Quaint, cute, homey
Service:
We were really late for our reservation. Luckily, they still had two seats available at the bar. Service at the bar was friendly and attentive.
Appetizer:
Shrimp and Sea Scallop Potstickers with Sesame Soy Dipping Sauce - I don't usually order asian dishes from American restaurants, but I'm glad I made the exception to try this popular dish. It was light but filled with flavor.
Entrees:
Friend had the ham chop - Tasty! Thick piece of meat served with sweet potatoes and a sweet sauce.
I ordered the Grilled Flatiron Steak & Braised Beef Short Rib with Roasted Carrots & Turnips, Shiitakes and Pickled Mustard Seeds - I basically licked my plate clean.
Dessert:
Greek yogurt cheesecake - Loved it! Was refreshing, not too sweet and dare i say ... healthy? HA. -
Review from J L.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2012
Excellent food and great atmosphere. What more can I ask for? I've been to this place several times and have never been disappointed. The only downside is that it can be difficult to find parking nearby but this place is well worth circling around several times for.
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Review from Bo K.
South San Francisco, CA
12/19/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Took the wife here since the reviews were so high. Was looking for something new and Firefly looked like the perfect place for a nice night out.
I think I expected too much. The reviews were all so great, but honestly, I didn't think it was anything over a 3 star. If the prices were lower, I would give it a 3.5.
We had the brussels sprouts, apple salad, tri-tip steak and polenta dish. Everything was average, but nothing really stood out. The mushrooms in the polenta dish were super salty in some spots. For dessert, we had the bread pudding which I definitely recommend (I'm a huge fan of bread pudding).
Overall, I can't say anything was above average. Nothing was wrong, but probably won't come here again. I was really wanting to like this place..... -
Review from Marcy K.
San Francisco, CA
1/16/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Cute little place. Food was just ok given how great so many other places are in the Bay area. Was a bit disappointed based on the reviews. Don't plan on giving it a second try.
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Review from Greg M.
Mountain View, CA
12/7/2011
Came here for with a date and a yelp reservation. We were seated immediately. Tables are a bit squashed together and the noise level was a bit high for a "romantic" setting.
We split the Fried Rabbit for an appetizer. Honestly, we weren't sure if it wasn't the fried chicken. The cabbage slaw was great. However the waitress cleared our table before we were finished! And there were another five to ten minutes before our entrees came out.
I had the sturgeon. The clam chowder it was resting on was a bit of a twist and was delicious, however, it cooled very rapidly because of the surface area and was a bit cold by the time I was finishing the fish. The sturgeon itself was fine - it was cooked properly and was a good size.
For dessert, we split the Fromage Blanc Mousse with Gingerbread. The Mousse was great, however the gingerbread felt a bit soggy. The pomegranate seeds seemed unnecessary as they were scatted about and were hard to handle gracefully so we ignored those. We had coffee with the dessert, which was served from French press. However, the coffee was sour, which was disappointing.
I had been expecting more for such a high yelp rating and being in such a nice neighborhood. I was hoping for Chez Pannise Cafe level of service and quality. Honestly, I don't think I will come back again when there are so many other places nearby to try. -
Review from Patrick C.
San Francisco, CA
11/10/2011
I have to be honest - I'm surprised by the sheer number of New American / California cuisine restaurants that are popping up all over San Francisco. They seem to all feature more or less the same menu and I'm convinced there must be a paint-by-numbers company selling Napa chic restaurant kits. These restaurants open their doors, put together formulaic pairings of local protein + seasonal vegetables + cheap starch, charge $25+ an entree, and laugh all the way to the bank...
...for 18 months. And then they go belly up and someone else takes over, buys the latest paint-by-numbers kit and the process repeats.
Having said all that, let me be clear that Firefly is NOT one of these places. Their longevity in Noe Valley is a testament to their absolutely delicious food, friendly and helpful staff, and reasonable prices.
I hope they continue to stay open for a long time as my mouth is watering just thinking about the next chance I'll get to dine here. -
Review from Aiko L.
Hayward, CA
11/10/2011
We were lucky enough to receive a gift certificate for this restaurant as a wedding gift. We came here for my bday, and the service was impeccable. The food, too, was just plain delicious. And the spread for their bread was so tasty we asked for seconds.
The ambiance is also perfect--not too dark, not too bright. I really enjoyed our dinner here and would be back for a special evening out anytime. Ample street parking, but we did come on a weeknight. -
Review from Rho T.
Why haven't I been here already? Easily a 4.5 star visit. We came on a Saturday nite w/out reservations, but scored the last 2 seats at the bar. The tables at the restaurant are very close together, so the bar actually fared better for us.
Drinks:
Unfortunately they don't have Riesling on their wine menu, so I had a glass of Chardonnay and it was a perfect alternative. My date had a Green Flash Brewing Co. Double Stout Black Ale.
Starters:
Shrimp and Sea Scallop Potstickers with Sesame Soy Dipping Sauce 11.00
Tasted fresh, and water chestnuts gave it a suprising and pleasant crunch to it. The wonton wrapper wasn't too thick, and as a whole it wasn't too oily.
Mains:
Seared Scallops with Braised Cabbage, Corn, Chanterelles and Syrah Grape Reduction 24.00
This was A LOT of grub. My favorite part of the dish was the Syrah Grape Reduction. I've been loving the taste of sweet fruit in main dishes lately and this was no exception.
Pork spareribs w/caramelized peaches, arugula and fennel confit 24.00
Tenderonnnnnnnnni slammin. Tasted like ribs my mama would make.
Desserts:
Fromage Blanc Filled Graham Cream Puffs with Strawberry-Raspberry Compote 8.50
The Cream puffs were *slightly* dry, but the cream and compote made up for it.
Bittersweet Chocolate Custard Cake with Pistachio Streusel,Honey Mascarpone Sabayon and Salted Pistachio Ice Cream 8.50
I would come back here JUST for this dessert!! The custard had more of a thick mousse-like consistency. Every single part of this dessert was amazing.
Ritual Coffee Roasters' Retiro de Quisaya Guatemala Coffee (French Press Coffee Service: 17 oz. 6.00) The date and I shared the 17oz and we both got about 2 cups each since the coffee cups were a bit small. The coffee was so good though, we probably could've had another round.
Even though we sat at the bar, service was excellent. Our food came out quickly, and the main dishes were huge. The desserts weren't tiny either. We took our time w/our meal and didn't feel rushed at all. I will definitely come back for their $36 prix fixe menu offered Sun-Thurs. -
Review from Gabrielle W.
San Francisco, CA
12/8/2011
Our monthly Where-To-Wednesday girls night out adventure led us to the adorable restaurant Firefly located in the quaint and equally adorable area of Noe Valley. With the holidays approaching, the Christmas lights were already up on buildings in the area and added to the charm that Noe already holds. Firefly was warm and inviting, and definitely worth the drive out there.
We decided to grade the main elements that we (and most people) look for in a restaurant - ambiance, wine, food, price, noise level and service:
Ambiance: Firefly has amazing ambiance! Beautiful firefly jars light up each table, creating a warm glow across the restaurant. You can even buy them to bring home the same experience!
Wine: We were in mood for white wine but after several tries and tastes, we never really found one that "hit the spot"
Food: Black Cod, Striped Bass and Pork Belly....two were fabulous! One..not so much. Check out which ones hit and which ones missed in adventure #2 of the January section: http://wheretowednesda... -
Review from Eddie L.
Berkeley, CA
11/21/2011
I really like this place. It's very unassuming, tucked away in a quiet neighborhood in Noe Valley. Food is great, of course, but the one thing I noticed most while sitting at my table was that everyone in the restaurant seemed to be having a good time. Whether it was the hipster wait staff, the extended family sitting at the larger middle table, the elderly lady taking her grandson and his girlfriend out to dinner, or the couple that looked like they had just come from occupying downtown San Francisco, Firefly seems to give off good vibes. That alone is reason enough to try it out.
As a side note, I should probably stop paying so much attention to the people sitting around me. I'm probably creeping everyone out. -
Review from EJ M.
San Francisco, CA
11/29/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Food was excellent. Atmosphere was very pleasant and relaxing for a romantic night out. Service was speedy, but not rushed and very respectful. Just a great overall experience. Considering making this spot a tradition...
Highly recommend the shrimp and sea scallop potstickers, chicken dish (pressed white meat stuffed with brown meat mousse! bwah?! tasty and unlike anything I've ever had), and the roasted squash.
Had the apple and butternut squash upside down cake for dessert. Definitely tasty, but not quite my style. Looking forward to tasting the pumpkin bread pudding or the mousse with fromage blanc sometime soon.
Check it out. -
Review from Julie S.
San Francisco, CA
10/20/2011
After wondering about Firefly for almost 2 years, the boyfriend and I finally decided to make a reservation here to celebrate a special occasion. We were initially planning to cash in on the $36 prix fixe, but due to recent experiences ordering WAY more food than we can reasonably consume in 1 sitting, we decided to order off the menu instead.
I understand that the menu is constantly changing, but here is a quick recap of our specific meal.
- Complimentary bread with chickpea/cilantro spread: 4/5 - The bread was not warm, but the spread, with its thick texture and subtle flavor, was intriguing! I was not sure how I felt about it at first, but I found myself enjoying it more and more with every bite.
- Shrimp and sea scallop potstickers with sesame dipping sauce: 4.5/5 - Packed with tasty shrimp and scallops, this is a great starter. It is served with a delicious salad of pickled vegetables that you should not let go to waste.
- Yellow corn soup with garlic miso butter: 5/5 - Soup at a good restaurant can blow your mind. The flavors were amazingly complex, at once sweet and savory, and we enjoyed every spoonful.
- Tombo tuna crudo with kohlabri, asian pear and chile oil: 2/5 - We were really disappointed with this and I would not recommend it. While the tuna was fresh, there was no flavor to this dish except for the unpleasant and unexpected spiciness of the chile oil. I'm also not sure that the pears worked well with the tuna.
- Seared kona kampachi with smoky bacon-apple dashi, cracked cucumber and sake-glazed little potatoes: 3/5 - Many nice restaurants excel in the appetizer and dessert departments and are a bit lacking in the entrees. I don't think it's necessarily fair of me to say this of Firefly since we only ordered 1 entree, but I was not a fan of the kampachi. This dish was basically a kampachi fillet, minimally seasoned and lacking in flavor. The potatoes were delicious, but I wouldn't order this again.
- Warm plum upside down toffee pudding cake with plum toffee sauce and huckleberry buttermilk ice cream: 6/5 - Sometimes you have a dessert that is so mind-blowing that is makes the meal. Such was the plum upside down cake. The flavors were so rich, fruity and delicious that the cake could stand on its own without the ice cream. Necessary, no, but I'm SO glad that we had the ice cream because it was equally mind-blowing. The buttermilk base created such a rich, buttery flavor that was the perfect complement to the fruity complexity of the huckleberry. I wish I could buy this ice cream in pints!
With a romantic ambiance, fantastic service, and solid food, I would love to come back to Firefly. Next time, I will ask my waiter/waitress for recommendations before ordering! -
Review from Nathan J.
San Francisco, CA
1/4/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Yum! Food was great, service was awesome. Def one of my favorites in SF.
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Review from Stephanie G.
San Francisco, CA
11/17/2011
I came here on a rainy early Friday night in a very bad mood, but after some delicious appetizers (brussels sprouts and potstickers) and some white wine, I was feeling much better. My mom's friend picked out the place because her friend's son was a bartender there (though he wasn't there when we went.) She described it as "one of those places that uses fancy words for normal things," and yes, we did have a lot of questions for our waitress, but she didn't seem to mind at all and was very friendly.
I had the Ham Chop which I can only described as a pork chop that has be "hammified." In any case it was delicious, my brother and I both had it and loved it. It went perfect with the sweet potatoes and sauce. Also tried some of my mom's chicken roulade (which they called something different), and it was the most tender delicious chicken ever.
Also, love the little light up firefly on the outside! -
Review from Jeanette Y.
Oakland, CA
10/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
I made a reservation here for two and we were seated immediately upon arriving. IMMEDIATELY! YES! Awesome. Did I mention, the atmosphere was very cozy and welcoming. It reminds me a bit of new york.
Anyways, I have to admit, my most favorite dishes were the appetizer and the dessert. We started off with brussels sprouts cooked w/ parmesan cheese and truffle oil. It was absolutely amazing! I could feast on it all day!
What we finished off with was a banana boston creme pie with a creme anglaise. Honestly, If I were eating this at home, by myself, I would've picked up the plate and licked it. I know that doesn't sound any bit classy at all and more pig-like, but it was good!
There definitely will be a second trip here. NEXT TIME, I'm attacking your oh so famous fried chicken! -
Review from Elizabeth L.
San Francisco, CA
10/13/2011
Ordered the salad (herb salad) and soup...both were so salty you couldn't eat it, and I LOVE salt. Ordered the Sea Bass and spent my evening vomiting and am currently home from work laying on couch in agony.
First and last time eating there. Straight up truth. Everyone was nice and the beer was good, but never again. -
Review from Robert B.
San Francisco, CA
11/17/2011
Have been here many times, finally getting around to reviewing.
Very reasonably priced restaurant, given that the food is prepared with love. I've always had excellent meals here and really appreciate that there are tasty, creative vegetarian options. The decor is low key, the service is informal but caring, and it's never too loud to talk comfortably. You will not go wrong with Firefly. Do not miss the souffle for dessert !! -
Review from W C.
San Francisco, CA
11/11/2011
I order brussel sprouts as my appetizer and ham chops as my main course. The brussel sprouts is really good. The ham chops is good but extremely salty so that made everything else very salty too. I still finished my salty ham chops but was thirsty for the rest of the night.
We'll definitely go back there again. -
Review from Corey V.
12/8/2011
$36 prix fixe on Sunday through Thursday will leave you fat and happy. The shrimp and scallop potstickers are excellent as is the meatball soup. The sturgeon is good and so is the tri tip. Their desserts are also amazing. This is a great date place so save up some dough and trek out to this place off the beaten path for something different. The food is rich so don't plan on doing much after wards other than going to sleep.
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Review from Angela L.
9/28/2011
4.5!
FOOD:
1.) Scallop entree = yum, it was mixed with some corn and lettuce and a lil spicy sauce. The taste was really yummy. Only three pieces.
2.) Steak = yumm, it was cut in bite sized pieces! Just how I like my food! Kinda chewy, but I guess bc it's small, the outer edges get more cooked, but the flavor was very tastey and meaty. The center was still nice and pink, as medium rare should be .. on a bed of spinach that had this interesting smoked flavor to it haha. . . But yah this dish was good
3.) Bread - o yea they gave a loaf of bread, not warmed up.. with a carrot & chick pea spread. lol kinda funny, it's a very subtle taste
SERVICE:
Sat at the bar. Water filled frequently.
ATMOSPHERE:
It's cute, it's nice, sophisticated, yet kind of a quaint grandma feel with the floral appetizer plates but there's contemporary almost abstract paintings hung around. -
Review from Amy F.
San Francisco, CA
12/17/2011
Best. Brussel. Sprouts. EVER!! With parmesan and a little truffle oil. Yum, so delicious. My entree was also good: tri tip steak. The meat was a little chewy in several places but the edge had a tasty char to it and the gravy was amazing. I'll definitely be going back to try other dishes but will for sure be ordering the brussel sprouts again.
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Review from Andrew C.
San Francisco, CA
10/24/2011
Just ate here again the other night and once again, had a great experience. The food was outstanding, the service terrific, and the atmosphere was perfect - just the right balance of intimate and casual. A great place to go with your sister from out of town and a friend.
I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking to try a great little place a bit of the radar (I love that its a "gotta know where it is to get there" kind of place). Has a great neighborhood feel to it.
Enjoy! -
Review from Sarah C.
9/17/2011
So - I will admit, I was a little bias coming into this place as I went with my friend and it's her a favorite restaurant in the city. But, really I just think that made my expectations a whole lot higher.
The restaurant is whimsical, and while I wish there was more than one bathroom, the atmosphere is lovely and the service is excellent.
Everything on the menu looks so fantastic I had a very hard time choosing, but the Yellow Corn Soup with Garlic-Miso Butter won over the Shrimp and Sea Scallop Potstickers. This soup - oh. my. god. It was absolutely one of THE best soups I've ever had in my life. The corn would have been amazing on it's own, but the garlic and miso just...i hesitate to say it because it feels so snooty and cliche - really elevated it to a whole new level.
The entree was also a hard decision, between the gnocchi and the pork spareribs. I went with the ribs because...mmmmmm ribs. Oh, and did I mention the caramelized peaches? I was a little skeptical about the arugula and fennel confit, just cause the definition of confit is a meat cooked in it's own fat, and wished a heartier portion of a vegetable was included, but whatever.
Turned out I made the wrong decision. The ribs were cooked perfectly, don't get me wrong. But, they really lacked flavor. There was no sauce, or glaze, and they weren't really smoked enough to take on that flavor. Also, there were 2 peach slices (more please!), and the sauce that was drizzled around the plate was kind of...icky. Also, I had no idea what it was cause it wasn't in the description. So, overall that entree was not a winner. My friend's duck, however, was excellent, much as I imagine many of their other dishes are.
The dessert menu is also pretty appealing. We shared the goat cheese mousse and the warm bittersweet chocolate cake. The look on my face after I tried the cake - holy shit is pretty much all that can describe it. It was a texture like I've never had - warm and melty, but not a gooey flourless type. It was like - you know what, I really can't describe it just go try it for yourself. And the mint ice cream (real mint) that came alongside was the perfect compliment. The goat cheese mousse was high quality as well.
So what it comes down to is that if my entree hadn't been a miss, that would have made up the last start. It gets 4 because this is a place I would definitely try again, and honestly, would recommend to others. -
Review from Brownie S.
San Ramon, CA
9/4/2011
First, the restaurant itself. Nice location and very cute/colorful building. The ambience was pleasant -- casual and sophisticated at the same time. We came for dinner and, although it was crowded, it wasn't loud at all. It was easy to carry on a conversation. The restaurant gets a 4.
Next, the food. I liked the variety of dishes on the menu. The bread came with a black bean and cumin spread that was really good. I ordered the gnocchi -- it was cooked perfectly (not at all mushy) and the sauce was yum. The only thing is that my dish was very salty. My dining companions ordered the trout, salmon, and mushrooms. They said that their dishes were salty, too. Because of this salty trend, the food gets a 3.5.
Overall 3.75 stars. Yelpers love this restaurant, so I would give it another shot and ask for less salt when I order. -
Review from Bruce S.
San Francisco, CA
9/13/2011
Tonight was the second time I've eaten at Firefly. I had dinner with two old friends. Everything, from service on, was great.
Two of us chose the prix fixe special, which allowed us to choose one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert for $36.
I had the chanterelles with chanterelle custard as an appetizer. It was spectacular. Smooth, velvety, savory custard, sauteed chanterelles, and a whey vinaigrette and watercress. It was perfectly seasoned, and very tasty. One of my friends had the shrimp potstickers, also very good.
I chose the slow-cooked pork shoulder with pureed cauliflower and grapes. This was plated with a pan sauce. The pork was crispy on the edges, moist and flavorful inside. The pureed cauliflower with the sauce was smooth and savory. The grapes brought a hint of sweetness to the dish that was very nice. My friends had the tuna and the fried chicken (a Tuesday night special) and enjoyed their dishes as well.
Dessert was a goat cheese mousse with figs and caramelized walnuts. The goat cheese mousse had a nice tang to go with the sweetness. The walnuts were crispy and delicious, and the figs were perfectly ripe. My friends had the warm chocolate cake with chocolate chip ice cream and the summer fruits pudding. Both were also very good.
The service was attentive but not intrusive. The wait staff made excellent suggestions when requested. The restaurant was maybe 1/3 full when we arrived for our 6:30 reservation, but full when we left at about 8:15.
I will definitely go back, and I recommend this place. -
Review from M M.
San Francisco, CA
8/12/2011
Underwhelmed. When we arrived there were 5 or so empty tables and we were told we could sit at the bar. I figured there must've been several reservations coming soon but those empty tables were never occupied by the time we left. Bartender made some comment after we ordered a German beer how it was like Budweiser. I might have thought this was as funny as he did if we hadn't already been given the once over by the host and seated at the bar. We got the feeling the staff thought we looked cheap or something.
Food was not very good either. I had the salmon cooked the way it was recommended. The only seasoning was salt, lots of salt. I'm not a big salt lover in general-but especially not on already salty seafood. It just didn't work. The fish came with roasted zucchini (of which I got a stem piece) and fennel (which was the only thing that had flavor beyond saltiness) and it was all was sitting in "tomato butter" which was greasy, separating and tasted of neither butter nor tomato.
We also had the almond crepe cake which was pretty good but the rosemary ice cream it came with was just as disgusting as it sounds. I still ate everything because I was hungry but it wasn't as enjoyable as it should've been for the prices Firefly charges. And the ambiance, though cute, couldn't do much to improve our experience. There are too many other similarly styled restaurants who pull it off better and cheaper than Firefly to come here again. -
Review from IRate New Yorker F.
Lafayette, CA
10/8/2011
I absolutely LOVE this place.
The Yellow Corn Soup with Miso Butter is to die for, as is the Fried Chicken Dinner......chicken with light and dark meat, mashed potatoes and gravy, greens and a fresh biscuit......you can't go wrong......It was one of the best Fried Chicken meals I have ever had. For dessert, I highly recommend Chocolate Custard Cake.
Everything I have had here has been absolutely delicious !!!! This place is definitely worth checking out :) -
Review from Lisa R.
Los Angeles, CA
10/7/2011 Seated via OpenTable
My favorite thing about Firefly is that it's the rare small and cozy restaurant that one could easily become a regular of. The staff is super personable, the food is very good, and the wine menu is great.
If they have pork belly on the menu, order it! -
Review from Katherine T.
San Francisco, CA
10/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place has taken over as my favorite restaurant. Both the food and service were superb. The decoration reminded me of being on a camping trip with the little jars of candles and the cloth draping the ceiling. It was very cozy.
Our group consisted of five people, and we dined family style so we could try almost every entree and dessert.
We started the night off with the Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Nicoise Olives and Ricotta Toast. Delicious! The tomato was sweet and juicy and the vinaigrette had the right balance of acid and oil.
I enjoyed all the entrees (we could not stop saying "This is sooo goooood"), so I'm just gonna list them from my favorite to least favorite:
1. Hanger Steak with Miso Eggplant, Charred Kale (Kaled Chard?) and Soy Pickled Shiitake Mushrooms
2. Liberty Duck Breast with Fresh Corn Polenta, Freedom Beans, Hazelnuts and Figs
3. Pan Fried Potato-Chive Gnocchi with Summer Squash, Spinach, Créme Fraîche and Shaved Turnips
4. Ragoût of Oyster & Lobster Mushrooms with Corn, Cilantro, Lime, Shishito Peppers and Arból Chile Salsa Roja
5. Grilled Hawaiian Tombo Tuna with Fresh Garbanzo and Pole Bean Salad, Fried Eggplant and Beurre Rosé
The desserts we ordered were just as good as the entrees. My two favorites were the Goat Cheese Mousse and the Peach Brioche Bread Pudding. The mousse was so smooth and light and the pudding had the sweet/sour and warm/cold combo with the berries and ice cream. Talk about mouthgasm all night long.
I enjoyed this place so much I raved about it on my Facebook status right away. It's been a week since I dined here and I still can't stop thinking about my experience here. Can't wait to go back! -
Review from Yosie G.
San Francisco, CA
6/17/2011
Note: I didn't eat here yet, but I have to write this.
Some of you Yelpers wrote that the fried chicken is really good, so we called to ask if it's on the menu tonight or even an option. The person on the phone basically called us a n**** and when we said we're Asian he told us to open our eyes.
Sorry but Firefly you really need to make sure your employees aren't using derogatory racial slurs on the phone... -
Review from Sally T.
Happy Birthday to me! :)
I'm a lucky girl. The man friend picked this cute and fuzzy spot for my 30th birthday dinner. It wasn't too packed for a Saturday night, but you can definitely tell people like this place. The crowd was a good mix of folks from different age demographics. The service was friendly but not overly attentive, which is a good thing. They know how to leave you be for those "stare into each others eyes" moments.
So onto the food. They brought out warm bread with this curry split pea/mushroom spread. The spread was yummy and I appreciate the fact it wasn't just butter or olive oil. We got the shrimp/scallop pot stickers with a soy dipping sauce. Look, I'm Chinese so I can't help but nitpick the hell out of this dish. With that said, it was definitely tasty so I'm going to replicate this at home. I got the ham chop with greens and sweet potatos and the man friend got the steak/short ribs with roasted veggies. Both dishes were yummy except we thought both things were a little on the salty side, but good nonetheless. For dessert (no candles, thank you) we got the chocolate torte with coffee/cardamom ice cream. OMG this was so decadent and rich but not too sweet so I was able to keep eating it. I fell in love with the ice cream and could eat that by the tub. The only sad note to the night was our coffee. We got a pot of the french pressed coffee and if we weren't trying to get caffinated for the night, we wouldn't have drunk it. It was really sour and no amount of sugar or cream could mask it (insert sad face).
All in all, it was a great choice. If you want to make a girl feel super special and have that warm glowly googly eye inducing ambiance, keep Firefly on your date spots list. Major brownie points for the man friend. :)
