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Categories: Portuguese, Coffee & Tea, Venues & Event Spaces
Neighborhood: Potrero HillNOW you can enjoy Saturday & Sunday Brunch at Horatius from 10 am to 3 pm. We'll be closing earlier on Mondays & Tuesdays at 5 pm.
Mon-Tue. 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wed-Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
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Amazing place to have breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Great wine and cheese.
The staff is super attentive and friendly.
Another winner in the Potrero district. After driving by this building a couple times I finally realize that it is a Cafe/restaurant. It looks like a furniture store from the outside because it is so large and it is even larger once you walk in.
The falafel wrap is just the right size with a side salad that makes you not feel bloated but satisfied after eating. The chicken sandwich is delicious and HUGE. I have only tried the lunch menu so far and will come back for dinner some day for their Portuguese menu.
PS. They have a ~50' projector screen where they play Monday Night Football. +1 for creativity!!!
This is the perfect place to sneak out of work to get some fresh air, drink some wine and talk to some wonderful people.
The food is great (if you like Portuguese food), with awesome pastries for those with different sweet tooth needs. The wine selection is growing along with the beer, a little weak at first - but it's growing.
The staff are wonderful, attentive, and sweet.
Two things do suck about Horatius:
1) Not that close to BART (but close to Muni's 22 & 19)
2) No liquor license (no double jack w/ water for lunch)
AND they do brunch!
Before adding table seating to the outside of their business it was difficult to determine that Horatius was actually a restaurant. For months I walked past the store regularly thinking it was just another interior design studio. For those of you not familiar with this area it's San Francisco's version of the design district. Inside Horatius is a wide open space with plenty of floor space to move around in and ultra high barn-like ceilings that are well ventilated. The business consists of a bistro and lots of retail space.
I haven't taken the time to really check out the retail portion of this business yet, but I can tell you there are a few cookbooks for sale along with olive oils, vinegars, wines, jams, coffee and biscuits. On certain days (but not every day) they'll have little sample dishes out where you can try some of the olive oils or biscuits and crackers.
I'm quite familiar with the bistro (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) however as I've made it part of my regular lunch rotation. The bistro at Horatius creates delicious food with very fresh ingredients.
It's an order at the counter, get a table number and find an open table type of place. There are lots of table seatings throughout the space so that's never a problem. The staff is very friendly, and I love the unique refrigerated beverages offered. Yes, they have Coke in cans and complimentary serve yourself water, but most of the time I enjoy the botanically brewed bottled soft drinks from Fentimans of the UK (http://www.yelp.com/bi... and http://www.yelp.com/bi...) and the real brewed teas from Harney & Sons (http://www.yelp.com/bi...).
There are pre-made sandwiches, salads and empanadas, and there are mini cupcakes and assorted breakfast pastries also. I always order direct from the menu because the wait for the food is generally not bad at all. There are two sandwiches among my favorite items on the menu. Sandwiches come with your choice of a fresh green salad, sweet potato fries or regular French fries. I like the lightly salted sweet potato fries the most. They're cut right and stay crispy even after they've cooled. The regular fries are of the very average shoestring variety.
The Crispy Chicken Sandwich (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) is a moist chicken breast flavored with a bit of citrus and dry seasonings, dusted in panko crumbs and cooked to a golden crisp. Two thick and fatty bacon slices accompany the chicken breast which is slit into two halves and served on a soft French roll with piquillo pepper aioli, a lettuce leaf and ripe red tomatoes.
The Horatius Bistro Burger (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) won't satisfy some of you who prefer that the beef patty covers all of the bun. The Niman Ranch beef patty is formed super thick instead of wide. I like the rose-like swirl of the homemade pickled onions added to the top. Sometimes my burger ordered medium comes out medium rare, but I don't mind. The beef is usually very flavorful with a really fresh taste and very juicy.
Horatius is another place within a ten minute walk from my workplace. I'm thankful for that because it means I can eat here all the time.
The warm crispy chicken sandwich is awesome!! It's really all about the bacon which was possibly the tastiest thick-cut bacon I've ever had. Not to mention aioli with pimenton - winning combo!
Disclaimer: I only tried the regular coffee. But I absolutely fell in love with it.
It was so good that I ended up buying a bag of "FAZENDA BOA SORTE NATURAL - Brasil" coffee for $12.95. The staff asked me if my coffeemaker uses metal or paper. I said paper and they grounded the beans as appropriate. Nice!
There is a "Coffee & Drink Card" you can get. You buy 10 drinks and next one is free (excluding bottled beverages), which is also nice! There's a S**rb*ck* really near by, but I know I'll be coming Horatius to fetch my daily dose from now on.
A refreshing Sunday outing. A beautiful open space, which houses much more than Portugeuse Coffee and Tea. The dishes served at Sunday brunch were beautifully plated, creative and delicious. The Bacalau, a salty white cod w/potatoes, veggies and a poached egg was one of the best brekkie creations I've had in a long time...it left me feeling satisfied, without that post-binge food comatose you sometimes get after a hung over brunch sesh...it did the opposite actually, it left me ready to conquer the rest of sunday funday!!
p.s. a great little corner of the city lacking the annoying Sunday crowds...so when you need a peaceful breakfast with plenty of alcohol this is the place to go!
Very pretty place and interesting concept - but fails in the flavors and in the daring prices, which is what's really important.
Went for lunch during the week. The pulled pork sandwich was just OK. It needs more herbage or spices! It came with a side of macaroni salad, which was also OK. They have a nice wine selection; it's really like half the restaurant is a wine bar, which is cool. The staff was friendly, and they even let me upgrade from 2 glasses of wine to the bottle and pay the difference (b/c I noticed they opened the bottle for us). Very nice of them.
Oh, and there are a few outdoor tables with umbrellas--fabulous on a sunny day. And a great addition to the neighborhood. Much needed near my work!
I happened upon Horatius while getting my car serviced which is rarely fun, but I was pleasantly occupied at this nice (and not so little) coffee shop that actually has a lot more to offer than just coffee. The super friendly staff, ritual coffee, wi-fi access, newspapers and a dog friendly patio really made my day.
Having been born and raised in Portugal I obviously was very excited when this placed opened up a couple of blocks away from home.
As many businesses -- and especially restaurants -- in San Francisco, it didn't start perfect. In fact, I'd say it didn't even start well. My first experience there wasn't particularly good, but after being told the chef would change around September-October 2009, I decided to wait and give it another chance.
So we went back yesterday, for dinner (and to pick up some Olive Oil, since I refuse to use any liquid fat but genuine Portuguese Olive Oil -- try it and you'll understand why) and the new chef is definitely a dramatic improvement.
In fact, he is so good this is officially part of my Top 3 restaurants in San Francisco. And I'm not being chauvinistic here; even if you've never tried Portuguese cuisine, I guarantee you'll still agree with me.
The food was incredibly well executed and very genuinely Portuguese, a combination that is extremely hard to find even in Portugal. Seriously. One of the tricks about Portuguese cuisine (and baking) is that execution is 90% of it. Many other cuisines can get away with poor execution just by using very high-quality (expensive) ingredients and doing very little with them. Genuine Portuguese cuisine, however, requires impeccable execution to be truly good -- *even* if you use high-quality ingredients, like Horatius clearly does -- and Greg, the new chef, clearly has it nailed down to perfection.
So, if you look at the menu and think it is expensive, remember that you're paying for high-quality ingredients and truly artistic execution. Odds are you're not going to find that kind of combination for less money anywhere else in San Francisco.
And this goes for the whole menu -- Starters, Entrees, Desserts, you name it. We tried it all and it's all wonderful.
The wines are also impeccably chosen, and I'd personally vouch for each and every one of them (even the non-Portuguese ones). The reds are all very good, and if you're a white wine lover, I'd urge you to try the "Vinho Verde" they have on the menu. It's a particularly unique kind of white wine (the literal translation is actually "green wine", not because it's green in color but because it's a young wine and "Vinho Verde" became a protected Appellation for the grape varieties that grow there) that you must try, especially if you're a big fan of young Sauvignon Blancs.
So, what are you waiting for? Give it a try! Even if you were there before, give it another try with the new chef.
Despite the very cold appearance of the building front, which makes the place look like some industrial plumbing firm, and the rather cold interior (concrete floor and walls, metal fixtures), this is actually a large and well-stocked cafe.
I had a large cafe au lait and a croissant. Though a bit pricey ($5.00), both were rich and delicious. There's no line and plenty of seats at 8:30 in the morning. I can't believe people are crowding into the St*rbucks across the street when the quality of coffee is so much better here.
Though I've seen Horatius numerous times I've never stepped inside, until today. It always seemed a little too bougie for me, but the minute my friend and I walked in we were greeted by the friendly staff. They were very knowledgeable on the food, drinks, and other goodies in the restaurant and extremely attentive. The food was AMAZING! I had the chicken Caesar wrap, which was delicious and had a hint of lemon flavor grilled in to the chicken. My friend had the ham and cheese sandwich that was warm and had cheese oozing from the sides of the baguette. Both came with lightly dressed salads that seemed to be so buttery it melted in your mouth. We splurged and split the strawberry pastry that was out of this world good! With this kind of food quality you'd expect to pay an outrageous price, not in this case, Horatius is quite reasonable.
As if I needed to be sold on this restaurant more, one of the staff members that was working over in the wine/cheese/olive oil area informed us that the restaurant has a Portuguese influence. Seeing some of the olive oils for sale reminded me of my Portuguese Grandma who would eat sardines packed in that very brand of olive oil. Love, love, LOVE this place!
A real gem for Potrero. It's multi-purpose, and generally awesome.
Worker-be-you: I'll often come in the morning to get work done. Free wi-fi, great soundtrack (low-key Beck) and-- best of all-- RITUAL COFFEE. Minus the attitude. (Seems Ritual's flagship locale kept its self-loathing hipsters and their contempt.) In fact, remarkably personable employees.
Specialty-food-fiend: Obscure olive oil, interesting chocolates, an assortment of wines, teas and household items. The selection is a bit overwhelming at times, but the samples are many and again the friendly employees are happy to offer advice
Let's-unwind-friends: Grab a friend for post-work drinks. The same low-key music from the morning will still be playing, and the employees will offer a look of sympathy and a giant pour of vino.
Glad to have you in the neighborhood, Hoartius
I live in the neighborhood and am happy to see another small business move in. I believe we all should be appreciative of entrepreneurs who take chances in our respective neighborhoods especially in these tough economic times.
The space and staff are really great and friendly, the space itself is a huge area with well placed seating, so one is never cramped. The space is also great for kids, my 3yr old daughter loves to politely wander around and I appreciate this family friendly attitude which is hard to find in SF.
The coffee is really good as are the snacks and small meals, I'm not one to buy wine, cheese, olive oils, preserves or pottery so I can not speak to that except that I have seen people having fun wine tasting there too. I love that they are right across the street from a Starbucks too, keeps me from supporting a huge chain in favor of a local small business. One of my favorite things about Horatius is the sidewalk seating, I will definitely be a return customer.
We went yesterday for dinner for the first time. We'd stopped in for a quick coffee and mini muffin a few weeks ago and found out it was Portuguese owned. The boy is Portuguese so he was pretty stoked.
Nice space. It was a hot summer day so we sat outside on the sidewalk. (1* for outdoor seating). The waitress was really friendly and helpful. (2*) The boy got the caldo verde to start - he was a fan, but for me it there was a bit too much flavor, flavors were really bold.
For our mains, we got the duck and the Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá - which is a traditional Portuguese dish apparently. It's got salted cod, potatoes, onions, etc - was a bit too salty for me, it may have been prepared REALLy well and I just don't like the dish in general.
I did however enjoy dessert - Arroz Doce which is a Portuguese styled rice pudding.. YUM!
Nice additional to Portrero Hill. I'm stoked for the cooking classes - this place is pretty interesting.. just not down to drop $100 here for dinner, would rather hit up somewhere else.
I was a little confused as to what this place is actually supposed to be as there were several different counters selling wine, cheese, plants, etc, as well as the cafe part.
The cafe was nice, but there were pretty limited choices. I got the house turkey sandwich served hot. It was very tasty and seved with a side salad of greens tossed in a vinaigrette. Good serving size, I was quite full after. Others in my group got the ceasar chicken wrap ( a little on the small side but looked tasty), the ham and cheese on a baguette served hot, and the soup of the day. No one had anything negative to say about their food.
The service at this place was surprising good. They came around to refill water and even brought my coworker a glass when she asked (this was one of those self serve type of situations so we were all impressed by the extra service). The water tasted fresh and was infused with cucumber I think. Whatever it was I really liked it.
From the outside this place doesn't look like a cafe, but give it a try because its pretty good for the neighborhood.
I'm not quite sure how to review this place. Let's start with the good:
- friendly staff
- high quality products
drumroll...
- the best Portuguese dish I've tasted west of New Jersey, (excepting at my house)
The bad, or not so good:
- weird vibe/feel
- kind of expensive
- limited selection
I've only been to Napa and Sonoma once each, and I guess this place is trying to be something like shops you'd find out there? From my perspective, it's a lot of open space, some pretty high priced goods (seriously, how much of those expensive dishes have you sold?), and there's an awkward feel to the place I just can't describe.
As a gift shop, I don't think this place succeeds. As a coffeehouse/bakery, it could, but they need more selection of pastries.
As a wine bar, it lacks the "chichi" factor of a place like Bacar or District.
As a restaurant, it feels like more of a takeout place or cafeteria, which makes it hard to justify a $14 lunch entree.
So, again, getting back to the good. When I read that there was a "Portuguese-ish" place open, I made a beeline for a Muni bus and headed to Potrero Hill for lunch. I had the codfish dish which was authentic tasting, although a bit too salty, and rather small considering the price for a lunch portion. I sampled a few different Portuguese wines and they were all good. Finally, some Ritual coffee and a very sad looking yet almost perfect tasting pastel de nata (custard pastry). I spoke with one of the owners (I think) and gave some feedback and suggestions, which were cheerfully jotted down for future review.
I will definitely be back, and would love to see them succeed. There's a pretty limited market for people who know and love Portuguese food, so I hope that they can continue to tweak the business formula.
Just soak the cod another 8 hours next time, and I'll be back :)
From the outside, it's definitely hard to tell what it is. HUGE space with coats of arms and the name Horatius...hmmm. Inside, it looks like a cross between an airline hangar and an upscale specialty foods store. There is a counter, a case of food, some sweets...and what is with the 3 TV screens?
Horatius is a celebration of fine foods. It is all of these things at once, with the potential of being more. The front of the place houses the bistro, where you can order soup, a salad, a sandwich or a more elaborate main course and sit in the airy space to enjoy it. The smell of Ritual coffee is wonderful and tempting.
On all available walls, and on tables, there are food products galore for sale. Wandering around it a bit like being at the Fancy Food Show without all of the cheesy stuff. Not only are artisinal foods from around the world offered, but Horatius also makes their own olive oils, according to strict California standards. They offer tastes of these as well as other products, and well-informed help, at the counters. There is some beautiful Portuguese pottery for sale, as well as some home products that would make great gifts.
And the TV screens? For cooking classes and demonstrations, beginning in August of this year.
My friend and I enjoyed a very pleasant lunch - she had the Shrimp Salade Niscoise and I had the Thai Beef Salad. Both very good, fresh, and generously portioned. For dessert, we shared a Portuguese egg tart which was authentic and delicious - a rare treat to enjoy in this country.
My feeling is that Horatius is still working on filling their space - it's lovely, but could use some warmth. I see the potential for something unique and multifaceted, and they could really do a lot with it. I will definitely be back to see their progress and see what tempting treats they have brought in to celebrate the pleasure of food and eating.
Date & Time: Saturday June 27, 2009 @ 3:30pm
Company: Michael
Crowd: Neighborhood 30-Something Foodie Couples w/ Toddlers & Babies in Pricey Bugaboo Strollers & Silver Cross Prams
Atmosphere: Charming
Decor: Quaint Sections in Urban Setting: Cozy Little Cafe w/ Contemporary Tables for Quatre, Bread & Cheese, Olive Oil, Coffee & Tea, Jams & Biscotti, Orchids, Home & Bath, Kitchen, Pasta & Seasonings & Wine Bar Area
Service: Helpful & Knowledgeable
Imbibe: Ritual Coffee
Devour: Will Be Back for Lunch which Stops @ 3pm
Must-Haves: Artisanal Cheese, Olive Oil, Tea, Sweets, Orchids, Soaps
Purchase: Jar of L'Ami Provencel Candy in Poppy & Castabel Soap in Fig & Pear, Lemon & Sage
Total: $35.97
Having been born and raised in Portugal before immigrating to the United States, and having been raised on traditional Portuguese food, I feel compelled to review Horatius. We first went there in the morning for coffee and croissant (yes, I realize croissants are not traditionally Portuguese). The coffee was amazing. I enjoy strong coffee, and Horatius definitely packed a punch. The coffee was rich, aromatic, very full-bodied, and really kick-started my day. I am now switching my early morning walks to Whole Foods for coffee to an early morning walk to Horatius for coffee.
We then went back for lunch. I had the bacalhau a casa (the cod fish), my boyfriend had the Chicken Piri Piri sandwich, and my friend had the mussels. First, the bacalhau. The bacalhau was incredibly tasty. It was sauteed with onions, french fries, red bell peppers, and with a fried egg on top. Incredibly delicious, and reminded me of a dish my mother makes, Bacalhau a Gomes de Sa, which is one of my favorite dishes. For those of you who haven't tried bacalhau, this is a great dish to try.
The mussels were amazing. They were served with french fries in the broth which was a great trick to have the fries soak up the taste of the broth. Although we ordered it without cilantro because my boyfriend thinks that it tastes like soap, I would have preferred it with cilantro.
Finally, the chicken piri piri sandwich. The sandwich was very good, but it was not the same as the chicken piri piri I am used to. The chicken piri piri that I am used to is a full chicken cut in half at the breast and doused in hot sauce (piri piri) and salt then grilled on an open flame. It delicious. I imagined that the sandwich would be made similarly. It seems that a chicken breast alone was grilled with the hot sauce, but it lacked the smokiness of having been grilled over an open flame.
Horatius is definitely worth checking out. The atmosphere is great, and the people there are incredibly friendly and helpful. I would agree, though, that they need more tables, and there is room to work out the kinks. But definitely worth the time to check out.
If you haven't tried Portuguese cooking, this place is a must. I would love to see them do a huge sardinhada this summer or celebrate one of the festas with a fadista and really give San Francisco a taste of Portugal.
Viva Portugal!
My one star review is not based on the food, but it was based on I couldn't get any food I wanted. I approached a very friendly staff asking him, if they had other stuff besides the sandwiches as my partner is vegetarian.
First he told me that there's this Mediterranean grill veg sandwich we could try so I order that, but when I wanted to order for myself they didn't have anything I wanted, veggie wrap, tuna salad and one other item I ask and they didn't have it either.
I walked in around 11:30 close to noon, shouldn't a cafe be prepared for a sat lunch crowed?
We had to walk out and find something else, hopefully they can figure anything. It's a nice space and I hate to see it goes to waste.
Horatius replaced the old Khyber Pass Furniture Store. This place is huge and brand, spanking new. Think Cafe/Bistro meets Williams Sonoma meets Loft.
We tried a sandwich and a salad and the food is good, but not outstanding. Also a bit on the expensive side.
However, i am giving this place 4 stars because of the atmosphere, which is unique for this area, and the fact that it's a new concept (especially when they replace a crappy furniture store).
Don't come just for the food. Come to hang out, meet some friends, and have a few glasses of wine.
It's also relatively easy to park around here.
As a Potrero Hill resident, I'm happy to have another place to eat. But the sandwiches we had here on Saturday ranged were average and disappointing.
We had the chicken sandwich which had the smallest piece of chicken breast I've EVER seen on a sandwich, making the first 3 and last 3 bites of the sandwich just bread and orange mayo. We also had the pork and apricot jam sandwich. The combination of apricot jam and stewed tomatos made the sandwich too sharp and the pork didn't stand out.
I'm not sure I get the concept here. It seems like a touristy, Napa-style *place*. There isn't really enough seating to be confident that it's a restaurant. It's got lots of open space and merchandise... in case you feel like shopping for olive oil while you wait for a sandwich.
The merchandise seemed to be mostly gifty stuff, the type you buy for people you don't really know. The merchandise surrounds you on the walls, so you always feel like you are in a store.
I guess there is a rotating theme location, but I only saw one menu item that was on theme. Maybe they are playing it safe.
Great space, nice staff. Chicken panini is tasty. Interesting beverages.
Wine Tasting: I tasted four wines at the wine bar and one Portuguese red was outstanding-- something I hadn't tasted before, meaning it hasn't been bastardized/compromised by the Wine Spectator or wine critic Robert Parker taste standards. I would come back to taste some more Portuguese wines only. I don't care to taste any Californian wines, for that I can go anywhere else.
Sandwich: I had a chicken sandwich that was burnt. I couldn't even taste the Portuguese marinade. It was disappointing.
Gifts: Nothing really stood out. The gifts and atmosphere felt very touristy. I would rather see a more food market feel (lots of interesting things in every corner to taste and take to my home) rather than feeling I'm going to purchase gifts for people in a stuffy gift shop.
I'm going to give this place one more try but I'll stay away from the sandwiches and gifts. The wine is the only attraction for me.
Let me start off by saying that the people that work here couldn't be nicer. Very attentive, friendly staff. I ordered a chicken pasta salad over greens and when they brought out my order, I discovered the pasta was missing after a few bites. I thought about sending it back but figured it was the universe's way of telling me to lay off the carbs that day.
The building is really cool but I kind of felt like I was in a designer furniture wharehouse. It was sparse and busy at the same time. Maybe it was the giant ceramic rooster in the middle of the room but something just didn't flow very well.
I work in the neighborhood and usually go to whole foods for lunch but I would come back. I'm curious to see if they are a work-in-progress type of place.
Horatius just opened up across the street from my office, and we're really glad to have another lunch option in the area. It's hard to be too critical because today was their first day open. I think they're off to a good start, and with some tweaks, could be a good place.
I went there right during lunch time (12:30 PM) and they didn't seem to have enough seats for everyone. They have such a large space (and it looks like it might only be half open?) that I think they'd do well to add more seating options.
The food was pretty good. I had the ham and cheese, and my friends had the wraps, some pea soup, and one of the panini. Everyone liked their food although nobody was blown away. We saw others getting the more entree-like items (skirt steak, mussels) and they looked good.
I think they are off to a good start, and if they get some kinks worked out, they'll be even better.
Just the best spot for lunch and Ritual coffee. Bright, airy, and a lovely spot to spend the afternoon. Their modern take on a general store is fantastic. And, you can sit with your dog inside.
Can't wait to try their new Sunday brunch!
I went here once for lunch and had an eggplant sandwich which, it appears, is no longer on the menu. I took one bite and gagged. I physically could not eat any more. Absolutely terrible. My colleagues thought it was bad, but not as bad as mine, since they were able to finish their lunches. Still, I have to give it a one star because it was borderline putrid.
This chic classy combination of eat/shop allows your appetite to wander. We tried almost everything on the menu and it was all top-notch (heirloom, tomatoes, soup caldo, sardines, bacalau)... The quality of food is matched by the attention to detail be every server, and if your mood permits, you can wander a selection of artisan indulgences from around the world (pottery, platters, candles). I especially like the space between tables that allows for a more intimate or private conversation than at many other SF restaurants. It also seems ideal for large groups or a private function (corporate or personal) with a large screen for demos etc. (Slient movies run during dinner). The value is supreme for the quality.
i've been meaning to stop by horatius since it opened last month and finally last night i went in at about 815pm. it was the end of their "friday finds" weekly event in which they feature an unusual wine and pair it with a cheese/charcuterie plate and an amuse bouche type morsel from the kitchen.
i give them 5 stars for 3 reasons: 1. the amuse bouche was spectacular (i have high hopes for their lunches/dinners!!!) 2. they served us with big warm neighborhoody smiles even though the event technically finished at 8pm and they easily made substitutions since they'd finished some of the cheeses which were intended to be included, 3. the space is *gorgeous*.
other reasons i'm stoked about horatius: it has wifi, they serve ritual coffee, they have wine, they're filled with natural light, they sell the best chocolate ever (with mint sugar!), and they're so nice!
we ended up spending half an hour chatting with the owner and the gallery manager and they were both lovely. i look forward to coming back here often.
Great espresso, friendly service.
It's nice to have a new coffee, breakfast, lunch and soon (hopefully) dinner spot in the neighborhood. The place is ginormous and the coffee and the food is great, and they have tables outside! In addition to the café/bistro space they sell wine, olive oil, cheeses, and kitchen/garden items. Wine tasting is also available for you lushes. It's a unique mix. It's like a café with a wine country gift store thrown in. I'll warn you the coffee is potent. Having two cups (oops) induced a thorough condo cleaning (even inside the microwave) followed by a 3 mile run...
The staff, food and wine is fantastic at Horatius. The staff, chef and owner are hands on and very helpful. I asked them to put together a tasting menu for my wife's birthday party - which was everything we could have asked for. The polenta starter was devine and the rack of lamb main dish was very tasty. The carrot cake they made for dessert was devine as well. Horatius is great with kids too! A definite recommend.
Ok I need to update my review in regards to the staff. The friendliness and attentiveness is most definitely cultural and established by the owner. Who, by the way gave me some great tips for my Spain trip.
My review got the owner to bring in the people from Ritual to go over their system and their methods. That my friends is customer service. It wasn't just lip service, an apology for the headache, which I got as well, but actual action. Words are what you want people to think you are but action is who you are. These guys are shooting for the top. Well done. I give them an extra star for the service. Looking forward to heading back for a coffee. Or maybe dinner.
My 4 star review got the following response from the owner:
Dear Michael,
Thank you so much for the positive review!
Because you mentioned the issue about our Ritual Coffee, I wanted to make sure that we did our homework first before responding to you. I had the top barista from Ritual Roasters to look at everything at Horatius and he even spent a couple of days with my top barista, Micah, tasting and re-tasting our coffee several times. In his expert opinion, our equipment (which is state-of-the-art) and our daily practices meets and even exceeds the standards set by Ritual. Because at Horatius, we want to be the very best, we had our entire equipment checked and re-checked and we found nothing that could create any "acidity" to our blend.
I feel really bad that you seem to get headaches from this coffee, but we have not have any other complain to that effect. Speaking from someone that suffers from migranes since I was five years old, I feel bad about that.
I hope you keep visiting Horatius regardless... because in this tough economy and being an independent San Francisco company, your patronizing our store means a lot to me and to the entire team at Horatius. Thank you for your business!
Have a beautiful day... and CARPE DIEM!
Horacio Gomes
Founder, CEO
Horatius
PS We are coming up with some great Portuguese and Spanish wines to be unveiled at our Friday's Finds. Also, our dinner menu is getting lots of great compliments. I hope you and your wife will come one of these nights.
My wife and I were very excited to see this place coming in. This part of Portero has few places to… Read more »
Not sure how else to describe this place other than it is completely random. But it works. And the coffee here sure beats the Starbucks across the street.
My boyfriend and I had dinner at the newly opened Horatius restaurant in the Potrero district on Friday night and we were very impressed. We wanted to check out the Portuguese cuisine since we were once in Lisbon and we loved the food. First of all, the service was extraordinary. We felt pampered at all times. I believe there's nothing like attentive service to make a place special. For the appetizers, my boyfriend had the giant sardinhas and I enjoyed the bolinhas de bacalhau. We shared the appetizers and both were delicious. For our main courses, my boyfriend ordered the duck, which was juicy and succulent, while I ordered the bacalhau entree. It was as good as I've tasted in Lisbon! We finished up with dessert by sharing the "sonhos" (dreams in Portuguese) of lightly fried fritters atop of cold ice cream. Over dinner, we enjoyed a bottle of the Esporao red wine which was a perfect accompaniment to our meal. If you enjoy Portuguese or Mediterranean food, this is a place that you MUST check out!
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