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Category: American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Laurel HeightsMon-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Mon-Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Fri. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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One of the best steaks I've had in a long time...and every time I think about the greens the steak came with my mouth starts watering. It's pretty embarassing.
I was fortunate enough to get invited to a formal dinner over at spruce and was immediately comfortable with the huge leather chairs, beautiful lighting and tall ceilings-I think it used to be a warehouse.
The food is excellent...and definitely for someone with a more refined taste. The ambiance is great and save room for dessert! On a side note, my boyfriend found a piece of plastic in his dessert - he went for the simpler doughnut holes (I forget what the actual name of it is) and was a little horrified to find himself chewing on a bit of plastic from a bag. In any case, dessert was on the house (at least 50 dollars) which made it worthwhile...i should put plastic in things from now on. Even with the plastic experience I would go back...but spruce loses a star because of it.
One of the few places in SF that lives up to its hype. A wonderful lunch and dinner menu coupled with a relaxed contemporary ambiance makes for a delightful experience any time. The menu is fresh, light, yet indulgent. I love the duck breast and foie gras, served on a little bed of rhubarb---truly a melt in your mouth combination. The sea bass, bavette steak, and lobster were also other favorites at the table. Our dinner guests enjoyed the wine selection alot, but to be honest nothing makes me happier than a little glass of something on the rocks with a flirty garnish of some sort :o) They've got plenty to offer in that department too. The Honeydew(Honey Berry?) martini will have your tastebuds dancing and put a little blush in your cheeks all at once.
You know, it's a good thing we live in the suburbs or I might be at Spruce all the time, eating us out of house and home! ;)
I've stayed away from Spruce in the past--something about its name and location just seemed stuffy to me...
I went there over the weekend and the experience was fantastic.
We opted to dine at the bar--less formal (and I preferred a closer seat to my date) The bartenders got us the first seats available before we finished our first glass of wine.
There was a rhythm and flow to how the bar is run..
The food was delicious--I probably should have tried the burger but I was happy with the scallops and the pork...
Beautiful space, delicious food, excellent service..it's no wonder folks rave about this place...
A friend and I had a late lunch at Spruce. Everything - decor, staff, menu - was outstanding. What can I say that hasn't been said about this gorgeous restaurant? Its ambiance is very "quiet money." Clientele as chic as the decor; a mix of business people and ladies who lunch. The Waldorf chicken salad was a wee bit disappointing, though. A fillet of rather salty chicken next to the greens (instead of being chopped and tossed in) was a minor annoyance. Prices reasonable, reviews good... will be back for a second try sometime, if for no other reason than to dine in a plush ostrich skin throne.
There is absolutely no better place in the world (yes I said "world") for a cheeseburger. Everything about this place is near perfect. As soon as you walk in you will love the ambience, the wait staff is top notch, the drinks are unique and well made, and the food is delicious. Amazing experience every time.
There are words out there someplace I am certain, longing to be spoken, in praise of this temple of gastronomic delights, but alas, it is a cosmic language that can only be reverentually sensed and not uttered.
Ever since opening night, my wife and I have been dying for a chance to dine at Spruce and on Saturday evening, we finally had the chance. Let me say that it was almost a worshipful experience as our bodies, souls and spirits were awakened and revived during a (3) three hour dining adventure filled with epicurean indulgence.
Our reservations were for 5 pm, so we arrived about an hour early so we could explore the Laurel Heights neighborhood wherein Spruce is situated.
Former private residences along this stretch of Sacramento Street have been re-incarnated into unique shops including a millinery, several antique dealers, an art gallery, a florist, a day spa, two jewlers, an optometrist, a AAA office, a country living store, and many others of like genre. It's a classy, upscale neighborhood that didn't lose its charm during its metamorphis from residential to business.
From across the street, we watched as an assemblage of employees, with starched white coats and shirts sheeted in laundry plastic, streamed into the building, in preparation for their shift and this evening's extravaganza.
Exactly at 5 pm, the maestro's baton was raised and we entered. The dark chocolate brown walls and muted lighting instantly set a tone of anticipatory relevance.
As we were seated, Dylan, who would be our server for the evening, greeted us with a warmth that was neither insincere nor chummy. He immediately conveyed to us through his smile and other non-verbals, that he was eager to do his best to make our evening memorable. And he proceeded to Wow us with service and attention, the likes of which exceeded anything we have ever experienced.
While pouring over a 100+ page book of wine and spirits, he poured us all sparkling water and seemingly out of nowhere, there appeared an amuse bouche of flaky pastry balls flavored with cheese and garlic ... and this was just the beginning.
Our son (also a chef) was with us, so we were anxious to watch his reactions to each course. If I had been blind-folded, I would have sworn that he was engaged in some kind of ecstatic bliss because each bite inspired a delighted gasp, moan or groan that can only be associated with either great sex or great food!
My wife began her meal with a lettuce and herb salad served on a bed of sliced pears and beets, with a nutty dressing laced with glazed walnuts. My son and I ordered the seared dayboat scallops with gypsy and almond romesco.
Whilst we savoured our first course, Adelle, the manager for the dinner shift came to our table, introduced herself and informed us that she was here to do everything she could to make our evening as pleasant as possible. And with that, a complimentary order of their signature Spruce French Fries and dipping sauce arrived at the table.
Our intermezzo was the Fall White Corn Ravioli with shaved summer squash and herb nage. This sumptuous ravioli is to die for! Three or four of these along with a salad would be a PERFECT lunch. For dinner, it was the sensual teaser before the main courses.
For the main courses, we ordered:
Grilled Yellowtail with corn fondue, braised foraged mushrooms: this was my wife's choice and from the ooh's and aahhh's she elicited, I could tell she enjoyed every delicious forkfull.
Honey Lacquered Duck Breast with cinnamon spiced foie gras and poached rhubarb: This was my choice. Some say that you either like duck or you don't like duck. I don't know if that's true or not, but I do know that if all duck was prepared like this, everyone would like duck! The slices of meat were perfectly rare, the taste was full and wild without being gamey. The texture was divine. I have never tasted duck this good!
Charred Berkshire Pork Tenderloin with crispy pork belly and shelling beans: This was our son's choice. He didn't say much about it, and I suppose it's because of what I said at the beginning of this review -- it's to sacred to speak about ... it must be experienced cosmically.
After every last morsel of food had been consumed, we embarked on the dessert journey. We ordered a plate of four cheeses: American Cow - Red Hawk from the Cowgirl Creamery at Point Reyes Station, a European Sheep - Cana de Oveja from Murcia, Spain, a European Blue - Bleu d'Auvergne from Auvergne, France, and the fourth, a European Cheddar - Montgomery's Neil's Yard from North Cadbury, England.
To complement the cheeses, we each enjoyed a snifter of Germaine Robin XO brandy.
And if that weren't enough, we ended the evening with coffee and fresh baked cookies from Spruce's own bakery!
The service throughout the evening was seamless and flawless!
We've already made reservations for our next date at Spruce!
this may be the epitome of fine dining in san francisco. i often see spruce listed as a dinner spot on my ceo's calendar and i'm pretty sure we saw rich dad, poor dad's robert kiyoSUCKY at the table next to us. but to despite the millionaire status and sf "heights" atmosphere, the prices are reasonable, assuming you share my distorted san franciscan view of reality.
this is one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city. big, open, inviting. the depth and breadth of the wine list is nothing short of amazing and are paired with succulent meats and excellently prepared sides. the duck is simply put, amazing. and while i could've prepared something of equivalent tastiness at home, tasting spruce's steak is one of the few instances in recent history where i haven't thought i grossly overpaid for a slab of poorly prepared cow.
if going on a weekday evening, there will undoubtedly be business going down at quite a few tables, but don't mind that. the place is still a great romantic spot. take your hun, honey, or honeys here. you won't regret it.
All I can say is wow. Last night was my fourth visit to Spruce and, once again, my tastebuds are thanking me. The honey lacquered duck breast w/ cinnamon spiced foie gras was amazing. The duck is served atop a bed of watercress and normally I'm not a huge fan of the cress, but the brothy sauce that it is served in is so flavorful that I truly enjoyed it. The foie gras was the perfect accompaniment to the Liberty duck breast.
B, on the other hand, was disappointed in the veal chop he ordered. It was the night's special and while it wasn't bad, the chop got to be a bit boring - it was a sizeable piece of meat. Also, the greens served with the veal had way too much pepper in it and the duck fat fries were bland.
That being said, my overall review is now 5 stars because each time I've been here, be it for a private event or for dinner or even at the bar, we've received excellent service and had wonderful experiences. I find the food to be delicious - the Spruce burger is one of my favorite burgers and is my go-to when I don't feel like having B spend a fortune on me ;).
Prior to my dinner, I'd been told not to order the chicken or the steak; that the space was… Read more »
The décor is nice, the bar is lovely, the lighting is intimate, but there is something wrong with this place. I've been here on four different occasions for dinner. With various groups of people, seated at various places in the restaurant. On two occasions, the reservation times were mixed up. On each occasion, the service was strange. I've had a different wait person on each occasion and all of them had a strained appearance. They appeared to be frazzled. They talked too much in describing the menu items. The orders were mixed up in one way or another every time. The last time, one of my dinner companions ordered veal. When the dish came out, she mentioned that although it tasted very good, it tasted gamey. When we asked the waitress, she said it was venison. Strange. Her description of desert items went on and on, the look on her face was that of painful concentration rather than friendly and hospitable you expect in someone serving your food in a nice, upscale restaurant.
The bread is stale. Please, reconsider your bread. The foie gras appetizer did not have any taste, very bland. The jellied condiment that came with it was too sweet. Liver mousse was good, though. Rabbit dish was good, but the pears that came with duck breast were so sweet, they were inedible.
I am sorry to give this place a negative review. They are trying. But, I hope some of these can be improved on. Clearly, this is a popular destination and it was packed every night we were here.
This is my favorite restaurant in San Francisco.
If you don't like it, then don't get a sunday at Bi-Rite Creamery, either.
Oh, and don't look at the Golden Gate Bridge on a sunny day.
And while we're at it, don't ever have an orgasm again.
Because If you don't like Spruce, then you must be a hater of amazing things.
came here mid day and i felt like a lady who lunches with my gal pal.
the crowd was older 40's and up.
i saw some familiar faces from epic or perbacco.
there was a long elegant bar for any pre-dining socializing. i noticed quite a bit of chairs around the place since they even lined the ladies' room. go for the booths which were big and very comfortable.
we started off with a tasting of the heirloom tomato soup. yum...
my friend loves the burgers here - with extra options like white cheddar or a buttery blue cheese. the fries were cut med-thick and came with an aioli sauce.
i had the duck confit with slices of pear. it needed the pear sweetness to balance out the salty duck.
i still prefer jardiniere's version.
the chocolate mousse with hazelnut and pear sorbet was very good. a smooth perfection with elegant plating.
the coffee selections were described on the menu like wine.
i gave up bean brews but i had to taste one that had a rich chocolate undertone. was it 7$ good? well, for the novelty, it did go well with the dessert.
overall, a great dark ambiance for date night or one to impress.
Girlfriend ordered the steak, I had the duck. I don't like duck but given the reviews, I had to try...duck will never be the same again. What was the Altoids slogan? "Curiously strong?" Well the duck here was "Curiously AWESOME." Her steak may have been one of the best steaks I've ever had...the peppers were used to perfection. Spent some time with a bartender named Scott - not your typical bartender at a nice restaurant. Very interesting guy, tell him Justin from LA says hello (not in a flirtatious manner, more in a "what up bro" way). When we got there just after 6PM on a Saturday night, most tables were taken, but by the time we left, it was packed. Go early if you don't like crowds.
3.5 stars.
Unquestionably, Spruce is a very fine restaurant. The decor is classy, the space is lovely. Not a loud, trendy hot spot; most of the diners appeared to be well over 40 and the atmosphere was quieter. Each dish we had was made with high quality ingredients, beautifully presented, and delicious.
My main complaint? Over-priced.
I loved the amuse bouche we were served; I would describe it as a bite-sized cheesy biscuit puff. Scrumptious. I had the special salad of the evening - an amazing heirloom tomato salad with olive oil, basil leaves and burrata cheese. The flavors were vibrant, fresh and incredible. However, the $20 price tag nearly knocked me out of my chair as I did not know that was the cost until the check arrived.
The selections from the bar menu, which can be ordered in the dining room, were much more reasonably priced and really delicious. My $14 burger with gruyere cheese, sliced avocado, and homemade pickled vegetables was very juicy and tasty. The bun was soft and yummy. The french fries were crispy and nicely seasoned. My husband ordered the caesar salad for his appetizer and it was damn good and not overdressed.
My husband's butter poached lobster with gnocchi was very pretty, slightly under-seasoned and almost over-cooked. The portion size was rather small. Not really worth $40.
We shared the beignets for dessert and they were basically delicious donut holes with a chocolate citrus dipping sauce (only okay for us, probably because we are not crazy about chocolate and citrus together) and vanilla dipping sauce (scrumptious).
The service was polite and present but not over-bearing. Our water glasses were always full and they were generous with the dinner rolls.
Good food but in general very expensive for what you get.
What a wonderful culinary experience, and such an interesting scene. Best food I've had in San Francisco
My friend took me for a birthday dinner on a Saturday evening -- we arrived late for an SF dinner, around 9:30pm. We actually wanted to sit at the bar, and fortunately two ladies let us take their seats.
My first drink was the Pharoah's Gold, a brandy base with interesting spices, chamomile, honey, and lemon (I think) -- very well done and surprisingly delicious. My friend went off-menu (though apparently it used to be on it) with the Bee's Knees (and I have no idea what it was except it's tart and yummy)
I can't comment enough about the bartenders, who certainly were our entertainment of the night. One was outregeous and flamboyant, borderline certifiable but harmless and very fun. Other two were courteous and helpful, but friendly and personable. Would caveat that my friend certainly fanned the fire with the first one, and not everyone would have had this service experience or loved it.
The wine list is extensive, but we had great help when we provided general direction on what we wanted. We were also happy to taste a few, and frankly with the prices, doing a flight of mix and match is not unreasonable here.
For starters, we went with the more adventurous of our selections at the goading of our bartender, pig ear terrine. There is a bit of texture that comes with eating cartiledge but yummy saltiness and good with spread. My friend had a good Caesar salad, while my red pumpkin soup was delectable -- it had an airy-ness that I have never tasted before, and with a soup that seems so thick from appearances. Golden with dollop of cream and chestnuts, but almost mousse-like in texture. Amazing.
I had the pork tenderloin with pork belly and beans, which was perfectly done and rich and wonderful. My friend's steak, just over rare, was delicious as well.
We had dessert, which was completely unnecessary though highly enjoyable -- beignets that came in a basket (6 or 8 I think) with chocolate sauce and creme anglais. Also had some sweet Madeira that was a great cap to the meal.
About the scene -- not sure what happens in the dining room, but some fascinating people at the bar. It's a classy bar, people are not standing around, but friendly with some great banter on all sides. We chat with a psychotherapist about work crises, a lovely couple returning from a benefit, and a Silicon Valley entrepreneur with a hipster NYer who was contemplating a return West. Over three hour dinner without a dull moment!
Had a really delightful dinner here recently. Cool space, and the food was really good. The lighting is fantastic, and the bar is great. My only constructive feedback is that the hostess led us through the other diners on our way to our table, which was really awkward and unnecessary. She then handed my my menu before I even had a chance to put my napkin on my lap. I know these are small criticisms, but a restaurant that charges these prices needs to have terrific service. Poor training of the hostess is just silly. But overall, would definitely go back!
Reallly.....the BEST burger I have come across in SF yet and the most beautiful, sleek and fancy-shmancy surroundings....did I mention yet that I am in LOVE with this place!
Three main components of this blow-you-away Burger experience:
-The Burger tasted AMAZING
-The fries were literally the best, extra crispy and overly addictive!
-The fixin's....in this case slices of Heirloom tomato, thinly sliced pickles, and remoulade sauce...
Had a ridonculously good salad with watermelon, feta cheese, and Ice Wine Vinaigrette.....such a superb medley! How did they know that I LOVE anything "Ice Wine"
Also tried the "Honey Elderflower Daquiri".....my new fav drink....and this is now for SURE my new favorite bar!
Felt extra good hearing that their produce all comes from a private ranch farm in Woodside....you can taste the freshness! I better watch out before I'm eating here every night!
To sum it up in one word... Swanky!
I was lucky enough to visit on a clients tab and enjoyed their impressive wine menu. Food was definitely solid. I feel it is one of the most beautiful, sexy restaurants in the city. Go there with a lover, not a client.
Beautiful restaurant with amazing food & service. We sat in the bar area on one of their tables with couches/lounge and had a delightful experience. We werent too hungry so we had cocktails and shared a cesar salad and their famous burger & fries, and boy was it off the charts good! Can't wait to go back and have a 4 course meal here!!!
Spruce is great place to feel like royalty. Their service is amazing!! I always had a full glass of wine or water and the staff was incredibly friendly. The food is wonderful as well. One can tell they use very fresh ingredients and also use Nyman ranch products.
I have eaten here a few times and recommend the charcuterie, the coffee, the rabbit and the beignets. All completely amazing and will make you want to come back for more.
The ambiance is very chill and relaxing. It doesnt feel as cramped as most SF dining spots, plus a cute neighborhood to boot.
Cannot wait to eat here again!!
W\e live nearby and want to find a place to go out for a nice glass of wine since their are few places to go out.
We had read they were voted 2nd best burger in SF so we had to bite.
It was difficult to get a place in the bar area where they only serve the burger. It was very formal and a bit rigid and they don't seem thrilled with having the burger crowd coming in.
The service was exceptional. The burger was delicious and the wines to die for.
For a casual night out with burgers and wine, our tab was about $150.00. A splurge indeed but worth it.
Wow. This is were the rich come to eat.
I came here last night for my parents anniversary and we were pretty impressed. When we first walked in, I instantly regretted not bringing a sport coat because everyone was properly dressed. This is not a t-shirt and jeans type of place.
The place is formal but cozy with dark accents, comfy chairs and spaced out tables. It was nice to eat at a SF restaurant without sitting on top of each other.
I was really impressed with their wine menu. Their massive selection wasn't just limited to just California cabs and French Bordeaux's but wines from around the world. We ended up getting a Napa Cab though. Something new for my family :)
Their menu doesn't have a ton of options but it is packed with all-stars. I was torn between the pork tenderloin, short ribs and bavette steak but ultimately went with the corn ravioli to start and the pork loin as my main dish. I have to say that my corn ravioli was outstanding. Great balance of sweet and savory. The pork was also tasty that came with these beans that were out of this world. I usually don't eat beans but I loved these. I also tried a bite of my moms short ribs and my dads duck and they were both delicious. We also ordered two desserts which were excellent.
The service was good but missed a couple of things. They were still much better than most restaurants but had room for a little improvement.
I would recommend Spruce to anyone that is looking for a fantastic meal in a wonderful neighborhood and that has deep pockets.
S - second best burger according to 7x7 Burger Bonanza, the patty is super burst of flavor
P - pure bliss Foie 2 ways, i wouldn't know though, my dining companion didn't share!
R - really great little private room off the front entrance with a homey fireplace
U - uber loved the coffee cake dessert
C - cocktail list was interesting, loved the Pamarosa cocktail
E - excellent croutons on the caesar salad
S-P-R-U-C-E...goooo Spruce!
This is a pretty mediocre restaurant, in my opinion. They have some very good reviews and received good publicity with their good burger and all, but the food is rather average. The atmosphere is excellent - I love the candles and the ostrich chairs. I also love the bar area and should try eating there some time. I even came here several times during lunch and have enjoyed simply sitting at the bar eating a salad. Also, enjoyed their little café next door. They serve very good tea.
However, the food at dinner time is mediocre. Foie gras did not have any taste. It tasted like bland fat, like a bland piece of butter. The brioche that came with it was stale. The soup was not flavorful at all. Also, the bread was stale. I was quite surprised at that, actually, because the bread in restaurants rarely disappoints. At first I though this was just that one particular time, but I have been here several times - once with a friend, and the other several times with a group of people from work. The food was average at all of our visits.
The waiters also left a lot to be desired. Once, the waiter did not speak at all. Another time, we could get the person to stop talking. I felt that after 5 minutes of going on and on about the specials, I was lost and we were anxious to resume our conversation at the table. But, she went on for another 5 minutes.
I did taste their burger at one of my visits here. Nothing special. Very average, indeed.
I emailed the restaurant with my review on Monday. One of the restaurant managers called me today to talk about the situation. She was apologetic and inquisitive; she thanked me for the feedback. I look forward to trying them on again.
Spruce has been on our list of restaurants to visit for 2009, so my friends and I went for a… Read more »
Our reservation was for 9:45 on a Tuesday evening, and it was clear that the waitstaff had already checked-out. After we were seated, it took a while before we were even acknowledged for water.
The chefs, on the other hand, were certainly still on top of their game. Everything we ordered was heavenly, my favorite being the corn soup.
The space is a converted garage, with new and old elements combining to make a romantic, urban space in the quiet, residential area. Spruce is definitely a date place; and given it's in San Francisco, I recommend making an earlier reservation.
Dates with James* (name altered to protect his high profile identity...*wink*) are always something to be remembered. A hired town car or limo, swanky venues, stellar wine, all with the perfect gentleman. There are some people that appreciate the pleasures of the palate, and can afford to immerse themselves in some of the best this city has to offer. James is certainly is one of those people, and with his years of experience on me, I can always trust him to pick out the perfect wine or dish anytime I need his judgment.
So on this lovely Sunday evening, James had the honor of taking both myself, and Miss B, out to Spruce. Never heard of this place, but it didn't fail to impress me with the service and ambiance. Foie Gras is always a must have at any restaurant that offers it, Spruce being no exception. Miss B is a vegetarian, but I convinced her to try some, and her face lit up with absolute bliss which delighted me to no end.
I can't even begin to go on about the wine, a glass of Rose to start, then a perfect pairing with my foie gras, an amazing bottle of Cab, and a glass of port after dinner. The wine list at Spruce is the size of a novel, a sommeliers dream, but for me, quite overwhelming. Luckily James took the reins, and all I had to do was sit back and enjoy. :-)
But food-wise, aside from the foie gras, the wine was more memorable experience of the evening. I had steak, with duck fat French fries. Miss B had the halibut, and I believe James had the sea bass. Everything was a bit underwhelming for this caliber of a restaurant. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but not phenomenal.
Lastly we had European cheese selection and strawberry shortcake for dessert. The shortcake was beautifully presented, but disappointingly looked so much better than it tasted (I hate it when that happens!). The cheeses on the other hand were quite delicious. Sure there wasn't a big hoopla selection and a cart like at Dankos, but I enjoyed them just the same.
I tend to be a harsher critic when I review these types of restaurants because I expect to be blown away. Spruce was more of a breeze. Three and a half stars, but I will round up to 4 for good measure.
4 stars if I am paying, but this was my bday meal. Whoo hoo. And starting a yelp review with Whoo Hoo will make you think of a couple things. 1) Bub Rub from Oakland and the whistle tips. 2) another garrish, sophomoric, attention starved teeny bopper on yelp about to destroy the credibility of a fine restaurant with mindless blather about a bad blind date or 3) Fishbits is excited for Spruce and his birthday.
If you thought 3, clap your hands to celebrate. And truthfully, even if I was paying it would be 5 stars.
Lauren had called ahead on advice of a friend and secured the best four top in the restaurant. Not sure what number it is, but it is the one to the left as you walk in, against the wall. It gives you a view of the entire restaurant & bar.... which was great for people watching. Of course, we sat together in the banquette seating all lovey dovey rather than sitting across from one another. Those people that chose to sit that way looked boring and .... lifeless.
A sommelier friend told us that we had to sample their Reislings, whether we wanted to or not. It was perfect for our first course of a charcuterie plate with cornichons, stone ground mustard... w/ a duck pate, coppa, 2 types of salami, and "fromage de tete" (which always makes it sound better, eh?) I might be forgetting something... whatever the case we got a half bottle of 2006 Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Halenberg Reisling Spatlese. It was perfect... not to sweet, but long on the palette.
It held it tight as we sampled the meats, and made way for our "Rocket" and Watermelon Salad with Feta Cheese and Ice Wine Vinaigrette. It was crisp, light, and perfect for this heavy meat dinner we took on...
Because at the same time we had the Hot and Cold Foie Gras, both which were an amazing treat, and created a complexity on the pallette moving from the hot and cold. I really enjoyed the poached pluot, as well as the jelly cubed preserved pluot..... it was an incredible combination seeing the two identical things at odds, battling for my attention.
We started our main courses with a half bottle of 2006 Domaine Louis Boillot Volnay Lew Grand Poisots. We love old world, and wanted something a bit bigger than a cab... so a Burgundy it was, and it was fantastic, if not a teeny bit subdued.
Lauren had the Duck.. which brought out more foie gras (and this is precisely when she went into a rich food coma for about 20 minutes). Cinammon spiced Foie Gras and Poached Rhubarb with a honey laquered duck breast. I think duck is a bit gamey, and too fatty... I don't like it, but the combination of flavours here definitely made it among the best I have ever tasted.
It is particularly pleasant not chewing down on buckshot when you take a bite. =)
I had the special, which was a Veal T-Bone with greens. I have never seen a piece of meat like this... it was at least 3 inches thick, and cooked perfectly... almost white as pork. It was fantastic, and took 2 days to finish. Nothing over the top or fancy with garnish here... it was a piece of perfectly cooked meat, no more no less.
We had a lot of fun with our server, Alvin (as he says the only Asian guy there) and Haley the sommelier.... it was obvious we were enjoying ourselves and doing what we came to do there.... eat well and live life, so it seems they wanted to celebrate with us...
they trumped our dessert prospects with an INCREDIBLE European cheese plate -
1) European Cow - Sola Cal Casotto Cal Casotto, Piemonte, Italy
2) European Sheep - Cana De Oveja, Murcia, Spain
3) European Goat - Camilla, Piemonte, Italy
4) European Blue - Valdeon, Leon, Spain
5) European Cheedar - Montgomery's Cheddar, Neal's Yard,
Sommerset, England
If that wasn't enough, Haley brought out a 1961 Barbeito Malmsey Madiera.... something I never thought I would enjoy. Madiera's are too sweet at times, or maybe I just use them for cooking... but she opened up my palette like I neve rexpected. This was a huge, refined taste... with sweetness huddling towards oak... and a more smoky cognac flavour than syrupy coat that stays with your tongue. It washed off fairly quickly, and the pairing with the cheeses just solidified how wonderful this place is.
Not to be outdone, of course, the server brought a petit fours with a candle, suggesting I must blow something out.
One of the best meals I have had in years, I have nothing but great things to say about the atmosphere, the food, and the people. Well done all!
I love a good burger. Whether it's at a bbq or fancy pants white tablecloth restaurant, if I see a burger I'm most likely going to give it a shot. I had heard many good things about the Spruce Burger so our little Sunday evening dinner club decided to stop by yesterday for burgers at the bar.
First off, Spruce is a beautiful restaurant. Seriously, I want to move in. We arrived early and grabbed some seats in the bar area - good thing because within an hour it was pretty packed. Service was friendly and at times over the top but painfully slow. We were there well over 2 hours for burgers and a couple of drinks.
Now, on to the famous Spruce Burger. I have no problem paying top dollar for a good burger (hello, Zuni!) so the $14 price tag wasn't an issue. I ordered my burger MR and it came out closer to M but I really enjoyed the flavor of the meat. I also loved the homemade pickles and pickled onions. What I didn't enjoy was the bun. It was too big, too dense, almost oily and borderline stale. That made me sad.
A friend (hi Jenny!) suggested swapping out the regular fries for the duck fat fries and while decadent, they were pretty great. And this is coming from a shoestring guy who usually doesn't enjoy a thick fry.
I'm glad that I checked the Spruce Burger off my list but after my burger yesterday I can honestly say that I won't be rushing back, unless they change the bun, that is!
Confession: I'm a petulant child who finds managing my own expectations somewhat challenging at the best of times. I returned to Spruce a week ago, and feel a little guilty for the 3-star review.
I went for the bavette steak with duck fat potatoes, given the experiences of my fellow-diners on a previous visit, and certainly was not disappointed. It was cooked a perfect medium rare, the sauce was tasty yet not overpowering, and I felt that the portion was a pretty good size. Not the best steak I've ever eaten, by any stretch of the imagination, but certainly not disappointing.
I appreciated the fact that, while my fellow-diners tucked into their appetizers (which I had not ordered to save room for my steak), I was offered an impromptu amuse-bouche: a small cup of gazpacho. The gazpacho was a little sweeter and richer than I normally like it, but I appreciated the gesture nonetheless. We also received some tasty petit-fours at the end of the meal: homemade marshmallows and pate de fruits.
Bottom line: good atmosphere, stellar service, great wine selection. Definitely not the best food I've ever eaten, but not too shabby either.
Whelmed.
My parents moved to the city and I suckered them into paying for my dinner (AND my…
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Had the special 4 course prix fixe menu this evening with wine pairing. For $98 this is a great deal for the quality of the food and wine, and has to be one of the best meals I've had in a very long time. I could go on and on about each dish, but frankly when it comes to Spruce it really doesn't matter. Whatever you order will be spectacular beyond words every time you visit.
I had one of the best meals I've had in San Francisco at Spruce last night. My friend and I sat at… Read more »
It really should not take 20 minutes to get a hello at the bar, especially if you are only two of four there. $14 for 2 scallops--really? They were delicious, but seriously? I have eaten here three times and the dark atmosphere, and painfully slow service and pride with which they serve the delicate portions is lost on me.
That said, the seating is luxurious. I feel no buzz, yet cannot get attention for a simple request...water....wine!
I've had a number of different experiences at Spruce - ranging from "OK" to "really good." My latest experience was really good. I called semi-last minute and got a table (score). We were seated in the "library" but I happen to love that room (in the front, more intimate, and accented by a large roaring fire). You can actually hear yourself talk in that room and it feels more special to me than the larger, darker room that adjoins the bar.
The service is really quite good. There is little lag time between getting seated and having fresh warm bread and tall glasses of water placed in front of you. The menu is always changing and offers a really nice selection of seasonal favorites. I also like the wine list and find the prices are very reasonable - especially on the half bottles (my bf doesn't drink).
The bar can get a bit hectic but if you're willing to sidle up to strangers and worm your way into the front of the queue to get the bartender's attention, you'll really enjoy your drink, guaranteed.
Worth checking out if you haven't already.
Spruce proved to be the best meal I've had in quite some time now. We started off at the bar since we arrived a bit early for our reservation. Ordered a delightful drink from the special cocktail menu that consisted of rose and pomegranate flavored liqueur mixed with sparkling wine. It was absolutely yummy to the maximum. I wish I would've had four more :)
We were then seated in the fancy main dining room. The back wall is velvet and the bench we were sitting on was velvet. I, being extremely touchy feely, couldn't stop touching/rubbing the velvet bench throughout the entire meal. Go figure.
Back to the food...I have only heard amazing things about the Spruce burger, so after discussing with my family, we decided on that as one of our appetizers. We asked the server if the chef would cut the burger 5 ways and he sure did! It was so cute. Cooked medium rare, the burger was awesome and served with duck fat French fries. Mmmmmm!!!! So good. I can't even describe how heavy the fries were, but I ate them anyways. Also started off with the goat cheese and cherry salad and gazpacho.
Among the entrees were the Moroccan chicken, the ribeye special, 2 of the veal specials, and the halibut. My favorite by far was the veal. So tender, minimum fat, and amazing flavors.
Service and ambiance were impeccable. I made the reservation about 2 weeks out for a party of 5, hoping for a 7/730 seating time, but the earliest we could get in was 6. She called me the day before and let me know she would be able to accommodate us at 630, which was great!
Spruce reminds me of all the "hip" restaurants in LA. Good ambiance, good food, good wine...but a week later, you're having trouble remembering any of it. That's just it...its a good spot for a good time.
Good sweetbreads
Good halibut
Good beignets
But nothing great. At least as far as I can remember...
Suffice to say: it lived up to my expectations (which have been brewing for about a year now). The crowd can be a little stodgy, but it's still a slick place to sit, chow, and have a nice time.
LOVES:
+Very thoughtful service: we ordered 3 apps to split and they plated everything in halves (without being asked) so we didn't have to do the "no, you take the last piece...really...take it...no you take it" dance.
+Oh so yummy, steaming hot table dinner rolls
+Summer veggies salad w/ green goddess avocado dressing
+Mixed heirloom tomatoes w/ basil and burrata
+Sweet corn ravioli - the skin on the ravioli was to die for
+Roasted halibut and poached white bass (the bass won because the sauce it came with was perfect) - tender, flaky, juicy, yum!
+Huge wine selection
None of the desserts really got me super excited, but I did enjoy mine: raspberry tart w/ lychee sorbet.
Definitely a great restaurant!
I had a pretty good experience here. Had a reservation but since our party didn't arrive yet we had a couple drinks at the bar. Table was ready once the party arrived so that was great.
Ordered the scallops as an appetizer, the portion was incredibly small considering it was $18. Shared a plate of Charcuterie Selection which was pretty good since I've never had it before. It went very well with wine.
My main course was the steak. I liked how it was cooked just the way i like it. Medium-Rare with a little bit of blood. mmm.. The duck fat potatoes were good as well. I had to save my fries as the juice from the steak started creeping over to my fries. I do NOT like soggy fries.
After that had the Beignets, which tasted pretty soft and was warm so that made it so much better dipping it in the chocolate.
This place is definitely good, but I don't think it's worth the price. However, I am getting hungry thinking about my experience here so I might come back to try something else.
Fabulous all around.
A+ service (never looked for the waiter but also not intrusive, warm bread placed on your bread plate the moment you finished, free dessert when the waiter switched our order, paid for the valet with the bill and the car was waiting for us as we walked out...)
A food - heirloom tomato salad, scallops, rabbit, and burger all received 'ooooos' and 'awws' . The poached halibut was probably the only dish that didnt' receive rave reviews, although it was still very solid (I think the complaint was simply that the fennel emulsion was a tad strong).
Must order : beinets. Sure, they are just a high class donut hole.... but who doesn't want an excuse to eat a donut hole for dessert?
A+ ambience : Love the big leather chairs, tall ceilings, the huge glass walls full of wine bottles, dimly lit room... just old school class.
You leave this restaurant knowing you just went to one of the best restaurants in town. End of story.
I go to Spruce at least once a week since it is in the "hood".I usually sit at the bar or the sofa next to the bar. Great wine list-Pricey but they have over 50 wines by the bottle-Red & white- for $60 or less. I like the Bink Pinot. Andrew is a great wine expert. The Burger is great. I was there last night and my friend wanted some grilled veggies which were not on the menu. They were happy to comply.
There are alot of Pac Height regulars and couples having a special dinner. Each month they have a wine makers dinner in the private dining room which is a great value.
First, I'm a huge fan of Laurel Heights. I remember the good old days in college when I worked District 1 for Gavvy's mayoral campaign and I'd spend hours camped in front of the Books Inc. or the Calmart trying to get people (mostly young, blonde mothers with strollers) to give us their personal information so we could later call them and ask for donations. 'Twas not easy.
So I was tickled to discover that Spruce is only one block from familiar territory. I picked the place for my BFF's birthday- mostly because the Chronicle's Top 100 review described the decor as "masculine" and I felt he needed more masculine influence in his life. Spruce did not dissapoint. I believe the walls were all leather, furniture all dark wood.
We didn't have reservations on a Saturday night, but we were seated pretty promptly (although we had another friend stop in to put our names down) in the bar area. The three of us were seated in a space probably intended for two people, so be prepared to get cozy. However, service was still great. We were brought plenty of bread, given good wine recommendations, and checked in with frequently.
Now, the food: 1) Charcuterie platter ($18) - so-so, about 3-4 pieces of each selection (a rabbit rillete, assorted smoked meat, pate and gele, pickles, mustard, with grilled bread), 2) Sweet Corn Ravioli ($15) - this is a small plate, a starter, and came with about 5-6 ravioli. Corn is in season, you can't do this dish wrong, 3) Duck breast topped with grilled duck liver ($38) - what is this, the Chez Pannisse cafe? How can you charge $38 for duck in this economy?! This duck was well-cooked and the liver was a very, very nice touch on top, but I think I'm tired of the sweet sauces often used with duck. I had a glass of Pinot ($11) and the BFF, the rose ($9?). The Pinot went great with the meal.
Overall, Spruce is solid, manly fine-dining. It's fine-dining your UFC watching boyfriend can handle. But if I had to do it all over again, I'd sit at the bar and take advantage of the bar menu instead of splurging on the relatively unremarkable entrees.
Several weeks ago, four of us dined at Spruce, after which I submitted a Yelp review indicating we had enjoyed the ambiance and food but encountered a problem with our bill. I am pleased to say that a Spruce employee actually read my review. She contacted me and our complaint was handled in a timely and courteous manner. It is good to know that there are restaurant personnel who are serious about these comments.
Four of us enjoyed dinner at Spruce. The decor is quite nice, the food delicious, and the service… Read more »
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