Terzo

We were looking for something fun and unique after watching a show at the Palace of Fine Arts and were pleased to happen upon Terzo. Made a reservation a couple days in advance via OpenTable. There are plenty of seats near the bar and a communal table for when you walk in but scattered around the perimeter are cozy and intimate tables. What really made our experience extra special was the excellent service. We were served by an amazing waitress who took the time to provide her insights, stay patient on our inability to choose between so many delicious options and also was able to carry a conversation without rushing us out the door.

Dishes we tried (but the menu frequently changes):
-Mozzarella di Bufala - with the heat of Calabrian chillies and a vibrant green pesto, I could've eaten a second order myself
-Hummus - we were told that it keeps people coming back so we had to try it! Smooth and creamy, it was a great way to start.
-Tomato braised Meatballs and creamy polenta - very juicy and flavorful
-Penne with beef bolognese- can order in a full or half size. The half was perfect since we wanted to save room for dessert too. You can tell the pasta is freshly made and the garlicky and creamy bolognese made it rich and filling

The desserts are pictured in this review and are not to be skipped! Don't forget to wash it all down with a glass from their worldly wine list.

If you like tapas with coastal Mediterranean flair, Terzo is a great place to have it!

Looking for a nice, predictable, chic restaurant (love the floral arrangements)? This is your place. The service is jovial and candid so I am rounding my 3.5 star rating up to 4. One bummer about this place is that they only serve wine/beer. But the floor plan and ambiance are nice for a date that you're trying to impress or a business dinner with contrasting palette preferences.

Apps were good, but not incredible. The hummus and bruschetta were fresh. The meatball was average as the polenta lacked any depth of flavor.

For mains, I got the chicken, again it was decent but nothing memorable. The flavors could be a little more dynamic and bold. Overall I recommend but this spot won't blow your socks off.

Sleek date night spot with yummy food and drinks! Went here with my husband Friday evening without a reservation, and got seats by the bar with no wait. The bar is close to the kitchen, which allowed us to watch the magic in the kitchen while enjoying our food.

We got their chicken spiedini, steak, and linguine. Everything was excellent but the steak was a standout. Cooked to perfection, with a delicious chimichurri sauce on top, it also came with scalloped potatoes and sautéed broccolini underneath. I think we finished the steak within 5 minutes

We'll be back for sure!

The Space was very nice, some brick walls, not crazy major loud, nice looking bar and space - not over crowded seating. Good for a date.

Our waiter kept touching my back which is fine i guess but it was a little much for me.

We ordered cauliflower soup, it was really good but we had barely taken two spoons of it when our waiter came by and swooped my friends soup to the trash .. we didnt dare say anything.

We ordered those arancini things , beet salad, and mushroom polenta. The mushroom polenta was so good..!

My friend had ordered 3 scallops but she was given 4 - not sure what we were charged.

The desert chocolate lava cake was very good

The drinks were ok - should have had wine

10/10 experience. Every dish we tried was absolutely delicious - we got the chicken (my personal fav main dish), pork, meatballs with polenta (my personal fav app), hummus, and veggies. The service was great - our waiter was very attentive and engaging. The ambiance is also amazing. Highly recommend giving it a try! One of my fav restaurants in the city.

What a phenomenal SF Restaurant Week! The menu is creative with fresh ingredients (seasonal highlights too). Would certainly recommend on food alone

Grilled Persimmon Bruschetta (regular menu) 5/5 - delicious caramelization and the bread was crispy. Ordered the prosciutto on the side

Zucchini carpaccio (RW menu app) 5/5 - fresh and nutty and so good with the manchego

Fried Brussel sprouts (RW menu app) 4/5 - solid charred flavor but some were a bit soft and over cooked

Butternut squash risotto (RW menu entree) 5/5 - creamy and nice texture with soft butternut squash chunks

Braised beef brisket (RW menu entree) 4.5/5 - generous portion of beef that was so tender. A little bit salty and the veggies were slightly over cooked but overall still delicious

Almond cake with whipped cream (RW menu dessert) 5/5 - soft and flavorful without being too sweet or overpowering. Almond flavor was nice

Vanilla bean rice pudding (RW menu dessert) 3.5/5 - not pictured but average flavor and not too much vanilla bean. Had a couple cherries to accompany

I came to celebrate a birthday and it was a lovely upscale spot. Staff was very friendly and even towards closing did not rush our meal. What an awesome meal of three courses per person for $50 (and additional three wine pairings for $25)

Amazing roasted beets and wine pairing is delicious. Great vibe. Highly recommend. Something for everyone on the menu and you feel good getting it.

Small plates great for a date if you don't need too much food. I really loved the meatballs which are served with polenta. The staff is super nice and the place was empty on a Monday night. The restaurant is pretty small so it's a good place for an intimate meal for a date or even a small team dinner.

They graciously accommodated our party of 8 and we were fortunate to be seated in the back room, which is quieter. Very nice when some folks are older and enjoy a less vibrant setting. The service was impeccable. Attentive and friendly, while keeping everything moving along.

The food was mostly great. The steak and lamb were big hits! The steelhead was also delicious. The small plates were nice, especially the artichokes, fresh corn, and arugula salad. The calamari with lentils was almost all lentils with some kale (the lentils were yummy!) but the calamari was minute.

Deserts were a hit. The crisp was very sweet and hot, the flourless chocolate cake was a hit, and the almond cake was excellent.

The prices are reasonable considering the restaurant, but all in, everyone felt that it might be a while before going back.

We are fairly new to Terzo, We've been coming since they reopened during the pandemic. We have had absolutely fantastic experiences with service in the past with Sean, Ron and Nicole.
We love how they treat you like family, especially Sean (very warm, funny and friendly) Ron and Nicole are excellent too. They each have their own personalities which help make the experience memorable.

Now for the bad.
We came in last night with some friends who had booked the reservation and we had a new server, Rafael. Not a good experience at all. He seemed like a used car salesman... everything sounded like a sales pitch. He did not know the menu, he was clearly making up stuff on the spot, we know because we've been there enough to hear the excellent waiters describe the menu.

It took forever for him to take our order and for food to arrive.
Table was extremely cluttered.
He seemed much more interested in the table who was buying expensive wine.
His overall attitude came across as cheap.

Don't worry, we will return happily but we will ask for our favorite waiters in the future.