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The Brazen Head
Categories: Restaurants Steakhouses Restaurants Burgers Nightlife Bars Steakhouses, Burgers, Bars [Edit]
3166 Buchanan St(between Pixley St & Greenwich St)
San Francisco, CA 94123
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
(415) 921-7600
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 4 pm - 1 am
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Intimate
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
392 reviews for The Brazen Head
Review Highlights
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"Don't miss the French Onion soup, it is amazing." In 44 reviews -
"The pepper steak, drenched in a burgundy sauce was amazing." In 42 reviews -
"My favorite neighborhood old school place." In 28 reviews
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392 reviews in English
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Review from Julianna B.
Yountville, CA
5/11/2012
Great hidden restaurant that serves late. The petite filet was awesome and perfectly cooked. Creamed spinach reminded me of mortons. French onion soup was delicious.
Great ambiance! Boys, bring a date here if you'd like to impress her with you knowledge of SF local favorites. It worked on me :-) -
Review from Kurt L.
San Francisco, CA
5/11/2012
I've been here a dozen times in the last few years and I never left there thinking, "Oh my God, that is such a cool place". I think what keeps me coming back is the awesome Irish-English Pub vibe with interesting old pictures hanging on dark paneled walls. The bar is fun, and will no doubt come back for happy hours. But I have to say, the food is just not that great. I had the Filet Mignon last night, and it looked and tasted like a steak from a chain establishment; maybe a notch above Sizzler. And the mash potatoes were watery and tasteless as well. The wait staff is friendly, but they clearly are not long time staff.
Good place for happy hour and a snack. The ambiance is excellent, but the food is just OK for the price. -
Review from Jen W.
i'd come back here for one thing...and one thing only...the FRENCH ONION SOUP!
oh man...it's hard to find a good french onion soup out there...some just aren't cheesy enough. some aren't bready enough...some are too oniony...some aren't oniony enough...this one was PERFECT!
we had a deal on bloomspot...$25 for $50. the day that we came here...i wasn't super craving the fine dining stuff (as i was recovering from the flu)...and instead, we opted for a burger with bacon and prime rib sliders. i've never had a burger with garlic mashed potatoes before. it was a nice surprise and tasted yummy when i smeared a spoonful of the potatoes on my burger. it was cooked well...my only complaint? the bun was super hard. overtoasted, maybe?
the prime rib on the sliders was juicy and flavorful...makes me wonder how the prime rib dish itself is.
the service was pretty good...our water glasses were always filled and the server brought a refill of my sister's iced tea with the quickness.
the restaurant is super dark...there aren't many tables...old school kinda feel...lots of drunk business men at the bar talking about ruling the world...not my kinda ambiance...but i'm willing to come back and try the fancier meat dishes.
oh, and the french onion soup, of course! -
Review from Annalise F.
San Francisco, CA
I've easily walked by this place a dozen of times without realizing what it was. Due to all the favorable Yelp reviews, I JUMPED on the opportunity to snag the Bloomspot deal ($25 for $50 for food and drink) and we put it to use on Saturday night.
Arriving there was a strange experience. A dog was barking wildly, and a man blocked the door to scowl at the barking dog. The whole encounter was a little awkward, and my boyfriend finally asked if it was ok for us to come in. Once in the restaurant, it turned out he was the host, and we had to ask for a table for dinner. It certainly wasn't hospitality at its finest.
On the other hand, our server was a gem. Friendly, attentive, and rather charming- she took good care of us!
We ordered:
Marinara & Meatballs (The meatballs and sauce were kinda sweet- I found myself wishing for more sauce, and wondering why they cost $9 bucks. The garlic bread they came with was tough and dry.)
French Onion Soup (This was delicious! Cheesy, bready, onion-y goodness. I'm not a huge fan of French Onion Soup, but I truly enjoyed this one!)
The Brazen Head Burger (The boyfriend is a self-proclaimed Burger connoisseur. While he's easy to please, and liked his burger well enough, at the end of the day, "this burger was just a burger.")
Prawn Scampi (The Scampi itself was succulent, but something on my place gave off a burnt aroma. While I left satisfied, nothing about this meal screamed amazing.)
Our total bill for 2 drinks, 2 apps, and 2 entrees was $70. While we enjoyed a decent meal, nothing captured our attention enough to come back...except that French Onion Soup! -
Review from Mike H.
4/19/2012
A reminder of the Marina before it became so frat-tastic. Brazen Head's proximity to local hotels allows foreign tourists whose families are checking the usual SF boxes in their SF/Alcatraz/Cable Car fleeces and sweatshirts. (Yeah, we sure did! And it was fun! We got so cold though!)
The purpose of my visit was the Brazen Head burger, purported by some dedicated folks to be the best in the city. I can see why. Certainly worth going back to. The patty was full and the bun toasted, with a dollop of mayo you could keep or scrape off. Fortunately the cheese was real, and melted as real cheese does - goopy, not pretty. The added bacon was worthwhile. I scarfed the whole thing down and then attacked the garlic mashed potatoes; "no french fries" is one of BH's peculiar rules. I didn't mind so much this time, however.
Another is "no credit cards" so I can't ever give them five stars but that's fine. People who won't take the time to get cash or simply use a debit card will help keep this restaurant and bar remaining cozy and imbued with a sense of perspective. -
Review from Amanda P.
San Francisco, CA
5/16/2012
Fabulous! Pub-style-feel to the place where everyone knows everybody. A great place to eat and drink when you need to get away from the tourists. Order the tuna tartare.... AMAZING!
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Review from Mark A.
San Francisco, CA
4/22/2012
I dig the old school vibe. The people there didn't leap over the tables to seat us, it's true, but we were there for a steak and drinks on date night and not urgently trying to get "somewhere else." The dining area is narrow - cozy - and there is a bar where locals meet and make a little noise, but it certainly wasn't raucous.
We went nuts... Multiple apps, dinner, dessert, drinks.
Crab cakes: divine! Finely minced, perfectly crusted and hot, with a slightly spicy sauce to top them off included. Went well with our refreshing mixed drinks.
The french onion soup is indeed great! Delicious stock, browned melty cheese, just right. The pear and goat cheese salad special, while fresh, was the least memorable taste of the night...but the pears were ripe and tasty.
On to the STEAK! We had pepper steak with the sublime sauce, and a filet that was wonderful. Sides were good, mashed potatoes tasty but probably get baked potato if you want the most food. We liked the Alexander Valley Cabernet with our main course.
Finished with chocolate Pot de Creme which was wonderful! A wonderful evening together all around. Recommended! -
Review from Amy D.
Fremont, CA
4/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Rounding up from 3.5 stars for the good service and food. Parking can be tough in this area, and they don't take reservations. We came earlier on a Saturday night (6:15pm-ish?) and had to wait about 20 mins for a party of 2. We ordered-
-Ahi Tuna Tartare ($14- Wasabi, teriyaki dipping sauce, sesame seaweed salad): Solid dish, the fish was really fresh and the sauce and seaweed salad went well with it. Plenty of avocado and the chips they serve with it were good.
-Brazen Burger ($13): Cooked a perfect medium. The patty was really thick and juicy. The bf thought it was one of the better tasting burgers he's had, but I thought it was just good. Probably more of a guy's burger since it didn't come with any of the fancy stuff, and it was a big burger. I could barely finish.
-New York Strip Pepper Steak, 10oz ($24- Creekstone premium Black Angus beef w/brandy veal demi-glace cream sauce): Their signature dish! Cooked a perfect medium rare. However, neither one of us was a big fan of the cream sauce- it was too sweet for me.
Overall, although the food was good and I enjoyed my dining experience, I wasn't wowed to the point of wanting to return anytime soon. I used a Bloomspot so the dinner was a good deal, and there were no hassles redeeming it. Servers are really nice, and food comes out quickly. It's definitely worth it to at least check out the Brazen Head once, especially if you have a voucher! -
Review from Scott C.
San Francisco, CA
5/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Loved every moment server was awesome and the food and drink were just as good
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Review from Brenda C.
3/11/2012
Came here for my girl's birthday and it didn't leave a strong butterfly-effects impact like I thought it would.
1. 3/5 of our party arrived at 930 PM and the host wouldn't seat us. Granted, I understand why you would have that policy, but your resturaunt was half-empty. She wasn't kind enough to offer us a seat at the bar or anything, hence, we waited outside in the freezing cold for the rest of our party to arrive.
2. Finally, after being seated, the bus-boy (yes, the busy-boy and not our waitress) came to greet us after 10 minutes.
3. Our waitress was apathetic and not-too-accommodating towards our party.
4. The food wasn't mind-blowing. It looks and sounds better than it actually tastes. Shady to say, but it's more like an upscale Dennys.
5. Cheers to the bus-boy who constantly checked on us and kept our water glass filled, while the waitresses lounged around the bar area.
I guess overall, she got lucky with the 18% gratuity added already. And I'd probably go to Safeway to swift myself a steak meal before I come back here. -
Review from Bob P.
Clovis, CA
5/8/2012
Fun/locals only place to eat. It's different....doesn't have a sign out front! Somebody's got to tell you about it! Old/local group at the bar looked like they were having way to much fun!!
Our server took good care of and the menu has a good option. I wish they had more fish, but, that's just me!
We didn't hit it hard tonight! The kids had their blue cheese burger and I had the onion soup and prime rib sliders. All were good!
Great place to take a date! -
Review from eric d.
Oakland, CA
5/3/2012
its great that you can get a good meal in the city at this place , the food was tasty , the drinks were good , but it seemed that the bar was a better destination because the dinning room lacked of proper service . I ve been there many times at the bar and it has always been a good time .
the dinning room serving staff needs some more attention . -
Review from Vincent K.
San Francisco, CA
3/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
If you're looking for a sign outside, don't bother because you won't find it. It's like they try to keep it extra hush to make sure outsiders don't know the semi gem that resides in these parts.
But when you manage to finally go inside, you'll know instantly you came to the right spot. Dimly lit, cozy, and the smell of steak aroma fills your nose. And with a good size bar, you can order a drink while you wait to be called to your table.
Adolfo L. was right. They get down to it and give you no bs or dress up to the occasion. We got some beer carpaccio, fried oyster, and escargot to start it off, which were both pretty good. Beef was nicely thin sliced and dressed in a good mix of dressing and filling. The escargot came out super buttery which went great with the bread. Fried Oysters probably came with high expectations, but it was standard. And with the right choice I went for the bigger option of the NY strip at rare. Moments after we devoured the appetizers, there it was. With a few side vegetables and a slab of mash potatoes, it looked mighty good, and almost like a home cooked steak dinner or better. The meat did not disappoint. It didn't promise any dry age or any running sauces to bring out any particular tastes, but it was just pure and simple.....NY Strip that just needed to be cut up and eaten.
What I like about the place is its low key atmosphere and how everyone there were there for a similar goal, nice cozy dinner in a friendly neighborhood like bar/steakhouse.
Now, I'm going to have to see what's this Maker's Monday is about and see how that goes. -
Review from Renee S.
San Francisco, CA
2/26/2012
I don't get how a place like this is so popular. They clearly haven't invested I updating their decor for 30 years. They don't take credit cards or reservations. The host, in spite of standing about 18 inches from us when we walked in, didn't bother acknowledging us for a couple of minutes until he was done with his paperwork. He said 45 mins for a table, but we weren't seated for over an hour. He pushed past me at the bar, forcing me to fall into the guy behind me.
Our table was an awkward oval for a party of four. The waitress was adequate fortunately, but made no effort at charm. And all of this could perhaps have been forgiven if the food were really good, but it was awful. My shrimp scampi was tough and chewy, and slathered in an uninspired sauce. We asked for bread and got garlic bread, which was a nice touch, though the bread itself was strictly plastic bag white.
With so many great restaurants in San francisco, why do people bother with this one? -
Review from Z A.
San Francisco, CA
5/15/2012
This restaurant is mediocre at best. The serving sizes are small, although the prices are not bad. We had a lot of things and they were all just OK, except the oysters, they were terrible. They tasted like were dug up behind the ball park. Big and smelly and sandy. Crabcakes are fishy, like the crab came from a can. The steak was OK but overcooked. We ordered medium rare and got medium or worse. Service was just OK. Host was not friendly at all and we asked to move, you would think he had been slapped. It was late on a weeknight and the place was empty, but its hard to move tables a minute after you sit down? I would come here again but the expectations are very low. And they supposed accept debit cards but not credit cards. Don't they use the same machine?
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Review from farah b.
San Francisco, CA
1/30/2012
Cozy spot! Cash or debit card only-The waitress stood over me while I was paying which was a little awkward so -1 star for that.
The grilled halibut was perfectly cooked and it came with 2 scallops and yummy veggies. The rice was very good as well.
French onion soup was very cheesy and hot on a cold night.
The salmon was cooked to perfection as well.
For desert the creme brulee!!!
couldnt say no to that. A very cute hidden gem in the marina. Would def recommend.
$63 total no alcohol -
Review from Gerald W.
San Francisco, CA
4/24/2012
We recently moved into the Union Street-Marina district of San Francisco. Being exhausted from the move we decided to have dinner at a near-by restaurant we had heard good things about: The Brazen Head at 3166 Buchanan Street at Greenwich. We heard somewhere that The Brazen Head is owned by the same folks who own Liverpool Lil's at Lyon and Lombard where we had eaten frequently when we lived in that neighborhood.
When we went looking for The Brazen Head, however, we were surprised to find that they don't even have a sign outside; but the place seemed pretty full on a week day evening; and we got seated almost immediately. The restaurant/pub part is separated from the bar section; so we were able to carry on a conversation without shouting.
For a first course I ordered The Brazen Head's spinach salad, then chicken masala for my main course. The spinach salad was so large and filled with delicious blue cheese, toasted walnuts, and other good things that it almost served as a meal by itself. So when my main course arrived I ate the rice and veggies but brought the whole chicken masala breast home in a doggie bag. (Sliced up over caesar salad the chicken made a satisfying second meal.) And the price for all that good food plus a glass of wine was way less than I would have expected to pay downtown. -
Review from Mike V.
Updated - 1/13/2012 7 Check-ins Here
We are absolutely making this a regular date-night destination.
Love the regulars, love the other couples (usually mid-20s to late 40s), love Michael the bartender (not just because he has a good strong name...but for his amazing drinks, no-nonsense attitude, and great sense of humor).
You can get the full menu at the bar (cash only tho, VERY old school till) but the appetizers are pretty significant so be careful not to over order. Bread Pudding was great, delicious Dark n Stormy's, and the beef bourguignon was really filling (and fun to split since we weren't starving).
It's nice that they have little TV's near the bar, but they are out the way, not smacking you in the face like some 60" flat panel TV sports bars. Just enough to sneak a look at the Magic beating the Warriors.
Full menu til 1 AM and Prime Rib Monday's.Listed in: If you're stuck in the…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/9/2012
Sadly, while I love Beretta, they now have some serious competition for "up to 1 AM dining" 7-nights… Read more »
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Review from Diana W.
12/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
---FOR DINNER ONLY-----
Came here with a Living Social deal. Small quaint restaurant on the corner which can be easily missed if you're not looking for it. Ordered the peppered steak which was just okay and the french onion soup which was pretty good. Overall, not bad but probably wouldn't come back again. -
Review from MN P.
Yountville, CA
4/1/2012
Awesom! Great late night service. Great steak! Good cocktails!
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Review from Alex K.
12/12/2011
I had the burger, and probably had the best meal of all my friends. One had the swordfish and said it was great. I had a bite of the ahi tuna appetizer and it tasted good to me. However all my friends who got ribeyes or other steaks did not like it. They compared it to steak at Denny's. It looked like a steak with a puddle of brown gravy on top. Presentation was terrible and apparently so was taste.
My burger was very good, but I found chunks of unchewable ground beef that I had to spit out. Besides that I liked it, but not really for $13.
The Brazenhead is supposed to be the oldest pub in Ireland. This obviously was not Irish pub food, though after our meal I wished it was. They offered Guinness out of a can which I refused. I give it 3 stars cuz my burger was decent, but I am definitely not stepping foot in there again. Maybe I should have tried the French onion soup that someone said was amazing. We also heard the pepper steak was good but no one tried it. Sigh. -
Review from Winnie W.
San Francisco, CA
12/4/2011
By far the best burger I've had in San Francisco. Could've been the stiff martinis, but I'd vouch for the attentive service, cozy ambiance, savory comfort food, and late night hours any day.
We were led here on a recommendation of a passerby after arriving at Umami around midnight to find they had stopped serving. After declaring war on the manager, we left and seemingly stumbled upon this culinary gem.
Two of my guy friends and I ended up ordering three dirty martinis, two clam chowders, an app of meatballs, and 3 cheeseburgers for our Euro-late dinner. I remember seeing the burger in my hand, and then seconds later, it was gone. We literally inhaled our food, and it was glorious.
This could be a great date spot, but be warned, a food coma isn't really conducive to feeling a little frisky afterwards.
I'd recommend brazen on a cold winter's night, when you're in the presence of great company and need a little somethin to warm your soul. Bring cash/debit...it's somewhat of a splurge. -
Review from Ash A.
San Francisco, CA
2/13/2012
Cozy is the word. And understated too. At least on the outside. Excellent prime rib. No complaints about the meal or the drinks. Just a bit dark in the window corner we were seated. Would absolutely go again.
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Review from Peter J.
San Francisco, CA
4/16/2012
Great food, reasonable prices and service.
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Review from Elizabeth D.
San Francisco, CA
9/14/2011
I've been coming here for 12 years, I enjoy a nice supper every time. It is a little hole in the wall, located in the Marina/Cow Hollow district, dimly lit and a bit boisterous, they don't take reservations or credit cards, but if you want a nice late night spot to grab a bite then this gem fits the bill.
The drink: Generously poured cocktails, they make a killer Manhattan or vodka tonic. My MIL is an old San Francisco native, she was impressed by how the drinks were poured, "Just like the old days".
The food: Amazing! My favorite appetizer is the French onion soup, it's top notch, I am very fussy about a good stock (it makes the soup), and this one is stellar, full-bodied and rich, lots o cheese, broiled to a perfect light golden brown and spilling over the top, and they take the time to properly caramelize the onions for the soup. I usually have the pepper steak, it's seasoned just right and cooked to a perfect medium rare every time. Their petit fillet is also very good.
After dinner: dessert & espresso, I'm not a dessert person (more savory pallette) but their cheescake was nice and they make a good espresso.
Last notes: If I wanted to take visiting friends/family who are from out of town to a nice SF local joint, this is one of the places I'd take them to. It's a quaint, small local neighborhood joint that has a really nice approachable feel without being stuffy. -
Review from Heather M.
Oakland, CA
11/28/2011
Low lighting, wood walls, burgundy curtains, French onion soup = all good
Marina/Cow Hollow crew, rib eye and filet mignon steaks = not so good
The bar is tiny and packed, which I kinda liked, but the pretentious customers were a drag.
I'll go back to Bobo's next time I'm craving a steak. -
Review from Kristine H.
Seattle, WA
10/14/2011 4 photos
I love this place. It's a late night hidden gem in San Francisco without a sign and good American food, something I rarely crave but sometimes you want some pork chops or beef! Their French onion soup is stellar and I've ordered the baby spinach salad on every visit for those crispy pancetta bites and pickled shallots... both like crack!
I wish they accepted credit cards, it's cash or debit cards only. Good thing is that they do tell you this right at the beginning of your meal. Stiff drinks, cheerful host and attentive service on all of our visits. Parking is a headache but where isn't it in the Bay Area? One of our late night visits, I parked our rental (a massive Dodge Magnum that we didn't want) with nary an inch on either side... a single block away! I wasn't going to give up THAT spot for anything! -
Review from Aleksey D.
San Francisco, CA
12/15/2011
Finally a satisfying burger! And i second the stiff martini comment.
Charming small little pub/restaurant somewhat hidden from the typical Marina go-to spots. Might upgrade to five stars after another visit.
Like:
-Small and cozy
-Great decor
-Friendly staff (for the most part)
-Strong drinks
-Great burger
-Local spot for me
Don't Like:
-Some staff is just not on top of it. A table next to us was leaving and we said two more might be joining, the waitress said that it was not possible to move to a larger table. The table set open the rest of the night along with 3-4 other tables.
-A bit on the $$$ side -
Review from Theresa T.
San Francisco, CA
10/13/2011
I've walked by this place a million times always intrigued by it's mysterious dim lighting and sultry vibe. I finally stopped in to have dinner with a friend.
The menu is highly American with a touch of pub-loving greasy options. Think mashed potatoes, steak & veggies, burgers, chicken sandwiches, etc. The nightly special was Prime Rib and other options included: tuna tar tare, crab cakes, salads, pasta w/meat sauce, etc. Nothing too fancy or extraordinary. Not an easy place for vegetarians. Pretty pricey for bar food (and for the flavors) at around $8-15 for starters and $15-30 for entrees. The food is not great, but just okay.
The Brazen Head does have a very cool bar vibe going on in the front of their restaurant. Open until 1am every night the dim lights, dark wood, liquor, and wine take you back to what seems like another time. Love the classic feel and one can't help but to drink goodies such as side cars and Manhattans at a place like this. Sipping is the key to Brazen Head and the bar is perfectly intimate. Skip the food unless you're starving or just curious.
**Downer: they only take cash or debit. No credit...with their prices I was a little shocked. -
Review from Sean W.
Dallas, TX
8/3/2011
Brazen Head is a neat little classy restaurant. I think they need a little work on service though. The food was good...not great. I personally was just slightly disappointed with my meal. I ordered the Veal Picatta. I think it was just because I've had better. I wasn't a fan of the sauce.
To our waitress- The band Foreigner says: "She's as cold as ice" It took her a while to talk to us when we sat down. She walked up and just asked if she could get us drinks. Didn't tell us her name, didn't try to offer a appetizer, we had to let her know that we were ready to order. Then she disappeared and another waitress took over. I had to ask for bread after seeing all the other tables with bread. I also had to ask for glasses of water. This should be standard in any restaurant. This place is very small, so I don't see how it could be tuff to wait tables here. I've noticed a trend in service in SF...not that good.
My friends food was really good. He had the Prime Rib.
In the end, I just feel like I over paid overall. I never mind spending plenty of money on a meal as long as service, food, and atmosphere are good. -
Review from Matthew D.
Venice, CA
8/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Kind of an up and down meal for me at this place.
Ambience - old-school. Dim, small, everything in the place is probably older than me. Very cool.
Cocktails - small pours. Scotch tasted like olive juice. A dirty glass, I think. Annoying.
Prawn cocktail - fresh, perfectly cooked and good horseradish kick in the sauce. Solid.
T-bone steak (special) - thin cut, dry, bland sherry sauce. Disappointing.
Mashed potatoes, green beans - fine.
Garlic bread - dry.
Cheesecake - very good.
Service - old-school. The guy we had has probably been a waiter for forty years. He knows what he is doing.
I suppose ordering the steak special wasn't a good idea. I should have stuck with the regular menu. $132 (including tip) for two of us is pricey for what it was. Probably won't be back but it wasn't bad. The place has charm.
Cash or debit cards only. -
Review from Richard L.
San Francisco, CA
10/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pros: The host, atmosphere
Cons: Small portions for the $$$. Cash or debit only. Tiny tables for 2.
Mon, Tues, Wed is $21 prime rib. It is small and a little on the tough side. Sprite was flat, served in small cups and waitress not very attentive on refills. -
Review from Stacy C.
Marin, CA
8/16/2011
Sunday night- little past midnight.
My friends and I came here after a fun night in the city.
We all ordered the same thing- Petite Filet Mignon, which was perfect!
Mashed potatoes and vegetables on side were nothing short of perfection.
This place totally hit the spot.
I had been here before, but it had been several years earlier.
Had no idea they were open this late though... but now I do. :) -
Review from Claire W.
8/30/2011
Came here on a Friday night with a date, who has frequented this place almost on a weekly basis and the bartenders all know him. There is no sign outside and the interior is dark and suitable for an intimate dinner. Parking is always an issue in the Cow Hollow/Marina area. We drove around the blocks and found no spot to park, so eventually we parked at the hotel accross the street from the restaurant. We arrived at around 10 pm and it was still quite busy. We were greeted with warmth welcome and were immediately seated at a table. The other tables near us were filled up right away as well. This place does good business!
The food was solid classic American dishes. We ordered the crab cakes for appetizer, I had the prawn scampi and he had the pepper steak for dinner. Both dishes came with mashed potatoes and buttered spinach. I tasted a piece of his steak and it was very tender. The waitress and servers were prompt and attentive. Really there is nothing I can complain about it.
It is not a real fancy place and the dishes are reasonably priced. I can see why my date loves it so much and goes there frequently. -
Review from Matt H.
San Diego, CA
11/6/2011
Great Food, Great Services, Great Prices and Amazing Atmosphere for a classic San Francisco Restaurant feel.
We'll be sure to be back with friends in December during our next SF Bay Area visit.
Hackett42 -
Review from Drew F.
San Francisco, CA
7/27/2011
always a good time at The Brazen Head
the food doesn't blow you away, but it's not priced that way either. They do a good job on a few standards: NY Strip Steak, Penne Bolognese, Bone-in Chicken breast.
Great cocktails and perfect service.
The setting and hidden nature of the place is what I like the most. A low-key neighborhood spot that thankfully avoids the trendy socialites of Union, Fillmore, & Chestnut streets. -
Review from Marina S.
San Francisco, CA
1/29/2012
Loved the food and service, but they need to work on their "Greyhound." Too weak of a drink for a place open this late. The French onion soup and mashed potatoes were delicious. The burger was okay. Definitely a solid establishment, and I'd love to return to try more of their dishes.
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Review from Anita D.
San Francisco, CA
2/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here for my birthday. Though the restaurant was half empty, the hostess would not seat my friends before the whole party arrived. It was a party of 5, so the gratuity would be included in the bill. I hate when this happens, mainly, because the waitress automatically get the set tip amount without having to work for it. Which brings me to our waitress, she had a nasty attitude. We had a bottle of Provence Merlot. It was spicy and stronger than most merlots I've had. I'm use to merlots being lighter on the tongue. This would be closer to a cab blend perhaps. Started off with crab cakes, no complaints there. I'm a sucker for steak, though tasty, not the best I've had. Maybe if our waitress was friendlier and more prompt, it would have made the experience better. There are plenty of other steakhouses I would go to before returning to this one. It's also cash or debit card only. I'm sorry, what day and age are we in???
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Review from Leah E.
San Francisco, CA
3/8/2011 7 photos
Saturday Date Night: February 26, 2011 @ 6:30 PM
Entering The Brazen Head is like entering Harry Potter's world. To me it resembled The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley, and I almost expected Hagrid to burst in through the door anyminute; and for the portraits on the wall to start talking to one another.
On a more mature level, The Brazen Head is speakeasy-ish, intimate and romantic. It is very dark, mysterious with an air of old-world charm to it. It is nestled among the residential part and few blocks away from the upscale shopping strip of the Marina district.
It was difficult to get a good picture without using the flash because it was very dark. Here's a vitual tour of The Brazen Head's interior.(Courtesy VR National Virtual Tours):
http://tours.digispin....
A crest on the door is the only tell-tale sign that you have arrived. The building is unmarked. The restaurant is really small and divided into two sections: bar and dining area. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The place was only lit by a table lamp on each table. You could barely see the people around you. Dark but not perfect enough for clandestine affairs--so do not get any ideas! The place was loud and the tables were placed so close together. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The bar was packed more than the dining area. The place was classy but had more of a down to earth feel to it. The patrons at this restaurant/bar are older (30's to 60's), seemed more mature and sophisticated. The servers were friendly and very efficient. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
We saw people having drinks and ordering few appetizers than eating dinner. Some just had few rounds of cocktails and/or lingering around over few bottles of wine.
My fiance and I went for dinner.
DARK AND STORMY: I chose this because the room was dark. :) It had rum and ginger, I think. All I remember was that it was not sweet and strong. Well-made and I liked it! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
1/2 DZ CHILLED OYSTERS $12: Very sweet and fresh. The only complaint I have is they gave us one oyster that almost had no meat in it. They could have discarded that one. We felt like they gypped us one $2 oyster. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
BONELESS RIBEYE STEAK $29: 14oz. Certified Angus Beef, Herb Beurre Compose. My guy was very happy with his dish, and he is very picky when it comes to his steak. He enjoyed every bit and said the meat was tender and flavorful. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
COLOSSAL PRAWN SCAMPI $19: Sauteed lemon, white wine and cream. Oh so delicious! 4 big plump prawns in nice well-balanced sauce. I wish there were 6 prawns instead of 4 then it would have been a perfect portion for me. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
CHEESE CAKE: It was okay and a good way to end a wonderful dinner!
Tab: About $90 including 20 % tip and Diet Coke.
PARKING: Very difficult but we found parking after driving around the block twice
MIDNIGHT NOSH: Open until 1 am. Perfect for a romantic late night dinner and/or for a nightcap before kissing your honey good nite!
OVERALL:
A sweet neighborhood spot. A great place to grab a drink or two or even have dinner after a day of shopping at the Marina. Unique and classy ambiance. Perfect for a fun and romantic dinner. If we are in the area, we will definitely return.
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Review from Cheryl C.
San Francisco, CA
9/15/2011
Came here last night with a man friend. We ordered Escargot and Crab Cakes for appetizer, Manhattan and Hefe to get jiggy wid it & Veal and Filet Mignon for our entree.
I have to say, I agree with most yelpers-- the food is just okay. Escargot smelled great (can't go wrong with garlic and BUTTER) but the texture was tough. The sauce on my Veal was decent and the man friend and I both thought the Filet Mignon was a bit overcooked for "medium-rare".
My favorite things were my Manhattan and crab cakes (I don't think I ever had bad crab cakes though). My cocktail was pretty strong and I was feeling buzzed before our entree arrived. I do like the old-school feel of the restaurant though-- dimly lit, pretty romantic, and the sign is nowhere to be found outside.
