Bistro Yoffi

I could agree with the comments people do to this restaurant, nice athmosphere, not pricely, food ok. But I had a bad experience in this place. I asked for the anglo enchilada that comes with sea bass, salmon and baby shrimp (which looks more like a burrito), and I was half way of my meal when I realized that there was no salmon and no shrimp inside. I waited about 15 min to see the waiter till she finally came. My dissapointment was not that much with my order not having what it must had, but the way I was treated. She told me too bad I didn't say anything at the beggining of my meal (I was digging in trying to find it), and even though I showed her what I had there, she told me next time to say it before I start my meal. She even ask in the kitchen and they said they put it in. But I know what I got, and I cannot believe they have this kind of service, it was rude to make me feel I was lying or making it up. Folks if you want to run a business like this you have to learn a golden rule: ""The client is always right"", because I was totally right... I just told her it won't be a next time... more

The restaurant is a sleeper- they have an amazing patio in the back (perfect for parties on nice SF nights), the owner is the long haired good looking guy (usually behind the bar), and the music always rocks your world. The Steak Nibblers on the appetizer menu are amazing, a little salty but really good. The menu is impressive, wine list so so, but the service is great. I love this little swanky joint. One word of warning, if you sit out on the patio watch out for the little mousies. they love the place too... keep your feet up, purses off the floor and don't freak out if you see them scutter by. Otherwise, a super fabulous, very romantic place to be. Pros: Great food, great music, nice patio Cons: with nature come animals, wine list isn't the best, menu doesn't offer a whole lot more

Bistro Yoffi is one of my favorite spots to eat, hang out, and/or see live music. Their menu is incredible. The chef is amazing. Her seared tuna is my favorite in the area. The bartender knows volumes about his trade and has a great sense of humor, also. The music they bring in to entertain is the best in the Bay Area, by far. Although Bistro Yoffi is in the Marina, it feels like a comfy, down-to-earth Noe Valley venue. I highly recommend checking it out. Pros: creative menu, great live music, easy parking in lot nearby more

I'm quite puzzled by the high rating given to Bistro Yoffi. I was there last Saturday evening for a birthday dinner and was disappointed with the dishes. The waitress said that there was only one cook in the kitchen so that may have something to do with it. Their raw oysters were merely ok, nothing spectacular. The seabass in pesto sauce and the rainbow trout were also not very tasty. However, the ambience of the patio seating/garden was very nice. And the wine list was extensive and very well priced. more

My fiancé and I had high hopes, and were disappointed. At first glance, the menu looks great, and the atmosphere is fantastic! Unfortunately, the food didn't prove to be so great. The lamb was fatty and drenched in sauce (and was fried?), I question if the mashed potatoes were real, and the Thai chicken satay tasted like baked chicken in watered down hot sauce. My fiancé got teriyaki skirt steak that tasted like maple syrup and the same watery potatoes I got. The veggies with his meal looked great, and I regretted not getting them as my entree. The wine we had was great, and a pretty good value, and the dessert was yummy (crème brulee). Our total bill with tip was over a $100 and definitely NOT worth the cash. Overall, I will not go back, other than for the atmosphere, live music, and maybe the bottle of wine. Pros: Atmosphere Cons: Food more

I have to drive all the way up from San Jose to enjoy this place... But do it without complaining! I love this place. It has great food, awesome music, wonderful atmosphere... and did someone say hot waiters? Yes! I would agree. Thomas is always there with a smile to greet us at the door, Kevin is ready at the bar to recommend a wonderful bottle of wine and one of the hot waiters is by the table to take the orders. They are relaxed which just adds to the non-rushed meal that you normally get at other resturants. Time is taken enjoying the wonderful food Sarah has to offer and the awesome music provided by some of the best jazz musicians around. I'll continue to drive the hour it takes to get there... It's the light at the end of the tunnel! Pros: Awesome food, Great music, Hot staff Cons: Parking more

This has to be one of the few restaurants in San Francisco where I felt like I was getting much more than I paid for. Bistro Yoffi offers amazing food at very good prices and the atmosphere is great. The only downside is that the staff, while very friendly, is a bit slow in taking care of the diners. Pros: Great Prices, Great Food Cons: No Parking, Slow Service more

What a find this place is... I""ve read the other reviews and it's true, the servers need a bit of help - training or whatever, but other than that, WOW. I wish I lived closer, it would be my hangout. Foods good, the music is always GREAT, the atmosphere is condusive for a quiet romantic dinner, or lively conversation and dancing. The last time I went there was an excellent band, the singer invited a Canadian girl to join him (she was fantastic AND gorgeous) the place was hopping and the waiter helped us clear tables to the side so we could dance. I can hardly wait to go back... places like this would almost convince me to live in the city again! Pros: music, food, atmosphere Cons: slow food, slow servers more

The whole idea of Bistro Yoffi is to relax and spend a leisurely time enjoying the food, the atmosphere, the music and the staff. All are wonderful. The staff is very friendly and laid back, the atmosphere is fantasitc for a romantic night or a charming brunch and the food is to die for. DO NOT go to Yoffi if you are in a rush, that ruins the entire point of this lovely Bistro. Go when you have time to enjoy a bottle of wine and appreciate the relaxed nature of this amazing restaurant. Pros: friendly staff, relaxing, great music Cons: parking, prepare to wait, loud music at times more

Bruscetta was sloggy. Not flavorful. Gumby special was very soupy, and the rice seemed uncooked. Spanish salad w/ walnuts were ok, very light tasting dressing. Eggplant dish was a bit good because of the cheese but not as tasty as it should be. Pros: Excellent service Cons: Flavorful food more

In about half a dozen meals I've had here, they've all shared two things in common -- good value and long waits (small kitchen & one chef mean that even when empty your dinner can take a long time to come). The outdoor seating and live music more than make up for it. Pros: Live music, outdoor area, nice waiters Cons: Slow service, parking more

Between the live performances by Jesse Foster & Robert Stewart on consecutive nights and the great atmosphere, I was served two of the most memorable meals - Crab Cakes followed by Pancetta Wrapped Pork Tenderloin and Steak Nibbles complimenting the Crab Stuffed Rainbow Trout. Jesse is back next month and I'll surely be there too! Pros: Parking Structure, Great Service, Atmosphere Cons: Street Parking more

The atmosphere is very good, they have live jazz bands once or twice a week. The food is pretty good, maybe a little pricy for some dishes, but the whole place is very interesting. Watch out parking though... Pros: Atmosphere, Live Jazz, Patio more

Bistro Yoffi has the perfect blend of everything. The ambiance is coozy, cheerful, and romantic. I love the lights and the plants. The back patio is the best, weather permitting. The food... well you can't go wrong with anything you order. Everything melts in your mouth. I never see the filet mignon on the menue but they have it and it is the best you will ever have. There is a fabulous bar with some tastey wines. If you go on the right night you will here some of the best jazz singers and musicians in SF. On top of all of this everyone that works at Bistro Yoffi is not only very charming but sizzling hot! Pros: great patio, great food, hot waiters! more

We tried this place as I have always been curious when walking by. We went for lunch and waited for a patio table, which took about 15 minutes. The lunch menu was inventive and extremely tasty. We had the ham and brie on a croissant and pastrami and goat cheese on rye. The patio is very lush and relaxing. The service is very courteous, although understaffed. A number of people walked out from the waiting area as they were not attended to. With a little patience, a great meal, environment and value. more

The atmosphere is very relaxing. Inside, the large windows allows you to people watch while dining in festive colors and high ceilings with an array of art work on the walls. Outside in the heated patio, tiny lights enhance the night sky while jazz music is playing in the background. The creative chef has a talent of making each portion of your food taste different. The pot of steamers has sweet mussels and clams drenched in a bath of of garlic, butter broth, white wine and scallions. We found ourselves dipping the bread to absorb all the sweet buttery taste. The rainbow trout with stuffed crab and the fluffy basmati rice was wonderful. The gumbo was an explosion of taste with sausage and seafood. The smoked salmon with linguini was delicious. Service was attentive and leisurely. Pros: atmosphere, food, service Cons: parking more

The service was great! We walked in and were so pleased to see that we were there on a ""live jazz"" night. Great wine, great food! What a find!!! more

We had a large group at dinner, and everyone was very pleased with the food. Compliments to the chef! The menu is full of wonderful choices and you can't go wrong. However, they could spend some time training the servers a bit more. We asked for a bottle of Pinot Grigio and ended up with something more like a Riesling. Also, it would help to hire some experienced servers. We had one person taking orders and getting drinks for a table of 15+. Pros: beautiful garden, great menu Cons: understaffed, inexperienced server more

Cafe Yoffi has great food, great ambience and an outdoor garden that can't be beat. Brunch is always great. Try the crab cakes. My dinner favourite is the seafood gumbo. Wine selection is limited but right on the money. The owners couldn't be nicer. Go! Pros: Price, Food, Ambience Cons: Can't be in a hurry,, be prepared to spend, a couple of hours more