L'olivier

I rate this restaurant a 10 for its service and their tasty food. The staff were very friendly and punctual with the food orders. They refilled our glasses of wine and water without having to ask and our food was hot when it arrived to our table. Most of all, the Ribeye Steak was cooked just right. I strongly recommend this place for anyone who wants the right service and good quality food. more

Recently me and my wife were celebrating our wedding anniversary in L'Olivier. This was not our first time there, and as usual, everything was top-notch. We decided to express our admiration and appreciation by placing a comment at CitySearch. When reading the previous comments I was astonished to see that some visitors rated the restaurant at 1 star. Were they drunk or was it the voice of the competition? I have yet to meet anyone in person who would not be of the highest opinion of the place. One cannot ask for more, excellent everything: food, service, ambience, price. The owners are great people, friendly, kind, and cordial.\r The stuff is outstanding. So, 5 stars-no less.\r . Pros: Everything more

I loved the food and the service, but fell in love with the price - $30 per person, including wine. Pros: Price Cons: None that I can think of more

What can I say. I've been to L'Olivier several times and have yet to be disappointed. The food is always terrific, the staff attentive and the wine list won't break the bank. I really like the roasted lamb and the hearts of romaine salad. They manage not to smother the salad in the roquefort dressing. For dessert you have to order the souffle it's well worth it. This is not a hip scene rather is a great dining experience. Pros: attentive staff, good wine list, great food more

I was here with a group of about 30 people. We were celebrating Easter and we had to be there around 6:30am. The service was INCREDIBLE. The food was exquist and we were all pleased with what we ordered. We had a choice of Chicken, Salmon, or Meat. I had the Salmon and it was superb. The soup was really good as well and lets not even mention the dessert it was incredible. I really enjoyed this place and for sure we will be back again!!! more

I was at this restaurant with large party of 30 people celebrating birthday. The food was better then ever, fresh and wonderful as always! Every time we go here I am surprised with new twists to favorite dishes. The appetizers were very creative and served in variety of ways including a dish made out of a pineapple. The choice and size of entrees were to satisfy any gourmet restaurant goers. We were so full after trying all the appetizers that we took our entrees home and had them the next day. The fish entree was so fresh and juicy that I thought that the fish was still alive. The service in this restaurant is above all expectations. All waiters were very responsive and attentive to any of our requests. The owner of the restaurant is extremely friendly and personally attends to guests throughout diner to ensure that everything is going well. This trait is rare in French restaurant more common in Eastern cultures. My friends and family are frequent at this great place and personal approach and love that the staff puts into every touch is what makes this restaurant unique and enjoyable for customers. The staffs from valet to the Head Chef really care about their customers and why we always come back. In additional, the restaurant's interior is very elegant and done with taste of true French. more

I was surprised reading the latest review posted on 3/10/08. I was at this restaurant the same day on March 9 with 35 more people celebrating our friend's birthday. The food was fresh and wonderful as always! We had a family style share appetizers and individual entrees. The portions of the entrees were huge! We were so full after trying all the appetizers that we took our entrees home and had them the next day. The stake was still fresh and juicy. The service in this restaurant could not be any better. All waiters were very responsive and attentive to any of our request. The owner of the restaurant came up a few times asking if we were satisfied with the food and if we needed anything. It is not my first time at this restaurant and each time my experience was great. The personal approach and love that the staff puts into every touch is what makes this restaurant unique and enjoyable for customers. The staff really cares about their customers and their customers always come back. In additional to all above, I would like to add that the place is beautifully designed and impresses the visitors with their neatness and cleanness. more

I was attended the b-day party on 3/9 and it was a disaster. The plates were very old, scratchy and looked not clean, the service was very bad. We asked for coffee in the middle of the party but never got it until the cake was served. When the waiter brought the coffee it was cold. \r The food wasn't bad but the portions were small compare to the other Russian places. There were guests from other cities and they couldn't believe how bad the service was. \r if this restaurant want to have a business, the owner better think how to improve the service. more

Just wanted to say that L'Olivier made our office retirement luncheon very special. Everyone was extremely pleased with the casual elegance of the restaurant. Usually these types of affairs have only mediocre food, but L'Olivier prepared a lunch that was tasty and appreciated by all in attendence. I heard a number of psoitive remarks about the salmon and the pork tenderloin. The sauces were very tasty. Moroever, the mocha custard cake and homemade cheesecake deserts were delicious. The staff was friendly and responsive. Alex Bantov was most helpful in making the lucheon a special event for the retiree. He ensured that all of our requests were accomodated. I looked at a number of restaurants before selecting L'Olivier for the luncheon. It had great food for a reasonable price and a commitment to making the event successful and special. Thanks to all the staff at L'Olivier. Pros: Easy to walk to from the financial district more

Have been here a few times within the last year and I liked everything about this place. It's beautifully decorated (although I would probably choose a different color for the walls, but it's just a personal opinion). There are flowers everywhere, creating a very home-like, warm athmosphere.\r Service is uncommonly good. Waiters are very friendly and caring. They serve meals at your own pace (unlike what I've seen in most of restaurants, where you either have to wait incredibly long or get the whole package practically at once, just as if the waiter was trying to get rid of you as soon as humanly possible, so the main course is dead cold and inedible long before you finish your appetizers).\r Food was excellent, no less! At different times I tried lobster bisque, baked brie, duck confit, fillet mignon, escargot (excuse my French:), NY steak... All of those were equally delicious.\r I'm not much into desserts, but I must admit that their Grand Marnier souffle is a piece of art! The bad thing is they only serve it in 2s, so my wife and I were unable to finish even the first one. Nevertheless, it was totally worth it.\r They offer decent selection of spirits, but I won't dare recommend for I'm not a wine wizard. We had a bottle of Chardonnay, which (to our taste) was very good.\r Valet parking really makes our visits more pleasant - in this area parking can be a real problem.\r I love the place! Two thumbs up. Pros: About everything Cons: Couldn't think of one... more

Moved to the neigborhood about 2 years ago and while walking one day found this great place about a year ago. Since then I've been going there quite often, recommended it for birthday celebration to several people and they were all very happy.\r \r The food is delicious, I love their Beef Tartar and Escargot. Creme Brule is the best I've ever tried including France itself. I really like the remodelling they did recently. Overall I would highly recommend this place to anyone who is looking for great food, excellent service and classy atmosphere. more

Haven't visited this place in a while. Coincidentally wondered in on a Thursday night and were pleasantly surprised to see the restaurant renovated and to hear a live jazz band. The food was excellent as usual and the service was great.\r Everyones got to check it out! Highly recommend it. Pros: Great music, delicious food, homey atmosphere Cons: I wish they had this jazz music on a daily basis more

Management has changed. I recommended this restaurant for a rehearsal dinner not knowing of the change. It took an hour to be served bread. One waiter for 22 persons while the new owner conversed rather than pitching in, saying it was the kitchen's fault.It was freezing in the front solarium type room and the flowers promised to the groom's mother were not on the tables. Well the food was good but one can imagine how badly I felt for recommending it. Pros: location, valet parking, souffles Cons: everything else more

We ordered from the Prix Fixe menu and it was really good. The Duck Confit appetizer was large enough for an entire meal, and it tasted great. The salmon over Tarragon was an excellent combination and the desserts concluded a very satisfying meal. Service was nice and it was nice and quiet when we went. I didn't notice any korean music, and I'm sure not everyone there talks about hip and knee replacement surgery. While the food was a little short of ""top notch"" gourmet, I would also not bring it down as far as inedible. Overall, I'd say if you're looking for a quiet evening out in a small restaurant, this is a good place to go. Pros: Food more

I was ready to excuse ambiance that reminded me of my grandma's living room from the 80's, hoping that the food would be as terrific as everyone here mentioned. It wasn't. Although the polenta appetizer was delicious, the seabass was bland and served over Uncle Ben's instant rice. It was practically inedible. Desserts were stale and uninspired. How could this place have such a great rating? Do you guys like grooving to an odd comination of disco/elevator/korean music? Enjoy overhearing coversations about hip and knee replacement surgery? In short, the food was lousy and the ambiance was vaguely creepy. Pros: seated promptly, inexpensive Cons: food, creepy ambiance more

LOlivier is the best hidden gem in San Francisco! The location is great, between Embarcadero Plaza and Sydney G Walton square. Its a nice, quite and romantic area to take a walk after lovely dinner at LOlivier. The French-theme decor exceeded my expectations and we were blown away by the warmth of the staff. Its a rare case in pretentious SF restaurant scene these days. The Roquefort salad and escargots were a good start. The Bouillabaisse Marseillaise was absolutely delicious and the Breaded Veal Cutlet was very well prepared. The Souffle de L'Olivier was scrumptious. The food was truly amazing - inventive, beautifully presented, with complex and delicious flavors, plus they have a full bar! Everything you'd expect from a restaurant with LOliviers reputation. Service was very attentive and helpful. Overall, a great dining experience! Pros: Location, Service, Menu selections more

Unbelieveable service - only surpassed by the bill - 3 people for less than $50 each! With a bottle of wine, 2 beers, 3 and 4 course meals. Wow. The food was very, very good. Could use a cheese menu, though... Pros: Inexpensive, GREAT Service, Exellent food Cons: No foie gras on menu! more

Great brie in filo on greens. Service exceptional, food very good and solid. Not too heavy for traditional French, but friend and self were only people dining on Thursday evening under age of 55. Decor also more traditional and not contemporary, but romantic. Pros: food, service, parking Cons: boring decor, stuffy more

Ask many San Franciscans where Sidney Walton Park is and you'll be greeted with a blank expression. But go west from Embarcadero Center, east from Jackson Square and north from the Customs House and you'll arrive in this leafy corner and be at L'Olivier. We've been dining here for probably 20 years now and very little has changed. Classic French dishes, lightened somewhat for modern tastes, superb service and ""Mon Dieu!"" a couple of interesting prix fixe menus at prices that will make it all worthwhile. The decor won't win any awards but who cares? Just slip in, have an aperitif and pretend you're one of the locals who keep this place to themselves. You'll be surrounded by them. Bon apetit! Pros: Price, Food, Service Cons: Decor more