Although even smaller than I had expected (despite repeated warnings) I can easily say that Canteen is one of the most memorable restaurants I have eaten at. I've dined at Gary Danko, Boulevard,... More

Although even smaller than I had expected (despite repeated warnings) I can easily say that Canteen is one of the most memorable restaurants I have eaten at. I've dined at Gary Danko, Boulevard, Farallon, Fifth Floor in San Francisco, and the now-defunct The Restaurant run by Marco Pierre White in London. This place is even more amazing. From the exquisite care taken on the amuse-bouche at the beginning of the meal, to the delicious souffle at the end, nothing disappoints. I tried very hard to be critical of everything I ate, but could only manage two tiny quibbles (the soup had just a touch too much wine that hadn't burned off, and the souffle was the tiniest bit too buttery). Trust me, I racked my brain to identify those criticisms. Every morsel, every bite, was a transcendent experience. The restaurant is small, but the service is excellent, the wines fantastic, unusual, and very reasonably priced (we even found a Chinon from the same vintner we'd visited on our honeymoon 15 years ago). There may be criticism of how Canteen operates - set times for food, the small spaces, etc. If you are looking for the white tablecloth experience, then this is not the restaurant to have that meal at. If you are looking for a man who understands food, how it can be combined, what cooking methods show it off, and how to procure great ingredients, then Chef Leary is your man. If you are looking for a restaurant that is an hommage to great food, fantastic cooking, and a superlative gourmet experience, then Canteen is the restaurant for you. I was truly overwhelmed by our meal, and look forward to a return visit.
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Though I knew Canteen was small, when I got there I still had to marvel for a few minutes at just how tiny it is! It's cute and cozy during dinner, with low lighting and plenty of candles. The... More

Though I knew Canteen was small, when I got there I still had to marvel for a few minutes at just how tiny it is! It's cute and cozy during dinner, with low lighting and plenty of candles. The books on the bookshelves at each table are a neat touch and a great conversation starter (one of my favorites that night was "Mr. Bell Invents the Telephone"). Like the restaurant, the menu itself is also small (the wine list is, too), with only four appetizers, four main courses and four desserts (plus one special dessert) to choose from on the night we were there. Service is friendly and amazingly efficient, and with a 9:15 PM reservation, we didn't feel at all rushed. And the food? The food is excellent. Not necessarily knocks-your-socks off amazing, but very, very, VERY good. I started with a Spring Onion Soup with prawns, chose the Lamb Shoulder Confit with chickpeas, yoghurt and mint for an entree, and finished with a Tangerine Sorbet with champagne gelee and fromage blanc for dessert. Best line of the night: "Would you like another roll? We have some just coming out of the oven." Heaven!
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Flipping through the 1961 Michelin Italy guide (the Red Book) while pondering what to have for dinner, I already felt that there was something special about Canteen, and I was right. From the simple... More

Flipping through the 1961 Michelin Italy guide (the Red Book) while pondering what to have for dinner, I already felt that there was something special about Canteen, and I was right. From the simple decor to the amazing food and better than average coffee, Canteen is a force to be reckoned with if you're looking for modern interpretations of comfort food. Dinner started with a drink, which tonight would be beer - a $6 bottle of Pilsner Urquell (yeowch!), followed by a challah dinner roll and a heavenly creme of green onion soup with prawns. I haven't had a cream soup this good since leaving Munich. The main courses were all in the mid $20s. I elected to have the poached duck breast with lentils and a mustard crust - rich and flavorful without the grease that accompanies most preparations of this tasty bird. I finished with the vanilla souffle and a cappuccino. Unlike many restaurants, Canteen selects two different sets of beans: Jeremiah's Pick for the drip coffee and Mr. Espresso for the espresso drinks. Both were well selected for their purpose. The wrap up: Service: 4 of 5. The waiter was knowledgable, friendly and truly interested in everyone's dining experience. The service was prompt but professional, considering they had a strict 90 minute seating policy. Providing a bottle of water at every table to reduce the load on the staff is brilliant. The only rub is that the bus-woman could have been a little more personable. Food: 5 out of 5. Exactly what you expect - reinterpreted classic American comfort food. Prices: 4 out of 5. The beer was outrageously priced, but the food was appropriately priced based on the great portion size and overall quality of the daily-changing menu.
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Canteen is one of the great unique restaurants in San Francisco. There are dozens of small wonderful restaurants for foodies like this in New York but for some reason they are a rarity here. Its... More

Canteen is one of the great unique restaurants in San Francisco. There are dozens of small wonderful restaurants for foodies like this in New York but for some reason they are a rarity here. Its an extremely small restaurant and its difficult to get into, which turns off a lot of folks. But, those who persist will find themselves rewarded with imaginative gourmet food at very reasonable prices. This is Chef Dennis Learys playground and if you go in with an open mind and leave your attitude at the door then you are bound for a great experience. Pros: Atmosphere, Food, Prices
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Went to Canteen with an out-of-town guest for Sunday brunch. Seemed like a beautiful fit. Utterly wrong. As a big booster for San Francisco, I was embarrassed by Canteen. The food was okay, tad... More

Went to Canteen with an out-of-town guest for Sunday brunch. Seemed like a beautiful fit. Utterly wrong. As a big booster for San Francisco, I was embarrassed by Canteen. The food was okay, tad pallid, not hot enough, dubious taste mixtures. But the service was horrendous. Long wait, food unprofessionally delivered/removed, and attitude in abundance. The staff, one almost my age, were rocking like teenagers to questionable 80s-style booming dissonant rock that was clearly making every guest surveyed uncomfortable. We politely asked about the volume and mood and were told by the waitress that the staff were "very alternative." My date, who is a nationally-recognized NYC art photographer, almost spat up her tea at the pretentiousness to a gentle suggestion. In short, most of the staff seemed indifferent to customers' needs, food serviceable but unspectacular and tepid, poor value, the wait unmerited. So many better spots in our lovely burg. Pros: Offers brunch Cons: Bad service, Mediocre food, Poor value
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Fabulous breakfast spot! No line for us but I would wait if there is. Sit at the counter with your morning-after date and the sunshiney staff will ease you out of the fog with spirited antics and... More

Fabulous breakfast spot! No line for us but I would wait if there is. Sit at the counter with your morning-after date and the sunshiney staff will ease you out of the fog with spirited antics and suspiciously familiar over-medicated pleasantness. The intention of the non-descript menu becomes clear when you discover the food you ordered could never have been described as declicously as it has been created. Bravo. Pros: Ambiance, Waitstaff, Food Cons: Too far from Seattle
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We had been told on the phone that there were two seatings, at 6 and 9:30pm so we arrived for the early one. What a -bad-surprise when the waiter told us at ~7:30 that he needed to clear our table... More

We had been told on the phone that there were two seatings, at 6 and 9:30pm so we arrived for the early one. What a -bad-surprise when the waiter told us at ~7:30 that he needed to clear our table quickly because other people were waiting. The dessert in front of us suddenly didn't taste so good anymore. The food was delicious, freshly prepared, innovative, tasty. Too bad that the rushed, stressed-out waiter somewhat spoiled the memory of the great cuisine. Pros: delicious food Cons: rushed service
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I love Canteen for lunch or dinner - although brunch is wonderful too. It is simple, straightforward, and delicious, with a small menu that changes often enough to never be bored. The chicken salad... More

I love Canteen for lunch or dinner - although brunch is wonderful too. It is simple, straightforward, and delicious, with a small menu that changes often enough to never be bored. The chicken salad is one of the best anywhere. Service is terrific, friendly, accomodating. Pros: intimate, original Cons: No cons
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I must admit that I have been jaded about the food industry after working as a Pastry Chef for two years but this place has given me a new passion. It's a little pricey and the wait for a table can... More

I must admit that I have been jaded about the food industry after working as a Pastry Chef for two years but this place has given me a new passion. It's a little pricey and the wait for a table can be long (even if you have reservations) but overall its a culinary experience I would recommend to everyone who is into cuisine at its best. I love you, Chef Leary! Will you marry me? Pros: Food, Food, Food Cons: Small space
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Inspiring cuisine. Very small place but there is just the owneer cooking and one small girl helping. Do yo can see if he burn anything and has to scrape off the edges like my mom did with toast. ... More

Inspiring cuisine. Very small place but there is just the owneer cooking and one small girl helping. Do yo can see if he burn anything and has to scrape off the edges like my mom did with toast. I don't think that happens much because he seems like he is a better cook that my mom was. Even though she was a pretty darned good cook.
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