This place did not live up to it's reputation. The best thing we had was the ceasar salad. We waited over an hour for the baked chicken, which is supposed to be their signature dish, and it was... More

This place did not live up to it's reputation. The best thing we had was the ceasar salad. We waited over an hour for the baked chicken, which is supposed to be their signature dish, and it was nothing special at all. Very disappointing and very expensive for what we got. Pros: Caesar Salad Cons: Expensive
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"Fair at best" is an appropriate description. Hate that we spent 175 with a bottle of wine and tip. Service was mediocre, very non-intursive to be polite. chicken served with a slight pink hue,... More

"Fair at best" is an appropriate description. Hate that we spent 175 with a bottle of wine and tip. Service was mediocre, very non-intursive to be polite. chicken served with a slight pink hue, which I am not accustomed to; combination of flavors was to be commended with the fried sweet potatoes and bitter greens. Tuna was a bit strong and not much flavor and too much char on the veggies. too many other good establishments to choose from. they must have comp'd the fodor's et al reviewers. Pros: not sure Cons: value
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Zuni Cafe has been around soooo long, and yet it is still so very relevant as a culinary destination. We arrived on a Thursday night and the place was packed. It was around 8pm. We were given a... More

Zuni Cafe has been around soooo long, and yet it is still so very relevant as a culinary destination. We arrived on a Thursday night and the place was packed. It was around 8pm. We were given a table in a smaller room upstairs, not bad considering we had no reservations. The server was incredibly friendly and very attentive without being overbearing. He made great suggestions and did not become negative when my friend ordered two appetizers. My friend had the polenta with marscapone and a Caesar salad. I had the rabbit salad and the flat iron steak. We split a bottle of Qupe Petite Syrah. There were other items on the menu I wanted (the beat salad, the sole, etc), so you should be able to find a selection of items that will appeal to most tastes. This place has a very sort of New York feel to it. I love it. We will be back!
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My husband and I chose to go here after noting the 5-star review on CitySearch... Wish I had read the review right before mine first! We had reservations for 10. We were seated where I thought... More

My husband and I chose to go here after noting the 5-star review on CitySearch... Wish I had read the review right before mine first! We had reservations for 10. We were seated where I thought was a terrible spot - in a hallway-like bottleneck right across from the waiter's station, looking into the kitchen. My husband thought it was neat to watch the food being prepared, but I would have much preferred a seat by the window, especially since we had reservations! Our waitress was friendly - when we saw her, which was hardly ever. You'd think that being by the waiter's station would mean she's be around frequently, but nope. She took our orders, and about thirty seconds after the food was served (by someone else), she asked how it was. Our menus, bread, salads, food, and drinks were all brought out by assorted mute staff. Had anyone cared to ask how the food was after we actually had a chance to taste it, my husband would have said his pork was amazing, and I would have said my "baked" salmon was raw. Literally. It was cooked through about 2mm. If I had wanted sushi, there are plenty of other places I could have gone. I picked around the green bean salad seasoned (too) heavily with cilantro, my husband finished his pork... and 20 minutes later someone cleared our plates. Didn't ask how it was, nothing, just grabbed the plates and silverware and took it away. To summarize, if you choose to go, get the pork, and don't expect any kind of service from your waitress.
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A recommended SF resturant on our visit we were anticipating a great culinary experience. Our reservation was at 10 pm due to their high demand but the host were very accomodating to seat us at... More

A recommended SF resturant on our visit we were anticipating a great culinary experience. Our reservation was at 10 pm due to their high demand but the host were very accomodating to seat us at 9:30 since we got there earlier than expected. We had a slight wait at the bar where the atmosphere was very uninviting. Bartenders ignored us and the cocktails we did have were poorly executed and the wait was long at an uncrowded bar. I asked if they had a specialty cocktail and she threw me the menu and walked away neverr to return! Once at our table, again the service was not friendly or hospitable. Seemed to be a bother to serve us. No friendly greeting or suggestions on the menu, only that the chicken (their signature dish and was so raved about by a friend) would take 1 hour to prepare. You wouuld think being a signature they would have a better grasp on preparation and demand. Another signature the ricotta pasta was also unavailble after we placed that order. We settled for an uneventful duck substitue for their steak special again unavailable after placing that order, and halibut (which was passable at best). The oysters were good and fresh. Their "specialty" caesar salad was bland and watery. (boring) Desserts were pretentious uninspired and limited. We passed on them. Be aware of a 4% surcharge for a community services donation? We had that removed. The coulple next to us was duly unimpressed. We saw our server only once after the food was dropped when we flagged her down for a vegetable substitute in place of the bitter kale that accompanied the duck. No sign of server after that and was giving our check from another waiter without even a thank-you. The hostess did thank us on our way out. Poor service, unviting and unfriendly and pretentious atmosphere, limited menu and poor presentation. Everythjing that makes up a MUST MISS! Would have had a better meal at In and Out Burger! Avoid this place. We wasted our evening here.
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Some people are so quick to report when their restaurant experience isn't perfect. Perhaps the waiter was rushed, or it was busy & they had to wait, or the manager was upset about something. ... More

Some people are so quick to report when their restaurant experience isn't perfect. Perhaps the waiter was rushed, or it was busy & they had to wait, or the manager was upset about something. However, rarely do people go back & mention when they had a great experience. Well, I was there on a Sunday evening with a party of 4. We sat at the entrance having cocktails, got a great table upstairs, the service was awesome, the daily menu was wonderful, the food was amazing, the desserts were also amazing. I liked it so much, that I am going back to give it a great review. Don't let those "Neigh" sayers steer you away. This place is great for a date, a big dinner party, or whatever you got in mind. We even saw a dude eating solo & loving it. So, go there, relax, enjoy & eat like royalty. Pros: the food Cons: parking
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The menu is pretty Californian and seasonal. Service was great. Decent wine and beer selection. They even had a live pianist at lunch to create some ambiance. The building's corner location and... More

The menu is pretty Californian and seasonal. Service was great. Decent wine and beer selection. They even had a live pianist at lunch to create some ambiance. The building's corner location and floor-to-ceiling windows make the space bright, airy, and enjoyable. Overall a very pleasant dining experience.
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This is a nice place. The space is very open and large picture windows everywhere. Service was good and prices were high but reasonable. The table we had on the upper level gave a nice view of... More

This is a nice place. The space is very open and large picture windows everywhere. Service was good and prices were high but reasonable. The table we had on the upper level gave a nice view of the whole place and Market street. I had the pork chop which was excellent.
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Zuni Cafe alway delivers with unique, tasty dishes, changing each day. Salt and Pepper Pork chop is one of the best in the city and shoestring fries are nice side. Great place for a business lunch... More

Zuni Cafe alway delivers with unique, tasty dishes, changing each day. Salt and Pepper Pork chop is one of the best in the city and shoestring fries are nice side. Great place for a business lunch and nice dinner spot as well. It's a bright spot in an otherwise less than desirable location. The space is fantastic.
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I had the worst possible experience at Zuni cafe The manager was the weirdest passive aggressive person I have ever met. Apparently the kitchen is open till late-until you order something, then... More

I had the worst possible experience at Zuni cafe The manager was the weirdest passive aggressive person I have ever met. Apparently the kitchen is open till late-until you order something, then the manager will ask you to leave and concoct some B.S story about a no cell phone rule when other people are on the phone all around you Its obvious to me that the staff do not want to stay late-so do not order the chicken-it takes an hour and that will upset them, and if you really complain as to the absurdity, they will call the police and waste their time as well Do not go there, it's really weird
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