Butterfly Restaurant

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Pier 33 Embarcadero (at Pier 33 & Embarcadero)
San Francisco, CA 94121

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(415) 864-8999
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Butterfly Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Butterfly Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Butterfly Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Butterfly Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Butterfly Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Butterfly Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Butterfly Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Butterfly Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Butterfly Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Butterfly Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Butterfly Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Butterfly Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Butterfly Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Butterfly Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Reviews
( 51 )
( 12 )
( 14 )
( 12 )
( 26 )

Best

where can you find where both ambiance and food is great. the staff is friendly. the food is nicely priced, not expensive at all.

Worst

Dill on hanger steak? That didn't work for me. The food was incredibly salty. Pros: Many dishes are flops. Cons: Great drinks. Stunning interior.

Birthday celebration at Butterfly 6/22/2005

We celebrated my birthday this evening at Butterfly - just a few friends. It was perfect! We sampled so much food and was always pleased. The calamari, ribs, and chocolate cake I can't stop talking about. The place is very nice...low lights and great music. We sat right by the window and gazed at the sunset - I think they have the best views in the City. I also loved their cocktail menu - it was fun to try the drink specials. If you are looking for an elegant, but fun place to dine, this is the place. more
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HIGHLY EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS!!! 6/14/2005

We just came from a fabulous dinner at Butterfly - it's a Wednesday night. The ambience was great, breathtaking views, outstanding live band....not a quiet band, but not too loud either - we could still hear each other talk and enjoy some great tunes! The staff was very friendly and prompt and the food was exquisite! The duck, ribs and scallops - superb! And the much talked about KALUA PIG WITH LETTUCE WRAPS were awesome! Such a lovely, different Asian flare to the menu. The dessert - out of this world! We tried the banana lumpia with coconut pineapple ice cream and also the banana bread pudding. WOW!!! is all I have to say. We're coming back and bringing more friends. Maybe even have a large dinner party there. Pros: music, fun atmosphere, on the water more
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Chic, sleek, trendy - good food! 6/14/2005

Great bar - awesome food! The view was striking an the crowd diverse. Great SF restaurant. Why haven't we heard of it before??? The kalua pig and ribs were excellent entrees. We'll definitely be back! more
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HIGHLY EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS!!! 6/14/2005

We just came from a fabulous dinner at Butterfly - it's a Wednesday night. The ambience was great, breathtaking views, outstanding live band....not a quiet band, but not too loud either - we could still hear each other talk and enjoy some great tunes! The staff was very friendly and prompt and the food was exquisite! The duck, ribs and scallops - superb! And the much talked about KALUA PIG WITH LETTUCE WRAPS were awesome! Such a lovely, different Asian flare to the menu. The dessert - out of this world! We tried the banana lumpia with coconut pineapple ice cream and also the banana bread pudding. WOW!!! is all I have to say. We're coming back and bringing more friends. Maybe even have a large dinner party there. Pros: music, fun atmosphere, on the water more
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Chic, sleek, trendy - good food! 6/14/2005

Great bar - awesome food! The view was striking an the crowd diverse. Great SF restaurant. Why haven't we heard of it before??? The kalua pig and ribs were excellent entrees. more
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Amazing Ambience with Cuisine to Match 6/13/2005

I've been to butterfly a number of times and I'm always blown away by two things, One, Rob Lambs delicious menu, the Hoisin Glazed BBQ Ribs or Kalua Pig w/butter cup lettuce to start. Followed by the Ponzu grilled Hanger Steak or the Orange and Curry spiced diver scallops. Never forget to leave a little room for one of his tasty desserts. The banana bread pudding is delicious. Two, the ambience, the view is amazing! Butterfly is set low on the water with floor to celling windows along one side of the restaurant. It has a comfortable and stylish lounge feel with fantastic contemporary art on the walls. By night live music or spinning records fill the room, never overwhelming, always a great mood setter. more
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Amazing Ambience with Cuisine to Match 6/13/2005

I've been to butterfly a number of times and I'm always blown away by two things, One, Rob Lambs delicious menu, the Hoisin Glazed BBQ Ribs or Kalua Pig w/butter cup lettuce to start. Followed by the Ponzu grilled Hanger Steak or the Orange and Curry spiced diver scallops. Never forget to leave a little room for one of his tasty desserts. The banana bread pudding is delicious. Two, the ambience, the view is amazing! Butterfly is set low on the water with floor to celling windows along one side of the restaurant. It has a comfortable and stylish lounge feel with fantastic contemporary art on the walls. By night live music or spinning records fill the room, never overwhelming, always a great mood setter. more
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Delicious Food & Great Environment! 6/13/2005

Coming from Los Angeles where there are tons of great restaurants that blend delicious food and a fun environment, I am happy to have found Butterfly. I met up with five of my girlfriends to celebrate the birthday of a friend. We shared the kalua pig, ahi sashimi, calamari and baby back ribs. All of the food was delicious, especially the ribs. We also had the whole fish and the chocolate cake for dessert. I would make Butterfly a regular dinner spot when I am in town just for that dessert. The environment was terrific, filled with hip music and beautiful people. Next time I am in town, I will definitely be stopping by. more
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Delicious Food & Great Environment! 6/13/2005

Coming from Los Angeles where there are tons of great restaurants that blend delicious food and a fun environment, I am happy to have found Butterfly. more
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User review by elkeolsen 6/12/2005

I highly recommend Butterfly. Wonderful food, excellent service, nice view, and priced accordingly. The lighting is a little too dim but other than that, no complaints. It's a very twenty/thirty something place to go. more
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User review by elkeolsen 6/12/2005

I highly recommend Butterfly. Wonderful food, excellent service, nice view, and priced accordingly. The lighting is a little too dim but other than that, no complaints. It's a very twenty/thirty something place to go. more
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TERRIBLE SERVICE, BLAND FOOD 5/8/2005

I actually really used to like this place. I even ignored the fact that the service was below par, because I thought the great food was worth it. Not anymore. I just went for dinner last night, and the food was just bland and boring. The strawberry and smoked salmon rolls were really disappointing--I could barely distinguish the salmon from the strawberries. The bowl of gnocchi with vegetables was tasteless as well. The only highlight of the dinner was the delicious banana bread pudding for dessert. Despite all the empty tables around me, the service was embarassingly bad. The waiter could barely take a simple drink order, avoided eye contact when we tried to flag him down, and just let our order sit on the counter to cool. I was tempted to just grab our dinner off the counter, rather than wait for him to bring it to us. Pros: nice view of the bay Cons: terrible service, bland food more
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TERRIBLE SERVICE, BLAND FOOD 5/8/2005

I actually really used to like this place. I even ignored the fact that the service was below par, because I thought the great food was worth it. Not anymore. I just went for dinner last night, and the food was just bland and boring. The strawberry and smoked salmon rolls were really disappointing--I could barely distinguish the salmon from the strawberries. The bowl of gnocchi with vegetables was tasteless as well. The only highlight of the dinner was the delicious banana bread pudding for dessert. Pros: nice view of the bay Cons: terrible service, bland food more
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The best all around dinner experience 2/20/2005

My husband and I recently had dinner with friends at the hip Butterfly Restaurant. We started with cocktails and calamari at their bar (I had a dangerously good orange martini, the Bonzai). By the time we sat to dinner on the water the jazz band had begun to play. We were impressed by the wine list, very comprehensive, but more with the food. Appetizers were smart and delicious without being too heavy. For dinner my Peking Duck was out of this world! Other favorites included the Whole Fish which was moist and crispy and the Seabass which was clean and light in a broth with a sweet miso glaze and shrimp dumplings. Pros: easy parking, good for large groups, great cocktails Cons: not good for kids more
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The best all around dinner experience 2/20/2005

My husband and I recently had dinner with friends at the hip Butterfly Restaurant. We started with cocktails and calamari at their bar (I had a dangerously good orange martini, the Bonzai). By the time we sat to dinner on the water the jazz band had begun to play. We were impressed by the wine list, very comprehensive, but more with the food. Appetizers were smart and delicious without being too heavy. For dinner my Peking Duck was out of this world! Other favorites included the Whole Fish which was moist and crispy and the Seabass which was clean and light in a broth with a sweet miso glaze and shrimp dumplings. A wonderful dining experience! Threre are less than a handful of places you can have good cocktails, creative and well executed food, a band, and elegant dining with a view! Perfect for entertaining. I will be back. Pros: easy parking, good for large groups, great cocktails Cons: not good for kids more
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Sooooo bad. Really, that bad. 2/13/2005

We went there tonight for Valentines Day. It was disasterous. The food was terrible. Not only very small portions but everything tasted of cauliflower which was the main ingredient in 3 of the 7 dishes offered. The drinks are completely watered down. The least expensive was $11 which may be suitable for NYC but certainly not for a B restaurant in San Francisco. I was born and raised here and this is the first time I have ever been so inspired to find a site, get a login name and password, all so I could write this review. Price, including the 18% tip they force on you? $258. Jesus. Single worst dining experience of my life with the exception of a trip to the Olive Garden with my husband's grandmother- there was hair in my food. Pros: nothing, nothing, zip Cons: all, everything, food more
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Sooooo bad. Really, that bad. 2/13/2005

We went there tonight for Valentines Day. It was disasterous. The food was terrible. Not only very small portions but everything tasted of cauliflower which was the main ingredient in 3 of the 7 dishes offered. Pros: nothing, nothing, zip Cons: all, everything, food more
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Good fusion seafood 10/20/2004

I think it's almost worth the average price of $50pp for a cocktail, appetizers, main dish, and shared dessert because you get the ambiance too. Even if you don't get a window seat you can enjoy the sunset along the water. Pros: Ambiance, Food, Cocktails Cons: , Not seated promptly more
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Good fusion seafood 10/20/2004

I think it's almost worth the average price of $50pp for a cocktail, appetizers, main dish, and shared dessert because you get the ambiance too. Even if you don't get a window seat you can enjoy the sunset along the water. My salmon was perfectly cooked and they do remind you that it is cooked more rare unless requested otherwise. The cocktail menu is also very creative. I would go there again, good for a group of around 5. Be careful when you ask for water to specify if you just want ice water. Otherwise they'll bring you Pellegrino (and charge you for it). Pros: Ambiance, Food, Cocktails Cons: , Not seated promptly more
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overrated? 9/26/2004

San Francisco has so many better fusion influenced restaurants than Butterfly. I though the food was over priced and each plate was too small to share with others. The food was boring. Pros: location Cons: , food, over priced more
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Menu for Butterfly Restaurant


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Editorial

  • A striking view of the bay provides a beautiful backdrop to a chic, lofty dining room and a bar backed dramatically in lapis-blue. The crowd is often a bit random--tourists from the piers and Ferry...

  • 10/26/2009 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: tue 11:30am-12:00am, wed 11:30am-12:00am, thu 11:30am-12:00am, fri 11:30am-12:00am, sat 11:00am-12:00am, sun 11:00am-12:00am
  • Neighborhoods: Northeast, Financial District
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