aziza

Chef Lahlou takes Moroccan food to ethereal levels using spices that delight the senses. Cocktails are a must with their muddled mash-ups. more

Chef Mourad Lahlou uses this Richmond eatery to dovetail Moroccan food from his homeland with artisanal features of California to create a new high cuisine. El Manseur was closed for a private party, so their owners suggested Aziza. We didn't think we'd get in without reservations since this place is usually booked well-in-advance, but they were gracious enough to set up the the to-go table for three of us. The spreads was a delightful way to start - and the pita style bread was so divine we had to order more. The squab, lamb shank were all in a class of their own for their unique flavors (and all beautifully presented), but the special for the evening, the quail, was easily the best on the entire trip to San Francisco. It should be interesting to see how the Jackson Square site does when it opens next year. I'll be back to try it. more

The ambiance of this place is a bit mystical and relaxing, everything looks beautiful. The food is great, every dish is a masterpiece. The service is great, our wauter was always there, very polite,high-class. A great place to have a romantic night out. Pros: exquisite food Cons: pricey more

Overpriced. The food was okay but at those prices I expect much better service. We waited at our table 15 minutes without any service. I had to get up to flag down a waiter to take our order and even then the service was just mediocre feeling a bit like we were an inconvenience. Overall we left a $150 dollar meal for 2 people (2 glasses of wine) feeling disapointed and like we had wasted our money. At those prices it should be a great experience all the way around. more

Aziza is great! It took us 3 tries to make a reservation for 6 people but I guess third time is a charm. Pros: Service, Ambience, Food, Drinks more

Great drinks, best lamb shank in town. Menu barely changes, though. Don't bother with the desserts. Server... more

Great drinks, best lamb shank in town. Menu barely changes, though. Don't bother with the desserts. Server attitude erratic at best. more

Been here a few times, really good food, good atmosphere, good drinks. Go there. more

Been here a few times, really good food, good atmosphere, good drinks. Go there. more

i lived in the richmond district not 8 blocks away for 16 months before going on my birthday in may. everything was incredible. ambiance, service, and especially the food. i ate the couscous aziza which was nicely presented, but looked like it was going to be bland. i was about to curse the waiter for suggesting it but it started off good and got better with every bite. i typically don't like whatever specialty mixed drink menu a restaurant has but my friend had the horchata which was very, very good (not too sweet like i would have assumed). the dessert with a chocolate cake and ice cream was amazing as well. everything was superbly presented and more important everything was extraordinarily good. it's only too bad i no longer live nearby Pros: food, service, ambiance, everything Cons: nothing more

I first went here about a year ago after great references from friends. My friend and I shared one of the side booths, a fantastic location because it allows you to take in the whole restaurant's ambiance. The atmosphere is romantic and cosy. We shared some cocktails (delicious!) and the mushrooms in phyllo. The appetizer portion then was a little stingy. We shared the lamb shank and a dessert. Our bill wasn't too bad since we split a lot of the meals but I could see how the price could sky rocket easily. I just recently went there with my boyfriend and our meal was again, delicious! We had the lamb sausage and giant baked lima beans for appetizers. And for dinner we had the beef stew and lamb with charred eggplant. Both were incredibly delicious. The meat was so tender! We skipped on the dessert. The wait staff was very polite and courteous and although the prices are a little high, this is a great place to try at least once! Pros: Ambiance, drinks, food Cons: price more

I recently went to Aziza as part of Dine About Town SF and I'm glad I did! I went with 3 girlfriends and we... more

I recently went to Aziza as part of Dine About Town SF and I'm glad I did! I went with 3 girlfriends and we all made sure to order different dishe... more

I have been to Aziza about a dozen times now, starting just after they opened and ending a couple days ago. There have been some changes, some good, some bad, but it is still without question my favorite overall restaurant in San Fran. The restaurant has gotten a little less formal and a little more expensive, the former probably to make it feel more accessible in such an unpretentious neighborhood, and the latter no doubt due to their continued popularity. They've also improved the overall quality of service, the layout, and put together one of the best cocktail bars in the city. Let me set something straight: it is still a great value. If the restaurant was downtown, they could charge 20% more and no one would bat an eye. For the quality of food you are getting the price is a great deal. Will your bill for two run over $100 if you order cocktails, appetizers, entrees, desserts and wine? Yes, but it will at most good restaurants in San Francisco, and unlike many places it is actually worth it here. The food ranges from very good to top notch. My least favorite dish ever was the fish in claypot, and I disliked that on personal preference due to the way it was seasoned, while others in my party enjoyed it. Most of their dishes, such as standouts like the lamb shank, couscous aziza, bastilla, and stewed rabbit, are simply phenomenal. They nail the traditional Moroccan mix of sweet and savory perfectly, the layered flavors of each dish being simple enough to please the least adventurous eater and complex enough to please the afficionado. Portions are not colossal, but certainly big enough to justify the prices, and I, even as a big eater, am generally near-full by dessert. The cocktails are brilliantly imaginative and delicious, and desserts change seasonally and are generally great. They tend to fill up on weekend evenings a week or so in advance, but I've never needed reservations on weekdays. If you live in or are visiting SF, be sure to try Aziza! Pros: incredible food, excellent cocktails, decent wine list, great ambience and service Cons: parking is difficult ($10 valet can be worth it), need reservations for more than 2 on weekends more

Pros: Great ambiance and decor. The waitstaff was professional, friendly, and very efficient. The presentation, taste, and quality of the entrees were excellent - my friend and I had the stewed lamb w/eggplant and beef stew, both of which were very flavorful with super tender meat. I saw many tables ordering the lamb shanks, which looked really good. House cocktails also a plus. more

I've eaten all over the world and my Dad is a French chef. My point: I know food. This is one of my favorite restaurants. The food is well done and the service is great. What else do you need? more

We stopped in sort of late night on saturday (around 10:30) and were happy to find the bar and kitchen still open. The bar is beautiful (small) and well-stocked with a nice & unique wine list. The waitstaff was also very friendly. The house cocktails stellar. We shared appetizers and desserts. Even that late in the night, every dish came out perfectly presented. Pros: bar open late more

This may be my favorite restaurant in the city! The food is amazing, the service is friendly and knowledgeable, the atmosphere is fun, and the cocktails are original and out of this world. I have been here a few times and they never fail. Parking in the neighborhood is terrible but they have valet (hallelujah!). Try the Blood Orange Smash cocktail, the scallop appetizer, and any couscous and you will not be diappointed. Pros: Flavors, Atmosphere, Service Cons: Parking more

My wife and I have been to Aziza over five times now. It is by far the most consistent restaurant we've ever been to that continues to improve with each visit. We've tried to vary the food with each visit, but definitely have our favorites (Mediterranean Spreads, Wild Mushrooms in Phyllo, Sesame Crusted Goat Cheese, Couscous Aziza, Fennel Crusted Yellowfin Tuna). The food is always perfectly spiced and not overpowering. The best part is that you always get what you pay for and then some. Strongly recommended and if Chef Mourad Lahlou reads this post, thank you for the fantastic overall dining experience!! Pros: Quality, Value, Atmosphere Cons: Parking more

My wife & I tried this place after reading so many good reviews here, but we were disappointed. We received our appetizers quickly but it was downhill from there. At 60 minutes, our waiter said it was up next. At the 90 minute mark, we couldn't wait any longer and asked our waiter if he could check again. We told him if it wasn't ready, we'd like to cancel it. He came out 10 minutes later and said they hadn't even started yet! Now we're pretty understanding people, but this was ridiculous. We paid the check and nobody made any concession or sincere apology for anything. We calmly and quietly left in this weird atmosphere of their unspoken ""Yeah, we know we screwed up...oh well.."" We eat out all of the time and there are too many good restaurants in SF to waste time with a place like this. Pros: Decent bar, cocktails Cons: No parking, Crowded more