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
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