Estia Restaurant
(415) 433-1433
1224 Grant Ave
San Francisco,
CA
94133
37.798
-122.4069
Neighborhoods: North Beach, Northeast
What People Are Saying About Estia Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Deep-sea blue and pale-cream stucco walls with paintings of waterfront living evoke a charming Greek getaway. Slick North Beach locals and tourists settle in for a meal and enjoy the staff's larger-than-life hospitality. Their vivacity is infectious enough to forgive missteps like forcing diners to taste, then pour their own wine.
The Food
The menu swerves from Greek standbys to less familiar standouts. Vibrant rusks, baked bread slabs doused in diced tomatoes and two kinds of oregano, are a Cretan take on bruschetta. Ubiquitous kasseri cheese gets flambéed tableside with an enormous whoosh and "Opa!" from the server, but wimpy grilled calamari salad doesn't even muster a whimper. Tepid pastitsio, casserole of macaroni with tomato and ground beef, screams Hamburger Helper; lemony dolmas burst with a bland mess of rice and dill; and lamb chops are accompanied by tough greens and mealy tomato-potato gratin. Flaky cheese borek saves diners from an encounter with way-too-soapy lavender ice cream.
User Reviews
wickedana
April 17, 2008
We tried to go to Estia last night based on reviews and they were closed! The sign said that they are open Wednesday-Sunday but the lights were out and the door was gated. There wasn't even a sign on the door stating that there was an emergency or "sorry for the inconvenience." When we inquired next door at Viva to see if they were going to open they said "No, not tonight." Must be nice to not need the business and close whenever you want, but it's bad business because I don't know if I want to go back and try again. Word to the wise: call ahead to make sure that they'll be open!
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rkishore
February 15, 2008
The chef is from the Greek island of Zakynthos. Good Greek white and red wine, a very good Greek salad, grilled salmon with vegetables, gigande (huge beans with tomato sauce), baklava (two big pieces served with chocolate strawberries), etc., which you would expect to find at most Greek restaurants. (Their Greek-wine list is exhaustive, though.) Estia's specialties - that are difficult to find elsewhere in the Bay Area - include Santorinian fava (not the giant fava beans, but a mashed pea/lentil dish), (flamed) cheese saganaki that's like fondue, (Tyrokafteri) a delicious cheese and red-pepper dip served with doughy pita. They do their Melanzanosalata with smoked eggplant and green herbs, and it's served cold as it is anywhere else. You can also order from the menu of the adjacent Cafe Viva, an Italian restaurant. When they get waiting help from Viva, the service is fast. Otherwise, it takes a little time to take the order, but the food arrives fast thereafter.
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pharnaces
January 29, 2007
Since 1981, my wife and I have gone to Greece nine times, and visited over 15 Islands - motivated in no small part by our love for Greek food. Until recently, the finest we had experienced was prepared by a wonderful restaurant located near Kokkari, on the island of Samos. That was until about June, 2006, when we discovered Estia! I have NEVER tasted Lamb and Orzo so savory and perfectly prepared!! In truth, everything we have tried has been put together with great care and obvious expertise, and the portions are extremely generous!! We loved the music as well, which is similar to what you'd hear in better places in Greece, and is not the often-obnoxious commercial "tourist" music. Bottom line: If you like Greek food, it does not get better than this; If you're not sure, there is no finer or more authentic restaurant to find out, in our experience!!
read full reviewThe Details on Estia Restaurant
What to Drink:
The Greek-heavy wine list is worth giving a whirl. White varietals like Moscholfilero complement the wide range of lively appetizers.
Parking:
Street parking is nearly impossible. Try the garage at 530 Broadway for a $10 flat fee.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard
