Fresca

HORRIBLE Service - Confronted by Server

by melater at Citysearch

In a city where there are so many great restaurants to chose from this one has one consistent theme.. BAD SERVICE.

I had all the same experiences you will read in every review. Long waits for food after our appetizers were finished.

Food sitting and waiting to go to the tables while servers stood around and talked and did nothing.

Charged for items I never received. Which I had to point out to my server, She wouldn't have ever known since I had not seen her since she took the order.

BUT WORST OF ALL - The Server chased us out of the restaurant as if we had done something wrong. I left a 10% tip on a check were we received... LITTLE TO NO SERVICE at all.

She followed us down the street and asked: was there something wrong with the service I provided? UNBELIEVABLE! I will never Return to this PLACE! UNACCEPTABLE behavior.

Awful Experience

by crystallakins at Citysearch

I'm really sorry that the server at the Fresca in Noe Valley had the audacity to act like a prima donna and proceeded to tell me he "hasn't seen the happy hour menu" so I had to point out the items since he didn't understand. I'm sorry-why are you working there if you don't know the menu? Last time I checked, I hired you to serve me a meal. Thanks! WHOOPS.

Also can't believe that the server was so petty that he threw a fit with the manager and she told us happy hour is only available at the bar which we were totally willing to comply with. I thought the customer was always right? It wasn't until we told the manager that our server was huffing and puffing that she regulated and apologized for the server's horrific behavior.

Wow...

Ceviche Bar!

by quandenise at Citysearch

This time, everything we had was fabulous!

The ceviche tastings, you can pick 3 of the ceviches to try and everything we got was delicious! I loved it so much I almost wanted to do another order of it all. It was fresh, light and flavorful. I believe we had the halibut, one of the calamari, and the tuna tartar ceviche!

And then for the lenguado con risotto, the risotto cake was the tastiest risotto I have ever had. Oh and the halibut itself was also really good.

Pair all this with some sangria, and we are set!

Service was quick and fast and the food was delicious. It wasn't overly crowded at all, and I walked out a really happy girl.

Best muscles in town

by smithy11 at Citysearch

If you like spicy, delicious chiorizo sauce and an out of this world "Cohito" you must go to Fresca! I love the lively atmosphere and the special lobster risotto was excellent. Fun, friendly place to have a great, flavorful meal!

• Pros: Very good food and awesome drinks!

Great, but Screwed Up too

by JaneRW at Citysearch

Fresca is a really fun and lively place to go, with noise and crowds and a great atmosphere. The ceviche is wonderful and you have got to have a pisco sour (or 2). BUT as another reviewer noted, their service is kind of lacking in that it can be slow and they can indeed be forgetful. I've been there several times and have to say I still recommend it in spite of one time when they forgot to put our dessert order in and it took 30min to get it. Great fun to go with a group but dont expect to be able to hear each other over the noise. By the way, desserts are mediocre but the rest of the menu is tasty stuff, especially the appetizers. I like the ceviche mixto, but the 4, 5 or 6 ceviche sampler is a great way to go. There is one with black squid/octopus ink that is extremely good.

My boyfriend adds: "It's true that the food is great, especially the ceviche, but the real draw is the crowded, noisy, fun ambiance. However, it's fairly expensive (easy to spend $100+ for a couple incl drinks) and you should know that high quality, Peruvian food of almost the same quality can be had for a fraction of the price at dive Peruvian restaurants throughout the Mission. WARNING: the pisco sours have a delayed reaction...WALK home."

• Pros: Pisco sours, Ceviche, Raucous Atmosphere
• Cons: Price, Forgetful Service