Roe Restaurant
(415) 227-0288
651 Howard St
San Francisco,
CA
94105
37.7856
-122.3993
Neighborhoods: Central East, South Beach

What People Are Saying About Roe Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Design-wise, the emphasis in the ground-floor main room is on patrons seeing themselves and others from a variety of angles: Large, rectangular mirrors dominate a long brick wall lined with plush, dark dinettes. A tiled bar backed by more mirrors commands the opposite side of the space, providing plenty of scoping opportunities for table diners and tipplers in the adjoining lounge area. Depending on the hour, the crowd ranges from after-work professionals to a clubbier set dressed to dance, enjoy a drink at the bars (one on each floor) or, again, just plain see and be seen.
The Food
Chef Alvin San's international menu leans toward Southeast Asia, from the trio-of-seaweed starter and the yellowfin tuna wellington entree to the green-tea-and-Coke ice cream float dessert. Alas, the seaweed, which comes in three different flavors, doesn't rise very much above the standard offering you might find next to an appetizer at a more moderately priced Japanese restaurant. And while the aforementioned wellington is somewhat adventurous in concept, in execution it comes in at about the same level of flavor as the more staid Niman Ranch ribeye, which is average at best.
Hits: The service is friendly and attentive, and dishes such as the quite tasty spicy-crab-and-tuna-roll starter demonstrate what the kitchen is capable of.
Misses: The standard for that roll should be applied to the bi plates, which aren't enough of an achievement to merit the higher-end prices.
User Reviews
Vmartinez24
August 07, 2008
I was there about 2 weeks ago and purchased a table for my brother's birthday. Our waitress was wonderful but that was about it. We spend most of the night trying to keep people out of our VIP section because it wasn't even roped off. Then we had people trying to start fights with us because they couldn't understand that they weren't allowed in our area. There were also 2 girl fights in our area and it took the DJ stopping the music and calling security before anyone could control the girls. Then to top it off the girls weren't even kicked out of the club! That was ridiculous!!! So at the end of the terrible night I asked to talk to the manager. I explained how dissappointed I was with the whole night. She apologized for the night and said that they had a shortage of security that nite. (That was not my problem.) At first she wasn't going to give me any of money back until I insisted...she tried to get me to come back again and ask for her and she would hook it up...but I told her that there would not be a next time. If you decide to go to Roe think again. They let in people that start fights and then the don't have security to control them. There are so many other places in SF that have way more class then this place.
read full reviewserrafina
January 10, 2008
I was going to have a 40-50 person birthday sit-down dinner at Roe Restaurant and then transition into the Prive Bar & Lounge, but the general manager was NOT forthcoming on the cost of the party. Due to her dishonesty, miscommunication, and extreme lack of rapport building/sales/people skills we were compelled to change the venue for my party last minute. Be warned that there is a 2,000 dollar "room rental fee" even though you will be paying an arm and a leg for dinner per person. Also the corkage fees of 18 - 25 dollars per bottle with a MAX of 10 bottles for the entire party is completely UNREASONABLE. You "lose" the room by 9 anyway so that they can transition the floor into the club so what kind of a "rental" is that?! $2000 for 2-3 hours of a space that would otherwise not be utilized anyway during those hours of operation if it wasn't for your private event?! We found this completely unreasonable and due to the fact that she did not tell me any of this information beforehand and led me and my family on to believe that the cost was just what you paid per person for the banquet menu (including just salad, entree, and dessert) plus service charge and booze was NOT professional or honest. Just be very very careful and have A LOT of patience when you go to Roe to "hash out the details," which the general manager said would "only take five minutes." She'll be running around, behind a bar washing glasses, or not talking to you anyway so good luck. THE DIFFERENCE: We're going to have my party at a restaurant (Fandorin) where it's $75 dollars per person for all you can eat cold and hot appetizers + choice of lamb or chicken shishkabob + all you can drink vodka and wine (half are included in the price and half you can bring with NO corkage charge) + 5 desserts + refillable soda, etc... PLUS a live band... and NO room rental fee! -- now THAT'S A DEAL!
read full reviewAnonymous
November 26, 2007
it's the only way to go at this upscale restaurant/club with it's 3 levels of elegant ambiance. offers full bars on each floor and an asian fusion menu. perfect for large parties.
read full reviewThe Details on Roe Restaurant
When to Go:
Looking for restaurant fare rather than nightspot bites? Get there before 11pm, which is when the menu is pared down to more limited late-night offerings.
Parking:
There's no valet available, so head for the attended pay lot on the corner of Howard and Second Streets.
The Extras:
The Eastern influence doesn't end with the food; the cocktail menu includes such drink names as the Buddha's kiss (Ketel One Citron vodka; orange liqueur; pomegranate, lychee and lemon juices) and Burmese tea (wasabe vodka, cucumber, Zen Green Tea Liquor).
Category:
Restaurants, Nightclubs, Singles Bars, Lounges, Bars & Pubs, Wine Bars
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, MasterCard
Bar & Pub Special Features:
Restaurant Special Features:
Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Fine Dining, Group Dining
Cuisine:
Bar & Club Type of Music:
Bar & Club Special Features:
DJ, After Hours, Romantic Nightlife, 21 & Over, Specialty Cocktails
Recommended Drink:
Passion Mojito







