Coi
San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 393-9000
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Sansome Street
- Best of Citysearch:
- Fine Dining 2008, Japanese Food 2007, Japanese Food 2006
- Hours:
- Tue-Sat 6pm-10pm (kitchen), Tue-Sat 5:30pm-12am (lounge)
Editorial Review for Coi – by Daniel Liszt
The Scene
Destination diners walk into a walnut-accented lounge. A padded banquette snakes the length of one wall with fuzzy white pillows brightening up the space. Music drips throughout the entire restaurant--from jazzy trip-hop to John Lennon ballads. In the secluded dining area, nine white-clothed tables are surrounded by bamboo-like wallpaper and artwork depicting circular shapes. The simple decor turns the focus to the complex cuisine.
The Food
Eating Daniel Patterson's creations is a multisensory experience. Diners choose a four- or 10-course meal, which may begin with rubbing a drop of essential oils on the wrist--the same oils whipped into a meringue-like appetizer studded with grapefruit chunks. Each course is a mini event, the global cuisine ranging from hearty (three cuts of lamb) to arty: chilled English pea soup poured onto ricotta sorbet, or tender sea scallops decorated with radish and delicate avocado ribbons. Dessert is divine, including a warm chocolate tart surrounded by smoked yogurt.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Where to SitTry the lounge if the 30-seat dining room is full. You can order individual items from a limited menu, including Patterson's signature frothy carrot soup.
Know Before You GoAn 18 percent service charge is included with the bill.
ParkingValet is available for $8.
Look GoodCoi is pronounced "kw'ah."
User Reviews for Coi
08/26/2007 Posted by boosf
We were so excited to finally try this place, but we were seriously let down by both the food and service. The wine took an unbelivable amount of time to arrive to the table and when it finally did, they still needed to chill it. Thankfully, we opted for the 4 course option vs the 11! The food was innovative, but lacked in taste. I was warned by others that it was not worth the money or time, but I thought Iwould give it a shot regarless. Bottom Line...I should have listened to them it was NOT worth the money.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
08/11/2007 Posted by psusfca
We were all extremely excited to try Coi based on the phenomenal reviews that it has received. From start to finish, we were underwhelmed by all 11 courses. For $115, every course should be memorable. There is no way that this restaurant should be put in the upper echelon with restaurants that are truly great in San Francisco. All of us at our table had the same reaction. Maybe it was an off night, but you can't have off nights at these prices. Other Bay area restaurants don't - Gary Danko doesn't, Chez Panisse doesn't, French Laundry doesn't. I have eaten at most of the great restaurants in SF and many around the world. This does not live up to others. Recent meals at Le Bernadin in NYC and Alan Wong's in Honolulu are examples of meals I have had that are truly what a great tasting menu should be - everything was perfect and memorable. I will say that the service was crisp, efficient and friendly. The restaurant was beautifully decorated. But that just does not offset the very average, disappointing food. I don't make a point to post my opinions on these sites and I think this is the first time I have felt a need to share my experience here (unfortunately negatively).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
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