Prana
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 978-9942
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- First Street
- Hours:
- Tue-Fri 11am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm, Sat 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm
Editorial Review for Prana – by Gina Goff
Soaring ceilings, two bars and a DJ stage provide the proper setting for this eatery that doubles as a nightclub. The room features both modern and ancient design elements, with a mix of authentic relics and impressive replicas of Southeast Asian antiquities set against futuristic white-washed walls, sleek furnishings and gleaming marble floors. In the daytime, SoMa workers stop by for a lunch menu that includes naan pizza, coconut chicken empanadas and yam fritters. The evening night owls roll in to fill up with something more sophisticated than offerings from the nearby taco trucks; favorites include "Kobe" beef carpaccio dressed with agave-ginger syrup, spicy peanut soup and pepper steak cooked in a tandoori oven. After 10pm, a pared-down bar menu and gradually loudening house beats take over.
High Marks
* "...Prana's wine list represents the best value I've seen at any SF restaurant" (CityChow, Citysearch user)
* "We loved the spicy tuna tartar and the yam fritters are positively addictive!" (joanmo, Citysearch user)
* "...I could literally have the short ribs with lemon grass risotto as my last meal and be content!!" (amo9, Citysearch user)
* "...great music played during dinner..." (amo9, Citysearch user)
* "A daring combination of medjool dates and bleu cheese on a naan-crust pizza was a surprising crowd-pleaser." (Gina Goff, Citysearch editor)
Low Marks
* "No valet parking" (joanmo, Citysearch user)
* "It was a little cold in the restaurant" (amo9, Citysearch user)
* "They messed up our reservation even though we confirmed twice..." (djohl, Citysearch user)
* "The food was mediocre and the drinks were weak." (djohl, Citysearch user)
* "The restaurant was depressingly vacant for an 8pm Saturday reservation." (Gina Goff, Citysearch editor)
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkMany of the cocktails are purported to have wellness properties, with antioxidant ingredients like organic fruit purees and herbal tonics. Try the ironically named "The Devil Made Me Do It" (made with La Pinta pomegranate tequila, Damiana liqueur, agave nectar and lime) for a hefty dose of the good stuff.
Fun FactThe name "Prana," which translates to "breath of life" in Hindu, was chosen by owner Paul Hemming, who is also a student of eastern philosophy.
The ExtrasA late-night menu of bar bites--all priced at $15 or less--is available until 11pm Tuesdays through Thursdays and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Some are repeats from the dinner menu, but other notables, like the lamb burger and Peruvian potato samosas, are exclusively available to night owl noshers.
Know Before You GoEven though it's a restaurant, Prana is a 21-and-over-only establishment, due to the 10pm nightclub transition. The upside: Diners who want to stick around for the club scene don't have to pay the usual cover charge.
Where to SitHosting a party? The mezzanine level, which overlooks the main room, offers VIP privacy without cutting your group off from the rest of the ambience and revelry.
When to GoThose who work in the area should take advantage of "The Lounge," a separate dining and drinking area with floor-to-ceiling windows looking onto Howard Street. A midday menu of wraps, sandwiches and some heartier entrees is offered here until 3pm, and happy hour specials are avaialble from 4pm to 7pm.
User Reviews for Prana
03/30/2008 Posted by Martin2Stuart
Whatever you do, make sure you order the dosa quesadilla! So much of their menu is veggie-friendly, but my carniverous friends were having orgsms over the coconut curry shortribs! I also had the curried veggie pie baked in crispy fillo with spicy saag...OMG! Then there were the desserts. I was torn between the banana creme brulee and the Thai tea gelato, but they were both little bites of sweet death. The restaurant was packed, alive, and had a dj playing cool music. The service was excellent (ask for Valerie!) and I'll definately be back soon.
Pros: FOOD!
Cons: parking
01/20/2008 Posted by CityChow
The striking white interior was a great backdrop to our small group dinner. Relatively uncrowded, the service was very attentive and the food was unbelieably good. The peanut soup was reason enough to return - absolutely amazing. The rest of the menu delivered as well, but the highlight was the wine. Amazingly priced and carefully selected to complement the menu, Prana's wine list represents the best value I've seen at any SF restaurant.
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