(415) 978-9942
540 Howard St
San Francisco,
CA
94105
37.7879
-122.3971
Neighborhoods: South Beach, Central East
What People Are Saying About Zen Compound Llc
The Editor
Gina Goff
Citysearch
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;…
03/30/08
Best Asian Fusion Anywhere!
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
01/20/08
Slick scene, great food
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.
11/09/07
A Fantastic Place to Go in SF!!!
by joanmo
We are in SF often and always looking for a new exciting place to eat... Well we have found it, and it is Prana! Located on Howard St. between 1st and 2nd, with very convenient parking on both sides of the building. The decor is exquistite, it has a very sophisticated and yet comfortable ambience. The menu is a fun fusion of Chinese, Thai, East Indian foods. We loved the spicy tuna tartar and the yam fritters are possitively addictive! The Kobe beef carpaccio is a marvel... just to die for!!! But the Tandoor-roasted pepper steak in a Japanese Whiskey sauce was nothing short of a masterpiece!!! The wait service people are delightful and add a great deal to the whole experience.
We are eagerly planning our next trip to SF and Prana!!!
- Pros: Food, decor and ambience, wait staff, parking
- Cons: No Valet parking
The Details on Zen Compound Llc
Fun Fact:
The name "Prana," which translates to "breath of life" in Hindu, was chosen by owner Paul Hemming, who is also a student of eastern philosophy.
Know Before You Go:
Even 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 Sit:
Hosting 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.
The Extras:
A 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.
When to Go:
Those 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.
What to Drink:
Many 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.
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