Salt House

04/01/11

Fabulous food; annoying service

by deannfreitag at Citysearch

My husband and I, both 'foodies', had dinner last night at the Salt House for the first time. Limited menu but everything we had was fabulous: a pickled vegetables appetizer we shared, sweetbreads appetizer for me and a duck confit/thistle appetizer for him - both had wonderful textures and flavors. I had the cod and he had the bass entre - everything was served hot and prepared very well. We shared a cheese plate and port for dessert (they need a bleu cheese included in the list!), had a cocktail, brought our own wine (corkage is $20) and the bill still came to $200. Not inexpensive.

Service was too abundant - being interrupted every 2 minutes is not good service, it's simply annoying. Also, buspersons kept trying to take plates away when there was still food on them - another no-no. Patrons taking a break doesn't mean they are finished.

It got noisy as the place filled up (we came right after work, at 6pm). Would visit again and see if the service issue was a fluke; being over-serviced is better than being ignored but sensitivity to pacing a meal should be the norm in any upscale SF eating establishment.

08/12/09

Slow! Slow! Slow!

by nyuck3x at Citysearch

Had 8 pm reservations. Got seated about 8:15. Ordered dinner about 8:30. Got served food about 9:40. Server was pleasant but ignored us after we ordered while we waited. Expected maybe an explanation or apology for food coming out so slowly but nothing. Since no one working there seemed concerned about the slowness should I conclude that's business as usual? Too many other good restaurants around to waste my time going back there.

• Pros: Lots of parking nearby.
• Cons: Pricey and slow.

03/24/09

Would It K-i-l-l Them?

by DanSperiod at Citysearch

Would it k i l l Salt House to have a decent vegetarian option during Dine About Town or any other time of year? Salt House ended up modifying their Spanish Tortilla with Yukon Gold Potatoes, Serrano Ham and Scallions entree by removing the ham so I ended up with a $25 omelet. Celery Root Soup with Apple and Pomegranate was fantastic albeit served lukewarm. Dessert was not memorable. Salt House has a fantastic carnivore menu with a great wine list but during these recession times service needs improvement. Matri'd was tart, surly and more preoccupied with talking with her fellow staff and eventually wolfing down her meal at the bar then tending to her customers.

• Pros: Soups
• Cons: Horrible Vegetarian Options / Surly, Tart Servers Managers

03/11/09

This is my favorite place to eat in SF!

by jamesallenfinch at Citysearch

This is my favorite eatery in SF! Dahlia at the door and Steven leading the pack guarantee a great evening. The kitchen churns out fantastic food with good portions, beautiful plating and a killer wine list. From oysters to lamb - these guys know what they are doing. When you work in publicity and dining out is part of the job, finding a jewel like this is rare. Great for clients or a little romantic dinner for two. Be sure to make a reservation - James

• Pros: Great Food, Beautiful Plating and Gracious Service
• Cons: Small Bar but this is an intimate space and it works

01/06/09

It's in the name...

by epicuriousinsf at Citysearch

Dined at Salt House last Saturday. Had a tasting of oysters to start with some bubbly, moved on to a very tasty squid stuffed with chorizo on a bed of mixed beans and veggies, then had a very refreshing and light smoked trout salad, finally ended with an extremely salty goat shank. Service was spotty, and when the waiter came by to check on the shank, I remarked on how salty it was and he simply said, I'll let the kitchen know. I'm a bit disappointed he didn't try to correct the problem, like offering to replace the salty shank (the reduction on the shank was the issue). I hate to say it, but that last dish and the waiter ruined my dinning experience, too many good restaurants in the city, will not be back any time soon.