Basil
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 552-8999
Fax: (415) 552-8889
- Cross Street:
- Eighth Street
- Specialties:
- Thai Food
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:45pm, 5pm-10pm, Fri 11:30am-2:45pm, 5pm-10:15pm, Sat 5pm-10:15pm, Sun 5pm-10pm
Message from Basil
Serving up stylish surroundings and perfected timeless Thai recipes.
- Authentic Thai cuisine
- Modern bistro-style decor
- Wine & dessert offered
Paid advertisement by Basil.
Editorial Review for Basil – by Citysearch Staff
In Short
This airy, minimalist eatery offers a bright interior with a chic industrial sheen. The menu is traditional Thai, but the spiciness has been tamed down for American palates. Starters include turnip cakes, cucumber salad enlivened by red onion and slivers of radish, and curried potatoes in a coconut-milk sauce. Grilled dishes, like marinated lamb and half chicken, anchor the entrees.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Save TimePhone orders are accepted for to-go service. Delivery is available through Waiters on Wheels.
User Reviews for Basil
12/27/2006 Posted by jmand
Lacking in flavor and authenticity. They bring out shrimp chips when you sit down, which was tacky. Unless they are for kids, shrimp chips are really only good as a garnish. Our appetizer, the corn and bean cake fritters, was tasteless and cold. I ordered vegetables in green curry for my entree. The curry should permeate the vegetables and provide rich flavor when it's done right, but these vegetables were tasteless. Even worse, the curry did not contain the spices typically found in curry--it was more like sauce with lots of pepper. Worst of all, however, was the service. When you go to an American restaurant, the waiters don't take away your bread basket. These guys wanted to take away the shrimp chips after we ordered. Also, we had a lot of leftovers at the end of the meal, and the waiter never asked us if we wanted a box, just started gathering the dishes without a word. When we informed him that we wanted to take the leftovers home, I mentioned that I wanted to bring my rice as well. The rice never ended up in my box. Avoid this place. There are much better Thai places in the city, like Narin on Clement.
Cons: Poor service, pretentious
08/21/2006 Posted by akfj
My husband and I just went and really enjoyed it. They have a jazz trio that plays on Monday nights which was a total surprise especially when many restaurants are closed on Mondays. We loved the corn bean cakes for an appetizer. I had the pad see ew which was great but my very-picky-Thai-eater husband had the lamb curry and though he said it could've been spicier, it didn't stop him from wolfing down the whole thing. We parked easily one block away. And then continued on to the Metreon for a movie. Great night!
