Empress of China

Recommends

Gina Goff

Joined 9 years ago

Grandiose rooftop setting reels in out-of-towners for regional Chinese dishes.. The Scene
Perched on the eighth floor of a Chinatown high-rise, this restaurant offers ornate, if a bit dated, decor and spectacular views of Coit Tower and the eastern cityscape. Hostesses dressed in traditional cheongsam dresses greet diners as they step off the elevator and into the dim, garden-like foyer. The tuxedo-clad,all-male waitstaff proudly unveils dome-covered silver platters of steaming Chinese dishes to a much more casual, tourist-heavy crowd in their khakis and polo shirts. The small dining room is maximized by seating couples next to--rather than across from--one another.

The Food
Hospitable servers divvy up appetizers, like yolk-flavored wontons laced with shrimp, and straightforward, zestless entrees, such as cashew chicken. House specialties, like tender, spicy barbecued quail, pack more punch. In addition to the requisite fortune cookies, a brief dessert list is highlighted by flaming sweets, a sugary, gelatin-like fruit cake that's torched tableside.

Doesn't Recommend

deanosaur

Joined 8 years ago

Terrible Food. Apparently this was a hot spot at one time, given the photos of 1970s-era celebrities on the wall who once dined there. But the glory days are long past. The food is awful. This is the worst place I've eaten in San Francisco, hands down. Avoid!!! You can find much better Chinese food elsewhere! Try Ton Kiang or Eliza's... both of those are MUCH MUCH BETTER.

Recommends

fudog

Joined 10 years ago

Roast Quail - Fantastic. The best Roast Quail in SF. Good service. Could do with some sprucing up and a menu refresh. However, the service is great and the food is pleasant for folks that are scared to try real chinese food. If you go here - you must have the Quail.

Doesn't Recommend

mulo

Joined 11 years ago

never again. the food was tasteless, the view nondescript, the windows dirty and the service unnecessarily rude.

Doesn't Recommend

Bill_C

Joined 11 years ago

There is a nice view, but .... There is a nice view, but the food is pretty bad. If you want to pay for fancy artifificial decor, a view, and poor food this is your place.

Recommends

gables

Joined 11 years ago

Great Restaurant. My boyfriend and I were searching up and down China town for a good restaurant. Up and down all looked dissapointing. When we saw the Empress front entrance we thought we would give it a whirl. we were both shocked and pleasantly surprised with the ambieance. We ordered our food and sat next to each other facing the ocean. The food is served on beautiful silver trays and serving pots. The food tasted great and was served hot with seconds at the table. I would return. I hear the peking duck is to die for!