Delfina Restaurant

(415) 552-4055

3621 18th St
San Francisco, CA 94110 37.7616 -122.4242

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Neighborhoods: Mission Dolores (Hub, Mid-Market), Central, Mission Dolores

DELFINASF.COM

Years in business

Established in 1998

Price:

$$$

Last updated 6.20.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Cash, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

People Watching, Local Favorite, Celeb Hangout, Notable Wine List

Cuisine:

Italian

What People Are Saying About Delfina Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Yellow walls, skillfully placed mirrors, squeezed-together tables and an outdoor patio add up to a warm and buzz-happy experience. The crowd is typical for the neighborhood--youngish technocrats and Internet types--but there's always a healthy smattering of older couples and artsy folks. Walk-in seats are available at the counter facing the wine bar, but your best bet is to call for a reservation well in advance. – – The Food – Insalata del campo--a salty-sharp, irrestistible combo of bitter greens, toasted walnuts, crispy pancetta bits and Parmesan…

Editor's Tips

Parking:
Parking is available at 18th and Valencia and is $8 flat for up to four hours.
Know Before You Go:
The wine list features a short but savvy selection. Try Quintarelli Bianco Secco by the glass or a bottle of Schiopetto sauvignon blanc Collio.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/22/09

i rediscovered takeout

by arisalomon at Citysearch

well it's been a while since i went here and i keep missing my chance because i can't get a reservation. so it finally downed on us that we can get takeout and it was great. it's true that the fries were packed with the steak and so got soggy and the boxes were too big for the portions. also they didn't have a big bag that i could carry my big meal home in.

but these are small issues and the staff has always been great when i've been there.

  • Pros: great food
  • Cons: too loud
1 Star Rating: Poor

07/17/08

Disappointed

by SaraLibre at Citysearch

I had no problem with them adding a healthcare surcharge onto my bill, because I think everyone should have health insurance. I was shocked to find out later that even though they gave out a card saying they're proud to be giving their employees health coverage, they're actually suing the city over it. I hate to think that they are using my money to take away people's health care .

2 Star Rating: Below Average

11/12/07

This place is popular among non-foodies .

by phields at Citysearch

We gave this place a second chance after 7 years hoping it was going to be better than the first experience. However, they were true to their very average food and lack of ambience.

Menu is simplistic, unoriginal and quite boring. Nothing stood out. I had stuff I could have made at home.

We have often wondered why this place is so popular but realized that it's a place that people who don't know that much about food or want to cook go to. It's a neighborhood hang out and just very plain.

There are plenty of other great places to dine so no need to repeat ourselves by going back.

  • Pros: Wait staff was very friendly and accommodating.
  • Cons: Food was below average and there was no ambience. Just a very crowded and noisy place.
1 Star Rating: Poor

10/18/07

heard the food was great,went to have dinner.ended up walking out!

by misslove at Citysearch

We found parking very difficult in the area and had to walk several blocks to eat here-recomendations said worth it.

the restaurant was not busy we were seated right away and ignored for nearly twenty minutes.When I stood up for acknowledgement ,I was shot a nasty glare from a waitstaff person and again ignored,so we left.I returned a few minutes later to grab a hat that I had left behind in my haste to leave(having been offended)

I received no concern from the staff whatsoever,much less an apology.There was no verbal exchange from the minute we walked in.I found that very unwelcoming and unfriendly.

I called later that evening and talked to a manager Anthony,who in turn offered no condolences nor apology.So this is Delfina.I will not recommend it.

  • Pros: the food must be worth all the fuss.certainly a cavalier attitude among staff.
  • Cons: no parking
1 Star Rating: Poor

10/08/07

Sadly Disappointing

by nelson11 at Citysearch

The food and the service were just awful. We're regulars at Delfina and have, unfortunately, seen both the food and service deteriorate over the last couple of years. What used to be a fabulous restaurant (deserved of all the reviews) has now just lost itself. We ordered take-out and the meal was just a mess. The salad was beyond overdressed (with slops of liquid pouring out of the bottom of the container) leaving the salad limp and soggy. And the steak (although itself good) was thrown into the same container as the french fries leaving the fries an uneatable, mushy mess. We called the restaurant just to give them a friendly heads up so they could know what was going on in their kitchen and the manager, Anne, could care less about how our meal turned out. Her response? A disingenous "sorry" for the salad and its your fault for not requesting the french fries be separated from all the au jus of the steak. It really is just so sad. With all the crowds and staff turn over, something's happened to leave the restaurant just a high-volume, revolving door with sub-par food and service.

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