Garibaldi's Restaurant

Recommends

Catherine Parker

Joined 5 years ago

Tucked away in quiet Laurel Heights, low-key Garibaldi's serves simple, unfussy Californian food that changes daily according to seasonal availability.. As the older of the two Garibaldi's in the Bay Area, the original venue is tucked away in the quiet streets of Laurel Heights, and gives the impression of being the smaller, low-key older brother. The restaurant's simple decor of low lighting, wooden furniture, and starched white tablecloths gives it a black-slate-like quality that makes it equally suited to an after-work cocktail, business lunch or romantic date spot. Aside from the main dining room, the bar becomes a scene in its own right around happy hour. As with the décor, the food is simple and unfussy, and changes daily according to what's available at local farmer's markets. In addition to the regular à la carte menu of seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes, the monthly prix fixe menu features seasonal highlights, and is best enjoyed with the accompanying wine pairing menu.

High Marks
"Warm, friendly staff greeted us, great bartender mixed us some unique drinks and the food and service were really right on." (boblouis, Citysearch user)

"Great place for a fancy date with someone you're trying to impress." (antionette_29, Citysearch user)

"The chef tantalizes diners with a unique menu that tantilizes even the most sophisticated palate. We tried the carrot-orange soup, their very special chicken dish, and the most incredible lamb I have ever tasted." (renee_beltranena, Citysearch user)

Low Marks
"While fairly priced, California-focused wine list could be expanded to include more diverse selections..." (cjglynn, Citysearch user)

"...the tables are very close together and the noise level is high..." (foodie8, Citysearch user)

Recommends

boblouis

Joined 5 years ago

Garibladis is doing it right!. We had such a great time at his restaurant from beginning to end. Warm, friendly staff greeted us, great bartender mixed us some unique drinks and the food and service were really right on. It's upscale but not fine dining stuffy which I enjoy. Gotta try the lamb and the server took such great care of us.

Recommends

zabss

Joined 9 years ago

nice ambiance, good food. quite and warm ambiance, great serrvice, good average food and average prices. My favorite is still Bacco or Magic Flaute

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goldenbear92

Joined 6 years ago

Disappointing Evening. Several months ago my wife & a friend went here for a special occasion. The evening resulted in one of my worst overall dining experiences & wrote an email to the manager. He replied, apologized & hoped we would return in the future. The response was appreciated but I'm amazed that he didn't do anything else to entice our return (free appetizer, etc.). The food was good except for a burned dessert but I doubt we'll ever go back.

Our discontent started when our waiter brought a bottle of water & poured it in my glass. My wife alerted the waiter that the glass was dirty with old lipstick stains. The waiter went to a nearby empty table, picked up a glass & asked if it was OK to dump the water from the dirty glass into the clean one. While I was in shock my wife stuttered "OK" & the waiter did as he had suggested. I realize my wife gave him the go-ahead but I am still stunned that he made the suggestion & followed through on keeping the water from the dirty glass rather than offering to get us a new bottle of water.

After ordering our meals & a bottle of wine, I went to use the bathroom. After washing my hands I discovered the paper towel dispenser was empty so I used toilet paper, which got a bit messy. After returning to my table, the next time the waiter stopped by I let him know about the lack of paper towels & he apologized & mentioned "that shouldn't happen." More than 2 hours later, at the end of our meal, my wife used the bathroom & when she came back she said she'd used the same restroom & that it was still out of paper towels & also had to use toilet paper to dry her hands. Apparently nobody refilled the towels or didn't put enough in the bathroom.

During our meal, I was a bit disappointed with the attentiveness of the staff. After initially filling the glasses with wine, nobody every came by again to refill our glasses. Obviously, I'm capable of filling the wine glasses at the table but I've come to expect better service at nice restaurants.

Recommends

greybear

Joined 7 years ago

Delightful Evening. We were seated promptly. Our waiter Carlos was superb. He made an excellent meal an event to remember. The food was very well presented and cooked to perfection

The entire meal from appetizer to dessert was excellent and the efficient service made it all the more enjoyable. The small things that count, refilling glasses promptly, taking finished dishes away and the nice touch - Carlos took my valet parking ticket and had the car waiting for us when we left. Except for two braying hyenas sitting at the next table, for which the restaurant cannot be held responsible, we had a very delightful dining experience.

Doesn't Recommend

umbertoeco

Joined 7 years ago

Average Food - Arrogant Service. My wife and I were celebrating our 5th anniversary and decided to give this restaurant a try. Even though we were the first customers to arrive at the restaurant, we were seated at the very last table in the back, near the bathroom/storage area. Needless to to say we requested to be moved but were given the once-over before being moved. While we were clearly not from the neighborhood, we are two young professionals and were dressed appropriately for the occasion. We have eaten at restaurants all over the city from lowly taquerias to 5 star restaurants and never have we encountered such arrogant service.

Recommends

lv75052

Joined 8 years ago

Incredible. A friend who visits San Francisco regularly recommended this restaurant, it was the highlight of our dining experience! The staff was very accomodating, atmosphere good, and the food terrific. Recommend the Massachussets Day Scallops or the lamb. Well worth the time & money. Dinner for two + bottle wine $140.

Recommends

critic1010

Joined 9 years ago

Consistantly Good. Garibaldis has been around for years and every time I go, the food is well above average. They have a full bar with fun pre-dinner cocktails. They also have an extensive, well priced wine list. I always try and order different items off the menu when I go, but the meals that stand out are their chicken dishes and burgers. They also have an amazing Cesar salad. It's a little loud...not too bad though. Just livens the meal up!

Recommends

antoinette_29

Joined 8 years ago

Great atmosphere. Great place for a fancy date with someone you're trying to impress.

Recommends

foodie8

Joined 8 years ago

GREAT experience!!. From the minute we walked in the door, we were greeted by a very friendly and accomodating staff. We were right on time for our reservation but asked if we could have a drink at the bar first. Absolutely, was the reply. The bar is very cozy and the drinks were delicious. The wine list was excellent. After we finished our cocktails, we were escorted to our table. Though the tables are very close together and the noise level is high, the atmosphere is lively and comfortable overall. The server took her time to tell us about the menu and explain some of the house specialties. We took her recommendations and had the anti pasta plate, followered by the chicken milanese and mediterranean lamb. Both exceptional. The generous entree portions led us to share a chocolate boudino for dessert. Again, delicious. I will definelty be back very soon.