Epic Roasthouse

06/09/2008 Posted by pinays

this steakhouse on the bay has beautiful views of the bay bridge and the san francisco sky line. the big windows on all the walls ensure that diners have something pleasant to look at. the ambiance was definitely leaning towards the romantic although groups can enjoy the same without any "romantic pressures" at the upstairs bar called quiver lounge, where it was loud and crowded but still blessed with the same views. word of warning, it was really dark in the restaurant and i could barely see the menu. but the darkness was necessary to truly enjoy the night views. the service here was fantastic -- at least after waiting 20-30 minutes even though you had a reservation. that being said, the staff was apologetic. once we were seated (at a perfect corner location with perfect views no matter which seat you take at the table), we were attended by an attentive wait staff who gave honest recommendations. i started off with the squid salad with chilies, beans and tomato confit. the ingredients tasted fresh and crunchy and the squid was tasty. for my entree, i had the pork porterhouse with coffee bean sauce. i thought the sauce was too rich but that the pork was definitely yummylicious. there was a nice fat cap, which in the dark, could surprise you. but, the meat next to the fat cap was rich and delicious. i tried my friend's pork belly risotto. the pork belly was definitely very fatty but the crunchiness was perfect. the server warned us about the fat cap though so that was fully disclosed. for the sides, we tried the truffled whipped potatoes (rich and creamy), sauteed spinach (great), grilled garlic brocollini (great) and mac and cheese (crunchy on top, creamy below). we also tasted a medley of dessert - a chocolate cookie, an oatmeal cookie, i think a cinnamon cookie and a peanut butter fudge, which was so sinfully good. this place was great.

03/20/2008 Posted by GaetanoSF

Another Kuleto extravaganza - overdone restaurant and bar, expensive and mediocre food, sketchy service. It took over an hour for our entrees to arrive after our salads. The meat was cold and overdone. There are no sides included with the entrees, they must be ordered separately at ten bucks a pop. My side of broccolini was limp and tasteless. We didn't bother to stay for dessert, couldn't wait to get out of there. Has there ever been a Kuleto restaurant that has made the top 100 restaurant list in the bay area? Nice location but don't waste your money. Wait for a better owner/chef to take over.

Pros: NIce view and location

Cons: everything else

03/11/2008 Posted by cbunyea

obviously, if people are going to be upset about a doller upcharge on their bill for employee healthcare, they are cheap bast*rds who DO care about saving A DOLLAR! and obviously, never worked in the service industry. Thanks to all restaurants who are responsible enough to take care of their staff, its a rare occasion.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

03/05/2008 Posted by dtw

After being so excited to try Epic, we had a truly interesting experience. Initially myself and my wife sat at the bar upstairs for a cocktail and presumably charcuterie before dinner. We were certainly judged by the bartender's standards of our worthiness and deemed unworthy by appearance alone so we were not able to enjoy either at the bar. When another bartender suggested to our bartender that we may want to take a look at a menu our bartender did oblige. Moving to a bar table for dinner, our charcuterie was delicious, the whole fish was prepared impeccably well and de-boned impressively table-side and the duck's temperature was perfect. Our server's missing knowledge was humorous and certainly did not support the tone that was used to describe the menu. Awkwardly, the wine director's stocking of wine over my wife's shoulder seemed unnecessary at the time as we typically go out to dinner to relax. Nevertheless, the restaurant is worth trying. By the way, kudos to Epic for the 4% surcharge for healthcare. I hope that all restaurants and other businesses continue to bring to light to the consumer, how businesses are being penalized and repeatedly bare the burden of an entire city's mission.

Pros: Beautiful Bay Bridge views

Cons: Weak Service

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

03/05/2008 Posted by diner123456

One would think a steakhouse would know how to cook a steak--no so at Epic. A steak ordered rare was way overcooked and the quality of this $46 New York strip was mediocre, at best. The mashed potatoes tasted like those fake potato buds (I'm not kidding) and were so salty they were practically inedible. Three varieties of bread were offered--one was fine--the others terrible--and this from someone who loves bread. The lag time between ordering and our salads coming out was at least 45 mins (why, we don't know); and again the wait between salads and entrees, endless. We were so anxious to leave (after 3 hours!) we skipped dessert. Don't go. Spend your money elsewhere--even if it is an expense account dinner--the food is so bad--and the service non-existent, it's not worth your time.

Pros: Views of the bay

Cons: food, price, service

02/23/2008 Posted by Matt9910

I recently had a great meal here. Wonderful Filet, started with the baked oysters finished with a wonderful dessert. When I got the bill I was a bit taken back by a service charge to provide the employees with Healthcare. Don't get me wrong, I am all about providing healthcare to your employees, but with two multimillion dollar restaurants side by side I think this is something the owners should do on their own. If the owners cannot afford it then make my steak $44 instead of $43. Do you really think that people dining here cannot afford another dollar on each menu item. This would have made it a nonissue and wouldn't look as if the owners are nickel and diming their patrons. All in all it was a good meal. I just thought the service charge was a bit bizarre. They have the same service charge at Waterbar as well. I think it is 7% on top of the bill.

02/11/2008 Posted by fillerupfun

Recently ate at Epic and it was great - my husband and I had the oysters (baked), had the rib-eye for two and we each ordered a dessert - he, the apple tart/crisp and I, the chocolate souffle. Everything was fantastic and great tasting... when we were served our main course, we dove into it and polished it off quickly. The rib eye comes with horseradish dressing (on the side of the plate) as well as this oh so tasty wine reduction to put on the meat. Wow - it was so good! Even though we were stuffed, when the dessert menu came along, we decided to indulge. The location is great - and if you arrive early head to the upstairs bar (Quiver) for a cocktail, the view is great up there. We can't wait to visit Epic again!

Pros: spacious restaurant, expansive wine list, excellent meat, great service & smiles from all at Epic

Cons: none!