Elite Cafe

04/02/2008 Posted by jasregadoo

This is a hard review, because I LOVED the Elite Cafe that I knew when I lived in SF from '87 - '94. This is the restaurant that I intended to visit on Oct 17, 1989, but the earthquake got in our way. We tried a wine at the oyster bar that we loved so much, we went to find the winery, and got a tour from the owner. So we're biased, clearly. I should also say that I've never eaten at the Meetinghouse. I used to live right around the corner from that location, but it was another restaurant at that time. So, last time I went to Elite Cafe, I was in for a shock. The beloved oyster bar was gone, the waitress expected me to gush and be excited about the chef coming from The Meetinghouse, and my beloved Shrimp Etouffee was missing from the menu. I was heartbroken. To be fair, though, the food that we ordered was VERY tasty, the service was very good (though I thought it annoying that they had to remind me that she was from the Meetinghouse...I clearly didn't care, and had never been there.) I've looked online here, and seen comments from the restaurant, which really impresses me. The fact that they are that interested in their customers is GREAT. I would go back in a heartbeat and give it another shot if the etouffee were back on the menu. Seriously, I love that dish, and I haven't found another place around here to order it.

Pros: Love the ambiance, and the ribs.

Cons: Miss the etoufee. Desperately. Take your time to get it right, then put it on the menu.

02/25/2008 Posted by mrsmitchell

The Elite Cafe has a very special place in our heart. We have been coming here since moving to San Francisco. The last few years, until you did your remodel, everything was starting to slip a little and we stopped coming as often. But now our favorite spot is better than we can ever remember. We love the addition of the biscuits from your old restaurant the Meeting Place (we miss it, too). Your servers, hosts, bartenders, and your managers are all very sweet and kind. Always helpful to get us a quiter table; your place can get a tiny bit loud at times. Thank you for adding Saturday brunch, it is much easier for us to join you and not as crowded. Congratulations and thank you for keeping Fillmore Street very special and unique. See you soon :-)

Pros: NICEST service, valet parking, brunch both days, biscuits!

Cons: a little noisy, have to wait sometimes for a table

02/25/2008 Posted by nbrenner

First went to The Elite while in college, late 80's - now the place is even better. They keep adding stuff: outside seating, valet parking, brunch on Saturday AND Sunday. Food is more flavorful & less heavy. Service was great, even when they were insanely busy on Sunday brunch. Sit outside under the heat lamps and you will be so toasty unless you have 40mph winds blowing. Very attentive service, just added awesome list of half bottles of wine; was perfect for valentine's night dinner. You can buy the insanely flaky biscuits to take home and bake up fresh - they are awesome and just as good at home as at the cafe. Also, they serve the smoothest, richest coffee; perfect with the beignets at brunch. I love this place!! You will too!!

02/23/2008 Posted by foody27

I live a few blocks away from The Elite and feel very lucky for the close proximity. The food is amazing (I always start with the cajun shrimp and biscuits)! The decor / ambience is so charming, you'll feel like you've walked into another era. The private booths are totally great for an intimate dinner, but I also love to hang out at the beautiful bar for drinks and apps. I usually find that a restaurant is either good for dinner OR brunch, but not both. The Elite is certainly the exception. We love coming here on a Sunday for bloody Mary's and eggs (don't miss the beignets either!). Be prepared to wait for a table, but it's definitely worth it. You could also be smarter than me and make a reservation ahead of time! Overall, a great restaurant. I hope never to live out of walking distance!

Pros: Deviled eggs, great food, service, and ambience

Cons: parking is not always the easiest, but they do have valet

02/12/2008 Posted by robynbjones

I would strongly advise you not to visit Elite cafe until they clean up their act. Let me preface this with the fact that I have eaten at Elite Cafe twice and both times I have thought that the food was pretty great, definitely something unique from what you typicly find at other SF (or Californian for that matter) restaurants. I have even recommended this restaurant to several other people...however, based on this new information I will NEVER go there again. I am VERY concerned to find that Elite's San Francisco Department of Public Health Inspection score is a 66 out of 100! Elite was inspected at 12/7/07 was penalized for many things including "VERMIN - Rodents/Roaches/Flies" and "Inadequate/Inaccessible handwashing facilities & supplies." That is disgusting! And I just ate there in January, i think I need to go and wash my mouth out with soap. Since discovering the health inspection website I have looked up many of my favorite spots in SF and I was SHOCKED to see that Elite has such poor ratings. Nothing else I have seen on the site even approaches Elite's low score (the next lowest score I found was 80 at Bistro Burger on Drumm st). I looked up the doggiest spots I could think of, and nothing compares. If you decide to visit Elite despite this information, just know what your getting yourself into. At least most of their food is cooked throughly (i.e. not sushi). This is a sad day for me as I will be saying goodbye to those tasty biscuits forever. If interested in reviewing this or other restaurant DPH scores, there is a link to the DPH website in the SF Gate article published 1.31.07 titled "Kitchen (not so) confidential". (To locate the article, google "Kitchen (not so) confidential" and then at the DPH site search for The Elite Cafe)

Pros: Delicious Food

Cons: You may be risking your health

07/05/2007 Posted by sfbikedog

After a delicious New Year's eve dinner that included exemplary service, I decided it was time to visit the Elite again. My partner and I dropped in without a reservation early one Saturday evening recently. Hoping only to score a seat at the bar, I was delighted by the solicitous attention that hostess used to get us a table. We were, after all, unannounced on what was clearly an extraordinarily busy evening. No attitude up at the front door -it was clear the staff did not consider us an intrusion. Again, this visit was characterized by sophisticated food and impeccable service. Our waitress was savvy and warm. Food tempature is important to me, and imagine my delight at being served a meal that was neither barely warm nor scorching hot. Clearly, our meals were ready in concert and served immediately. Two friends are visiting from New York city and I decided to take them to the Elite. When I mentioned this to a friend who is there all the time, my impressions were confirmed-with one exception. I learned there are cameras throughout the dining room. I clearly do not remember seeing any signs nor do I remember reading about it in the italicized notes at the bottom of the menu. Why, then, are there cameras in a dining room? Whatever for? What kind of ambiance is that? Really, it feels plain stupid. Why am I being watched? Are they for loss prevention? If the staff can't be trusted, do I really want to be giving them my credit card? If I did not know about the cameras, what else do I not know about? Dropped catfish on the floor that is put on a plate? Really, my only reaction is to groan. I'm undecided as to whether i will go back.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

05/03/2007 Posted by alansuss

Sit at the bar and watch the magic. If you have any concerns, see Peter and he will make it right. "My Saterday would not be complete without Brunch at the Elite."

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

02/21/2007 Posted by adam_l_bennett

I went with my girlfriend on Mardi Gras. Total bill (Including wine) was $200. The food was cooked to perfection, we ate the Kobe Sirloin and the Blue nose Bass. We also had Benigets for dessert which reminded me of good times in the Frech Quater. Overall the atmosphere was low key with good smooth music with romance floating through the air. Advice: Make a reservation, and if you're going for romace make sure you get a booth which (In classic New Orleans Style) is great for quiet conversations.

Pros: Great food, good atmosphere, good service

Cons: A bit too loud for my taste

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

12/21/2006 Posted by mia1712

The brunch here since this place reopened its doors a few months ago is to die for. I have brought and continue to re-bring friends as often as I can. The bloody Marys are spicey and delicious, the freshly baked doughnut holes are a nice litte treat, the deviled eggs, the omelettes, sandwhiches, bring it on! Even after I have gone enough times to try everything, I will still keep comin' back!

12/07/2006 Posted by cmsdanielsan

I have to say... The Worst service in the city. Servers made me feel like I was imposing the whole nite. Food was average at best. Way too expensive for average quality. Again... worst service I have ever encountered. Nice location... just too bad it had to be wasted on this place. Please don't wast your time and money. You'll get better service next door at La Salsa. I will never come back here! Management needs to work on service...

Pros: location

Cons: service, service, service