Tourists and locals alike enjoy this unique dining experience at the city's only floating-island restaurant.

by Chelsea Sime

Long regarded as a premier location for first dates and romantic anniversaries, the restaurant has proven itself as a favorite for all types of special occasions. Built in 1975 as a floating home for Forbes Kiddoo, the man-made island features an underwater bar, dining rooms with spectacular views of the Bay, a lighthouse and a sandy beach. And while the broccoli and shitake mushroom puff and filet mignon are classic upscale fare, it's the experience that keeps people talking.

06/23/08

Tourist Trap

by pardner

Having lived in San Francisco for 30 years I had never heard of the place. We had friends who had read about it in Sunset Magazine and were visiting from out of town and wanted to go. Food mediocre at best and I found the "captain" a bit quirky and not in a good way...too much patter on the short pontoon boat ride over about himself instead of the City. Take the ferry to Tiburon and eat there. WAY too expensive..we could have eaten at a four star restaurant for what we paid. Beware.

05/27/08

Don't even bother

by daisy214

I want to start by saying that I am not from San Francisco. I am from Illinois and was getting married in San Francisco. This was a very small wedding so I wanted to go somewhere special. After searching through review after review I thought that Forbes Island sounded like a wonderful place to have my wedding meal. Four months in advance I booked the reservation and asked for a private room. I was told that was all I needed to do. I talked to Pierre several times during the next four months to ensure that everything would go smoothly. Three days before my wedding Pierre called me and told me that another party of people wanted to book the room I was in and they had six more people than my party did. I was told that I was losing money for Forbes Island by not inviting more people to my wedding. He then told me that I needed to come up with $500 on a credit card within the hour, otherwise our reservations would be canceled. I found them to be highly unprofessional and I can't believe that they would spring that on me three days before my wedding. He coldly canceled our reservations via text message and would not answer his phone after he called me. I would not recommend this place to anybody.

04/28/08

Great Place for a Birthday dinner or on a date!

by KAY310

I was taken there for my birthday and thought it was great its small and loks very nice the food was great!!!

Everyone who celebrated with me loved the food. The service was also top!...I would definetly go there again! Try it!!!

• Pros: All of it is a Pro!

05/06/07

Creative B-Day Party Place

by madi_mac

A group of girls went there for a birthday party and we had a great time. The sunset from the lighthouse was wonderful. Forbes himself shuttled us to the "island." He was very chatty and personable. We peppered him with questions about the "island."

The service was good. My water glass was always full. We were all runners so keeping the water glasses full can be quite a challenge. I had the filet mignon and it was so tender I didn't need to chew. The purple potatoes were cool. The puff is a must for broccoli fans. We brought our own b-day cake so we didn't get any of their desserts.

The fire place added wonderfully to the setting. I initially was a little worried about the rocking but I didn't notice it soon after sitting down. It was a clear night and the bay wasn't choppy.

I recommend this place, even for girls (15-20).

09/22/06

Very unique

by audreyjl

I read a review in the newspaper about this being a hidden jem. It sounded interesting and it definitely was. You take a boat out to the restaurant and it really looks like you're on a little private island. We sat in a dining part above water, but you can go below and eat by a window and look out at the fish under water which is very neat. The food was great and they had a nice wine list. Probably won't be returning, but it was a fun meal, a little pricey though to basically be eating on a house boat.

• Pros: unique - good steak
• Cons: if you get sea sick - don't do it!

06/20/05

User review by suprteck

by suprteck

I was a bit skeptical after reading some of the reviews, but to my surprise i'm glad i tried this place out. I must admit the rocking of the waves started to get to me by the time the dessert came but overall it was ok. The food was great! The filet mignon was excellent! Actually all of the dishes I ordered were very good. The price is kind of high but for that special occasion I recommend it.

09/29/04

Forget it! Another Lousy Gimmick

by cutting

Once is enough, but I was dumb enough to go twice. Second time, I organized a small group of friends visiting from across the nation. Don't know why, but Mr. Forbes stubbornly turned away members of my group at the dock saying that neither I nor my reservation were there despite my having reminded him standing there. Same to people that called on their way. I just couldn't figure him out. His partner at the bar was just as indifferent, so it had to be intentional. Mediocre food, think frozen upscale Marie Callendar's and you've got it right. Amateuristic. Sauces and presentation lacked any semblence of flair or imagination. I really wanted to like this place, but it's exactly what everyone says...just another lousy gimmick restaurant at the wharf. Some island...it's a barge. Anywhere else and it would be gone first week. Forget it. Warning: Cellphones don't work here.

• Pros: Novelty
• Cons: , Amateuristic Service

02/22/04

Island Dining

by harddriv

Had dinner there last Wednesday. Arrived very late but Pierre was gracious and accomomdated us without hesitation. Mr. Forbes came to pick us up at the dock with the ferry and gave us a tour of the island.

The dining room was well decorated and the staff was very nice. We started with the ceasar salad and a mushroom/goat cheese appetizer. Both were excellent. The entrees were equally good. I had the Duck Confit while my date for the evening had the Corriander Crusted Ahi Tuna. She claimed this was the best piece of fish she had ever tasted.

The trio of creme brulees was an excellent end to the meal. The wine list was limited but very adequate for the meal. We were able to meet the chef who was willing to share his cooking secrets.

You must try this place the next time you are near Fisherman's Wharf.

• Pros: Cuisine, Service

10/21/03

Memorable Dinning

by aka

I was prepared for a ho-hum dinning experience, given the novelty of the setting, but our food was stupendous. The steak was so tasty (better than Boulevard!), and the fish was scrumptious. The flourless chocolate cake, which shows up on so many boring American bistro menus, was the BEST I have had at any restaurant in San Francisco. Yes, the ambience is a bit ridiculous (maritme kitsch), but we took in the spirit of the tikki bar upstairs--it was all fun. The staff wasn't all that expert, but warmed by the great food we were eating, it was easy to overlook their inexperince.

Definitely memorable, and we will return when a special occasion merits a memorable dinning experience.

• Pros: Unique setting, Delicious food