Best Restaurants with a Tasting Menu in Financial District / Embarcadero

I've been looking forward to "coming back" since I heard about Empress by Boon! I grew up going to the Empress of China for countless weddings, red egg & ginger parties, birthday parties, fundraisers, etc. I even shook Mrs. Barbara Bush's hand in front of the restaurant as she got out of her vehicle to attend a Republican event. So many precious memories at this land mark. It's so exciting to see how Empress by Boon has transformed it into its own special modern style while preserving some of the images of the past. It's beautiful; helps us natives to appreciate what we have in the City. The food portions are just right, & the tastes are so unique & fulfilling! This gives me a good excuse to treat my loved one down a trip on memory lane in addition to sharing a new experience! Thank you for re-creating this special place for all of us to enjoy!

Roka Akor is the perfect spot for a girls night! The food was delicious and we loved the ambiance. Highlights were spicy salmon tartare crispy rice, wagyu tartare, miso black cod, bone marrow with sirloin. The chocolate lava cake is a must!

Came here for anniversary lunch on a rainy day in SF. We loved the vibe from the get go. Service was on point with good recommendations on wine options. Burrata appetizer was very nice! We followed it triangular pasta and roast chicken. Make sure to get reservations as the place gets packed quickly. Overall great experience! Good options for vegetarian wife and decently priced for dates!

Prelude is such a gem that we are lucky to have in the Bay Area. In an era where tasting menus can often leave you underwhelmed and needing a slice of pizza at the end, Prelude did the exact opposite. While I did opt for the caviar supplement and added on the sweetbreads dish from the ala carte menu, even without the extras I still would have left full to the brim. Some can’t miss dishes are the stuffed chicken wing, the catfish dumplings, the aforementioned sweetbreads, and the pork chop. The service was warm, friendly, and attentive, and I found the by the glass wine options superb- I was particularly fond of a pour of a very special 1996 Chenin Blanc with dessert. I look forward to returning to Prelude again and again.

The tasting menu at Trestle is simple and excellent. The pricing of it is a great value. We really appreciated the service charge and Healthy SF fees listed up front. The service is really excellent. What a treat and a great bargain as well.