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Prelude, San Francisco, CA

Prelude

4.6
4.6
28 Reviews
$31 to $50
Californian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 8 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
  • Charming
Prelude is a restaurant that is reimagining Southern cuisine. As a team, we will produce and serve nostalgic Americana food and drink, inspired by the Bay Area. We will be using some of the best produce in the world, combining modern high-level cooking techniques and recipes passed down through the generations of our Chef Celtin Hendrickson-Jones maternal family. Our offerings will be available in two menu formats: a multi course pre-fixe menu with options for guests to handpick their dining experience, and “salon menu” featuring quick bites to larger plates, all ordered at the guest's discretion.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Regional American (Southern)
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Bar Tue–Sat 4:00 pm–5:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (415) 375-8041
  • Website
    http://www.preludesf.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Celtin Hendrickson-Jones
  • Location
    333 Battery St, San Francisco, CA 94111-3234
  • Neighbourhood
    Financial District / Embarcadero
  • Cross Street
    The conner of Clay and Battery on the ground floor of The Jay Hotel
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Private Room, Wine

Experiences

  • Tasting Menu

    US$140.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Join Chef Celtin for an unforgettable experience that evokes the warmth of Sunday suppers through an ever-evolving menu, celebrating seasonal produce and nostalgic dishes. Please note that due to our culinary process, we are unable to accommodate vegan or vegetarian options.

  • NYE 5 Course Tasting

    US$155.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Ring in the New Year with a Luxurious Culinary Journey This New Year’s Eve, indulge in an unforgettable dining experience with our exclusive five-course tasting menu, thoughtfully curated by our Executive Chef. Featuring the finest seasonal ingredients and elevated touches, each dish is crafted to delight the senses and elevate your celebration. Join us for a night of extraordinary food, exquisite wine pairings, and unforgettable memories—an unforgettable way to welcome 2025 in style.

  • NYE 8 Course Tasting

    US$195.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Ring in the New Year with a Luxurious Culinary Journey This New Year’s Eve, indulge in an unforgettable dining experience with our exclusive eight-course tasting menu, thoughtfully curated by our Executive Chef. Featuring the finest seasonal ingredients and elevated touches, each dish is crafted to delight the senses and elevate your celebration. Join us for a night of extraordinary food, exquisite wine pairings, and unforgettable memories—an unforgettable way to welcome 2025 in style.

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 28 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Prelude is a standout destination for fine dining, offering "exceptional food, service, and ambiance" with dishes like deviled eggs and duck as must-tries. Diners praise the "super friendly staff" and innovative Southern fare. Its welcoming atmosphere and unique flavor combinations make it a "wonderful experience" worthy of frequent visits.

28 Reviews

  1. Erin

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    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.

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  2. Brian

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Greta spot with really great people who seem to enjoy doing what they do. Keep it up!

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  3. Denise

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a perfect evening. The chef's menu was so creative, delicious and fun. We enjoyed the cocktails, and unique. Beautiful and cozy restaurant.

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  4. Jim

    Phoenix

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 3, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Disappointing experience from the food to the service. Just not my type of restaurant.

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  5. Virginia

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 31, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner! It’s a wonderful experience to dine there because the staff was friendly and helpful when choosing from the menu.

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  6. Nefertari

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nice ambience, a good after work dinner spot. Food was tasty, not outstanding though. Salad with goat cheese was delicious. Great service.

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  7. andrew

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    come for the dumplings, stay for the other sides, and for the fantastic service and the specials. however: not crazy about the bowl of grits or the ambrosia desert; fun ideas, but.... don't fully transcend or escape.

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  8. Carlos

    San Francisco

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on October 25, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It is a novel, fun, and expertly executed fine dining experience. The food was delicious and inventive - something about southern fare helped keep the pretense at bay…in the best ways. Can’t wait until my return.

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  9. Michael

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 24, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    From the moment we arrived and were greeted by an enchanting hostess to the presentation of the check, there was not one imperfection. It is clear, the carefully honed staff was well choreographed to ensure a memorable dining experience.

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  10. Allison

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 19, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Unfortunately, despite fabulous service it was a miss for me.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Prelude is rated 4.6 stars by 28 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 8 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Prelude

333 Battery St, San Francisco, CA 94111-3234

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    The conner of Clay and Battery on the ground floor of The Jay Hotel
  • Neighbourhood
    Financial District / Embarcadero
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Bar Tue–Sat 4:00 pm–5:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Regional American (Southern)
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Celtin Hendrickson-Jones
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Private Room, Wine
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