The Empress by Boon

Review summary

1. Z

   Zachary

   San Francisco1 review

   2.0

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   Been here 4 times and the food has gotten really bad. Most things came out lukewarm and nothing tasted particularly good except the veggie spring roll, which I strongly suspect came out of the freezer. Service was meh, cocktail program was decent, views were spectacular. For how outrageously expensive it is, doesn’t really seem worth it. I certainly won’t be going back for food soon.
   

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2. S

   Sarah

   San Francisco5 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   Delicious food and wonderful staff! We loved the view, the experience, and the meal was just enough without being too much. Fun cocktails and we added the crispy duck. A must!
   

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3. P

   Peter VIP

   San Francisco23 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 2, 2025

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

   Bst Chinese Restaurant in the ity Much better than Mr Jiu's on so many levels The food is fresh and vibrant The staff is polite ad attentive The Chef is personable and very accommodating it will become a regular for us
   

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco8 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on March 2, 2025

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

   So disappointing. I can’t believe I spent $600 here on three people for average Chinese food also the place looks worn . Wait staff not very knowledgeable.
   

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5. J

   Jaimen

   Unspecified1 review

   2.0

   Dined on February 23, 2025

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

   Very Noisy, could barely hear my fiancé. I was literally sandwiched between large parties at the end of a bench. I was disappointed since not only was it loud but as a couple I didn’t even get to experience the views as seen in the photos online. I felt like I was just put wherever my table would fit since I was only a two party table. As an SF native I’ve definitely had better Chinese cuisine especially for the price tag. Most of the plates were nothing special to me except the last plate was delicious. I believe it was tenderloin, veggies and noodles. One of the desserts was also delicious, the one with a sorbet, fruit and I believe tapioca. The service was excellent though from being greeted downstairs at the elevator to the servers to the person who had gave us our coats back at the end of the night. All the people were very pleasant and polite.
   

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6. T

   Tony

   San Francisco1 review

   4.0

   Dined on February 22, 2025

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

   This was a really great experience, a place to dine rather than just eat. I was somehow recognized upon check-in at the host stand, called by name before I could even say hello. The manager who greeted me out of the elevator up said "welcome Chef", which made it very clear they had at least googled my name or my profile. The level of detail was excellent. I wish the space was more full, 8 pm on a Friday the bar had two patrons at it, no one in the front lounge area, and 1/3 of the tables were empty... this was an experience that deserved to have more people enjoying it! (not sure how people are supposed to do a bar / lounge though if the only menu is price fix, but I digress). Standout dishes were the Prawn with Crispy Nori "Taco", the Dumpling Trio (especially loved the texture of the pumpkin dumpling), and the Noodles on the main course. The steamed Halibut was a bit over and flavors were meh. The added Crispy Skin Peking Duck supplement ($50) was room temperature / slightly cool to the bite, and it would have 1000X better if it had been at least warm. The Duck supplement was also an added dish to the "main course" consisting of 4 family style dishes, and I think as a diner, and out of respect to the work to make such a delicious and labor intensive dish, it could be and should be celebrated as a course on its own. The lotus root that came with the main family style dishes was tasty as hell but unfortunately got lost in the mix, and I'm disappointed I never circled back on it before being a bit too full to endeavor more of it. As a veteran of very fine dining cooking, I was surprised a sweet bite wasn't part of the 6 course meal to finish, and that all deserts were a la carte priced in addition to the price fix. We declined desert, and again was surprised there was not any mignardise served with the check, as a touch of sugar out the door. None of these faults would stop me from booking this experience for a special night out at all. Great Night!
   

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7. E

   Enrique

   Orange County1 review

   3.0

   Dined on February 19, 2025

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

   Food was not at thensame level- disappointing from previous experiences
   

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8. D

   David

   Washington DC1 review

   3.0

   Dined on February 16, 2025

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

   I came for Valentines weekend. The pre fixed menu was priced higher than the normal pre fixed menu. Overall, I feel the food and service didn’t quite match what I was paying for.
   

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9. S

   Sam

   San Francisco2 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on February 16, 2025

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

   Overpriced and underwhelming! $510 for dinner for two!
   

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10. P

    Patrick VIP

    San Francisco5 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on February 16, 2025

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

    Enjoyed the experience at Empress overall. We were served the Valentine’s Day Prix fixe while the Lunar New Year parade went on outside, so it was very festive. The views and ambience are spectacular, though it can get moderately loud. Our server was knowledgeable and friendly, but the supporting staff were a bit impersonal and less careful about presentation. There were a couple of small misses in terms of food that detracted from our enjoyment, but nothing that would prevent us from returning.
    

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