Top Hatters Kitchen & Bar

Review summary

1. J

   Jason

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   I'll try to keep this short but I'll probably fail. First, the food and ambiance were great. We primarily come to Top Hatters for these and we were not disappointed one bit. But here's the deal: Top Hatters does not have traditional serve-staff anymore. When we arrived for our reservation, the host pointed towards our table across the restaurant and said, "That's your table over there," and we walked there alone. No server came to tell us about specials or take our order... everything by on the QR code. When we ordered, food came out promptly but by different people the entire night. And each person was very friendly. The explanation for this on the menu was that there is a labor shortage and that QR code ordering makes everything better because then tips get shared and the serving responsibility is shared by all. That being said, my opinion is that when I go out for a nice meal and drop $$$, I doing for the food AND the service experience. I want to talk to someone who can tell me about specials. I want someone to engage in conversation with me. I want to meet people who work there who live interesting lives and are real people. It's all a part of the dining experience. To remove a personal server from the table does a few things: 1. It lessens the human interaction in the dining experience. 2. It cheapens the experience. Our service at Top Hatters was no more involved than at a Red Robin. 3. It decreases my desire to tip. If the service I'm actually receiving is less than a chain restaurant and bordering on McDonald's, then why should I tip at all? And that means fewer tips for the entire staff to share...the opposite intention that was printed on the menu. I understand that this might not matter to a lot of people but it does to me, especially if I'm looking for an in-depth dining experience. That being said, we'll still go back to Top Hatters. But now we know it'll be less of the experience that we're looking for. And I've failed at keeping it short.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
2. S

   Steve

   San Francisco

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

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

   Great food. Very friendly staff. One of our favorite places
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
3. J

   Jennifer

   San Francisco

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

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

   What a charming spot in an offbeat area! We were greeted immediately, and though the menu and payment were through a QR code, we still received attention from our multiple employees, and the menus were still conveniently printed for reference. All our dishes were delicious and charmingly presented. I loved the balance of meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes. I'd love to return during the day and enjoy the patio.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
4. a

   anna

   San Francisco

   22 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   22 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   Mediocre food with uninspired menu. 22% service charge asked for after ordering and paying using QR code!
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
5. Y

   Yolanda

   San Francisco

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

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

   I took my team of volunteers to Top Hatters to celebrate the end of great farm season. The food, cocktails and service were top notch.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
6. L

   Luis

   San Francisco

   5 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on November 2, 2024

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

   I live a few miles away and go to Top Hatters several times a month. The food is always delicious, the menu changes to reflect availability from local farmers, and the drinks are delicious. Highly recommend!
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
7. D

   Dian

   San Francisco

   12 reviews

   5.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on November 1, 2024

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

   Love this Resturant more each time. The food is consistently good, the service is impeccable and the atmosphere is always warm and welcoming. I like sitting outside in the patio, but today was a little chilly! Even with that, it is one of the best keep secrets in San Leandro!!
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
8. R

   Rebecca

   San Francisco

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on October 27, 2024

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

   Very special place. Menu is unusual, tasty and original. Lots of options for any group of new foods to try as well as old favorites. Serving staff are friendly, helpful and attentive. Our second visit was even better than the first time.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
9. M

   Mike

   San Francisco

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on October 19, 2024

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

   Great place for dinner and great outdoor patio, glad to have found it
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
10. Z

    Zara

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 18, 2024

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

    Food was good. Service was excellent . Felt like there should be more choices in ice teas and lunch plates overall good lunch was had
    

    Is this helpful?

    Report