Empress of China

Empress Delight 💯 Situated in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown, Empress by Boon opened during the peak of COVID in 2021 replacing the historic Empress of China restaurant famed for its traditional Cantonese cuisine and upscale dining The complete reimagining of the restaurant space capitalized on the space’s sky high ceilings and picturesque skyline views but features an entirely new prixe fixe menu While Chef Ho Chee Boon has Cantonese cuisine training by way of Hakkasan, the dishes also reflect the influences of Malaysia, Bangkok, and more reflecting his experiences opening restaurants worldwide We loved the creativity and the flavors of many of the night’s dishes but the highlight of our meal was definitely speaking to Chef Ho Chee Boon himself who often stops by table side when he’s at his namesake restaurant We heard tales of the challenges of opening during a pandemic, his passion to bring high-end, Chinese cuisine to the forefront, and the diverse clientele who now occupy his restaurant as San Francisco finds its identity with remote workers and rising costs Favorites of our meal included the steamed dumplings, the phenomenal braised pork belly and, the add-on organically sourced and exclusive to Empress’s Peking duck, easily one of the best renditions I’ve had anywhere 📷Prix Fixe Menu $118 ~ Crispy Vegetarian Bean Roll, Pine Nuts, Tiger Prawns / Jasmine Tea Smoked Short Ribs Buns / Steamed Squid and Shrimp Dumplings / Gullian Stir Fried Quail / Live Boston Lobster / Noodles with Ginger Scallion / Wok Fried Asparagus with Chicken / Braised Pork Belly / Roast Peking Duck (supplemental add on) / Assorted desserts (add-on) 📍Empress by Boon (San Francisco, CA) Reservations are recommend. Indoor dining only. All credit cards including AmEx are accepted.

+6

I'll admit that I wasn't expecting much when we booked this place - expensive Asian food tends to disappoint when there are options at 10% the cost outside the door. What can I say, we Asians dominate Costco for a reason. So this was a pleasant surprise - a yummy course of dishes that never strayed so far from the mainline that you would have to call it fusion. Empress gets the points of these flavors and textures and simply tries to express them in the best possible way. Case in point, the simple fried egg roll was a highlight of the entire night. Delightfully crispy and flakey like a croissant, meaty and vegetable-y with subtle pickeling in all the right places, lots of structure and air to let the flavors develop. Wonderful. The dim sum shrimp dumpling - again, perfectly chewy and warm rice dumpling skin enveloping a robust shrimp concoction that was meaty, shrimpy, and toothsome. Freshly made from scratch by hand, freshly steamed - yes it's way more expensive than anything on the street, but here it's refined to all it's best qualities. There were a couple good, but not great dishes - the fried noodles were pretty normal take out quality, the snow crab was a bit limp and uninteresting, the duck had a delicately crunchy skin, but the meat itself was a bit bland, dull, and neither warm nor cold. Service was competent and responsive. Location was easy to get to with parking in the nearby Portsmouth garage. Beautiful decor. Great for important dates and special occasions. Would heartily recommend.

Christopher was amazing !! We tried all 4 of his experimental cocktails that need to be added immediately

First time fine dining in China town. Entrance is a bit hidden but once you get up in the elevator to the restaurant the atmosphere changes. Nice vey of China town and North beach city lights and the bay. Set menu has a plethora of flavors and although a bit pricey its worth it. Expect at least 2 hrs to finish the experience. It goes fast if you have good company. Will def recommend but expect a large bill…

Very yummy! I recommend, our server Matt was so friendly and really caring for our experience. The food was yummy and fresh. I recommend eating here. The ambiance was really pretty as well and it’s easy to talk inside. The view from the windows is gorgeous as well.

Had a wonderful experience here. The food was Master Class. The atmosphere was refined casual. A tasting menu of a modernized Cantonese cuisine. Highly recommend it if you have the time. Dinner was 3 hours.

The interior is very cosy with different places to eat. The food was more than delicious. One of the best Chinese restaurants I visited. The service was more than perfect. With 2 minors we were not allowed to sit at the bar and nobody was sitting in the lounge so the waiter gave us a table where the full menu people were sitting. Very nice gesture. Having diner is not only about the food but it is a full experience.

This is an absolutely fantastic place to eat. Should easily have a Michelin star. The food is incredible, I really didn't want to leave any on a single plate. I could have licked the plate if it wasnt a fancy place ;) Beautiful Inside and beautiful view. All the food was gorgeous but tasted amazing. The dumplings in a hot sour soup variant were just the best I've ever had. The cocktails were amazing. The service was so attentive and nice. The view is stunning. And bathrooms clean and well stocked with amenities. Please please please go here.

It was my birthday dinner. Not gonna lie when our Uber arrived in Chinatown, I was initially a bit disappointed. As someone born and raised in China, I usually have 0 expectations for Chinese food in SF. However, Empress by Boon completely won me over (or maybe my boyfriend impressed me ;)). It was without a doubt the best meal I’ve had in SF! The stunning view of the city and the gorgeous ambiance only added to the experience. Every dish we ordered was incredible, with beautiful presentation and rich flavors. From the fish shaped shrimp dumplings to the slow braised pork and the innovative Peking duck, even the simple stir fried vegetables were exceptional. I had a wonderful evening there and left thoroughly impressed, grateful and happy!

It's a bit of a splurge so I think everyone should ensure they like the entire set menu before going. I did my part and reviewed the menu before booking. I also saw that a lot of Canto/Chinese people really liked it, and I thought that was the most authentic sign that it could be worth treating my parents. I had dinner reservations, took my visiting parents, and we thought everything was quite delicious and perfect. Also, very grateful to the head chef for the extra tea refills :)

Empress by Boon is hands-down one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in San Francisco. The space is stunning—with incredible views of Coit Tower—and the food? Next-level. Chef Boon’s Cantonese menu hits all the right notes: bold, creative, and seriously delicious. Huge shoutout to Gabriela, our server, who was absolutely amazing. Friendly, super knowledgeable, and made us feel totally taken care of from start to finish. Every dish she recommended was a hit. If you’re looking for a special night out with unforgettable food and views, Empress by Boon should be at the top of your list.

The meal was comprised of five courses with multiple components. The first four courses were individually plated while the last course was served family-style. The steamed shrimp and squid dumpling course was my favourite both for the visual delight and for the wonderful hot and sour broth that the dumplings came in. My second favourite was the Half Moon Bay Snapper with bean curd skin and soy. I have a long love for bean curd skin and the snapper was cooked perfectly. The family-style course was comprised of roasted crispy chicken, wok tossed peanut sprouts, Dungeness crab and scallop sticky rice, and a roasted duck supplement. Every course was filled with flavour and delicious with incredible views of SF.

Empress by Boon delivers a truly refined dining experience that blends traditional Cantonese cuisine with contemporary flair. Every dish on the prix fixe menu was beautifully crafted, both in flavor and presentation. The Braised Dungeness Crab with Kaluga Caviar set the tone for the evening—delicate, luxurious, and full of umami. The sweetness of the crab was enhanced by the subtle salinity of the caviar, making it a standout starter. Another favorite was the Braised Pork Belly Puff—perfectly flaky on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside. It struck a lovely balance between richness and texture. The Steamed Shrimp and Squid Dumpling was a masterclass in technique: translucent, delicate skin with a juicy seafood filling that felt both comforting and elevated. For mains, the Grilled Black Cod with Soya Honey and Cloud Ear was unforgettable. The fish was buttery and perfectly cooked, with just enough sweetness from the honey to complement the earthy wood ear mushrooms. The Mongolian-Style Pan-Fried Wagyu Beef with Crispy Taro delivered a bold, savory punch. The taro added a unique crunch that played wonderfully against the tenderness of the beef. And finally, the Thick Noodles with Lobster, Scallop, and Whitebait was a luxurious way to end the meal—generous seafood, chewy noodles, and a deeply satisfying broth. Service was just as impressive as the food: gracious, knowledgeable, and perfectly paced. Empress by Boon isn’t just a dinner—it’s a curated culinary journey through modern Cantonese cuisine, and one I’d return for in a heartbeat.

Empress was an amazing experience and I would highly recommend it, especially for a special occasion. The hosts downstairs and upstairs, our waiter and even the sommelier wished us a happy anniversary. Bringing 2 complimentary champagne glasses was much appreciated. The food was nicely prepared to highlight the ingredients and was whimsically plated. The wine pairings were well balanced with each dish. The service and staff were stellar, courteous and professional. The view of Chinatown and Coit tower at dusk as the lights started coming on were beautiful as was the interior of the restaurant. I would definitely recommend Empress.

Great Chinese New Year experience here! We enjoy the view to fire works and lion dancing show during our meal as well. Food preparation was elegant. Great service. Welcoming and serving then paying attention. It’s different Chinese cuisine fine dining experience for me. I love the caviar and scallop spring roll. It’s different than traditional Chinese spring roll taste it’s with full of umami flavors. This is such a great spot for Chinese New Year celebration 🍾 unforgettable memory.

Got the prix fixe which was a 6 course meal. Everything was good. It’s on the 6th floor so you get these amazing night views of the city. I thought the lobster was an interesting take. Had like this tangy spicy sauce that usually goes on chicken wings. The egg roll wrapped this thing that usually is in a seafood soup and was topped with caviar. The drink menu is extensive. Pricey but it would be good for special event, birthdays, anniversaries.

The prix fixe menu is totally worth it. The servings are small but each item is carefully crafted and infused with flavor. We also ordered the roast duck which is the best one I've ever had in my life. Before we sat down for dinner, we had some drinks and appetizers at the bar. Their baijiu, Ming River, is a must try on the rocks. Dining at the Empress is not only a culinary adventure but an experience. The ambience is absolutely perfect for dinner dates but not for families. Don't take your kids here!

Peter Mariman

The interior is very cosy with different places to eat. The food was more than delicious. One of the best Chinese restaurants I visited. The service was more than perfect. With 2 minors we were not allowed to sit at the bar and nobody was sitting in the lounge so the waiter gave us a table where the full menu people were sitting. Very nice gesture. Having diner is not only about the food but it is a full experience.

Tom Vo

Had a wonderful experience here. The food was Master Class. The atmosphere was refined casual. A tasting menu of a modernized Cantonese cuisine. Highly recommend it if you have the time. Dinner was 3 hours.

Kiko Em

Very yummy! I recommend, our server Matt was so friendly and really caring for our experience. The food was yummy and fresh. I recommend eating here. The ambiance was really pretty as well and it’s easy to talk inside. The view from the windows is gorgeous as well.

Theresa

It's a bit of a splurge so I think everyone should ensure they like the entire set menu before going. I did my part and reviewed the menu before booking. I also saw that a lot of Canto/Chinese people really liked it, and I thought that was the most authentic sign that it could be worth treating my parents. I had dinner reservations, took my visiting parents, and we thought everything was quite delicious and perfect. Also, very grateful to the head chef for the extra tea refills :)

Ethan Guinn

This is an absolutely fantastic place to eat. Should easily have a Michelin star. The food is incredible, I really didn't want to leave any on a single plate. I could have licked the plate if it wasnt a fancy place ;) Beautiful Inside and beautiful view. All the food was gorgeous but tasted amazing. The dumplings in a hot sour soup variant were just the best I've ever had. The cocktails were amazing. The service was so attentive and nice. The view is stunning. And bathrooms clean and well stocked with amenities. Please please please go here.

Mark Brogger

Empress by Boon is hands-down one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in San Francisco. The space is stunning—with incredible views of Coit Tower—and the food? Next-level. Chef Boon’s Cantonese menu hits all the right notes: bold, creative, and seriously delicious. Huge shoutout to Gabriela, our server, who was absolutely amazing. Friendly, super knowledgeable, and made us feel totally taken care of from start to finish. Every dish she recommended was a hit. If you’re looking for a special night out with unforgettable food and views, Empress by Boon should be at the top of your list.

Venus Zhang

It was my birthday dinner. Not gonna lie when our Uber arrived in Chinatown, I was initially a bit disappointed. As someone born and raised in China, I usually have 0 expectations for Chinese food in SF. However, Empress by Boon completely won me over (or maybe my boyfriend impressed me ;)). It was without a doubt the best meal I’ve had in SF! The stunning view of the city and the gorgeous ambiance only added to the experience. Every dish we ordered was incredible, with beautiful presentation and rich flavors. From the fish shaped shrimp dumplings to the slow braised pork and the innovative Peking duck, even the simple stir fried vegetables were exceptional. I had a wonderful evening there and left thoroughly impressed, grateful and happy!

Randy F.

Empress Delight 💯 Situated in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown, Empress by Boon opened during the peak of COVID in 2021 replacing the historic Empress of China restaurant famed for its traditional Cantonese cuisine and upscale dining The complete reimagining of the restaurant space capitalized on the space’s sky high ceilings and picturesque skyline views but features an entirely new prixe fixe menu While Chef Ho Chee Boon has Cantonese cuisine training by way of Hakkasan, the dishes also reflect the influences of Malaysia, Bangkok, and more reflecting his experiences opening restaurants worldwide We loved the creativity and the flavors of many of the night’s dishes but the highlight of our meal was definitely speaking to Chef Ho Chee Boon himself who often stops by table side when he’s at his namesake restaurant We heard tales of the challenges of opening during a pandemic, his passion to bring high-end, Chinese cuisine to the forefront, and the diverse clientele who now occupy his restaurant as San Francisco finds its identity with remote workers and rising costs Favorites of our meal included the steamed dumplings, the phenomenal braised pork belly and, the add-on organically sourced and exclusive to Empress’s Peking duck, easily one of the best renditions I’ve had anywhere 📷Prix Fixe Menu $118 ~ Crispy Vegetarian Bean Roll, Pine Nuts, Tiger Prawns / Jasmine Tea Smoked Short Ribs Buns / Steamed Squid and Shrimp Dumplings / Gullian Stir Fried Quail / Live Boston Lobster / Noodles with Ginger Scallion / Wok Fried Asparagus with Chicken / Braised Pork Belly / Roast Peking Duck (supplemental add on) / Assorted desserts (add-on) 📍Empress by Boon (San Francisco, CA) Reservations are recommend. Indoor dining only. All credit cards including AmEx are accepted.

Stephanie Lovell

The meal was comprised of five courses with multiple components. The first four courses were individually plated while the last course was served family-style. The steamed shrimp and squid dumpling course was my favourite both for the visual delight and for the wonderful hot and sour broth that the dumplings came in. My second favourite was the Half Moon Bay Snapper with bean curd skin and soy. I have a long love for bean curd skin and the snapper was cooked perfectly. The family-style course was comprised of roasted crispy chicken, wok tossed peanut sprouts, Dungeness crab and scallop sticky rice, and a roasted duck supplement. Every course was filled with flavour and delicious with incredible views of SF.

xiaohui xue

Empress by Boon delivers a truly refined dining experience that blends traditional Cantonese cuisine with contemporary flair. Every dish on the prix fixe menu was beautifully crafted, both in flavor and presentation. The Braised Dungeness Crab with Kaluga Caviar set the tone for the evening—delicate, luxurious, and full of umami. The sweetness of the crab was enhanced by the subtle salinity of the caviar, making it a standout starter. Another favorite was the Braised Pork Belly Puff—perfectly flaky on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside. It struck a lovely balance between richness and texture. The Steamed Shrimp and Squid Dumpling was a masterclass in technique: translucent, delicate skin with a juicy seafood filling that felt both comforting and elevated. For mains, the Grilled Black Cod with Soya Honey and Cloud Ear was unforgettable. The fish was buttery and perfectly cooked, with just enough sweetness from the honey to complement the earthy wood ear mushrooms. The Mongolian-Style Pan-Fried Wagyu Beef with Crispy Taro delivered a bold, savory punch. The taro added a unique crunch that played wonderfully against the tenderness of the beef. And finally, the Thick Noodles with Lobster, Scallop, and Whitebait was a luxurious way to end the meal—generous seafood, chewy noodles, and a deeply satisfying broth. Service was just as impressive as the food: gracious, knowledgeable, and perfectly paced. Empress by Boon isn’t just a dinner—it’s a curated culinary journey through modern Cantonese cuisine, and one I’d return for in a heartbeat.

Tom Nagy

Empress was an amazing experience and I would highly recommend it, especially for a special occasion. The hosts downstairs and upstairs, our waiter and even the sommelier wished us a happy anniversary. Bringing 2 complimentary champagne glasses was much appreciated. The food was nicely prepared to highlight the ingredients and was whimsically plated. The wine pairings were well balanced with each dish. The service and staff were stellar, courteous and professional. The view of Chinatown and Coit tower at dusk as the lights started coming on were beautiful as was the interior of the restaurant. I would definitely recommend Empress.

Jean Tsou

Great Chinese New Year experience here! We enjoy the view to fire works and lion dancing show during our meal as well. Food preparation was elegant. Great service. Welcoming and serving then paying attention. It’s different Chinese cuisine fine dining experience for me. I love the caviar and scallop spring roll. It’s different than traditional Chinese spring roll taste it’s with full of umami flavors. This is such a great spot for Chinese New Year celebration 🍾 unforgettable memory.

Matt Pang

Got the prix fixe which was a 6 course meal. Everything was good. It’s on the 6th floor so you get these amazing night views of the city. I thought the lobster was an interesting take. Had like this tangy spicy sauce that usually goes on chicken wings. The egg roll wrapped this thing that usually is in a seafood soup and was topped with caviar. The drink menu is extensive. Pricey but it would be good for special event, birthdays, anniversaries.

Vicente YE

The prix fixe menu is totally worth it. The servings are small but each item is carefully crafted and infused with flavor. We also ordered the roast duck which is the best one I've ever had in my life. Before we sat down for dinner, we had some drinks and appetizers at the bar. Their baijiu, Ming River, is a must try on the rocks. Dining at the Empress is not only a culinary adventure but an experience. The ambience is absolutely perfect for dinner dates but not for families. Don't take your kids here!

Our date night at Empress was a truly enchanting experience from start to finish. The romantic and elegant atmosphere set the perfect tone for the evening. The cocktails felt like works of art. We like their wine list. Our server recommended a nice bottle of dry Riesling. When it came to the food, we were absolutely blown away. The chicken salad with papaya and mango was a delightful blend of flavors, each bite revealing intriguing layers of taste. The black cod, as always, was a pinnacle of delicacy and deliciousness. The wagyu beef was pure luxury . It simply melted in our mouths. The eggplant with meat, a nostalgic reminder of my grandmother's cooking that added a comforting touch to the meal. The rice with sea urchin was subtle yet packed a flavorful punch. The desert was delicious. Service was warm, attentive, and professional, with special mention to Boon, who greeted guests at each table. It felt very special to talk to him. Everything at Empress by Boon was exquisite and unforgettable. We can't wait to return for another exceptional dining experience.

I had been excited to try this place out for a while and finally made it here. The ambience is top notch, with great interiors and a view of the Coit tower. It does get a bit loud, enough that I had to ask the server to repeat details of a couple courses. Drinks were pretty good. The starter courses were amazing and set up the mood really well. The meats were near perfect and the presentation was lovely. The main course was above average but not something to rave about. I'd almost say that the main course didnt live up to the hype that the starters generated. This is of course coming from a non-native palate, so make of it what you will. The dessert was actually pretty good, a great end to the meal.

+2

For the price it was a good amount of food. I would have liked an a la crate menu to order off after the entrees. The desserts were good but I’m not sure I would call the egg tart dessert egg tart. I did not like the tart with with egg custard. The best item was the sparerib or the quail. There was a lot of noodle with the entree and the sweet tofu with the fish was not my favorite. There was a lot of space and it felt more intimate with the separate rooms

+6

Food 4/5: Delicate food as photo shown. the food is good but if you are looking for an authentic Chinese food, it's not the place. I think it's a balance of presentation and taste. I was impressed by the starters. Hihgly recommend the Peaking Duck, must try dish! Desserts are pricey, I would say that is a "can be skipped item". Ambience 5/5: Amazing interior perfectly mixing the elements of Chinese and Western. Especially the area for drinking, good vibes and nice music. Service 4/5: Nice staffs, comfortable. They would clearly explain the dishes by the name and ingredients. Price 4/5: The price is resonable for a fine dine even it is relatively higher than other Chinese restaurant with bigger portion of food. It reflects on the ambience and well presentation of food. Anyway, we enjoy the meal very much as the environment, the vibe, the food and service were all good. A very nice place for special event or celebration.

+6

Overall, great food with a Cantonese twist. Decor was a vibe. Drinks were unique. Reasonably priced for fine dining and you’ll leave full (surprise surprise). Only reason why 1 less star is their service. Servers weren’t too attentive to details when presenting dishes and very rough when taking away plates (nearly dropped a plate on me). If they want to get any Michelin stars, the service needs to improve a bit.

+1

We visited on November 20 to celebrate my mom's birthday. If you're reserving on OpenTable, request a table by the window. We had a nice view of Coit Tower. We came in expecting the small portions but were very impressed with the quality and taste of the food. Our favorite was the Beijing dumpling with house vinegar. FYI the main dishes are served family style. Unfortunately due to supply shortages, they had to substitute broccoli for the yams. As other reviewers have mentioned, the restaurant is extremely loud. At the start of our meal, no one was sitting in any of the nearby tables, and we could still barely hear each other. Also be sure to double check your bill before you pay. We were charged for an extra person, which I didn't notice until we had already left. Luckily, Erica was quick to resolve the issue when I contacted the restaurant. Overall excellent food but would probably only return for a special occasion as it is quite pricey.

+5

Food and views of the city were amazing. We ended up spending 3 hours at the restaurant and didn't feel rushed at any point during dinner. Removed a star because of how expensive it was for the set dinner and the wine pairing (~$450).

+5

Food 4/5 The dim sums were exquisite and very delicious, and the presentation was excellent as well. I just wish there were more of those delicate small plates (as opposed to “heavier” dishes like fried rice and vegetables) And for the hot dishes, such as the wagyu steak, they were more lukewarm than hot, as if they were sitting out for a while. Still delicious, but that subtracts from the experience somewhat. I was also surprised that desserts aren’t included in the tasting menu. Service 5/5 Very nice and polite waiters. They explain every course to you. And it seems like you can check in your coats at the reception (didn’t do it myself). However, they didn’t let me bring in my bottle of water, which was kind of silly. (I don’t think “no outside drinks” should apply to water??) But at least they checked in my water for me and got it ready when they see me coming out. Atmosphere 4/5 Very nice decor. The first floor and outside of the building don’t look as nice as the main floor though. It was also a bit too loud (some customers—who were potentially frat-bro-turned businessmen—near us were talking/laughing very loudly, and my friend and I could barely hear each other.

We came here to have a special experience to celebrate our daughter’s birthday and it did not disappoint. The restaurant is at the top (6th) level of a building, so from our window facing booth we had a great view of the city with the Coit Tower on the hill. The interior design was very beautiful featuring a big wooden Chinese pagoda. But too bad that the lighting was so dim that we couldn’t fully enjoy the decor. The prix fixe menu has 9 items in 5 courses, with no need for selection. Some of them we felt were really excellent, while some just so so. Dessert (western style) was extra. We wish the prix fixe menu had included some Chinese dessert. And they didn’t have any complimentary dessert for birthday celebration, but just a candle and a chocolate with happy birthday marking on it that were added to the dessert that we ordered.

+6

We had Mother’s Day brunch & food was good but if you had a big appetite the portions seemed small. The set lunch menu was just good but nothing very special. The waiting time was really long & we spent 3 hours & the waiting for 30 minutes between each serving was way too long. The food served could easily be cooked in larger batches, & since they only offered one menu it hard to understand the long wait. Also main courses were served family style & there were no fancy plating. Dessert was nice. The decorations & view definitely deserved a positive mention. Overall not worth it for us to drive an hour to go back and try dinner

Service falls in the middle, not the best but not the worst. I appreciate the creative food design, especially this month with different choices. The prefixed menu was a pleasant surprise, helping me limit my options. The egg roll and lobster were definite favorites, showcasing a good balance between oiliness and freshness. Considering the view, the price is definitely worth it. Though we missed the window seat this time, I'll be sure to aim for it on my next visit. Overall, a special experience at this fine dining Chinese restaurant.

I recently dined at Empress by Boon in San Francisco. The ambiance is chic and modern, offering a stunning view of the city and Coit Tower that adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the meal. I’m not sure if there’s an option other than a tasting menu — but I didn’t love all of the courses. I am not a fan of eel and the eel tofu was simply too fishy. The highlight was the mocktail and the main course which featured a really nice assortment of food plus crispy duck skin (for an up-charge). That was super tasty. The service was attentive although we only were offered one drink the entire dinner. The staff were knowledgeable about the ingredients in the dishes. While the prices are on the higher side, I was not that empressed. I wouldn’t recommend it — you can get better Cantonese food for way less elsewhere.

Louisa Fernandez

We had Mother’s Day brunch & food was good but if you had a big appetite the portions seemed small. The set lunch menu was just good but nothing very special. The waiting time was really long & we spent 3 hours & the waiting for 30 minutes between each serving was way too long. The food served could easily be cooked in larger batches, & since they only offered one menu it hard to understand the long wait. Also main courses were served family style & there were no fancy plating. Dessert was nice. The decorations & view definitely deserved a positive mention. Overall not worth it for us to drive an hour to go back and try dinner

Lingling

Service falls in the middle, not the best but not the worst. I appreciate the creative food design, especially this month with different choices. The prefixed menu was a pleasant surprise, helping me limit my options. The egg roll and lobster were definite favorites, showcasing a good balance between oiliness and freshness. Considering the view, the price is definitely worth it. Though we missed the window seat this time, I'll be sure to aim for it on my next visit. Overall, a special experience at this fine dining Chinese restaurant.

Hilary

I recently dined at Empress by Boon in San Francisco. The ambiance is chic and modern, offering a stunning view of the city and Coit Tower that adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the meal. I’m not sure if there’s an option other than a tasting menu — but I didn’t love all of the courses. I am not a fan of eel and the eel tofu was simply too fishy. The highlight was the mocktail and the main course which featured a really nice assortment of food plus crispy duck skin (for an up-charge). That was super tasty. The service was attentive although we only were offered one drink the entire dinner. The staff were knowledgeable about the ingredients in the dishes. While the prices are on the higher side, I was not that empressed. I wouldn’t recommend it — you can get better Cantonese food for way less elsewhere.

Kind of feels to me like an elevated Tao to be honest. Ambiance is incredible, but that’s about it and it’s not for people who are looking for a foodie or craft cocktail experience. The service was nice, but slow. Some of our servers were also a bit clueless and weren’t able to help us. Food was well done at best, but generally unimpressive, and neither authentic nor creative. The drinks were the biggest disappointment - incredibly beautiful but imbalanced.

+3

Initially I saw Eileen Gu come here with her family on Chinese new year, which made me interested. I left only 60% full, dissatisfied, and with less money in my wallet. Dish 1: puff pastry, egg roll, lily bulb Puff pastry is generic, I would easily find something similar in a dim sum restaurant. The caviar on the egg roll doesn’t taste like its high quality. There’s egg white inside and scallop. The egg white really did smell like egg. Not sure whether it’s because it’s undercooked. Scallop was flavourless, might be there for the texture. Lily bulb was a nice surprise. On the inside there’s a honey ginger filling, which was contrasting. Dish 2: shrimp and squid dumpling Apart from the cute presentation, I’d say it’s nothing special. Again, easily accessible at dim sum restaurants. The soup thought I believe was chicken soup base, with wayyyy too much vinegar and chilli. It almost hurt my mouth. Dish 3: fish/squab? To be honest I don’t remember what it was. I thought it’s fish but on the online menu it says squab. It’s cooked pretty tender. Sauce was ok, it reminds me of a caramel sweet and sour sauce and braised meat combination flavour. Dish is paired with candied walnuts and boiled cauliflower. Both generic, and can be bought at store and easily cooked at home. Dish 4: lobster This is where it starts to go downhill. The dish feels like it’s just thrown into the menu as a filler. It’s cooked nicely with a similar sauce as the fish/squab. Dish 5: vegetables/rice noodle and bean curd/pork belly The vegetables are again generic, can be found at any Chinese restaurant. Rice noodle was ok with a similar sauce as dish 3 and 4. The bean curd tasted hard, and has no flavour. Don’t know what’s the intention here. Pork belly overall was good. But the sauce is too red man. It almost looks like blood. How revolting! Bet there’s either excessive red food colouring or too much ketchup. Before this I ordered tea. Tea menu was almost 70% pu-er, and the variety wasn’t there. I ordered a jasmine tea, which is 18 dollars. There is NO REFILL. Usually at Cantonese restaurants they give you a tea pot with tea leaves in it. And the same tea leaves can be steeped up to 3-5 times. They only gave a tea pot with pre-steeped tea. What a ripoff. Dessert menu was disappointing, which is why I didn’t order any. The choices were 1) Asian dessert with sago which I can get at Meet Fresh for cheaper, better quality and quantity 2) generic cheesecake 3) generic ice cream. I really don’t understand what the deal is. Dessert wine menu only have the wine names, origin and years. When I asked the waiter to describe the notes and taste profile, I could tell that they are not an expert. They didn’t offer to ask to bring out the sommelier either. Which leads me to doubt: Do they even have a sommelier? This also brings up the question: why is there so much Italian and French wines? At a Chinese restaurant? I’ve never seen wine being ordered in ANY Chinese restaurant. Besides, there are many good wines produced in China. Maybe add some of those? (I don’t believe in wine pairing with Chinese food also.) The view was pretty nice. Apart from that, they play pop music. I expected at least some Classical Chinese music, since this is a Chinese restaurant. Overall very disappointed. For what it claims to be fine dining, I expect at least stunning presentation, interesting flavours, and unusual food pairings. I ended up paying 160 including tips. Would not come here again nor recommend to anyone.

+1

Food: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Overall: The quality of the food is good but the price is a bit high considering what you get. Desserts specifically are super pricey. The best way to describe the place is sort of like a gentrified Chinese place in the middle of Chinatown similar to China Live. The extended review... Food: 4/5 - The quality of the food was good but portions as expected were smaller since it’s supposed to be high end. I think if you compare to other Chinese places, you can get similar tastes and bigger portions. Dessert was disappointing. Price: 3/5 - Like I said you you can probably get bigger portions with similar taste elsewhere. Service: 4/5 - Good and friendly service. Ambiance: 5/5 - Love the ambiance but of course this is reflective of the price you will pay.

+6

Online we saw reservation spots open so we walked in. At the restaurant we were told reservation only and they had to put us in the bar area, which is ok for us. However, I felt that they could treat us with a bit more courtesy at no cost for them but can further compliment their intention to provide great culinary experience to prospective and current customers. For instance, after we were seated in the lounge, their 'captain' or manager could come by and explain that they were sorry (even if they weren't) that they could not put us in the main dining hall because we did not have a reservation. They could then suggest that we call to make a reservation next time so they could be better prepared for our arrival. Instead, we were treated a bit like second-class dinning customers. The bartender, however, did courteously attended to us. The restaurant's decor has a tone of rustic wood furnishings. It is opposite to iChina's decor of glimmer and brilliance. Which is better ? It depends. I would prefer the low-tone decor of Empress. Some tables by the windows in the dining hall have good views of the City. I did not have a chance to appreciate that to comment. We chose the set menu, which was probably prepared ahead of time so the service was rather fast but not rushy. They do have guest wifi but we did not see the password posted anywhere. The waiting staff did not know it. A supervisor came by but it took her a bit of trials to get the right password. The serving staff (two of them for my party), was ok but not up to "fine dining" service level. The servers would try to announce and describe the dishes served but it was not easy to hear what was said. They could be louder and show more confidence in what they were serving. In that respect, I was quite impressed by servers at The Cut by Wolfgang Puck in Las Vegas. Their servers were enthusiastic and expressive such that you feel they are confident and want you to enjoy their food. As to the set menu we had, Beef Salad: 5/10 Fried Eggplant: 6/10 Sea Prawn Dumplings: 8/10 Iberico Pork Bun: 6/10 Grilled Alaskan Black Cod: 8/10 New England Lobster: 8/10 Braised Pork Belly: 7/10 Wok Tossed Cauliflower: 8/10 Rice Noodle Roll: 3/10 The beef salad has little vegetables, and the seasoning is too strong for a salad. The eggplant is not greasy (better than many restaurant-served eggplants in that respect). The sea prawn dumplings are great. The filling's texture is good and appropriately seasoned. The quality of the pork buns fillings are better than average. The lobster seemed fresh. The presentation is great. It had probably been immersed in hot oil briefly but it is not too greasy. The meat's texture and tenderness are very just right. The Cod is great, very well cooked and not over or under cooked. The seasoning is just right. The pork belly is soft and does not feel too greasy. The seasoning is a bit unusual for this item though. The cauliflower dish is great, not greasy but well-flavored. It's very well tossed. The rice noodle roll, the last item, is a failure. The roll is stuck such that there is no separation between the layers. Naturally, the seasoning does not go between the layers. It is possible that they chef did not want to apply too much oil. The result, however, is not good. Perhaps they can skip this dish and serve some well seasoned fried rice or noodles instead. Over all, it is not bad. I feel they can make some improvements on the service via better management and training. Compared to iChina, I feel iChina is better. It will take some work to shoot for a Michelin star.

+6

The highlights- amazing ambience, attention to detail and the service is top notch. It has all the makings of a fine dining or a Michelin star restaurant. However, where it shines in the vibe, it falters in the food section. So much attention to detail in how the food is presented but the taste itself doesn’t stand out. Great texture, but flat flavors. The sea food has a strong fishy smell- when it should be more delicate. I can’t remember the name of any dishes because most of them were average. Definitely disappointed for $$$$ we paid.

+3

Disappointing and not recommended. The ambience was promising with low lit interiors, modern furniture, nice bar area and good views, even though too “empty“. However, sans presentation and choice of dishes, food did not taste better than a $$ Chinese restaurant - for $98/person that’s a huge markup. Service was slow, food description was poor, and servers could not give eloquent recommendations - again unexpected for the price. Attire smart casual or smart. Not recommended, but if so inclined, good for a date. Mister Jiu’s is similar but much better, even though it too was worse than expected from a Michelin starred restaurant. Tip: the food quantity is enough so no need for the duck they will offer.

+3

The reviews and atmosphere led to high expectations, but the food and service did not deliver. The interior atmosphere of the restaurant is fantastic and feels clean and well put together. Unfortunately, even though the dishes are wonderfully designed, and look like exquisite bites, the flavours were mostly bland with surprisingly terrible texture or lukewarm delivery. It was actually shocking how tasteless or hard to swallow most of the dishes on the prix fixe menu were. The only tasty dish of the evening was the duck skin, but it was first delivered lukewarm, and then returned only slightly warmer after we sent it back. Adding to that, the servers were robotic and unhelpful. They had no idea about the wines on their list and did not respond at all to our comments about the disappointing food. Not a single smile from a server the whole evening and half of them wore masks, making their food descriptions incomprehensible. There are many other great restaurants in the city. Skip this experience.

Portions were not big enough for anyone in our party. Food was okay. If it was just the food, it would have been an so-so experience that I would not comment on. But service was bad. We were rushed during our whole meal. Our waiter would reach underneath us to grab our plates while we are doing a cheers. Multiple staff reminded us that they need our table cleared by 8:30 and we got the reminders not because we are slow eaters (we left the restaurant before 8). Staff started reminding us multiple times 5 mins since we walked into the restaurant, interrupting our conversation multiple times. It’s like the restaurant is worried that if we are talking then we are not eating fast enough for them to flip the table. Another thing is, we specifically asked for one person’s beef dish to be replaced but ended up having our whole party’s wagyu beef dish replaced. There were other little things as well.

Atmosphere is great because of the views and generally the space is very well appointed with a modern contemporary feel. The cocktails were really, really great! The music should be lower, it's tough to hear conversations across the table and forget trying to hear the servers whisper the details about the dish they just placed in front of you. The food started off well, the first three dishes were tasty, reaching course four and beyond, it went downhill. Bland noodles (honestly they tasted like plastic to me). The chicken was white cubes of tasteless moist meat. The duck (that you pay extra for) was fatty and left a film on our tongues. The food in an everyday Chinese restaurant is much better. One nice and friendly server called Natalie (Nat). The rest of the service was slow and not engaged. Big gaps in anyone checking on us, a lack of eye contact when they did, I tried several times to get a drink after my empty glass had been swiped away. About ten minutes later I took a walk to the bar and asked for a drink there, it ended up being quicker and much friendlier. We paid $450+ for two of us to experience some poor to mediocre food, bad service and loud music. A one time visit is enough.

John Rushforth

Atmosphere is great because of the views and generally the space is very well appointed with a modern contemporary feel. The cocktails were really, really great! The music should be lower, it's tough to hear conversations across the table and forget trying to hear the servers whisper the details about the dish they just placed in front of you. The food started off well, the first three dishes were tasty, reaching course four and beyond, it went downhill. Bland noodles (honestly they tasted like plastic to me). The chicken was white cubes of tasteless moist meat. The duck (that you pay extra for) was fatty and left a film on our tongues. The food in an everyday Chinese restaurant is much better. One nice and friendly server called Natalie (Nat). The rest of the service was slow and not engaged. Big gaps in anyone checking on us, a lack of eye contact when they did, I tried several times to get a drink after my empty glass had been swiped away. About ten minutes later I took a walk to the bar and asked for a drink there, it ended up being quicker and much friendlier. We paid $450+ for two of us to experience some poor to mediocre food, bad service and loud music. A one time visit is enough.

Lilac Lai

Portions were not big enough for anyone in our party. Food was okay. If it was just the food, it would have been an so-so experience that I would not comment on. But service was bad. We were rushed during our whole meal. Our waiter would reach underneath us to grab our plates while we are doing a cheers. Multiple staff reminded us that they need our table cleared by 8:30 and we got the reminders not because we are slow eaters (we left the restaurant before 8). Staff started reminding us multiple times 5 mins since we walked into the restaurant, interrupting our conversation multiple times. It’s like the restaurant is worried that if we are talking then we are not eating fast enough for them to flip the table. Another thing is, we specifically asked for one person’s beef dish to be replaced but ended up having our whole party’s wagyu beef dish replaced. There were other little things as well.

Not worth the money...We waited close to 50 minutes for our table despite having a reservation so they asked us to wait at the bar. We ordered drinks ($17-$23 / drink) which tasted watered down and cheap. The food was meh. Each dish took close to 10 minutes to come out. The final mains were also underwhelming...Rice dish was dry, wagyu was unexciting, eggplant was okay. We left hungry and went to another restaurant afterwards.

It's hard to decide if the food or the service was worse The medium build Asian waiter let us sit for 10 minutes before he decided to come by - no welcome, no introduction - we only saw him 2 more times during the 2 hour dinner (once for the check) Most of the dishes were luke warm to cold We had to flag down bus boys after 15 minutes or so to receive the next course After an hour and a half we were half way through the menu and asked the sequencing of dishes. In the next 15 minutes we were served the next 3 courses all at once The service at Panda Express is better I have been there three times and this is the second time the food and service were horrible disappointments. Try Dragon Beaux, China Live or Burma Love Downtown and you will not be disappointed and you will have more cash left in your wallet.

Patrick Lo

Not worth the money...We waited close to 50 minutes for our table despite having a reservation so they asked us to wait at the bar. We ordered drinks ($17-$23 / drink) which tasted watered down and cheap. The food was meh. Each dish took close to 10 minutes to come out. The final mains were also underwhelming...Rice dish was dry, wagyu was unexciting, eggplant was okay. We left hungry and went to another restaurant afterwards.