Ernest

So many wonderful things I could say about my night at Ernest. It’s a wonderful establishment, the service is amazing and the food is incredible! I had a solo dinner on a Saturday night and loved every moment . The best onion rings I’ve ever had! And the bread reminded me of upscale rolls from Texas Roadhouse. Definitely looking to visit again soon.

Fantastic high end japanese-american fusion spot. Unique dishes with incredible flavors and generous servings. We did the tasting menu and the main was quite large, I’m disappointed they didn’t split it up into a few smaller dishes. I plan to come back and try more of their mains!

+3

I came here with a bunch of coworkers for a work dinner with an extremely high budget, so we ordered each of the entrees, all of the vegetables, and a few of the starters. The Ribeye was the best by far, followed by the Lamb, and then the Pork, and lastly the Cod. All of the greens were delicious, as was the shaved ice dessert

+6

10/10 this has become my must go to visit every time I go to SF. Favorites are the MSG martini and Shiso gimlet. So well balanced and inventive. Sushi rice, kanpachi tostada, oysters with cherry mignonette and seasonal items like the porcini panzanella were bursting with flavor. Only yummy noises could be heard from our table. And even though I’m not a dessert person, I devoured their soft serve and Strawberry ice like it was my last meal on earth. Not too sweet, just how I like my dessert.

Do not miss the tasting menu! From the banana bread toast and butter with caviar to the incredible shave ice and soft serve ice cream with magic chocolate sauce this was one of most memorable meals we've had and the staff was great!!!!

This place really blew me away! The food was all incredible and featured innovative takes on a fusion of Asian cuisines. We ordered a good chunk of the menu and honestly loved everything we had! They also had delicious options for mocktails that were complex and not too sweet. Our server's energy was a bit flat, but other than that it was such a great experience and I can't wait to return.

+3

A wonderful experience for a casual, but elevated, business dinner. The service was impeccable from the moment I entered the restaurant--personable host, friendly and attentive server who was present, but not overbearing. The $99 omakase was superb: right-sized portions, creatively fresh offerings. The parker house rolls with ever-so-soft cultured butter along with the ikura, beef tartare handrolls were my personal favorite, but I am still dreaming a bit about the radicchio salad. The hanger steak was beautifully done and delicious to boot! I was kind of looking forward to the shave ice for dessert, but the dessert that came out with the omakase was the soft serve which sounds underwhelming, but the presentation + hidden hazelnut *wow* + the chocolate magic shell that was poured over it was ... divine. I'll have to return for just the shave ice some other time. Actually, I'll have to return for the rest of the menu some other time. The location in the SF is a "transitional" so either bravely park, or just take Waymo/Lyft/Uber. [Zoox will be there soon too,]. The ambiance is great for business or even just friends/family. The industrial decor doesn't help dampen sound, so it's not quite right for a quiet/private conversation. 2 weeks later: still dreaming of the Parker house rolls and the soft creamy butter with the little stream of milky cream dribbling from the center when I cut into it. 🤭

We ordered the tasting menu! Might not be in the same order as the pics: - Osetra Caviar with banana bread and butter (best banana bread and butter and experience and taste and texture of a banana bread I’ve ever had in my whole life) - Sushi Rice - Ikura, Raw Beef, Toasted Nori (nice) - Shrimp Cocktail (yessss) - Uni Toast (yum) - Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio (LOVED this) - Zuckerman Watermelon Salad (LOVEEED this) - Parker house roll bread and butter (nothing special but nice) - Koshihikari Fried Rice - Summer Vegetables, Thai Basil (yum! ) - Burrata (I don’t like cheese so ) - Thickcut LA Shortrib (yum!!!!!!!!) - Smoked Early Girl Tomatoes (tomatoes and ramen egg) (so so so good) - Shaved ice for dessert (it was okay! The largest shaved ice ever) We came for my husbands birthday and we are absolutely glad we did! We have been to several Michelin star restaurants and this for me ranks number 2 compared to every Michelin place I’ve tried! So so delicious. Flavor explosion. Amazing quality. Very easy to find parking!

It’s rare to be able to say this but all the plates slapped! Yet another San Francisco culinary home run. The menu was creative, beautiful but most importantly delicious. The restaurant itself is minimalist, with sharp lines, lots of plants and feels refreshing. Came for the Parker rolls which btw had great butter with cream and salt. The Smokey tomatoes absolutely melted in my mouth and the sundae with hazelnut and chocolate packed a punch. But favorite was definitely the tostada! Would love to return to try it all!

We did the $99 let the kitchen cook for you and it was incredible! It’s “two” courses and a dessert but each course is a round that has 5-6 items each. Everything was so tasty and it was very filling. The servers were attentive and the space was comfortable. Will definitely come back!

We had such an amazing time at Ernest! The food was incredible!! that banana bread with caviar completely blew me away. Oscar and Ignacio made us feel so welcome and took amazing care of us. Huge thanks to Chef Rodolfo and the kitchen team for an unforgettable night. We can’t wait to come back!

Had such a wonderful experience here tonight! My husband and I ordered the $99 tasting menu and loved all the variety we got to sample from the menu. Everything was so flavorful with each dish having a fun & innovative mix of ingredients. I truly didn’t have a single dish that I didn’t like from the meal. Our service was wonderful and very attentive and the space is nice, airy and modern feeling. Will definitely recommend this to all my friends & family and come back the next time I’m in town.

Its all really tasty, Would say the larger plate options were helpful to the dinner. Uni toast = yes - probably need to order 4 Oysters - yes Scallops - good to try, wouldn't get again Shrimp - same as Scallops Pork neck - yes Beef- yes Cheesecake- had a chunck of cream cheese in it... not as medium as the table next to us Mixed drinks- yes Glad we went, would recommend, not a lot of "wow" and our table was a bit on the woble side Went for burgers after - needed some food

Great experience at Ernest! I loved the fried rice and also the scallion pancake. It was the perfect date night spot and the food was really interesting and fun. Expect surprising flavor combinations and don’t miss the shaved ice!

Amazing ! Wow ! Creative and perfect combo of flavor and texture. Highly recommend Sushi rice, Burrata with scallion pancake, halibut sando . Love love love. Also no fuss!

The let us feed you $139 tasting menu is incredible and left us stuffed. Our larger group sat in the private room and enjoyed 4 large courses over the course of 3 hours. The uni toast and pasta were universal favorites as was the ice cream the end. Some felt the menu lacked a bit of cohesion (why are there onion rings?) but we all agreed that majority of dishes were enjoyable and elevated. The staff is knowledgeable, genuine, and friendly. The atmosphere and decor is upbeat and bright. 10/10 I can’t wait to come back next time.

Tucked away in a seemingly random corner of the Mission, this place doesn’t scream for your attention. It doesn’t need to. From the outside, it looks like an old industrial shell that’s been restored, repurposed, and filled with intention. Inside, you’ll find a curated bar of spirits you’ve probably never heard of, but wish you had sooner, and cocktails that don’t just taste good…they tell a story. Let’s just say I asked the bartender to make whatever she was best at. She returned with a green, herbal creation I still can’t name, but won’t forget. That quiet confidence, that trust between guest and craft. That’s what sets Ernest apart. The food? Thoughtful. Unexpected. Every dish was plated like art but never felt fussy or out of touch. We shared everything, which felt right because the whole experience was about slowing down and being present. What made Ernest stand out wasn’t just the food or drinks. It was the vibe. The energy. The quiet confidence that San Francisco hasn’t lost its soul. It’s just hiding in places like this. If you know, you know.

Ernest serves good food—well-prepared and satisfying. But for the price, I was hoping for a twist, a kick, or some kind of adventure for the palate. Instead, everything was just good—exactly as expected, which felt a little underwhelming. Still a 5 star for food though. I know that might sound overly critical, but when prices are high, so are expectations. The experience should offer something memorable. On top of that, we were seated in a corner spot tucked against the wall. It felt more like being put in time-out than enjoying a night out. At this level, I expect more comfort than what you’d find in an airplane seat—that shouldn’t be too much to ask.

wonderful experience at the bar counter, enjoyable if you’re into raw menus. i loved the oysters especially, and the duck i still think about — sauce was on point. cheesecake was quite rich, but kakigori super light and fluffy with the crème fraîche.

Wonderful experience with the tasting menu. We added the uni and pasta and it was well worth the additional price. Most of the dishes were hits, particularly the caviar, beef/ikura tartare, uni dishes, mushrooms, and oysters. Agree with some other reviewers that there were some random dishes that were fine but underwhelming.. like onion rings, bread rolls (on the second course out of 3?) and shrimp cocktail which were not something I would expect at a restaurant like this. Regardless I will certainly be back- it was a beautiful space, great service, and interesting dishes!

We cane here with 4 people and got the prix fixe so we were able to try pretty much everything on the menu. Some of the dishes were a bit hit or miss, but overall the experience, the taste, and the service was wonderful. My favorites were the bread, the fried rice, and the ice cream dessert. The one that really did not suit my taste was the chicken liver terrine.

One of the best meals I've had in San Francisco recently. We sat at the bar (excellent service) and opted for the premium tasting menu, which was a steal at $139. Generous portions and a wide variety of dishes. Our favorites were the doughnuts with caviar, beef tartar with roe, the spring vegetables, and the fried rice. We were least excited by the shrimp cocktail (all sauce) and the hanger steak, which while perfectly good, was not interesting compared to the other dishes. Looking forward to returning.

Yvonne Lin

A wonderful experience for a casual, but elevated, business dinner. The service was impeccable from the moment I entered the restaurant--personable host, friendly and attentive server who was present, but not overbearing. The $99 omakase was superb: right-sized portions, creatively fresh offerings. The parker house rolls with ever-so-soft cultured butter along with the ikura, beef tartare handrolls were my personal favorite, but I am still dreaming a bit about the radicchio salad. The hanger steak was beautifully done and delicious to boot! I was kind of looking forward to the shave ice for dessert, but the dessert that came out with the omakase was the soft serve which sounds underwhelming, but the presentation + hidden hazelnut *wow* + the chocolate magic shell that was poured over it was ... divine. I'll have to return for just the shave ice some other time. Actually, I'll have to return for the rest of the menu some other time. The location in the SF is a "transitional" so either bravely park, or just take Waymo/Lyft/Uber. [Zoox will be there soon too,]. The ambiance is great for business or even just friends/family. The industrial decor doesn't help dampen sound, so it's not quite right for a quiet/private conversation. 2 weeks later: still dreaming of the Parker house rolls and the soft creamy butter with the little stream of milky cream dribbling from the center when I cut into it. 🤭

Marsha

We ordered the tasting menu! Might not be in the same order as the pics: - Osetra Caviar with banana bread and butter (best banana bread and butter and experience and taste and texture of a banana bread I’ve ever had in my whole life) - Sushi Rice - Ikura, Raw Beef, Toasted Nori (nice) - Shrimp Cocktail (yessss) - Uni Toast (yum) - Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio (LOVED this) - Zuckerman Watermelon Salad (LOVEEED this) - Parker house roll bread and butter (nothing special but nice) - Koshihikari Fried Rice - Summer Vegetables, Thai Basil (yum! ) - Burrata (I don’t like cheese so ) - Thickcut LA Shortrib (yum!!!!!!!!) - Smoked Early Girl Tomatoes (tomatoes and ramen egg) (so so so good) - Shaved ice for dessert (it was okay! The largest shaved ice ever) We came for my husbands birthday and we are absolutely glad we did! We have been to several Michelin star restaurants and this for me ranks number 2 compared to every Michelin place I’ve tried! So so delicious. Flavor explosion. Amazing quality. Very easy to find parking!

Alexis

It’s rare to be able to say this but all the plates slapped! Yet another San Francisco culinary home run. The menu was creative, beautiful but most importantly delicious. The restaurant itself is minimalist, with sharp lines, lots of plants and feels refreshing. Came for the Parker rolls which btw had great butter with cream and salt. The Smokey tomatoes absolutely melted in my mouth and the sundae with hazelnut and chocolate packed a punch. But favorite was definitely the tostada! Would love to return to try it all!

Lisa Thomas

We did the $99 let the kitchen cook for you and it was incredible! It’s “two” courses and a dessert but each course is a round that has 5-6 items each. Everything was so tasty and it was very filling. The servers were attentive and the space was comfortable. Will definitely come back!

Vicki Lau

Had such a wonderful experience here tonight! My husband and I ordered the $99 tasting menu and loved all the variety we got to sample from the menu. Everything was so flavorful with each dish having a fun & innovative mix of ingredients. I truly didn’t have a single dish that I didn’t like from the meal. Our service was wonderful and very attentive and the space is nice, airy and modern feeling. Will definitely recommend this to all my friends & family and come back the next time I’m in town.

William Taylor

Its all really tasty, Would say the larger plate options were helpful to the dinner. Uni toast = yes - probably need to order 4 Oysters - yes Scallops - good to try, wouldn't get again Shrimp - same as Scallops Pork neck - yes Beef- yes Cheesecake- had a chunck of cream cheese in it... not as medium as the table next to us Mixed drinks- yes Glad we went, would recommend, not a lot of "wow" and our table was a bit on the woble side Went for burgers after - needed some food

Olivia Harmon

Great experience at Ernest! I loved the fried rice and also the scallion pancake. It was the perfect date night spot and the food was really interesting and fun. Expect surprising flavor combinations and don’t miss the shaved ice!

Ivan Herrera

We had such an amazing time at Ernest! The food was incredible!! that banana bread with caviar completely blew me away. Oscar and Ignacio made us feel so welcome and took amazing care of us. Huge thanks to Chef Rodolfo and the kitchen team for an unforgettable night. We can’t wait to come back!

Jennifer Yan

Amazing ! Wow ! Creative and perfect combo of flavor and texture. Highly recommend Sushi rice, Burrata with scallion pancake, halibut sando . Love love love. Also no fuss!

Ryan Au

What a wonderful experience! We did the tasting menu for 4. The service and food were immense. The tasting course consisted of 16 plates not including dessert. I would highly recommend, make sure you are hungry going in on this. Highlights were Uni on toast, banana bread w/ banana butter and caviar, and the hangar steak. The pacing was how I like to eat. Done family style and self paced, it made the meal feel like eating around a family table. The servers were attentive but not overbearing. This was a wonderful experience that I would recommend to anyone that loves food.

QuietStorm

Tucked away in a seemingly random corner of the Mission, this place doesn’t scream for your attention. It doesn’t need to. From the outside, it looks like an old industrial shell that’s been restored, repurposed, and filled with intention. Inside, you’ll find a curated bar of spirits you’ve probably never heard of, but wish you had sooner, and cocktails that don’t just taste good…they tell a story. Let’s just say I asked the bartender to make whatever she was best at. She returned with a green, herbal creation I still can’t name, but won’t forget. That quiet confidence, that trust between guest and craft. That’s what sets Ernest apart. The food? Thoughtful. Unexpected. Every dish was plated like art but never felt fussy or out of touch. We shared everything, which felt right because the whole experience was about slowing down and being present. What made Ernest stand out wasn’t just the food or drinks. It was the vibe. The energy. The quiet confidence that San Francisco hasn’t lost its soul. It’s just hiding in places like this. If you know, you know.

Anderson Angkeyile (Flying Sailor)

Ernest serves good food—well-prepared and satisfying. But for the price, I was hoping for a twist, a kick, or some kind of adventure for the palate. Instead, everything was just good—exactly as expected, which felt a little underwhelming. Still a 5 star for food though. I know that might sound overly critical, but when prices are high, so are expectations. The experience should offer something memorable. On top of that, we were seated in a corner spot tucked against the wall. It felt more like being put in time-out than enjoying a night out. At this level, I expect more comfort than what you’d find in an airplane seat—that shouldn’t be too much to ask.

Kai Sheng

The let us feed you $139 tasting menu is incredible and left us stuffed. Our larger group sat in the private room and enjoyed 4 large courses over the course of 3 hours. The uni toast and pasta were universal favorites as was the ice cream the end. Some felt the menu lacked a bit of cohesion (why are there onion rings?) but we all agreed that majority of dishes were enjoyable and elevated. The staff is knowledgeable, genuine, and friendly. The atmosphere and decor is upbeat and bright. 10/10 I can’t wait to come back next time.

Cat Steele

Second time at Ernest, and this still holds the spot for my favorite restaurant in SF for me. I love how the menu evolves seasonally and mixes flavors in a unique way. Just one significant disappointment this time around: we were asked if anyone in the party had an allergy, and our friend said they couldn't have oysters because of a medication they're taking for a serious health condition they're going through (I wasn't aware of this particular medication interaction or I would have let them know ahead of time). Still, oysters were brought out for them instead of doing some tiny substitution or "here's a little extra of something else instead". Totally understand that the course menu is family style, but an extra sardine toast or anything that addressed the situation with kindness would have gone a long way vs. reminding the person of what they can't enjoy because of a health condition. Also, why ask if you're not going to accommodate? We gave this feedback live too but it wasn't addressed, so sharing here as well for awareness. Thankfully that happened at the beginning of the meal and there was a lot of food that was really good so everyone left happy, but really felt this part of the experience was a miss.

Winnie Xu

wonderful experience at the bar counter, enjoyable if you’re into raw menus. i loved the oysters especially, and the duck i still think about — sauce was on point. cheesecake was quite rich, but kakigori super light and fluffy with the crème fraîche.

Jamie Li

Wonderful experience with the tasting menu. We added the uni and pasta and it was well worth the additional price. Most of the dishes were hits, particularly the caviar, beef/ikura tartare, uni dishes, mushrooms, and oysters. Agree with some other reviewers that there were some random dishes that were fine but underwhelming.. like onion rings, bread rolls (on the second course out of 3?) and shrimp cocktail which were not something I would expect at a restaurant like this. Regardless I will certainly be back- it was a beautiful space, great service, and interesting dishes!

Yolanda

We cane here with 4 people and got the prix fixe so we were able to try pretty much everything on the menu. Some of the dishes were a bit hit or miss, but overall the experience, the taste, and the service was wonderful. My favorites were the bread, the fried rice, and the ice cream dessert. The one that really did not suit my taste was the chicken liver terrine.

★★★★★ Ernest is an absolute standout! From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt modern, stylish, and inviting — perfect for a night out, a special celebration, or a casual dinner with friends. The service was exceptional — attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. The staff went above and beyond to make our experience seamless and enjoyable. The food was phenomenal. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and packed with fresh, vibrant flavors. The menu offered a creative mix of options, and the cocktails were expertly crafted and perfectly balanced.

This is the best food I’ve had in SF. The duck confit is to die for. Highly recommend the sushi rice and the shaved ice for desert if you have room. You really can’t go wrong here. The cocktails also amazing. My one note - the lighting is WAY too bright in there. It would be such a better vibe and the restaurant would be perfect is they dimmed it.

Fine dining price & portion but slightly underwhelming. Everything was good but not WOW. Service was meh We enjoyed the bluefin tuna tostada and the sakura toast the most. The strawberry scallops were also great. Overall overpriced for what it is. Atmosphere was nice though.

The food was delicious with strong umami flavors. My favorite was the lo mein. The asparagus and avocado were also good. As a vegetarian I was surprised there was roe on the avocado. I’m not allergic but good to know for next time. I reserved a table but was seated in the bottom floor which was not ideal. It was cold and only had 30% of the ambiance as upstairs. I’d recommend not giving those tables to people who have made a reservation.

Updated: Jun 2024 second visit to Ernest. The food was still thoughtful and delicious, but the service definitely missed the mark. I totally understand how busy the dinner time can be, but our server showed little interest serving and engaging with us. Original: I dined in for the Christmas Eve pre fixe menu and this food concept definitely surpassed my expectations. Each dish is very thoughtful, fresh, and rich. I especially like the short rib Wellington and the beef tartare.

+6

Came here and did the chefs tasting. Initially when the seafood platter was served we thought we made a great decision. Alone this felt worth the price. Parker rolls are always an excellent accompaniment to any meal. The next several dishes I felt were saltier than my liking to the point if not wanting to eat them. I did take them home to see if my palate was off for the night but I stand by my assessment. I would come back here for the cocktails which were all amazing and the service that was kind, professional, and fast. Never thought I’d like a cocktail with sour cream; definitely try their gin fizz.

+6

Delicious, fresh food with generous portions. Some dishes were better than others but overall they were all quite good. What was strange to me was the still water was $7 per bottle. So we gotta ask for tap water now? Paying for still water seems very strange and did not expect to see that on the tab. We didn’t ask for “bottles” either, just still water.

+6

changing my rating because of the disappointing entree on our 2nd visit. Each course was good until it got to the main entree. 1. The pork tonkotsu was stringy, tough, and we didn’t eat most of it for that reason 2. Why are their heirloom tomatoes on the tonkotsu when a previous course was heirloom tomato salad?

Not worth it. The beef tartare was great, but for the price and hype I expected way more in terms of food. Chic ambience and good to impress a date, but there are much better options out nearby at the same price range. Maybe saved by the fact you can combine it with an exquisite cocktail at True Laurel afterwards.

+5

I expected to be better. First of all, our table was on the lower level and right next to stair steps. I asked for table change then we seated at the bar where front door remained opening and it was really cold and freezing during entire dinner time. Uni toast, Tonkatsu and Hamachi kama are outstanding. Beef tartar and ikura was not as good as expected. The sushi rice did not have seasoning and no taste. Server took it off from our bill after I expressed my comments. Eating envirnment and comfort level should be leveled up from its pricing.

+5

Everything was okay, we weren’t overly impressed with any dishes. The uni toast is honestly a disappointment, overpriced for a tiny piece. There was a long wait between the our appetizers and main course, not sure why but that really put a damper on the meal.

I ate here a few weeks ago and keep thinking about the experience, so I’m compelled to write a review. The food and beverage program at Ernest is excellent – creative, delicious, and worthy of the hype. Our server was also warm and attentive in between what became a steady drumbeat of being told to hurry up. When we arrived, we were told we had until a specific time to finish our meal (we were about five minutes late due to traffic). I said “yes!” and assumed that was just a standard heads-up and we were fine. But after every course – and even during a course while we were still actively eating – staff came by to remind us that another party needed the table and that we should speed things along. It happened enough times that it became the dominant vibe of the evening. The result was that instead of savoring a special meal, we spent it feeling watched and rushed, like we were holding up a conveyor belt. I completely understand tight turns and the need to maximize seating, especially in San Francisco, but there’s a way to manage that without making guests feel like an inconvenience. A simple, clear upfront time limit and then letting us enjoy our dinner within that window would have been totally fine. The food was truly delicious, and under different circumstances I’d be eager to come back and recommend Ernest wholeheartedly. But the constant pressure to hurry up – even mid-bite – made the experience stressful and undermined what should have been a great night out

Aimee Witteman

I ate here a few weeks ago and keep thinking about the experience, so I’m compelled to write a review. The food and beverage program at Ernest is excellent – creative, delicious, and worthy of the hype. Our server was also warm and attentive in between what became a steady drumbeat of being told to hurry up. When we arrived, we were told we had until a specific time to finish our meal (we were about five minutes late due to traffic). I said “yes!” and assumed that was just a standard heads-up and we were fine. But after every course – and even during a course while we were still actively eating – staff came by to remind us that another party needed the table and that we should speed things along. It happened enough times that it became the dominant vibe of the evening. The result was that instead of savoring a special meal, we spent it feeling watched and rushed, like we were holding up a conveyor belt. I completely understand tight turns and the need to maximize seating, especially in San Francisco, but there’s a way to manage that without making guests feel like an inconvenience. A simple, clear upfront time limit and then letting us enjoy our dinner within that window would have been totally fine. The food was truly delicious, and under different circumstances I’d be eager to come back and recommend Ernest wholeheartedly. But the constant pressure to hurry up – even mid-bite – made the experience stressful and undermined what should have been a great night out

We recently celebrated a birthday dinner at Ernest, and unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience. Our waitress was quite rude—she took our dessert while we were still holding our spoons. The second sushi appetizer was sent with our main dish, which wasn’t what we wanted. We asked for a take-home container for the duck confit, which we didn’t finish, but it never came. On top of that, our drink order was wrong. For a birthday dinner, we were expecting much better service. The food was just okay; the tempura was cold and a bit oily, although the rest of the dishes were decent. Overall, the poor service really overshadowed the evening, which is disappointing for a place like Ernest.

+2

One of the most expensive meals of my life. The food was tasty, but it was over $300 a head, and we barely drank, which is completely absurd. Also not at all kid-friendly. We had a baby with us. Understandably they didn't want us walking around in front of the waiters with the baby, but they wouldn't let us even show her the Christmas tree. There was no one sitting in the dining room with the Christmas tree. They were trying to shove us out into some cold, empty corridor with the baby. Also nothing charming or appealing about the restaurant itself or the atmosphere. Bland and soulless. Unattractive decor Do not recommend and will never return

At the end I was quite disappointed. We got four dishes, the first two really good. The last two quite disappointing. Half of the lamb was pure fat. The rice was super greasy. The cocktail was really good but the glass was just ice with a tiny amount of actual cocktail. The decor is OK, not that impressive, tables quite squeezed to each other, very noisy. A lot of waiters but the interaction with them was like dealing with Borgs, very impersonal.... You will be assimilated, resistance is futile. Long wait when we arrived even if we had a reservation. For a place that claims to be fancy, I experienced way too many tricks they used to save dimes. If you want to be fancy, then you don't save by giving four cubes of lamb of which half is just fat, you give a decent amount of cocktail... Ahh, and I have almost forgotten the Basque cheesecake. We read such amazing reviews about this dessert that we wanted to try. It was inedible. A sort of amorphic block of... something... with a very bad taste and an awful texture. My wife makes a Basque cheesecake that is ten thousand times better! As I said, really disappointing in too many ways

I honestly can’t believe people are eating this slop and happily paying a premium for it. The $99 tasting menu was super disappointing— we expected well thought-out dishes and interesting/harmonious flavors. Instead, we received what felt like the random weekly deli specials thrown together from whatever was in stock. Aside from food, the staff were excellent. I really liked the watermelon salad, but every other dish fell flat. The boiled egg/tomato dish in particular was unappealing in texture. The fried rice tastes like the healthy fried rice my mom makes me at home. To be clear, I wouldn’t eat these dishes if someone gave them to me for free. They tasted plain bad. Considering the omakase dinner I had for $15 less the night before, I feel like money is better spent elsewhere. Not to mention the 7% “mandated” charge they add on at the end that we didn’t see at any other SF restaurant.

The service is good but I have to admit the food is so mediocre and overpriced. We ordered duck confit and hanger steak as main course, to my surprise, they are both toooo salty 🥴🥴 don’t understand why there are many reviews saying that the food is exceptionally good.

Abigail Park

I honestly can’t believe people are eating this slop and happily paying a premium for it. The $99 tasting menu was super disappointing— we expected well thought-out dishes and interesting/harmonious flavors. Instead, we received what felt like the random weekly deli specials thrown together from whatever was in stock. Aside from food, the staff were excellent. I really liked the watermelon salad, but every other dish fell flat. The boiled egg/tomato dish in particular was unappealing in texture. The fried rice tastes like the healthy fried rice my mom makes me at home. To be clear, I wouldn’t eat these dishes if someone gave them to me for free. They tasted plain bad. Considering the omakase dinner I had for $15 less the night before, I feel like money is better spent elsewhere. Not to mention the 7% “mandated” charge they add on at the end that we didn’t see at any other SF restaurant.

Mengran He

The service is good but I have to admit the food is so mediocre and overpriced. We ordered duck confit and hanger steak as main course, to my surprise, they are both toooo salty 🥴🥴 don’t understand why there are many reviews saying that the food is exceptionally good.

Walking into Ernest in San Francisco felt like stepping into a social experiment where the goal was to see how blatantly a restaurant could treat people differently and still get away with it. I’ve never seen a place so openly two‑faced. If you’re white, congratulations — you get the VIP treatment. Smiles, jokes, menu breakdowns, constant check‑ins. The whole performance. If you’re not white? Good luck. I got the kind of service you’d expect if you wandered into the kitchen by accident all because I'm not white. Short answers. No eye contact. No warmth. No explanation of anything. Just a vibe that said, “Why are you here?” Meanwhile, the table next to me — who arrived after — got treated like royalty. It was so obvious it was almost surreal. And the worst part? Everyone working there acted like this was normal. Like this was just how things are done. I wasn’t imagining it. I wasn’t being sensitive. It was right there, out in the open, and nobody cared. The food could’ve been life‑changing and it still wouldn’t matter, because nothing tastes good when the staff makes it clear you’re not worth their time. I left feeling insulted, not served. If you value basic respect, skip this place. No restaurant is worth being treated like you don’t belong.