Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

There are times when one just wants to feel like F. Scott or Ella Fitzgerald, am I right? Absinthe is the place to do just that. That outfit that's begging to be worn, but you previously thought you'd have nowhere to wear it to? Put it on, head to Absinthe, and order yourself a cocktail. This restaurant/bar serves up low lighting, an other-worldly atmosphere, and bold dishes like an entire trout wrapped in bacon. Give yourself time to wander around the surrounding Hayes Valley area before or after your meal; it's a cozy and unique San Francisco neighborhood that deserves a leisurely meander.

I wouldn't say it's a must bar to go to. During opera season, avoid avoid avoid. Very crowded with a different crowd than what you may be used to. On a normal day or night - not opera or ballet season nights - it's a cool crowd. Like the mix. Love the drinks they make. I haven't eaten there except for a couple appetizers, so I can't say much about the food list. What I did have was great !

One of the prettiest spaces downtown, Absinthe is also one of the few where the food lives up to the decor. The restaurant serves clever, creative takes on French standards, including well as sumptuous desserts like a lavender creme brulee that I'm still raving about years later. French food in San Francisco is often a disappointment, but not here. The bar and cafe areas are trendy but still cosy and inviting, while the restaurant feels more traditional. Cocktails are heavy on the mildly hallucinogenic spirit the place was named for, and the bar food is simpler than what you'll find in the restaurant but equally delicious. It's a lovely, dark, intimate little place, perfect for a date.

Impeccably dressed in Art Nouveau café decor--with a thick menu of libations that would make a Parisian café blush with envy--Absinthe is the perfect bet for impressing out-of-towners who are into three-martini brunches, old world atmosphere and the art of a well-mixed cocktail. While its dinner options are delicious--and the sommelier will skillfully help you navigate the impressive cellar for the right pairing--the stars at Absinthe are brunch and happy hour. The perfect fusion of French and Californian cuisine, the brunch selection spans from the classic Croque Monsieur (or Madame, if you want to add an egg) to salads, breakfast favorites, cheeses and a top-notch hamburger. Add a glass of something cool and/or sparkling, and you have the perfect conversation-conducive weekend afternoon. Très parisien. Of course, the real gems here are the cocktails. While the plethora of listed drinks are original and well-executed, don't miss the off-menu Death in the Afternoon, a Hemingway favorite--champagne with the absinthe of your choice--or Spanish Coffee--a mysterious alchemy of liquor, coffee, whipped cream and a caramelized cinnamon rim that will make the whole bar smell like heaven once they cue the pyrotechnics. For an accompanying bite, try the shoestring frites (served in a paper cone with Dijon mustard, malt vinegar and aioli for dipping) or a mix-and-match cheese plate with paired accompaniments for each selection. Bref: if you're looking for a pre- or post-show cocktail to accompany a night at the symphony or opera, or simply a delicious and well-lubricated weekend brunch, look no further.

With its delicious food, signature cocktails, and antique feel, Absinthe Brasserie and Bar is perfect for a classy night out. Their newly finished tables are made from a single chunk of wood, creating a laid back, yet expensive feel and the wait staff is both kind and accommodation friendly. The infinite drink selection is almost overwhelming, but the staff with mix you up the perfect cocktail for you taste.

Absinthe Bar is one of my favorite places to visit in SF. Even though I have been several times I still have not had dinner there (although I hear it is excellent). I keep going back for the excellent drinks. These people can think up the best and most unique cocktails you will ever have. The bar has a nice atmosphere, dim lights, and the music is not too loud- really the perfect place to go if you actually want to talk to the people you are with.

I LOVE Absinthe! This restaurant is stunning and is perfect for romantic evenings/special occasions. I went on my birthday and was treated like royalty. The service is wonderful and they really go above and beyond most restaurants to make sure that you are happy and having a great time. The menu rotates constantly, so I can't recommend specific dishes, but rest assured, everything is fantastic here. Being a French restaurant, there is extra care put into every single dish and it's obvious that the flavors were coaxed out of each ingredient to leave the final ensemble bursting with flavor.

This place has been – and continues to be – one of my favorites in all of San Francisco. I went here for the first time the very first week they opened and have been dozens upon dozens of times since. The champagne cocktails never disappoint and the gazpacho is the best I have tasted outside of Spain…ever! Caesar salad, Coq au Vin, trout canapé, all amazing, and made even better when topped off with Brown Butter Ice Cream. I’m fairly confident they serve that in heaven. If you have ever been to Paris, you will suffer mad flashbacks in here. The atmosphere it authentically Parisian from the lovely bistro area up front to the elegant dining room in back. Don’t go in a rush (that’s just not French!) and make a reservation. You won’t regret it.

So apparently there’s a dining room in back. Despite the fact that I have been here like 20 times I have never been back there. I always sit in the wonderful, French café-styled room up front. The food and cocktails are equally amazing. Traditional French eats, classics, maybe the best Bloody Mary I have ever had, and lots of friendly people who clearly enjoy working there (they should, it’s pricey, the tips must be great). Although I have never had anything bad to eat here, their burger may be the best thing on the menu. Weird, right? But trust me, you aren’t throwing away the night by going with a more American-style treat at this French place. I also recommend the steak tartare, country pate, pork asobuco (no idea how to spell that), and the steak with mashed potatoes. Want to impress a date? This is the place. It’s romantic, great for conversation, and it’s right near the symphony so you can pretend to be cultured why you eat your burger, you stupid American.