This Ritz-Carlton hotel restaurant is perfect for a swanky, sunny San Francisco lunch.
The hotel's richly landscaped Terrace Courtyard is an outdoor dining oasis set in an architectural treasure overlooking San Francisco's Financial District.
Water bubbling from a two-tiered fountain completes the ideal setting. Enjoy Sunday Jazz Brunch served in the garden Courtyard of The Terrace. While some of the Bay Area's finest jazz musicians perform, guests select from an extensive buffet that includes a caviar station laden with American sturgeon, salmon, golden caviar and freshly made blinis; a made-to-order egg and omelet station, sushi bar, smoked salmon, shrimp, oysters, beef carpaccio, domestic and imported cheeses, fresh fruits and salads.
"Best Lunch, Brunch, Outdoor Dining" -- San Francisco, Citysearch
"Best Brunch" and "Best Outdoor Dining" -- San Francisco Magazine
"24/30 in food; 24/30 in decor and 25/30 in service"--2003 Zagat Survey
In Short A brick courtyard, an elegant fountain and a profusion of well-tended flowers make this the loveliest and most civilized venue for alfresco dining in the city, particularly for lunch and weekend brunch. The interior of the restaurant is charming as well, with delicate French decor, pastel hues and stately oil paintings. The Terrace serves terrific Californian-Mediterranean food that takes full advantage of the area's seasonal bounty.
A family tradition is to go for Tea at the Ritz one a year with Grandma. It is always a wonderful experience. The Terrace can;t be beat in elegance and beauty. The staff is wonderful, friendly and professional. The service is just what you would expect and the food is tasty. The only drawback would be the price but that's why it is just once a year that we do this, well worth it!
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Latest reviews by Citysearch:
(read all 7 reviews
on Citysearch)
Nice Views
By malulloyd
Nice location, awesome building, great service, and staff. Food choices area good and definitely worth coming back often to try.
Pros: Good feedback from everyone who's been there Cons: pricey
Posted 03/28/09
Sunday Brunch The Terrible at the Ritz Carlton
By ladycshell
I was celebrating my 50th birthday. It was without a doubt the WORST service I have ever experienced. If you think re-folding napkins is good service, you'll be happy. We were completely ignored. After asking to be moved from the outside, we were placed next to the open door, so it was still cold and drafty. We only saw our waiter once and that was after flagging him down for the champagne we ordered 20 minutes ago.
The food was okay...way too many salads. The only offerings for hot, carved foods were leg of lamb and a filet of cod. The Belgian waffles tasted under-cooked.
My "special" treat for my birthday were a couple of cookies from a box, with Happy Birthday spelled out in thin chocolate on the plate. Oh, and the jazz band? Way too tired to keep working. Horrible experience for an astronomical price.
Pros: none Cons: Bad service, mediocre food, very expensive
Posted 11/20/05
Their $24.95 Lunches Are Boring
By jane_smly
I booked a lunch to try their $24.95 tasting menus one Saturday afternoon. Because of the weather we didn't get to sit outside the Terrace. Indoors, the decor was so indescribably dull, it reminded me of Hong Kong hotels from the 1970's. Or 1950's. It looked like an old lady's boudoir, with pastelly wallpaper and "baroque" feel. I was amazed to learn later that this hotel was actually built much later. The food tasted like it was from the 1950's. You get what you pay for. The coffee was not included in the tasting menu and was $8-10 a cup. So the entire lunch set you back about $90-95. What a waste of money for a very average experience in a hotel lunch room. Don't be seduced, it's not an elegant lunch as the website would have you imagine.
Pros: Good wait service Cons: Average boring food, Horribly expensive, Dull old world decor
Posted 04/06/05
Overdone
By ewittman
I understand when you hit a Ritz, you are going to pay a premium. The scene is nice, service top notch, food doesn't match the dough you pay however. With the food, they try to hard to be over the top. You can take the parents there, just don't expect to cure your hang-over with their grub.
Posted 08/07/03
$19.95 3-course weekday prix fixe lunch
By noefoodie
The Terrace is offering a great deal...a $19.95 3-course prix fixe lunch. For the food they serve up, I really appreciated the price. The day I went, they offered a cucumber gazpacho (just a tad on the acidic side), a seared ahi entree (really good), and a cherry clafouti for dessert.
On warm days, they seat guests outside. Although the sun was shining, the day I went was pretty windy (surprise, surprise) so be prepared with a light jacket.
The service was the low point of my experience. Two different servers took care of me. One was fantastic: friendly and efficient. The other had a frown on his face the entire time. He was efficient...just looked like he didn't want to be there and didn't make me feel welcome.
