Bix

BIX is a true SF restaurant. If you are new to the City its a bit hard to find but tucked in an alley in the Jaskson Square neighborhood is the unassuming entrance of BIX. The restaurant has live jazz nightly and the food is out of this world. This is THE place for an initimate dinner with a great group of friend or family. Thanks for the great time!

Pros: The perfect blend of service, cuisine and atmosphere.

Cons: none

Posted 04/06/09

Extremely poor service, terrible attitudes, non-welcoming environment, and tier-3 wait staff - with as many great restaurants as there are in the city (next time go to Boulevard, Jardiniere, Aqua...or any other), Bix should fall off of anyone's list as a restaurant option. The staff at Bix is just flat out rude... From the unpleasant and unaccomodating host/hostesses, to waiters with major attitudes purely focused on how much and how fast you order so as to maximize their tip potential. I would highly recommend that anyone considering this restaurant, very much reconsider - you will be incredibly disapointed.

Posted 11/08/08

My husband and I just had dinner here the other night, and the restaurant and the atmosphere did not disappoint! We made reservations on Open Table. We arrived 10 minutes early, had one drink at the bar as we waited for our table we were then whisked away to our table (upstairs!) This place reminds me of a 30's-40's supper club, very romantic. A little loud, but what restaurant in San Francisco isn't?! I had the Risotto with Lobster which was delicious! My husband had steak (typical right?!) Anyway, this place has it all! Attentive wait staff, great food! and a romantic atmposphere. They also have valet parking(which felt like we were in a movie, because of this restaurants location in an alley, Gold alley!) Well this place is gold! My husband and I will be back!

Pros: Romantic dining, great people watching spot (especially upstairs!) Great food, amazing Wine list!

Cons: Can't think of one (maybe a little loud, but again where isn't it in San Francisco?)

Posted 08/13/08

Probably the worst service we ever had in the Bay area. The waitress was extremely cold and unfriendly.
Seemed more motivated to assist a table of 8 than ours. Our cocktail was wisked off the table before it was empty, bread was never replenished, had to ask for the wine list after the first drink was removed and she never came to check if the entree was ok. The food was mediocre for the price with flavor combinations that didn't quite work for us (like sweet corn with fish). The table arrangement, music and room was nice.

Posted 06/07/08

This is a great resturent. I've been here a few times and it's exceptional in ambiance and style. I always leave satisfied with my meals. It's a great place to show off the beauty and charm of this city and the excellent food it is know for. I think it's great for groups and out of town guests.

Posted 06/30/07

I went to Bix last Sunday night with a party of 5. Bix has a lot of style- it's tucked away in an alley and gorgeous once you walk inside- it has a 1920's elegance to it. We were seated immediately and the server came and took our drink orders promptly. We ordered appetizers- the potato pillows with caviar were tasty, the tuna an steak tartares were average, and the crab rolls were boring. I didn't get to try the mini lamb burgers since the harissa was made with almonds (I'm allergic to nuts) but was told they were also average. I will say that our server was amazing- the second he heard I was allergic to nuts, he scoured the recipes to ensure that I knew what I could and couldn't eat. Our entrees consisted of the kobe beef, the short ribs, the crab spaghetti, and the lamb. The kobe eaters were unimpressed stating that they had had better. The BF thought the lamb was boring- it had been cooked with no seasoning and he was expected to use the scant balsamic vinegar to bring out the lamb's flavor. The crab spaghetti was interesting but uninspired. While the short ribs were tasty- they were similar to the short ribs I could have gotten at a Claim Jumper franchise and I was annoyed that the squash that was mentioned on the menu was replaced with carrots. As far as dessert was concerned, we had the bananas foster which was decent but not anything special. The last mediocrity was the drink quality- the BF had the Manhattan and said it was "okay." All in all, Bix is not ridiculously expensive and the service was outstanding but this LA girl wouldn't waste a night out in SF there again.

Pros: great service, great ambience

Cons: the food was just not great

Posted 02/19/07

Seriously, and I am in no way exagerating, I had the best meal of my life at Bix about a month ago. Unbelievable selection of food and wine where the wait staff will make great recos on both. I had the Lamb with eggplant and a few bottles of Red Zin. I have been to MANY good restaurants, however, none hold a candle to Bix. Go and enjoy.

Posted 12/02/06

I've had much better dinners in San Francisco and San Jose. Bix just seems like those restaurants that try to be the trendy hyped ones but they are not qualified to be in those catagories. Service was trying to be good but not professional. Maybe we have to go there one more time to re-evaluate.

Cons: There are many better restaurants in SF

Posted 11/28/06

Sent my boss here with a large group of international financial/real estate colleagues. They loved it - kept to the simple dishes (Steak etc). Drinks good, ambiance good, booth/round table good. Was worried after reading some of the reviews, but it seems like they treat big spenders appropriately if you look like one. Also, I'd called to confirm the reservation and mentioned the caliber/nature of the group so that may have helped. Good luck!

Pros: round tables, booths, reservations

Cons: food not up to NYC standards though still good

Posted 11/27/06

If you are looking for a nice, romantic evening, OR a great night out with a group around some nice jazzy tunes, you have come to the right place. The service was very friendly and made very useful suggestions. I think its nestled ambiance and grandeur are the perfect fit for a night back in time and off the main roads. Got the squah soup which was YUMMY!! The pork chop was good too and we also got to try SUNCHOKES which were new on my list :) I would recommend AND go back!

Posted 11/25/06

This is one of the best hidden gems in the city. Dark, romantic, great food, great drinks beautiful space.

Pros: Secluded, great food

Cons: not a lot of parking in this districe

Posted 10/22/06

My husband and I were excited about this place, but left the restaurant disappointed.
The food was terrible. The entrees cost over $25.00 a plate, and it tasted like some dishes you can get at Applebee's or at Denny's.
I ordered the chicken, and my husband ordered the crab and lobster pasta. Both plates tasted exactly the same except for the fact that one was seafood, one was a poultry dish.
Both plates had the exact same cream sauce with loads of cherry tomatoes in them....
we had about 5 bites, and that was it.
The salads were OK, but average...
A restaurant this expensive and nice looking should really try and upgrade their dishes.
They can also use some scented candles... this place looks great but smells like a back alley in the tenderloin.

Posted 09/17/06

Here from Chicago, where, in case you don't know is on the map for food. I had one of the best meals of my life tonight. Bix Rocks!

Pros: Everything

Cons: Nothing

Posted 07/19/06

Our party of four really enjoyed dinner last Saturday night. The appetizers were delicious - we had the firecracker shrimp and the crab in brioche. We all enjoyed our main courses - two order of scallops, lamb and the pork chop. If you order veggies on the side - the mushrooms are not to be missed. Desserts were lovely and beautifully prepared. The only downside to Bix is that the cocktails add up quickly at $9 a pop and they're on the small side. Don't get me wrong - they were good, but not good value. Looking forward to Bix again - but this time we'll skip the pricey sidecars.

Pros: Valet parking, Classy, Good service

Cons: Pricey drinks

Posted 04/11/06

i'm not sure what happened in the kitchen arena at Bix. their food used to be spectacular and i only recently had a full coure meal there (usually in/out only at their bar) and the meal was surprisingly only so-so. definitely not worth the $50 for food only. wine selections were pretty good. our waiter was super cool but wasn't very experienced so he did flub on a couple of aspects (ie not bringing out everyone's courses in an organized order). disappointed too when we asked for the sommelier and was told he was off that night (on a thursday?). hoping they make some needed changes in the kitchen.

Posted 03/31/06

Our waitress was SLOW and the busboys were rude - they shoved the plates in our face as they excused themselves and splashed most of the mineral water onto the tablecloth! We spent nearly $80 per person and left hungry and disastified.

Posted 03/14/06

If you equate fine dining with rude service by unsophisticated hostesses, then this place is for you. On the other hand, if you want food that's worth the price and ambience that is more than mere hype, you should go elsewhere. In a city with a gazillion restaurants, this one has very little to recommend it. Put a high price on something and it attracts attention, but a discerning consumer will know what he's looking for, and this ain't it.

Pros: Location

Cons: Poor Service, Snobby Service, Lame Hostess

Posted 02/14/06

I was highly disappointed after my dinner at Bix. I had heard from many people for a long time that this was a great place. Now, I can agree only if we are talking about ambience and how it can be romantic , if not so crowded. My boyfriend and I can only agree on the potatoes, with cream and I think caviar was the best. The beef tartar was so-so and so was the spicy shrimp. For the price and three weeks I waited to eat here, I'll not be repeating.

Pros: ?

Cons: food was average

Posted 09/03/05

my husband and i were recommended this place by our concierge, and we had a really nice dinner there. the decor is a bit art deco, the piano playing is also a nice touch. we had something that resembled tater tots with black caviar on them as an appetizer, not bad, the foie gras was a little disappointing though. the lobster spaghetti was tasty and al dente, but the kobe wasn't as tender as it should've been. for dessert we had the bananas foster which was great. drinks are strong too. service was nice, but a bit slow.

Pros: strong drinks, good dessert, nice ambience

Cons: service slow

Posted 08/29/05

If you enjoy having the wait staff repeatedly walk by your table while your drinks are empty, this is the place for you. My experience was that the waitress was not trained well at all. You had to ask about the specials. It was difficult throughout the night to get her attention. But beyond the bad service, the food here is rather forgettable. There is nothing about the food which makes me or anyone who visited with me think we ever need to go back.

Cons: service

Posted 06/26/05

We arrived before the dinner section of the restaurant was open; they sat us at a table in the bar area and offered us drinks until it was all ready. The waiter was very affable, even anecdotal, as he told us of the background of the resturant. Though pricey and not the most creative, the food was saporous and reflected the environment of the restaurant nicely. It was an absolutely charming and fun experience.

Pros: setting, drinks

Cons: price

Posted 03/11/05

The resturant was perfect for a romantic evening. Which my boyfriend and I had. The service was great our waiter was very helpful and polite. The food could have been better. I think we spent way too much for what we had. The only thing good about it was the my sparkling wine and appetizer which was the morrocan kabob. I wish we went for pizza instead.

Posted 02/15/05

We were greeted graciously and escorted to a lovely table upstairs with a view of the restaurant. Unfortunately it took 10 minutes before anyone took our drink order. We enjoyed some savory hor-d'oeuvres, but the martinis were miniscule and for three people our martini bill was $108 for four rounds. Dinner was good but lacked luster. Desert and cheese plate were fine but does it take a rocket scientist to make this stuff?? All in all I think this restaurant is overrated and for $500 for three people you better take out a bank loan before you go.

Pros: Atmosphere

Posted 12/23/04

Went to Bix for a one-year anniversary, and everything went quite well. Service was great, food was delicious and the wine menu complete. Overall a great evening.

Pros: Food, Service, Martini

Posted 12/07/04

My boyfriend and I were in town from Chicago in Jan. , and had a wonderful time back this year. Bix does such a nice job recreating the speakeasy - the jazz trio on the weekend is great, the beautiful two-tier room, low-lighting, great cocktails and food made for an incredible evening out. Our server was very attentive and though we were late for our reservation, were seated promptly.

We'll be back in town visiting family in November and can't wait to go back to celebrate my bday!

Pros: Atmosphere, music, lighting

Posted 08/22/04

I heard that the bananas foster was fantastic, so I made 9:30 reservations to take my nieces to have it. When we were seated and I asked for the dessert menu, the host informed us that the tables were primarily for dinner, so were asked to move to the very crowded bar. I refused to order dessert until there were 3 seats available. A different host checked in on us, and I informed him of the situation. He apologized and found us a table 30 minutes later. I understand that dinner is what brings in the money, but a meal's a meal and I'm paying no matter what. I guess I'll have to make later reservations next time...that's if I go back.

Pros: Dessert

Posted 07/11/04

We were very late for our reservation on a busy Saturday night - we called to let them know and they told us to still come and they would fit us in. Despite the crowds, we were seated in 10 minutes and the hostesses were so nice, which is rare in such a great and popular restaurant! The atmosphere is just perfect - cozy, romantic and with such a great energy. The steak tartare and lobster spaghetti were fabulous as was the seabass. We topped it all off with the bananas foster, which was delicious. The whole evening was just perfect and I look forward to going back again!

Pros: Food, Cozy Atmosphere, Great Hostesses

Cons: Pricey

Posted 12/29/03

My husband & I dropped in via the quaint alley for a refreshing beer break during some holiday shopping. We shared the complimentary seasoned bar mix treats and then tried the Oysters - delish! We were only in for about 20 minutes, and it was quite early so people were just arriving for dinner. The room is gorgeous and dimly lit - very romantic. A gem.

Posted 11/28/03

Great full bar - menu has great meat offerings and all of the food was exquisite! Staple dessert renditions were yummy - try the bananas foster. Well worth the price, lovely atmosphere. Upstairs noise level ok for conversation.

Pros: Live Jazz, Art Deco Decor, Full Bar

Posted 10/05/03

This place is a delight. I highly recommend it. Great atmosphere and the food was pretty fine as well.

Posted 07/27/03

The place is pitch black inside. The waiters emergence almost made me choke a couple of times because you can't see him/her until they're right next to you. Strangely, they could see me. The meat dishes are better than the others.

Posted 06/01/03

Dinner was nice, the wine great. But as our table of five was finishing dessert and coffee, the manager rudely interrupted us and asked to get us a cab. We were shocked...it was a business dinner and we had spent a lot of money on food and one bottle of wine. Apparently we were taking up precious space. It was a very sour end to an otherwise nice evening. Probably won't go there again.

Cons: Manager very rude

Posted 03/23/03

Been to Bix many times on business and pleasure. The entrance is along an enchanting cobblestone alley. It's always great. Can be loud if you sit right next to the bar, but everywhere else is quiet enough to carry on a relaxed conversation without yelling. Sometimes a pianist provides nice background music. The wine selection is truly outstanding. Dinner reservations a must. Food is good.

Pros: Classy, Wine Selection

Posted 02/28/03

This place is full of the rudest staff I have ever run into. The food was decent, but the overall experience ruined our evening out. I will never go here again!

Cons: Rude jerks

Posted 02/26/03

Had lunch at Bix this afternoon as part of the SF DineAboutTown prix fixe special. This dark little supper-club has quite a few art-deco touches and is quietly tucked away down an alley on Gold street. The appetizer was an eggplant-pepper soup, it was quite delicate with a little pepper bite. Entree was three chicken hash croquettes, very tasty. Dessert was a large creme brulee, quite soft and smooth but the top was a bit burnt. Good food, great decor and the service was solid. A great place to bring a date, will have to check out the beautiful bar next time!

Pros: Art-Deco decor, Cute location

Cons: Dimly lit

Posted 01/18/03

Besides the great enviroment, Bix is really one of the best restaurants with live music in town. Just try their delicious desert "warm chocolate briosque bread pudding" It's out of this world. Thank you! I'll be back soon.

Posted 01/16/03

While the quality of the food might not justify the high prices, overall, Bix is a great dining experience. The food is reasonably well prepared, but it is outdone by the great, non-overbearing but prompt service and great decor. Although Bix is a popular restaurant, the location and the atmosphere creates a sense of finding something hidden and romantic. Taken as a whole, a great dining experience.

Pros: atmosphere, service

Posted 01/08/03

The best food I've had in ages! The food was created to perfection and the service was great. The staff knew the wine list and was able to find a wine that perfectly suited my tastes. Loved the feel of the place too.

Pros: Wonderful food, good wine selection, Great service

Cons: A bit hard to find, Fairly noisy

Posted 12/30/02

Everyone in this place was rude! From the hostess to the manager they were all snotty. Not only was the staff rude but the service was terrible. Our waiter rarely checked up on us to see if we needed anything. The atmosphere was nice and the food was pretty good, but it doesn't make up for the lack of graciousness at this restaurant.

Pros: Nice atmosphere

Cons: Rude staff

Posted 12/06/02

One of my favorite restaurants. While I'm not big on the "bar crowd" that goes here, Bix has great food and a professional and courteous staff. I would go the steak tartare for an appetizer (to split) and depending on your tastebuds, the sirloin. They've never done me wrong!

Pros: staff, food

Cons: some of the patrons

Posted 10/27/02

Bix is a great night spot. I frequently go in to sit at the bar with freinds and on occasion, I go in alone. The service is excellent...and I've had the best drinks of my life from the bar here. Food is well prepared, tasty, and I've never been dissapointed. For cocktails, I highly reccomend the sidecar. For starters, try the croque sandwhiches. Cheers!

Pros: good quality, exceelent service, valet

Cons: not open for lunch

Posted 10/21/02

Great bar service. Excellent music. Fabulous food. Overall a true hidden gem. It's a bit hard to find but this may actually be one of the pros. Astra

This hidden restaurant is located in a very small alley way. It does seem a little intimidating but once you take a glance into the restaurant you'll be glad you chose it. Albert

Pros: atmosphere, good music

Cons: little hard to find

Posted 10/13/02

We had the best seat in the house!! Second floor facing the rails/downstairs. There's only one table there for two where both face the downstairs bar. Try to request that one.

The food was delicious. We had the seared scallops as appitizer. Food took a little long to come out but worth the wait..unless you are in a hurry...

Parking is tough..so just valet it.

Pros: romantic, quiet

Cons: expensive, slow, parking

Posted 09/22/02

For those of you who like The Thin Man movies, where William Powell & Myrna Loy were never without a martini at cocktail hour, which was a very long and frequent hour, Bix is the place to capture the spirit. And the food is good, too. Great place to get dressed up for and pretend you're adult. It all feels so sophisticated. Dark and mysterious. Good music. I'm transported to another time and place whenever I'm in there. The only thing missing these days is the smoking, but that's a very good thing.

Posted 09/16/02

Eating at Bix is truly the American supper club experience! The steak tartare is the best in the City. The food, ambience and service are first class. When I eat here I'm made to feel special, and that's what restaurants are all about, IMHO.

Posted 09/11/02

Each time I visit Bix, I continue to be impressed by what a great experience I have. The food is wonderful, the bar is lively, and the ambience is just divine. And the fabulous jazz! To me, Bix is a perfect night out!

Posted 09/11/02

I've had nothing but a great experience at this restaurant. Great wait staff, music and food. I highly recommend BIX for a fun or romantic evening. No wonder it's been around for so long.

Pros: Valet parking, Great Bar, Excellent Martinis

Posted 09/09/02

I go to Bix regularly and am always happy with the food, service and ambience. You also can't find a better bartender than Bradley!

Posted 09/05/02

The alley will try ands fool you, but Bix is an amazing place. The art deco atmosphere and the great paintings that adorn this bar and restaurant really make for a great atmosphere. The waitstaff is really friendly, and pretty easy on the eyes too, if I do say so. The Cajun shrimp were good, as were the Oysters. It's a place for young hipsters who want that cool and trendy vibe Northbeach has, but without all the shallowness, and strip clubs.

Pros: great service, lots of beers on tap, Atmosphere!

Cons: Parking

Posted 08/14/02