Insider Pages Reviews for Firefly Restaurant

5 Stars: Will Warm Your Soul (by Delectable1)

Delectable1 — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:00:00 GMT

Fantastic food and atmosphere. Their fried chicken is to die for along with everything else. A nice blend of culinary cuisine and comfort. A must try.

4 Stars: Firefly Restaurant is definitely something to buzz about... (by L L.)

L L. — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 11:55:00 GMT

I have eaten at the Firefly restaurant many times and enjoyed the intimate surroundings, delicious unique foods and ambiance. The seafood dumplings are scrumptious and their specials are always something fun to try.

5 Stars: Brussel Sprouts (by yxes2008)

yxes2008 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Like many people I never liked brussel sprouts, they were always so boring, and bitter to me. However, Firefly changed that in me. We ordered roasted brussel sprouts tossed in truffle oil, seasoned lightly! You must order them, they are amazing! The entire menu is delicious, and it is constantly changing. I would call and make a reservation, we had to take a 5:30, which is when they open because nothing else was available! This place is a must!

4 Stars: I still think about it! (by stellak)

stellak — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

It's been about 2-3 years since I've been at Fireflys. It's not because I didn't like the food; it's because I hope to try every restaurant in the City before I die. Here's the thing - I still think about the pork dish I had there. Scary, but it was THAT good. It was perfectly sweet, by-far the best pork I've ever had...EVER. My boyfriend got the steak and that was darn good too. We kept eating off of each other's plates. I highly recommend Firefly...and trust me on the pork. It really is that good.

5 Stars: The absolute best presentation and taste of the creme brulee. (by binky5806)

binky5806 — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I live in the Washington DC area presently but ate at the Firefly in 1996 when my daughter graduated from high school. I have never forgotten about that dessert

5 Stars: Pleases even picky eaters... (by alina555)

alina555 — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

We took the East Coast in-laws to this restaurant, and despite their picky palates (they did not care for Chez Panisse, for instance) they LOVED this place! Fried chicken was excellent - pork chop was the best the hubby ever had - beef brisket plate was completely licked clean. We'll definitely return!

4 Stars: Great atmosphere, great halibut but... (by jrakkar)

jrakkar — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

This place has a great atmosphere. The alaskan halibut was brilliant. The signature fried chicken was good however, I think they pre-fry it and keep it warm. We sat at the bar right by the kitchen and I didn't see any frying going on. The peas and carrots it came with looked frighteningly like they came out of a frozen pack. If you're a nice restaurant try not to cut your veggies so they look like they came out of a bag. Other than that, I'd recommend it.

5 Stars: Nice atmosphere, food interesting (by solarstorm)

solarstorm — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

It is clear why people like the "small town" neighborhood feel of this restaurant, but the food was not spectacular. Portions appeared a bit small for being rated the best in "comfort food" category for me, but my fiance had the fried chicken and was satisfied with the portion and taste. Some interesting flavor combinations.

3 Stars: Limited menu offerings (by tjffarms)

tjffarms — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

We found the menu offerings to be too limited. To top it off, they had run out of the Osso Buco and the mashed potatoes (?) that went with the fried chicken. The halibut was exceptionally fresh and the fried chicken is tops.

5 Stars: Wonderful Food! (by ordulph)

ordulph — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I love the food and the casual ambience at Firefly. I've eaten here several times over the years and they have never failed me! Their menu changes according to the season and it always delights. The staff is friendly and I like the casual feel of the place. Their potsticker appetizer is a particular favorite of mine, but all their food is fabulous. Firefly has been a surefire pleaser with my foodie friends.

5 Stars: My New Favorite Spot (by cshane)

cshane — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I went here on an impulse from the "best romantic" listing and was amazed by the quality of the food and service. Since we didn't have reservations, we sat at the bar and went with several recommendations from the knowledgeable staff. The shrimp and scallop potstickers are a must-have appetizer. We went with the $32 prefix menu - a great deal for such excellent food. If you like places Delfina, you will surely love Firefly.

5 Stars: Consistently good, pleasant atmosphere (by muppditt)

muppditt — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I eat at Firefly a few times a year and have always found it to be a very good experience all-around. A warm cozy atmosphere, polished yet warm staff, interesting and well-prepared dishes and a solid wine list. A nice alternative to the other SF "upscale casual" restaurants that don't deliver, especially on the food.

5 Stars: Never been disappointed (by aliyu_dup)

aliyu_dup — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Been going there ever since we found this great restaurant. We have introduce friends to Firefly and they have become regulars to. The food is creative and very tasty with unpretentious staff. The menu changes every week so you can't get bore. The deserts are to die for. I agree with a reviewer who said that they only get bad reviews so that you will stay away to make it easier to get a table.

5 Stars: Really the Best Fried Chicken... (by q8werty)

q8werty — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT

We had the Fried Chicken and pork ribs. The Fried chicken was fantastic with every little crispy bit getting eaten. The pork ribs fell off the bone and smothered in a mild bbq sauce. The sides were ordinary and saved for the last as we ate up the main course.
Service was friendly, welcoming, and attentive. Everything was sparkling clean and they had a brisk separate take-out section that was constantly busy.
Basically great comfort food at a very reasonable price.

4 Stars: Wonderful resturaunt with a neighborhood feel (by echang527)

echang527 — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I've read a couple of reviews regarding the snooty service, but I can testify to the contrary. My girlfriend and I went there for a romantic dinner and was very pleased with not only the food but the extremely attentive and friendly service. Despite having a reservation, the wait was still no longer than 5 minutes. And it's not like we were standing outside freezing, intead we sat at the bar and enjoyed a glass of wine.

5 Stars: casual dining as an art form (by enjelani)

enjelani — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Firefly was my introduction to truly great California cooking: subtly perfect flavors, incredibly fresh local ingredients, and effortless fusion of cuisines from all over the world. We've had everything from sushi to old-fashioned meatloaf here, and the kitchen never falters. The tasty lentil spread that comes with the bread (in lieu of butter) is a delectable touch, and the shrimp & scallop potstickers alone are worth the trip. Overall the experience is food as an art form - but without the fancy trappings of a more formal restaurant. The atmosphere is relaxed and homey, like having dinner at a friend's house. My only nitpick would be the host/hostess, who can be a little snooty if you don't look like a Noe Valley type - I made my first visit as a frumpy college student, and we waited 20 minutes despite having a reservation.

4 Stars: Fantastic neighborhood restaurant (by Robert G.)

Robert G. — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 08:13:00 GMT

I used to live two blocks from Firefly and used to treat it like an extention of my dinning room. Partially because the food is so fantastic and partially because the staff is so wonderful they make you feel at home. They serve terrific upscale variations of things you might cook at home. It the fried chicken is on the menu dont tell your cardiaologist, but go for it!

Sometimes hard to get reservations, but a little secret is that you can almost always get a seat for one or two people and eat at the bar. The bonus will be a fun conversation with whoever is bartending that night.

PROS: Great place if you live in Noe, worth the trip if your not
CONS: sometimes a little noisy

5 Stars: Great Restaurant in Noe Valley (by Matt M.)

Matt M. — Thu, 23 Jun 2005 16:34:00 GMT

Firefly is one of the best places to dine in the city. Located on the edge of Noe Valley, it's a the perfect quiet spot to bring a date or an intimate guest. They have a fantastic wine selection, and have great customer service! I had the fried chicken (I know, doesn't sound very upscale) and was very pleasantly surprised. The restaurant also has great ambiance, and there is a cool ice cream parlor just up the street for desert!

4 Stars: Fusion sensation (by cyberdoggie)

cyberdoggie — Wed, 25 May 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Another restaurant in my hood that's wonderful. Ever since they downscaled the restaurant to affordable and innovative cuisine, this has become the kind of restaurant that you can enjoy any day of the week. It's innovative fusion cuisine and emphasis on fresh ingredients ensure you're enjoying a dish that you probably have never made at home before. Incredible sauces and combinations set this restaurant apart. Try the White Corn Pancakes with Spicy Shrimp Remoulade or the Wild King Salmon Filet with Griddled Leek Risotto Cake and go home smiling!

5 Stars: Best Neiborhood Restaurant in SF (by systemic35)

systemic35 — Fri, 18 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Excellent service, food, ambience, and overall experience. I love this place for its total comfort food exp. and people. Recommend highly.

5 Stars: Southern Style! (by jimmydeanstonecold)

jimmydeanstonecold — Fri, 25 Feb 2005 01:00:00 GMT

OK, the only reason people are leaving negative reviews is so you don't go there and they can get your table! Don't fall for it, Firefly is great!

This is the best fried chicken I've had this side of the Mississippi. With a warm biscuit, with butter and honey! I wanted to hug the chef.

Our server was very sweet and took good care of us.

The dining room is small and romantic, lovely! I wish I lived closer!

5 Stars: Great food and Great service (by virgievirgie)

virgievirgie — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Very nice, romantic restaurant with interesting art and bright decor. Food was great! We ordered the pork rib chop and the duck. The pork rib chop was tender and perfectly cooked. The duck was crispy on the outside and juicy inside. I've read reviews of bad service, but we had great, attentive service, probably because it wasn't very busy at the time (6:30 on a Friday night). We also ordered two desserts: chocolate bread pudding and chocolate tart. Both were great. If you reallylike chocolate, you should try the chocolate tart. It's very chocolatey! I would definitely go back again! The only weird thing was the flickering of the lights every so often. It's probably due to MUNI passing by 24th Street. It's really not a big deal and I don't think they could do anything about it.

5 Stars: Thank God for Cheese (by sangeld)

sangeld — Mon, 13 Dec 2004 01:00:00 GMT

We took our chances and walked in at 5:30 to find it packed! 2 seats were open at the bar so the host suggested we dine there. It was perfect. We started with Champagne and did the prix fix. The brussel sprouts are heavenly as an appetizer. The lentil dip served the bread is hearty and savory. The flow of food was timed well and we enjoyed the "tone" and noticed many happy couples around us. My only complaint is that my mahi mahi (although wonderful on it's own) was swimming in a brown indian-flavored broth that did nothing for the fish. Try the "flourless choc cake" and "cheese plate" for desert.

4 Stars: Yummy, indeed. (by brandonwagner)

brandonwagner — Sat, 13 Nov 2004 01:00:00 GMT

My wife and I were pleasantly surprised to see not one, but TWO of the seven entrees on the menu as vegetarian options. A rare percentage, even in SF. The brussel sprouts made her rethink her childhood suspicion of them, although, admittedly, it was probably more the white truffle oil than the sprouts. The creative veggie entrees - pumpkin steak!? - were perfectly cooked and complimented by well proportioned sides and sauces. The flourless chocolate cake was worth every bit of caloric badness. Our server was gracious and professional and the ambiance was fantastic - even if a bit too cozy at first in contrast to the cool November evening. Highly recommended for special occasions. Reservations made our visit much more enjoyable as we were seated immediately upon arrival.

3 Stars: Too bad (by freighttrainj)

freighttrainj — Thu, 04 Nov 2004 01:00:00 GMT

I really wanted to love this place, and even waiting the 10 minutes just to get greeted I still planned for a good evening. It may have been busy but it took our waiter 15 minutes to come over and say hello. Not that it would change anything he's personality resemebled card board and to top it off he forgot our bottle of wine leaving us to flag him over and end up only getting a glass each. But the food is what you come for, and even that was a little dissapointing. The potstickers were amazing and the salad pretty good but the entrees were so off I felt like I was at Mel's Diner. My boyfriend got the tuna and 2 pieces were warm one was hot and one was almost cold. How is that possible????? I could say more but....... just don't do it

5 Stars: I love this place! (by kender_us)

kender_us — Thu, 21 Oct 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Firefly is a lovely, charming restaurant. My husband and I come here as often as possible. Even though I'm a vegetarian, I can't resist the fried chicken. The vegetarian and fish entrees are delicious. We've always gotten great wine recommendations and good service. We took some friends there to celebrate their engagement recently and we had a fantastic evening.

5 Stars: Firefly Highly Recomend (by jontuerk)

jontuerk — Tue, 15 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Excellent Restaurant. Terrific food. Good wine. Ambience perfect for a romantic enening or just plain good eating. Value is outstanding

5 Stars: unforgettable service (by levyszl)

levyszl — Sat, 12 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

My friends and I still talk about "our first time" at Firefly six years ago. Whenever we come to San Francisco we meet there to relive the experience. Especially if the fried chicken is on the menu! We haven't found chicken so delightfully light and crispy anywhere else in the world. Although the food we enjoyed set the standard for excellence, it was the service we remember best. We will never forget our handsome waiter's elegant, poetic, description of the bread and butter. He even made us feel like the water was special!
Our favorite San Francisco dining experience!

5 Stars: why all the bad reviews???? (by mags182)

mags182 — Fri, 14 May 2004 02:00:00 GMT

My boyfriend and I are regular visitors to Firefly and have NEVER had one bad experience there..........we go as often as we can to enjoy the wonderful food and ambience and can't recommend it highly enough to people we know. The Prix-fixe deal is a steal and we bring any out of town visitors there and always choose it as our first choice for birthdays , anniversaries etc . Keep it up Firefly, WE know what the deal is and we'll keep coming!!!!!

5 Stars: Great Neighborhood Restaurant (by moonlightgrahams)

moonlightgrahams — Fri, 14 May 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I love this place. I have been there many times and their diverse menu is excellent. From home style items like pot roast to asian influenced fish they do it right. Great salads. The fixed price deal Sun-Thurs is a steal. Always good sevice.

3 Stars: Bad Serivce!! (by mik007)

mik007 — Thu, 04 Mar 2004 01:00:00 GMT

The restaurant is lovely and has a great ambiance, but I couldnt get over the 'funky smell' permeating the restaurant. After some wine I either no longer noticed the smell or had gotten used to it. The service was seriously bad. Our waitress seemed off and moody. As if I needed more proof, upon hearing us complain the couple sitting next to us made a comment that she had made five mistakes on their meal.
I felt rushed, yet our dirty plates would sit on our table for long periods of time.
Our waitress was right on cue with a smile and friendly disposition delivering our dessert and check (coincidence?).
My dining group is always looking for a place to add to our preferred list. Great atmosphere, great food, but poor service, and a funky smell. Im sad to say it wont be a repeat for any of us.

3 Stars: not so great (by AdHere)

AdHere — Mon, 29 Sep 2003 02:00:00 GMT

The host took a while to notice us, then stared at us until we requested a table. The waitress became unfriendly upon hearing that we were not ordering a bottle of wine. The fried chicken entree was good, but you can get the same for a quater of the price at powells on Hayes. The halibut was VERY dry and lacked any flavor, and the sauce it came with for the fish and jasmine rice was only soy sauce. Way to expensive for what we got. I will not be going back.

2 Stars: Very disappointed (by serena500)

serena500 — Wed, 03 Sep 2003 02:00:00 GMT

I can't say much about this restaurant except that I was incredibly disappointed. It is not at all what it is hyped to be. The food was just above cafeteria quality...no originality, luke warm, and sloppy. The service is absolutely terrible.

2 Stars: Pretty bad (by serena666)

serena666 — Wed, 03 Sep 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Bad Food. Bad Service. Bad Location. Not worth the money.

2 Stars: It's Not Good (by rheller10)

rheller10 — Wed, 12 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Lots of hype. Very warm atmposphere. But the food is below average. Service is terrible. Been there twice. Lots of dishes served luke warm to cold. Lots of dishes with little to no flavor. With such a nice room, I want to ask the owner if i can use the kitchen to cook my own meal and eat there!

2 Stars: not for us (by grasshopper77)

grasshopper77 — Sat, 16 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

After trying three times, we were finally we able to get a table at Firefly, though the only open time was at 6 pm. I have to say that my husband and I were disappointed. The restaurant is over-hyped, the food is overrated and the service was terrible. The waitress refused to bring me a biscuit, though I said I'd pay extra for it, which was hyped on the menu as "the best in town" and came with the fried chicken. Our appetizer ($8.75 for 4 measly potstickers) was cold. We won't be returning.

4 Stars: Friendly Neighbohood Spot: Stay Away! (by cannibalxl)

cannibalxl — Sun, 03 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

As a local Noe Valley resident, I urge you to stay away from Firefly...so that I can keep it to myself. Had a great experience there on 11/2. As walk-ins, we expected quite a wait, but enjoyed a couple of glasses of Vin Gris -- gratis -- from the very pleasant and apologetic hostess. We ate at the bar -- a great experience in any place -- and found the food (potstickers, mayfair salad, pork chop, dessert!) wine, and service to be excellent. My sea bass was a little overcooked, but it didn't taint the experience. The bartended never hesitated to comp my Port once they were aware they had forgotten it. No place is perfect -- it's how they dealt with little problems that truly made Firefly stand out. So stay away.

2 Stars: the bottom line- (by myprotagonist)

myprotagonist — Sat, 26 Oct 2002 02:00:00 GMT

i've dined at firefly 4 times over the past several years, and the bottom line is that it has proved to be inconsistent, 2 out of my 4 experiences have been duds, which assures that i will not return.

this last time, evening of 10/28, appetizers, deserts were both excellent, but my girlfriend ordered the seabass which was horribly overcooked, and served on top of cold risotto.

unfortunately our server only offerred to send the dish back, and we had already waited 30 minutes for our entrees because the small kitchen was backed up.

i would have preferred that she offer a free desert, or scratch the entree entirely from our check, and she did neither.

i would say this place is a 50/50 shot, and in a town with so many good neighborhood restaurants, its not worth the gamble in my mind.

2 Stars: Firefly flies South (by pickypalate)

pickypalate — Sat, 05 Oct 2002 02:00:00 GMT

My friends and I dined at Firefly last night and were most disappointed when our waitress failed to bring our wine after two reminders and approximately 25 minutes.

Then the big disappointment of the evening came...the food. YIKES. The porkchop was very dense and dry and the seabass was tough with little flavor. I had been to Firefly once before (several years ago) but the food was excellent. Perhaps this was a fluke but I will most likely not go back after this dining experience.

2 Stars: Just Average (by daisy14)

daisy14 — Fri, 13 Sep 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Cute decor, food was not as well prepared as I would have expected. Friendly staff.

5 Stars: I wish my mother had cooked this good! (by sniggy)

sniggy — Thu, 05 Sep 2002 02:00:00 GMT

I live nearby and have been dining at Firefly since it opened (was it 9 years ago?) and it has never failed to impress! The menu is relatively small but well-thought out, and caters to nearly every taste. Prices are much more reasonable -- and portions more generous -- than many of the better restaurants in the City. The decor is sophisticated-eclectic and comfortable.

5 Stars: Our favorite place! (by dcohan)

dcohan — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Great food at affordable prices in a great atmosphere - you simply can't beat Firefly!

5 Stars: My favorite little getaway (by natushka66)

natushka66 — Wed, 28 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Wonderful food, thoughtful and delicious wine list, and very friendly but not overwhelming service.

5 Stars: Waiter, there's a firefly in my soup (by dixon)

dixon — Sun, 25 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Very creative menu, comfortable atmosphere. Excellent food. Good Wine selection. Reasonably priced.

5 Stars: Straight-up good food (by ceres)

ceres — Sun, 25 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

You won't be disappointed. It's good, real good. Bring a date or your family from out of town. It's as fancy or casual as you want to make it. The fried chicken is to die for!

5 Stars: World Class Eats on a Neigborhood Street (by SFcurian)

SFcurian — Thu, 22 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Our meal was at once traditional and inspired. These plates are thoughtfully put together and the flavors compliment one another to the last bite. Every appetizer was imaginative and outrageously delicious. We could have made a meal of appetizers alone. No nonsense main courses were delicately prepared, perfectly unfussy and served in the coziest/most romantic of environments (thanks to the genial host/owner whose attention to guests and cuisine betray a well seasoned perfectionist). No wonder this star has shone so brightly for so long.

5 Stars: Very nice comfortable dining (by james42)

james42 — Thu, 22 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

We've only been here twice, so far, but will definately go back. The staff are very pleasant and skilled, and the food very tasty. A very comfortable place with solid food, all in all.

5 Stars: Delicious food! (by mgee)

mgee — Sat, 03 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Delicious food and good service! Homey, warm atmosphere - a hidden gem in the Noe Valley area!

5 Stars: Firefly glows! (by dsovern)

dsovern — Sat, 20 Jul 2002 02:00:00 GMT

I'm quite surprised to see ANY negative reviews of this place. I loved Firefly...from the decor to the food to the service. The seafood potstickers are addictive. The fried chicken and mashed potatoes were just like Mom's. The dessert was a chocaholic's dream come true. The restaurant got a little warm, but it was buzzing with happy diners. I wish we had a place like this in MY neighborhood, I would eat there constantly. Fun, comfy, delicious, a great place to take a date.

5 Stars: Fun, Edgy Service, Great Food and Wine (by jallington)

jallington — Wed, 26 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

My wife and I had dinner here on a recent trip to San Francisco. We laughed and had fun from the minute we arrived. Our waitress was a hoot. She had us call her Rock Star and kept us laughing the whole night. The wine list was excellent, the tuna was very fresh and perfectly prepared. I am puzzled by some of the negative reviews here. Granted, the edgy style might not be up everyone's alley, but it was perfect for me. Thanks Rock Star.

2 Stars: Leaves much to be disired (by laycockd)

laycockd — Wed, 26 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Firefly could have been so much better. The first taste of disappointment came with the bread that was brought to the table, accompanied by a mysterious, gritty lentil spread. I had the ahi tuna salad as a starter. The tuna was delicious but was overwhelmed by the bitter greens that accompanied. Main course rib eye was properly cooked and the sauce and grilled asparagus were very good, but the steak itself was heavy on fat and gristle and the twice-baked potato was dry enough to have been baked 6 times. Desserts were very good, by contrast, and I tasted both the molten chocolate torte and the vanilla crème brulée. Service was attentive and friendly. Price would be reasonable if the food was better.

1 Stars: two thumbs down (by tpowell)

tpowell — Tue, 18 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

we went for the first time to celebrate a special occasion, not only did we not recieve special treatment we didn't even recieve GOOD treatment. our server was snotty and busy chowing down a salad and a glass of wine with the bartender.
when asked how our meal was we answered honestly, to no avail. no one made any attempt to compensate for a fatty steak, a dry potato and poor service. i feel sorry for the owners.