Catch

I really love to dine at Catch. there are a lot of different choices there, and my family really loves it. We are regulars, and a happy to be. There is ambiance everywhere, and the outdoor fire makes the restaurants cozy on a cold day. I really like that you can substitute parts of the dish for something that you would rather prefer. the service is really friendly, and the owner is as well.It is an all in all amazing restaurant.

Pros: They have great food, options, variety, ambiance...

Posted 10/13/09

I went to this restaurant on a double date a couple of months ago. Unfortunately, my blind date didn't like seafood, which could have been a problem, seeing that we were in a seafood restaurant. Instead, he ordered one of the many other dishes that didn't contain seafood. Most other places wouldn't have anything else, but Catch offers dishes other then seafood, which was extremely helpful in this case. We occasionally come back to this place to celebrate where we first met each other. The romantic settings are perfect for a dinner for two.And we absolutely adore the pianist on the platform near the ceiling.

Pros: Ambience, Excellent Food Options

Posted 08/29/08

Catch was a pleasant surprise. As you walk in the ambiance is cool and refreshing -- it's fresh looking, relaxing, and happening. The menu is really good -- has a variety of seafood items, plus chicken, steak, veggie, and pasta dishes. The sushi appetizer is to die for, and so is the Artichoke appetizer!! We really enjoyed the food, and the live piano music just makes it a special place to visit. We go there regularly now.

Posted 08/28/08

I discovered this place when one of my good friends recommended it to me. It has amazing food, a little something for everyone. The nice flavors and the excellent wine selection mix well together. If you are a lover of seafood like myself, then this is an perfect spot for a nice dinner. The atmosphere is great too. With an inside portion and an outside patio, the diner gets to choose the best spot. Located on a nice street, you can watch the night life while staying warm by the heated lamps. The only problem is that it can get semi-crowded at times. I highly recommend this place for any type of occasion.

Posted 08/28/08

Catch has got to be the most marvelous fish restaurant i have ever been to in my life! i was truly amazed by this astonishing dining experience. EVERYTHING is perfect about it: the beautiful deco with outdoor heated patio, the wonderful, quick and friendly serivce, and who could forget the most outstanding, mouth watering, remarkable, fresh fish food you have ever tasted! You will NOT be disappointed! trust me!

Pros: the food, the ambience, service and value

Posted 08/28/08

Catch is a great restaraunt. The deck is fabulous - it is heated. Service is fast and the food is really good. Very friendly staff. Nice atmosphere.

Posted 08/28/08

Our waiter was pleasant, the food decent but nothing to write home about, however for the price you can eat one thousand times better in this city, all-in-all average

Pros: service, staff, no water glass goes unfilled for more than 4 seconds

Cons: food average for the price

Posted 07/10/08

We went to Catch after reading all of the positive reviews on this site. The outdoor seating area with the fire place was the perfect setting for a cozy dinner for two. We ordered the sushi, the rice was cooked to the point of mush and the shrimp were greasy. My husband had the french onion soup which was really bland, did not taste seasoned at all. We shared fish and chips as an entree. The french fries were really good, but the fish was really oily. The Tuesday night wine special is a great deal and our waiter was Gary Danko quality. I would go back for drinks on the patio and great service, but would skip the food.

Pros: Ambience, Service

Cons: Food is lacking

Posted 04/03/08

I went to this restaurant with a group of people before attending another event and the service was wonderful and the food was delicious. I can't wait to go back and try something else on the menu. Definitely order the Calamari! The only odd thing was that they charged us $1.50 to split the soup into two bowls. I'd never met the person I had decided to share the soup with (everything has big portions) and we weren't comfortable eating out of the same bowl, so we said split it up. It was only $1.50, but still kind of odd. Other than that, I highly recommend this restaurant. Great date restaurant too.

Pros: Great atmoshpere, not too noisy and friendly servers

Posted 12/26/07

I have been reading all the reviews regarding this restaurant, and I have to wonder about the people who wrote them. What the hell? Now a days in the information age if you don't get your way you threaten to write a bad review. Do you consider yourself to be demanding and impossible to please? I have eaten here many time and I find it to be very friendly and courteous, and their food is delicious. The staff including the host has been nothing more than hospitable. They do their best to accommodate my needs and to make sure my date and I have an enjoyable evening. So all you queens out there, grow up the world does not revolve around you. You little princesses out there who does not get their way, you are not a queen and don't come crying like a little girl. As for me and my date we will continue to come here and we will definitely recommend this restaurant to our friends and family.

Pros: Very friendly staff and excellent food

Posted 10/04/07

My partner and I wanted to eat seafood in Castro, a friend recommended CATCH restaurant. We were greeted promptly and friendly by the host when we came in. We were sat in the patio area near the fire place. Shortly after our server greeted us and asked if we were first time diners. We told him that we were and he suggested some cocktails for us to try that was his favorite. I ordered the Kafer Cosmo and my partner ordered the Mango Martini, both were delicious. We ordered the Tuna tartar and the Mussels for our appetizer, and for our main course we ordered the Seared mahi, mahi with beet risotto and truffle vinaigrette, and the Rigatoni pasta with manila clams, mussels, spinach and roasted onions. Our meal was delicious and beautifully presented on warm plates.

Our server was very attentive, warm and friendly. The atmosphere of CATCH was very warm and up beat, moderately designed with calming colored walls and modern artwork hangings. We noticed the manager walking around to tables asking patrons if they enjoyed their food, which we don?t see much anymore.

Everything was perfect, the food, cocktail and service was wonderful. We would definitely recommend CATCH to our friends and coworkers.

Pros: service, food and ambiance

Posted 06/11/07

Oh my God. We went there for lunch. The host was unbelievably rude. Vicious and caustic. We kept looking at each other ... Like is this for real? He seemed to take pleasure in it. Will NEVER dine there again. I can't believe the management puts up with this guy. Will tell all my friends the same.

Posted 05/15/07

We had been regulars at Catch for some time. Now we have a kid and don't get there too often. Made a reservation on Open Table for 3:30 pm on Mother's Day. Arrived 7 minutes late and the snotty host told us "We're closed!" We said we had a reservation. He said in an accusatory manner "You're late!". Open table says most restaurants have a 15 minute grace period. Guess you don't get one at Catch. He proceeded to tell us they throw the food away at 3:05. What would we have eaten if we had arrived 7 minutes earlier? He was quite rude. We will not go there again. We have many good choices in San Francisco and good service is as important to us as good food. They should not offer 3:30 reservations if they have no intention of honoring them.

Pros: Used to have a good waiter.

Cons: Extremely rude host. Did not honor reservation.

Posted 05/14/07

A great date place, a little pricey, but you get a good value. The patio is a great place to people watch.

Posted 04/25/07

Good, not great seafood. I had the seabass (not on website), which had a great sauce and my girlfriend had the seafood stew which she thought was only ok. The other people in my party enjoyed the halibut. The service is inconsistent. They can be attentive one moment, then completely ignore you and borderline rude. The restaurant decor is nice. Not exactly a romantic place.

Pros: Decor, fish entrees

Cons: Parking, inconsistent service

Posted 01/15/07

Catch must have cleaned up its act, because we've eaten there several times in the last 6 mos and always leave raving about it - I'm surprised to see negative reviews because this is our current favorite restaurant. The menu is thoughtful with seasonal ingredients & creative flavor combinations, and the food comes out nicely executed (i.e. salmon subtly crisp outside, perfectly tender inside). They have a great wine, port & champagne list and great mixed drinks too - I especially like their jalapeno gimlet. They do a nice weekend brunch. The restaurant is really beautiful too, especially the patio. It's nice but not pretentious - jeans or business casual equally appropriate. I would describe the service as cool but professional -not overly friendly, but prompt and attentive - our glasses are never empty, we're offered another cocktail, etc. When we ordered a bottle of wine, it was formally presented. I've brought friends to try Catch and they've been pleasantly surprised.

Pros: $7 valet parking, great food, drink, & ambiance

Cons: service is attentive, but not very warm

Posted 11/25/06

I dined here recently and was pleasantly surprised. I eat out at many places of varying styles, and this one hits the mark. Catch is unpretentious, hip, and a very laid back feel without being too casual. Yes, occasionally the service misses and the food is not the best in the city, but what restaurant pulls it off 100% of the time? The bartenders are great and everything flows smoothly once we were seated at a table. The wine and drink list is smart and affordable, finding a good range without being too pricey. Definitely try the monkfish, crabcakes, and prosciutto salad if you go. I know we will be back!

Pros: bar/wine list, ambience, food

Cons: noisy at times

Posted 03/24/06

I live in the neighborhood and have many friends in the neighborhood. It is unanimous, the food is good, the ambiance is good, the servers are friendly and prompt but the bartenders act like their "gods gift" and the host is always cold and dismissive. It's really a shame.

Pros: ambiance, food

Cons: sometimes rude staff

Posted 01/26/06

We were immediately seated on a Tuesday night. The patio was warmed by a bounty of heat lamps. We split a baby green salad which was yummie and then had the mixed grill of tuna, salmon and sea bass. 2 sides ended up being more then enough for 2 people. The service was attentive and prompt with the waiter checking back. A great Castro fish place.

Posted 01/24/06

I brought my girlfriend here for her Birthday and came out with a mixed review. The service by our waiter was quite pleasant and attentive. The food was decent. I had the Fish grill of several varieties and my girlfriend had the Seafood stew.

The only complaint would probably be directed at the Host. He was not friendly, looked more interested in witty bantor with a coworker, did not show us to our table and did not check for our reservation on Opentable that it was my girlfriend's Birthday.

When we left...the Host told me where my jacket was instead of retrieving it for me...I think he said "Oh yeah...it's over there" and pointed to the wall.

Pros: Decent food, Good Waiter, Fireplace

Cons: Host

Posted 01/17/06

When Catchs chef left for good last night, the entire staff rejoiced! And regular patrons.

We can look forward to more engaged service, flexible menus that actually change and are executed professionally in a setting appropriately conflict-free with the help no longer under constant attack by a third-string chef intent on demoralizing them and any diners who may challenge her or hear her from the open kitchen.

All fish is wild, fresh; soups very well-made, great bartenders with a sophisticated bottle collection at hand: very high-end scotches, Hanger One vodkas. Wine list needs further expansion however. Live piano on a ledge above the dining room, heated dining patio open to the street, interesting interior design all recommends this well-built bar-restaurant. Its a winning modern restaurant concept, that given some more time should become legendary. BTW, the AIDS quilt started here, as noted by a bronze plaque at the entry.

Pros: fresh seafood, excellent bartenders, streetside patio

Cons: parking can be hard, can be busy&loud

Posted 11/19/05

I don't understand why this place is still in business. Is the neighborhood that desperate for a "trendy" place to eat?

Catch always seems to be in constant chaos - and not in an exciting or fun way. From the arrival greeting to departure, nothing runs smoothly. It's as if key staff were suddenly taken ill and everyone has to cope with covering for the loss - except that it's always like that. Really poor and snotty service. (We didn't order a drink at the bar, so I can't comment on the bartenders.)

The food is medicore. As a benchmark, there were uncooked lumps of flour in my clam chowder. Need I say more? If you can't even get soup right . . .

Pros: location, design

Cons: service, food

Posted 11/02/05

I ate at Catch for my 40th birthday on Wednesday. I sat at a table near the kitchen and was apalled when the woman I assume to be the chef began yelling at the host declaring she's done talking to him over and over again. This was extremely unprofessional. My birthday dinner was interrupted multiple times with her constant yelling for "runners" when often times there were several employees within 3 feet of her. Meanwhile, my fish was overcooked, dry, and a little crusty. In my opinion, the chef should stop badgering staff and worry about her sub-par food.

Pros: fireplace, patio, artwork

Cons: Chef, food, noise

Posted 10/21/05

Don't bother, unless you need to overspend for average food to feel hip. We dropped nearly $300 and then were asked to move along so that another group could use our table; we were there for less than two hours. Since when is it fast food at those prices? The only genuine staff there are the men who bus the tables. Won't be going back.

Posted 07/07/05

i was seated promptly, probably because it was monday. our waiter was not attentive. he hardly ever came by to check on us. strangely enough, the busboy made up for that. he was very friendly and chatty. he also gave us complimentary appetizers and dessert. the seafood stew was interesting and hearty. it was comforting after a long walk in the cold wind. the ribeye was cooked just right (medium), but mediocre in flavor. the prices are very reasonable ($15 to $25 per entree).

Posted 06/05/05

I was delighted with my recent experience at the happening Catch restaurant in the heart of the Castro. Upon arrival I decided to grab a quick drink at the bar where the bar tenders were extremely friendly. They whipped up some special cocktails that really hit the spot. From the bar I had a wonderful view of the beautiful art work on the walls and could hear the wonderful sounds of a piano that was being played live. I was later seated by the fireplace with my date and we enjoyed wonderful salads and fresh fish entrees. The attention to detail was noticable from the ambiance of the restaurant to the beautifully presented, generous platters served to us. I look forward to my next visit.

Posted 05/15/05

finally decided to go despite warnings of my gourmand friends. the food actually wasn't bad, let's say it was adequate, but the service is incredibly bad. Pretentious, impersonal, weird, unattentive. although i go to high-end restaurants very often, they somehow managed to make me feel uncomfortable. the ambience is ok, on the older side. where is the people watching that some mentioned here? it was full of people over 50. definitely not going back.

Posted 04/23/05

I have been to Catch many times, and the food is consistant and the crab cakes the best in the city. The chicken marsala dish is my fav. This neighborhood gem has a wonderful bar where you can listen to live jazz piano at night. Every friend that I have brought to Catch thanks me every time I see them. Parking is easy - if you park at Sullivans on Market in the block before 16th Street.

Pros: reasonable prices, great food, great music

Posted 04/13/05

yes, i was greeted with the question: whats up? when i entered catch. i thought: what do you think is up? i am in a restaurant, perhaps i would like to eat?

the service was unpolished as was the food. after a forgettable meal i made the mistake of ordering dessert: bread pudding. when it arrived i burned the roof of my mouth as it had recently been microwaved to a scorching degree.

the castro can and SHOULD do better!

Posted 04/06/05

Incredible how many people are just determined to be miserable on this web site! I have eaten at Catch at least ten times and have never once had a bad experience with the service or the food. The last time I brunched there the manager even sent us over a complimentary frito misto because he recognized me from former lunches. I've never been for dinner, but during the day the service is impeccable and the moules frites and caeser are the best in the city.

Posted 01/01/05

On my last visit to Catch I made a reservation with the explicit request of sitting outside on their fireside patio. They promised me this would not be a problem. Upon arriving they told they had no record of this request, and no outside table to seat me at. This was not a huge deal, but they seemed completely unapologetic about this, which annoyed me.

Other then that, the food is semi-imaginative and solid. The prices are fairly good, but not exceptional. In the end I give the place an average rating.

Posted 07/26/04

Catch is a gem. We had a wonderful dinner at a great table on the patio near the fireplace. The menu has a lot of great seafood items, but also several vegetarian options. The service was great and the staff went out of their way to make sure my girlfriend's birthday dinner was fabulous.

Pros: food, patio, menu variety

Cons: noisy, piano player

Posted 10/18/03

I'll be the first to admit that I started drinking and dining at this place because my now ex-boyfriend lives at it's bar and dines there almost nightly. But having become a regular, I have to say that it's an awesome destination spot in the Castro. Good food, great staff, & live music

Pros: The Bartenders, Live Music, People Watching

Cons: The Bartenders, Bathroom Lines, Wait time when busy

Posted 10/17/03

I went to Catch on Saturday night. There was a group of 15 of us for my birthday. When we got to the restaurant, it was packed. The energy was awsome. We had a cocktail and waited for our table to be ready. We sat inside near the piano player, which added to the ambience. Our server was great, he was very attentive and fun. We all enjoyed our food. I love all the different types of fish to choose from and I was happy to find that they had vegetarian and meat options for my other friends who didn't want fish. We loved and we will be back for other birthdays!!

Pros: live music, great for big parties, fun service

Cons: parking

Posted 10/14/03

I live in the Castro and I am so happy to finally have a great seafood restaunt in the neighborhood. We ate dinner on a Friday night. There was a short wait but we didn't mind getting a drink in the lively bar. The bartenders were very cute and helpful. When we were seated at our table everything was GREAT! We enjoyed everything that we ate, from the tuna tartare to the halibut and finishing with the brownie. We loved it.
Thanks Catch!!

Pros: great food, great service, great price

Cons: no reservations, street parking

Posted 10/14/03

I recently took a date to Catch on a Friday night. We were greeted by the bartender while there was no host to be found. A host appeared and informed us of a 30-45 min wait. We waded through the throngs of people and finally made it to the bar where we were instantly greeted again by a bartender spinning bottles. We each ordered cosmos, the suggestion of the bartender, and devoured them. The bar crowd was mixed but everybody was talking and moving around. We felt as though we were at a party rather than a restaurant. The bartenders, one tall dark and gorgeous and the other blond, funny, with blue eyes to die for, make the wait fly by. Unfortunatley, their service and attitude were not carried to the table, where we were exposed to
oversalted food and inattentive waiter. We should of never left the party.

Pros: Bartenders, Atmosphere, Decor

Cons: Table service, FOOD

Posted 10/02/03

Other reviewers have highlighted the great atmosphere and staff at Catch, but few have talked about the poor food. Rarely when I eat out in this city at a nice restaurant am I disappointed with the food. However, my dining companion and I found the dishes very heavy with salt, butter, and/or oil. We had the fritto misto to start, the ahi tuna steak, and the halibut. All were unacceptable for the price we paid.

Pros: atmosphere, location, wait staff

Cons: food

Posted 09/09/03

Went to Catch on a Tuesday evening to miss the crowds. We were promptly seated on the pataio. Beautiful bar with a baby grand and a fireplace on the patio, very nice atmosphere. After sitting for over ten minutes with a number of servers walking past us we quietly got up and left.

Cons: No service

Posted 09/09/03

What great improvement this beautifully designed restaurant has accomplished over the last three months (It was off in the beginning especially the food). I've always loved the professional and gracious host (especially without his glasses), the numerous great places to sit, the hip bar with Joshua, who makes great drinks, and Mark, who if you get him going is very funny (they take good care of us) but now the food has turned around and become very solid and often terrific. I've dined with a friend, a date, and a large group and every time I feel taken care and well satisfied when I leave. The staff, the atmosphere and now the food are fantastic. I'm a new regular!

Pros: the welcome, the bar/bartenders, the food

Cons: overbearing crowd, sidewalk smokers, noise

Posted 06/29/03

I had brunch at Catch, and although it has a great menu, the featured items "wild mushroom" omelette, "crab" omelette or "chicken apple sausage" frittata were remarkably sparse in their respective entrees. Granted, the omelettes were quite fluffy, but would have been better had more of the fillings been included. Another thing that would have been welcome would be an alternative to the english muffin.
One thing I will praise: the accompanying fruit cup.

Posted 06/27/03

What a great evening. The "catch" experience is one we'd love to have again. A couple of drinks at the bar with the fun and cute bartenders started us off well. The 25 minute wait seemed to fly by thanks to a very personable manager who doubled as host, and who sat us exactly as quoted. We had caesar salads and crab cakes both of which were terrific. Our main courses were roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and a salmon special which tasted great and filled us up. The hot brownie with ice cream sent us over the top: we were fat and happy and went back to the bar for champagne afterwards. Great place.

Posted 05/10/03

Poor reception and not really a warm greeting at the door. It was obvious that the 'employees' were running the restaurant and not the owner. This is the kind of 'treatment' that I get when I go to a place like 'HOME'..typical sassiness of Castro neighborhood restaurants (with the exception of MECCA). Please send your employees to hospitality
school..

Pros: food, bar

Cons: some wait staff, host

Posted 05/07/03

Ambience + hospitality + outstanding service + tasty dishes makes this dining venue a "Catch." Reasonable prices and an attentive staff make this restaurant a must-visit in San Francisco. We need Catch in Los Angeles!

Pros: SERVICE, AMBIENCE, FOOD

Posted 04/02/03

In a neighborhood DEVOID of a good place to get a Martini, enter Catch onto the scene! For me it's this (their bar - and their bartenders Ari, Josh, & Mark) and the music that make this a great destination in the Castro

Pros: Georievskaya Vodka, Live Music, Ari (at the Bar)

Cons: Bathroom Lines, No Reservations, Tables are Close

Posted 03/14/03

"An affordable seafood menu served in swanky digs captures the heart of the Castro. "

Great, another trendy overdesigned space full of walking haircuts that serves blah food. The heart of the Castro? Sad but maybe true.

Posted 03/05/03

Great design, greater location, but the overall operation leaves a lot to be desired. First visit, okay, they're new, second visit, a little better but not there, third visit--never again. Food inconsistent visit to visit, ordered two things off the menu, "sorry, we're out", ordered a bottle of wine, server returns "we're out of that wine" long delay between courses...and on and on..

Pros: Location, Design

Cons: Service, Service, Service

Posted 03/05/03

Kiwi cosmoplitians on Martini Mondays are to die for!!!! This place has some of the best crusty bread in the city. If you can score a spot in the front patio next to the fire place, it's worth the wait. The food is yummy, portions are larger than expected, and the wait staff is eager to please.

Posted 02/17/03