Insider Pages Reviews for Andalu

2 Stars: cooler than you hostess can't be bothered (by quietmouse33)

quietmouse33 — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I've dined at Andalu for both dinner and for Sunday brunch a handful of times. The food is good but the dinner menu is limited and seems to be unchanged in the 2+ years I've been going there. The brunch menu is excellent but the brunch hostess flat out refused to let our waiter know we wanted to order coffee, then filled all of the water glasses at our table except mine. She was just too hip to lower herself to speak to the waiter, I guess. I sent a letter to the management but 3 weeks later have not received any response. So, that tells me that the management just simply does not care. This place is worth going to for dinner but not on a date because it's very loud. Try the tuna tacos. They're wonderful. Go for brunch if you don't mind being treated like you should consider yourself fortunate to be in the presence of their hipness.

3 Stars: Good, but... (by Maddox P.)

Maddox P. — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:10:00 GMT

Great overall experience. The food is really good. The service is friendly. The place is cozy but a little too loud for me (I must be getting old!). Get the Short ribs... it's a must try. Did I say that the food is really good?

However, if you are going there, please note that the parking is quite pricey. So if you want to save, carpool over.

3 Stars: Andalu (by Adam D.)

Adam D. — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:52:00 GMT

The food is quite good, only been there a couple of times but had a decent experience. Service staff is friendly and the experience is all good, its a bit on the loud side so don't expect a quiet dining experience. There are great bars around there for after your meal as well.

4 Stars: Go here! (by foodieSS4K)

foodieSS4K — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I?ve been here before and each time, I have had a very pleasant dining experience. On top of that, did you know this restaurant is teaming up with StreetSmart4kids? It?s actually really cool what they?re doing. I just heard about how SS4K is a nonprofit organization that helps underprivileged teens stay healthy. They are running their ?Dine Out and Donate? campaign here (as well as approx. 70 other restaurants in SF) during October and early November. After having a fabulous dining experience, just fill out the donation form when paying the check (minimum donation $3). This is perfect for people like me, who love to eat out all the time and also like to give back to the community. Check it out for yourself on the StreetSmart4Kids website!

4 Stars: Favorite tapas restaurant in the city (by Erica O.)

Erica O. — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:27:00 GMT

Having been to Andalu a few times now, I have to say I am a big fan. I found the atmosphere cozy and pretty romantic and the service was excellent.

What really stands out is the food. It is a little pricey, but on par with most tapas in the city. The quality, however, I felt was very high.

My boyfriend and I ordered several dishes following the servers recommendations and were happy with all of them. Including a bottle of good wine, our total was right around $100 and we were happy and full.

Although it's not a place I can afford to go to on a regular basis, it is definitely a city stand out.

5 Stars: Great Portions, Great Service, Great Fondue! (by DefyGravity)

DefyGravity — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:00:00 GMT

We went here on a Thursday night around 9:30pm, which is half price Sangria night, FYI. Our waiter, Morty, chose some great options! We recommend the Fondue!!! The olives are mild but delicious. We also had the Sea Bass, Short Ribs and Sliders, all which were delicious, but the Sea Bass was our favorite. All the portions were great size and we were even too stuffed for dessert. I could see how it would be crowed and too noisy on the weekends, but the food definitely makes this place worth visiting. We will be back. PS? watch out for the fondue gas.

5 Stars: Fun restaurant, good food (by Tim & Anne B.)

Tim & Anne B. — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:59:00 GMT

This is a very good restaurant. It is a place to go with people having fun all around you. Tapas are delicious and although not cheap. well worth the money. And, did I mention the wine? Good wine! I recommend giving this restaurant a try!

5 Stars: awesome tapas and drinks--fun with friends (by Nicole K.)

Nicole K. — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:01:00 GMT

Andalu ain't cheap but the tapas are unique and to die for--I'd suggest bringing a big group and sharing several plates. The sangria is awesome too! Good drink menu and bar.

4 Stars: Above-average brunch w/ annoying little surprises (by mcmu)

mcmu — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Picked this place for solo Saturday brunch based on the "free doughnut holes" enticement. The holes were excellent -- tasty and hot -- but two's all you get. If you want more than two, you pay. (Groan.) My ham/chorizo/egg scramble was delicious, and so were the polenta fries that came with it. Portion size was decent. Coffee was above average but it's all French Press, and you pay by the cup. Note to management: Brunch without free refills on coffee is annoying. Got a bloody mary. Lots of stuff in there, including a whole celery stalk, a pickled green bean, several cocktail onions, and a lemon wedge. Showy but tasty. Service was friendly. The place was 85% empty when I arrived at 1:00, and the floor smelled very heavily of cleaning fluid. I'll probably go back. But I think I'll try a few other places first, as I'm pretty new to SF and wasn't bowled over.

5 Stars: very good (by Royal Palm Vacations V.)

Royal Palm Vacations V. — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 03:21:00 GMT

We actually ended up ordering two of them. They have a wonderful wine menu. The service is nice, and the place is informal, and fun.
Tonight was going to be a real feast for the palate with two main dishes. Both dishes require a basic sauce made from tomatoes and eggplants, flavoured with local staples such as onion, garlic, olives, capers, mint, basil and oregano. Aurelio refers to these herbs as the "profumi di Sicilia" - the fragrances or aromas of Sicily. The fish, cut in rectangular pieces, is cooked for only 10 minutes on the stove inside the sauce to make sure it?s nice and tender. To round out the taste a bit of red wine is added to the sauce at the end.
Royal Palm Vacations

1 Stars: bad food, bad service, forget about using the rest room (by foodcritter)

foodcritter — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

We ate here for a birthday party... bad choice! The service obviously knew they were getting the "18% gratuity for parties of 6 or more". We waited for drinks, watching other tables get served second rounds and food before we were served water.
The food arrived cold, when expected hot, warm when expected cold... forget about complaining. No server to be seen! The bathroom was so poorly maintained, I seriously have seen better restroom conditions in gas stations on the way to Tahoe, Friday night at 11:00pm. Needless to say, filthy toilet... no TP... no paper towels. This room is only a few feet away from the tables. I sent a complaint letter to the manager. No response. I really don't understand how this place remains in business... it must be those darn "mac & cheese sticks" which are truely devine... if they arrive warm!

5 Stars: We loved all of it! (by romanianpoet)

romanianpoet — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Our foursome thoroughly enjoyed each of the eight dishes we chose - veggie, meat and fish - and saw many others on the menu that sounded equally appetizing. We agreed we'd need a return trip! With cocktails, wine and dessert our bill for the four of us was $160. The space has character and appeal, the waitstaff was knowledgeable and friendly, and the service was excellent. We passed three comfortable hours there, very enjoyably! Valet parking made us happy, too!

5 Stars: Great food, terriffic service, hip environment (by canna)

canna — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I recently had dinner with a girlfriend of mine there. The place was super accommodating. We were able to make last minute reservations on a Friday night!! We called to say we were running late and they said they would still seat us. When we arrived, the servers were very friendly and brought us our food in a really timely manner. The fondue was amazing, the short ribs were delicious, and the banana lumpia ice cream desert was amazing. We will definately be going back. It's so rare to receive such superb service these days.

2 Stars: A "no" in any language (by lilren)

lilren — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 09:00:00 GMT

My girlfriends and I were seriously looking forward to dining at Andalu based on all of the excellent reviews that we read about the place, the food, the service...and yet nothing stood up to the hype. First off, the restaurant was freezing cold, which never makes for a comfortable dining experience. Then the service was terrible, w ith our waitress constantly either chatting with the rest of the staff over by the bar or walking right past us. We had to beg other servers to bring us some water at one point. Perhaps all of this could have been overlooked had the food been decent -- but it wasn't. Our tapas were some of the saltiest things I have ever eaten. My mouth was actually puckered afterwards. The mahi mahi was dripping in oil, the shrimp had no flavor, and the crab cake was less crab, more fried breading. The much-hyped sangria was even sub-par, being that it was more juice than anything. We ordered desserts, hoping that our meal could be redeemed. The sorbets went over well, and the espresso-chocolate mousse wasn't too bad. The donut holes were just okay, though, even though several reviews raved about them. To top the experience off, the valet couldn't find our car for 20 minutes. We will NOT be returning.

5 Stars: Fantastic Restaurant (by elaumakani)

elaumakani — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Andalu has consistently fantastic food and service. We have been there many times, both with small parties and large and have always found the food to be amazingly tasty and well prepared. The wait staff is superb and is excellent with recommendations. We have found Andalu to be an ideal location for large groups who are interested in a unique San Francisco dining experience at a reasonable price. While the wine list provides more than enough options, for a cost conscious group, the Sangria provides an excellent alternative. Our last visit there was with a large group of both San Francisco residents and out of town guests. Everyone left satisfied with both food and Sangria for (shockingly) around $20 a head. (We have always found it to be closer to $50 a head if you visit in a smaller group and prefer to stick to wine.) All from the last group visit are still quick to comment on the great food and atmosphere there whenever the experience comes up. Be sure not to miss the Cambazola Cheese Fondue with Fuji Apples and Asian Pears, though the Dungeness Crab Rangoon with Sweet and Sour Sauce and the Grilled Flatiron Steak with Chimmichurri and Fries are also worth the visit.

1 Stars: BAD BAD BAD! (by lauren860)

lauren860 — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I was very disappointed with this restaurant. A party of 13 joined me for me for my birthday dinner after I selected the restaurant based off of the reviews on city search. The food was not bad, but for the most part the dishes came out cold. I made reservations in advance and confirmed. When my party arrived, the table was not ready so they suggested we wait at a bar down the street since the place was crowded. Instead we waited in front of the restaurant in the cold. We had a long wait for our table. Once we were seated instead of going downstairs to get an additional chair, they pulled a fold out chair from the back for one of my guests. They should also consider scrapping the gum from underneath the tables. They were understaffed. The waiter complained about our ordering and she also brushed the crumbs onto our laps when clearing off the table. I would not recommend this place.

5 Stars: Big Portions (by theprofessionals)

theprofessionals — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I must comment on the person who posted before me...I know they were understaffed because of a death and YEAH that shook up the staff...I have been there and the service has always been good. As long as u don't bust out your snobby attitude at any restaurant staff anywhere you will always be taken care of even if they do make a mistake. I know the place is in transition for a new owner so that could be partly why things seem unorganized. Also sometimes what happens when you make a reservation and have to wait for your table that is because there is still a party sitting there and they have not either paid yet or finished eating-it may be due to that party straggling in or being late so it backs everyone elses reservations up. That is probably why you had to wait so long for your table.

2 Stars: Rude Staff (by jet1819)

jet1819 — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Party of 5 not so welcomed at this place. It was a Saturday night and we knew we did not have reservations, but we took a chance. The host was very rude about letting us know there was another party of 5 coming that has a reservation and they were his priority. After consideration ---once we pointed out that the dinner room and bar area were mostly empty -- he agreed to seat us as long as were freed up our table in an hour. We were fine with the time limit, but I think every single staff person in the place knew we were to be rushed. Food was just thrown on the table. Staff members would point and tell others we were to be out by 8:30pm. We felt like there was an egg timer sitting right on our table. And all that time of not being able to enjoy the fair food that was tossed on our table, the dinner room and bar area remained mostly empty. The party of 5 that had a reservation did not even show up.

Too many nicer places in the city to even both with this one.

5 Stars: White wine sangria and delicious tapas (by risachen)

risachen — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 09:00:00 GMT

White wine sangria- what a great way to start the evening. This restaurant is great for birthday dinners and for dates. The restaurant staff does their very best to accomodate for large groups on the second level of the restaurant. The menu offers a great selection of tapas. My recommendations: Ahi Tartar Tacos with Chili and Lime, Mango Salsa, Cheese Plate - Taleggio with Grilled Walnut Bread and Quince Paste, Duck Confit and Black Mission Fig Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette. With a glass of sangria- all of these plates are delicious!

5 Stars: Great Tapas (by jennaaro)

jennaaro — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

This place was awesome! I went with quite a large party so we got to pretty much order everything on the menu. There wasn't one thing that I did not enjoy. I had a few favorites. I LOVED the Fried Macaroni and Cheese and the Ahi Tuna Tacos. I've never seen macaroni and cheese served that way. It reminded me of a mozarella stick, but with mac and cheese in the inside. They also serve 2 types of Sangria. I've never seen anyone else serve white wine sangria, but one sip and I was hooked! It was a perfect blend of fruit, fruits juices and wine! I highly recommed Andalu and I suggest you try everything on the menu.

5 Stars: Great Food and Amaaazing Sangria! (by sallyswan)

sallyswan — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I just went to this restaurant for a birthday party and it was absolutely great. They had a variety of finger foods that everyone was happy to share; there really was something for every one of us. The donut holes for dessert, and fried mac 'n cheese as an appetizer are a must. Definitely recommended.

5 Stars: Great Tapa restaurant! (by ehsu)

ehsu — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 09:00:00 GMT

The food was great! I wouldn't say service is the best but the quality of the food makes up for it. The price is very reasonable. Parking on a Friday night is impossible but valet is available. Highly recommend this restaurant!

3 Stars: This place has gone downhill (by nctrevclt)

nctrevclt — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I want to really love this place. It's cute. It's hip. But oh boy, does the menu really dissapoint. For one, it never changes. I don't think I've ever been offered specials. The small plates sound good on paper, but end up falling short because of poor execution in the kitchen. Hot dishes get served lukewarm. Allegedly spicy food is bland. You end up paying too much for what you get. This place needs a major overhaul - fast.

4 Stars: Decent Tapas That Don't Come Cheap (by t_whlz)

t_whlz — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT

For the most part, the dishes my friend and I ordered were good. The standout were the Coca-Cola Spareribs. The Ahi-tuna Tacos came in second. These were the only two that I felt were worth the money. The bread with cheese and fruit compote were passing but nothing special. The flank steak was bland. I felt the food was a bit overpriced given the quality. The worst part is the wait staff. You are pretty much ignored the entire time you're there. You have to sit like a hawk, wait to catch a glimpse of your waiter/waitress, and then wave frantically in order to receive any service, including water.

5 Stars: Food & Ambience in spades! (by delairen)

delairen — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT

My Boyfriend and I decided that we'd start trying out new types of cuisines a while back. As part of that, about a month ago we made our first foray in to Tapas at Andalu. Since then, we've been back three times! :-O It's just incredibly delicious.

I highly Recommend making a reservation, as it can get pretty busy. The waitstaff was friendly and when we did have a problem the last time we went, they made it up with a free side and two free deserts.

If you go, You absolutely must try the Macaroni and Cheese. It's the most incredible thing ever. The Coca Cola Ribs are delicious, and I really liked the Ahi-Tuna tacos, but my boyfriend didn't. The Corn on the cob was amazing, the mini sliders, good. :-) And their mashed potatos are to DIE for.

3 Stars: Better Tapas elsewhere... (by xceli)

xceli — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT

My friend and I ate there on a monday evening and the service was fine unlike what other reviews kept saying. i was surprised to see the place getting busier after 8pm though. classy and atmospheric interior but very mediocre food. the halibut tastes like some chinese fish; of which was so little that for the same price u would've gotten the exact same thing but the ENTIRE fish at a chinese restaurant. the cola ribs marinated for too long, way too tender. the lamb cheeks tasted like i had nothing, the flat steak was too cooked when we asked for medium rare. the food is ok but NOT ok for the price it charges for. much better tapas elsewhere.

4 Stars: Great food but terrible service (by jessperla)

jessperla — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT

My husband and I have eaten here 3 times. The first two times it was just the two of us and we really didn't notice the service too much since we were just glad to be away from the kids for a night. The food was excellent and couldn't wait to go back. We then decided to go again with our kids, 6 and 4 who are very used to going out to eat, and as soon as we walked in we could feel the tension from the staff. We figured that since the food comes out in stages and quickly we could be in and out without a problem but after sitting there for 20 minutes I had to ask for someone to tend to us. Our waitress seemed annoyed with us and she just took our order and never came back until we had to ask for our bill. It then took another 20 minutes just to get the bill at the end of our dinner. We have never had such sour service. That psuedo-intellectual blondie had such a look of disgust when we walked in shaking her head as she walked away. I know some waitstaff hate having to service a table with children but at least try to fake it for a good tip. My husband and I always tip 20-25% when we eat out with our kids because we know there is a little more cleaning up to do and we appreciate quick attention and we also always try to make a reservation before 6:30. I was so angry for the rest of the night. I even had some customers congratulate us for having such well behaved children.

I have to add though, our children loved the food, there was nothing they didn't like, especially the donut holes and hot chocolate! A must have. Such a shame we won't be going back.

3 Stars: Excellent food...incompetent staff (by bayareaberg)

bayareaberg — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 09:00:00 GMT

When you're deciding to whom you should give your hundred dollars that you have budgeted for a nice dinner out, I wouldn't give it to Andalu. I can think of a dozen other establishments in the Mission with comparable food I'd rather go to.
I think the word incompetent best describes their staff. First, the bar manager doesn't know how to order enough beer or wine to keep his bar stocked on a Saturday night. It's not like wine goes bad...you'd think they could order enough to keep their numerous wine flights in stock, wouldn't you? You'd think with the interesting wine list that they have, the server would know something about wine, wouldn't you? You'd think that someone would give you a glass of water or take a drink order within 20 minutes, wouldn't you? I thought they were robbing me when I left a 10% tip, which is half what I usually tip.
If you can look past a painfully deficient staff, then you should definitely go to Andalu. The front of the house takes cluelessness to new heights, but the food is amazing. I promised myslef I'd never go back there, after my first disappointing experience, but my significant other loves the white sangria, and I thought the braised lamb cheeks were most tender piece of meat i'd ever eaten. Food=superb. Wine list=imaginative. Service=horrendous.

5 Stars: Very Tasty Tapas!! (by stephanie l.)

stephanie l. — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 14:47:00 GMT

If you like tapas-style restaurants- this is the place to go! Located in the super chic Mission district, Andalu offers a variety of different tapas plates including Gremolata Fries, delicious mashed potatoes, and the best plate being the Dungeness Crab Rangoon with Sweet and Sour Sauce. We actually ended up ordering two of them. They have a wonderful wine menu. The service is nice, and the place is informal, and fun.

5 Stars: Always Andalu (by wildcat98)

wildcat98 — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I am always amazed at how wonderful Andalu is. From the service to the food to the sangria to the value, those are why I keep coming back. The food is consistent, and we always leave amazed how little we paid for such quality AND quantity. I just celebrated my 30th with 18 people, our server was beyond fantastic, patient, helpful, etc. The only negative thing I can say is the hostess is not very friendly; over the phone or in person. But, that's not why I have been coming back over the years!

5 Stars: Fabulous Experience... HOT Staff! (by sfmission)

sfmission — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Had a great dinner with some friends at Andalu a few nights ago. Not only were the food and wine fabulous, but the staff are some of the sweetest and most beautiful people in SF! The server was attentive, responsive, and helpful, and the hostess was super cool (and very hot!!). She seated us with no wait even though we didn't have a reservation, and cracked adorable jokes with us all night. I recomend taking advantage of their wine flights which are a great deal. Next time I might show up early just to talk wne with the knowledgable and fun bartender. Also, don't miss out on the ribs or fondue,which are both phenomenal, or the donut holes for dessert. All in all, this place is yummy and fun, and the awesome, sexy staff make it even better!

4 Stars: Always wanted to go here, and was impressed (by nigell22)

nigell22 — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Some of the food was not what I expected, but I really enjoyed all of it regardless. I enjoyed the atmosphere as well. It was probably louder than I remember, but my company was great, and we could hear each other fine, so it couldn't have been too loud. It definitely lived up to the expectations that I was told, and would definitely go again.

5 Stars: Big things from small plates! (by groser)

groser — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 09:00:00 GMT

What a great restaurant! I went to Andalu for the first time last week with a good size group of people. The hostess greeted us with a pleasant smile and quickly took us to the upstairs seating which easily accomodated our twelve appetites. The drink choices were very creative and prompty served. After checking off pretty much one or more of everything on the small plates menu, the feasting began. It was like a steady drum beat of unique and delicious flavors. Wave after wave of plates appeared with just enough time between to finish up the previous morsels. The final plate was a marvelous four ounce filet that rang the bell for everyone. When the last plate was cleared, the group slowly rolled out of the restaurant completely satiated. The food was outstanding, the service was prompt and courteous, and the atmosphere was fun. I will be back!

3 Stars: Not-so Fab Experience (by chicgal)

chicgal — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Went to Andalu for my sister's birthday last week. It was 5 of us and we had a rsvp for 8.30PM. We knew that parking is terrible around this area, so we decided to have valet parking. We were greeted by this rude valet guy who called us "Princesses" just because we told him that we wanted to have valet parking. We went inside the restaurant & greeted by this rude hostess. Got there on time but she refused to let us sit at out table coz not everyone in my party is there. But the majority was there. The hostes was explaining the situation with rolling her eyes...what a drama queen!The foods in general was ok;good but not too impressive. What impressive is how small the portion was, although the waiter had explained it to us.Overall, I'd say this restaurant is average. I won't go back.

4 Stars: Rude wakening left a bad taste in our mouths (by norcalgirl)

norcalgirl — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I headed to dinner on a Friday night with 3 girlfriends and we had a rude interaction with the valet and then an even more rude interaction with the hostess. Not only was she unwelcoming, she was argumentative. To make things worse, she proceded to throw stares at us all night and continually pointed at us while chatting with the wait staff. It was borderline funny that this girl is for real. It put a real damper on a restuarant with good food and atmosphere. The girl needs to go because its not worth interacting with her to eat there.

3 Stars: Rude Hostess (by curious_durian)

curious_durian — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I went there with my boyfriend last month. We had a hard time finding parking (45min) and finally got to the restaurant 30min late after our reservation. I understand that it was not right to be late, but the hostess specifically pointed out the time of our reservation and the current time and stated rudely that we were 30min late. I can read the time! If she gave our table away b/c we were late, that's fine, but I don't need someone lecturing me when I spent the last 45min trying to look for parking when there was still a vacant table. Anyways, we ordered fondue, steak tartare, cola ribs and something else. The food was not bad, though fondue was not hot enough..more like a dip than fondue. Server was not very attentive but not rude like the hostess. Not spectacular...had better tapas at other places.

3 Stars: User review by apple415 (by apple415)

apple415 — Sat, 12 Nov 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Our waiter was really rude. We had a table at 7:30pm. The waiter told us there was a reservation at 9pm. He was telling us not to order some more for the second time.
I invited some friends for the dinner and I was very disappointed with his manner.
Hostess was very helpful and friendly. Food was good. There were a lot of deep fried food.

4 Stars: After a couple of years still good! (by vipappeal)

vipappeal — Sat, 12 Nov 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I was pleasantly surprised after booking this place two weeks ago. I really had no other option as all my other choices for a group dinner were already booked, so Andalu it was. Having last been there two years ago, I was slightly concerned with how the food and service would be. I'm here to say that both are still good! And I'm happy to see that the fish tacos( a must try) are still on the menu. My friend had the lamb( loved it) we had salad, fondue( great) halibut( average, very slim serving of it) and the coco donuts for desert. A couple of glasses of wine and the bill was around $. It was a Wednesday night with just enough customers to make it feel like you were not alone, yet pefect for a couple on a date.

5 Stars: Great small plates! (by Fred L.)

Fred L. — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 14:03:00 GMT

I really enjoy going to Andalu. The restaurant is excellent for groups as well as dates (I know that is it kind of unusual for a place to be great for both). Their small plates are really tasty, and a lot of fun to try. I highly recommend the donut hole dessert.

5 Stars: The best restaurent in San Francisco (by rml244)

rml244 — Sun, 25 Sep 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Unpretentious, lovely atmosphere, great service and fantastic eclectic flavorful food. I brought my best friend here for her birthday, we were seated immediately, food arrived promptly and the people were so nice. Tacos, ribs, crab cake and sangria are great!

3 Stars: good food, friendly waitstaff, good choice (by songbac)

songbac — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I love tapas, and Andalu provided some great selection with a California twist. I would recommend this place for anybody who loves these small plates of flavorful delicacies. Give it a try but do make a reservation.

People who eat at this restaurant seem to dine according to Latin dining schedule, unlike most of North America, so you will see a very busy dining room even at 10pm.

5 Stars: Fantastic Restaurant! (by Misterol)

Misterol — Sun, 28 Aug 2005 09:00:00 GMT

After reading all the mixed reviews we decided to check this place out. It was wonderful! They have an extensive wine list, but after one taste of the white sangria we stuck with that the rest of the night. It was delicious. All the dishes were great but the fondue and the chicken really stood out. The fried mac & cheese was interesting, but not the taste sensation we were thinking. The donut holes with cocoa were so yummy, especially the cocoa.

The service was great and we will definitely go again.

4 Stars: Big Group - What We Ate (Tues. night) (by 1goodeats)

1goodeats — Thu, 04 Aug 2005 09:00:00 GMT

TOP FAVS: Braised short ribs, Tomato salad, Cheese fondue, Turkey lettuce cups, Crabcakes, Grilled Eggplant, Duck confit, Donuts w/ Hot Choc, Dulce de leche sundae, Banana Ice Crm

OK: Squash, Mac & Cheese more like a chs sandwich, Ahi Tacos (can't really taste the ahi), Polenta Fries (interesting but similar to Chs Mac)

SKIP: Mussels (nothing special), Moroccan Cigars (way too greasy)

Our server recommended 3 dishes/person - we found that to be too much food for a large group of 11 people.

4 Stars: Very Good - Not Great (by Christin A.)

Christin A. — Fri, 03 Jun 2005 15:27:00 GMT

This is a wonderful restaurant with very delicious food and a fun atmoshere and good service. The only problem is that sometimes it's hard to get full for the prices - this is because many of the dishes are really light and not that filling. It's small plates which means you order a bunch of plates and then share them with the entire table. It's fun atmosphere though and the food tastes great - it just ends up being EXPENSIVE so you have to order many plates to get full.

PROS: Great food, Great Service
CONS: Can get expensive

5 Stars: Great small bites and flights of wine (by briannal)

briannal — Tue, 22 Mar 2005 09:00:00 GMT

My boyfriend and I had such a great time here. Being from LA we were expecting a little more fluff then actual taste but we were so wrong! Really yummy bites which are fun to share and flights of wine and bubbly make this place a great date spot.

5 Stars: Hip places never have food this good! (by rxdxt)

rxdxt — Wed, 16 Mar 2005 09:00:00 GMT

It's cool, the people are fun, the drinks are strong... and then.. the food. MAN I'd order one of each on the menu if my wallet could support it... DON"T MISS THE DONUTS!

5 Stars: An Exquisite Dining Experience! (by filmwill)

filmwill — Wed, 16 Mar 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Tapas is either 'in' or 'out,' depending on who you ask. Dining at Andalu only reinforces the fact that it's alive and well...and this gem of a restaurant leads the pack. The food is consistently inventive and mouth-watering. It seems that some folks on here have criticized the service and my experience (and I eat here many times each year) has never been anything short of fantastic. In fact, we find the servers have treated us like family, which is unheard of for typically 'trendy' eateries.
I could not give a higher recommendation to Andalu. If you find yourself in San Francisco, or you're a local who hasn't been here in awhile, I urge you to visit. You'll be glad you did!

2 Stars: Hip & Cool Only Goes So Far! (by gmckenna)

gmckenna — Sun, 06 Mar 2005 09:00:00 GMT

There are a lot of great small plate/tapas restaurants in the City. Unfortunately, Andalu is not one of them (not last Saturday). Our waitress had the personality of a guard in a Russian Gulag, she was cold and very unattentive. The rest of the staff was painfully slow. The menu was boring and the deserts were served about 15-20 minutes apart from each other, leaving my friends eyeing my "dry" molten lava cake.....plus my espresso was cold! Yes, the atmosphere is cool and hip, but you'll find better service at Wendy's.

4 Stars: Good Things Come in Small Packages! (by dolphinsilver)

dolphinsilver — Fri, 25 Feb 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Met up w/friends here. Waitress was helpful in recommending a # of plates to order. All were delicious: Crispy Mac n Cheese, Ahi Tartar Tacos, Grilled Ribeye with Chimmichurri and Fries. Mmm. Fresh donut holes, super YUM! You wish they weren't so small. Holy heck though, I couldn't hear myself after a while. I can't imagine bringing a group with the crazy Sat. crowd.

5 Stars: New items very yummy (by chunkychi)

chunkychi — Tue, 25 Jan 2005 09:00:00 GMT

(Disclosure: I really like Andalu and have gone to the restaurant many, many times.) I was even more pleasantly surprised with some new menu items. The duck breast was amazing - and a full breast for only $15! They've also dropped some of their other prices (like the ahi taco) and I can eat an order one of their banana spring rolls every night of the week.

4 Stars: Good food and service (by doubletee)

doubletee — Tue, 04 Jan 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Paid what I consider a fair price for the smaller plate of roasted cashews, the small plate of delicious butternut squash ravioli (I even went carnivore for a night and ate the tasty prosciutto), an ample tumbler of sangria, and satisfying donut holes and rich hot cocoa for dessert. With tax, everything came to about $22. My server was the delightful Oona. Attentive but not intrusive. I like the interior design of the restaurant, as well as the sophisticated atmosphere. Parking was not an issue for me, as either the #49 Muni or BART whisk you down to Mission/16th in no time.

3 Stars: Great food ... inconsistent service (by cliffcliff)

cliffcliff — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I've been to Andalu four times. The first time was wonderful in every way. Friendly and efficient waitress with great food. The second time the waiter was simply hateful. Others have complained about nasty wait staff there. Still, the food and ambience was so good. Third time and fourth visits were average, pricey experiences. If you like ginger, try the ginger-infused soju (korean rice wine) mmmm!!

5 Stars: Doesn't get better than this! (by 1glenn)

1glenn — Sat, 02 Oct 2004 09:00:00 GMT

For 7 out-of-town guests, Andalu was a great choice.
Una was phenominal! Fun and informative with out being obtrusive. Ask for her.
She recommended a Pinot Nois, a Merlot and a full-bodied Zinfandel served throughout the meal, explained the menu and how best to order. Experience the Grilled Portobellini, the tender Ribeye w/chimmichurri and the Camazola cheese fondue w/Fuji apples, Asian pears.
The service was remarkable.
Table always cleared of empty plates-never cluttered. Small plate tapas-style dining allows everyone in the group to be interactive with the food and each other. Great fun.
Una was very discreet in allowing me to slip her my credit card after taking our dessert orders.
BTW, order the Dulce de Leche sundae!
Highly recommend paying the $8 for valet parking. Save the aggravation looking for that non-existent street parking.
Andalu made our evening and the start of my guest's SF experience the best fun.

5 Stars: Great Food! A must place to dine! (by andy4389)

andy4389 — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I have eaten at Andalu twice and have not been disappointed. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is great. I think the prices you pay are much better than other tapas style restaurants, because of the absolute great tasting menu. I have eaten at other tapas style restaurants and spend a lot of money, but feel a bit cheater because the food is not all great. With Andalu you are getting good value for your buck.

4 Stars: Average to Good (by vdelacru)

vdelacru — Mon, 27 Sep 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I have to say the parking was a bit challenging. We went around serveral times before finally parking three blocks away. I sugguest if making reservations you might want to take into account how long it will take to find parking. We didn't have reservations and was surprised that we actaully got a table as soon as we did. The food was good, the ambiance was casual and cozy and the service was just fine. I would recommend this restaurant.

1 Stars: Don't Waste Your Time (by klesia)

klesia — Fri, 17 Sep 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I checked out this place after hearing some good reviews from friends but I totally disagree. The hostess was a snob, and portions were tiny and it was overpriced. There are so many other good places around (like Picaro down the block) in the area so don't waste your time on this one.

3 Stars: Tapas for one (by tabobaybee)

tabobaybee — Thu, 26 Aug 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Not a good place to go for large groups (more than 4). Parking was horrible. Rude hostess. The tapas plates were incredibly small and the food was only mediocre. Everyone raves about the desserts but there really wasn't any reason to. Stay away from Tartar tacos, mussels, short ribs, donut holes, and baklava. Would not go back. Try A Cote in Berkeley for a place which "knows" tapas.

4 Stars: Go & Try... (by bien904)

bien904 — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 09:00:00 GMT

This is a quaint place... nice decor, warm & casual yet sophisticated. They have a lot of small plate variety, and good drink choices. The food is tasty, good size for small party sharing. Definitely worthy of going.

5 Stars: Andalu (by mcogorno)

mcogorno — Wed, 14 Jul 2004 09:00:00 GMT

The food was fantastic, a little expensive, but that might have something to do with the wine. The list and pairing options were excellent. Of particular interest was the duck, and the cambizola fondue. Service was prompt but not overbearing.

3 Stars: It was just Ok (by wassupjamesd)

wassupjamesd — Thu, 26 Feb 2004 09:00:00 GMT

The building was nice. The atmosphere was nice, but not the obnoxiously loud laughing woman 2 tables away. The food was ok, but 2 lambchops for $13 was disappointing. They were tiny. Over $20 for a pitcher of Sangria? Was it because of Valentines day? There are other Spanish restaurants such as Cha Cha Cha where a pitcher of sangria is only $10 and have better and cheaper food. It's a bit pricey for what you get. Hope this helps.

3 Stars: Not bad but not that great (by EhBrah)

EhBrah — Tue, 17 Feb 2004 09:00:00 GMT

With so much fanfare from reviewers I finally went to Andalu with great anticipation, what I experienced was not up to the hype. If you're hungry and want savory food/tapas that are unpretentious then go to Picaro's a few doors down, you'll be much happier. Still, Andalu certainly has a very good drink selection worth going for alone and the ambiance is nice, crowd is equally attractive.

The food on the night I went was nothing to recommend. Like the reviewer before me the fancy donut holes with hot chocolate were nothing to recommend either. A prime example of fancier definitely not equating to better, but hey, go and try it anyway your experience may vary. At least you can say you've been there.

3 Stars: Sadly overrated (by thenative)

thenative — Tue, 13 Jan 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I had somewhat high expectations given the what i'd read here and the buzz, but Andalu fell short. Maybe it was an off-night. It was a low-key birthday dinner mid-week for us and the place was not busy -- but the service ranged from indifferent to condescending, which is unacceptable in any realm, but particularly in what is supposed to be a fun, hip, tapas place. An attitude adjustment is needed from the the front door to the back bar.

The food was mainly just ok - lots of interesting sounding things that didn't dazzle upon arrival. A couple of good plates. The wine list was the one saving grace...so we enjoyed that and made the most of the evening.

We'll probably give it another shot. I want to like the place but it may drive us all the way across the bay back to Cesar for our tapas.

2 Stars: Can I get another glass of water (by accountant1)

accountant1 — Mon, 06 Oct 2003 09:00:00 GMT

I have never written a review about a restaurant but I had such a bad experience I wanted to warn others.

I love salty food. I add salt to fries. But two out the six dishes I ordered I couldn't eat because they were sooo salty. I had about 6 glasses of water to wash down my dinner.

The dessert plate was also disappointing. My husband has NEVER left dessert on a plate but he did at Andalu. The tasting platter consisted of a few donut holes and some peanut brittle. It was not bad but for a fancier night out we expected a better dessert than what you can get at any Donut Times.

4 Stars: Good food, a little pricey (by banananutbread)

banananutbread — Mon, 29 Sep 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Given everything we ordered-- although the food was excellent-- our overall bill was pricey considering what we ordered-- but that certainly won't deter me from returning. The duck is excellent-- as well as the fish tacos and lamb. The fires are the perfect side for any small plate you order. And the white sangria is a must to wash ecerything down with.

4 Stars: Very good food; Service a bit lacking (by frugalgradartguy)

frugalgradartguy — Sat, 20 Sep 2003 09:00:00 GMT

My girlfriend and I went to Andalu on a Friday night. The food was not very Spanish or Andalusian (as the name suggests) but adventuresome and mostly really good Californian fare: Rabbit Sogu, Portabellini, and Crispy Mac Cheese were the best. Waiter was friendly and knowledgeable but service was very, very slow. We had to ask for the bill twice and the restaurant wasn't even that busy. Two things we ordered were also forgotten but we were fortunately not charged. Their myriad wine tasters are generous and intriguing.

5 Stars: wow (by bwllcw)

bwllcw — Tue, 12 Aug 2003 09:00:00 GMT

The minute I stepped into this place I loved it. The thick, lounge-like, velvet curtains hang from floor to ceiling giving the restaurant a cozy and comforting feeling. After looking at the menu and getting a hold of my jaw, I wiped the drool off the table and ordered crispy macaroni and cheese followed by the scallops. Oh and how could I leave out the ribs smothered in a coca-cola based sauce? Doesn't it sound strange? Yeah, it's amazing. To end the meal you must, must, must get the donut holes and dip them in the hot chocolate that's provided. I can't say any more, my glands are salivating just thinking about it. See you at Andalu!!!
p.s. soju is the new "it" drink and they're the only ones that have it. get it while it's still relatively unheard of.

5 Stars: student (by fun2k03)

fun2k03 — Mon, 04 Aug 2003 09:00:00 GMT

there's just something about andalu that keeps me going back...the melt-in-your mouth creative cuisine, the fab wine list and the sangria option, and the perfectly cool atmosphere come to mind. i also LOVE the food-wine pairing series...these are NOT to be missed...the nest kept secret in town!

5 Stars: Delicious food, excellent service (by ravensf)

ravensf — Tue, 29 Jul 2003 09:00:00 GMT

I have had the great fortune to visit Andalu on many occasions. With a date, a small group, and quite often a large group, my reservation time has always been honored without a wait. The staff is consistently very accomodating and friendly and the servers are knowledgable about wine pairings and are perfectly generous with their time. My favorite drinks are the delicious soju cocktails! Very tasty. Watermelon-feta salad is ingenious and I can't get enough of the fondue. I've tried most everything on the menu and am amazed that it ALL tastes fantastic, fresh, and adventuresome. I have never once been disappointed. It seems they add new flavors all the time, so if you catch the wild boar on the menu, don't pass it up!
Andalu has earned the distinction of my favorite restaurant. The entire experience is effortless and completely enjoyable.

4 Stars: Hard Call (by nikipai)

nikipai — Fri, 18 Jul 2003 09:00:00 GMT

The food is so-so, not bad but not fabulous enough for the price. The fondue is yum, but the other dishes were not memorable--but the hefty bill was. For good tapas, try going round the corner.

4 Stars: Strange vibe (by DJF)

DJF — Mon, 14 Jul 2003 09:00:00 GMT

For the first time ever I am at a loss for words in describing a restaurant. Nevertheless, I will try. To start the food was great, albeit small portions. I loved the cheese fondue, cheese plate and ahi tacos. The tartar and Watermelon salad were nice. On the downside the service was pretty bad. We waited over 15 minutes until someone came to our table. The waitress did give us a free helping of sangria for the mistake. The restaurant's vibe is really strange. I can only explain it is as if it were a private club and we did not have a membership. All six in our party were a little turned off by the uncomfortable vibe from the entire staff. It's too bad for Andalu.

5 Stars: wow (by soupcampbell2)

soupcampbell2 — Fri, 11 Jul 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Deep fried macaroni and cheese? Watermelon salad with feta? Id heard about fish tacos and donut holes, but this place blew me away. Lets just say this is not your grandfathers tapas restaurant. I didnt try the sangria, since the waiter talked me into a flight of half glasses of wine. I had the California, starting with champagne, then white, then red. My girlfriend had two mojitos and was tempted for #3. Not the cheapest place, but well worth the outlay.

2 Stars: Get your tapas somewhere else (by unclemitch)

unclemitch — Thu, 10 Jul 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Travelling on business more than I'd like to admit, I am fortunate enough to dine out often. Andalu was a disappointment. The food was marginal and the service was an abomination. Food comments - Miniature portions are fine if you're dieting or seeking just a bite, but if you're looking for a meal, move on. Choose your food wisely as price does not appear to indicate better dishes. If you like overly-salty dishes try the polenta. Service comments - Wed 8pm, we were seated promptly but with only two waitresses covering the whole place, your patience will be tested severely. If not for the pleasant company, my evening would have been a total loss. Do like us and go down the street to have crepes/coffee for dessert. Conclusion - I won't be back.

2 Stars: not worth it (by lynnht)

lynnht — Thu, 29 May 2003 09:00:00 GMT

I'll admit that the food is pretty good - not excellent, but still good. Everything else about my experience at Andalu has been bad. I went there once for a friends birthday. We didn't get seated until an hour after our reservation. In addition, when we went to check back about the status (maybe 20 minutes after scheduled reservation), the hostess was rude.
Since the food was good, I thought I'd try again. I went back on a weekday as a walk in. We were promptly seated. Everything was okay until a server spilled melted cheese on my coat. He never apologized, the host never apologized... the only person to say something was our waiter. He deducted our dessert off the check. I would expect more - not so much in monetary value, but a sincere apology would have been nice. I won't bother going back.

4 Stars: standard small plates, slow service (by noefoodie)

noefoodie — Sat, 22 Mar 2003 09:00:00 GMT

I went with a party of 8 and got to try a lot of their dishes. Most were pretty good, though nothing to go back for. I agree with another poster...donut hole dessert was the highlight. I don't think the food was inventive...just smaller portions from a lot of different cuisines. For example, osso bucco and ahi tacos all on one menu. With 2 pitchers of sangria, we paid $23/person.

However, the service was very slow. We waited what seemed like an eternity between the time we finished our food and the time we got the dessert menu.

1 Stars: anda-eww (by joylian)

joylian — Tue, 18 Mar 2003 09:00:00 GMT

We eat out A LOT. Finally decided to try Andalu since we live in the neighborhood and we were incredibly disappointed. The portions were teeny, which would have been fine had the prices matched. Way too expensive for what you got. Waitress was aloof and not helpful at all. Beans were undercooked and the "hot" chocolate that came with the donuts was cold (donuts were too doughy as well). We won't be back. If you're looking for small plates, there are a million better places to visit in the bay area.

5 Stars: try this menu at andalu! (by maddie46)

maddie46 — Sun, 02 Mar 2003 09:00:00 GMT

been to andalu - always thought food and ambiance amazing, but agree that sometimes it can be more than you think $wise. However, with a little help from the server, you can have an amazing meal at an incredible price.

Try this - here's my current favorite menu for 2 people:

cambazola fondue ($9)
chopped romaine salad (but not if you don't like anchovies!) ($7)
Steak tartare (best in the city - i like it better than bistro jeanty's) ($9)
osso bucco ($9)
banana tart (i think pecan but can't remember for sure) with makers mark ice cream - YUM ($7)

comes to $20 per person for food. Wine is whatever you want it to be- prices are very reasonable vs. other restaurants.

i think a really good/solid value!! love tasting so many different things + i never leave hungry or poor.

4 Stars: Not your average Mission yuppie place (by sabine2001)

sabine2001 — Fri, 21 Feb 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Food is great, no complaints about the service. Very noisy though. I was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the patrons.

4 Stars: American Style Tapas (by jongeil)

jongeil — Thu, 20 Feb 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Not bad tapas - good ahi tacos (one taco = one bite though), lousy ribs, excellent cheese fondue. The donut holes for desert made the meal though. $80 for two people

2 Stars: Miniscule Tapas & Pompous Service (by bluenike)

bluenike — Wed, 19 Feb 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Yes, the tapas were tasty & inventive. But three bites per plate? If you have to eat 5 plates to get a regular meal, this place is NOT cheap eats. In addition, the waitress seemed to want to be anyplace else but andalu...

1 Stars: tiny portions and the worst service (by svy)

svy — Fri, 14 Feb 2003 09:00:00 GMT

I hosted a birthday dinner for my best friend here last week. Not only did I get barked at by the assistant manager when 3 extra people showed up, the waitress talked back, rolled her eyes, and swore under her breath the entire dinner. The food arrived in long drawn out intervals. The teeny, tiny portion size made this even more frustrating. Our party was so displeased with the whole experience that we left to go to a pizza place to finish up dinner. I was so stressed and embarrassed and will never eat here again.

3 Stars: Food isn't as great as I remembered! (by amyhirst)

amyhirst — Thu, 13 Feb 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Went there last night and was very disappointed. We sat at our table for probably 15 minutes before we were greeted by our server. The hoisin chicken wings were terrible.

5 Stars: Very creative simple cuisine (by rave10)

rave10 — Sat, 08 Feb 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Food is simply sophisticated which is great since lots of restaurants tend to put more and more flavors to their dishes. Good blend of mediterraneen-californian cuisine. I'm not tired of the tastes. I've been there 4 times and will come back. However, be careful when you order, small plates small prices but they add up to big check!

2 Stars: The WORST Service (by princessnectar)

princessnectar — Mon, 03 Feb 2003 09:00:00 GMT

The hostess told us that it would be a "45 minute wait, so go have a drink next door and we'll call your cell." Sounds good, right? Wrong.... An hour later, no call, so we checked in and they said 10 minutes. 20 minutes later, no call, so we checked in again and they had given our table away. What? So we continued to wait.... Eventually we were sat at a crowded table by the door and told we couldn't move to an open table further in because they were for guests who "have reservations, which you chose not to make." Are you kidding me? As if this wasn't bad enough, our waitress also had an attitude. We were two courses deep before the wine came, which was reportedly "in the cellar." In Napa? It is really too bad, because the food was excellent.

5 Stars: great effort (by Jonah_D)

Jonah_D — Sat, 01 Feb 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Loved the osso bucco, the best I've ever had. Service was fun and casual, I'll definitely be back.

5 Stars: Price is Right! (by ruccik)

ruccik — Fri, 24 Jan 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Andalu was a wonderful experience from the second we stepped in. Very good food, very good service and we didn't burn holes in our pocket!

3 Stars: So-So (by bohannl)

bohannl — Sun, 12 Jan 2003 09:00:00 GMT

I agree with the other reviewers--the food was good, but it was overpriced. I would definitely recommend getting some smaller sides to go with the more expensive "main" dishes. I really liked the atmosphere and our waiter was very attentive.

4 Stars: clash of small plates (by maltese)

maltese — Fri, 03 Jan 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Andalu, like Chez Nous, has small plates, but not as tiny as Chez Nous', and the food is more subtle. Flavourful without over doing it. Nice restaurant space, wine and friendly service, but they could be a bit more attentive on the service, though it's not bad, just not perfect.

5 Stars: can't wait to go back (by turbokatie)

turbokatie — Sun, 29 Dec 2002 09:00:00 GMT

andalu's menu is so fun; our party's interest was peaked trying to figure out what to get. our server was wonderfully helpful, intelligent and pleasant. the service was outstanding. we all enjoyed our picks immensely and left wondering what we would get the next time.

1 Stars: Not impressed and hadn't even eaten yet (by cybelea)

cybelea — Thu, 12 Dec 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I just cancelled my reservation. When I called a second time to check on my reservation they told me I had to have my party out by a certain time. Alright that means that they have too many reservations and that they they couldn't handle my group. They shouldn't have taken my ressie. Someone has commented about how I can't rate the staff having not been in the restaurant. Who are the reservation takers if not staff? The first person you talk to in any buisness can make or break your opinion, The person I talked to was rude and unhelpfull. If they had just been honest and said they couldn't accomadate me it would have changed my opinion of them. Go to Cafe Picaro instead, just down the block, excellent food better prices great ambiance and they handled my party at the last minute graciously and politley!!!!

5 Stars: Noveau tapas!! (by otter)

otter — Fri, 06 Dec 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Luckily it's not in the heart of the Mission (20th and Mission area), it's right where the good stuff begins. It's got a lovely romantic feel, despite being a little loud. The tapas are fantastic, with a great noveau flavor. The service was very helpful, without being condescending. It's a perfect spot for a spontaneous "special" night; cannot reccomend this place enough.

3 Stars: way overpriced (by sficewine)

sficewine — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I have to agree with the previous review: great food but the portions were awfully stingy with the prices they charge. It may work when the dot-com was still booming or if you want to impress your date. :-) Excellent service though.

4 Stars: Good food, bad service (by yoshika)

yoshika — Tue, 26 Nov 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Their eclectic food is excellent. Plates are small, but that's what tapas is all about. It's fun to taste a little of everything. Three to four plates per person is about what you should expect. My favorites are Petite Filet, Hawaiian Walu and Cheese Fondue. I didn't understand the big fuss about the Donut Holes until I had some. Unlike the traditional donut holes, it's very light and puffy. Excellent dipped in the hot chocolate that comes with it. Highly recommended. The dinning room is beautifully done with high ceiling long velvet curtain that gives the room a romantic appeal. Too bad the servic is terrible. It was difficult getting service while dining, as our waitress doesn't seem to look at the direction of tables. I do hope they plan on spending some time training their staff. That being said, I'd definitely go back for their food again!

3 Stars: andaly non-spanish micro-tapas (by lolo_aki)

lolo_aki — Sat, 09 Nov 2002 09:00:00 GMT

The food was very good, but the portions were ridiculously small and pricy. NOT a place to go to satisfy your appetite, but their bank account. The only spanish aspect of this restaurant were the music, the deco, and the noise. Tapas is a excuse for them to minimize the size of the portions while make it sound "exotic" or "spanish", while the menu hardly presents any Spanish-typical dishes.

4 Stars: OHMYGOD!!! (by persots)

persots — Tue, 22 Oct 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Great food. Great Fun! The tasting portions were perfect. What a great way to share a meal with the one you love. Kind of loud.

5 Stars: Pretty Damn Good (by AnnaSchoen)

AnnaSchoen — Fri, 11 Oct 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Dining at Andalu was a surprisingly fabulous experience. Few small plate restaurants know how to create such a great mix. The food is delicious, the white sangria makes you melt and the atmosphere is great. Aside from the massive mural on the wall - there's built in eye candy - just ask for Calvin.

5 Stars: Love it (by sftaste)

sftaste — Fri, 04 Oct 2002 09:00:00 GMT

It saddens me to hear about some of the bad experiences people had here. Andalu is one of my favorite places in SF. We have visited ANdalu about 5 times in the past 4 months or so, and have been wowed each time - both by food and service. I can't say that I've tried EVERYTHING - but all that I've tasted has been creative and very tasty. Never miss the donut holes when you dine here, and always order Sangria. Sooo good! Service has always been great - but I have to say that we have always gone with parties of 4 or less. So maybe that's the secret? ANyway - I would recommend this place to everyone - it is such a find!

4 Stars: More tapas? (by Plawrenceleary)

Plawrenceleary — Mon, 30 Sep 2002 09:00:00 GMT

ANother tapas restaurant? This one is a little different.
Colorful space in this Mission haunt. Bright flavors in most dishes balanced by efficient and approachable service staff, make this a good date choice. The wine program is top notch!

4 Stars: sangria! (by pambrew)

pambrew — Mon, 16 Sep 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Fabulous sangria and friendly wait staff. Definitely try and make reservations on the weekend.

4 Stars: Fun place to meet friends (by arianna_king)

arianna_king — Thu, 12 Sep 2002 09:00:00 GMT

This is a great place to get together with friends ... lots of appetizer type dishes to share and great white Sangria.

5 Stars: small plates, big taste (by sfglutton)

sfglutton — Sat, 31 Aug 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Andalu's food hit the mark. The white sangria and ahi tacos were just a couple of the highlights. The space was hip along with the crowd. Our server was fantastic and let us try different sangrias before we ordered a pitcher. The only downside was the miniscule servings. Luckily, the big taste made up for the small plates.

3 Stars: Try it once, then move on... (by amf)

amf — Wed, 14 Aug 2002 09:00:00 GMT

This place is good once, but after you've shared five TINY plates (about 12 bites of food) and paid about $30 a head for the privilege, I'm willing to bet that you won't go back.

3 Stars: Started strong, now small portions/big $ (by lostweekend)

lostweekend — Tue, 13 Aug 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Andalu has stumbled. I have been four times. It started out with promise -- good food, cool atmosphere, always able to get in, good portions. That has changed. Belt tightening there has manifested itself in the form of rediculously small portions for a relatively large amount. We were embarassed when taking out of town guests there. It seemed so extravagantly priced for what you get. Take your guests or date to Zuni or Absinthe for the same price and a far better experience.

1 Stars: Eww (by gfabmonkey)

gfabmonkey — Mon, 12 Aug 2002 09:00:00 GMT

The food was totally over-priced and unoriginal. The salad with bacon was drenched in grease, and when we asked them to re-do it, they returned with a salad that was only slightly greasier than the rest. Save your money on tapas and go down the street to the other tapas place.

1 Stars: Adios Andalu, I won't be back (by piranhapete)

piranhapete — Tue, 06 Aug 2002 09:00:00 GMT

My wife and I had heard good reviews of Andalu so we decided to try it. The food is delicious, but they're the same size as the samples in Coscto!
We ordered 3 items, only received 2 - the waitress never apologized for the forgotten order, but she did make sure to charge us for it. After I pointed this out to her, she bolted to the computer to make the change then gave the bill back to us.
I won't be back, and I certainly won't recommend this place to anyone. If anything, I'll tell people not to go.

4 Stars: not quite worth it (by joecastorena)

joecastorena — Thu, 01 Aug 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Great food. Great service. Average ambiance. Tiny servings. In fact, the small size of the plates really decreases the overall value. And parking is a nightmare (spent 35 minutes looking for a spot)!

5 Stars: 9 (by julie_brown)

julie_brown — Wed, 31 Jul 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Wonderful food, super friendly staff, and great atmoshpere! Parking can be a pain - take a cab.

5 Stars: well-rounded (by sfo1971)

sfo1971 — Tue, 30 Jul 2002 09:00:00 GMT

i like andalu for its all-around performance - good food, good variety of interesting (but not wild) dishes, friendly staff, good value, nice environment. i always feel comfortable taking people there.

2 Stars: overpriced and small portions (by mrw72)

mrw72 — Fri, 26 Jul 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I visited this "tapas" bar with a few friends one evening thinking I was going to get some yummy tfood. To my surprise the food was not very good, extremely small portions even for tapas, and very expensive for what you get.
Andalu seems to try and give tapas an asian/spanish flare and it just doesn't work.
One particular dish was a scallops tapas. Here we got 3 scallops and paid $14.00. I couldn't believe it.
p.s not good for vegetarians!

2 Stars: Not small, but microscopic plates (by angel91074)

angel91074 — Wed, 10 Jul 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I'm sorry but I fail to understand why there are so many high ratings for this restaurant. We waited for 1 hour to be seated, only to find it overpriced, portions miniscule and the food mediocre. Pan seared day boat scallops, which cost around $15-20 consisted of three scallops sitting on a tablespoon of mashed potatos, and they gave a new definition to "mini" with their mini-tacos.

5 Stars: Andalu kicks tapa ass (by Ivan)

Ivan — Mon, 08 Jul 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Delicious combinations and fine, friendly service make this restaurant a solid dinner choice. Normally, I shy away from anything that boasts of a "fusion" of cuisine (pick a country and go with it, if you know what I mean), but Andalu crafts their food with such care that both simple and complex tastes are achieved with enormous success. A decent wine list rounds out the changing menu. The service was excellent the evening I ate there, which was a slammed and crowded Friday. For those who so readily complained of bad service, take a look in the mirror and give the place another try. This place rocks and will be here for a few years.

4 Stars: see for yourself (by knowsfood)

knowsfood — Wed, 03 Jul 2002 09:00:00 GMT

i just read some of reviews people wrote about the restaurant Andalu. i was shocked!! i could not believe it when i saw words like rude, and uninformed. i consider myself a regular at Andalu, and spend my time and money there for a reason. i find the energetic staff to be positive and extremely down to earth. i am very thankful to have such a delicious, comfortable, and fun restaurant in the neighborhood!

5 Stars: 9 (by sfcacook)

sfcacook — Wed, 12 Jun 2002 09:00:00 GMT

If dining is about a complete experience, from service to food to atmosphere to (most importantly) personal interaction, Andalu is the best place in town.

3 Stars: Do you like horrible service? (by Nish)

Nish — Tue, 11 Jun 2002 09:00:00 GMT

We went to Andalu with my girlfriend's parents for part of her birthday celebration. While our waitress was nice, the service was incredibly bad and this was a Monday! Bread never arrived, clueless waitstaff brought the wrong dishes (more than once) to our table, our wine serving occurred after we received our first appetizers, we had ordered a birthday dessert that - here's a concept - never came. On top of that, the place was unbearably hot. I've enjoyed Andalu's fish tacos in the past, and some other items as well, but the bad attitude of the hostess should have given us clear warning to stay away.

3 Stars: A disappointment (by hevesele)

hevesele — Tue, 28 May 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I was really looking forward to eating at Andalu, but was sorely disappointed by the mediocre food and inattentive service. Although we really enjoyed the atmosphere of the place, for the money, I wouldn't recommend it at all.

5 Stars: Loved it (by heidi)

heidi — Fri, 17 May 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Chic little spot with fabulous food. Ideal to go with 4 people so you can try everything. Everything about this place is great but you can end up spending a lot of $$$.