Ernest, San Francisco

Reviewer: Foodnut.com

Ernest

1890 Bryant St Suite 100

SF, CA 94110

415-829-2961

Ernest Website

Ernest, San Francisco

Why did we dine here? – Ernest is a hot restaurant in the Potrero Hill area not far from KQED. We had to set multiple alerts on Resy to get a reservation. They have outdoor seating in their courtyard, complete with heat lamps. We dine here twice, once inside and once outside.

Ernest San Francisco inside decor

The chef is Brandon Rice. Rice spent 5 ½ years as Chef De Cuisine at Rich Table in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley.

Insider Tip – Reserve early and use alerts on rezy. Tables open up close to reservation dates.

Cuisine – Japanese Fusion
Location – San Francisco Mission District
Opened – 2020

Service – Ernest Service was better than expected, although on our first visit, the waiter wasn’t very informed on some ingredients.

Verdict – Ernest has some dishes that were great, while others didn’t work. This is one of those restaurants where you really have to know what to order – slant toward appetizers and dessert. Prices are not cheap, but on par with other restaurants of this caliber. Ernest has a trust the chef, Omakase option for $95. 6% Healhy SF Mandate added.

Is this restaurant worth a 5 minute drive? Yes. 30 minute? Maybe. 1 Hour? No

Ernest Signature Dishes – Carbonara, Beef Tartare

Ernest’s Menu lands the place squarely in a Japanese American fusion spot. Although Parker House rolls and steak don’t really qualify. Tasting menu also available.

Website Ernest Menu

Ernest Food Picks:
Mexican Firing Squad ($14) is great for mezcal fans.

Miami Vice ($14) is more fruity and sweet. Not super foo foo.

Ernest San Francisco steak tartare

Beef tartare ($19) is their a signature dish, it comes topped with Ikura. You take the steak tartare and rice and place it in the seaweed. This was a fun dish that also hit the spot. 10/10

Ernest San Francisco grilled avocado fried rice

Grilled Avocado with Smoked Trout Roe, Sprouts, Everything Seed ($17) is a beautiful looking dish that does not even look like an avocado. Varied textures and flavors. 8.5/10

Ernest San Francisco parker house rolls Shrimp cocktail

Parker House Rolls with House Cultured Butter & Its Milk ($9) are a nice golden brown and done well. Not as good as Protege in Palo Alto. 8/10

1/2 lb. Shrimp Cocktail with Yuzu ($20) has 5 fairly large shrimp on a bed of ice.  Decent but nothing amazing. 7.5/10

Ernest San Francisco hearts of palm with yuba

The hearts of palm with Yuba ($17) was a beautiful dish. Tweezers city, great for vegetarians. 9.5/10

Koshihikari Fried rice ($21) was pretty uneventful except for the fact that it included some chunks of ume plum that were really sour. Expensive too. 7/10

Ernest San Francisco Manila clams Koshihikari fried rice

Manila clams ($29) were stir fried in a very strong sauce which was slightly too sour. 7.5/10

Ernest San Francisco lo mein sea urchin carbonara

Lo Mein Sea Urchin “Carbonara”, Olivier’s Bacon ($23) is another famous dish and rightly so. Very rich and a fusion of asian with italian. 8/10

Ernest San Francisco desserts

Ice cream sundae ($13) was surprisingly good, very tall and a nice chocolate coating. 9/10

Shaved Ice ($13) is also a fun dish. Spiced Mutsu Apple is infused in the Shaved Ice and 2 add ins are on the side. 9/10
OK: (Order if you like this dish)
None

Pans: (We would not reorder these dishes)
None

Do you agree with our review? Have you found other similar restaurants that are better?

Restaurant Map:


Ernest Overall Rating: (Very Good 2.5)

Come Back?

Food Rating: (Very Good)
Service Rating: (Very Good)
Atmosphere Rating: (Very Good)
Value Rating: (Good)

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:Full Bar
Attire:Dressy
Parking:Street
Reservations:Yes

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