AQ Restaurant Review, San Francisco

Reviewer: Foodnut.com

AQ Restaurant

1085 Mission St

San Francisco, CA 94103

415-341-9000

AQ Restaurant Website

AQ Restaurant San Francisco exterior decor

Why did we dine here? – AQ restaurant has been getting alot of positive press recently, including a three star rating from San Francisco Chronicle’s Michael Bauer. They change the menu, ingredients, and decor based on the season, a gimmick that sounded appealing. (We dined on their Spring menu) AQ stands for As Quoted or ask the server for the price, but all the prices at this restaurant exist on the menu. The crowd consisted of foodies in their 30’s and 40’s.

Insider Tip – Go for cocktail and appetizers.

Cuisine – New American
Location – Downtown San Francisco
Opened – 2011

AQ Restaurant San Francisco interior decor

Service – AQ had below average service even though the waitress was friendly and helpful. She wasn’t around much and we had to track her down several times. The table next to us even got charged for a dish they didn’t get. They need to improve their service.

Verdict – AQ restaurant has been rated excellent by Mr. Bauer. While we find the food beautiful, innovative and the ingredients inventive, the portion size, value proposition, and service do not make for an excellent rating. One would need to order two appetizers, an entree, and dessert to be reasonably filled. $1.50 per person San Francisco Health Fee.

AQ Signature Dishes – The menu changes seasonally and also very often.

AQ’s Menu consists a handful of starters along with six to eight entrees.

Website AQ Menu

AQ Food Picks:

AQ Restaurant San Francisco cocktails

Fool’s Wager ($12) was a uniquely flavored cocktail. Make sure you like the ingredients before ordering this.

Mojito ($12) was strong and balanced. They know how to concoct their drinks here.

AQ Restaurant San Francisco asparagus

Asparagus, White Chocolate, Steelhead Roe & Borage ($10) could have used more asparagus. This is a tiny but gorgeous dish that made want to order several appetizers to start off with.

AQ Restaurant San Francisco Fava Beans

Fava Beans ($10) was another elegant dish that will surely satisfy vegetarians. They initially forgot about this dish and had to be reminded.

AQ Restaurant San Francisco Pig Trotter

Pork Trotter, Spring Garlic, Snails And Avocado ($14) was a more substantial appetizer with crispy skin and some dense meat. Snails were on the more sedate side.

AQ Restaurant San Francisco Kampachi

Kampachi, Green Strawberry, celery with horseradish ($14) was another beautiful dish with very fresh fish but far too little of it.

AQ Restaurant San Francisco chicken and shrimp

Chicken And Shrimp, Chrysanthemum, Peanuts, Burnt Pineapple & Kaffir Lime ($25) was recommended by the server and included some very good size portions of tender chicken along with a couple small shrimp. The accents made the dish slightly Thai oriented.

AQ Restaurant San Francisco Lamb

Young Lamb, Heirloom Carrots, Chickpeas, Oxalis & Sheep’s Milk ($25) was on the rare side and a bit chewy and gamey. A fair dish, nothing special.

AQ Restaurant San Francisco rhubarb dessert

Field Rhubarb ($8) toasted buckwheat, Chamomile & Anise was a beautiful and fun dessert with a variety of items including a small but tasty ball of panna cotta.

AQ Restaurant San Francisco cheese plate

Farmstead & Artisan Cheeses, Daily Offerings, Jellies, Honeycomb & Walnuts ($8) was decent but should have included more than two types of cheese!

Parting apricot gelee candies.

OK: (Order if you like this dish)
Aged Strip Loin ($32) wild ramps, wheat, ale & Forest mushrooms had excellent flavor but was overly rare and had a lot of fat and tendon on it, something we haven’t encountered in a long time.

Halibut ($25) braised & raw radishes, calamari, sunflower seeds, Arugula was a fairly small portion that was cooked just right, but lacked any appealing flavors. It came with two good sized pieces of Calamari. We had fish at Spruce last week, which was simply excellent.

Pans: (We would not reorder these dishes)
None

AQ Restaurant & Bar on Urbanspoon

Restaurant Map:


AQ Restaurant Overall Rating: (Very Good 2.5)

Come Back?

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

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

You Might Also Like

No Comments

    Leave a Reply


    By using our site you agree to our: Privacy PolicyTerms of Use.

    Subscribe to the Free Foodnut Newsletter