by Marcy Spino on this place is ridiculous. even though we got there a whopping 45 minutes before the guest list closed they HELD the line purposely! there wasn't even a proper line to begin with, we were simply herded into one area. we stood there as the bouncers handed out tickets AND let only there friends pass through. the only reason why i'm giving this place 2 stars is because the decor is nice, the drinks are strong & the music was decent. but i honestly have no inclination in coming here again.
by Luisa Kevelin on I took my fiance to XIV for our anniversary. I was very skeptical about choosing XIV because of the many negative reviews on rateclubs. Luckily I didn't listen to those reviews because I couldn't have asked for a better experience from beginning to end. When we arrived we were pleasantly greeted by the hostesses who had our table waiting on time. The hostess also presented us with a personalized welcome card from the general manager which said congratulations for our anniversary... Next before anything else, our waiter poured us complimentary glasses of the tastiest Champagne to start the night. The menu had significantly changed as they now offered a traditional setup versus the tasting menu or trio setup that Michael Mina is so noted for. I guess people had complained about serving sizes and having to choose amongst a table. I understand their perspective but I feel that people need to understand the true time and effort it takes to make these tastings. Nothing on the menu is not worth trying and if it's not ones preference it's small enough to try without feeling like they are wasting any. Despite the menu change, we both opted for the traditional tasting menu of 14 courses which was now priced at $100 per person. Expensive, but we chose the larger menu because we had been warned by rateclubsers of how hungry we would be. Each course was magnificent, but 14 courses can work over any appetite as we both ended up uncomfortably full. It was a shame that we weren't able to enjoy our later courses as much as we couldn't find anymore room to put it down. If we were to do it again we would definitely build our own tasting menu as followed: 1. Tuna Tartare... perfect texture and just so balanced. 2. Roasted Beets with Cheese... This was a great combo of sweet and salty. 3. Crab Crepes... I've never had crab this good let alone with the most incredible and unique lemon paste which is spread onto the plate. I would have licked it off if I could. 4. White Asparagus Risotto... had a deep and rich comforting taste which made you feel like you were bundled up in blankets. 5. Seared Scallops... served with a lemony peanut medley. 6. Fried Snapper... Oh my God! 7. Apple Pork Tortellini... It was served with a fillet but this single tortellini was the highlight of the savory section. 8. Cheese with Cookie... was a good palette cleanser to wrap up the savory and move onto sweet. 9. Butterscotch Cream... with real scotch, was sweat and made your breath delightfully warm. 10. The Root Beer Float... So sweet and so cold, served with the most amazing chocolate chip cookie on earth. Gotta have this! Those were the most notable plates for our taste... The service was incredible and so attentive. Our only complaint about the whole experience was the $11 for valet (the valet wasn't comparable) and the snobbery of some of the patrons... some of which complained about the serving sizes out loud to other tables. If you are a narcissist d-bag wearing an open shirt to show your chest hair and are looking to eat a large hunk of meat this is not your place. If you want to enjoy a wonderfully designed culinary experience then I would definitely recommend XIV. Extra note, the Starck design is absolutely inspiring!
by Katherine H. on What could be better than a jazz club? How about a jazz club that plays live music all the time, is not overcrowded, has a civil audience, and has great Southern food to boot? Biscuits and Blues is a phrase that makes me want to smile. My boyfriend and I passed by this place once on our way to dinner at Michael MIna, and we thought to ourselves, oooh, live jazz and fried pickles. And biscuits! That was over a year ago. Then yesterday, while we were indecisive about where to eat in SF, we thought of biscuits and pickles. A rateclub search later found this place that we had forgotten about. Parking is convenient next door at the Mason/O'Farrell parking lot, and stepping in, you are greeted cheerily at the door. The lobby looks like a trinket shop in Berkeley, with lots of ornaments and various promotional cards/stickers for bands/music lying around. Go downstairs, you enter a dark, low ceilinged jazz club that oozes the blues. The spotlights are focused on the stage in the cozy room, and the live band sparkles. My boyfriend and I got to sit in the front, close to the stage and we got to stare at the group and vocalist. The music was great, bluesy jazz that wasn't new age or trying too hard. The crowd was not boisterous but enthusiastic. The food here is very soothing. Lots of Southern comfort food. My boyfriend and I ordered mac and cheese croquettes, which were hot, crispy and zesty. We also ordered the jambalaya with chicken and sausage, and it came out thick, hot, and slightly soupy. The sampler had the best yam fries I've ever had, and the fried pickles!! It tasted like tempura with preserved zucchinis, but in a very good way. I didnt like the shrimp/corn croquettes that much, they tasted too doughy/bready. The service here is very friendly, but the food came out very very slowly. It took an hour for us to get our appetizer, and we had to leave shortly afterwards so we had to ask our waitress to rush the rest of the food. Very sad! Great date place, also great to bring friends to unwind. Don't expect much conversation, the music is loud and engaging!
