Heirloom Cafe
2500 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA, 94110
Heirloom Cafe Menu
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Main
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A La Carte
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Main
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A La Carte
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Address :
2500 Folsom St
San Francisco, CA, 94110 - Phone (415) 821-2500
- Website https://www.heirloom-sf.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 pm - 10:00pm
- Mon : 6:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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miranda caroligne ..
I started going here when the wait was too long at Flour & Water, and soon it became my "go to" place. Its usually busy, but there's only been a handful of times that the wait wasn't do-able. This Saturday I went on the early side, after being told there was a 2 hour wait at F&W, and was shocked that there were tables available the whole time we were there. You people are missing out!!!! I have loved everything I've ever had here... salads are unique, soups are amazing, the secret burger... um... ya!, all of it is so good! On top of that, I've had excellent recommendations from the waitstaff, including wine pairings (they have great wine!) And it feels like having dinner with family... sure it's not reclaimed wood & steel like every other place, but it is absolutely lovely inside. Get on it! and get the burger with a side of salad or veggies... happiness!
(5)Lisa W.
New favorite place. Had a perfect meal last night. The server was polite, sharp and not overbearing. I really appreciated the appetizer olives and almonds that were brought over to curb our hunger when we sat down. The meal was delicious, perfectly timed, and plated, and everything came out deliciously made from scratch, seasonal and perfectly cooked. The wine selection is top notch. The cheese table in the middle of the room... amazing and adorable! The atmosphere is comfortable, classy, intimate and not irritatingly hipster. I appreciate that this place was filled with 30 somethings, 20 somethings, 40 somethings, 50, and 60-70 somethings.and I am sure the 80,90 and 100 somethings would appreciate it, too. It is rare that I see that happening at spots in San Francisco, and I am overjoyed when I find a place that can serve that range and make everyone happy. To me it means you are doing something 'classic', rather than trendy or niche, which is what is all over the place in SF, and I am sick to death of. To cater to a range of people like that, you know you are doing something right. The atmosphere felt like I am going to my amazingly cool and smart friend's house for a perfectly put together special occasion meal. I will be back, for sure. I can't wait to try other things on the Menu. This really made my Friday night happy, and was a great way to welcome in the weekend.
(5)Alice W.
The food here is down home and simple. They have a daily prefix menu with wine pairing for $65 per person. The pour for the wine is around a 2/3 pour -- bigger than a normal tasting pour but smaller than a full glass. They were actually pretty accommodating for substitutions for items from the a la carte menu. I substituted the bacon onion tart for the salad on the prefix. The entree was the steak and the dessert a vanilla pudding. The bacon tart was good and simple, nothing too special. Definitely a rustic dish. The steak was fine, too, and the same for the dessert. All in all, the food was well prepared, but nothing special. It was the type of stuff (including the ingredients) that I could easily make at home. I guess the whole concept is supposed to be rustic and the restaurant achieved the goal. I just look for something more inspiring and complex than the output of an above average home cook when I go out to eat.
(3)Milk n.
Is it even worth complaining about the lack of half star capabilities on this site? Obviously, many of us would like a more granular system to rate places. Well, despite my whinging, I'm back on the review horse and breaking my hiatus for a middle of the road mixed bag review. In my experience, few places are, in fact, actually mediocre in a broad sense of the word. In almost every case it's a combination of positives, negatives, minor fuckups, and happenstance that yield a 2 or 3 star review more than some overall malaise. So, let me start (yes the review is starting now, really) by saying I did enjoy my dinner here. There were a number of superlative aspects to the meal that are worth singling out: - The service was uniformly excellent. Though, it did suffer from some of the detached reserve that comes with this dining environment. I personally like things informal and familiar but I know the majority of their customer base is probably looking for something a bit more white glove than that. So, I'm not knocking them for it. - Some aspects of the meal were fucking delicious. The way the cheese was integrated in the hamburger patty was a revelation to me and the burger as a whole was a swarming dripping sumptuous wave of savory wonder. It has a strongly minimalist vibe that probably excludes it from being a rotation player but I don't take it as confining by virtue of feeling special occasion to eat. It's simply too rich and meat centric for my liberal guilt to handle more than every third fort night or so (also known as 6 weeks for non-18th century poets). I respect the shit out of the difficulty in achieving something so simply delicious. It's brazenly unadorned in an era of burger excess with nary a truffle fry or jalapeno bacon strip to be found. Good on ya, Heirloom, for a balls out delivery. The corn soup was several things I really wanted it to be and a couple I wasn't expecting but welcomed. First off, don't underestimate the difficulty of getting corn soup to really taste like corn. Not sweet or creamy but crisp in that bracing full way that fresh corn on the cob can be. This soup had a wonderful non-grainy mouth feel and a "stomp on your toes while it kisses your cheek" heat that kept it balanced to the last bite. Perhaps now, if you've read this far, you're wondering "WTF with the 3 stars then M&C? Are you some kind of hater?" Yes, I am indeed a very particular type of hater. The type of hater that respects risk takers but can't stomach rewarding failure. In this case, there wasn't anything spectacularly off and I almost wish their had been. The caesar was... well fine. The gnocchi... also fine. But for something that I wanted to be a dining experience I was left a little flat. By and large it felt like a very safe menu and I ended craving a bit more challenge and inspiration. Maybe it was just for want of a little acidity as there was a bit of richness overload. It could be if I'd gone with the wine pairings it might have offset that but, unfortunately for me, I'm allergic. I'd also like to think that a good wine pairing shouldn't be strictly necessary to really enjoy a meal. With all that water under the bridge and having thoroughly deconstructed the meal retrospectively, I'm bumping this review up from 3.5 stars to 4. Perhaps on the next menu rotation I'll venture back and there's also the possibility that my sensibilities and palate just don't jive with Heirloom's. Every sock has its shoe and I might be more comfortable in a Doc Martin than Heirloom's carefully fitted Oxford.
(4)Tiana C.
I came here last week for dinner and was pretty disappointed with the service. The place was not packed or crowded in any way and we had reservations. The hostess seated us right between the kitchen and a stairwell leading downstairs, we could also smell the trash bin from our seats. We asked the hostess to move us to another location, we had eyed an empty table across the room and the hostess denied our request! She said that the table she brought us to, was "specifically reserved for YOU." Very rude. That doesn't make sense because the entire time we were there, the table we wanted remained empty! Imagine having a meal and smelling dirty dish rags, it really made for an unpleasant time. I don't even know why we stayed, the food was mediocre at best, and the pricing was quite high for what it was. But we finished our meal quickly and left. For sure, we will not be returning. Food: 3.5/5 Service: 2/5 Ambiance: 3/5
(2)Kris L.
Went for dinner here this past Saturday night with Hue L. and our NYF. Our reservations were at 7:45pm, but we were actually early and arrived around 7:20pm. The hostess advised us our table wasn't ready yet, so we sat down next to her little hostess stand to wait. She offered us water, which we accepted, so she went to grab a carafe of water with some glasses. When she came back, she decided to rearrange some things and gave us one of the available tables. THEN, she gave us our water. I think she realized the three of us sitting next to her juggling a carafe and three glasses of water for 25 minutes probably wasn't going to be a picnic. The menu was a lot smaller than I anticipated. I think I've gotten used to pages and pages of options. I find it so much harder to decide on what to order when there are less options to choose from! We started with Bacon and Onion Tart to share, which they very thoughtfully cut into three equal pieces for us to easily split. I actually didn't notice the bacon flavor much, but the sweet onions were nice. For my entree, I had the papperdelle with braised lamb, pea tendrils, roasted carrots, and pistachios. I thought this was really tasty and flavorful. Hue L. had the duck, which looked pretty good. He didn't say whether or not he liked it. Our NYF had the salmon. Her dish looked really sparse and sad, so both Hue L. and I offered her some of our entrees (which she declined). We also split two desserts. One was a vanilla custard and the other was strawberry ice cream. They were both pretty tasty. Total for 3 people including tax/tip (and two glasses of wine): $175. (not cheap!)
(3)Ashley B.
This review is long overdue. Heirloom is our go-to, favorite restaurant in the city. We have a two-year-old, so date nights are fewer and farther in between than we would like them to be, but when we get the chance, we almost always come to Heirloom. We always mean to try different things on the menu, but end up getting the burger every time. My husband will vehemently defend it as the 'best burger in San Francisco.' I'd have to agree. The wine list is great, service has always been wonderful, and it is the perfect balance between casual and special.
(5)Fancypants X.
Corner-restaurant Heirloom Cafe blends into the residences on the blocks. Intimate & homey, due in part to its being housed in a refurbished Victorian. Close-together tables, an open kitchen, & subdued lighting also provides that cocooned feeling. We shared their pasta dish ($23) as an appetizer: pappardelle, butter, parm, & shaved black truffle. Simple, yet decadent. These textures & tastes are my definition of comfort food. I ordered the off-menu burger ($13), its ground beef patty has pungent, gooey cheese (called epoisses) running throughout. Topped with arugula & onion jam, there is plenty savory, flavorful goodness sandwiched between their bun of choice: the English muffin. A unique burger experience. I was thankful for the side of pickled carrots -- it had the right amount of freshness & acidity to cut through the burger's richness. As far as dessert, Heirloom's pitfall is the same as many other great restaurants -- the flavor doesn't match up to the standard set by savory offerings. We left half our chocolate cake w/ vanilla ice cream ($8) mostly untouched, though I did enjoy the sweet stickiness candied tangerine peels lent. Would absolutely return to try their surprisingly affordable $65 prix fixe with wine pairing.
(5)Krista L.
I try to avoid this place because I live too close-- don't want to make a habit of a somewhat pricey place that happens to be on the corner of my block... but that burger is worth every penny. True: none of the menu items are huge portions, but I'm usually not leaving hungry, even if I've never left full. I really enjoy that the service is both casual and graceful. No one's pretentious about whether you have a reservation or not, though I'd probably recommend one for a group larger than 2 or 3. The wine list is rather comprehensive-- I can't imagine what a 1987 pinot noir would taste like (probably vinegar), but they listed it for $350-- but not entirely inaccessible; there are several sub-$12 glass options on the regular menu and bottles as cheap as $40 (sure, that's not really cheap, but... it's a restaurant). I've also never seen this before, but the corkage fee depends on the age of your bottle: anything younger than 2002(ish) is only $10, and older than that is $20. Overall, it's probably not affordable for a regular stop unless you stick with the off-menu burger (which is awesome), but if money's not an issue, I haven't tried anything I didn't like yet.
(4)Gabriela W.
Nice, romantic, quiet dinner spot, really surprised us. It's unassuming, and tucked into a little corner on Folsom. Good wine selection. To start I had a small plate that was inventive and mad flavorful: squash, some epic typa' beans, and pecorino. For my entree I had the asparagus risotto with mint and pecorino. Rich and creamy, yet highlighted by the crunchy freshness of asparagus. Wow, who knew?
(4)Ed U.
Sometimes you just want a nice, no-risk dinner because you have those moments in your life when comfort becomes a priority over culinary audacity. That's exactly the mood you should have when you get ready for dinner at the Heirloom Cafe set in a refurbished Victorian. Everything was presented immaculately but there was not a bit of daring to be found in any of the plates. I wouldn't have minded maybe one surprise, but none were to be experienced that evening. The service also felt a bit off. It was polite but a bit off-putting. When I sardonically asked where the heirloom tomatoes were on the menu, the server curtly told me they were not in season yet. It was like talking to my ex-wife if I had one. But sommelier-chef Matt Straus's food was still nice enough to enjoy with minimal fuss. Jamie W. and I were there to celebrate our friend Maggie's birthday. We arrived to see her seated at the head of the main communal table. Even though I had made the reservation at least two weeks in advance, I was a bit disappointed that we weren't given a private table, but Maggie didn't seem to mind so I rolled with it. We were immediately served a small tray of bright Castelvetrano Olives and Almonds, a nice contrast in texture and flavor that we found easy to pop in our mouths (photo: bit.ly/1qDgPjT ). We decided to share an appetizer, the $13 Burrata over Roasted Asparagus with Shallot Vinaigrette and Toasted Levain (photo: bit.ly/X5rqH1 ). It was a fresh, local and very tasty starter. For her entree, Maggie had the $23 Seared Bavette Steak with Chanterelle, Potato Hash and Romesco (photo: bit.ly/ZmmjUu ). The steak was really luscious, very tender and nicely complemented by the buttery potatoes and mushrooms. Jamie went for the $21 Housemade Pappardelle with Lamb Sugo, English Peas, Ramps and Pecorino (photo: bit.ly/1sVN2T9 ). A good, satisfying dish, just what Jamie expected which pleased him to no end. I have to admit it was pretty much like any high-end lamb pappardelle you can get in this city I decided to have one of their signature dishes, the $23 Hoffman Chicken with Herbed Bread Pudding, Mirepoix and Parmesan Consommé (photo: bit.ly/1qDh4va ). The poultry was well prepared, still moist but with a nice crispy skin, and the bread pudding had a nice eggy texture, but there was no getting around the fact that it was a bit Marie Callenderish, not that I don't mind a good Marie Callender dinner. Dessert was in order given our celebration though ironically none of us ordered the obvious dish, the Bittersweet Chocolate Ice Cream Cake. Maggie preferred the $10 Nectarine & Blackberry Cobbler with Ginger Ice Cream, which was absolutely delicious in the same way Chow makes their desserts (photo: bit.ly/Zmmlfb ). It was a big serving bursting with fruity flavor, and the ice cream was the ideal accompaniment. Jamie simply ordered a $2 Chocolate Chip Cookie (photo: bit.ly/1BFqhW6 ). No complaints there. I ended up ordering the $7 Straus Ritual Affogato, which was a little tumbler of bold espresso with a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream as a chaser (photo: bit.ly/1tURvDp ). Libations were comforting, no surprise given Straus's background. Maggie had a $12 glass of the rich, full-bodied Catena Malbec, perfect for the steak, while I nursed an $11 flute of Sorelle Bronca Prosecco. Refreshing. Like I said, it was a nice, risk-free dinner. FOOD - 4 stars...very well executed though a bit short on creativity truth be told AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...lovely trappings though the communal table is not my preference...their prices shouldn't come with elbow jockeying SERVICE - 3 stars...informative but a bit stuffy and then rather sporadic when the place started to fill up TOTAL - 4 stars...mostly for the quality of the dishes...but seriously, where are the heirloom tomatoes?
(4)Carla d.
I used to live in San Francisco and loved eating in the Mission. I was recommended this restaurant by a friend of mine that lives here. Unfortunately, our experience was off to a bad start since we sat down and Jason gave us our first wine pour. I ordered a $20 glass of Pinot noir and let's say that my pour was less than generous. When I asked why he poured so little he said "he was a ounce short" and poured a drip of Pinot. His attitude turned everyone off at the table. He then took forever to take our order and the food turned out to be average. Jason, we are tourists and the experience a waiter gives their customers makes a big difference....
(2)Helena B.
We came on a Saturday with a group of five, and immediately decided to get three cheeses from the cheese plate, and a bottle of wine. The cheeses were not well curated--we ended up getting two that tasted almost identical, and one that was so bland that it barely tasted of anything at all. We were disappointed, but had high hopes for the rest of the meal. I tried the gnocchi and the burger. The burger was well cooked and just superbly easy to eat. I think for price and quality, I made the best choice of the table. The gnocchi was good--garnished with some veggies and parmesan cheese--and hidden at the very bottom of a giant dish. Seriously, no adult with a healthy appetite would have been satisfied by the tiny serving. Everything we ordered, except the burger (which was not on the menu), was in the $23-25 price range and came in a ridiculously small servings. Overall, the quality of the food was good, but the servings tiny and the price point borderline ludicrous. We ended up getting pizza later in the night--we were all impoverished and still pretty hungry after dinner.
(3)Lloyd M.
Really enjoyed dinner here. The food was the quality of a top restaurant but the service and atmosphere (and price) was much more of a neighborhood place. Love that combination. I had the prix fixe menu, which I found a great value. Appetizer, main course, dessert and wine matching with each course for $65 (this is San Francisco, you can spend that for coffee). The first course was a chicory salad. One of the reasons my friend and I ordered the menu was to find out what chicory was (it's a leafy green). I am not a big salad fan but this one was perfect, very fresh and perfect dressing. Main course was a slow cooked lamb dish with a potato gratin. Also perfect. Very tasty, a lot of meat. Finally, don't remember what dessert was (remember the matching wines) but it was very interesting. Not overly sweet but light and substantial, interesting (and excellent) flavors.
(5)Ruben K.
Great atmosphere and great food. It really feels like an intimate restaurant and the staff is very attentive. Fares are a bit pricey but very well executed. I had the salmon and it was surprisingly good. All in all a great place for dinner.
(5)Elisa L.
Came here on a weeknight as party of 2. It is a quaint, slightly hidden restaurant as there is no visible sign when trying to find it at night. Dark and intimate, beautiful interior. We split one serving of the tasting menu which consisted of a salad, a main, and a dessert (and of course wine pairings for all three). The salad was paired with a white, the main (which was a ribeye on that day) was paired with a red, and the dessert was paired with a moscato. The pairings and the food quality were phenomenal. I don't quite remember what the dessert was, but it contained some very obscure ingredients that the chefs somehow figured out the perfect pairing for. Sharing was definitely a great idea as the portions were very large. Both of us were very full at the end of the meal (we finished everything!) and we both got to try so many varieties of food and wines. It's clear that many people decide to share, too, since the food presentation was well considered. It's a great place for a formal dinner or date night. Would love to come again in the future :)
(5)Melissa B.
Very nice romantic dinner for 2 on a Friday night with reservations secured on Open Table. We got in early, so we were seated closer to the entrance, which i would request to sit away from in the future as it's distracting to me. Cool space that's very open and airy, yet cozy. Lovely lighting and ambiance. Amazing wine list, I mean really extensive and full of special and expensive bottles, from France and California to start with, and good deals may be had (such as doing a wine paring with your pre-fixe meal, as the pours were generous.) I got the pre-fixe menu, with wine pairing. It came with a salad, cassoulet, and desert; and of course the vino, at $65.00. The salad and desert were my favorite part. Salad had lots of bitter chicory and yummy greens befitting the season, with cheese grated into it. Desert was a apple pie/cake concoction that I loved. Cassoulet, a bit blah. I am a bean lover, and the beans were a little undercooked in this version, not the firmness I believe in, which I define as you can push a bean up on the roof of your mouth with your tongue and it will mush slightly. The skins were too tough, and it seemed it could have just used more time cooking to infuse flavors and soften textures. The onion tart my guy had was delicious. The service was extremely nice and professional, it did drop off a little as she became busier later in the evening, but overall, i would come back here in a heartbeat.
(4)Cary K.
Exceptional... wonderful warm lovely atmosphere... food always outstanding... wine list fabulous... one of the best gems in the City...
(5)Patrick S.
Originally I was just going to write "Fu*king amazing" three times and leave it at that, but reliving the details is feeling more fun today. Hidden away in a neighborhood, I'd never have discovered this place without a referral. This place made me want to move to the neighborhood just so I could become a regular. Lovely interior, modern and charm filled. Service was superb, skilled and fun. Everything was great, no matter how simple the seasoning, freshness, and presentation were all perfect. Flavors were balanced, with the richness being cut with variation and variety. The burger, for instance, has a soft runny cheese mixed in with the beef. The flavor was amazing and the pickled carrot side dish that seemed weird on the menu was a perfect compliment. Wine selection was interesting and moderately priced (to high), recommendations (both a Rhone and a Burgundy) made us very happy.
(5)Andrew P.
Had a really great meal here Prosciutto with pole beans was beautifully presented and had great flavors. Bacon & Onion tart, comforting, flaky crust, delicious Steak perfectly prepared (medium rare that was actually truly medium rare). Never, ever had Cod that was as delicate and flavorful. Excellent wine selections (Gideon was super knowledgeable and helpful) Great vibe to this place, easy, comfortable, very friendly and attentive service. A new favorite to add to the lost for sure!
(5)nina B.
I'm rating Heirloom Cafe 3.5 stars and rounding up to 4 for the world of yelp (to my friends who took me here for my bday, it was a 10!!!). The food and service was a solid four stars, we ordered 3 plates between my husband and I, with our group of 5 but had an opportunity to try a variety of flavor that came to the table too. The standouts were the Corn Chowder, and the Halibut Jicima Ceviche at the table, but we really enjoyed our entrees of the Bavette Steak and Scallops too. Scallops were notably cooked to perfection, moist (not chewy) on the inside and golden crunch on the outside. The service was attentive and non-obtrusive, given the slightly awkward table settings. I was in a party of 5 and we made the reservations a couple days ahead of time. It was explained over the phone that parties of 4+ were normally sat at a communal table, nobody minded. I was actually looking forward to the communal table, but something about this place made it VERY tough to hear or have a conversation once we sat down. I felt like the tables were too wide and not long enough. My husband was sitting next to a stranger who had to cough, so he turned his head to avoid his date and coughed on my husband. Too close to neighbors, too noisy and had to yell to talk to your dinner mate on the other side of the table. Maybe the acoustics of the room are strange? Perhaps sitting next to the open kitchen had us deaf? Who knows?! Also, the wine is on the pricier side for a place that tips at $29 for their most expensive entree. Glasses start at $12, bottles at $45. I'm not trying to sound cheap, but I don't like spending more on drinks than my food, percentage wise. A variety of inexpensive, delicious wines would be appreciated. Overall, I do recommend Heirloom Cafe and think it's a great addtion to the many awesome resturants int he Mission. Next time I'm going to splurge on smaller plates, take my time through one glass of wine, and make sure to keep my party to a table for two :)
(4)Stacy N.
Food - 4.5 stars Service - 3 Delicious food but lose a star based on an absurd $25 corkage fee. we really wanted dessert but our waitress disappeared after dropping off the dessert menus (literally for close to 20 minutes so we lost interest). bacon onion tart delicious but portion small for $12 duck breast - AMAZING!
(3)April G.
I like Heirloom, but I just think it's over-priced for what you get. I wanted to eat a vegetarian meal, but they didn't have any vegetarian entrees, so I got two appetizers instead: - the beet salad for $10: literally 2 cut up baby beets with some feta cheese, and some minuscule pieces of fennel - the baby gem lettuce salad for $11: about 10 leaves of lettuce with some nice dressing and about 1/8th of an avocado I think I paid $21 dollars for 2 beets, a part of a head of lettuce and a fraction of an avocado. Hmmm. That said, the atmosphere is great - convivial but not excessively loud. We had a couple good bottles of Copain (pinot noir) and some tasty cheeses before the meal. I like the pre-dinner cheese and wine - yum! And the food itself was great. Just giving 3/5 for the tiny vegetarian portions.
(3)Eater S.
Incredible! Smoked salmon was best ever. Only drawback: very small menu with no filling items if hungry. So, it's not a place to go if you want a meal but if you're in the mood for something light and wonderful, this place is fantastic. Service and atmosphere are wonderful. The affigato was dream-like.
(4)Stacy C.
Food and wine are good, ambience nice...but the service was terrible. it felt like being in a dead zone between servers. worst service i've had in SF
(2)Kenneth R.
Our experience was entirely positive. Four of us spent an evening here in perfect comfort. Although some reviewers have complained about the noise, we had no trouble carrying on a conversation in normal tones. Others felt hemmed in at the community table, but we were taken to a 4-top, where there was no impingement from the crowd. Our first decisions concerned drinks: The two people who arrived ahead of the reservation time were seated immediately. (None of this standing at the door until "your party is complete.") They ordered glasses of sparkling wine and seemed delighted with what they drank. When we were all set to go, we ordered a glass of Sancerre and a bottle of the 2003 Qupe Hillside Vineyard syrah ( klwines.com/detail.asp?s… ), which was a total knockout -- one of the best wines I've had in a long time. As you know from other reviews, the wine list here is one of the big draws of the restaurant. There were lots of choices, with the lowest prices around $40. Quite a few of the bottles on the wine list had the "only one bottle left!" label. Our syrah was priced at $68 and retails for roughly half that price. If I see a bottle on a retail shelf, I'll snap it up without hesitation. On to the food: Once I tasted the syrah, I knew that I had to order the bacon and onion tart. I'm glad that I did, and I'd be happy to have another round of it any time. My main dish was a pasta special with duck confit and porcini mushrooms; again, this was a stellar dish. Around the table, we had some salads, a burger, a scallop main course and a grilled salmon. Every dish was declared to be a winner. I was so happy here that I even ordered a dessert -- an affogato made with a Straus ice cream and decaf espresso. The ice cream was great and the decaf not totally wonderful; the combination was still a great delight. Service with a smile -- everyone was friendly and welcoming. This outing was a real success!
(5)Cindy T.
I had the pulled pork sandwich at the SF street food festival and it was good. Generous portions of pork and the slaw provided great crunch and tanginess.
(4)Zeenat H.
Amazing food, great atmosphere, friendly staff. I would recommend this place in a heartbeat and bring visiting friends here, for sure. The menu is concise but everything we tried was delicious and inventive. The food is literally a treat for your palate. We tried a bunch of a la carte options that I shared with my dinner partner, and I would definitely recommend it. It was fun to sample a lot of different items. I've never had the prix fix menu, but I'm sure it's amazing as well. A little on the pricey side, but totally worth it. I'm coming back again and again. Ideal for a date, or for GNO. Super cute interior.
(5)Martin B.
Ate here a few weeks back for anniversary dinner and really enjoyed the unique food. Wine list was also fantastic. A little on the pricey side and the portions were a little small but thats pretty standard for this type of place. I'd probably go back on a special occasion.
(4)Judy L.
Had their yam risotto for lunch. So yummy. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Amy W.
The noise level was phenomenally loud; our table wasn't ready on time, so we had to wait ten minutes. The lighting is very, very dim, so if you are over 45 bring a flashlight. I didn't realize one of my dining companions ordered a "half glass" of wine until I saw the bill; it was so loud, I couldn't hear him order (there were only three of us at our table), and when his glass was poured, it looked the same as full glasses -- very small (maybe 3 ounces). There is only one menu item at this restaurant -- beware. In this case, it was a salad, pork, and a dessert -- none of which interested me. I ordered from the a la carte menu and received a 4 oz portion of cod with maybe 4 oz of vegetables (which were quite good). The fish was undercooked, but it was too loud to send it back. We ate hurriedly and left as fast as possible. The ambience is horrible! I simply cannot recommend this restaurant.
(2)Melody T.
SUCH a cute little place. I felt like I was in some secret restaurant down in the south - loved the beige paisley wallpaper and the antique chandelier and wall lights. Really, a very cute set up and atmosphere. Wait staff was extremely friendly. This place IS a bit pricey. 4 of us + 1 bottle of wine = $300+ w/tax & tip. Not a place you go for a random dinner unless you plan to spend some dough. WARNING: PORTIONS ARE ON THE SMALL SIDE. If you're in a group of 3+, I'd say GO FAMILY STYLE. It's a good idea to order a few appetizers and entrees to share. Best way to try a little bit of the different things they offer. After a good half hour of debate, we decided to go with: Apps: 1. dungenous crab salad - good flavor but disappointed that there were prob only 3 TINY pieces of crab. 2. bacon and onion tart - the pastry was flakey and made really well! good, but don't think i would get again...very small pieces. 3. salted cod on toast?- probably one of the less impressive dishes. The salted cod is mashed, so its sort of a weird texture on toasted bread. Entrees: 1. daily special - cheeseburger - REALLY REALLY flavorful. ORDER THIS IF THEY HAVE IT. Surprise surprise, it's a rather small burger, but . AMAZING. 2. pea risotto - everyone LOVED this! ORDER THIS. 3. braised beef and bacon cassoulet - pass for next time. a lot of white pinto beans.. to be honest ... DO NOT ORDER THIS. 4. scallops - YUM! comes on a sweet potato (or yam) mash...ORDER THIS. Would definitely come back again.... :)
(4)Sara M.
Yum! Simply made local seasonal food made with care. Food: Delicious! Every time I dine here I discover something new and wonderful Decor/Atmosphere: It has the warm and special quality, like dining at your favorite grandmas house Service: Great. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive Value: Good
(5)Catherine C.
The food was excellent. Try the sugar snap peas with mint and the paprika carrots to start. Also, the salad with fresh fava beans. Wow. NB: There are only a few vegetarian options.
(4)Carolina S.
Remember two things while reading this review: 1. I'm a pescaterian and 2. the meal sizes were medium to small at best. I went there last night for a reservation a friend of mine made for 8 of us, some of us had appetizers while other didn't. My boyfriend and I shared the cheese platter, a bottle of red wine, while I had the salmon for entree and he had the gnocchi for his. For dessert, we both had the coffee with vanilla ice cream, which was divine. Here is the reason why I'm giving this establishment only 3 stars. For just those items listed and the $60 dollar wine, we spent $173. This included a 15% gratuity which sorry, but the waitress forgot I had ordered a glass of white and messed up twice our wine order. Not only this, but my salmon seemed slightly undercooked, but tasted fresh and went well with the potatoes and corn. Don't get me wrong, this is all local, fresh ingredients but for what I received, I don't think it was worth $22. Also, no one ever informed us- not even on the menu- that the cheese platter is $4 per cheese type- BIG MISTAKE- i only liked the softer of all four cheeses and my boyfriend could not stand the olive and walnut bread which was mediocre at best. Mind you, I do agree that they have a very limited menu and if you're a pescaterian you have to tell them this in advance so they can omit the large number of menu items that include red meat. Sorry, but in this very limited menu I did not see one single vegetarian option, which in this city screams death. How can you not offer a simple vegetarian dish? These are by far the easiest people to cook for and yet you are simply leaving them on the side. Overall, this is a great venue for your cow eating friends, but for those of us who would like a little bit more variety for less than triple digits for two people, then go elsewhere. Besides, this is the Mission where plenty of other places serve just as great food. ON a last note- the bill came with a note in Spanish at the end that read " be careful in the dangerous streets", by the way, I'm Southern American and this was slightly offensive to me. Are you trying to say that because you're in the Mission you should watch out for our neighbors or are you giving all of your non-SF patrons a warning about any common urban environment? Anyone else find this off putting?
(3)Andrew K.
Really nice ambiance. Really good food. Small portions, but everything is prepared with care. The cod with cauliflower compote and peas hit the spot perfectly and was the highlight!
(4)Caitlin A.
The atmosphere was wonderful, and our main dishes were out of this world (steak and salmon, respectively). I mean seriously, absolutely, orgasmically fantastic. But the bacon onion tart was kind of boring, and the crust was dry and bland. I guess I was just expecting too much since others had given it rave reviews.
(4)Mike E.
So fresh, so well prepared. A hidden food lovers dream. Best seared scallops and best grass feed burger on the west coast. , Even the chocolate chip cookie was a culinary masterpiece. Should you go? The answer is YES!
(5)Valerie L.
Heirloom is tucked away in a fairly dark corner of Folsom Street. You will likely drive by once or twice and still not see it. But, when you do, you will be welcomed into a cozy and warm environment that feels like you are in someone's large dining room. Maybe it was the rainy San Francisco night, or the couples and intimate groups inside, or the wooden furniture, but the place felt very inviting and charming, the perfect place for comfort food. If you are an omnivore, the menu looks fantastic. If you are veggie or vegan get the vegetable tangine (w/o yogurt to make it vegan). The tangine is very similar to the one at NOPA but smaller and better flavored. If you don't like huge portions, the size is pretty perfect. You will be 87.5% full at the end, leaving you with the option to share a dessert. And the dessert list looked decent but somehow after having had NOPA's fantastic cookie and brownie plate just last week, Heirloom's looked a little bit sad. But what do I know, I had already ruled out anything with ice cream and/or cream. The best part about dining here was the conversation with my eating companion. With such an interesting and charming dining partner, it sometimes gets hard to only focus on the food. Good thing Heirloom was not too noisy! On a final note, Heirloom only has wine. It paired well w/the menu items but I think all meals should have the possibility of being accompanied by beer.
(4)Shannon D.
Fantastic experience here when dining with a friend - outstanding food, lovely atmosphere that blends quaint and modern. So-so experience when dining with my husband and our well-behaved three year old: the food was still delicious and the servers were kind and tried hard to please, but there were inexplicable gaps between courses, even though we were there long before the evening's peak (we had a 6:15pm reservation on a Thursday evening.) The gaps would have been a minor annoyance for adults but were aggravating with a less-patient micro-diner at our table. At the end of the meal we decided to pass on dessert and go get ice cream at Humphry Slocombe instead -it was my husband's birthday and that's what he wanted most. Then we waited and waited for our bill. And waited. Instead of our bill, our server appears with a scoop of vanilla topped with a candle! Not that we had even told anyone it was a birthday dinner - I guess they saw a present being opened. It was a nice gesture that simply backfired because by that point (2 hours into our meal) it was just too late to go elsewhere for that sundae we had in mind. I assumed I would need to tell the waitstaff if we wanted a special birthday treat, but I guess at Heirloom it's the other way around - you have to ask waitstaff to back off if you don't want one! I'm really feeling like giving 3 stars, but it's gonna be 4 because 99% of diners would probably be quite happy with a 2 hour meal here topped off with a free scoop of ice cream. We were just the oddballs who weren't. And I'll certainly go back, just not with anyone underage.
(4)Harry K.
Well executed dishes in this farm to table style restaurant. Great space with semi-common sitting tables and a nice blend of rustic and chic. Open kitchen layout makes for a meal that feels very connected to the people who prepared it. Overall, great place and I'll return.
(4)phil h.
Remember when all your über-hip foodie friends told you about Frances right after it opened? And you had a chance to make a reservation without waiting 6 weeks and/or having to settle for a 10pm slot? Consider this your notice - based on our meal on opening weekend, Heirloom Cafe is bound to have a similar meteoric rise. Heirloom Cafe is located on a sunny corner in the Mission. It's a beautiful space with high ceilings, well spaced out tables including a couple of communal tables and seats at the counter to watch the chefs in action. We were feeling especially gluttonous and split a number of items, the stand out dishes were definitely the mussels, the fennel salad, the orechiette and the steak. Prices are in line with what you'd expect to pay for such farm fresh ingredients though next time I might choose to go with the three course menu with two glasses of wine for $50. Speaking of wine, Heirloom offers a fantastic wine program and will pour you a glass from any of the 20 or so bottles on their regular wine list. If you're with your rich uncle or sugar mama they also have a cellar list of special bottles. Service was great, from our well informed waitress to the cute hostess (yeah, I went there) I wish I lived in the neighborhood so I could pop in for the off menu burger and a glass of wine at the counter but I have a feeling even those seats will be full in no time.
(5)Genevieve Y.
Date & Time: Tuesday May 11, 2010 @ 6pm Company: Mommy & Michael Crowd: Attractive 30-40 Something Ladies in Cashmere Margaret O' Leary Sweaters, Hudson Jeans & Riding Boots & Gentlemen in Checked Shirts Vibe: Pleasant Music: French & Swing Decor: Charming European Country Home. Delicate Cream & Gold William Morris WallPaper & Antique Lighting. Wooden Communal Tables & Bench Seating Service: Very Attentive & Genuine Imbibe: Qupe Syrah Devour: French Onion Soup, Mussels, Asparagus, Steak, Orechiette(Pasta), Off The Menu: Epoisses Burger, Fresh-Baked Cookies Total: $114. 63
(5)C L.
The food was fantastic, I loved the ambiance and our server was really friendly. My only issue was that there is no vegetarian entree on the menu - their vegetarian option was to remove meat from two of the pasta dishes. This always seems like kind of a cop-out to me... but other than that, everything was generally really good and I would definitely go back.
(4)Emmabelle S.
Delicious, fresh, seasonal, local and mindfully crafted food right here in the Mission! This place is like Flour + Water without the scene and without the long wait to get in. Love it!
(4)Nikki B.
Heirloom Cafe is wonderful! I hosted a dinner event for 15 people there last night and it could not have been a better venue. Matt put together a fantastic prix fixe menu for our group, and Dave took great care of us throughout the night. The food was delicious - onion soup gratinee; salad of fennel, arugula, walnuts, favas and feta; NY steak with long-cooked broccoli, and pine nuts; roasted halibut, ramps, English peas, cauliflower puree; fresh baked cookies - everyone in our group was very impressed! Wine was also delicious and reasonably priced. Heirloom strikes the perfect balance with top-notch food and a comfortable-yet-very-cool atmosphere. I will definitely be back - for everything from date night to large group events!!
(5)Tammy C.
(See pics) More of 4.5 stars. Was in the neighbourhood 2 days in a row as I missed the linen place yesterday and by chance saw this place. Made a mental note to come back when they opened. As "i"-Phone were winding down with the overflowing never ending emails, and suddenly realized I was missing a movie screening, all I could think of was I like the drapes that I just bought, and hope this meal be better than missing a screening. While they do serve a prix fixe menu, all items are also ala carte. They also have most wines by the glass. Something that I have been looking for at most restaurants. The de-shelled PEI mussels dish was with good salty broth and a couple slices of solid fresh bread, even in general I preferred whole shells. The nibbling nuts and olives were actually a great bridge between meals. The halibut with cauliflower puree was good and while the fish tasted fairly fresh, firm and was properly grilled, it could use a bit better seasoning. The puree was an excellent compliment. The side of peas was a simple touch. I took their recommendation of Muscadet, which I think was good but do think a French Chardonnay would have been a better pairing for the fish and Sancerre for the mussels (they only carry Sancerre as the whole bottle but with really good pricing.) The lemon curd with Canadian province cookies was good. I was quite curious of "which" province they tried to present. Being a Canadian and seeing 2 dishes with Canadian resources warms my heart. The cappuccino was fantastic, on the other hand, with cocoa that made it smooth and sweet. Service was on the slow side but since this was their opening evening and they were very nice to actually apologize while they try to get the rhythm going. A solid Californian cuisine style place to start and am looking forward to seeing it growing better and more wine pairing.
(5)RED C.
Finally a reliable place for brunch. Food is good and the place is charming. Cant wait to go back here to try their dinner menu.
(3)Jacob M.
Pros: Every dish was unique and fantastic (ranging from vegetables to fish and meat), warm atmosphere, friendly service, exceptional wine recommendation Cons: None - one of the best meals in San Francisco in 2.5 years
(5)farideh h.
I took my husband to Heirloom Cafe for his birthday and so happy that I did! We both really loved the place. The food was amazing, the staff was super friendly and attentive. It's a charming warm restaurant with delicious food. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Peter H.
I really like the style of food here; everything has excellent ingredients and is meticulously prepared. It is not as "cutting edge" as some places, but everything is good.
(5)Davie C.
Great selection of cheeses, good little wine list, friendly staff, a very enjoyable experience
(4)Jason B.
We were on a food adventure without a destination. As the clock inched closer to 9 and the Yelp Elite party at Nombe was wrapping up, we took a final sip of our beverage and bite of our eats (way to rock the chicken wing, btw) and plotted our next stop. A few ideas had been tossed around. I said Heir and she finished with Loom. We were off. Stepping into this unassuming corner in the deep reaches of the mission, we were immediately welcomed. No reservations were made, but the late eating time was favorable to our situation. After a short wait a table became ours. Kudos to the friendly wait staff for putting up with our conversing rather than ordering, and after a few check-ins, we finally got down to business. Amazing. Unbelievable. Unforgettable. Divine. Radiant. Succulent. Delicious. Mind blowing. That was just the zucchini soup. Perhaps it was a very good choice of a Lebanese rose (who knew?). Or the way the salad was ravished with some of the tastiest tomatoes I've ever had. Or how the gnocchi somehow brought the sausage and corn and mushrooms in to some divine creation. Or the perfectly grilled salmon with a side of cream of corn I'll be talking about for quite some time. Or maybe it was that soup. Whatever it was, surrounded by a modern vs. vintage decor, balancing each other out nicely, and service that was friendly, knowledgeable, attentive but not intrusive, it was amazing. No wait. It wasn't all that. It was something else. After a few hours of five star conversation that somehow turned 9 into 12, with the kitchen long closed but still being given the chance to linger, we put an order in for a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. This cookie, the simplest thing on the menu, arrived on it's own, devoid of a fancy presentation, but warm to the touch, with an intoxicating smell. Broken in half to share, each bite savored, it proved to be the perfect end to the perfect meal.
(5)Sung C.
I really want to give this place 5 stars but i don't think it quite deserves the same rating as Quince though, for the price it maybe able to. I have no complaints about this place. what a pleasant surprise.. all of us were very pleased with the whole package here. the food come in with very good portion (fast too) and packed with interesting flavors and textures. we tried: scallop, hijiki dish: so good, SO GOOD! try this dish! bacon & onion tart: do i need to explain? pork loin: it somehow managed to bring me back to my childhood and brought me the greatness of ton katsu.. it was just great. vegetable tagine with saffron couscous: really nicely done dish, it was probably our first time ordering a vegetarian dish but i'm so glad we did it.. it's not called "Heirloom Cafe" for no reason right? I will not hesitate to go back or recommend this place to others.
(4)Yasi B.
Loved this local cafe in the Mission area! With the communal tables and creative, changing menu eating here is social, fun, and adventurist. The dishes are unique and french portion size (a lot smaller than American portion you may get elsewhere). This is great because it leaves some space for their delicious desserts. I recommend to make a reservation in advance as this restaurant is quite packed even in weekdays. We didn't have a reservation and walked in. The staff was very helpful to accommodate us. We shared a communal table with a large group that had a party there, so we ended up having more fun than we would at a small two people table.
(5)Cassandra J.
Dear gods, I can't explain how amazing the food was here. We had the Squash Soup, a Beet Salad (with Almond Butter omg), the Yam and Chanterelles Risotto, and my companion had the Burgers (not on the current menu). The servings aren't overly large, but they were well worth it! We paired this with several glasses of wine and I had one of the best wines I've ever tasted: a 2006 Cotes-du-Rhone "Pialade" Chateau Rayas. This came as a recommendation from the waitress and I was not disappointed at all (my partner kept stealing sips out of my glass). I could have been happy just sitting and smelling the glass of wine. This cafe is well-known for their wine list and I can see why. The price is a bit up there and we both agreed it seems to almost be a bit more than you'd expect to pay for the amount of food you get, but honestly, the quality of food and the amazing wine list, as well as the excellent waiter service? Yeah I'll pay it! Two thumbs up, along with every star I can rate!
(5)Jeanne M.
After hearing wonderful reviews about Heirloom Cafe, I have to admit I was disappointed. Arrogant staff is the best way to set a bad tone for a dining experience so if that was my waiter's intention he was quite successful. So how about the food? Here's what I had for $75. Every table receives a dish of green olives and Marconi almonds, nice and similar to what I often serve from whole foods at my own dinner parties. My starter was the pole bean salad with pickled dates, Parmesan, and almonds. I expected a sweet and sour taste from the pickled dates. I missed the sour so perhaps they ran out and just gave me regular dates. If that was the case they could have increased the acidity of the dish with some more vinaigrette. My next course was a double order of the scallops with puréed cauliflower, and fresh mushrooms. The scallops were cooked perfectly but the flavor was all in the mushrooms, and the cauliflowers was simply a great deal of cream with a little vegetable. The scallops and mushrooms would have been more successful with a light pan sauce of Madeira. Back to our waiter, we ordered both vegetable sides which were never received. When it was time to order dessert, he said he didn't think there was time as he wanted to flip the table. The quality of the ingredients was excellent, it's too bad the execution wasn't exciting and the service was a lemon.
(2)em k.
I can't name another restaurant in the city where I walk in and feel like I'm in someone's living room; from the wallpaper to the floral arrangement to the smiling hosts and knowledgeable wait staff. Add on incredible wine options and food that makes me keep eating way past being full- only because I don't want to miss out. There's a reason I've spent my last three birthdays at the communal table at Heirloom Cafe: Matt is a gem and he's doing something right.
(5)Warren H.
Yet another wonderful example of the diversity of food ideas in SF. My favorite restaurant
(5)Elaichee V.
Honestly, I'd like to give this restaurant a 3.5 review, but alas Yelp won't allow me to give half stars. My sweetie and I were talking about how the more expensive a place is, the harsher people usually are with reviews - and Heirloom is no exception. Given its steep prices, I hold it to a higher standard than I would my local taco joint. We arrived on a Saturday night and the place was crowded and noisy. The crowd was hip and stylish as expected. The olives and almonds brought out in the beginning were nice, but stingy (4 olives and 8 almonds for two people, really?) We ordered several a la carte items to share. The corn soup was delicious but so scalding hot that my partner burnt his tongue so badly that he could barely enjoy the rest of his meal. Luckily he warned me so I knew to let it cool off for quite a while before tasting it. In my years of dining, I've never had a dish cause a burnt tongue - if it's that hot usually the server will warn you, so that was a big disappointment and really put a damper on his night. The soup said it came with creme fraiche and some kind of pepper, but we could only taste pureed corn - which was delicious! But the creme fraiche advertised on the menu both would have helped cool the soup off and added a nice tanginess to its sweetness. We asked our server about it but he said the creme fraiche was mixed in the soup - perhaps, but if so in such a small quantity we couldn't tatse it at all. We got a side of roast artichoke hearts which were amazing! They tasted grilled and paired very well with parmesan, romanesco and beans. Next we got the nightly salad which was a disappointment. The ingredients all sounded lovely but didn't come together at all (butter lettuce, avocado, radish, walnuts, feta, favas) - the whole mix was a bit bland and disappointing. Our entree of steak with brocolli and gigante beans was very flavorful and probably our favorite dish of the night. My partner opted for a glass of cab sauv to pair with the entree, splurging for one that was $20 a glass. But given its steep price tag, it was quite disappointing, very mediocre. The same was true for the other wine we tried as well (disappointing quality for price). Our server was fine - not particularly attentive or helpful, but not terrible. Overall some of the food was quite good while other dishes missed the mark. My summary: not great value for money. I would probably go back, but only if someone else was treating.
(3)F. P.
Finally made it back to Heirloom Cafe and so glad I did. The epoisse burger, the bacon and onion tart and the gnocchi were as good as ever but I discovered a new favorite in the pork loin Milanese with riesling-braised savoy cabbage and wholegrain mustard, which was lightly coated but extremely juicy and flavorful. Still one of the better deals in town!
(5)S. M.
The food was fine if overpriced ($10 for a simple appetizer lettuce salad, nothing fancy added). BUT, it is so crowded and cramped I felt like you can't hear your own thoughts. You can barely squeeze between the tables when getting to your seat, and the waitress has to reach over the table next to you to pour you water, etc. You can't really have a conversation at all because the people at the table next to you are so close you hear everything they're saying.
(2)J.Patrick L.
Heirloom Cafe was such an intimate setting and great food! Perfect for a date!
(5)Tanya V.
Really wanted to like this place - it's in the neighborhood and walking by seemed very charming. Finally came here with parents last Friday night. First impression was that the place was a little too dim. I'm not a fan of bright light and pass by any brightly lit restaurants for dinner, but this felt too bleak, especially if you weren't facing the open kitchen. For my first course I had the butternut squash soup, rye croutons, walnut oil ($9) which was pretty perfect. The rye croutons and the walnut oil really added to the dish. For my main I was excited to have one of the evening's specials - burger with onion jam, epoisses cheese and arugula. I wanted it to feel like a splurge. When the dish arrived, there was a tiny bun accented by a few pickled carrots. Undeterred by the size, my hopes were still high, until the first bite. The patty was dense and borring. None the stench of epoisses, supposedly mixed into the meat, or the sweetness of the onions, or the sharpness of the arugula. I'm sure all the ingredients were in place, but they didn't shine. I made it through about half in search of flavor and gave up. The half was filling enough though, probably further proof of the patties density :) For dessert I shared a satisfying glass of pot au cream with jasmin whipped cream. Service was friendly, but non the wiser. My dad is very sensitive to spices, including black pepper, and for years he's been eating out with his "condition", even while on the business trips to Vietnam! When our soups arrived and my mom, the first line of defense, detected black pepper, she was a *little* upset (ok, she might have on the furious side :). Instead of taking charge of the situation, the waitress started out by denying responsibility and claiming that the soup indeed had no HOT pepper and that no one told her that BLACK pepper wasn't ok. This was just a small interaction, but it left a sour taste in my mouth early in the evening. I would give the place another try if the food was great, but it was only good enough if all else checked out.
(3)Jesse P.
Great environment to match the excellent food. Standouts include the amazing burrata with asparagus, braised duck, and pappardelle with pork. But everything was tasty, including the beet salad, butter lettuce and mussels. Only letdown was the highly recommended, but ultimately unsatisfying bacon and onion tart. The bread sprinkled with olive oil was delish. For dessert, I wholeheartedly recommend Strauss affogato. Delightful.
(5)Keegan M.
Food was good but limited menu with not very much diversity. I don't eat red meat and all three main dishes were with red meat. Cheese plate had generous portions and the mussels were amazing. Ambiance was great as well. I was disappointed in the service. It took more than expected for the wait staff to take our order, check in, and finally receive and pay for the check. Definitely a place that has potential, but needs a little work on the menu.
(2)Greg S.
Another exceptional meal from Heirloom Café this week. For the two of us we ordered one set menu + wine (only $50 for the set) to split. Plus the NY steak for a meat course after the fish and also added the cheese course post dessert. The food: Salad of pole beans, La Quercia prosciutto, roasted figs and fresh grated parmesan. With restaurant provided 2008 Qupe Marsanne and NV Krug Grand Cuvee Champagne (we brought a 375 ml). The most exciting sensory salad experience in a long time; crunchy, soft, salty, sweet, freshest local ingredients all creating harmony across all ends of the mouth. 100pts! Roasted halibut, English peas, mushrooms, and cauliflower puree along with the tasting provided 2005 Pouilly-Fume De Ladoucette (and remaining Krug). Another big WOW here. Perfectly seared and medium succulent inside cooked ultimately fresh fish with minimum cooked peas and exotic mushrooms with heavenly puree of cauliflower. How can fish be any better?? NY steak, long cooked broccoli, pine nuts. Yes, bloody red meat to accompany the bottle of 1970 Pichon Lalande we brought to celebrate. Cooked to medium rare perfection. Broccoli was a bit to seasoned for the wine, but alone was very palate cleansing. But, the steak was heavenly perfect and all that any carnivore could lust over. Olive oil cake, strawberries, and black pepper syrup served with late harvest Alsatian Gewürztraminer served gratis (wish I noted more about the producer/vineyard, but too busy enjoying life at this point; a fabulous wine, equal to any serious Sauternes from a good vintage). The cake was similar to a crusty shortcake, with delicate and rich filling cake inside, served with very sweet ripened local strawberries and an equally compelling and exciting pepper sauce. Meal ended with a 3 cheese tasting . Yummy. All in all, one of my top meals ever in SF. And this from a newbie restaurant (less than 2 months since opening) with the most professional and courteous/attentive wait staff I have ever encountered. Two thumbs up! PS- Total bill for two was less than $100; corkage only $10 (pre-2003 wines only), and served with exceptional stemware (Schott Zwiesel) . A foodie/wine buff paradise.
(5)Brian K.
We ordered and shared the gazpacho, sea scallops, bacon & onion tart, and the special of the night, bruschetta (mascarpone, figs, arugula, real balsamic vinegar). Although suspicious of the order that it was delivered, it was perfect! The bruschetta was the best I've had! We'll be back!!
(5)Whitney S.
Was really looking forward to having dinner at Heirloom. I made an OpenTable reservation, but was running 5 minutes late. I called to let them know, but was informed they gave up my table and I was rebooked for an hour and a half later. The hostess was as nice as she could be, but I don't know what kind of restaurant has a policy to rebook someones table when they call and let them know you are running late. As a San Francisco foodie, I do have to say poor form Heirloom, very poor form.
(1)Kevin J.
What a treat. Honestly this might be my new hangout spot. I didn't have a reservation but the hostess promised to squeeze me in at the bar. The place was quiet and half empty at first but sure enough 15mins went by and it was PACKED. I mean people were being turned down left and right. We finally got sat at the bar and waited about 20mins for service, but the server promptly noticed we hadn't been greeted and offered us complementary glasses of wine. We didn't put up that big of a fight, and the rest of the night was amazing. The food is brilliantly paired with balancing tastes and flowing wine. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the gnocchi was probably one of the best I've ever tasted. The portions are small but take it slow and you'll be full by the end of the night. We split everything for 2 and ordered 5 dishes. PERFECTION in every bite. The chef personally came over to deliver each dish and told us to wait for the ceviche to finish marinating. I'm so glad we did because once again it was well worth any wait. I will be back to try and taste more and hope that each time I can feel right at home in this cozy little Cafe.
(5)Alexander N.
This is a hidden gem in San Francisco. Matt and his team are a what you seat is what you get culture. We've been going for two years and the staff pretty much hasn't changed which is a rare sight in the industry. The food is honest. The decor is simple. The wine list is understated in how good it is. We love that this place doesn't have the pretentiousness that is going on in so many other places in the city. And with a little forewarning, you can usually get a table. I just hope it doesn't get more popular (it is always full). Recommend anything off the menu. Let them guide you on wine. There is an off-menu burger which is pretty special. They also do winemaker dinners and brunch if you ask or get on their mailing list. Have been to a few and they are always incredible experiences. Great place for a date, for friends, and for family. Note that some of the tables are shared tables - not for everyone.
(5)Gracie L.
Bottom line: Excellent and refreshingly-simple food, exciting and impressive wine list, and easy-ish parking. Not quite Flour+Water status, but offering a different experience to great restaurants in the mission. Food: I LOVE the idea that they will consistently nail the basics before jumping to overthought creativity in their menu. You know everything will be good and if there is a chance you do not like what you order, it is probably due to your personal taste rather than the execution of the chef. Everything we tried was good. Wine: Probably what makes Heirloom Cafe stand out amongst the other new restaurants. While CA wines are most likely to sell, Heirloom Cafe gives the non-CA wine drinker something to be excited about. Decor: Bright and open - lots of uncovered windows and high ceilings. Definitely less stuffy than any traditional french restaurant but also more old school than the modern aesthetic in Delfina, F+W, Commonwealth. Wish there was a little more masculinity... as in a big old-timey bar! Staff: We were running late for our reservation and while the place is very small, the hostess was extremely considerate and held our table for us. Service continued to be great - if there was anything the server felt she couldn't answer, she had the somm/owner stop by to talk to the table. She was great - no complaints whatsoever What we ordered: - Salads: fennel, arugula, walnuts, favas and feta - Gnocchi, fennel sausage, corn, fresh porcinis (the dish to beat) - Halibut, peas, mushrooms, cauliflower puree (very generous portion of meat) - Chocolate chip, walnut, oatmeal cookies - Glass each of the 2 available dessert wines (Riesling, Sauternes)
(4)Brian K.
Wonderful place - great service, really tasty food, and nice wine list. A little loud, and the tables for two were a bit long, making it tough to hold hands with my date, but the food made up for it!
(4)Danielle C.
Killer Easter brunch.. Best Benedict I've ever had.
(5)Gary G.
Atmosphere and service are wonderful. But that's all. I've been twice and the food is disappointing. Gnocchi burnt & served with a few sausage bits. Portions small. Chicken and Duck dishes looked dull. The bill over $400 for five with wine. Maybe there's something I don't get. I really wish I enjoyed the place, but it felt like we were ripped off.
(2)Jack C.
What a charming night and meal. The restaurant is right smack dab on a street corner and discreet. No frills or fake pleasantries and more quaint and homey was what I thought about the aesthetic of the interior. Came here for in a party of three on a weds at 7:15 so we had to sit in the middle communal table which was just a long rectangular table in the middle of the restaurant. Pretty much had the whole table to ourselves almost the entire night. The Dinner Goods: Bacon and onion tart: What a combination, the bacon and onion sung in complete harmony and not one overpowered the other. The tart was brilliant also. A must order starter. Heirloom tomatoes, pickled fennel, cucumber, feta: Friend felt it was just wrong to come to a place named Heirloom cafe without ordering a dish with heirloom tomatoes. As predicted the tomatoes were very robust and the dish an overall success. Entrees: Burger (special): Only thing I wanted to change about this dish was the fact they put pickled carrots as the accompaniment. Yea sure it's healthy, but fries would have been exponentially better. The pickled carrots weren't that great either. As for the burger it was flavorful, juicy, and I'm not quite sure what kind of bread was used for the bun but a bit more unique. Wish i could go into more explanation but my memory fails me now. Star of the SHOW potato gnocchi, fennel sausage, mushrooms, sweet corn: WOW was this a stunning dish. I'm typically a sausage lover, but I actually thought the sausage didn't add too much to the dish. Still the potato gnocchi had a wonderful texture and had this nice pan roast char. Mushrooms and sweet corn complimented the gnocchi perfectly. My two other friends ordered this and I was decidedly jealous despite my burger being good in itself.
(5)E H.
I don't even want to write this review because I don't want this place to become a packed hipster heaven like so many other Mission restaurants. Simply put, Heirloom Cafe, where I have eaten 4 times, is one of my favorite places to eat in SF. When you walk in, it's exactly what you want a restaurant to feel like. It's warm; it smells delicious; it's relaxed and casual; the service is kind and unpretentious. The food is incredible. I have never eaten anything there that wasn't excellent. I have been there with groups large and small, and it's a hit every time. The burger with Epoisses cheese is off-the-charts good. Go there and enjoy it but please don't tell too many people. It's so nice to be in a great restaurant that's not a cookie-cutter trendy Valencia street hotspot.
(5)Gary F.
Great meal all around. Gnocchi and flat iron steak were sublime. Burrata appetizer with apricot was a great start. Wines are not priced to shock and the service was spot-on. It's a high-ceiling room and a little noisy, and the tables are close, but that's city livin', folks. We'll be back. Great date night dinner venue.
(4)Stephen W.
Ok, this is one block from our apartment, so it is the standby nice dinner. But it's always good, you can usually get a reservation the same day and the atmosphere is good.
(4)Kate T.
Sad and disappointed. And sad about feeling sad and disappointed. After looking at a bunch of options for my birthday dinner, I decided upon Heirloom after reading the reviews on Yelp. It sounded like just the ticket. A neighborhoody, cute spot with delicious, unpretentious food. Sweet, I'm in. I was a bit worried though, because the majority of the negative reviews focused on the same thing, stuffy service. After working in the industry, that's my number one pet peeve. But, the positive reviews far outnumbered the negative ones, so I made a reservation and started to get excited. I work late and wifey's in grad school, so these days we only hit the town for special occasions. I was sure those negative nellies were just uptight city foodies. Heirloom, here we come! We opened the front door and were blown away by the space. High ceilings, funky wallpaper, an open kitchen, lots of happy faces, wow, I thought, this place looks awesome. Then were shown to our table ... right next to the front door and the coat rack. Awesome. We made a reservation, noted that it was for a birthday, and we're tonight's welcoming committee. Now, I realize that seating can be a crapshoot. Sometimes a server needs another table, all the better 2-tops are taken, etc, and if we weren't celebrating my birthday, I would have just gotten over it. But what's the point of even writing in the open table note box if you're still gonna get the table next to the front door? And the hostess' response to my asking if there were any other options didn't help, "Oh! If I'd have known it was going to be you guys!" ... um, we made a reservation two weeks ago and said it was for a birthday, you DID know it was going to be us ... so yeah, a bad first impression, to say the least. Then our server arrived and she seemed just as unhappy to be waiting on the table by the door as we were to be sitting at it. Double score. Luckily, the night improved once the food started to arrive. The bacon and onion tart, as others have noted, was yummy. The scallops were delicious. The burger was great, though I was a bit thrown off by the pickled carrots that came with it. "Where are my fries?" I asked my wife. I think she said it came with carrots. "Oh," I replied. Guess my grouchiness blocked that out. Long story short, the negative nellies were right. Maybe they're not always, because it sounds like a lot of folks have had a great experience at Heirloom, but mine was anything but. Good food abounds in this city, good service is what puts places over the top. Sadly, Heirloom was one for two. I will not be going back.
(2)Catherine J.
Wow!!! What a fantastic restaurant and perfect for date night. We sat at the bar and it was fun to watch all of action in the kitchen (super well organized crew). The food and wine pairings suggested by our server were terrific. I like it better than Range and trying to figure out if I like it more than Frances. They nailed the ambience and have a terrific old old, by the glass in selection that will suit any snob. The wax bean salad was to die for, as was the gnocchi. Can't wait to back and stoked we live just up the hill from it:)
(5)Mee-stique K.
Such a hidden gem in the middle of mission district. i usually don't like heading out that way but it seems like more and more good restaurants are opening up there! I was skeptical at first upon stepping in but once the food started coming, I was delightfully surprised. The best was their potato gnocchi which you can change to make it a vegetarian dish. Their soup is always great and piping hot. You have to ask for bread so don't think they don't serve it! But they do have really good olives. :) Other things to try are their marinated squid salad, their duck and it has a really good fried rice underneath, their scallops are yummy too! There is a really nice hostess named Emily!
(4)Theresa T.
The welcoming and comfortable vibe is instantaneously felt as you walk into Heirloom Cafe. There are wooden tables, coat racks, and wall paper with angelic birds ready to make groups feel like they are sitting down to dinner at a friend's house. The menu is small, changes often and is filled with seasonal ingredients. The fennel and feta salad was great and very refreshing. The gnocchi which can be ordered vegetarian was also very good. They offer a course pre fixe menu with wine pairings that runs $60. I tried a warm asparagus dish with chevre and potatoes which was good, but a little too rich and creamy. Their beverage selection is very minimal. Two beers and a small by the glass wine menu (over priced for every wine listed by glass). Good vibe, cute place with good food.
(3)Lisa T.
I've been wanting to try the Heirloom forEVER. I had walked by it a zillion times, and I swear it was always closed -- gate locked and stuff. Way closed. I just figured they weren't open -- like, hadn't opened for business, period -- yet. Lo and behold, I actually call them and discover they ARE open. And hey -- 107 people have already yelped us! Well, here goes number 108. This is a total date spot. More than I want to spend on a dinner, but it's certainly worth it (I'm just cheap). My future in-laws came to town and wanted to do dinner, just the three of us, while SuperFiance was busy, and I though -- "bingo." That's how I ended up here. Because SuperFiance and I don't need to go on dates any more. We're practicing for married life. But if YOU've got a hot date, you should go here. The ambiance is cozy and delicious, like the soup I had for dinner. We ate at the counter, and I was actually really in to watching the chefs. I am not much of a fan of the kitchen, but I was feeling these folks' rhythm. Food was excellent and I can't believe I'm going to say this -- this is totally un-me -- they had a great wine list, especially if your in-laws are buying (I guess some of that finer-shit is actually starting to stick in my brain). I'm going to go crack a cheap beer and wash the taste of that wine list comment out of my mouth. But you -- go to the Heirloom. They are definitely open for business, and better at it than a lot of places in the neighborhood already.
(4)Tiffany M.
If you know me, you know that it takes a lot to impress me in terms of American cuisine. Heirloom Cafe, however, knows how to keep me interested. This cozy, 'lax, locals "secret" spot has it all. Delicious food, excellent service, and not crammed & crowded on a wknd night. Nice. I ordered the generous Butter Lettuce, Citrus, Avocado & Fresh Herbs Salad, which was a refreshing starter. Then came the Sliced Duck Breast, Farro, Carrots, Confit Cabbage w/ Port Sauce. It was absolutely dee-vine! The duck was velvety, and so so soft- cooked perfectly overall. The flavor was on point and the Farro & veggies were perfect complements. Finish off your meal w/ the Oreo dessert, which isn't comprised of actual Oreos like one would think, but dark cake and a heavenly whipped cream. There was definite food envy going on around us.. with laser beam stares shooting across all neighboring tables and whispers inquiring what dishes were what. That's always a good sign. Our server never left us hanging- filling up our water glasses as necessary and check-ins well timed. Looking forward to going back for a Round 2!
(4)Jessica T.
Hands-down one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco. For some reason it flies under the radar, but that is fine with me because I can usually get a table. The space is gorgeous and homey and the food is out of this world delicious! It is a gem and worth every penny. My only issue is they play their music a little loud but I can overlook that for the crazy amazing food.
(5)Jenna L.
I heard so much about Heirloom Cafe that I had to try it....but don't waste your time. For the price, I would pick a lot of other restaurants over this one. The atmosphere is...boring, and you feel like you are at an old diner. The only thing that makes it "intimate" are the candles but other than that it feels pretty cold and empty. The food is alright, nothing to complain about except that it's not worth the price. I would not go back...
(2)Becky A.
This was the perfect neighborhood spot to catch up with my best friend! The atmosphere is cozy and intimate and the food is comforting and so savory. Our food server was attentive and gave awesome recommendations. I really felt like she genuinely wanted us to have the best dining experience possible. Try the 2009 Morgon 'Cote de Py,' Trenel from their wine list!
(5)Diane H.
After making several reservations and having to cancel twice, once due to illness and another time for a family emergency, my friends and I finally made it to this neighborhood restaurant. Matt, the owner, was so incredibly gracious when I cancelled (especially after the first cancellation when he had made a special birthday cake for one member of our party). Once we were all seated, he came to our table to introduce himself. What a nice touch! His warmth, and that of his staff, will keep me coming back. My one and only hesitation is the cost. Three of us had the prix fixe menu which was $50 and one had the burger and onion soup. With an extra glass of wine and coffee the total, before tip, came to $220. $65 per person makes it a little steep for a last minute meal when you're hungry and want something nearby and really good. But for something special, this local restaurant will be my first choice.
(4)A O.
I have eaten here on numerous occasions since it opened 3 years ago and had nothing but great experiences (big groups, small groups, & just myself). The wine list is phenomenal and the big key here is to ask for suggestions if you're unsure. I have a food allergy and as soon as I make them aware they are nothing but accomodating in making suggestions and substitutions. The wait staff are all very attentive, approachable and probably some of the best I've experienced in the City. I tend to go toward the beginning/middle of the week to avoid the large crowds that seem to swarm on Friday's and Saturday's and it makes a big difference. Though it can be loud it can be a great place to take a book and sit at the counter and just enjoy the great food and wine Heirloom has to offer. It's low key and a hidden gem in the Mission!
(5)Robert W.
I think this was my 6th time at Heirloom and it's been great every time. This time it was four of us. I was amazed that it was packed on a Tuesday night, but it deserves to be. And despite the crowd the service was great. My pole bean salad and ribeye steak entree were perfect. My friends raved about their grilled eggplant, squid bruschetta, cheese plate, tomato soup, and grilled salmon. We shared a tasty fruit crisp with ice cream for dessert. We took advantage of their corkage discount for pre-2002 bottles and opened a wonderful Rioja from our collection, and also ordered a bottle of their Sancerre. We'll be back.
(4)John Y.
This new restaurant has a lot of potential. One feels as if s/he's wandered into a French farm house filled with smiling friends and extended families chattering away. The service was very friendly, (esp the hostess), the decor is nicely done: rustic and charming. Had the fennel salad, onion soup, and steak. Salad and steak were good, not great. The soup was ok. Really confused as to why a 15% tip is automatically included on the check for a party of 2. It's annoying to have to leave an "additional tip" so I didn't.
(3)patti o.
Another great addition to the Mission District. Everything my husband and I had for dinner we would have again. Their menu and food is fresh/seasonal and clean. Everything we ate I would order again and recommend to anyone. We started with gravlax and then pole beans, La Quercia prosciutto, roasted figs and parmesan salad. The gravlax was a highlight for sure. For the main course my husband had their cheeseburger while I enjoyed the NY steak, yellow-eye beans, charred escarole, currant pesto. When first arriving to the cafe we were warmly greeted and seated right away. Our waiter was friendly, extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I let him pick out my wine for the starter and dinner and he did a great job! We ended our meal with three cheeses and a dessert wine making it a complete and happy meal. The atmosphere here is friendly and relaxing, a perfect place to have a dinner for two or a large group. I really loved this place!
(4)Helen Y.
a new sf favorite for me! thanks to my boss at zendesk for recommending this place...the burger, the salmon, the wine. all superb!
(5)Katie M.
Heirloom Cafe really knocked it out of the park. We had a fabulous dinner there...the ambiance is warm and homey (and not uber-trendy and full of hard surfaces like most places in the Mission), and the food is delish. We called around 8 and they had a spot at the bar for us, which they offered to hold until we got down there. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable and recommended some great wines. For starters we had corn soup and heirloom tomato salad; entrees were ribeye steak & sea scallops; for desserts we had affogato and an oatmeal/chocolate chip cookie. And all of this delicious food was cooked by only 3 kitchen staff! I don't know how they do it, but I'm glad they do
(5)m l.
I like this place. it flies under the radar and is unfortunately a back up plan to most people who don't want to wait for a table at flour + water- which is really not worth the wait, trust me on this. This place is eons better than f + w and Matt Strauss seems like a pretty humble, low key chef who has real passion about his restaurant and the food and wine he serves. we were fortunate enough to attend the meals on wheels benefit held here a few months back and got to taste a rainbow spectrum of food paired with his favorite wines. The Gnocchi is outrageous here! Apparently they have cooking classes from time to time and Matt says the gnocchi making class sells out in a day. Anyways, happy to come back here and support a really great little local place.
(5)Lady D.
Love the ambiance. Very elegant. Food is simple, farm to table. Really well done, though I say I wish SF food scene wasn't so one note. A little innovation wouldn't hurt.
(5)Kevin M.
Just had a croque madame here. I think the ingredients were excellent but they didn't pull together that well, as the proscuitto was somewhat tough. The small accompanying salad was excellent. Service was A+. And the space is very cool. I'll be back to try it out for dinner.
(3)veruca s.
Discovered Heirloom thanks to Yelp, and I had a delicious dinner here. The scallops were fantastic on a bed of greens with amazing flavors. The salmon was also wonderful, and the service was attentive and helpful. It's not often that I eat in a restaurant without the urge to reach for salt, pepper, or other condiments. But Heirloom has a command over its ingredients and flavors and you don't want to alter them. It's in a discreet location with minimal signage that gives you the feeling that you've found a place that only people "in the know" congregate. Totally worth it and I hope to bring more of my friends here!
(5)Pamela W.
The food is delicious, fresh with wonderful flavors. The service was fantastic and helpful. The portions too small. I have been there twice and I think the portions got smaller since last year, but I am not sure. I am sure that are too small from eating there last week. Too small for the cost, but very tasty.
(4)Elizabeth K.
2.5 stars really. Service seemed a bit aloof, almost a "I'm too good to be working here" attitude. The wine was delicious and the place is super cute - big open space, old wallpaper, great dishes. The food, on the other hand . . . We started with the butternut squash soup and beet salad. While the beets with almond butter sounded like a neat combination, the actual delivery was really nothing spectacular or even super great. The beets were not all cooked the same but the ones that were done right done to perfection. Odd. The soup was super soft and creamy but came scorching hot. When it finally cooled down, the taste was nice but nothing spectacular and actually was inconsistent from bite to bite. Some bites were quite delicious and creamy with subtle flavors popping up, while other bites were just a bit dull. Did I say I liked the texture? The special that night was a burger that had cheese mixed right into it. The first bite was amazing - reminiscent of a lamb burger - wow! After that it was so intensely salty (and I am one to actually eat salt. Just salt. Nothing else) that I could not finish it. It came with pickled carrots but honestly, the ones they serve at the local taqueria are just as good. I took 2 bites of the chanterelle risotto and sent it back - completely flavorless and watery. I was so excited for this dish as I love, love, love chanterelles and who doesn't love a bowl of creamy, delicious rice? Super disappointing. The highlight was the polenta, sausage gnocchi. Absolutely delicious and perfectly done. But I can make that at home myself - there was nothing different or unique about the flavors or presentation. Without a word, they took the risotto off the check and poured us a complimentary glass of port after we finished - nice touch. I will go back and give it a second chance as I see the potential but all in all, a bummer.
(2)Carrie C.
Very underwhelming...a real let down.
(2)Fran C.
how does a place named after a tomato not have ketchup? the fig appetizer and bacon/onion tart were good but the entrees fell a bit flat. my husband's burger came w/ absolutely no condiments - just a plain patty on a strange looking bun. and instead of fries, pickled carrots. for the price, there are other much better restaurants.
(2)Kayvaan G.
Great food, great atmosphere. The food is very rich but portions aren't huge so it balances out well. Menu is a bit limited.
(4)Olivia R.
My new favorite restaurant I'd like to keep a secret but I want them to succeed so....From the food (delicious) to the service (excellent) to the ambiance (engaging) to the fact we walked in without a reservation made this for a very memorable evening. Congraluations to opening a terrific restaurant in a very competitive city. We foodies are very selective and have high expectations. Not an easy feat to meet or even exceed expectations but you have! Bravo!...
(5)EK G.
Love this place! Great service, delicious food, and lovely atmosphere. (I just wish they were open on Sunday evenings). If you live in the Mission, DEFINITELY add this place to your list.
(5)FoodieGal I.
A fresh vegetarian-friendly changing menu, many wines by the glasses, and even a prix fixe menu with wine pairing. Hurray for another Mission delectable yet affordable place! I accidentally came across this place while looking for something local in the Mission. With 4.5 stars from 11 reviews and somebody mentioning, "so many European wines to choose from," I knew this was a nice place. And to my surprise, the place has been open only for a couple weeks. * Starter - complimentary Castellano olives and roasted almonds. I love Castellano olives but these were unfortunately a bit soft - some kinks to work out I guess. * Appetizer - special not on the menu - butter lettuce salad, with cooked carrots, avocado, and a nice vinegrette. I can't quite remember all the ingredients but refreshing start. * Entree 1 - orechiette, sausage, rapini, yellow eye beans, parmesan - and not shown on the menu, bacon bits - mmMM! Pasta & sausage were cooked to the proper firmness / softness and despite the addition of bacon and parmesean, not too salty. Very good. * Entree 2 - my friend actually had the same orechiette but requested it be made vegetarian. Of course this place is vegetarian-friendly. So no sausage and bacon and addition of tomatoes made the dish vegan. She liked it. * Option entree - the items on the prix fixe menu are also available a la carte, as the servers explained. * Entree special not on the menu - burger with stinky cheese. Sounded delicious but I had multiple burgers of late so I skipped it. * Dessert - we had the affogato - 2 scoops of vanilla with Ritual Coffee espresso. Nice contrast of sweet and bitter - the melted ice cream sweetens the bitter enough so you could scoop it. * WIne - we both had a glass of Coenobium white at $10/glass. Refreshing cold and went well with the food. But not my favorite as I prefer floral & crisp wines - viognier, pinot grigio - but this was recommended with my entree and it was the best one at that price point. * Space is terrific - lots of light and spacious, especially compared to places like The Corner and Beretta. It fits probably 75-100 - I saw a couple communal tables, about 8 bar seats, and many 2-person tables which can easily be pushed together for a larger group. * Ambiance is nice - gets a little bit loud with the high ceilings and open space, but friendly. My friend and I had a great time catching up. We were lucky to catch a table at the end by the window, so that probably helped reduce ambiant noise. * Availability - I walked in on a Monday 6:30pm and easily got a table. The place seemed pretty full by 8pm - wow, considering that this place just opened. * Service - friendly, attentive, and not snobby. I asked about the entrees and wines - server was happy to share. Overall, had a great time - I'll be back to try new things on the evolving menu. Thanks Heirloom for coming to town and good luck ramping up!
(4)Tiffany P.
One of my favorite sf restaurants. I have a fantastic experience every time so I will always be back.
(5)Michelle M.
Wow. Great greeting, warm friendly, engaged. But then the food. So mediocre/bad. Sent back the Burrata-gritty over charred greens and sodden crostini/toast. It was like a bad first time cook in college who wants ti make you dinner. Just amateur. Bacon onion tart was fine. Nothing special. Not sure why the raves. On advice from someone who did not care for the resto, i got what he actually liked-the burger on "english muffin."i just started laughing when i looked at it. It looked like whipped meat, foamy/pulverized on a soft ritz cracker! I got thru half. So nasty. The texture was ridiculous. It was rubbery with that silly bread. Partner got the opah that looked and was, over cooked. Smelled fishy to add insult to injury. Cauliflower pure was green tasting and lacked any depth or cauliflower richness that good purees have. Someone, one of the owners, I guess, gave us a personality-less apology and took off the burger and burrata salad. One star for the greeting & nice server.
(1)John K.
Had a very enjoyable meal here, where the emphasis is on very fresh ingredients. The scallops mentioned in the reviews were not on the menu; however, the sea bass entree was terrific. Also enjoyed the gnocchi. Service was very good and the wine list contained a large number of aged wines at fair prices. Only complaint was the comfort of the wall seats. This is a hidden gem in the Mission, hidden because we didn't see any sign whatsoever outside the building!
(4)Goolie G.
4.5 stars, rounded up. We wandered by here on the way to Lemon and were intrigued. Really liked the ambiance and the minimal menu, but weren't really down for a $$$ experience tonight. Got to Lemon, and it was a total zoo with an hour wait, my fiancée and I looked at eachother, shrugged, and moseyed back over to Heirloom. Man, what a happy decision. We were seated immediately at the "community table", which ended up being pretty fun. Walked past a really appetizing cheese board which we didn't end up getting but I have to say, that shit was *really* well presented. It was just missing a strand of vintage barbed wire coiling around the whole thing. Loved the decor and ambiance, as stated in other reviews; very agrarian and homey, in a minimal Farmer Spartan kind of way. Relaxing and enjoyable, only downer was they could use some creative soundbaffles; it's pretty loud in there. We started with the fennel salad and the asparagus. Both were wonderful. I ordered the orechiette (pasta) with sausage, and she got the Epoisses Burger. My Orechiette was outstanding, just bursting with complex and deep flavors that just wouldn't stop. My date loved her burger, although I was a little bummed at being downwind; they did warn us it was an exceptionally stinky cheese and they were NOT kidding. Nonetheless, I tried a bite and could appreciate the exceptionally tender and juicy burger and excellent bun (calling it an "English muffin" is a disservice to whatever it really is, whatever that is...). We were both stuffed by the end and unable to consider desert, which was a wonderful looking strawberry and olive oil cake affair our table-mates had that I would love to have had a bite of. They also got what looked like espresso poured over ice-cream which also appeared delicious. Unfortunately, I don't have the fast-metabolizing caffeine gene. Pros: Food was great, every dish excellent (that is rare for us), service friendly and approachable. Cons: A bit loud, glasses of wine kinda skewed on the spendy side. Bottom line: We'll be back Total: $75 (without tip, two glasses of wine)
(5)Sushi M.
One of my new favorite places to eat in the Mission. The food is really excellent. Prices are not cheap, on par with Range, Frances, etc., but I think the quality of the food justifies them, and I think that for the most part Heirloom is just as good as those other restaurants. In addition, the service is extremely nice and thoughtful. They are not perfect - one time the salmon I ordered was way oversalted, but they took it back and apologized profusely, and brought me back a new plate with a perfect piece of fish, also comped a desert. My husband says that their lamb dish is probably the best lamb he's ever had. Their menu does not change much, but is not too small either (with many small plate options). I am a little sad they did away with the sandwich night - the sandwiches were really good too. Overall, the quality of the food, flavor combinations, thoughtful service and the nice ambiance of the restaurant make it a 5-star experience for me.
(5)Java Z.
Burger was very good. nice wines and good service. worth trying, but not up to the hype.
(4)cyril l.
great location ! Feed is really good, service as well. Old victorian and cool deco inside!
(5)Gina L.
I had been wanting to check out Heirloom Cafe based off of 1. my foodie roommate's recommendation 2. it's name. Ambiance: -Hidden amongst the heart of residential Mission, it's easy to walk past Heirloom Cafe. -Once you're in, it's like stepping into someone's high ceiling, dimly lit, warm and welcoming home. -Open kitchen, subtle damask walls, wooden tables and floors, quirky antique accents. Overall, a very mature feeling. -Small groups may share communal tables. -Very organic, 'San Franciscan' feel. Yes, if you're from SF and shop at Anthropologie, you'll heart the look of this place! Food: -Heirloom Cafe's food menu was short and to the point. However, it's wine list was quite extensive with lots of wine by the glass options. -As it was a rare, warm night, we took advantage and ordered both Viongier and Rioja wines to go with our meal. I highly suggest the Viongier as it was bright with citrus and super refreshing. -Dinner started off with the burrata - generously slathered on bread and accented with figs, arugula, and prosciutto. A simple, pretty, and VERY delicious dish that seemed to represent Heirloom well. -We then followed with the potato gnocchi and fennel sausage. Interestingly enough, no one in my party is usually a fan of gnocchi, but Heirloom's version was an excellent exception! It was soft and pillowy in texture - not chewy and heavy like other gnocchi I've had in the past. We killed this dish fast - leaving nothing behind. -Lastly, we tried the braised lamb. Tasty but nothing special for what it's worth. Service: -Very knowledgeable and attentive. -It was clear our server had tried the dishes he was describing and, boy, did he describe them well. -The wine recommendation was on point! Tips: -Again, since you can order so many of the wines by the glass, ask for a taste before deciding your final order :) -Definitely on the pricey side for a simple, understated meal. With wine, expect around $40+/person. -Come try this place out before it gets trendy! Still reasonable to come here around 7-7:30p on a Saturday. It started getting busy around 8p. I'd come to Heirloom again for it's quality food, but I'm not sure if I'd crave it. Looking forward to seeing how this place evolves!
(4)H M.
I'm been wanting to try this place for a few months now as the place is so charming and country chic looking. Well the place didn't disappoint with it's high ceilings and ample space around the tables. Service was great and very attentive. They sat us at the end near the waiter station and kitchen. I asked to change tables and they quickly accomodated us. Crowd was little older and down to earth. Both tables next to us had the special burger and they loved it. One person even said it was better than the burger at Spruce. Food: This is why the three star rating. Everything else is perfect so icreated a higher standard and expectation for me. I had the fixed price menu for $60. An excellent value as it includes three glasses of wine. However all the food was very simple and the main entree, mussles and clams was flavorless. I never add salt or pepper whenever I go out as I rely on the chef to season the food properly but this time I needed to ask for salt as there was no flavor to the broth except for the fennel taste. The dessert was good as it was apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. This is always a crowd pleaser but then again it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. appetizer was the heirlooms over toast. The heirlooms weren't that juicy or sweet. I guess this is not their fault as we are coming to the end of the season. My wife had the onion tart. It was very tasty and yummy but the crust was alittle off as it fell away too easily. She had the gnocchi which we both devoured. In summary the chef needs to do more tasting of the food before it goes out. Also being the chef owner I recommend he step and greet some of the dinner to get a feel for how they liked the food. When I asked for the salt nobody seemed curious as to why I needed it. I I apologize for the three stars. If the prices were lower then I would add an additional start but we spend $120 for two people so I expected alot more. Best of luck!!
(3)Michelangelo C.
Lovely atmosphere, lovely waitstaff, lovely food! The waiter we had was excellent, knew the wines, and really represented the place. Didn't love the burger as much as other yelpers, but the halibut and the fennel salad were tops!
(5)Laurence H.
An amazing place that sits on perfect nexus of food and price. This is quintessential California cuisine. The best produce with simple techniques. The place is casual and has a modern Little House on the Prairie feel. Highly recommended for all foodies. Great wine list as well. The only slight criticism was that the kitchen was a little slow, but this is easily overlooked for all of the other attributes.
(4)Jessica O.
We just went to Heirloom, and had a mostly good experience. The food was great, the atmosphere was cozy, and our waiter was really nice. However, we were the last people to leave, and on our way out some guy - the owner or manager maybe - made a snide remark about how we had overstayed our welcome, and that just cast a shadow on the whole experience. We didn't get any vibe from the waiter that we had to go. We paid the check as soon as we got it, and left as soon as we paid. We weren't lingering at all. So, although the food was great, I will not be going back there. Apparently this guy does not need or value our business.
(3)Reza E.
What a gem! I'm pretty stingy with 5-stars but heirloom cafe definitely deserves it. We were sitting at the traffic light waiting for the green light when I noticed this place. I asked my wife: "what is that?" She says: "i think it's a restaurant!". It is really easy to miss this place but I like that! No big signs, nothing in your face, just understated elegance and simplicity, something that extends beyond the exterior look. The menu is small and exceptional. Food is simple, prepared perfectly with the freshest ingredients possible. Everything we had was delicious! The salmon was cooked to perfection and the gnocchi was one of the best I've ever had. The cheese selection topped off a great meal. I can not wait to go back! Well done Heirloom Cafe!!
(5)Emma S.
The atmosphere here is great and the menu is limited but delicious!! Our waitress knew a lot about every dish on the menu. I had the duck and I highly recommend it. The cheese plate to start was really good and the waitress brought over the four different cheeses, explained where each cheese came from and the different varieties in the cheese.
(5)Michelle S.
Although we had a great meal when we tried Heirloom for dinner shortly after it opened, brunch is what really amazes me here. Everything is just perfect. Perfect ingredients, perfect preparation, perfect service, perfect ambience. Creamed spinach, which seems boring and perhaps a weird choice for brunch, was, you guessed it, perfect. So glad I live around the corner.
(5)Noah K.
One dish was excellent, a few were very good, a few were mediocre. The prices were high - the wines in particular - and our main server was just kind of stiff and pretentious, though the other servers were nice. The thing that killed me, though, was when the check came it featured two automatic surcharges: A 20% gratuity since we were a party of 8, and a 4% Healthy SF tax. 20% is *very* presumptuous for an auto-tip. The service was fine, but not spectacular, and 17% seems to be a more reasonable big-party auto-tip rate. Add to that whatever the hell Healthy SF is and you've got almost 1/4 of the bill tacked on again. That's ridiculous. Especially when my $20+ entree featured a boneless chicken breast. WTF? It was nicely cooked and the dish overall was fine. But ... seriously? A gourmand boneless piece of poultry? What? I'm all for fresh, local, healthy food. Just don't overcharge me for it, then tack on a 4% tax that I can only guess is for being part of the fresh, local, healthy food club, and then assume you were so awesome that I want to tip 20%. That's super lame. Nice place, good food, dicey acoustics. But not THAT good, especially given the weirdness of its location - it's a total fish out of water on that corner.
(2)Gerry C.
Wonderful dinner with "The Joy" and C and E. Started with several apps, Black Cod, Burrata, Onion Tart, Zuke Soup which were excellent. Try Gnocchi and steak entree, both were very good, pass on the Epoisses Burger. Service very good; hostess very pleasant. Loud however nice environment Going back for more!
(4)Sam Z.
I read a review of Heirloom a while back and then forgot about it. Didn't come up in Yelp because I had filtered for $$ and Yelp has it listed as $$$ (for lunch, it's really only $$). So glad we wandered by looking for a late lunch and found it by accident, despite the very unassuming sign in the window and little else to betray it as a restaurant. Service was cheerful, food was satisfying, coffee fantastic, and we waited an extra 10 minutes for a hot cookie that was totally worth waiting for. My only gripes are really minor: my french country breakfast was a tiny bit too salty (maybe just slightly too much bacon? but that didn't stop me from eating all of it!) and the tap water needs filtering (smells bad in this neighborhood, we know because we live here!). Will definitely go back. Looking forward to trying this place for dinner.
(4)Peter H.
One of those nice rainy nights when the food, wine and company were the best. Everything we had, from butter lettuce to bacon onion tart to chicken to fresh cookies was all perfect.
(5)Julie L.
Welcome to the neighborhood! We checked them out on opening day, after watching this spot for months... welcoming restaurant with minimal but nicely selected decor, light-filled dining room with large open kitchen, friendly staff, nice music. Tried the mussels - succulent with a sherry sauce studded with shallots and large chunks of slow-roasted tomatoes; the petite basque cheese (very generous portion for $3); and a couple nice wines by the glass. The cellar wine list runs a little rich - it will be interesting to see how this takes off in the neighborhood - but on first blush, I'd call this place a winner!
(4)Helen G.
Can't say enough about this restaurant. It is so lovely! The atmosphere is romantic, airy and comfortable. The food is D- LISHOUS!!! I can't wait to go back again and again and again.
(5)Ambrose A.
For me eating in Heirloom Cafe felt like being in a gorgeous vintage restaurant in Carmel or Sonoma. Something about this place is so soothing and blissful. The warmth was immediate as Greg and I stepped inside. The young people who work there make it so easy for anyone to settle in. And relax. The Heirloom menu presents a good balance of modern and improvised American dishes. That makes a restaurant a good restaurant -- menu, service and ambience. Any menu that features item like Ribeye steak with asparagus, fingerling potato hash and romesco automatically makes an American restaurant a great restaurant. Heirloom should be very proud of its Baby Marinated Beets (pickled fennel, feta, almond butter) and its Sautéed Local Rock Cod (with runner beans, artichokes, and pistou). It was so tender and delicate and the beans mixed well with the artichokes. But, personally, for me, Heirloom's principal dish is its Pork Loin Milanese that is cooked with riesling-braised savoy cabbage and wholegrain mustard. It was..well...check it out yourself but let's just say I am a very big fan. Go!
(4)Daniela P.
I love this place. It's literally one block from my house and I think we needed a good, neighborhood restaurant without the pretense but that still caters to Mission foodies. Matt and his team are fantastic. I've been there four times, and really feel like a "regular." I kind of die for the fava bean and fennel salad; the orecchiete dish is also great and the spicy mussels in a white wine and tomato sauce are perfect -- reminds me of when I lived in Paris and had mussels four times a week. My roommate recently had the burger, which is prepared with cheese in the meat -- need I say more? We barely let him finish it on his own. The wine list is fantastic, which is no surprise given Matt's sommelier pedigree. I love the country kitchen decor, and the service is on the mark. FYI, they're starting to serve lunch on Fridays and will have brunch on Saturdays from 10-2.
(5)Sophia A.
I first heard about Heirloom Cafe in a recent article by the Examiner, which recommended the potato gnocchi. I'm a huge gnocchi fan, so I decided to try. Figuring there would be a tremendous wait based on the recent publicity, I decided to call on a Wednesday to see if there was any openings on a Friday night, say between 7 and 8:30. The receptionist was helpful and honest, letting me know that they reserve half of their seating for reservations, and the remainder is communal seating (think European restaurants; Suppenkuche; Zietgiest). She said i would have no problem getting seated if i arrived by 7. so my BF and i get there at 7, and we are instantly seated at the communal table in the back. the ambiance is great -- simple decor, wooden tables, small votives...my style. service is quick and very friendly. our starter was the salad with string beans and prociutto. it was crisp, delicious and plenty for 2. menu is short and to the point. dont forget to ask for the "off the menu" specials. i heard the hamburger ($12) is amazing - and its not on the menu. my BF ordered salmon on a bed of creamed corn from the specials menu. it looked and tasted amazing. i, of course, had the gnocchi with italian sausage. delicious. for dessert, they were serving 3 options. i asked for the cookie and requested a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top. i was in the mood for a pazookie, what can i say? it was very good. i have no bad things to say about this place. i will definitely go back again. its the kind of place you would want to take your date, your parents, someone you enjoy the company of.
(4)Patrick G.
Went to Heirloom last night for the first time loved it.....outstanding service, exceptional food, great wines. Fun atmosphere ..
(5)michael d.
Loved the atmosphere and the food was very good. All of the food (asparagus, halibut and the pasta) was well prepared and delicious and interesting. Our waiter seemed like a pro and service was very good - our only complaint is that when they got busy later happened to be when they served our entrees. We wanted more wine with dinner and were never asked. We sat for a good 5 minutes waiting, trying to make eye contact with someone, anyone who might be able to help, yet servers and managers kept walking by. We have both worked in the service industry so know what it is like to get slammed - but it felt that they are still working through the the kinks a little bit, at least when things get busy. I wouldn't hold it against them though - they have barely opened and are doing a great job.
(4)Roger B.
I've dined here several times recently and every experience has been one to write about. On each of my return visits, the waiters remembered me as well as my choice of wine. This is the restaurant you want in your neighborhood. The atmosphere is energetic, the food is creative and the prices are very reasonable. From the delicious burgers seasoned with epoisses cheese ($12) to the delicate melt in your mouth gnocchi ($15). And don't forget to try the onion tart ($11), fish soup ($20) and fresh heirloom tomatoes ($12)! The owner obviously cares about his customers and makes his rounds unobtrusively checking on each table personally pouring wine or clearing plates. One of our favorite new restaurants we highly recommend.
(4)Anna R.
Great neighborhood spot with a small yet sophisticated menu. The starters are delicious and so is the tasting menu. My highlights include burrata and figs, tomato salad, roasted chicken with quinoa, brussel sprouts and bacon, coffee braised lamb with celery root gratin and apple crisp. The staff is friendly yet little slow and inattentive. The place is busy every evening and I'm sure it takes time to learn how to make everyone happy at the same time. Can't wait to the next time at Hairloom!
(4)Andrew M.
This is a success story of the beautiful transformation of an abandoned, burned out victorian into a wonderful neighborhood gem. I'm thrilled that such a wonderful restaurant is just a few steps away. Although the menu is very limited, the items we had were amazing. It pays to focus your attention on making a smaller menu perfect than a large menu done poorly. Our group had the French onion soup, PEI mussels, hamburger, fennel salad, three-cheese plate, and cookies for desert. The French onion soup my friend ordered was the best I've ever had -- and I'm a pretty big fan of French onion soup. It had more sweetness than saltiness, and the onions and wine came through. The PEI mussels were astounding. My favorite part was not having to fuss with the shells. Some might quibble about less flavour than in the shell, but they were quite flavorful in a tomato-sherry sauce. Served with toasted baguette drizzled with olive-oil. I thought this may not be enough for a main course, but it was so rich and delicious I could eat just a bowl of this. Wonderfully paired with an Austrian white wine -- a generous pour that lasted the whole meal. I didn't taste the salad or hamburger, but we also ordered all three cheeses on the menu to bridge to dessert. The cheeses were petit basque, which was my favorite, a nice rich blue cheese which I liked a lot. Also the comte was rich but not as much fun as the other two cheeses. The cookie was my favorite variety -- oatmeal chocolate chip. They were hot out of the oven and quite delicious. Not sure about $2 for a cookie, but sometimes you have to live a little. For a party of four it came out to around $30 per person. What a deal, for such quality. I will definitely be back for many light dinners in the future. I ord
(5)Molly D.
I have been ruminating on this meal (in the metaphorical sense... though having 4 stomaches with which to enjoy this meal would be awesome) to determine why it is I loved it so much. Quality of food? Awesome. Price? Totally decent. Ambiance? My favorite type. But alas, the sum is greater than it's parts and its hard to describe why this place really stood out for me amongst the hordes of delicious options by the bay. So I will just tell the tale: -I tried to get reservations for two on Thursday but that was too late. Luckily the hostess told us to show up and try anyway since they don't reserve more than 50% of their tables. So we took the gamble, put our names in and headed to the homestead for a drink while we waited. We came back 40 minutes later and were seated in chairs by the window. The hostess even gave up her seat so we could have a spot to sit out of the way and offered us the wine menu while we waited. Very nice touch. One thing I hate is places that always make you feel like you're in the way and unwanted while you're waiting. Not the case here. We were seated about 20 minutes later at the "family table." I was weary of this option but my partner convinced me that it wouldn't be that much different from sitting at the 2-person table right next to another 2 person table. In fact, it was better! Instead of pretending we weren't all up in one-another's business the couples and trios and singles at this table interacted and yet mostly kept to themselves in a way that was actually surprisingly pleasant. For an appetizer our waiter suggested we split the gniocchi/chantarelle main and so we bypassed some other tasty sounding options and took his advice. Good decision because that plate was melt-in your mouth juicey rich deliciousness. So good. For an entree I got the flat-iron steak with pole beans and bf got the salmon and creamed corn. Both were very good. To be honest, I am not the best judge of steak since I was a vegan for 5 years and then a veggie and a pesco for a while after that. This was actually the first steak I've ordered at a restaurant since I was... 10. But damn it was good. Accompaniment of the beans made for a very lovely mix and much less filling than say, garlic smashed potatoes. BF's salmon was excellent. Salmon is one of those foods I rarely order or cook for that matter because I feel that if it's not done really well the texture is just weird. But this was salmon cooked so that texture turned out like sea bass. Velvety but with salmon's full flavor. Sweet corn to mix in made for excellent bites. So we were very happy by the end of the meal and the whole place seemed to reverberate the same emotion: contentment and satisfaction. We said no to deserts but our waiter brought us a cookie to take home anyway. "It's peanutbutter, the chef's wife baked it, they're delicious." Okay- adorable. The bill as I said was totally reasonable and exactly what I'd wanted to spend for a good meal. It felt ultimately like we'd been at a special dinner at the chef's home with a bunch of his friends and family. The open kitchen, warm lighting and friendly servers all contributed to this feeling of our being very welcome and our company appreciated beyond our being a paying customer. I will definitely go back .
(5)Christopher S.
Can't believe the great reviews, went there with 5 friends. Aside from the arcane corkage policy which is so silly, the portions were small for brunch. The food was mediocre at best and the service was lukewarm. Just because this is in the Mission, doesn't make it a great restaurant. I had to go taqueria afterwards and eat. And by the way, put the damn burgers on the menu if you're going to serve them to everyone except us. How rude was that? We are foodies and I will not recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(1)Vanessa C.
Loved it. Great, sophisticated and precise food offering w/ an amazing wine list set in a charming yet upscale and tasteful decor. Like a lot of SF restaurants (flour + water, delfina's, schmidts etc...) it's really loud due to such high ceilings, so probably not good for a romantic date w/ quiet conversation but a great place to talk loudly over the table, clink wine glasses and enjoy some really delicious food.
(5)B A.
FANTASTIC!!! Matt Strauss has drawn from his culinary experience and education as well as his time in the FOH running wine programs and serving at premier restaurants in SF and LA. Heirloom can be coined a great neighborhood restaurant, which it is, but you get quality products all around for a great price. I will be back VERY soon rest assured.
(5)Sasha L.
I would give five stars if the manager wasn't so jerky. I just asked a question, very nicely I might add! Get rid of him and the place is perfect!
(4)SF C.
O.K., in fairness I was only there for brunch, so I would try it again for dinner because the food was actually above average...BUT...they have quite a complex, layered corkage strategy which required several attempts at explanation for "the reasoning behind our corkage fee"...Maybe we are just dense. The brunch food comes with a small pile of lettuce...c'mon, would it kill you to throw in bit of imaginative vegetables, or a carb with your quiche or gravalox or Croque Madame??? Food was tasty, but sans pazazz from my perspective. Have to say, the atmosphere was charming and lovely. Finally, what's with the secret hamburger that you have to "know about" to order. Seriously pissed off my fellow diner who was starved and would love to have had a burger, but then again, what's a burger without some fries?
(3)nina s.
The food here is always incredible.
(5)Olivia A.
Fresh and tasty food. I went on a weekday, so it was cozy with a lot of space for my date and I to have a private dinner. Service was good.
(4)Jen R.
I went to a tomato canning class here yesterday and it was WONDERFUL. I learned a ton, and went home with a can of m very own preserved heirlooms to boot. But it didn't end there. I also got the most delicious pasta lunch and glass of wine ever. ALL of this for only $20? Honestly, this place is great from casual lunch time classes to nicer later-night dinners. I'd definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone interested in quality food and great ambiance.
(5)Joseph E.
Incredibly knowledgeable staff, comfy space, nice variety of culinary options and obviously amazing wine selection. This was my first visit and I wonder why I waited so long. Take someone special, don't rush and be adventurous! My only suggestion would be the interior lighting needs some adjustment. The dining room is cozy and quaint which connects directly to their open kitchen where the lighting is harsh, bright and high and bleeds into the dining room and hurts the eyes. The kitchen fixtures should be direction type and not large heavy all luminous pendants! Hey! It can't all be perfect!
(4)Jessica K.
Hey Heirloom. I want every date to take me here. The food is delicious, the tables are far enough apart so you don't have to get close to the stranger opposite you... but it feels like home. The waiters and waitresses kneel by your table and get close and are super helpful if you just want to peruse their wine selection. The crowd here is on the refined and understated side which I love. Not too many hippies you'll catch chlamydia from here.
(5)Amy S.
Heirloom feels like you're eating a special occasion meal in the home of your best friend's family. The servers are kind and comfortable, and proud to offer their finest food. Your neighbors are pleasantly chatting too, happy to be savoring the food and the cozy atmosphere. We are so happy to have taken our favorite friends there, sharing a variety of plates and some cheeses was just perfect!
(5)L T.
Excellent service. Delectable mussel dish, served without the shells. The savory butter lettuce radish salad was tasty! Along w/ a perfect strawberry shortcake scone to finish!
(5)Jasmyn M.
My husband organized a lovely birthday dinner here for me and 8 of my dear friends. Let me just say the peeps at Heirloom Cafe took care of us! We sat at the community table shared with a lovely couple, who, as told by the hostess, dined their VERY REGULARLY. Fine, I've got 8 of my friends to distract me so I'm not worried. Small menu with the usual local/sustainable ingredients. My husband just asked the server to bring us food as he deemed fit. And that he did! We ate family style with a variety of appetizers, mains, sides and desserts. Everyone was able to tasted everything and all bellies were content at the end of the meal. Wine pairing was also left up to our server and he brought out perfect compliments of both red and white wines for the table. I don't remember exactly what we ate or how much the meal in it's entirety was, but I do remember the entire experience being spectacular and the bill being more than reasonable for what we wined and dined on (perhaps around $70/person?). An incredible experience that I would not hesitate to try to recreate. If only I didn't live so far away now.
(5)M B.
Went to Heirloom on Saturday on an early reservation before the ballet. Small menu, about half small plates. We over ordered cause everything looked yummy. We ordered baby artichokes, mussels, brandade and crab. Unfortunately they were out of brandade. The starters were delicious. Simple but flavorful, letting the quality of the ingredients come through. For entrees, we had the bavaro steak, scallops and the special burger. Again all dishes were spot on with flavors! Service was welcoming and attentive. So why not 5 stars? The wine list was too expensive. While the list was varied and high quality, there were no reasonably priced wines on it. I expect there to be a couple of decent $50 wines. Couldn't find anything under 80. For next visit we will pay the $25 corkage or better yet, $10 for bottles older than 2002!
(4)Cork M.
I went to Heirloom last night with 4 friends. Three of us had never been there and were up to give it a try. The service was cool and a bit distant ( we may not have been the correct demographic?) We had 4 entree's ( one was a burger - no fries), 4 small plates, 2 sides, 2 deserts, and 8 glasses of wine. The food was to precious and a bit self conscious. The bill for 4 adults and a kid was $349. The food was very good but not that good. There are many wonderful places for fine food at reasonable prices in our town. Heirloom takes its name a bit to seriously and is using price as an indicator of quality.
(2)Phil M.
Ha, I'm The Duke and finally getting down to writing a review on Heirloom four months in. Been rocking Yelp mobile recently. And that reminds me of when Jeremy gave that speech at the Commonwealth Club explaining how in "the Future" we'd all be hooked up to our mobile phones walking down the sidewalk using Yelp. Low and Behold... So after all these Check Ins I can say with confidence that Heirloom is legit for 3 reasons. 1. Staff, exceptional service without pretension or stuffiness 2. Wine list, best in the city right now for value and depth, esp. for 10+yr old bottles. Insane deals that keep me coming back, even when I'm rocking shorts and don't have any business eating in a fine dining establishment. 3. The Cheese Burger, off list but top three in city. Have eaten this so many times it's probably changed my DNA for good. So damn wonderful it makes me tear up a little. Add Cornas from their by the glass list and you are in for something special. So far the press hasn't spoiled the experience, and I'm hoping that people keep driving by so I can keep sneaking in without a res.
(5)Katie S.
Incredible food and great nice but low key french country atmosphere.
(5)Preethi C.
I love this place. I can't remember what I ate here as it was a long time ago but I do remember having some delicious cheese and the most unusual, earthy red wine. The service was impeccable, the food was great, and the vibe was romantic. I'll definitely be back and will update this review to describe what I ate!
(5)Little M.
Note: this review has been sitting in my drafts for a while. so it's a little old but I did love this restaurant when I went back in July. Bacon tart, while fascinating and good, isn't the best thing on the menu. Try a bunch of stuff. Our server really helped us with wine selection. The pureed soup was delish and interesting.
(5)Connie C.
Located in the quiet end of the Mission, the intimate restaurant is quite open and airy with its high ceilings and has a classic Victorian feel to it. Because we didn't have reservations, we were first seated at the large communal table which only seats about 12. Because you really do bump elbows with people dining next to you, we jumped on the chef's counter seats that had opened shortly after. These seats, in my opinion, were the best seats in the house as we were able to watch the chefs at work. The menu, which offers only 3 mains, and 2 off the menu, and a handful of starters and cheeses may seem not to offer much variety, but as I watched the food being made, EVERYTHING looked delicious. We decided to have the bacon onion tart, the gnocchi with sausage, corn and porcini mushrooms and the off menu French styled cheeseburger. The burger was fantastic, and medium was the way to go - as our server had suggested. Each dish was well thought out, with fresh ingredients and lovely presentation. And of course, how could we skip out on the wine, which they have an extensive collection of. They offer 20 wines by the glass and bottle, and a booklet filled with older wines. We ordered two glasses of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir which actually had a better nose than its finish. Will definitely have to explore the older wines next time. Though watching the chefs prepare the desserts made my mouth water, I had to refrain from having any of the delectable treats. Every calorie counts during beach season.
(4)Ryan F.
After searching up and down the block, a couple friends and I stumbled into the unmarked cafe last Monday night after yoga and rock climbing. 'That's So predictably Bay Area,' I can hear you scoffing. The waitstaff kind of chuckled at the mat and shoes, but I felt pretty ridiculous, too. Our waitress seated us and hung up our coats (and even took the mat to the coat rack). The Chablis was drinkable, but didn't leave a lasting impression, nor did my friends' wines, so the names escape me. The crab salad was crunchy and fresh, though it could have used more crab. I was surprised when I bit down on a couple small stray shell pieces. The pea risotto was amazing, even if the portion was on the small side. I finished off my friend's fish soup; the saffron broth was fantastic, with perfectly cooked clams and mussels. We were the first party there, and even though we stayed for a long while just chatting, our waitress gladly refilled our carafe and glasses with water several times. Summary: Great atmosphere and great food, with an attentive and easy-on-the-eyes waitstaff. Take your date and your monthly bonus here, knowing you'll leave the restaurant with only one of them in hand.
(4)Liz S.
If only all family heirlooms were this good. Heirloom Cafe was kind of an enigma to me until I went there. A wine bar with food, or a restaurant with great wine? A cafe, or a place for a proper sit-down meal? The answer is, it's all of these things and more. Yes, it is a wine bar, but they also serve food worthy of making it a destination restaurant. It is a cafe, casual enough for a drop-in, but it is also a serious restaurant, with well-thought out dishes and a prix fixe dinner option with wine pairings. At first glance, the menu seems sparse - but be rest assured that everything on it is worth trying. The prix fixe items can also be ordered a la carte, and the best way to try everything is by sharing. If that's not your thing, you can certainly get a meal all to yourself with all of the trimmings. Our party of 4 tried several dishes and all were excellent: open-faced Gravlax Sanwich, Mussels with Tomatoes, Shallots and Sherry, Fennel,Ariugla Walnut Salad, Pole Bean Salad with Proscuitto, and Halibut with English Peas, and Olive Oil Cake with Strawberries. To drink, we had a nice and reasonably priced Ladoucette Pouilly Fume which well well with all of our courses. For people that need a lot of options or have strict dietary restrictions, I would not recommend Heirloom. But if you are in the mood for fresh, seasonal food, prepared thoughtfully and well, with a nice bottle of an unusual wine, put Heirloom on your list.
(4)Janu A.
Good service, good wine, and good food. OH and good fun music. The music reminded me of a saloon and Disneyland at the saaaaame tiiiime...don't ask me why, but it just did. So the bacon and onion tart is what I remember the most. It's a unique dish with strong but harmonious flavors. I also enjoyed the duck confit. The rice and duck combo went together deliciously. Other good dishes were the cheese platter, gnocchi, fava bean salad, and mussels...mmm...yeah the mussels for sure! I did however have a problem with the oatmeal cookie dessert. It was literally a cookie on a plate. Not even close to the level of the rest of the dinner. Don't get me wrong, the cookie was good BUT really? a single cookie on a plate ungarnished? Very strange! All in all, tasty food. I would recommend it and also go back.
(4)Ilya D.
Keeping it short: the place is an utter gem. Beautifully hidden in the heart of the Mission, it serves some of the most fabulous food I have had in SF. The place is the perfect size, tall ceilings, beautifully lit, with an unusually open kitchen - the staff gets to see you enjoying the fruit of their labor, and you get to see your food being prepared. I am a lousy food writer - let me just say that it was one of the top eating experiences in my life (along with the French Laundry and a hidden gem in Barcelona I want to keep hidden).
(5)Justin H.
This place was a surprise to me as I did not know it existed until my girlfriend took me there for my birthday last year. It's a little hidden gem in the Mission. The food was great, they had a great wine list, and the owner and staff were very courteous and provided great service.
(4)Natalie C.
The food was really delicious. Their menu is unique and they offer a lot of comfort foods. I got the butternut squash soup and the brocolini as a side- both were very good. Our server was attentive and prompt. Two cons: the restaurant is too loud and the food is a little overpriced, but its definitely worth a try.
(4)Suzanne B.
Heirloom Café is like the cool kid at school. Not the kid who belongs to the group that thinks they're cool and likes to make sure everyone knows it, but one of those kids who has a special something that you can't ever quite put your finger on but who everyone wants to spend time with. Like that effortless cool (that I secretly want to hate but can't because it's tied to a personality that's just so charming and warm), the restaurant has an airy, cool interior warmed by distressed floors and charmingly (dammit) mismatched furniture. It shouldn't come together, but it does. Likewise, the menu should be off-putting but manages instead to be interesting. It's tiny. We're talking 10-12 food items listed, including the prix fixe options. But all the offerings sound intriguing - and they taste even better! We ordered three separate entrees, two salads and two desserts and absolutely everything was delicious. But what made me fall in love ('cause I'm always falling a little in love with the cool kid) were the quirky, all-over-the-board and very interesting wine selections. Our server made several spot-on recommendations from a list dominated by European producers you don't always see on offer by the glass. There's a funky corkage fee policy that encourages diners to bring in older bottles (if it was produced before 2003 the fee is only $10) and a note about an 'older vintage' wine list available on request. So once again, I find myself enthralled by the cool kid who manages to make it all look so easy, when you know it's not. Dammit.
(5)Michelle L.
Went to Heirloom last night with three friends (2 from out of town) and had a really wonderful evening. The food was memorable, the atmosphere jovial and the service was beyond great!!! From the time we got there until the moment we left, the service stood out for me as being the best part of the evening. I can't speak more highly about our server, Gideon. Between the four of us, we had one of almost everything. I'm guessing their 'new restaurant' status is the reason behind the very small menu, but maybe not? There were about 5 apps and 5 entrees to choose from, 3 cheeses and 3 desserts. Favorite dish? Gnocchi. Without a doubt. They are amazing. We were told about their secret ingredient that allows it to really melt in your mouth. The famous epoisse burger was incredibly juicy, very thick, perfectly cooked and undoubtedly full of epoisse. I'm kind of glad I only had some of it and not a whole burger. The richness is off the charts! The pickled carrots were good, but other than that the plate looked a little sad. I thought everything was very reasonably priced. The portions are just right (read: not gigantic), but we were still able to share everything and be satisfied. Wine list - interesting! Verrrry interesting. Definitely makes you think. Bone up a little on the Jura before you go. We did have a reservation and were seated about 20 minutes late because the party before us had two people show up 45 minutes into -their- reservation. The management was very apologetic about this and made up for it in a nice way ;)
(4)Pat M.
FIRST, go hungry! SECOND, share, because you are gonna wanna taste everything that wafts its deliciousness your way! THIRD, listen to your lovely, knowledgeable waitperson, who's a friend by the end of the evening, and ask questions. If you have ANY dietary restrictions, they are prepared---Vegetarian? Celiac disease? Vegan? Lactose or Gluten intolerant? They KNOW and can modify!! Some of my guests have had these and said this was the BEST and easiest restaurant experience they've ever had! Also, tell that waitperson what qualities you like in a wine and let them suggest. You will probably discover something amazing!! FOURTH: Take the time, all of you at once, to appreciate, savor the amazing flavors and textures that Matt and his team have composed for your delight! Stop talking for a minute and marvel at the numminess!! Yes, it's that good... The place, itself, is cozy and inviting, a comfort zone in which to relax and really enjoy . I ADORE bringing people here for their first time and watching their faces as they bite into a perfectly done scallop with hijiki seaweed and sink into their chair in bliss. The gnocchi, we all agree, are orgasmic. I could go through each dish, but you get the picture---culinary imagination and originality without going over-the-top. In a city crammed with wonderful restaurants, THIS IS MY FAVORITE. It NEVER disappoints!!
(5)Sarah Y.
loved this place! really neat ambience - old wall paper and candles, feels a bit like you've gone back in time. homey and intimate. delicious food. would definitely go back!
(5)Aimee G.
I am so glad a friend convinced me to go back a second time...because round 2 was plate-licking good. Literally I wanted to lick the plates clean after each dish. I refrained but one of the lovely staff told me he would have smiled had I given in to my impulse. The open, airy, comfortable space feels intimate and communal at the same time. It's kind of soothing even when it's busy and lively. I'm especially impressed as I've lived catty-corner from this building for 15 years, during which time it was a mostly empty building falling into disrepair during dispute of ownership, and the restaurant space itself was storage for old video games and random metal parts with boarded up windows. The food: Visit 1: Got the off-menu special burger. The onion jam was amazingly good, but served on an English Muffin, the burger itself while tasty was quite petite, especially given the $12 price tag and the fact it was served only with 2-3 very small house-pickled carrots. Cheese selection was nice, the wine great. Visit 2: The onion bacon tart is something to sing from the rooftops about. When I compose the song, I'll let you know how it goes. Perfect sweet, savory, salty deliciousness. The pole beans with proscuitto, pickled dates (!) and parmesan was another outstanding starter. To improve on the natural goodness of dates is something to wonder at...or just enjoy. The NY steak was perfectly cooked and presented on a bed of very excellent yellow-eye beans, charred escarole and currant pesto. This was a dish that this foggy SF weather begs for! And for dessert, you wouldn't be able to tell it's the end of stone fruit season with their incredible plum and white nectarine crumble a la mode. Serving portions - aside from the burger - are generous, and they kindly split and separately plated both the main, and a final glass of wine we shared without our asking. Great service! It is fairly spendy ($55 each for visit 2 menu noted above), but Heirloom Cafe is a place that feels totally worth it; an indulgence you won't regret. A small detail (but isn't that what it's about really?) that I appreciated both times I've been: the triangle of "unusable" space alongside the door against the windows they've cleverly converted into a coat rack. With fall approaching - and heck really, with the terrible summer weather we're having - I appreciate somewhere to put my layers.
(4)Guillermo K.
Terrific service, good food. My one qualm: the flavors on some of these dishes are not subtle or delicate despite the terrific ingredients. For example, scallops are wonderful on their own -- sweet, savory. Yet, they oversalted these wonderful morsels oft the sea. WTF, right?
(4)Geoff H.
Good food but limited menu and far too expensive. To the owners of 'Heirloom Cafe' : WTF? Look, I know your food has been prepared with love and care, and all locally sourced, and I'm sure the rent is killing you, But your menu makes me uncomfortable just sitting there. With just a fixed $50 menu and the possibility of 1 maybe 2 other plates on offer, you aren't giving us a lot of leeway. And, if we get past that, and the 2 of us split a salad, get 1 glass of wine each, and the bill still comes to $80+, that IS a problem. I really want to support my local eateries, but I'm going to go broke if this is all I have to work with. there are a lot of other places that manage to offer food and atmosphere just as good for less of a wallet breaker. Why can't you ? Is this what i have to look forward to in the area now ? Places like this and flour and water ?
(2)Rusty H.
Really like this place. Only eaten their twice, but it's been excellent both times. Here's a tip: They make an amazing gourmet hamburger. It's not always on the menu, but they'll always serve it. They grind some shallots and a nice pungent cheese into the beef before the cook it. They serve it on a bun that has a flavor like an english muffin but a more bun-like texture. It's so so so good. We sampled various deserts and salads, all of which were excellent. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Soozie H.
3.5 stars actually. Heirloom Cafe is a charming cafe that has a rustic feel to it. I came here for lunch and was immediately greeted by a charming host. The host * our server was warm and delightful which made it enjoyable. I had the French Toast which was okay but nothing that made me swoon. My companion had the Croque Madame and it was good but again, nothing memorable. The menu for lunch seemed rather limited too. I'd like to try them out for dinner some time to see how their dinner menu is. It's definitely a charming and pleasant cafe that I'm willing to give another chance.
(3)Lisa S.
Great service - amazing food - beautiful atmosphere. We had the onion & bacon tart which was delicious - the duck frisee salad was superb followed by the scallops and tasty gnocchi. A great neighborhood restaurant that's definitely a cut above most.
(4)COQUEDdotCOM C.
Very delicious food and attentive service. The scallops appetizer was phenomenal. Very pleasant ambiance. Parking can be difficult so arrive early if you drive.
(4)Ennie L.
The menu is limited but that just means they are dedicated to every dish on the menu & that is why everything was so delicious! The resto has a nice rustic feel, service is good & the wine selections are good and pricing is very reasonable. We ordered: - Bacon & Onion Tart (caramelized onions are so good) - Risotto (I'm not a fan of risotto but this one was amazing) - Burger (I'm not a burger person, but I'll be back for this one, I like the small portion, I think it makes it more enjoyable) - Duck Breast (The duck is cooked to perfection, so tender & juicy) - Seafood Soup (Yummm) - Fresh Baked Oatmeal & Chocolate Cookies (Straight out of the oven, melt in your mouth cookies) As you can see, this place is definitely worth checking out!
(5)Sig N.
Ok...here's a snapshot review. Decor good. Like you're in someone's Victorian for dinner. Staff totally sweet and helpful. Menu a lilttle limited but you can order the prefixe a la carte. Plus the "off the menu" burger. The food was tasty. May be a pricey to become a regular stop but, all in all, solid considering it was opening weekend. Now the bad, the owner ended up sitting next to me towards the end of our meal. We congratulated him, welcomed him to the neoghborhood and gave him a thumbs up on all fronts. He, almost begrudgingly, said "thanks" then turned away. Don't know about you but I would've been a little more friendly.
(4)Gwen P.
I went to Heirloom with a friend. The decor is great, kind of like your cool Aunt's spacious living room in Marin, but without her annoying kids. The staff is kind and knows what they are talking about. and can graciously orate the specials. The food is decent, but did not get to "amazing" at appetizer, maybe amazing comes later for dinner. I'll have to try. I think we must have been there on a slow night because the staff came up every 30 seconds to see if we needed anything and refill the water. Boy, were we hydrated! They suggested a mediocre wine that was kinda tart. I get it, taste is subjective - blah, blah, blahhty blah blah. They suggested a fabulous appetizer, which we scarfed with expertise. It's damned loud in Heirloom. My friend had to sit next to me so I could hear anything and not listen to and decipher a Charlie Brown Christmas Special Parent language. I think if "amazing" visits after appetizer stage I will be back, if not it was nice to meet Heirloom. Not so bad.
(3)Don L.
Over the past few years the proportion of my vegetarian meals I eat every week has increased to over 50%. And with dishes like the Heirloom Cafe's incredible risotto, I really do not miss eating meat much. The night we visited, the risotto featured diced sweet potato, chanterelles and was topped with crisp fried shallots and I could have cared less that no animal flesh was in there. Maybe my favorite risotto ever. My starter butternut squash soup was spiced with cumin giving it a pleasant smoky counterpoint to the squash's sweetness and was velvety smooth. I was pretty stuffed at the end so I opted out of dessert. Note that even though the word "heirloom" invokes images of rustic vegetables in my mind don't get confused and think this is a vegetarian or vegan restaurant - if you want to eat meat this place serves more meat dishes than vegetarian and they seem to do a good job of cooking them. Our friend D had the cassoulet and loved it, and E had a bacon and onion tart for a starter which was maybe a bit on the small side, but delicious. We weren't disappointed with anything we ate and will return when we have a chance.
(5)Gretchen S.
We had a delightful dinner at Heirloom a few weeks back. The restaurant was half empty when we arrived (filled up later) so we really got the royal treatment from our waitress. The menu was diverse and full surprises - we had the cheese (nicely sized portions for 2) to start and then I had the crab salad and lemongrass chicken soup. Both were super flavorful and light. Although everything we had was delicious, it's a bit pricey, so don't be deceived by the casual atmosphere.
(4)Bingying L.
We came here on a Blackboard Eats deal - a 6 course dinner with 5 wine pairings for $75 (including tax and tip!!) Given that it was such a good deal, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the wine and food. The pairings were very cleverly done, the food had a nice homey feel to it. I loved the pesto in the pasta! We'll definitely be back here.
(5)Elaine S.
Atmosphere- beautiful space in an old Victorian house, which give it a rustic yet hip feel. Tables are spaced out and are not inches from each other. Service - a bit weird, but you have to remember you are in the mission Menu - another restaurant with a simple menu that uses fresh ingredients (seems like it's most restaurants in SF these days) Appetizers- Special of the day: a seared tuna served on a bed of hummus. The tuna had an excellent flavor & the hummus tasted very fresh, but was nothing spectacular. Heirloom Tomato Salad: with fennel, cucumbers & feta served on a piece of toast. In my opinion you can't really go wrong with heirloom tomatoes, feta & cucumbers. I liked how they served it on the toast, was a good addition to a pretty standard (for SF) salad. Main Courses- Potato Gnocchi: with fennel sausage, corn & crimini mushrooms. The gnocchi looked like it had been pan fried and had an extremely soft texture. The fennel sausage and corn complemented the gnocchi very well. I liked this dish and would definitely order it again. Fish Soup: mussels, clams in a saffron broth. I am not a fan of seafood (besides for fish), but I tried the broth and it had a good flavor to it. I may be biased, because I love anything with saffron. Dessert - Straus - Ritual affogato: ice cream with coffee poured over it. Simple, yet delicious. Peach fruit crisp: served a la mode. very delicious. Overall a great atmosphere and good food that is pretty reasonably priced. I would definitely go back if they changed up their menu (which I am assuming will be quite frequently)
(4)Katie W.
I loved Heirloom! Went here a few weeks ago and had a great experience. It is a bit off the busy path that is the Mission, but with equally as good food. We had reservations, and were seated on time. Between the two of us, we ended up splitting the bacon mushroom tart, fennel salad, halibut and the burger (not on the menu). Everything was good! The halibut was up there with the best I have ever had - super moist. I loved the burger as well, but my warning is that the cheese is *stinky*. I love it (and it paired great with the wine) - but if you aren't into that, I would order something else. A few other pros: - Not too cramped - so I didn't feel like I was sitting on the lap of the person at the table next to us - The pace was good and we weren't rushed even though it took about 30 min to even look at the menu :) The best part about it was that corkage on bottles 2002 or older is only $10. I will definitely have to go back soon!
(5)S G.
Very good. Very accommodating. Would love to go back.
(5)D Z.
So good. Typically when I write a review it's because I frequent a place - have been there more than once and tried different things on the menu. I went to dinner here just once, with a fairly large group and tried a bit of every dish - across the board it was all delicious. Excellent place for a date or to take your parents when they visit. I certainly plan on going back.
(4)Mark A.
Eating here truly does feel like you're in someone's home. Everybody is friendly, helpful, and the food is delicious and thoughtfully prepared. My only complaint is that the wine list is not nearly accessible enough for a neighborhood restaurant - only three by-the-glass selections for under $10? I never order wine at lunch, but figured I should take advantage of their supposed excellent wine list - asked for a recommendation to go with the burger got a $15 glass of pinot noir, which was good, but not excellent as I would expect for a $15 glass of wine. Regardless, I can't remember the last time any restaurant gave me the amount of warm fuzzy feelings that Heirloom does - it was a bit slow when we went on a Friday afternoon so we didn't see much food cooked other than our own - but I could imagine the COMPLETELY open kitchen could be a lot of fun to watch on a busy night.
(4)julie r.
Delicious food with lots of vegetarian options. This might be my favorite restaurant in the city.
(5)T S.
I've been here twice, with a year gap in between. The first time I thought the menu and dishes were good but not amaxing. The second time I saw great improvement. The risotto was amazing, and would definitely go back.
(4)Kasi B.
Too yum to be true. I tried gumbo for the first time ever last night and it was sooooooo amazing. You won't find a nicer owner or better wait staff. We love sitting at the bar and watching how well the entire kitchen works together. It's my neighborhood favorite. Must tries: Onion & bacon tart, the Hoffman chicken.... Enjoy!
(5)Justin M.
We have loved Heirloom every time we've eaten here. Very cozy interior with high ceilings and a kitchen that opens into the restaurant. Would be a great place to have a rehearsal dinner. The scallops are tasty. They are an appetizer portion on the menu but they will make you a dinner portion if you ask. Try the fresh baked warm oatmeal chocolate chip cookie for dessert. Feels like home!
(4)Kathryn M.
This place came highly recommended from a friend. My husband and I live within walking distance so we decided to give it a try. The hostess was really lovely-- our table wasn't ready when we arrived so she asked us to take a seat and offered to bring us a glass of wine while we were waiting. Things were looking good, and then we sat down. Our waiter, whose blonde hair was coiffed circa an A Ha music video from the 1980s, would stop by to take our order, barely refill our water, and drop the food off without a peep. And on top of the terrible service, the food was really subpar. The salad I got was incredibly salty and the onion and bacon tart was good, but nothing to write home about. The wine list was extensive and the decor was simple but elegant, but that's about where my praise for this place ends.
(2)Britt X.
Sorry to say but ... blah. Boring, eh. Too pricey for this part of town and without anything interesting to offer. The burrata/fennel salad was quite tasty, In fact, the starters were yummy, but the mains left much to be desired. And how can you serve brussels sprouts with bacon, and not be able to separate the two for a vegetarian? weird. Also, the wine list wasn't impressive and over-priced, especially when the server arbitrarily pores the wine into your glass (without letting you taste OR see the bottle first), leading to my glass being about 3/4 the size of my friends -- not okay. I'd like it a while lot more if I didn't spend $180 for three people and walk away with a non-memorable experience. Happy to have tried it though.
(3)Wendy C.
Delicious! What a lovely place. It is a warm homey atmosphere and well-prepared food with very attentive and nice wait-staff. Our friends took us here on Friday night and we loved it. The waiter, David, was incredible - his wine pairings just dead on and his passion for the food/wine was evident and welcome. He even had us red-wine only drinkers savoring the white wine he brought out. It is a bit pricey and the entrees are not huge, but they are so very good and satisfying! Beet Salad - My husband even said..these are beets? I thought I hated beets! YUM. Scallops - I loved these. Done perfectly, some sort of sweet potato puree of sorts. in heaven. Hamburger - ok, now I was skeptical. A hamburger? At dinner, my girlfriend said - "we are ordering this because after I tried it I started eating red meat again." So, of course, we tried it and..no lie...so good. They mix in the stinkiest French cheese to make the perfect melt-in-your-mouth piece of goodness. If you don't want it for an entree, split it or have it as an appetizer - no really. Roasted Carrots - slightly sweet roasted baby carrots with a sort of glaze? - just divine. Once again..my husband (who hates carrots normally) - "these are carrots? They are so good!" Cookies - freshly baked to order - another plus! We left happy.
(4)Josie M.
cute and warm ambiance, feels like someone's extended home kitchen. get: pear celery soup, pear chutney potato gnocchi, fennel sausage, mushrooms, sweet corn sea scallops, cauliflower puree, squash blossoms, pea shoots duck breast meh: 2010 Rose of Pinot Noir, Cartha cookie was good, but could have been bigger, chunkier! really great service, benches could use some pillows for your back. :)
(4)jon y.
This place is really...in a word, charming. First of all, the place's ambiance is both classy and inviting at the same time. I like that all the furniture is made of wood...it makes me feel like I'm dining in a barn or something. My friend and I both ordered the prix fiixe menu, which comes with two glasses of wine (!!!!!!). Let's break it down, shall we? Salad (bibb lettuce salad, spring herbs, fleur de sel) - left me a little cold. Felt a little like something I (or rather, one of my culinary-inclined friends) could make at home. Entree (salmon with corn & baby heirloom tomatoes) - this was absolutely delicious. I am such a sucker for moist fish, and the word "moist" itself. I was told by my friend that the corn tasted exactly like Salvadorian tamales, but what do I know. Dessert (stone fruit crumble a la mode) - this was huge, but no match for my appetite for perfect balance between tart and warm (the stone fruits) and sweet and cold (the ice cream on top). All in all, I would like to come back again to try their a la carte items, because the tasting menu was quite promising (minus the salad). Oh one last thing...their wine list is like a freakin encyclopedia, I would guess that it's like 10 pages stapled. Crazy.
(4)Yeon K.
This is my first yelp review. I'm compelled to write a review because this place was awesome! The place is super cute and the staff is really nice. We didn't have reservations, so we sat at the bar area and when a table opened up, they offered it to us. We ordered a bunch of stuff and shared. The cauliflower soup and scallops were my favorite! If you've ever wanted to try this place, DO!
(5)Kathleen C.
I love, love, love this place. The ambiance is wonderful. I felt like I was in someone's home. The kitchen is totally open so you can watch the cooks and the wait staff prepare the meals. The food was so fresh and good. I went there a month ago and am still thinking about the grilled calamari and bean appetizer. And, they have excellent wines to pair with meals. This place can't be beat.
(4)tw s.
Nice food, friendly service and a lovely, simple space, although the hard wood benches around the periphery are (literally) a pain after sitting for any length of time. The wine list is great, but the prices for most single glasses are high and the pours very small.
(3)Deirdre V.
I just had a truly glorious meal at Heirloom. Fabulous food - fresh, seasonal, local and sustainable - just lovely combinations of really terrific ingredients. We splurged a little, but I think I could have had a really good food experience on (what's more typically) a pretty frugal budget. The staff took great care of us - they were present and helpful with a very gracious and light touch. And it was an especially perfect experience because we enjoyed a deliciously leisurely visit in a quiet environment and never once felt hurried towards the door. I look forward to going again.
(5)Danielle L.
I really badly want this place to stay in business so I can return again and again. My second visit was even better than my first a couple months ago: in addition to its instant homey feel, we had great service, great food, the wine was wonderful, the meal was well paced. If you're going sometime in the spring/early summer, I highly recommend the feta/fennel salad, the gnocchi, and for dessert the "biscuit" (really a shortbread) with strawberries, thyme, and whipped cream. But it all looked terrific: I'm betting you couldn't go wrong!
(5)Laura B.
i was completely charmed by this place last night. it is so nice to walk into a place and be greeted with genuine easy-going warmth. loved our knowledgeable server and his willingness to educate. the food was phenomenonly prepared: the mussels with roast tomato, shallots and sherry stole the show. light and rich both. the wine selection leaned toward the old world (which is my preference). we had some great reds by the glass that were reasonably priced especially given their depth and complexity. all around a wonderful experience. i know i will be back again and again.
(5)foodbot c.
Came here on a Saturday night with some friends and the ambiance was lovely, the food was delicious and simple and the price wasn't too over the top. Very relaxed and feels very family owned. The only downside is they only serve wine, no other alcohol. Close to lots of bars if you want to go out after. I had a tricolore salad, fish stew and a yummy gruner vetliner which paired nicely and wasn't too expensive. Will be back!
(5)Jamie M.
My friend and ordered the heirloom tomato salad to share and when it arrived, we each took a bite and immediately ordered another one. It was delicious. The service was outstanding. Our waiter was very friendly, and was very kind in answering all of our questions about the food. All of the dishes tasted fresh and local.
(5)C K.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE! Wonderful ... welcome to the neighborhood. We had the arugula salad and then tried the sausage gnocchi and the steak. Perfection. And a great selection of wines. Service was top notch.
(5)Yoyo R.
perfect from start to finish.
(5)K J.
I really don't want to write another great review for this Mission jewel because it is so low-key and not overly hyped but I told the staff I would. I went twice in two weeks, once with an infamous sommelier who also raved about this restaurant and another time with my foodie boyfriend. Of course, to have another restaurant to walk to in the neighborhood is splendid but the food was really, really exceptional. The staff is down to earth and friendly. You can have Frances but I will take Heirloom's any day and anytime.
(5)geoff d.
I went back to heirloom last night to give it a second shot. the food was just as GREAT as i remember it the first time i ate there. The dreary room and the chilly staff are just as humor-less as i remember them to be. since the joy of eating out can only partly be attributed to the quality of the food, i'm not sure i'll be going back to Heirloom for a third try.
(3)Sara S.
The menu is small, but everything was very tasty - especially the mussels. And the olive oil cake with strawberries. I take back every bad thing I ever said about olive oil cake. Who knew it could be so tasty.
(4)Jared J.
Heirloom Cafe lived up to the hype, but I'm not sure I'll be back anytime soon. I enjoyed the Heirloom burger, was pretty tasty if a tad too salty. The caramelized onions were a nice touch. Soft, rich bun, memory-foam style so your fingers leave a print. The patty itself was very moist and flavorful, cooked to a perfect medium. It could have used some more crunch -- parts of the bun (english muffin moreso) were toasted, which was nice, but I would have enjoyed some different textures thrown into the mix. I suppose the pickled carrots filled in that gap, but not completely. Also on the list of complaints was the small burger size and lack of fries. It was priced high enough to merit some substantial side, but didn't come with one. It was a good thing we had the cheese sampler before (both selections were great btw) or I'd have left the place hungry but still $30 in the hole. Overall I'd recommend the place for first-timers, but with the influx of burger options at nice restaurants in SF lately, I feel no need to repeat it. Come to think of it, the Monk's Kettle burger was similar in a few w
(4)Margaret I.
My husband and I enjoyed the Prix Fix meal here just the other night. All the food was seriously delicious, we enjoyed butternut squash soup, roasted chicken with savory bread pudding, and a toffee cake with confit and cream. Very very good. The service was great, our waitress was very attentive without being in the way. My only complaint is that while I know they specifically choose the wine to go with the various parts of the prix fix I was not very fond of any of our wine. But that's just me, I'm sure other people very much enjoy the wine. I'll be back, but probably just for the food.
(4)Kate S.
I really like this restaurant. I have been five times now and I can find, and if you read my reviews you know Im good at finding things wrong from food to service at a lot of places, much wrong with this resto and if fact, I find a lot right with it. The service is informal while being informed and present. The lighting is perfect. The location makes you feel like you have gone somewhere off the beaten path without having to go anywhere, really. The interior is rustic while romantic and charming while being modern. The size and decor makes it feel intimate however you will never elbow a person or a server. The food is just damn good. Anything you order will please you and I have seen that with myself and each guest with whom Ive gone. Highlights; green olives and almonds to begin. Everyone likes being welcomed with food..and these two treats always please. Beet salad with almond butter-super, chicken in the bowl with quinao-you will be hard pressed to not love this. All their salads are creative and not tiny :). Burger is a classic perfect indulgence. Their cheeses are great and lead me right into smart, strong, playful wines that will delight. Pours are generous without forcing a DUI....lastly, the prices are acceptable. They are not trying to be a rich table or a commonwealth and youll see that in the setting, vibe, and the prices however youll be entertained by the fact that the food does rival those big boys. Why not 5 stars you ask....well, its my thing really...I think they need to rethink their open kitchen by lowering the wall another three to four feet down so that less of the kitchen is visible without hiding it away but by diminishing the light that comes out into their eating space.
(4)Scott L.
My friends and I ate with Matt and the Heirloom Cafe crew again last Saturday and once again walked away very happy. Not only does Matt and his team execute well on a very simple menu, but he is phenomenal at wine pairings. I often will have the fixed menu just to explore his wine pairings. This time 1 of us had the fixed menu and the other 3 had the pasta with pork ragu. No misses on any dish. When the past dishes were placed in front of us, we all looked at each other: hmm, small portion. When we were done we were more than sated. The flavors were rich and enormous, making the portion size just right. Matt recommended a 2004 Barolo, which I was skeptical of because Barolos really need a long time to soften up. He decanted it and by the time our entrees arrived, it was drinking very nicely with the pasta dish. Bravo Heirloom Cafe! We look forward to many more exceptional dinners with you.
(5)miss k.
Food =5 stars, stars, service =5, parking =2, atmosphere=2, weird comments from a stranger=1 Be sure to make reservations a few days beforehand! Food and service was excellent! Parking was a bit difficult so plan accordingly. Especially on a sat evening. We got there about 5 min early and was looking forward to a really nice evening with good friends and food. But as soon as we got there, we were told where we can hang out and wait so we waited, by the kitchen area where our table was going to be and where the server-side we could wait, but then the owner was saying odd and not so funny passive aggressive socially awkward comments to me and the other members of my party. Such as, "isn't it a strange coincidence that this table is about to leave but can't because you are standing here?" I found out later that he had made strange and not so funny jokes to them too. There are a million restaurants I SF that I want to try so I don't think I'll come back anytime soon unless I feel like I want to be in a socially awkward situation.
(2)Marc L.
Solid!
(4)Joshua G.
burger.
(5)Angella S.
The quintessential dining experience. Country-style charming. The menu is quite simple. Not too many vegetarian options, but I was so charmed the minute that they were willing to accommodate. The food is incredibly fresh and delicious. The style is very farm:table-esque, magnified. My friend and I shared -Pole beans with pickled dates and parmesan. -Bacon onion tart (sans bacon! GASP. Yes, that's how we do it!) -Heirloom tomato salad, of course. -Plum and white nectarine crumble. What a lovely place. Simplicity says it best.
(5)jonathan s.
Food was excellent. Very clean California style cooking. Had a three course pri fixe with wine pairings for $65. Each course was spot on and the wines were perfect compliments. Standouts form the table were the lamb, the smoked fish appetizer and the ginger cake, but everything was excellent. Update: Recently went back one year later (Dec 2014). I never expect a restaurant to be as good as I remember, but Heirloom was exactly as good as I remembered. Still fantastic food and service and still the best value in town.
(5)Sarah Evan C.
I know people LOVE this place. I happened not to. From what I've read of the reviews, I have similar concerns: dietary restrictions being annoying to the staff (as though they don't realize they are super annoying to LIVE with!) and a weird vibe. Along with that, my meal was just too rich. I had one of my companions try it and she agreed - too much butter and sugar (on my veggies). I know I am not a fan of french food, so maybe that's it. But I thought this was Californian food? And I tried her brussels sprouts and they are just like I make, nothing special :( I wanted to like the food. One person in my party got the "off menu" hamburger, he liked it. The veggie stew was also liked. Darn it, ordered the wrong thing! Also, I selected one of their "highlighted" wines and it was not good. I really think they were highlighting it to get rid of it. Poor taste! As a neighbor I've been wary of this place since it opened in my hood - too upscale (ah hem, pretentious) for where you are located, a miss on the tastes, and an unwillingness to accommodate. Think I'll go elsewhere for a "nice" meal. It seems that many of the reviewers who like this spot go here for a "regular" meal, so perhaps if I get to that payscale, I might be less picky. I also might be less bitter if I felt that this restaurant, along with others who are new to the neighborhood, were less elitist! Though clearly that is the vibe they seem to be going for... I think!
(2)Ben K.
It seems every place I went in this city had a ton of personality, and Heirloom Cafe was no exception. An expansive Victorian living room, converted into a dining space with a huge open kitchen, this spot is perfect for a meal both cozy and delicious. We sat right by the kitchen and had the privilege of watching most of our dishes being prepared on their way out to us. We started with the crispy duck frisee, a nice combination of texture, saltiness and fat, tied together with a runny poached egg. Our second item was probably the best thing I ate all weekend: the bacon & onion tart. A flaky, buttery pastry crust, with a rich mixture of caramelized onions and bacon pieces baked on top. We spent a good deal of time trying to figure out what else went into making this dish and how exactly to recreate it at home. Sadly it disappeared from our table rather quickly before any samples could be taken to the lab. We had two more highlights from this meal. The gnocchi was a very creative dish, huge fluffy potato pillows that had been seared to caramelization on the outside making for a really nice texture. They served it with some powerful fennel sausage and (cremini?) mushrooms, all of which made for a fantastically savory and earthy combination, and went quite nicely with the bottle of pinot that we brought. And finally, the apple galette, a reimagined american classic, with apples baked into pastry, and served with cinnamon and nutmeg vanilla ice cream. Bravo getting so many of the apple's favorite buddies into one bite; this was a great dessert. I think we spent around $70pp for what was one of the best meals of my trip to SF. Would eat again.
(5)Angel C.
Solid 4 stars. Had the bacon and onion tart, the cod with Israeli couscous in a fennel saffron tomato broth, and a side of roasted brussels sprouts. Everything was very fresh, and the flavors blended very well with each other in every dish. Nothing was too strong or too light in any of the dishes. This place is definitely a hidden gem because you can go without having to get reservation a month in advance, like most other good places in this area. The ambiance is very rustic, and it feels like you're eating at someone's house. The service was very friendly. The lighting is a little dark, though. There was a group next to us using the light on their phones to read the menu. And I love open kitchens, but the one here isn't very attractive, unfortunately. At least it's separated from the main dining room, so it's not in your face. Very good, but I wasn't wowed, which is why I only give it 4 stars.
(4)Ana M.
Just had the *best* burger here!!!!! It came in an English Muffin with a very very tasty patty that was clearly home made and fresh. SO delicious and very original burger. The wine pairings are amazing and very reasonably priced. My partner got the steak and it was also delicious with another amazing wine pairing. Had the sweet corn dessert which was also original and yet delectable. The service was very attentive, we got seated immediately, and found the atmosphere to be casual and unpretentious. Would definitely come back!
(5)Peggy F.
I thinkt this place is a gem! My friend had read reviews in 7x7 and we decided to check it out. Really nice, unassuming atmosphere, great food and attentive staff. We split the burata with apricots on grilled bread - what's not to love? She had the halibut - perfectly done with a nice caper sauce (beurre blanc, whatever!) and I had the tasty, slightly crunchy gnochi with peas and fantastic house-made fennel sauasage. At one point the hostess came over and said "Um since you were late, do you mind moving to the bar for dessert?" Our reservation was at 7 and I got there at like 7:03 and my friend was right behind me. So I questioned her on that and she was totally apologetic. She had gotten our table mixed up with the table next to ours who was a half an hour late. Anyway, she was really sweet - great recovery. Love this place. Will definitely go back!
(5)Natalie S.
In a non-descript location in the Mission, my husband and I came for one of our date nights. I read good things about Heirloom and it did not disappoint. It's quite cozy inside. The food was also very good. They have a limited, but good wine selection as well. The prices are on the higher side, so it's not an every day dining place. But, it is well worth the price!
(5)Nicki S.
Verrryyyy good! Went at 6:45 on a Tuesday and it was basically empty which surprised me. Loved the olives and nuts served at the beginning. The little things. The seasonal salad with a bunch of different textures was amazing. I ate it extra slowly to savor each bite. Chicken and salmon entrees were both delicious and light. Kale and carrot hummus side sounded better than it was. Overall tasty, light, healthy dinner. Far from home so not against going back, but won't rush back over.
(4)Carol Y.
This place was a total surprise to me as I was taken here on my birthday. Warm and homey, it was welcomed switch from the energized, noisy crowd I had been immersed in the night before. Everything about this place--the decor, the service, and the food--was simple. There were no frills, nothing fancy or over-the-top, just good food and decent service in a warm, comfy environment. Sometimes it's all one wants. We began with the bacon and onion tart as a starter. I'm not a fan of bacon, and I usually avoid it whenever possible, but this tart was damn good. If they would make it bigger and call it a pizza, I would be happy having it as a meal on its own. My main entree was a burger, not listed on the menu. It was served on a muffin-type bun with carrots on the side. Yum. My companion had the potato gnocchi. The few bites that I had were really rich, but he really enjoyed it. For dessert, we had a peach pie, birthday candle and all. It was okay, but a little too tart for my taste.
(4)Becca B.
I'll admit, I've been a Yelp user for years, but a bit of a selfish one because I have never actually written a review myself. But this place was so spectacular I was compelled to write a review! for those of you who care about service, they were extremely accommodating and attentive. I was with a friend who has a dairy allergy and our waiter offered to talk with the chef who adapted the meals for her hassle-free. Now onto the meal. We had a green garlic soup which was very nice. My friend had the Hoffman chicken which they adapted for her dietary needs. She said it was one of the two best chicken dishes she's had in her life (she remembers the other one). I had the sautéed local cod, Israeli couscous, fennel saffron tomato broth. At first glance it looked small but every time I scooped up some of the couscous there was a generous portion of vegetables sitting beneath the broth. And may I just say the tomato broth was INCREDIBLE. After I finished the cod I brought my spoon out and didn't leave a trace of broth. This was easily one of the best meals I've ever had in the city! Go!
(5)Johnny V.
Well I guess there's no hiding it now... This place is phenomenal. Try everything, eat anything they put out. And if they do wine pairings, don't hesitate! The food, as well as the wine, is so purposeful & elegant in flavors & balance, you cannot go wrong here. Over the past couple of years I've eaten here dozens of times, they also do spectacular special events too - there's never a misstep. I always direct friends & family there, but now feel I owe them a review, even though more & more people are getting in the way of my reservation times...
(4)Michelle T.
What a treat this restaurant is! I adore the interior, the food is divine, and their owners care passionately about creating a meaningful experience for diners. Honestly this is one of my favorite restaurants in SF and I can't wait to go back! One thing to note - if you bring a wine from 2003 or younger, you will pay $25 corkage fee. 2002 and older, $10. This is their way of telling you to bring some decent wine! Anything less would be slightly clashing with their delicious food.
(5)Nicole M.
Often it's the little details that can make or break a dining experience. At Heirloom Café they get all the little details just right. I really love the space itself. It's bright and airy with a combination of elegant (the wallpaper) and rustic (the light fixtures) touches that make it feel homey. I will get to the food (yes, it's delicious) in a bit, but I want to start with the service in this case because it's where I'm most often annoyed. No annoyance here. In fact, it was just the right ratio of attention to time left to your food/conversation. The server didn't hover in the beginning when I was sitting by myself and the dining room only had a handful of guests (thank you!), nor did she try to give my friend and I the bum rush as our meal was winding down (by which time the restaurant was really bustling). Best yet, our server actually brought the check, gave us time to do a bit of math (my friend and I usually wrangle a bit about who gets to pay - this time it was a draw), and wrapped things up fairly quickly (thank you, again!). I'm never offended when that happens, in fact I prefer it. All too often servers seem to disappear into the ether at that point and my friends and I are left staring at each other while we sit and wait and worry about making our 8pm curtain. We also got a bit of personal attention from proprietor, Matt Straus. That was appreciated and really added to our overall experience. Now, for the food, my friend and I both went the ala carte route and ended up eating most of the seafood dishes on the menu. We both really got a kick out of the grilled marinated squid. The squid was perfectly cooked and the composition of the dish was a really nice mix of textures and flavors. We also had the eggplant side dish as a starter. It had a wonderful texture and a nice balance of flavors as well. In fact, I would say "lovely texture" and "well-balanced flavors" were the themes for the evening. I loved my wild king salmon with roasted fingerling potatoes and tomatoes. The potatoes and jewel-like orange tomatoes were cut into bite-sized pieces that offered an opportunity to have some of everything in each bite (the little kid in me is always happy when I can do that). Her scallops were plump, perfectly cooked and delicious. Each dish seemed to be served on a bed of pureed something that added to the overall yumminess of everything. My friend and I both also enjoyed our wine, a slightly earthy Cotes-du-Rhone for me and a subtle, refreshing Marsanne for her. We also both really enjoyed the Riesling we had with dessert. I can honestly say our dining experience was relaxing from start to finish. Lily and I left smiling and ready for our next adventure. On a side note, I took one of Heirloom's gnocchi-making demo classes not too long ago (you can register on Eventbrite). It was really fun, and with only 12 participants just the right size. Matt's really engaging, and the best part is you get to eat the gnocchi (otherwise known as potato-laced bundles of food love). I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for something fun to do on a Saturday morning.
(5)Yui L.
A bit too cramped for my taste but it is a charming little place. The wine list is fantastic. We had the butternut squash soup which was very creamy but not too heavy. The duck confit salad was interesting and the lamb was very very good. I'll have to take a star off because the Hoffman chicken was too salty and wasn't exactly memorable. The staff was all sweet and overall the food was great. However, I'm quite sensitive to noise and it was way too loud.. I think something about the interior that traps the noise inside. Also it isn't well-ventilated so it gave me the feeling I get when I've been cooking for while and end up losing my appetite from all the smells. Oh and just FYI, we went on a thursday night and Parking was a B. Longest we've had to look for a parking spot in SF.But if these things don't really bother you then the food is worth a go.
(3)Jack M.
Food is solid on it's own and I would eat here regularly if it weren't for the price. It's just not good enough. Dinner for 4 ran me $240 with one bottle of wine and no desserts. What really pissed me off was the wine markup. I took a photo of the label because I was curious and compared it to an online price (KandL wines actually). Along with their slightly overpriced food they charged me $54 dollars for a bottle of 2005 Lopez de Heredia "Viña Cubillo" Crianza Rioja that costs $25.99 in stores. And I will guarantee that Heirloom cafe paid maybe at most $16-18 per bottle wholesale. I'm sorry to call a spade a spade but if a restaurant charges more than double retain they are ripping you off especially when they don't give you a deal on their food either. And it's even worse at Heirloom because their wines start at $40 so they don't even give you an option to get ripped off on a smaller margin. Moral of the story... always double check wines at restaurants versus their actual costs if you don't want to be ripped off. Fool me once Heirloom Cafe.....
(3)Rupert R.
Cracking wine list and nice staff. Needs good food to match the wine though
(3)Julia K.
Went for date night - ladies' night (aka I pay). We did the 3-course, which was a good deal and came with a wine pairing (convenient). The salad was quite tasty - a butter lettuce with avocado but maybe a bit too much tangy dressing. However, that was still the highlight of the dinner. The main (steak) and dessert (something I don't really remember) were good, not great...and obviously not that memorable. As for atmosphere, the place was mostly empty at 6:30 but quickly filled up to capacity. It wasn't too cozy or inviting but our waiter was attentive and knowledgable, so that was a big plus. Both of us just weren't wow-ed by the meal.
(3)Lindalou H.
It is nice to go not 'where everybody knows your name' but your game. The menu is simple and perfect. At the end of a long day, nothing is nicer than a knowledgeable, and conscientious staff who are as stoked for you and your experience, as they are for the food and wine, and how it arrived to your table. It feels like home. Like going to a friends for dinner. Except leave your host's gift behind. They have the wine covered.
(4)Jill H.
Yum! Everything was great and the ambience was perfect- homey and comfortable.
(4)Johnny T.
Honestly, it left me sort of cold. I feel not-so-great writing that, seeing as though colleagues of mine have had such good experiences here but I spent my time at Heirloom waiting for the magic... and it never came. There were sparks, to be sure. The restaurant is situated in a gorgeous old home in the Mission. Just looking around, your eyes will get a treat by studying the detail. Allow your mind to wander about what the walls have seen and how much history you're in.* I'm a sucker for correct stemware (even if I eat like a caveman from time to time) and HC's got it in spades. Lastly, the wine selection is very well thought out. I found some selections I enjoyed and I'd never heard of them before. My 'problem'* came with the service and food. Don't get me wrong: the service was completely attentive. But it came across (to me) as rather sterile and perfunctory. Maybe it's my Southern upbringing, but I like feeling a rapport with a server. I don't need to go have drinks with him/her but I like feeling as though there's some sort of connection. Am I making any sense? Our server was a ghost. He appeared and disappeared with plates, glasses, food, etc. He was never around for more than a few minutes and when engaged in conversation/questions, his head was down, his answers were short and that was that. Again, he wasn't rude in the least. Just... brief. It made me feel odd. I felt disconnected from my meal as well. Geez, I sound like a crazy person. Connected to food? Well... yes. You know those meals. The ones you remember and think about during good points in your life. Those. A connection. I didn't get that here. The menu read well (bacon onion tart, carrots & broccoli, duck with couscous & pate) but once I ate of the plate... less than I expected. Again, nothing was bad but nothing wowed me. And, with descriptors like the ones used for the food, I expected to be wowed. The food was good but a little boring (for me). *Now, watch this be a new construction that tricked me. ** First-world, all the way. I agree.
(3)Frank J.
I really like what Heirloom Cafe has going on here. It is a restaurant where the menu is focused around their selection of wine. Aside from their regular wine menu, they have aged bottles in their cellar that they will provide a list of for you. The ingredients used and the preparation of the food is simple but very well executed. They seem to have a wine specially selected to pair well with all of their dishes and the owner is very knowledgeable and helpful in choosing out the right bottle or glass to go with your food. For the best experience you should check out their events page and try to go to one of their cellar dinners.
(4)Diana G.
We are here last night and had a great meal. We shared the burrata with roasted asparagus, which was heavenly. We both had the lamb ragu pappardelle for our main courses, which was also delicious. The service was attentive and friendly. I will definitely be back!
(5)Self Proclaimed Food C.
This place is good but not the best I've had. 3.5 for food. .5 more for service I had the duck frisee salad with poached egg. The duck bits were good but the lettuce was very busy. My pulled pork is very moist and i liked the combo of ingredients but it was lacking a punch. My boyfriend got their burger and I thought the patty was really good but I didnt like the bun all that much. All in all....pretty good but I wouldn't have to come back with all the other options out there in SF.
(4)Erin W.
My current favorite guy took me here last night, what a treat! Without a reservation, I was worried about us being able to get in but the kind waitstaff found a spot for us at the bar. Everything looked so good so we split plates, ordering a butter head lettuce salad, fresh peas with mint, and a summer squash dish with romesco sauce to start. All three dishes were amazing and so full of flavor - a lesson to all about designing a menu based on what is in season. For our main we split a wonderful steak dish with white beans...as someone who rarely eats meat, let me tell you that it was delicious and well worth the "sacrifice". We also had some great red wines with the meal, with our server guiding us based on our menu choices. My only disappointment was that there were so many delicious sounding desserts but only the affogato was GF.
(5)Tasha D.
Heirloom is the kind of place you have to really dive into. Get here hungry. Ask the server what wine they recommend (they're known for having an awesome wine list). Have a couple friends with you, and order a bunch of dishes so you get a chance to try a wide variety of things. I don't think I've ever had a disappointing dish here. The wine's always phenomenal. And the cheese. My god, the cheese. It will change your life.
(5)Griselda Z.
I brought my team here for a celebratory dinner and had a fantastic experience. The restaurant looks like it was converted from a Victorian home. Cozy with wood tables and an open kitchen. Service was excellent, we were served by a lady named Liana. She ensured we had a great experience. Many people have said the portions are small and over priced on Yelp but I think the portions are normal sized, we came hungry and left really full. Don't expect large portions though! The prices are right for the quality of ingredients. You can really taste the difference. They currently have a fixed menu option for 65$ with a starter, main, dessert and a flight of wines. We each had a starter and a main a la carte. The burreta dish was amazing! The cheese's texture was like egg whites. Unfortunately they pulled the risotto off the menu. Supposedly every few weeks they update their menu. I had the duck confit. Some pieces of duck was slightly too dry but overall it was very flavorful with the spring onion accented in the dish. The wine was what made the meal pricey but they definitely had a great selection. Would definitely return again.
(4)Robert M.
4th time here and still one of my favorites. Salads are interesting and incredibly fresh. Great wine list. Had business friends from out of town at the community table that we had to ourselves. Very enjoyable. They appreciated finding a neighborhood spot rather than hitting the financial district regular spots.
(5)Kathryn B.
The food at Heirloom is superb. Everything on the menu was delicious and in season. We ordered the tomato salad and burrata to start which split nicely between the six guests. We did run into some issues with the narrow wine list but the owner was happy to talk us through what was on the list. For mains we had the duck breast, salmon, gnocchi (my husband remarked it was the best gnocchi he has ever had) and the special burger. A bonus of this place is that the vegetable content on the plate is nearly one third larger than other restaurants which was much appreciated by our table. We even ordered the squash and bean salad as accompanying sides to share. Again, everything was delicious. Cheese plate and champagne really tied the meal all together.
(5)Vittorio L.
Wednesdays = Sandwich Night!! My only disappointment with this place, and it was temporary, was that sandwich night (advertised as Wednesdays on the website) replaced almost the entire menu that we had perused prior to arrival. Bah! Yes, the menu consisted of maybe 8 sandwiches and a few sides, but honestly, everything we had was delicious. We had the fish, reuben, burger, and grilled cheese sandwiches and wanted more. Each was served with a little salad, a perfect accompaniment. We liked the burger so much, we ordered another mid-meal. I'm definitely looking forward to going back, and next time it wont be a Wednesday, and my friends and I wont study the menu before. BTW, make a reservation if you can, cuz we were seated at 9pm and there was still a short wait for 6-8 others inside this small space.
(4)Blake B.
We had heard about Heirloom from a random couple we met at dinner at Frances years ago and they raved about their meal at Heirloom so we were really looking forward to finally dining here and we were not disappointed. It's located in what looks like an old hotel or apartment so it has a nice charm to it. If you're with a large party they'll sit you at their communal table but the whole place is pretty open and you can see right into the kitchen. I had the fixed menu which included a nice wine pairing with each dish. It was started off with the burrata and asparagus which had a great flavor to it. Next was the chicken which was nice and moist and had a delicious bread pudding. For dessert it was a light poppyseed shortcake with strawberries and lemon curd. My wife had the bacon and onion tart to start and had the special burger which was excellent. It had been a while since we finally tried this out but it won't be that much time until we head back again.
(5)Dale E.
We had a great experience here. We found parking right around the corner (but doubt that will happen again) and were seated right away on a Tuesday evening. I had the Beef Tenderloin and my wife had the Gnocchi with Fennel Sausage. Both were delightful. The service was friendly and fast. We'll be back.
(4)Candy S.
I don't eat out in the Mission often, but I may need to start! Dinner at Heirloom Cafe was fab. Our party of four shared 3 appetizers. All were stellar. Dungeness crab salad, burratta with English peas & bacon and onion tart. Delish and good sized portions to share. For entrees we ordered the burger (off menu, but always available), scallops, duck confit and chicken. Outstanding. For wine, we ordered a Hanzell Chardonnay and a special Burgundy that was also available for retail purchase to go. Our server mentioned that the owner was just in Burgundy (like just the day before!). He came buy and chatted about his visit and why he loved the wine we ordered. Besides chatting about Burgundy, they also have a unique corkage fee, $10/bottle for wines older than 2003 ($25/bottle for other). Love restaurants that have an affortable list but also let you bring a special bottle. We had room to share 2 desserts, a warm chocolate chip cookie and an almond cake with salted carmel ice cream. Yum. All the food and wine were big hits tonight.
(5)Aaron B.
This place used to be my go-to restaurant when I had friends and family in from out of town, but the quality of the food has started to go down hill and the staff has evidently picked up an attitude along the way. My last meal at Heirloom (gnocchi) was pretty mediocre, so I haven't been back in several months. Tonight, however, a friend of mine who had 7:15PM reservations with another group friends was going to get to the restaurant about 30 minutes early so I decided to join her for a drink and a small bite. When we arrived, my friend acknowledged that she we were early, to which the hostess cut her off with a snarky, "I can't hear you" (bitchy face to match). She then proceeded to tell us that their table wasn't ready yet, despite over half of the tables in the restaurant being unoccupied. When we asked if we could sit at the bar for a drink while the table was being prepared (there were 5 empty spots at the bar) the hostess replied, "Yeah, you can't do that." She then offered us the one chair behind the hostess table to have a drink...as if we were being relegated to the corner of the classroom like disobedient school children. We politely turned this offer down, walked outside and I took myself to Local Mission Eatery. There are too many good restaurants in the Mission with staff that appreciate my business for me to waste my time anymore at Heirloom Cafe. In addition to LME, I would also suggest St. Vincent, and Flour + Water as much better local substitutions. This will be my last visit to the Heirloom Cafe.
(1)Anita B.
I went there for dinner last night and loved the place. The service was very friendly and efficient and the food was delicious. We shared the butter lettuce with pecans and herbs that was light and refreshing and we shared the duck breast and confit salad. That was absolutely delicious. As a main course, we both had the sole and it was home run as well. Highly recommend the place and can't wait to go back.
(5)Breanne D.
Complex, fresh dishes in a cute setting. Great wine selection. I wish they'd change their menu more often though!
(4)Justin S.
The FIFTEEN MINUTE cookie. My GF and I came for an 8:30 reservation on Friday May 14th. Our first impressions were of a clean, minimalistic and well organized restaurant. The sealing is 20+ feet with a very open feeling which gives way to an extremely loud conversation shared with the open kitchen. I ordered a Pacifico and she a glass of the Qupe Marsanne. She tried the onion soup gratinee and it was great. The waiters kept a close eye keeping our water full and when she was done with her soup our meals arrived shortly after. She had the PEI mussels, roasted tomatoes, shallots and sherry. I thought it was amazing but she missed pulling each mussel out of the shell. I loved the idea that I would be given a bowl of mussels with nothing to dig through but I guess opening each shell can be fun, sort of like pistachios. I had the Epoisses Burger. It comes served on an English Muffin. This isn't a Thomas's English Muffin it's something far superior. The beef was great, super juicy and was that extra butter on my muffin? Awesome! Over all the meal was great and the wait staff gave us time to sit and talk after our meal, nice. Then, because we kept a menu, we asked for a cookie, oops. The fifteen minute cookie. I waived down our waiter and ordered a Chocolate Chip Cookie. After I requested said cookie he mentioned it would be 14 minutes because it needed to bake. We didn't pull out our stopwatch but it was the better side of fifteen minutes for one little cookie. When we received our little cookie it was about an inch in diameter and not that great. Can you please put "15-Minute cookie" on the menu so that we can order it before we are done eating? We will be back, but not for the cookie. TOTAL: $51.08
(4)Lo F.
I must say it is 3.5 stars and keep on reading as I explain why exactly. It is a great restaurant with an interesting menu. The ambiance however is the best part of the place. everything we had was very good but not excellent (small portions I might add). With the prices they charge, I expect excellent especially in SF. Our table got the duck dish/salad, Cod and spring lamb stew. Everything was about $5-10 over priced, it will add up quickly hence my 3.5 stars rating. Given there are so many great restaurants in the City, I won't go back any time soon.
(3)Rebecca C.
This has been a go to for my husband and I since it opened, but the last two visits have left me underwhelmed. The attention to detail and service has slid a bit, and though we had not been there in months the menu changed very little. I'd also welcome a special that is not always the Heirloom Burger... We have noted a pretty significant difference in the experience (slower service, more junk like dish towels sitting around and disorganized server stations, less personal attention) whenever the owner Matt (?) isn't present, as was the case during our last visit. I hope our last two experiences were just off nights for what has previously been a neighborhood gem. Still one of the more interesting wine lists in the city though, especially if the owner is there to make suggestions.
(3)A.J. T.
One of my favorite hideaways in San Francisco. Fantastic food. Creative cuisine. Inventive in the preparation and service. Be sure to try their off-menu burger. It's the best I've ever had. This is a "foodie" spot. Meaning that it is most fun if you've been everywhere and want something new and different. It's not that great if you're just looking for a solid rendition of something you've had before. They also make a mean fresh baked cookie.
(5)Brandon O.
Made a reservation for three for my parents and I here on a weekend right after they opened up for dinner. The place was quite empty as they'd just opened, but slowly (not obnoxiously) filled up with [mostly older?] people. The interior of the space is gorgeous. Classic Southern decor with a modern exposed kitchen in the back. The service was really fantastic. Definitely top 10 service experiences. And it felt really genuine too; didn't get the fake personality vibe from anyone. The food was all perfect. We shared all our plates. The mussels were amazing. The cheese plate was wonderful. A bit pricey, but definitely worth it. Also note: they have a killer wine selection.
(5)Kevin N.
If it's possible for a terrific meal to sneak up on you, that happened recently for me at the Heirloom Cafe. There are, to be certain, so many exceptional eats to be found around San Francisco that I admit I occasionally only barely paid attention when someone suggested Heirloom Cafe, and I'm glad that things worked out the way that they did, as my dinner here was pretty outstanding. The wine list, while not expansive does the trick, and our table picked up a couple of bottles of red, a 2008 Catena Malbec and a 2007 Rayas Cotes-du-Rhone 'Pialade.' Both proved solid calls. But the real star of my meal here was the butternut squash soup with rye croutons and walnut oil. One day I'll hopefully learn that great soups occasionally make for questionable appetizers, since I rarely seem to have the drive to finish all of an expansive entree thereafter. But this soup was outstanding, and went down easy. Time for the entree meant the Hoffman chicken, herbed bread pudding, mirepoix and parmesan consommé. All in all, a superbly prepped meal in an idyllic setting with clever chatter throughout. That's a fine call any way you line it up.
(4)Mike H.
I ate dinner here on a Wednesday night in meeting my girlfriend's mom, who was in town from L.A. Our server was quite knowledgeable and served as a good resource. Overall, Heirloom Cafe made for quite a pleasant experience for all three of us and the food was very good. I didn't understand the choice of location since she lives in Pac Heights until stepping inside the interior. I imagined that it could have been a tea parlor in another part of the city, decades ago. Since the guest of honor grew up in the deep South, her comfort level matched ours soon after she found her way from the Mission, and into the restaurant. Heirloom is always a reliable choice for a healthy, flavorful meal. Hopefully a creative burger will be on the menu when I eat there next.
(4)Alicia B.
Came here for dinner and left $70pp poorer and still hungry. I agree with other reviewers that the food is great / very well-prepared, but I wasn't that blown away by the dishes to justify the price to quantity ratio. If you come here for dinner, here's how I'd rate the dishes: Burrata - 4/5 - Delicious and very fresh burrata. I'm not sure how they dress the greens, but even the greens are quite yummy. Fava bean salad - 3/5 - My friends that love feta, were obsessed with this salad. If you're not a huge feta fan like me, this salad is just "ok". If you love feta, you'll love this salad. Gnocchi - 4/5 - Soft little pillows of potato gnocchi with spicy sausage. So good. Risotto - 3/5 - Risotto with aspargus, mushrooms and a hint of mint. It's good, but wasn't blown away by flavor profile. Salmon - 2/5 - For $24, it's literally just a piece of salmon on top of a little bit of cauliflower puree. Pass.
(3)Aubree R.
Don't get me wrong, the food was delicious, and I didn't mind the prices, it was how freaking long it took to get my food. When we sat down at the table, we informed the waitress that we had 45 minutes to eat. She noted that we were in a "hurry" after I mentioned we were on our lunch break (at 7:30pm). We proceeded to order the cheese plate, the sea scallops, duck breast & confit salad, and the hanger steak with fava beans, read $80 worth of food. We waited 20 minutes for the scallops, the waitress forgot about out cheese plate and had to be reminded. At that point, we waited another 25 minutes before requesting the check and for our food to be boxed up to go. After paying for our bill at 8:35, we waited an additional 5 minutes for our food to be handed to me. They took so long that after we paid the bill, my dining companion was able to retrieve the car and WAIT outside for me. While my waitress did forget the cheese plate, her service was excellent and she took the cheese off the bill at the end of the meal. My real issue is with the kitchen, as I had a very clear view of what was transpiring at the pickup window. They would put out nothing for 15 minutes, then flood the window with 15 items at once, and then f**king crickets again. YOU HAVE TO STAGGER FOOD. My issue with the waitress: If a table tells you they have limited time, it is your job to make sure that they can be accomodated or inform them that they can't be. I'll take my $80 and go to a f**king taco truck. The way I see it, if I tell you I have 45 minutes and I'm spending enough to get you a $16 tip in less than an hour, it has the potential to be beneficial for both of us. Instead, I got to eat my dinner out of a cardboard food container, and you still got a decent tip. Grrrrrrr. I will not be back, ever. I loved the food, but I am so pissed off about spending $80 to eat out of cardboard and be misled, that I will not recommend this establishment, nor will I return. Best of luck to you, train your kitchen staff.
(2)Miranda J.
Lovely, straightforward delicious food. Wonderful, helpful, friendly service. Bonus: an interior that doesn't mimic the same old thing (exposed brick, tons of wood, etc) cookies baked to order short wine list (thank you!) normal sized portions Going back soon.
(4)Bo S.
There is nothing wrong with Heirloom Cafe. Period. The owner is a former GM and wine snob from L.A. - I love him. The kitchen is wide open, if you are a fan of "kitchen tables," they have a great (though tiny) bar from which you can watch the magic happen. Smart young chefs prepare SMART and always delicious meals, the somm has a palatte that will lead exactly where you need to go for each dish, and the small, quaint ambiance make this a perfect date spot to boot. Whether it's their flat iron cooked to perfection with a basket of fries, a duck breast served over duck pate, or a visit on "sandwich night" (Wednesdays, I believe), there is something for everyone. The corkage policy is genius as well...$10 if you bring in something older and worth of this great food...$35 if you have a bottle of Bogle and are afraid of digging into their amazing cellar. This is a must-stop in SF...whether I'm traveling solo or thinking my date is "the one." "Excuse me, somm, would you happen to have an oxidated chard with a little age on it in the cellar?" "Why yes, yes we do..." "Thank you."
(5)Angelina C.
Everything was outstanding. -gnocchi. omg. -burrata -scallops with bacon -onion soup! get the onion soup. desserts were of course delightful thanks to pastry chef majkin!
(5)Steve K.
Outstanding. Really outstanding. My wife and I went to Heirloom Cafe in late 2013. Very pleased with the experience, we went again in February 2014. Again, we were delighted. A restaurant can, on occasion, pull something together for a one-off performance, but it would appear that this place is consistent. Well done. The dishes are original and tasty. I look at the menu and want to order everything. Unfortunately, we can only order a subset, but what we did order, pork loin, duck salad, etc. is absolutely delicious. My plate is spotless when the waiter comes to take it away. The service was solid, unpretentious and enjoyable. Dishes served on cue. Water glasses never empty. An intelligent and thoughtful understanding of the menu, a willingness to engage in banter and the smarts to know when to walk away and give privacy. The location is a little no-man's land, but it suits the place. The building is rustic and plain and honest, a refreshing alternative to the uber decor you see splattered elsewhere in the city. As a final delighter, I asked the owner about the inspiration for one of their dishes, a bacon and onion tart. The reply took us all the way to the Alsace region some years prior and all the way back to our table. It could have been performance, but, whatever, I completely bought it. If more people paid this much attention to what they served up to restaurant-goers, we'd live in a more beautiful world. Good stuff. We'll be back.
(5)Gramma L.
Went for a birthday celebration and was very impressed! The pre-fixe menu included wine and was all delicious. We had a large group so everything was served family style, TONS of food especially dessert (not complaining). Wine only, but a great selection! Great for a large group or a small romantic meal.
(5)Daniel S.
I just tried Heirloom for the first time, and I had a a long debate in the car home about what we would rate it. It was a beautifully put together meal in every way. The presentation was simple but elegant, the service attentive but not overbearing. And the space is really nice. But ultimately the food doesn't quite take it over the top. The big caveat of this review is that I was with someone who doesn't eat dairy, so we had to order around that, which meant not getting the gnocchi, onion tart, or burger (with cheese), which looked like the three best things on the menu. And Heirloom seems to consciously keep limited offerings, which doesn't leave you much flexibility. The appetizers were the undeniable stars. We had the prosciutto with pole beans, parmesan, and pickled dates. Great texture; the pole beans were almost like pasta, and the pickled dates were a perfect paste. The bibb lettuce salad was incredibly simple -- just lettuce, basil (I think), salt and pepper and a little bit of vinegar -- yet incredibly flavorful. Pretty impressive for its minimalism. For entrees we had the steak and the fish soup. The former was good, but I thought the beans underneath were undercooked, and the flavors didn't quite come together. The fish soup was solid, but nothing I hadn't experienced before. Dessert was peaches and plums with ice cream, which melted into the fruit and ran together in sweet cold deliciousness. This place is clearly trying hard, down to the owner coming over to the table and checking with you as you leave. And the effort is appreciated. But they need to be a little more versatile to get more than 4 stars.
(4)Eleanor L.
Just returned from eating at Heirloom with some friends. We live in the neighborhood. I loved everything about the restaurant and the stand out food and wine list. Yes, it is expensive, but the creative flavors and the high quality of the food reflects this. I highly recommend this restaurant especially for special occasions. Reservations highly recommended. The service was very smooth and informative. The whole evening was perfect. I plan to be back.
(5)jules o.
So spot on. The service was attentive, but not at all annoying, just low key and sweet. The space was totally comfortable and had a nice ambience. The food- so amazing. I had the salmon and it was perfection- maybe the best salmon I've ever had. Love this place!
(5)Leota M.
Still dreaming about those scallops. SO GOOD. I would eat that dish every day of the week. Plus the restaurant is rustic sheik, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Thumbs up all around.
(5)Lee D.
Selected Heirloom Cafe for a casual dinner with friends on a Monday night. Though we made reservations, none were needed - the place wasn't really hopping. We ordered the following items ... Burrata, mission figs, La Quercia prosciutto, mint Squash soup, rye croutons Roasted yam risotto, chanterelles, crispy shallots, pistou Sia's chicken, quinoa, bacon, brussel sprouts, onion soubise Bacon and onion tart Essentially, everything was great. The risotto, however, was amazing. Service was smooth, efficient, helpful and friendly. They happily adjusted some of our meals for my vegetarian friend. We'd certainly go here again.
(4)sarahjane s.
SO happy Heirloom set up shop in my neighborhood because: - the food is fresh as can be and perfectly flavored - the space is light, airy and so fun to be in - the service is attentive and knowledgeable - the wine is fantastic Awesome spot for any occasion. Gets a bit loud (particularly when my girlfriends and I are there) due to the high ceilings/wood floors, so if you're looking to whisper sweet nothings get a corner table or maybe pick a quieter spot.
(4)N D.
Restaurant is 5 star...food quality and ambiance amazing. The duck was outstanding. The issue was our waiter. Someone should scoop him up for pharma sales, because he certainly tried to "up-sale" us over and over again! Even when we kindly declined the additional offers, he'd repeat.."so I'll bring the artichokes then"....he just didn't want to take no for an answer. I've got to give it to him for trying but it was annoying after every order...we decided not to stay for dessert just to get away from him! (he did try and get us to stay for ice cream and more drinks!!).
(3)Aaron G.
We went here to try another place in my new neighborhood and were seated quickly at the communal table in the center of the restaurant by the friendly staff. The acoustics in the cafe makes sitting at the communal table extremely loud, but if you're not hard of hearing or have a small voice you'll get by shouting your conversation across the table no problem. I chose the prix fixe, which was 3 courses and 3 wine pairings. Roasted beet salad with goat cheese and almond butter - I LOVE beets, and these were tender and delicious. I appreciate the inventiveness of the the almond butter, but in this case I think personally I would prefer a more traditional dressing. Still, this was full of beety goodness. Coffee braised lamb - This looked awesome when it arrived, but at first bite my taste buds retreated to my water glass. It was SO salty, and the mixture of coffee and salt sent the flavor of the lamb to the back seat and left my mouth tasting only bitter salt. The lamb was served in a bowl of the salty coffee juice, but there was just no way to eat around it. Apple crisp with vanilla ice cream - I'm not really into sweets, but I ate half of it and it tasted like apple crisp with ice cream. The real standout of the meal was actually the butternut squash soup, which was excellent, but not what you would expect for a meal that cost $180 for two. Apparently I'm in the minority here, but I can't muster more than 2 stars for Heirloom Cafe.
(2)Russell D.
Very nice little addition to the neighborhood. Food: VERY fresh and simple. Not necessarily groundbreaking in innovation, but good solid well made food. We had brunch last Sunday and it was wonderful. Wine: Fantastic selection. Location: Near my house. What's not to like! Price: Not cheap, but not crazy either for the quality of the product. Try it! You'll like it. We did!!
(4)Rob D.
Fabulous food, fabulous wine, fabulous service, in an elegant yet relaxed dining room. Love it!
(5)chloe b.
Went to dinner with my girlfriend for our monthly girls night out. Its a small, bright restaurant. We ordered the heirloom salad because it's a giving and also the pole beans w/proscuitto and roasted figs - delicious. The heirloom salad is a must. I think it was my favorite part of the meal. and it's been a tough year for heirloom tomatoes so i was very happy. We also ordered the steak and the salmon. Both were yummy. And for dessert we got the cheese platter. Awesome! Our waiter gave us some great wine recos for both dinner and the cheeses. And he also recommended a great bar near by for drinks (homestead). We had a lovely time and great food and drink.
(4)Dale P.
Only been there once. Loved the atmosphere and the people working there - everyone was pleasant, and the place was great. The wine list is extensive, but also a little overpriced. I thought the food was good, but not amazing. I would eat there again - but only if I wanted to spend a significant amount on a gamble that didn't exactly add up the first time. It was really good, but definitely not great.
(3)Tony F.
The restaurant focuses on farm to table, fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. You can definitely taste the freshness, and the flavors are bright and harmonious. The food, as well as the pretty decor, transport you to a relaxed farmhouse in the countryside (which just so happens to have an talented chef and impressive wine cellar). It's a great place to bring a date if he or she is a foodie.
(4)Ben V.
On Monday we decided to cruise up to the Mission from the Financial District after work and check out Heirloom Cafe. The decor is comforting and makes you feel as if you are in a Napa or Salinas Valley farmhouse. The soaring ceilings provide an open feel. You can actually smell the wood floors and tables. That smell mixed with the aromas from the open kitchen make your mouth water. The Marcona almonds and green olives that were set on the table are a nice touch. The wine list is broad but not intimidating. We started our evening with a glass of the Nebbiolo D'Alba San Rocco paired with the PEI mussels. They were served in a delicious broth of sherry, shallots, and roasted tomatoes. The fresh bread and the fact that the mussels were already shelled makes this dish a winner. Moving on to the main course I went with the orichette pasta. It was very fresh and flavorful. The yellow eyed beans were a distinct and different twist on this classic pasta. My lady friend decided to go carnivore and dive into the burger. Sufficed to say it was outstanding. The quality of the beef was top notch, the bun was excellent, and the pickled carrots were a great accent. We were stuffed and didn't have room for dessert but the cookie and cheese plate both were tempting. The service was excellent. I am ashamed I can't remember our waiters name. Sorry very friendly tall guy with beard from Russian Hill!! The owner, Matt, made the rounds from table to table seeking out feedback. We were excited to learn that as the Heirloom Cafe gets up to speed we can expect a varied and seasonal menu. They have a winner with this venture.
(5)Kathy T.
This place is awesome! Very cozy and comfortable environment...and the cuisine gives the same feeling. It's comfort food, but on the healthy-er side with portions that are just right so you don't walk out feeling overstuffed. The bacon onion tart is delicious! The pappardelle is house-made. Mmmmm. Service was also fantastic. Heirloom Cafe is definitely a place I plan to visit again.
(5)Simon S.
Went there last night for my birthday dinner. We were about 12 people. This place rocked. The food and the service were just top notch! Everyone _LOVED_ their dishes. The staff was very accommodating, patient and the kitchen just nailed it. This place is the real deal. I'll be back and so should you.
(5)David D.
Heirloom Cafe is an incredible find. You might almost walk by without noticing the place as its signage is so discrete. If you miss the Heirloom you are missing out on a light, airy place, where you will receive a happy greeting, very attentive service and some outstanding food. Speaking of outstanding food, an appetizer of mussels, roasted tomatoes, in a tomato broth that contained shallots and sherry was savory perfection. And the bread that came with the plate let me lap up every bit of the sauce without having to embarrass myself. Orechiette pasta with sausage, rapini, and beans was perfection. In contrast with so many fussy plates I have had recently this was accessible and simple. Or maybe just simply wonderful. A main of halibut was a bit of a let down. The fish was perfectly prepared and nicely seasoned. But the cauliflower puree that came with the fish was watery and without taste. The mushrooms and peas that were al\so present didn't help much and the plate wasn't well presented. OK so not perfection. But remarkably good for a place open just a few weeks. The Heirloom is going to become a local favorite and a destination. Get in while you can.
(4)Maria S.
For an appetizer I recommend the roasted artichokes and for the entree, the sautéed local rock cod, cauliflower puree, English peas, ramps. It goes perfectly accompanied with the 2008 Pinot Noir 'Copain. This restaurant deserves 5 stars.
(5)Chris D.
Romantic as hell and the food is amazing with great wine list.We shared the grilled squid perfect flavors on every bite,I had the special burger perfect with cheese inside the burger, and my girl had the chicken which was also perfect on every bite, and the black forest ice cream sandwich is a incredible. perfect meal for a great setting.
(5)Jen S.
Heirloom is a very welcome addition to the neighborhood. I loved my meal and will definitely be back often. Yes, the menu is small, but every dish was spot on and delicious. Our table shared several appetizers including the bacon mushroom tart and roasted asparagus, both were fantastic. The roasted halibut was perfectly cooked and the orechiette with sausage was hearty and full of fabulous flavors. Our server was very helpful and made excellent wine recommendations. The only problem is the benches, something has to change. There is a lot of uncomfortable restaurant seating around, but this is the worst I've experienced.
(4)Knut M.
Very nice place, attentive staff, excellent food from local ingredients, carefully chosen selection of nice (not flashy) wines, and a noise level that still allowed for a conversation. No parking problem on top of this --- great place for an enjoyable dinner.
(5)yasmin k.
I can't stop thinking about the carrots. amazing! and the scallops...service and food are awesome. ambiance is warm and yummy. a little on the pricey side, but worth every penny. ranks in my top 3 SF restaurants.
(5)Jessa L.
A spot on meal. My sweetie and I split the pole been salad, the burger and the gnocchi. The gnocchi was the star of the show. Fabulous with sweet corn, savory mushrooms and sausage. Heirloom presents delicious, fresh food in a simple, yet welcoming environment. Unlike many of the nicer SF restaurants that I find myself looking for an occasion to frequent, Heirloom somehow strikes a balance between being an occasion in itself and being a totally reasonable place for a mid-week burger and wine at the kitchen-side bar.
(4)Henry F.
TOO LOUD! One of the loudest restaurants I remember ever going to. We went on a Friday at 8pm and everyone commented on this issue. Please add more ceiling/wall tiles to absorb some of the noise. The sound level induced an immediate headache and made it nearly impossible to hear others that we went to dinner with. Food, service both very good.
(4)Amjad S.
Ok, not great, wine. Well, white wine was great and red wines were disappointing. Very nice servers, but seated us 30m late so no making up for that. Of 3 dishes, 1 was great, 1 ok, and 1 mediocre. Nice ambiance.
(3)Spencer J.
As close to a perfect restaurant as they come. The restaurant's signage is subtle - the name stenciled on the window - but once inside there was nothing subtle about the attention to every detail. Mary walked us through the complete wine list with impeccable descriptions of each, and was tremendously helpful in selecting a great bottle. The gnocchi, pole bean and roasted fig salad, heirloom tomato salad, steak and burger (not on the menu) were beyond good. This is going to be my new go-to restaurant for any occasion.
(5)Phi T.
I love this place. The ambiance is perfect and their vegetarian options are always great. Feels like eating at home if the food was always amazing...
(5)Nadia G.
We went here late one Thursday evening without a reservation - no problem and no wait. The food came quickly and the wine servings were generous. I had the beet salad, the hubbie had the steak - both divine. This place reminded me of NYC which is always a good thing. Chilled vibe and good service. A tad on the pricey side but you pay for what you get. Two blocks from our house - I think we'll be going there a whole lot more.
(4)Susan K.
I've only been to Heirloom for brunch, twice. The space is great! Very spacious and classically decorated. I was really excited, especially after reading the menu. Brunch #1 - We shared the vidalia onion and chard quiche and the croque madame. Both were tasty, but not exciting. Then again, it's a quiche and a ham sandwich, right? The right-from-the-oven cookie was delicious and the warm gooeyness was a nice touch. We left pleasantly satiated and keen on returning. Brunch #2 - No sharing this time. I got the French Country Breakfast (a la carte) and he got the scrambled eggs, creamed spinach and pain de mie. The croissant was flaky and perfectly toasted, paired with poached eggs and frisee salad. It was good. The scrambled egg breakfast, however, looked positively unappetizing and boring, reminded me of something they served us in the dorms. Bland yellow eggs in 1/3 of the plate, a spoonful of spinach plopped in another, and dry white bread toast in the last 1/3. Pain de mie definitely sounds more interesting than white bread. Did I mention that it took almost 40 min to get our food once we ordered it? Did I also mention that the place was pretty much empty and we were the only people eating? I haven't tried dinner. I looks like dinner is spot on. We'll have to give that a try.
(3)Marina N.
First visit last night was outstanding. We now plan to eat here regularly. Had delicious fish soup with lovely crusty bread, mussels, clams, chunks of sea bass. Hubby loved his duck breast with farro because the sauce took him back to his childhood. Butter lettuce salad with citrus was great as was the risotto. Love the delicious olives served complimentary along with almonds. Fun and outstanding wine list by the glass and bottle.
(4)Jimm P.
Really nice job! It's on the romantic side and I'm not in romance right now so it knocked down my rating a bit; that's a hint to couples.
(3)Melanie C.
It had been 4 years since I was here, and I wanted to up the star count. :) Went for New Years Eve dinner so obviously not a normal night, but the prix fixe menu choices (which there were a lot of!) were so tasty-sounding, we booked here over all others. Quality simple ingredients (aside from the caviar and black truffles, ha!) in delicious interesting combinations. i.e. A beet salad w/ feta, pickled fennel and almond butter... Awesome tender kale salad with creamy anchovy dressing... To-die-for gnocchi with black truffle butter, shaved truffle and sunnyside up egg. Addictive housemade parparadelle with vegetables (ok, it was NYE, I can't remember which ones)... I love the historic building, and how it's quaint and cozy and yet with the high ceilings also airy and spacious. Happy new year!
(4)SiliconValleyShoeGirl L.
I loved the food (merguez sausage and cabbage soup, housemade pappardelle with shortrib, meyer lemon pot de crème) though their selection of white wines could be better. But our server patiently allowed me to taste three wines until I found one I decently liked. But I brought a bottle of red, and the corkage was reasonable at $25 for younger bottles of wine. The service was great, and we were served promptly after every dish. I will definitely return in the future, especially for that soup! It was spiced just perfectly.
(5)Alice H.
What a cute place. I was brought here for my birthday recently and really enjoyed the experience. Great ambiance with a cozy interior glowing with light from hanging lamps. I had the set menu with with wine pairings and really enjoyed it. The set started out with a chicory salad. I'm not usually a fan of chicory, but I really enjoyed this salad. It had great balance with the dressing. Bitter done well! The main entree was lamb roasted to perfection over a bed of celery root au gratin. It was a little salty, but still very tasty. My favorite part of the meal was dessert. I loved the Strauss yogurt tart. The wine pours were pretty generous, too.
(5)Ziyan C.
A cute spot, cozy and down to earth. I like that it's kind of hidden - you wouldn't know it's a restaurant unless you looked in right when walking past the door. Otherwise it's very unassuming, like someone's apartment. Good food, quality ingredients, and everything tastes healthy. THE WAIT: We had an 8:15pm reservation on a Thursday night - booked on OpenTable earlier in the day. However, our table was running late and it was going to be a 20 minute wait, or we could sit at the communal table. We opted for the communal table, but we ended up being more spread out than we would have at a table of 4. Not ideal, but it worked. THE SERVICE: Great, no complaints! MUST-HAVES: Duck confit salad, & absolutely the Truffle Butter Potato Gnocchi!!! STARTERS/MAINS Menu: yelp.com/biz_photos/heir… * Bacon & onion tart ($12) - 3.5 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/heir… Reminded me of a pizza! I liked adding the arugula on top for a hint of bitterness. It was little on the crispy and dry side for my liking. I wished the bacon slices were thicker so I could've really gotten that fatty, savory bacon flavor. * Duck confit salad (frisee, apples, croutons, poached egg. $14) - 4 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/heir… A rich variety of flavors, very tender duck, light yet filling. * Dungeness crab (croutons, oro blanco, endive, meyer lemon cream. $16) - 3.5 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/heir… I didn't expect this to be a salad, but maybe I glossed over the menu too quickly. I found this to be a little bland (though when you got an extra strong hint of the lemon cream it was nice) and not enough crab. Just kind of a meh dish. * Pork tenderloin (riesling-braised cabbage, spatzle, wholegrain mustard. $23) - 3 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/heir… Probably the largest dish we got. Flavor-wise this was not very 3-dimensional, mostly salty. The pork was on the dry side, and the spatzle was like crunchy croutons (we were surprised - isn't it a pasta? Maybe this is supposed to be the style, but most of it was left uneaten). * Burger (off-menu item) - 3.5 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/heir… They didn't ask how this should be cooked and it came out medium. While the meat was soft and juicy and the bun was fresh, it was just a kind of plain, small dish. * Potato gnocchi (truffle butter, trumpet mushrooms, sunny side egg. $22) - 5 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/heir… Now this was amazing! The gnocchi had a perfectly soft, chewy texture. The truffle butter was amazing. Everything about this dish was perfection. SIDES * Sauteed kale (roasted carrot hummus, sesame seeds. $6) - 3.5 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/heir… The kale seemed more steamed than sauteed - heavy and soggy. Eat it on its own and it's not much to brag about. With the carrot hummus, it's a lot better! But I just like kale with a crisp. * Roasted brussels sprouts (horseradish cream, breadcrumbs. $6) - 4 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/heir… I loved how crispy these were. Brussels sprouts come out soggy way too often. The flavor was sharp and there was extra crunch from the breadcrumbs. DESSERTS Menu: yelp.com/biz_photos/heir… * Caramelized white chocolate ice cream puffs, chocolate sauce, lime cream ($10) - 3.5 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/heir… A nice dessert - I wish the lime cream was even stronger! Solid but not overly unique or stand-out in my mind. I chomped it down but I could've done without ordering it either.
(4)Heather H.
Came here twice -once in a large group and once for 3 people. Quaint spot with intimate seating, dim lighting and a secret menu. We'll sort of. You must get the burger- ask them what the secret story is. Service is always excellent and food is best shared. Trying a little of everything is advised! Great wine list too.
(5)Garett M.
After the 90 minute wait, the food DID eventually arrive. I would have let my SO have a bite but there were only three. I was thoroughly unimpressed with the false advertising on the menu when they pluralized "brussel sprout." But I digress. Never have I been to a restaurant with more misleading reviews. I need to find and employ whichever marketing firm they did... Good Lord.
(1)Brandon L.
Be warned, don't come here on an empty stomach! I can't stress enough how little food they give you per order. For the price, its definitely not worth it. I ordered salmon for $25 and received a sliver of salmon about the thickness of two fingers put together; i could have got two fresh large fillets of salmon at costco for $25 or less! Also the $15 scallops had 3 scallops and was like an appetizer. Everyone i ate with (8+) finished with SPOTLESS plates and room for more. Maybe in America our portions are bigger but go ahead and try this place and see for yourself. Also the group of three young ladies next to us let the waiter know that they just didn't have enough. Another table that ordered the burger had only 4 french fries....4!!!! Better savor them haha! With all that being said, the quality of food is high and the taste is good, probably because they cook fresh to order individually (i.e. the pork pasta dish had fresh handmade pasta,yum!). The staff were really friendly and awesome too. To sum up my criticisms are: small quantity for price and food takes forever to come (complimentary bread took 15 min, main course came in 30+ min).
(2)Cherylynn N.
There's two people in my life that I never see eye-to-eye with: my Mom and Michael Bauer. Hmmm, actually does anyone know if Mr. Bauer is single because I think they would both hit it off. Holla! She loves them white boys... Since Yelp is not a dating site (yet some people seem to think it is), back to the Heirloom Café review. Being a Yelp addict that I am, I've never even heard of Heirloom Café. That's until several friends told me they heard that Heirloom Café has an supposedly great off-the-menu burger. The reviews on Yelp seemed promising and Mr. Bauer's most recent review was not favorable of Heirloom Café (all the restaurants he's recommended I've disliked). "Perfect. Heirloom Café is going to be phuckin' awesome", I thought to myself. Walking into Heirloom Café was like walking into someone's country home. An old Victorian house converted into a restaurant, Heirloom Café just exudes rustic charm with its dated wooden furnishings, flooring, and minimalist decoration: bit.ly/17k2lH4 . It's great for a date and for a group dinner; there's two large family tables for larger groups. Finding street parking wasn't too bad in this area of the Mission but there's also less foot traffic here so be cautious of your surroundings at night. I've grown to love sitting at the "chef's counter" at restaurants so that's exactly where we sat. Heirloom Café's menu is small with just 7 small plates/appetizers, 5 entrees, and 2 sides. They also offer a 3-course menu with wine pairings for $65. The 3-course menu didn't interest us so we ordered a la carte. We started dinner the Bacon & Onion Tart ($12): bit.ly/184Qpws which was good but not great. You can never go wrong with bacon and sweet caramelized onions but I thought the crust was more dry than having a buttery flaky texture. Also, the price point for 2 slices was quite high. As a comparison basis, Noeteca in Bernal Heights does a much better rendition for just $10 and it's twice the size ( bit.ly/17k0vGc ). Thinking that the off-the-menu Epoisse Burger ($13) was a must order, I went with that and Mr. NSS ordered the Duck Breast & Confit Salad ($24). We also ordered the Kale w/ Carrot Hummus ($6) to share. After hearing SO many rants and raves about this burger, I imagined a thick, juicy patty with a perfectly pink medium rare center; a burger so good it rivals Spruce's burger which is also served on an English muffin. Instead, when my burger arrived, I stared at this plain looking burger, silently debating if it was well done or medium well because the meat was too dark to distinguish: bit.ly/184TPzb . It tasted exactly as it looked; boring, dry, and overcooked (I requested medium rare). Supposedly there's French epoisses cheese grinded into the burger. If there was, I couldn't tell. Sorely disappointing and utterly overrated. For those raving about this burger, please try the one at Spruce; it's like night and day. For a $24 salad, I expected Mr. NSS' Duck Breast & Confit Salad to be mind-blowing; it wasn't: bit.ly/165hE6f . The poached egg was a more solidified than runny and the duck duo was dry and bland. I knew the salad wasn't going to fill him up so I gave him half my burger. Not a bad salad by any means but certainly not worth the price of an entrée. The best dish of the night was the Kale w/ Carrot Hummus ($6): bit.ly/1bj7QJB . Oh man was this side dish was so good...if I could eat this every day, I would gladly turn into a vegetarian. The slight bitterness of the kale was nicely balanced with the creamy sweet carrot hummus. The sprinkling of the sesame seeds gave a toasty finish. Service was pleasant, attentive, and timely. I'm a wine noob but our waitress gave great wine recs that went well with our starter and my burger. Incredibly underwhelming pretty much sums up dinner at Heirloom Café. I don't mind paying for good food but the prices here are high for mediocre execution. *Sigh* So for once, Mr. Bauer and I finally see eye-to-eye (link to his updated Heirloom Cafe review: bit.ly/1hIoSCy ). I wasn't kidding about wondering if he's single. IF anyone knows, holla at your girl!
(3)Brendan D.
This place was top 10% in SF for me, so it gets 5 stars. Decor is French country inn. I've never been to France, mind you, but if there's a place that reminds you of a place you've never been, Heirloom is that place. The waitress recommend a good bottle of wine that was moderately priced (name of the bottle escapes me, but that shouldn't matter much, as I suspect you'll be able to get a good recommendation as well), and the pork entree was excellent. Go. Bring a lady.
(5)Christopher P.
Sad, just sad. Everything about this place is sad. The Tartlet so small and tastes completely ordinary. The boring undercooked burger on a sad little pale bun with three sad little carrots for a side. What kinds of a burger has a side of carrots. The duck dish my friend ordered looked like dog food, tasted like it too. The dessert, teeny tiny. The decor, sad tattered dirty and 10 shades of beige. The only thing pleasant was our waitress, who was probably just excited to have a customer considering the place was half empty at 7pm on a Friday night. The prices completely made us feel ripped off considering how expensive this sad boring little meal cost us. We are still hungry :(
(1)Rebecca H.
I live on the same block as Heirloom, and I had passed by its unassuming door many times before realizing that it is a very legit establishment with a rotating customer base of well-to-do local hipsters and slightly confused, "What is this neighborhood and why am I in it?" older couples. I had to give it a shot! The wine list is very extensive, so boyfriend and I split a bottle of prosecco that did not disappoint. We also went halfsies on the PEI mussels (served out of the shell with a rich broth and gigantic, buttery pieces of toast), the cod, and the duck breast. For the latter two dishes, the kitchen went so far as to split each entree and serve them to us on beautifully presented plates, which was a very thoughtful gesture. (Have you ever tried gracefully halving an entree after consuming three glasses of prosecco? It is very difficult. None of my attempts to-date have been successful.) The food was all delicious, and well-portioned for my admittedly smaller appetite. Finally, props to the waitstaff for not making moves to kick us out, even though we were the last party in the restaurant. We hustled ourselves out in a timely manner, but I appreciate that we never felt rushed during our meal. I'll be back soon to try the tasting menu; $65 for three courses with wine pairings? Yes please!
(5)Lillian C.
This restaurant is hard to spot, as it looks like someone's house or apartment from the outside. Once you find the door, you'll see that it's a full restaurant with a short menu. The prices are on the more expensive side and portions are modest (remind me of portions in Europe), but the flavor and taste is very good and high quality. We ordered sweet potato bread to start with and I got the sea scallops (note: this dish came with 4-5 scallops) with cauliflower puree. It was a small portion but very tasty. This place does take reservations so that is nice! We came here with a group of 5 on a Wednesday night and were able to snag a 7:45 reservation.
(4)Ally W.
This is my new found favorite restaurant. It is in the quiet part of the Mission at the corner of Folsom and 21st and there is no sign outside. When you walk in the restaurant, you are immediate immersed in the cozy warmth of a dimly lit living room. I love sitting at the communal table to chat with my fellow diners. You know it is a good restaurant when people eating there are all foodies, which is the case here. The restaurant us known for the pole bean salad with meshed dates. OMG that was a very unexpected combination and so delicious and refreshing. I also ordered a duck dish which was also great. Overall, an awesome place and I can't wait to try other dishes!
(4)Jessica M.
Amazing!!!! From the service to the food. For starters we had the buscetta which melted in your mouth. Then had yhe nettle soup which was very earthy not heavy at all and then had the blacken cod and it was delicious. Wine was a little pricy but Will definitely be back.
(5)Salina Z.
We had a lovely dinner at Heirloom Cafe with a party of 4 for our monthly "One of Everything" dinner club. The decor is your typical shabby chic/hip/rustic farmhouse feel and paired well with the food offerings. LITTLE GEM SALAD - I mean, how can you go wrong with Little Gem, unless you put some god awful creamy gorgonzola on here? Luckily this one had some delicious Green Goddess and was dressed perfectly (for a party in my mouth). BACON AND ONION TART - Hard for this to taste bad although I have to say this was probably toward the bottom of my list. To be fair, the list was pretty deep but this "tart" was slightly soggy. More like a flatbread/pizza thing than a tart. Good flavor though. DUCK CONFIT SALAD - I don't remember exactly what this was called on the menu. It had a unique flavor and texture; the duck was well cooked and delicious. SEA SCALLOPS with CAULIFLOWER PUREE - The absolute *star* of this dinner show. Perfectly good, so tender, and wonderful. Scallops can be tricky and these folks got them to shine. Absolute must. MARTIN'S OUTRAGEOUSLY DELICIOUS SPIGARELLO - Good, but didn't blow me away. Good addition if you feel like you need some greens. LAMB LOIN - I tend to be pretty pick about when I like lamb; sometimes it's just too gamey for me. This though, oh no, this was wonderful. Medium rare, not chewy, full of flavor; Another star next to the scallops. HALIBUT - It had a nice crispy sear to it, but it seemed slightly overcooked and dry. The biggest miss of the night. DESSERTS - Yes, we ordered four of them, ha ha! LAVENDER CUSTARD - LOVED this dessert!!! The lavender flavor really shined and I just wish it had more custard. There was a whole mess of stuff on top that took away from the actual custard. I mean the mess was good as well (candied nuts, grapes, etc) but I was craving more custard. AFFOGATO - I mean, duh, it's good. WARM CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL COOKIE - See above. I think our final dessert was a chocolate cake of some sort. Obviously not memorable enough. It's true, the portions are not large so be ready to order a lot of dishes. On the positive side, you get to try almost everything! For 4 people, we had 2 starters, 2 small plates, 1 side, and 2 entrees, plus 4 desserts (no, seriously) and I don't even think that was enough. I wasn't hungry when I left but I also wasn't full. I would say one more small plate or entree would have been perfect for us. Their thing is wine but apparently they do have beer (though not listed). We had a lovely bottle of Viognier to accompany our meal. As for the service, I have to agree with some recent reviews: polite but not super warm. Not rude or "too cool" like most SF restaurants I've been to lately but again, didn't make a huge positive impression on us. Difficult to review exact dishes since they will probably change in a few weeks. But as a whole, very few misses and a solid, delightful meal.
(4)Kate M.
This place never disappoints!! My favorite restaurant in the city. The burger (not on the menu) is amazing as is the homemade pappardelle.
(5)Phoebe W.
Charming decor. Warm greetings by the host and owner. Attentive service. Delicious food. I had an incredible corn soup, a scallop/mushroom entree and crisp wines. The menu is delightful in its range of offerings without trying to please the whole world. Trying to figure out how I've lived in the Bay Area five years and just now made this incredible discovery. (Introduced by a friend who attends ODC performances a few blocks away.) A versatile setting that left me feeling like I captured a moment in Paris ...
(5)Colin C.
On the recommendation of my partner's boss, we decided to dine at Heirloom Café on Saturday night to celebrate our anniversary. We started with a selection of excellent cheeses followed by the bacon and onion tart. Both were delicious! My partner had the gnocchi and sausage, which was a flavourful combination. I had the duck breast and confit salad, which was also very good...and I don't even like salads! The staff was both knowledgeable and hospitable, and we would definitely return!
(4)Lark S.
The food here is fantastic. My foodie friend and I have been sampling all of the top restaurants in the city. This has to be my favorite. The atmosphere is quaint and nice, the food tastes are exquisite from appetizer to dessert and the price is reasonable. FYI we had the the bacon and onion tart, the gnocchi with truffles and egg, and the burger followed by the polenta dessert. YUM YUM
(5)James P.
Great restaurant! All dishes were good. We had cheese plate to start, followed by duck with currants and polenta cake. Duck was fantastic. Cake was really interesting and good flavor. Sampled the sun-choke soup and muscles all really good. Solid meal good service.
(4)John N.
Booked the place for a Bday dinner. I had great expectations. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to it. Usually there are certain dishes I would like to remember when eating at a place. However, the food was not that memorable.
(3)Jim S.
The burger on the secret menu is a must. You really can't go wrong with any of the wine choices here.
(4)Carolina Z.
Their cheeseburger is simply HEAVEN. I also like the gnocchi and the desserts. Very nice place and service.
(5)Max M.
This is the best non-super fancy restaurant in SF. The burger (not listed on the menu) is literally the best dish in SF. Service is incredible and prices are fair. I wish it was closer to my apt so I could come more often. Also say hello to the owner, Matt. He is always around and very visible. Happy eating!
(5)Joy O.
Everything was perfect. The space itself is rustic yet elegant. You definitely wouldn't expect much just seeing it from the street, but what a hidden treasure. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. We arrived 20 minutes early and they seated us without a problem. We opted not to do the tasting menu, although it looked delicious. Had the corn soup, scallops, duck breast, and papardelle. I was a little underwhelmed by the papardelle because I've had that dish done better at a couple of other restaurants. But everything else was delicious. Perfect combinations of tastes and textures. The lighting was great for our date night and it wasn't too loud even though the restaurant was full.
(5)Scott S.
The wine list is probably the best in the Mission -- regionally varied, but focused within each section. There's an impressive selection of Hanzell pinots and chards going back to the 70's. The menu was kind of short for my tastes, but all of the food was flavorful and well balanced. Oh, and don't miss the desserts. The service was top notch -- knowledgeable and attentive, but not intrusive. Even the food runner was well versed in ingredients and cooking methods. The place was full on a rainy Wednesday night, and I had to speak/yell in a raised voice to be heard, so this probably isn't a good spot for intimate conversation. I'm looking forward to going back the next time I'm in the area.
(4)Greg T.
Food is very good but the lighting is extremely dark, you need your iPhone to read the menu and its a little cold and dirty. I know that all that adds to the SF charm thing but I think they could have heated the place a lil bit and also it was really really dark. We had a table of 13 people, all of which had never been there and each one said something about it being so dark. Food itself was very good though.
(3)Merrill Beth F.
The Food: I have never had a bad meal at heirloom. In fact, I've never even had a bad item from the menu. The menu changes but does have some staples. The chicken with a parmesan broth is one of those staple. It is delicious and has some variance on the side vegetables. The duck with cherries and a large corn polenta is unbelievably good. I think that the very worse thing I could say would be that I had a pedestrian salad there once. The Setting: In the inner mission, the cafe has an unprepossessing corner location. The wide open kitchen is set in the back of a large single room. The floor is wood. The decor is lovely- simple and low key. The staff is friendly, professional and relaxed. The wine list is great, well curated and reasonable. The Summary: This is my ideal kind of dinner. It's California Cuisine at it's relaxed and sophisticated best. Heirloom Cafe serves great ingredients, prepared creatively but without busyness or nonsense. The combinations are elegant, sensible and delicious. They let the ingredients shine. The staff's laid back attitude lets you enjoy the meal and environs with all the grace of first class dining and none of the pretensions.
(4)Stephanie C.
Dear Heirloom Cafe, I am compelled to tell you/announce to the world that I quite possibly had the best burger ever, last night. O.M.G. Plus, that homemade English muffin bun was so light and fluffy. I almost ordered second burger before my friends told me that might be over the top. I am tempted and might just go back for more tonight. YUM! The pappardelle with lamb sugo cannot be forgotten either. The thin silky pasta enveloped in tender lamb sugo...mmm, DELISH! Thank you so much. See you soon, Stephanie
(4)Eric G.
The food was incredibly good, one of the best meals I've had in SF. We had the burrata, the scallops, and the chicken, and each dish was delicious, the chicken being a stand-out. Our waiter was good, friendly but not overly involved. The only reason for the 4 star rather than 5 was the front-of-house. Even though we had had a reservation, they asked us to wait for about 20 minutes, telling us they would have someone get us a drink while we waited, which didn't happen, even after I asked the hostess. Not a great start to the experience, but overall a really great meal.
(4)Dawn K.
We had a very nice dinner here on a Tuesday night, a little reunion with my husband and two grown children, one in town for business. The dinner was mostly talk accompanied by good wine and good food. The staff handled our dribbling in very well and our waitress gave us just the right amount of attention along with a good wine reccommendation. We ate small plates along with the duck, sharing everything as we talked. I can't really tell you how it tasted because we are all so different, but I feel that it is worth a visit to try it for yourself. Nice high ceilings with beautiful, soft light appreciated by those of us over fifty.
(5)Myra M.
My date invited me last Friday night to his friend's birthday dinner party that met at this charming restaurant. There was nine or ten of us so we sat at one of the long family-style tables with the country-like ambiance. I should have written this review the day after so that I can recall the names of the dishes because we all shared several dishes which were all delicious. We had kale salad, pulled pork... OMG I can't remember the others but all were so yummy, especially their amazing burger! And the ginger cake was sinfully scrumptious. Luckily one of the guys at the table knew their wine.... red medium body smooth finish wine from France:) And the customer service was very accommodating and friendly despite our large mildly intoxicated party. I look forward to coming back!
(4)Luca R.
I like this place. My wife went twice and wanted to take me there.We both had a nice dinner. It is a classic Californian restaurant but I think it is a very honest place in terms of quality of dishes, ambiance and price. I would not call myself a great fan of the place but would take friends there and would be happy to go back again if I have the chance.
(4)Marlos M.
Nice and charming place
(3)Andrew W.
Shh! Don't tell anyone. Heirloom should remain a secret. This is by far my favorite restaurant in San Francisco. It's got all of the best attributes of California cuisine, without being pretentious. Also, it's possible to get a reservation at the last minute. The food is delicious, the service is excellent, and the ambiance is low-key but special. Take your friends, take your family, take a date -- it's wonderful!
(5)Michael F.
My wife and my favorite restaurant in the city right now. Was just there for Fathers Day yesterday. And had a fantastic brunch. Eggs Benedict cooked to perfection. A fantastic pea soup to open and light yogurt and berries to close. Also the croissant French toast was ridiculous. On previous trips have had the burger and it is probably still one of my favorites ever.
(5)Alice Z.
Definitely worth a visit. or 5. Roommate and I went after seeing some great reviews (and rated top 10 on diner's choice list on opentable). The two of us had a tough time deciding between 4 dishes that looked delicious (gnocchi, salmon, duck confit, falafel - how often do you see this?) Ultimately settled for the server recommendations (and reviews from yelp and foursquare) and went on to share the bacon onion tart (YUM. I hate onions normally but the way they made it was not offensive at all), Salmon (the sauce was so good. we both licked our plates. their "smashed" potatoes was the perfect texture), and gnocchi (fennel sausages was absolutely delicious, especially if you also like cumin flavoring). Can't wait to go back! Apparently the off-menu epoisse burger is to die for.
(5)Sara H.
Heirloom Cafe is absolutely fantastic. We planned a family birthday dinner there for my brother's 40th, and reached out to them to plan a special prix fixe for us for the occasion. They were so accommodating, and the menu they came up with including wine pairings was dynamite. Due to a little intra-family miscommunication, we decided we didn't want to do the special menu, but never actually told the restaurant that before we arrived (although we thought we had). We were mortified when we realized they hadn't heard back from us. Understandably, the hostess was rather cool to us about it. She made a point to mention our faux pas more than once during our time there, which kind of sucked, but we understood why she might have felt annoyed. In general the staff was incredible and we felt welcome--it luckily was not a big deal in the end. We ordered off their usual menu, and were just blown away by the fare. The wine list is extensive and unique, and the staff is quite savvy about their offerings. The food was impeccable--seriously, every bite was a delight. We will definitely be back and can't wait to recommend Heirloom Cafe to more people. It is now a top 5 highlight of 10 years of dining in San Francisco.
(5)Tim E.
Heirloom Cafe is my go to restaurant in SF. Love everything about it. The menu is small but changes regularly and is always filled with fresh seasonal items that mix interesting flavors (this weekend I had duck breast with lentils and Brussel sprouts and my wife had mussels and both were amazing). The atmosphere is fun and casual but sophisticated at the same time. The staff is super friendly and very knowledgeable about the food and the wine. THE WINE - to top it all off Matt has a very well managed cellar of interesting and delicious wines with a very favorable price to quality ratio, including specialized or small producers and quite a few aged bottles. Go to Heirloom Cafe. Go there often.
(5)Ben K.
Fantastic food. Scallops and duck were excellent, the bacon and onion tart was mediocre imo. Service was great also. They let you taste their wine by the glass, before committing to one, which was a really nice touch. Good decor with open kitchen. One the whole, a completely enjoyable experience.
(5)Quarup B.
Nice elegant place with good food using local and seasonal ingredients. Overall, we had a great time. The only reason I didn't give this a 5-star is because the portions and flavors were a little less than I would expect from the price. In any case, this is a solid restaurant.
(4)Danielle L.
I was late...yes, very late for my reservation. They handled it in stride, which was wonderful. My only complaint was that I found my main dish (the cod) to be extremely salty. I could see the salt crystals on the fish, and the sauce took it's cue from the cod. I really wanted to enjoy it, because I was so late. The wine was good, the waitress was nice, I just couldn't eat...I literally could not eat the main course. I'm sorry. The dessert was very nice. I give them that. I would love to try them out again and have another main dish. It would be great to see what else they have to offer.
(3)Jim M.
Matt the owner shows off an amazing but reasonably priced wine list. I've recently gone twice. Once for a special wine pairing event and then brought work colleagues from out of town for a neighborhood restaurant experience. Both times the food, drink, service and ambience were exceptional. It's a low key location with high quality, approachable food with non-Mission, non-Downtown prices. The highlights were the Corison Cabernet, burrata/asparagus dish, gnocchi, shaved fennel salad, bavette steak, and Cod with seared skin. Yum.
(5)S C.
Loved the ambience here - cute and cozy with an open kitchen! Service was great too. We got the Brussels sprouts, duck salad and beet salad and all 3 were awesome! The off the menu burger was more like a meatloaf, but flavor was perfect and it was cooked perfectly! The huckleberry upside down cake was good, too! Would definitely return here!!
(5)Jeff J.
Purpose and flavor. Hands down the best experience I've had in quite some time. We ordered family style, and it was a brilliant decision. While each plate trended on the smaller side, there was plenty to share. We had intended to order 2 of the off-menu burgers (party of 5) as an appetizer, but we were impressed with our waiter's initiative to break up our order into 2 phases, both to keep the food hot, and so we wouldn't ruin our progression with the extremely rich burgers. In total, we ordered (2) off-menu burgers, bacon and onion tart, potato gnocchi, salmon with cauliflower puree, roasted beets, and sugar snaps. Everything on the dish had purpose, and I really enjoyed the story the chef was trying to convey. Each dish had a singularly perfect element that elevated everything else. With the burgers, it was probably the cheese worked into the patty itself that made it almost creamy. With the tart, it was definitely the grilled onions. With the potato gnocchi, it was the extremely airy texture of the gnocchi. With the salmon, it was the silkiness of the cauliflower puree soaking up salmon fattiness. With the roasted beets, it was the pungent cheese pairing. With the sugar snaps, it was the unexpected pairing of ginger and mint. It's rare to find such reasonably priced, artistic, and unique food. And to think my friends dashed my dreams of trying rhubarb pie or strawberry shortcake in favor of hot dogs... unconscionable. I'll be making a return trip to Heirloom Cafe for sure.
(5)Illana W.
My husband refused to believe that we had the right place as we drove by the seemingly unmarked restaurant at night. There is a sign on the window, but no way to see it at night except when you are standing in front of it. The little gem salad with mandarins and avocado would have been one of my favorite salads ever, had it not been for the overly salty miso dressing. The apple slaw was also excellent. We had to send back the side of Italian greens because it was too salty to eat. The main dish we split of roast chicken with a stuffing-like bread pudding was not overly salty and also not particularly interesting. The pumpkin-pudding-like dessert was delicious. Service was good. It's one of the places where you have to lean in to hear each other. While the food was good and the experience pleasant, we are in no rush to return.
(3)Lorraine F.
Four of us for a friend's birthday. Other than the hefty prices of wine, everything was perfect from the minute we were greeted to the minute we departed. We sampled almost everything on the menu - a choice of cheeses; burrata, roasted asparagus, shallot vinaigrette, toasted levain; salad of fennel, fava beans, Mt. Vikos feta, walnuts; sea scallops, cauliflower puree, maitake mushrooms, ramps; spigarello, garlic, currants, breadcrumbs; roasted paprika-agave carrots, St. Benoit yogurt, seared bavette steak, gigante beans, baby artichokes, breadcrumbs, lemon aioli... and something delicious for dessert, which I forget what it was. Absolutely EVERYTHING was delicious. We even found a reasonably priced Argentinian Malbec. All told, the bill came to $300 and change, plus tip. The service, decor, atmosphere were classic. Will definitely be going back!
(5)David B.
A hidden gem, and one that deserves much more attention! I was directed over here by my cousin, who lives nearby. We walked from her place to a late weeknight dinner and I couldn't have been happier and more surprised. This place was fantastic. To start, she recommended we sit at the counter, which we did. It was so much fun watching the dance between cook, pastry chef and prep cooks. We decided to share everything we got, and I'm glad we did, because that gave us more options. The off-menu burger was a dealbreaker, my cousin said, so I was fine with that. Juicy, moist and flavorful on a bun reminiscent of an English muffin. It was an incredible burger. It needed no toppings but the one it came with, some sort of onion marmalade. Before that, though, we split the wax beans (which included some form of pickled fruit and shaved parmesan) and the sauteed wild salmon. Both dishes were flavorful, fresh and savored. In between those two, delivered together, and the burger, was the bacon and onion tart. I was expecting more of a round quiche-type dish, but was pleasant surprised to see it presented like two small flatbreads. The crusts, though, were no flatbread - they were light and flaky pie/tart dough! Yum. After plowing through our burger halves, we let things settle before finishing up the meal with their affogato. A sweet and cooling way to end the night. Two thumbs up!
(5)Max A.
This is a really lovely restuarant The food is excellent, its quite complicated but totally approachable by kids and fussy grownups (the only only issue I have is the burger bun with the otherwise miraculous epoise infused cheeseburger. The room is so charming - it takes a lot of thought to make it look quite so artless. Good wine list but sort of a bit light on American wine - as a brit living here for a bit I like to stick to the local hooch as the rest of my life will be spent swilling the French stuff. I have to say a lot of SF resturants have nice and friendly staff - I think the people at HC are amongst the best and again they all were so natural and free from from manufactured bonhomie I think Matt gulped when I asked him to bring salt - after all its my funeral - in fact nothing needed to be seasoned - so well judged was the cooking. My only bothersome was the lovely table that we were sat round (8 of us including 4 kids) had a rather quieter family at the far end - who sat disapproving of us all night, I had a bit of sympathy for them actually (not much it was 6.45). might be better to have more smaller tables that could be banged together or split apart for those of a more monkish approach to their dinner
(4)J W.
Fell into dinner here by accident and it was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. I feel bad even posting a review because I want to keep this place a secret to myself. Couldn't give a bigger recommendation. A+. Ps sit at the bar, watching the kitchen in action is a delight. My order: -barratta w/ asparagus -duck breast (my friend got the chicken it was a+) -Strawberry w cake dessert -chocolate chip cookie w ice cream -2 glasses Pinot noir -one pilsner You're missing out if you don't go here.
(5)Christy D.
Great date night restaurant, charming interior, attentive wait staff, creative menu, awsome wine list. I loved the salmon but pork chops were average. The restaruant is definetly worth a try.
(4)Tom D.
We attended a special Ceritas Wine retrospective dinner here last night (normally closed on Sunday). All the food on each course was impeccably prepared, flavorful and beautifully presented. If you have ever sampled Ceritas wines, they are fresh and vibrant. The philosophy of owner winemaker John Raytek is to pick early when ripe, not overripe and keep alcohols on the lower side. It was a pleasure talking to John and wife Phoebe about wine and their journey into winemaking. Here is what we had: Fennel. fava beans, walnuts feta. 2011 Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay Wild salmon, English peas, cauliflower puree, meyer lemon. 2009 Porter-Bass Vineyard Chardonnay 2008 Porter-Bass Vineyard Chardonnay 2007 Porter-Bass Vineyard Chardonnay Housemade fettucini, chanterelle mushrooms, mint, pecorino 2011 "Costalina" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Duck Breast and confit, cherries, corn spoon bread 2010 Escarpa Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 Escarpa Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008 Escarpa Vineyard Pinot Noir Dessert was an almond torte with fresh stone fruit and creme fraiche. Owner Matt Straus was a super host getting around to each table making sure all was going well. Based on the quality of food and service last night, we will be sure to get back to Heirloom Cafe soon.
(5)katherine c.
Heirloom Cafe is our favorite restaurant in San Francisco.
(5)Miriam W.
Heirloom Cafe has served many purposes, as it's great for groups and just as nice for a date. My introduction to this sweet spot on the corner of Folsom and 21st came by way of several lovely ladies with whom I first dined there. We partook of the unmissable bacon and onion tart and plenty of wine. Next I came on Halloween to cheer up a pal nursing a broken heart. The live band brought in for the holiday made it a little hard for him to hear my consolations but like the first time, the food and wine were laudable. And a glass of bubbly has a way of helping heal, doesn't it though? Most recently, I came with a big group of colleagues (we took up the whole communal table). On this trip I discovered you can't really go wrong with any of the wines on their list - we did a light red as well as a more full-bodied bottle and everyone seemed pleased with the selections. I've become a big fan of the housemade fettucini with braised shortrib, kale, and horseradish breadcrumbs and the paprika-agave carrots with St. Benoit yogurt.
(4)J T.
'Simple and well-executed' sums up my experience here. Setting: simple yet elegant decor, high ceilings, close seating and dim lighting. A little hot the night I was there and certainly loud (or "vibrant" in restaurant speak). Open kitchen is visible from dining area. Menu: seasonal produce, not too long but enough variety, a prix fixe with wine pairing option. Dishes were all well-executed but some were more excellent than others (e.g., gnocchi with fennel sausage was amazing, bacon and onion tart was good but, well, it's bacon and onions on buttery dough). Staff: knowledgable, friendly and attentive - almost made me forget about the warm temperature and "vibrant" atmosphere.
(4)Greg O.
Cheese burger is off the hook!
(5)Marshall R.
crazy good food and service.
(5)Maureen B.
Seriously, this is my favorite restaurant. Not just in San Francisco, or the Bay Area, or the US... but my FAVORITE RESTAURANT! I haven't had a less than stunning meal here. Every time I eat here (4x now) I keep waiting for the let-down. It hasn't come. What Heirloom is REALLY good at is "Rustic California Cuisine" (I made that term up, so don't bother googling it). It's all fresh - the ingredients, the prep, the options. San Francisco overflows with excellent dining choices. Many seem to take a left turn after about a year, and this little gem just keeps on getting better. You can typically see the chef/owner Matt Straus in the kitchen - and it's reflected in the food. The vibe is SOMA neighborhood/hood. Parking sucks, and the restaurant is about 1 block outside of most people's after dark comfort zone. But don't let that deter you. Walk into a warm, friendly bustling foodie mecca. My favorite dishes (from 4 visits) - sweet corn soup: possibly the best I've ever had - seared salmon: and I don't even like salmon very much - gnocchi: if they have ANY VARIATION - get it!!! - sea scallops, roasted chanterelles, cauliflower puree - paprika-agave carrots - chicken: they do really amazing things with the bird By far, the gnocchi & the paprika carrots are my 2 top of the list items. Hubby & I did order the hamburger once & it wasn't our fave. It' more like a meatloaf. But that was our only miss. Other people swear by the burger. I swear by the gnocchi. Also a highlight? The communal table. Even if you can't get a reservation, the table usually has a spot. We've dined there 2x, and it's far more colorful than a secluded table for 2. The wine list is high-end & on the pricey side with a fair amount of non-domestic options. Typically, we go for a red blend and spend about $50.00. The wait staff is very helpful here. Don't be shy - tell them your preferences & your price - they'll get you taken care of. Some of us Cali peeps (OK me) are less familiar with the Euro options. Take your friends, take your out of town guests. This place has a small menu that is seasonal, perfected & will knock your socks off.
(5)susan w.
I was sadly underwhelmed by the food. The decor is nice, and the service was fine. But there wasn't any dish that stood out, or that I would come back for. To be fair I've only been here once, but I won't be making another visit. Too many other wonderful places in SF to eat.
(2)Sandy G.
So happy to have rediscovered Heirloom. This place is wonderful. I hadn't been here in years due to disappointment after 2 prior meals. A couple friends recently mentioned how much they like this place so I decided to give it another chance. It was superb. Service was effective and thoughtful and the food we ordered was SO yummy. 10/10 for both the fennel and feta salad (there were also walnuts and other goodies in it) and the lamb pappardelle. I almost went back the night after this meal, it was that good.
(5)Insi L.
Cozy place Great food
(5)Heather R.
One of the best meals we've had in San Francisco. Love the cozy atmosphere, fantastic service, and absolutely delicious food. We ordered the special burger (best one I've ever had), bouillabaisse, and gnocchi. All excellent.
(5)Allison M.
I arrived with a party of 3, making us a party of 4, without any reservations. We were told that the next reservation wouldn't be until 2 hours later. However, they did make an exception and told us that if we could eat within an hour, they would be able to take us in. Talk about, being accommodating. We were told it would be another 15 minutes before the table was cleared but it ended up being more like a minute. We were seated in a jiffy and hungrily ordered our dishes. Note: We had just biked from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito. We were STARVING. Burrata with Beets: The freshness and concoction of flavors atop this piece of bread was prime. I would choose this over bruschetta any day. Gnocchi with Egg: I've never had gnocchi that had a crisp; parmesan crisp to be exact. Coupled with the yoke running out of the over-medium fried egg had my tastebuds jumping and screaming for more. Asparagus Risotto and Chanterelles: Very lemony (i love lemon!) but well-balanced with the crispy shallots.Generous amount of asparagus and mushrooms as well. Portion sizes were generous for farm-to-table type fare so I was impressed. The staff was attentive without pressuring us to hurry up leave which we were concerned about since we were eating "in between" people's reservations. We were in and out in 30 minutes and by far, it has been one of my most favorite and memorable meals I've had in the city. Not to forget, the ambiance was super charming and rustic. Loved everything about this place. It could be hard to find as the only signage is on the window itself. It has a blue door facing what looked like a school yard or public park. It's on a corner of Folsom. P.S. Clean bathrooms as well
(5)Peter D.
If liquor isn't necessary to blind your date to your faults, there might not be a better option for a romantic dinner. Located in the Mission (although you'd never know it from the quiet corner), Heirloom Cafe is a tasteful, understated place with a focus on quality food, impeccable service and excellent wine. For the indecisive: the servers are knowledgable about both the menu and what wines might best complement your choices, and they'll even laugh at the lamest of your jokes. That menu seems to change frequently, but everything I was fortunate enough to sample was quite good, from pastas to proteins to the irresistible broccoli and carrot sides. My inhibitions tend to melt away with a bit of bourbon, but if you bring me here for a bottle of Barolo, a bacon & onion tart and the (off-menu) burger, I'm yours.
(4)Gabriel D.
I haven't felt compelled to write a review in a long time, but my experience at this place was so bad that I really have no choice. For $40/person for brunch, I expect a place to 1) not try to seat me at the worst table in the entire place when it's half-empty post brunch-rush; 2) not be too cool for ketchup, jam and whole wheat bread; 3) not completely forget about part of my order; 4) not accidentally overcharge me. On top of all that, the food was boring (eggs and a piece of toast; uninspired french toast.) How this place gets 4+ stars is beyond me.
(1)Evelyn C.
Can I just say how amazing this place is? My friend introduced me to this neighborhood gem, and I was a bit skeptical when I first heard the name. However, the first bite turned me into an Heirloom Cafe convert. Everything I've tried so far has been delightful. Flavors that you would never imagine together (almond butter and beets? Really?) meld together beautifully, and nothing is ever too over the top. Great wine list too. It's a great space with an open kitchen and cozy decor. There's a fair amount of table seating and about six seats at the bar, where you can watch the chefs at work. I'm already planning to take some friends back here because the food and the service and the wine are just that good. As a final note, parking in the area isn't too bad either. Edit: Holy mother of whichever-deity-you-believe-in, the off-menu burger is INCREDIBLE.
(5)Farrah A.
When a few colleagues heard some teammates and I were headed to Heirloom Cafe for dinner, they only had wonderful things to say. And it was all true! The menu featured a three-course dinner for $65, along with about 15 other a la carte options ranging from sides (paprika-agave carrots) to ridiculously-hard-to-decide entrees (duck confit with poached egg; winter vegetable stew). Unfortch, I didn't have much of an appetite, but I couldn't resist the butternut squash soup topped with giant rye croutons and a lil' walnut oil. Oh my. This was a giant bowl of piping hot hearty, earthy and tastebud awakening soup. Do order. Do order. I also had the iceberg wedge salad - I can't resist ordering it when accompanied with a nice glass of red. This was your typical wedge salad, although a lot smaller in size than I expected. Again, i wasn't too hungry, so not a big deal. But something you might want to note in case you think it's a meal's worth. The highlight for me was stealing a few nibbles from my tablemates' plates. The crispy, juicy, sweet and salty Liberty Farms duck breast made me moan. What? Yes. I did. And I'm a sucker for gourmet-prepared veggies, so the long-cooked broccoli with Calabrian chiles, pine nuts, and parmesan - and the paprika-agave carrots - both left me, well, hungry for more. Can I have those recipes? Please? (I did detect bacon fat, so it must have been cooked in it.) As for decor and atmo, the restaurant is cozy, dark with candlelight, antique-ey but with touch of sexy - almost French country but more chic. I really felt at home here.
(4)Mirage M.
Heirloom Cafe was wonderful! I took my boyfriend here for his 30th birthday dinner and it was perfect. The decor is chic and reflects their farm to table ideals - raw wooden tables, pretty sconces on the wall, and delicate, lacy window dressings. You can look over and see them working in the kitchen which give it a nice home-y feel. Food - sparse but delicious. My boyfriend and I shared the scallops, salmon, and steak (you can order it a la carte). All really tasty but pretty small. Luckily I had a whole cake waiting for him when we got home, so I wasn't worried. Staff - great. Even when we said no to dessert (cake at home) the waiter brought out a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a candle in it because I had said that it was my boyfriend's birthday in the open table reservation. The hostess was game to take our picture on the way out of the restaurant - and even turn the camera sideways to get a better shot! Obviously this is not her first rodeo. Great overall experience.
(5)Trinity M.
They have me wanting to go back for more. 5-star Summary: GREAT SERVICE: We had 615PM reservations made through OpenTable. I don't know what I was thinking. I should've snagged 645PM given the workday schedule.... ANYWAY. I called ahead a couple of times. First, letting them know we were going to be 10 minutes late. "Okay, no problem, thanks for letting us know. Second time, that we were going to be 15 minutes late. "It's okay, thanks for telling us." Finally, I called confessing we'd be there at about 635PM, if they had to release the table, please do so. "No, no. It's no worries. We'll hold it for you." AND they did, even though they really didn't have to. Then again, it was pretty early in the evening, but by the time we left the place was full. We went on a Friday night. CREATIVE DISHES: Started with an heirloom tomato/cucumber bulgar wheat salad was refreshing! perfect way to start. I did see a couple order the burrata appetizer -- and another table order the bacon onion pies (like mini calzones). Will need to try both next time. I was trying to keep it light because...see perfect portions below. PERFECT PORTIONS: I ordered the only off-menu they have their Epoisses Burger served with pickled carrots on the side. Super decadent and perfect. Served on something like an English Muffin (or if you're familiar with bialy (served at Wise & Sons Jewish Deli in the Mission), it's just like that). NOTHING needs to be added. NEXT TIME: Two dishes (therefore two more trips I'll be making), that I'd like to try next time: their Salmon and the flat-iron steak served with beans and drenched in a fresh horseradish sauce. Excellent ambiance. I love the high ceilings, Cali-modern, cozy feel. Tip: Order the off-menu item Epoisses burger (do not make tweaks to this.) ------ Didn't have too much room for dessert. We ended up shooting up to Humphrey Slocombe a few blocks away for ice cream, because that night was in the 70s, and you know how it is in this town: once we hit 69-degrees, ice cream lines are mandated.
(5)Kent T.
Went for our anniversary dinner, and we loved it! The food was fantastic. I would agree with others, the portions are on the light side, so plan on a multi course dinner. That only makes it more fun!
(4)Gabriella L.
Everything we had here was wonderful. We brought a couple of vegetarians along with us as well, and the staff were very accommodating. Nice ambiance. Attentive waiter. We had their entire selection of cheeses as well as most of their entrees. The sides were especially delightful with a special shoutout to their carrots as well as the olive oil cake from their dessert menu. Would highly recommend this place. I love when a place outshines my expectations.
(5)John M.
I've eaten at Heirloom Case several times, and the food has always been fantastic. If you want to go out for a really nice American meal in the Mission, Heirloom is a great value.
(5)