Aquitaine Wine Bar & Bistro — Restaurant in San Francisco

I've been to Aquitaine three times over the past year, and it's quickly become my go-to spot for date night with my partner. Every visit has been a fantastic experience. We're parents so we don't get to go out on our own often but we love coming back here!

Ambiance: Aquitaine has this cozy, welcoming vibe that's totally unpretentious. The comfy couches, high ceilings, and fun French-themed decor make it feel really inviting. It's usually pretty quiet, which is perfect for a relaxed, intimate meal.

Service: The service here is amazing. The staff is super attentive but not in your face. Honestly, I've only experienced service this good at places that cost four times as much. The servers and host make you feel like a friend without being overbearing. They really know how to make you feel welcome.

Food: The food at Aquitaine is incredible. We've tried a bunch of appetizers like the Brussels sprouts (a must-have), mussels, and caramelized eggplant. For mains, the cassoulet was delicious, the duck reuben was fantastic, and the scallops were tasty. The food is always carefully plated and looks great, but it's really all about the flavor.

Standout Dishes: The bone marrow toasts and the charcuterie board are absolute standouts. I'm still dreaming about them! They're just so well-prepared and delicious.

Drinks: If you go, you have to try the La Rappiere cocktail. It's their take on an Aperol Spritz and it's awesome. The drink menu has a great selection, so there's something for everyone.

Dessert: Dessert at Aquitaine is a treat. The crème brûlée is served at room temperature, which is perfect. It's such a pet peeve of mine when desserts come out cold from the fridge. The churros are also fantastic—fresh and not too sweet, just right to end the meal.

Overall: Going to Aquitaine feels like finding a hidden gem in Paris that only locals know about. I highly recommend it for a fun date night or a night out with friends. It's great for catching up because it's quiet enough to have a conversation but lively enough that you don't feel like you have to whisper.

Aquitaine has never let me down, and I can't wait to go back for more amazing meals.

For context, I also really love Emmy's Spaghetti Shack, Berretta, Taqueria Vallarta, Kahnfections,...

My friends and I had a reservation. Two of us showed up on time and two of us were 15 mins late. First, one of us ordered a cheese plate along his wine and did not get it. We were seated at the table. Waiter was ok and read the specials for us. No issues. We asked few mins before we decide. Waiter did not come back. We had to try to get his attention literally 10 mins after and we were ignored multiple times (intentional no eye contact) While we were placing the order, the waiter’s attitude level was at its max. He was having an attitude for requesting eggs being scrambled or substituting rosemary potatoes with fries. Mind you we were very nice and cheerful. We placed the order around 1:30, the order didn’t come until after 2:20. During this time, no communication was offered to update us or offer apologies for delays. It was like we didn’t exist. When we asked how long it would take (around 2:10) the waiter responded that at least 10 mins. The food finally came in groups. One of us finished her meal while the rest was still waiting.

The food was great. We all enjoyed it. We ordered dessert. It was good too. I left early. I was told that right after we signed the bill and tipped, the chef came out and was very abrupt and rude. He blamed the food being late for us being 15 mins late. Please note that this place was NOT busy and had many tables opened. He also went so far to mention we don’t understand the food industry. Mind you one of us is a restaurant owner.

Summary: if you want to be scolded and having to experience a bistro full of attitudes while you eat your brunch at 2:45 in the afternoon, this...

I've lived here for a little over a year now and this is the best hospitality I've experienced. The Castro neighborhood is already super friendly, but this specific pocket of warmth exceeded expectations and the standard. My first evening started off here on a quiet Saturday night with a good friend from work. She suggested we go here and upon looking up the ambiance and menu, I thought why not try something new, it looked lovely online. Not only did the owner and our server win over our hearts, but the way they treated everyone else in the restaurant, you would think we had all come over to their home for a beautifully hosted dinner. It was wild, we were treated like family. The colors of the walls, the couches, the setup of the seating. Everything! And as someone who lives so far away from their family, for just a night, I felt at home. We ordered 2 bottles of red wine (forgot the kind), it was delicious. We also ordered the pomme frites (wow), some shellfish (presentation was amazing), mushroom soup, maybe all of their cheeses?, and then finished off the night with some churros. My friend and I haven't stopped talking about this meal since we left. And I'll never forget Leo, our server. And of course, the kind, knowledgable and friendly owner of Aquitaine, Andrew. I haven't been able to wrangle my work friend or my partner out for a meal there again since we're all traveling, but I'm dying to go back. Their vibrant painted walls will make your day and make you feel like you're in the southern part of France....