Azalina's — Restaurant in San Francisco

The menu structure was weak. It was not clear the price of the 2 course or 4 course tasting menu on the menu itself. Not to mention the wine pairings were there but there was no price for the 2/4 course meal with wine pairing. But that the 20% service charge included was marked on the menu. It seemed a cheap way to guarantee lack of commitment. What’s more annoying is finally when ready to order, my father wanted a two course, and I the four; the waitress said this is impossible. Had I made two single reservations for individuals this would have though? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.

The server was friendly, but I cannot say the same about the waitress with 100% certainty therefore, I will not. I did not find her honest to the core and personal skills in this profession are of high importance. Not to mention her lack of skill in service etiquette. When we got up to leave she walked away as if not to see us and after we were at the door nonchalantly thanked us by calling to us while she was leaving another customer instead of taking a hair of time to give thanks graciously. For these prices I think a little respect is not much to ask. Especially when as tourists we walked to your restaurant where people within almost a one mile radius on the streets we’re shooting up/on drugs, and homeless littered the streets. In addition, after saying I have an aversion to sweet foods the waitress “accommodated” by arranging to serve me the jicama dish which had sugar in it. After asked about how it tasted, I got a laugh.

To sell a menu item as ribeye but not to include the bone is highly professional and transparency and honest both miss the mark since we can’t see the cut on our plate as paying customers.

On the flip side of the coin the fusion of flavors were delicious. But to be fair I’ve never been to Malaysia so i cant comment on thé authenticity of the Food.

I felt really uncomfortable as a customer: -with the lack of transparency on the menu/pricing; but also lack of transparency in terms of the 2/4 course synchronization with my reservation. That was ridiculous. -the lousy/impoverished neighborhood demonstrating social collapse -the service

This is my opinion and it’s not an attack it’s just meant to be constructive and considered. Positive for the future of your business....

I have a tree nut allergy. It’s not severe – so I don’t go into anaphalactic shock or have a reaction to cross-contamination or traces of tree nuts. But when there are tree nuts in my food my throat and my lips swell, and I have an allergic reaction that is noticeable and unpleasant. When I dine out, I make sure to tell the restaurant that I have an allergy. So when I made my reservation at Azalina’s, I made sure to note the allergy in my reservation, and to tell the waitstaff – numerous times – that I had an allergy. Nonetheless, I had a reaction to the main course. This was after I had reminded the waitress about my allergy, the waitress had actually taken the main course back to the kitchen to ensure that there were no tree nuts in the dish, and the waitress had confirmed that she had checked with the kitchen about tree nuts. What this tells me is that one of two things is true. Either the kitchen did not listen to the repeated warnings about my tree nut allergy, or they simply were not able to make the food without tree nuts. To be clear – I do not know which of these is true. I do not know that the kitchen staff knowingly cooked the food in tree nuts despite the warnings about my allergy. But the result is the same – and I would not recommend that anyone with a tree nut allergy eat here. Either the kitchen does not care about tree nut allergies or they are not able to keep tree nuts out of the food. The result is the same – if I had actually had a serious reaction, I might have gone into anaphylaxis and had serious health consequences. Having an allergy requires constant vigilance when you eat out – to ensure that the kitchen is aware of the allergy and can make the food free of allergens. But what happened at Azalina’s was not foreseeable. Here, I told the kitchen – repeatedly – about my allergy. They either did not care or were not able to make my food without tree nuts. As a result, I had a reaction and had to leave the restaurant to seek treatment. I cannot emphasize this enough: do not eat here if you have a tree nut allergy. Either the kitchen cannot or will not make your food...

Chef Azalina's restaurant in San Francisco's Tenderloin district offers an exceptional dining experience that goes beyond just food. It's a testament to passion, perseverance, and community engagement.

The cuisine is remarkable, showcasing meticulous attention to detail in both flavor and presentation. Each dish demonstrates craftsmanship, with a harmonious blend of tastes that speaks to the chef's skill. The menu features unique ingredients, including an herb reminiscent of Fruit Loops cereal. I'm not going to write too much about food because I think it's borderline just pointless to describe food in words.

What sets this establishment apart is Chef Azalina's commitment to her craft and community. She maintains close relationships with her suppliers, including fisherwomen from Half Moon Bay, ensuring the highest quality ingredients and supporting local producers. I'm convinced that if there were 1000 more Azalinas in SF, this would be the greatest city on earth.

After my meal, I had the privilege of speaking with Chef Azalina for two hours. She shared fascinating stories about her relationship with food, the inspirations behind each course, and her experience as a restaurant owner in the Tenderloin. Her passion for culinary arts and dedication to her community were obvious.

Chef Azalina also opened up about the challenges of operating in the Tenderloin. Many potential patrons unfairly dismiss her restaurant due to its location, overlooking the exceptional culinary experience it offers. Despite this, she remains committed to her vision and to making a positive impact in the neighborhood. Her presence has contributed to the neighborhood's revitalization, demonstrating how a restaurant can be a force for community improvement.

Azalina offers not just a meal, but an experience that combines culinary excellence with personal passion and community engagement. It's a must-visit for those seeking innovative, thoughtfully prepared cuisine in San Francisco, and a shining example of how food can transcend stereotypes and transform...