Cesario's — Restaurant in San Francisco

I have posted both on the restaurant web page--along with a Facebook posting on the restaurant's site--about the unpleasant dining experience encountered last Wednesday (November 27, 2019 at approximately 6 p.m.). While both the food and the service was quite awesome--the unpleasant experience (weather such callous attitude, ignorance or a combination of both) from the staff what's something that will never be forgotten--because in all of my years of traveling (both domestic and international); I have never encountered such a distasteful situation.

And just what was the situation? In essence my best friend (Michael) and I had been asked to pay for our meal--in advance--just several minutes after placing the order. I was so shocked that at first I thought that I had not heard correctly the request and so I asked for such to be repeated--as well as an explanation for the reason--and I was even more stunned by the answer.

In essence; we were informed that because it would be quite busy after we had eaten--and because they may not have much time to service us (meaning take payment after completion of the meal)--that they wanted us to pay for in advance. I refused to do so and a few minutes later; requested that the wait staff remove the check (which was enclosed in a black folder) off of our dining table and present us with such after we had completed the meal (and they honored that request).

The reason I was so stunned is because it reminded me of what my parents and grandparents had undergone in the fight for equality during the civil Rights era (where some individuals was asked to pay in advance for the meal; while the majority of others did not have to engage with such a request). It was completely unfair and discriminatory during that era (and unfortunately there are still 'pockets' of unfair actions; go such is more covert then overt).

After both he and I had completed our meal; a few minutes later because look at our checks, pay the bill and left the restaurant (both of us feeling quite stunned and upset over what had transpired and--it appears--the reception of other diners). Concerning the other diners and after visually surveying the small restaurant; not one of them (the incoming diners after my best friend and I have been seated) displayed a check on their table (in essence they had not been asked to pay in advance).

I will certainly share my thoughts with the management; in the hopes that they are able to improve their image (you're both tourist and residents alike) because what he and I underwent I never want anyone else to experience such negativity. I do not ever want to eat at this restaurant again and will do everything in my power to try to rectify the situation (again for future...

I know ordering take away isn't the same as eating at the restaurant and I am prepared for this. I understand that the quality of the food is slightly lessened with every carry out step I take. That is what I am prepared for. But what I'm not prepared for are items that are completely unavailable and rather than refunding me the money so I could get this food item elsewhere, they basically tell me that that won't be possible, order something else from us. What I'm not prepared for is the missing ingredients that were the main reason I ordered a 12$ house salad. Or how not one of the desserts we ordered at 7 bucks plus, do not resemble these pictures in the slightest bit. I ordered these items based on the description and photos provided by the restaurant. I have no complaints about the taste because I was satisfied with what I got. It's just that I'm bummed out because I went to this restaurant for a specific reason. I didn't find out they were out of this item until it was picked up. Then the pressure to order something else because they can't issue a refund is frustrating. And when I get back to see the one ingredient I was looking forward to on this 12$ house salad was AWOL, I was bummed. I know that these are ridiculous issues and there are bigger problems in the world and I very much dislike complaining. But when I pay 12$ for a salad, I expect some m-effing cucumbers and when I order cheese cake for 7$, a drizzle of cherry pie filling will be accompanying it. These are such simple issues but to add them all together, they are frustrating. It's like little shortcuts that when looked at individually, not a big deal, most of the time. And that's what gets my goat the most. These shortcuts just majorly altered my opinion on this place. While Cerario's has one the best creme brulee's I've had in San Francisco, but had I known they were out, I would have ordered elsewhere. And they made me feel like a refund would be totally impossible because I ordered from the app they automatically picked for me when ordering from the restaurant link provided by Google maps. I know I could have gotten that refund thru the app with a little effort, they made me think it wasn't happening. And that upsets me. Just everything from my order tonight was a disappointment. I'm,...

My son and I were in San Francisco for a weekend a couple of weeks back. We ate at several local restaurants (and one disappointing high end steakhouse chain restaurant) during our time there. Cesario's was our 2nd favorite (Bouche was by far our favorite!).

We arrived about 15 minutes earlier than our reservation but were seated immediately by a lovely man who showed us to a table by the window. We were glad we got there early because the small space fills up quickly! About half way through our dinner the whole dining room was full.

Yes, the tables are close together but IMO that adds to the charm and old world feel of the place. Also the dining room is surprisingly not loud. It could be that the closeness of the tables facilitates lower voices and conversations.

The service was excellent! Our young server did an amazing job of pacing the courses well and checking in when she needed to. The whole front of house team staff seemed to work as a seamless team and moved effortlessly among the crowded space.

In regard to the food, it was very good. We both had salads to start that were fresh and very good and pasta dishes for our second course that were also very good. I had the seafood special and he had a regular menu item. The dinner also came with complementary bread which was good also.

The wine list includes some excellent wines at very reasonable prices for less of a markup than we encountered at the chain restaurant we visited later in our stay. We ordered a bottle of Black Stallion cabernet that was a third of the price listed at the chain restaurant.

The only slight misstep was dessert -- my son ordered the cannoli and I ordered the creme brulee. His cannoli was cut into pieces (for some odd reason -- but he said it was good) and the creme brulee was topped with a disappointing gummy caramel.

All-in-all it was lovely dinner -- more 4.5 starts than 4. Will definitely keep in mind for future trips to...