Kokkari Estiatorio — Restaurant in San Francisco

Review: Kokkari Estiatorio in San Francisco, CA

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kokkari Estiatorio in San Francisco, and I must say, it was an incredible experience from start to finish. This restaurant exceeded all expectations, offering exceptional food, a delightful atmosphere, and impeccable service.

Let's start with the food, which was nothing short of excellent. Kokkari Estiatorio specializes in Greek cuisine, and they truly showcase the rich flavors and culinary traditions of the Mediterranean. From the moment we took our first bite, we knew we were in for a treat. The menu boasted a wide array of dishes, ranging from traditional Greek classics to inventive creations with a modern twist. Every dish we ordered was expertly prepared, beautifully presented, and bursting with incredible flavors. The freshness of the ingredients was evident in every bite, and it was clear that the kitchen takes great pride in their craft.

What truly enhanced our dining experience was the welcoming and inviting atmosphere of Kokkari Estiatorio. The restaurant exudes a warm and charming ambiance, with its rustic decor, soft lighting, and tasteful Greek-inspired accents. The spacious layout ensured that each table had enough privacy, while still feeling part of the vibrant atmosphere. The attention to detail was impressive, as every aspect of the restaurant's design contributed to a relaxing and enjoyable dining experience.

Now, let's talk about the service, which was exceptional. Our waiter, Caleigh, deserves special mention for his remarkable knowledge and passion for the food. He guided us through the menu, offering insightful recommendations and explaining the nuances of each dish. His expertise helped us make informed choices, and we were thoroughly impressed by his dedication to ensuring our dining experience was unforgettable. The rest of the staff was equally attentive and friendly, creating a warm and hospitable environment that made us feel like valued guests.

Overall, our experience at Kokkari Estiatorio was truly memorable. The food was outstanding, the atmosphere was delightful, and the service was top-notch. Whether you're a fan of Greek cuisine or simply looking for a fantastic dining experience, I wholeheartedly recommend Kokkari Estiatorio. Prepare to be impressed by the culinary artistry, the inviting ambiance, and the knowledgeable and friendly staff. Kokkari Estiatorio is a gem in the heart of San Francisco, and I can't wait to...

Review from a Greek:

PROS: Great interior design, with beautiful beige and wooden details, and nice atmospheric lighting that can create a nice atmosphere. 2. Personnel is plenty, and willing to help politely, efficiently and fast.

CONS: After making reservations days earlier, we were seated at a table for two, next to another table for two. The distance separating those two tables was 4 inches. We all four people felt like sitting at a table all together. Distance between the person next to me was much closer in relation to the person I was having dinner with, therefore making our conversation not only difficult but also uncomfortable and ruining the atmosphere the interior design mentioned above had created. I understand the necessity to host more people in order to have more profit, but the restaurant can just shorten its availability of tables so that customers aren't packed like we were. The food was so scarce. When someone visits a $$$ restaurant, they want to at least expect to have fair portions of food. I don't expect big but at least fair. The Greek salad with feta didn't even have feta cheese. It had shredded pieces of it, and it was so little it reminded me of food leftovers. The same with every other plate, like "spanakotiropita". We ordered "spanakotiropita", and the server came to our table with one tiny piece of "spanakotiropitaki" and placed it on each person's plate. That was it. I wanted to start laughing. The fish dishes were "empty", making 2 people sharing them uncomfortable when eating, because of the food again not being enough. It was silly. The main plate which was some fish, was served with fries. It was literally 3 small fries.

This is definitely not what Greek cuisine and restaurant is about. Greek cuisine is famous for its rich flavors, and rich plates with much more food than that. I can guarantee you that this same store in Greece would be closed down in a week. I would suggest any customers who go there, to eat before and after visiting this place, and still expect to pay $100+ each. I would definitely not visit this place again, and I would suggest the management to cut off some personnel and fill out those plates with food. Good restaurants aren't the ones that serve samples of food, but a whole plate that people can actually eat, have fun, and enjoy themselves, in an atmosphere that they don't feel packed...

Whole Grilled Seabass 9.28/10- this was absolutely delicious! I loved how lemony and buttery this was. The fish was cooked perfectly and flaked apart so easily. You could taste the freshness and the lemon really brightened everything up.

Moussaka 8.43/10- baked casserole with spiced lamb and beef, eggplant, potato, and yogurt bechamel. This was good but I wish it had a bit more spice as I felt that the cheese on top did overpower a lot of the flavors. The lamb and beef were tender but the bechamel was so rich it masked some of the other ingredients.

Saganaki 8.26/10- pan fried kefalotyri with lemon and oregano. The cheese was perfectly golden and crispy on the outside while staying gooey inside. The lemon added that perfect brightness and the oregano gave it good flavor.

Dips with Pita Bread and Pickles 8.68/10- this was really good! We ordered an onion dip, tzatziki, and a spicy dip. The onion dip was pretty strong. My favorite was definitely the spicy feta - it had this amazing kick. The pita bread was warm and perfect for dipping.

Zucchini Cakes 9.38/10- I loved these! They had great texture and flavor but definitely needed salt. Once I added salt though, they were absolutely immaculate. The zucchini was perfectly incorporated and they had amazing crispy exterior with tender inside.

Artichoke Souvlaki- heard this was incredible but didn't try, was too full but I love artichokes.

Garides Skordates- I didn't try this but I heard the sauce was good. It's chili garlic wild gulf prawns and everyone at the table seemed to really enjoy it.

Loukoumades 4.21/10- there was personally way too much honey for me to enjoy this. I liked the texture of the doughnuts though - super soft on the inside.

Espresso Martini 9.21/10- this was excellent! The coffee they used was really good quality and you could definitely taste it.

I think I had too high of expectations as I heard this was one of the hardest reservations to get in SF and we were debating between going here and Cotogna. It was good but for fine dining I expected more. Our server Tanya was amazing though!

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