Modi — Restaurant in San Francisco

We stumbled across Modi while plotting out a staycation dinner spot, and honestly — an Italian + Mexican fusion restaurant? Say less. Bonus points for having a TV at the bar so we could watch the Giants game while enjoying our amazing meal!

Vibes: Host was super welcoming and walked us to the bar side (the only ones there at first). Jiro, the bartender/mixologist/absolute legend, flipped the channel to the game for us without hesitation. Already off to a strong start.

Drinks (all expertly mixed by Jiro): • Dulce Vita ($18) – Mezcal + passion fruit + Aperol = smoky, tangy, tropical greatness. Glad I trusted his recommendation on this one! • Sueño De Amalfi ($18) – Limoncello + vodka + basil. Light, refreshing, and basically European summer in a glass. • Aperol Spritz ($16) – A vacation classic done exactly right. A great last drink!

They’ve also got wine, beer, mocktails, sodas (including Mexican Coke/Sprite), Italian sodas, and more, so no one’s left out.

Food (aka why we came): • Chips & Salsa – Complimentary and colorful. Salsa verde was fresh and bright. • Fresh Oysters (6 for $24 / 12 for $45) – Local oysters topped with mezcal mignonette + watermelon granita = genius. Jiro even gave us a side mezcal shot to pair with it (bar perks, baby). • Trompitos Al Pastor ($17) – Pork skewers with pineapple sauce. Delicious, but would’ve loved the pineapple layered throughout instead of just on the bottom. • Lobster Tacos ($32) – Pricey, yes. Skimpy? Nope. Tons of lobster chunks with creamy avocado + lime crema to tie it all together. • Birria Lasagna ($28) – The undisputed star. Crispy edges, tender beef, layers of cheese + béchamel. It’s everything I never knew I needed in life. If you don’t order this, why bother going.

Dessert: • Churro Tiramisù ($14) – Churros instead of ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, espresso magic. Warm + cold contrast, great presentation, ridiculously good flavor. Would get it again in a heartbeat.

Overall: Modi was a hit. Friendly staff, excellent food, fun vibe. Jiro deserves a medal for being attentive, helpful, and just plain awesome. The night ended with surprise celebratory shots courtesy of the owner, who happened to sit next to us at the bar.

We’ll definitely be back — that Birria Lasagna is already calling my name, along with a few other dishes we didn’t get to try this...

I'd been looking forward to going to Modi for a while (even before it officially opened and I saw it show up on IG) and was finally able to visit the restaurant for dinner with my husband. TBH this wasn't our first attempt. We had previously stopped by when their website said they were open (with no signage in-person to indicate otherwise), Google Maps said they were open, and Yelp said they were open, but they weren't. That experience could have been handled better, but thankfully this visit was smoother.

Reservations: I checked online (Resy) earlier in the day to get a sense of how busy the evening might be. There were a lot of time slots available still so I decided to walk-in, and it turned out fine. Despite it being busy because of a nearby conference, we were able to be seated right away in their "outdoor" area which was sheltered and heated... and lively.

Ambiance: The environment was quite loud with so many people there and it was tricky to carry on a conversation, but we made do. The decor was really nice, including the intricate details on the table tops, and the glassware, dishes, etc. seemed like nice quality - I don't usually notice those types of things but these stood out.

Service: The service was somewhat slow that evening, which is understandable due to how busy it was. Whenever we were able to chat with the staff though (including the host at the front who seated us), they were all very friendly and helpful and accommodating.

Food: I was most looking forward to the birria lasagna. It's a great concept and was a very tasty dish, but by the time it was served at the table it was cold unfortunately. The risotto with bone marrow was very good too and was served hot. For dessert, we had the churro tiramisu based on a rec from the server - it was a unique fusion of flavours to try and one serving was large enough for two people.

Overall had a decent experience, though not without some hiccups. I'd be open to returning, perhaps on a less hectic evening, to get a better sense of...

As an Italian, I’m always curious (and sometimes skeptical) about how my traditional cuisine is blended with others—but at Modì, I was truly impressed! This elegant and well-designed restaurant delivers a sophisticated and exotic take on Mexican-Italian fusion that feels both gourmet and authentic. The atmosphere is refined and carefully curated, perfect for a relaxed yet upscale dining experience. The service was also incredibly fast and attentive We started with arancini filled with sausage, beautifully crispy on the outside and rich in flavor on the inside—a comforting Italian classic with a twist. Then came a bowl of rice, vegetables, avocado, beans, and a variety of fresh ingredients—healthy, vibrant, and surprisingly light. A perfect balance of textures and flavors in my opinion! To finish, we indulged in a dulce de leche gelato with fresh fruit salad. It was an exquisite dessert that brought the meal to a sweet and satisfying close! This place is highly recommended for anyone looking to explore how Italian tradition can be elevated with the bold and colorful soul of Mexican cuisine. A unique experience I’ll...