Pier 23 Cafe Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in San Francisco

I had come here a few months ago and tried their sundae, which, despite being a bit pricey, I found really worth it. I enjoyed the bananas in particular, as they were caramelized in a way I couldn't achieve at home, and was excited to come back and get the same thing- life's been difficult recently, sometimes all you want is a little treat to reward yourself for getting through it.

I visited this weekend and ordered the same thing, but when it came to the table, found the bananas had been completely burnt- the flavor was bitter and unappealing. I considered just sticking with it, but when I saw an employee I opted to say something. I pointed out that they were burnt and asked if I could be brought some new ones that were done how I was hoping. After arguing with me and explaining that they're "supposed to be burnt," he took the sundae away entirely to have it remade.

I was brought a second sundae, this one with the bananas barely done at all. I wasn't happy, but I didn't want to ask for it to be done a third time, as I already felt demanding, was worried they'd just throw it away a second time and waste the food, and was on a time limit. I have to rely on public transit to get home, and it took them a while to make the sundae both times. Considering they'd already made it twice, I cut my losses and just decided to eat as is.

When our server (who was very sweet, no issue with her,) came to give us our check, I asked if I could have the sundae discounted, since neither time was it the thing I had come there for, which I found disappointing. She left for a while before who I assume was a manager came out, and informed me they wouldn't be willing to discount the sundae since I had eaten it, and they used the ingredients. She also, again, told me that's how the bananas were "supposed to be made," as though I did not know what it was I ordered. I could tell she was agitated, and yet she still said she "hoped the experience wouldn't discourage (me) from visiting in the future," despite doing nothing to help but come to the table and tell me they still expected my money.

I know it seems silly to be so upset over bananas, but it was more the experience, the treatment by staff, and the condescension that bothered me in the end. I felt embarrassed for having wanted to eat it in the first place, and in front of friends no less. $11 for a sundae isn't small for me, and was a calculated purchase made because I had enjoyed eating there before. I don't see why they would have expected me to ask them to make it again when they had already done so incorrectly twice, and I have no reason to believe I wouldn't have been charged for it if I didn't eat it. The ingredient rationale didn't make sense, as they had already wasted one whole sundae when all I had asked for was a few more bananas to be made the way I'd hoped.

I didn't ask for a refund. Just a discount. Even a few dollars off and I'd have been happy. And still, no attempt at trying to fix what had become an unfortunately negative experience.

It felt as though staff (save for our server) had already decided I was a "Karen" before trying to offer any understanding, and I backed out of the discount conversation at most because the manager made me feel stupid for even asking in the first place.

Really disappointed, and not gonna risk coming back here if I can't expect any sort of compensation or kindness from staff when something goes wrong. Even if the food is good, it's too expensive to risk losing money on if they get something wrong and...

We went here for my birthday dinner and the service was so bad that the waiter did not even offer a dessert menu, let alone a birthday dessert- he just dropped the check as we were finishing our dinners and walked away. It was so strange. I picked this place for the view and location- I wanted to be outside. I knew the food would be OK- I've been here many times over the years- so I did not have high expectations, and the food met my low expectations, but the service was terrible and verging on offensive.

We made reservations for 3 people and showed up on time. We were friendly to the waiter, and he was friendly back- recommending drinks, etc. We asked about the sustainable seafood as it was highlighted on the menu and he laughed and said he had worked there to 2 years and had no idea. Even so, things were going well, and I thought we were all having a good time. We ordered 2 appetizers, a round of drinks, a dinner entree each (including the $36 chipino, clams and mussels, and the tacos), another drink, and then once our food came, the waiter stayed at the bar chatting with other employees. We wanted another round of drinks and tried to wave to him. He waved back- and still didn't come over until we asked a busser to ask him to come over. At that point, things turned cold- he was pouting and barely spoke to us, let alone looked at us. We have no idea what happened. We are all old enough to know how to behave and were polite and friendly to him. We were not rude to him in any ways. All of a sudden it was a cold shoulder- teenage pouting that we were subject to. We asked for a round of waters- we spent over $170 for 3 people- I don't think water is too much to ask for. He brought the water, dropped the check and that was the last we saw of him, until he picked up the credit card, and returned it will not so much as a word. He was well aware that it was my birthday- and there was no offer of a dessert menu, or anything. I hate to admit, but this was the worst part. Still, upon further reflection, we have no idea what we did to deserve such rude, cold behavior from him, but since the food is overpriced and can at best be described as good, I will find another place next time I want water views outside. It's sad that the memory of this meal is his strange behavior, and lack of dessert instead of the overpriced, but good, baked oysters,...

If you didn't know any better, you wouldn't know how good this place USED to be... Pier 23 restaurant was great pre-covid. Great menu, food & service. Now it's awful! The menu isn't too good & the food is TERRIBLE. I've been back at least 5 times since August hoping it gets better but it just keeps getting worse. My friends, co-workers & I spent a lot of $ here pre-covid. We would always go during the cruise ship season for good food, drinks & fun. Now, nobody is going back because the menu, food & drinks are so bad. They used to have the best chicken wings. Now they're just buffalo wings, you can get anywhere. The fish in the fish & chips is soggy. The banana bread is dry & hard as a brick. I ordered a chicken caesar to go & was surprised when I opened the box. There was a whole boneless chicken thigh on top of the lettuce. Under the thigh was a gob of whole anchovies. I tried to eat the tasteless thigh (with only the fork they gave me. No knife) but it was rubbery & under cooked. What happened to cut up breast meat? The salad dressing was not good either. No oysters on the menu but they would probably be bad too. I can't remember what else we tried but everything was tasteless. The quality has gone way down! The whole thigh caesar salad was the last straw. I wish I took a picture of it to post. It's so disappointing when we used to love this place! IF I go back because it's convenient, the only thing I'll be getting is french fries because that's the only thing that's still good. The ambiance is great but I'll be going by myself. None of my friends or co-workers want to go anymore. PLEASE BRING BACK THE PRE-COVID...