Rich Table — Restaurant in San Francisco

Rich Table provided a truly fantastic dining experience! I was pleasantly surprised by the diverse and intriguing flavors, the warm and inviting atmosphere, the friendly and attentive staff, and the generous portions. Given how difficult it is to secure a reservation (which I now understand), and considering its understated yet elegant exterior, I anticipated Rich Table might be a bit pretentious. However, it was anything but.

Let's dive into the food: In short, it was phenomenal!

Dungeness Crab Salad ($25): This seasonal dish was a delight. The crab was incredibly fresh, complemented perfectly by the pomelo and spaghetti squash (which I suspect was raw, given its almost papaya-like texture). The subtle heat and warmth from the curry added another layer of flavor. The trout crisps on top were delicious! Served in a hollowed-out crab shell, it was a fun and visually appealing presentation. The portion was on the smaller side, especially considering the price, but that didn't detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the dish. I recommend this if the flavor profile appeals to you.

Dried Porcini Doughnuts Raclette ($13): Our waitress mentioned this is the dish that keeps patrons coming back to Rich Table. My friend had recommended it from a previous visit, and I now understand why! These doughnuts are perfectly fried and coated in an incredibly delicious, umami-rich porcini powder that tastes like a sophisticated version of movie theater popcorn and chips. The raclette is whipped to a light and airy foam. This is an absolute must-try!

Ricotta Pierogis with Persimmon Sweet & Sour Sauce ($14): These were a delightful surprise! They're more akin to empanadas than traditional pierogis, which I personally preferred. The crust was buttery and flaky, encasing the creamy ricotta perfectly. Adding some of the persimmon sauce after the first bite created a wonderful, almost grilled cheese-like flavor. I did feel like the dish could have benefited from one more piece.

Tonnarelli ($29): Our waitress playfully called this "adult mac and cheese." While I wouldn't entirely agree with that comparison (mac and cheese is for all ages!), I understand the sentiment. It's a comforting dish with complex and interesting cheesy notes. The tonnarelli pasta, with its straw-like shape, was perfectly coated and filled with the delicious sauce.

Tajarin ($38): This dish, featuring black truffle and pomegranate, sounded intriguing, and Rich Table certainly didn't skimp on either ingredient. The flavor was distinct and very truffle-forward. While I preferred the Tonnarelli, this is a great option for the adventurous palate.

Pistachio Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Ice Cream ($15): This is precisely the kind of dessert I love to see on a restaurant menu! I'm often wary of dessert menus, as restaurants sometimes struggle in this area (understandably so, given the challenges of executing desserts well and the slim profit margins). But a sweet tooth must be satisfied! And this dessert delivered! It was outstanding. A delicious cake with a perfect crumble, generous dollops of pistachio butter, and a uniquely tangy cream cheese ice cream. The combination was superb. The portion size was also just right. If you dine here, please order this dessert! Rich Table, please continue offering such amazing desserts – it's a service to the culinary world!

Chocolate Panna Cotta ($15): This was more like a pudding or mousse, but it was still delicious. Served in an adorable, pink planter-like dish, it was visually appealing. The chocolate flavor was subtle, with the caramel bits being the more prominent flavor. Overall, it was a sweet, light (but not too light) and...

As I was researching restaurants to visit while in San Francisco Rich Table kept popping up on different lists, food blogs, and articles, one even naming it one of the best restaurants in the city. So I knew I had to try this place.

I had a reservation for 10PM but I got a text a hour before saying I could arrive early if I wanted. When I arrived I was warmly greeted and seated immediately at my spot at the bar by someone who I later learned was the GM/Partner Jonny Gilbert.

The bar seat I had turned out to be perfect for me as I had a good view of the kitchen and expo station as well as being able to look out the windows and see some of the things that occur at night on the streets of SF. The bartender and every employee that I came in contact with were very knowledgeable and tuned in to good customer service.

I opted for the Chef Picks service so I could try a few different items including the caviar supplement and it turned out to be a great choice.

I have to say I loved everything, there might have been 1 or 2 things that didn't leave me wowed or blew my socks off. I can't remember the name of everything that I ate but here are some of the highlights:

Dried Porcini Doughnuts w/ Raclette 5/5 & Sardine Chip w/ Horseradish Crème Fraîche 5/5 2 things Rich Table is know for and they definitely lived up to the hype. Did not disappoint. Everything that you heard about it and more!

Oyster w/ Aji Amarillo & Gooseberry Mignonette 5/5 I don't know how I'll go back to eating oysters without this.

Dungeness Crab, Pomelo, Crab Curry, Spaghetti Squash, Trout Crumble 5/5 but I would rate it higher if I could. Probably the best thing I ate at Rich Table. The presentation is perfect but all those tastes and textures really come together in a way I could never had imagined.

Tonnarelli, Sea Urchin, "Cacio e Pepe," Idiazabal 4.5/5 Perfect al dente and creaminess. Yes Italians say don't eat cheese w/ seafood, but this is California dining.

21 Day Dry Aged Ribeye, "A199" Steak Sauce, Twice Baked Potato 5/5 I love steak and if I'm at a steakhouse I order it medium rare, which is a warm RED center and that is exactly how this steak came out of the kitchen. I'm not a steak sauce fan but the "A199" sauce is homemade and I really enjoyed it. Also nowadays I very rarely see twice baked potatoes on a menu but this was good.

Then came dessert. I was celebrating my birthday so I was given a Mint Chocolate Sable with Mint Chocolate Cream and Ice Cream. 4.5/5 That was perfect and I would think it couldn’t get any better but then I was given an Orange Granita as the end of the Chef Picks and it was amazing. 5/5 I love chocolate and all things chocolate but this was even better than I could have ever expected. I mean the shaved ice with the orange segments and the vanilla ice cream (gelato?). I guess it brings back nostalgia for the creamsicles I used to have as a kid but so much better.

Overall a great experience with all of the exceptional food and enhanced by the employees and their friendliness and service along with meeting one of the Chef/Owners Evan Rich and conversing with him and Mr Gilbert about...

Tuesday, October 3, 2023 @ approximately 2:30 to 2:45 pm PDT- Walking on the South Side of Oak street heading East across Gough street.

I desperately need to get a bike helmet with a video camera on top of it, so I can immediately document this bizarre negative street experiences.

There was a Rich Table employee, he was young hispanic man 20's/30's - probably 5'9" 180lbs with mid-length black or brown completely soaking down the sidewalk with extremely sudsey cleaning water.

Okay, it is good to keep the sidewalks outside of a restaurant as clean as possible, due to the fact that is where Rich Table stores its garabage, recycling, & compost bins.

Yet - what a freaking strange, rude, & bizarre is that this young man saw me struggling up the street with all my groceries with my over-burdened my grocery cart.

I will gladly take down this review or adjust it, if Rich Table can produce and supply video documentation evidence, that clearly demonstrates what I have written & post is not the case nor accurate.

This incident was awful, disrespectful, and it HAPPENED ON A SF PUBLIC SIDEWALK, which as a citizen of SF, I have the right to walk on UNIMPEDED by someone employed by Rich Table DUMPING SOAPY SUDSEY CLEANING WATER directectly in front of me - less than 1 1/2 ft from my cart. What an act of aggression!

Then to add "insult onto injury," all the garbage, recycling, & compost containers were completely filling up the entire sidewalk. He left his broom lying on the wall across the REST OF THE SIDEWALK. It was completely blocked.

I was not going to be able to pass. When I got up close to him, as he was deiliberately dropping more plastic bucketes of - GOD KNOW WHAT CHEMICALLY-LADEN CLEANING DETERGENT WATER.

I assertively asked him to remove the broom from the sidewalk, so I could pass with my cart. All I can write, “If looks could harm,” I would have been walloped or harmed in some manner. I mean this statement most ardently.

The Google Maps reviews are averaging "4.7 Stars" for Rich Table. Too bad Rich Table does not have the same COMMITMENT TO FOOD & SERVICE EXCELLENCE to its neighbors.

I live just 2 ½ blocks away, & I have lived in Hayes Valley for close to 10 years. What a junk business neighbor. I deserve better treatment – PERIOD, whether I choose to eat at Rich Table or just pass by it.

“Sure as a shoot,” I will never bring any of my friends, business associates, or family into Rich Table.

I had done a massive amount of grocery shopping at Member Warehouse Store. My grocery cart was "stuffed to the rafters." It looked like I was about to embark upon a Himalayan Trek.

I own a place on Franklin & Market. Unfortunately the building was built without a parking garage. Obtaining a close monthly parking spot is quite expensive in Hayes Valley.

Therefore, I have chosen to do SFMTA Permit HV Parking. I often have to park anywhere from 3/5 blocks away from my place. Not fun at all, when I am loaded down/up with massive amounts of groceries.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this “1 Star” Review of Rich...