Verjus — Restaurant in San Francisco

I was recommended this restaurant by a friend and was excited to secure a reservation the week prior for a friend’s visit. I forgot to note that it was for a birthday celebration when booking, so I called the day off and spoke with the hostess, who kindly made a note of it.

Upon arrival, the hostess greeted us warmly, recalled my call about the birthday, and seated us near the brick wall by the bar. She let us know our server would be with us shortly. Although I understand it was prime time and busy, it took 10–15 minutes before our server greeted us or offered water. When he did arrive, he asked about beverages and let us taste the wine before ordering, which I appreciated (although seemed like he wasn’t as knowledgeable enough of their wine menu).

We ordered everything at once, and while the starters arrived promptly and were enjoyable, there was a 30–45 minute wait for our entrées (bœuf and poulet). During that time, there was no check-in or update from our server. He only returned once he realized we hadn’t received our food. When the dishes finally arrived, the bœuf was cold.

At the end of the meal, the server cleared our plates without asking if we were finished—my friend had wanted to dip her bread in the remaining sauce—and also took her wine glass, which still had a sip left. We ordered the profiterole for dessert, which was delicious, but I was disappointed there was no acknowledgment that it was a birthday dinner.

Unfortunately, the service and price point didn’t live up to expectations, and I left feeling disappointed given the strong recommendation...

Hot food from kitchen was great. Fresh made bread was very flavorful. Initial host getting was warm as was farewell but our table service was pretentious (when offered), menus are not well written and answers to questions regarding menu were short, non-discript and not helpful. Payed $50 for a generic cheese plate (although the cheese was unique) it took 25 min to get and didn't include one of our selections which the server just assumed we would know that meant they didn't have it anymore and didn't bother to tell us nor ask if we wanted a replacement. When we finished our first bottle of wine we had to get up to retrieve the wine menu to choose another, then flag the server down to ask him for it (where he then brought the wrong bottle). When asked for bill, itemized printout wasn't offered or available to review. We had to ask the server after we signed and closed out if he was going to give us a copy which he did after he shrugged and...

I rarely leave reviews but Verjus pushed it. Here is one of those places that is very popular, has a great vibe and makes delicious food, but that takes advantage of it.

We were 4 people and put our names on the board to wait. They told us 20mn. We waited almost 2 hours. The real problem however is that the waitresses let several groups of 4/5 people sit before us, even though they had only waited for 10/15mn. When I asked for an explanation, they shrugged their shoulders and invented some bizarre explanation. I had to constantly ask them why they would let other people in front of us even though we were first on the list.

It’s not because you have a cool restaurant that you should treat people like this. Please improve...