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Joey
(77) reviews
2/11/2007
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “
We had a group of people go awhile ago for a function. Nice experience , nice sampling. Reminded me of Masa's in SF and Chez TJ in Mt View. The presentations were awesome. This is kind of a fusion of many tastes and foods and lands. Of course a french blend mixed with other Euro elements including spanish( The Gazpacho) Interesting that the chef' surname is spanish (Laurent Manrique). The ambiance and the experience lent to a wonderful experience. I would go there again, well of course, however it is expensive so I would have to save up another 10 years ;-) .
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JTF
(4) reviews
1/29/2007
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Unlike many of the other reviewers comments about Aqua being unfriendly-we had a perfectly opposite experience. We had late reservations, but we were seated promptly...our waitress, Erin, was knowledgeable without being snooty.
The food was to die for, (specifically-we had (1st) Tuna Tartare & Foie, (2nd) Walu & Main Skate Wing and (3rd) Poached Pear Glace & Lemon Verbena Mousse). All were presented beautifully! The Walu was thick like steak-but melted in my mouth! The Foie, (a trio) was worth the $5 up charge - I would've paid $10. The desserts weren't the same, (creme brulee, molten choc.cake etc.) like they are at many other restaurants....and they were beautiful AND delicious!
There are many fine dining restaurants in this city-this was a fine example of a combination of excellent food, stellar service and an inviting atmosphere!
Definitely a special occasion spot, unless you have loads of $$...but a return visit is absolutely necessary for my palate! ”
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Wine Gal
(1) review
1/23/2007
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Can't believe this restaurant earned 2 Michelin stars!! Had to wait 45 minutes between the 1st and 2nd course. The manager finally came over to apologize and told us that our orders had been lost. We did receive the rest of our glasses of wine gratis but most high end restaurants would have comped the meal. Could be that we were two women instead of two men or a man and a woman. I find that women receive poorer service and seating placements than men. The Ahi appetizer is excellent but the main courses were only good to very good. I would rather eat at Jardiniere.
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Bigjnp
(1) review
10/15/2006
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ We just returned from Aqua for my partners birthday and it was outstanding! Pricey...but worth every penny. Just hands down, one of the most decadent and fantastic fine dining experiences we've ever had on a Sunday night in San Francisco. We definatley recommend the tasting menu ( 7 + courses) The Foie Gras was to die for. Service and atmosphere were outstanding, a completely perfect experience from start to finish in a city where you can have exceptional dining any time, this one ranks at the top! ”
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oaklandj
(94) reviews
10/15/2006
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ NOTE: I am a vegetarian, so I didn't eat their seafood. Nevertheless, despite the expense, the food here was stunning. They even prepared vegetarian food off-menu for me which would rival other fine restaurants' menu items. The wait staff was attentive and polite--I felt like royalty. One of the few high-end restaurants that I would say is worth it. My dining companion loved her seafood, although I can't comment on it personally.
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jhelitha-13
(177) reviews
9/28/2006
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ I love fine dining, and this is one of my favourites fine restaurants. My bf and I were planning to have a fun night out to celebrate a special occassion, but he didn't tell me that he booked the reservation at this restaurant. Good thing I was all dressed up that night, coz you definitely have to look stunning to dine at this kind of places. And I think he had to book it couple weeks in advance. If you want to treat someone special, this is definitely one of the options. We had the prix fixe and a bottle of red wine. I had the scallops, smoked duck, and chocolate composition for dessert (sweeeet).
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LISAD
(109) reviews
9/24/2006
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ "All I can say is, AMAZING surf and turf. Hands down the best lobster I have ever had, and I have had a lot!! Yes it's expensive and yes, they are snooty, but the food is very good. My only beef is we were seated 45 Min's after are reservation. On there behalf, they did bring us a nice appetizer to tied us over. If you are in the mood to splurge, this is a great place to do it at!!!
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jpierson
(412) reviews
5/30/2006
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Just when I had decided that Ahi Tartar had been played and played again, my friend insisted I give Aqua's a try, and it was spectacular. The Lobster & Quinoa Bouillon was also excellent, as were the Day Boat Scallops. I'm not sure what happened with previous reviewers here, but service was excellent from all quarters on our visit. The Strawberry Glace was very good, but the Citrus Tart stole the show. Between the Ahi, the service and the tart, this was easily one of the best meals I've had in the city.
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allrookie
(48) reviews
5/14/2006
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Very classy, elegant restaurant. It is good as billed. We came with a big party and had some soup that I can't remember the name of but it was fish-based and creamy. delicious! Entrees were classic and refined. Expensive and expect to come out with a very light wallet. Wine list was good. If you are on an expense account or somebody is taking you out, there is no other place than Aqua.
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garlicspammer
(26) reviews
3/24/2006
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Very expensive for average seafood and snooty service . We had an 8pm reservation and we were waiting for 30 minutes with four other groups when a couple that was hurrying because they missed their reservation were seated before everyone else. Everyone raves about the lobster pot pie here (and the people that ordered it were actually enjoying it), so if I ever go back and that's a big if ... maybe if someone's treating, I'll have to try that. The lobster & mango salad with a sprinkling of foie gras was very good, but that's where it ended. Three other dishes totally missed the mark. The Hudson Valley foie gras was enormous, but it was too bland. I've had better sauteed chicken liver at Zuni. The petrale sole was tender and juicy, but the sauce tasted like rancid mayonnaise with clam juice. The rare ahi tuna was way overcooked and didn't have the flavor I was looking for. Save your money for something better. If you want the ultimate seafood joint, Farallon's a better bet. ”
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mediumrare007
(39) reviews
1/25/2006
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ I was expecting great things from this place. But, much like going to a Golden State Warriors game this season left disappointed. Yes, the price was high... however I expected that already. What I wasn't expecting was how bland everything taste. All in all....the presentation of the food was great. The decor of the room is definately 5 stars. The service was decent, not spectactular. However, none of the dishes jumped out at me as far as flavor is concerned. The old adage you get what you pay for certainly doesn't apply unless you go to restaurants for the ambiance instead of satisfying the palette. ”
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tenortom
(138) reviews
1/13/2006
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Brilliant Chef Laurent Manrique from Gascony has brought the cuisine at Aqua to a new Renaissance. Three successive stunning courses prove the power of Manrique's creative artistry: A spectacular Tartare of Ahi Tuna with Morrocan spices, herbs and lemon confit centered by a single quail egg lovingly prepared tableside. Incredible Meyer lemon fragrances gently infuse and perfume the fragrant tuna with delectable results. Second course is Chef's signature artisan foie gras with almonds, smoked duck in a scrumptuously dazzling shallot sherry sauce skyrocketing taste buds with a glorious foie gras sans pareil. Combination of the deliciously tender warm duck liver combined with the crunch of almonds, the luscious smoked duck flesh and the shallot sherry reduction masterfully blended create a noble and succulent presentation. A stunning Scottish Salmon, the most delicious salmon since L'Auberge de l'Ill, delicately and exquisitely poached, superlatively rare and divinely infused. Genius. ”
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poolshark
(63) reviews
7/27/2005
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Overpriced. Holy crap this place is more expensive than Gary Danko or even the Ritz. Now, their reputation for outstanding seafood is well deserved, the seafood dishes of the 7-course (more like 9 courses actually) dinner were amazing, the ahi tuna, the crab/mussels souffle, the scallops/foie gras. The weak course was, indeed, the beef, which was tough and bland. The $75 (!) wine pairing option is a terrible value (that's on top of the $95 menu), you end up paying $11 per half-glass of good-but-not-great wine. I was hoping for a Montrachet, i got a central coast Chardonnay. I was hoping for a Sauternes, i got a Muscat. Grrr. Don't go for it, rather pick one of their many white burgundies. If money means nothing to you, this is a great place.
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jinsoo
(2) reviews
6/25/2005
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ 1. I recommend 7 courses meal at Aqua. It was outstanding menu selection. The presentation was neat and top. The desert was best. It was small portion, so people don't feel eat too much but meal was well balanced and healthy
Jinsoo ”
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wine&fine
(16) reviews
6/2/2005
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Tried the 7 course Chef tastings my first time here. Loved the ahi tar tare. Will order that as an entree, next visit. Was disappointed to find a duck heart as a main course in the tastings. However, it was very good despite it being a discarded part of the duck at pennies per pound. Overall, the experience was pleasing from the combination of tasty food, unobstructive service, and non-glaring, nice environment. It's an expensive, but a cool, fine dining place with good food. ”
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lohphat
(21) reviews
5/3/2005
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ I do really like the food. But...I do not appreciate being gouged for wines. In addition in the 4-5 times I've been there, the service has been sloppy -- I expect professional staff who know how to watch a table, refill glasses, not take plates away when people are still eating, etc. ”
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victoria
(32) reviews
4/25/2005
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Great for those special-occasion fine dining experiences (since it certainly is not cheap). The food was great and the service as well, but I was quite intimidated by the wine-list, and the sommelier did nothing to allieviate that. But overall a very nice place. ”
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xscientist
(223) reviews
4/11/2005
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ One of the very best SF has to offer, the finest dining, at the tallest price, but well worth it. I am a huge fan of Gary Danko, and I would put Aqua at the same level, only the focus is on seafood. Here's the tasting menu as of 2 days ago (my last visit, and best meal of my life perhaps): fried tuna croquette with lemon tartar sauce and a sip of squash soup, beluga caviar tart (puff pastry with carmelized onions, topped with sour cream and caviar), ahi tuna sashima tossed with a fresh quail egg yolk and turkish spices, parmesan souffle topped with crab in a cream sauce accompanied with a cold crab claw in vinagraitte wrapped in watermelon, foie gras over carmelized vegetables, bacon-wrapped sturgeon, filet mignon with a dijon custard tart, pineapple carpaccio with pineapple sorbet, and a grand marnier souffle. Everything was completely flawless and I would go again tomorrow and the day after and the day after if I could afford it... ”
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shat88
(64) reviews
3/31/2005
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Very good, upscale restaurant in Downtown that specializes in seafood. All their dishes were excellent, but just like everyone said, it's going to break your wallet. I would rather go to Gary Danko for better food at about the same price. ”
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jadegyrlee
(106) reviews
2/10/2005
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Aqua is an excellent restaurant, but it's become quite expensive (up to $36 per plate). Don't dine here unless you're prepared to spend mega bucks. The seafood dishes are all solidly prepared, but I don't like too much seafood. I like more variety on the menu. I ordered the lobster dish there that was prepared very well. I've heard off-and-on reviews about their fish, but I think people are more particular about seafood restaurants. It has a nice, romantic atmosphere, and the service was good. Good place to take somebody to for a special occasion. ”
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The_Chow_Hound
(6) reviews
1/25/2005
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
“ Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!
Aqua is an elegant and very expensive scene. The menu, preparations, and presentation run to the exotic. Service is discreet and slow. On a recent visit I had the Kobe beef trio: Kobe cevechi, capriccio, and a three ounce smoked tenderloin served with a two-ounce lobster tail. All three for a mere $85. It was very good – but I couldn’t escape the feeling that I should have been wearing a funny looking hat with a wisp of veil and a pheasant’s feather or two. It’s that kind of place. Aqua is conveniently located around the corner from McDonalds; a pre-Aqua stop is recommended for those with a hearty appetite.
The_Chow_Hound
“I Never Met A Bone I Didn’t Lick”
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chris1
(116) reviews
1/14/2005
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ I had very high expectations of this restaurant and was not very impressed with my overall experience. I found the dining room a bit uptight and sterile. The service was just okay. The seafood was tasty, but not worth the price for the overall experience. ”
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Tom Gable
(1) review
11/22/2004
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Very disappointing. Squeezed into a terrible table by the kitchen. Perfunctory pretentious service. Had to send the Atlantic Char entree back twice because of undercooking. The second time, the waiter just said "that's the way it is." The sole dish was average. The John Dory probably was best of the entrees. Had high expectations but they were not met in any way. I'm a former restaurant critic so can appreciate when restaurants get it right on all counts. This one seems very overrated. ”
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JohnnyCan
(62) reviews
11/21/2004
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Beautiful room, quiet eating space and knowledgeable unobtrusive staff. 4 years ago, I had a scallop & foie gras appetizer there I will remember the rest of my life. Today it is still just as wonderful. It doesn't have a "personality", the staff are not schmoozy, I've never seen a chef come out to say hello to anyone and there isn't a bar scene to meet people. But if you want to enjoy an impeccable meal, and you want to be able to enjoy your guests as well, go to Aqua. ”
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Nancy
(19) reviews
11/11/2004
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ I've dined at this restaurant through the years, mostly for lunch and a couple times for dinner, and the food has been pleasingly consistent...in a very good way. The wait staff is wonderful and attentive, and one or two have been there since the restaurant opened. Presentation of food is beautiful and my two all time favorites are the glazed sea bass and the ahi tuni tartare, probably their two signature dishes that no other restaurant has been able to recreate. ”
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lady chan
(130) reviews
11/2/2004
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Our waiter was quite put off that we brought our own wine, even though it was a 1979 Chateau Montelena chardonnay and they would charge us 15.00. overwhemingly snooty attitude until he poured it and saw the liquid gold dripping into our glasses. too late by then. think he gave up on us. long intervals between courses. didn't get end of night treats. quite costly would not repeat even if soemone else was paying. High brow attitude ”
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punks
(110) reviews
4/22/2004
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Cuisine:
Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
| “ Have you ever had the lobster pot pie? OMG! For $50 bucks, it's worth it! There are huge chunks of lobster folded into this delicate pastry puff. I found this company that makes them on the east coast that are half the size and frozen for $20 each and they ship them to you. Why not go for the freshest and go to Aqua? Love it! Sit at the counter and dine on the best by yourself! The classic tuna tartare is good as well but sometimes you gotta have the comfort food!
Old review:
This is not basque seafood by any stretch. It is delicate seafood with the most exceptional taste. ”
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