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O3 Bistro & Lounge
Categories: Restaurants Asian Fusion Nightlife Bars Lounges Restaurants Canadian (New) Asian Fusion, Lounges, Canadian (New)
524 Van Ness AveSan Francisco, CA 94102
Neighbourhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
(415) 934-9800
- Hours:
Mon 11 am - 10 pm
Tue-Thu 11 am - 11 pm
Fri 11 am - 1 am
Sat 4 pm - 1 am
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
70 reviews for O3 Bistro & Lounge
70 reviews in English
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Review from Noel M.
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
I don't know which I liked more, the appetizers or the drinks!
The cocktails we chose were stiff but also full of blueberry or crisp cucumber goodness.
The appetizers piqued my interest so we bi-passed the entrees. *Disclaimer - I've never had oxtail before this experience* but I enjoyed the braised oxtail tacos. To be honest, I couldn't even tell they were out of the ordinary.
The roasted bone marrow was $10 for about four bites. The marmalade completely overpowered the delicate marrow.
It seems like every restaurant in the City offers up some variation of pork belly and this was my favorite thus far. It was nicely caramelized with a hint of truffle oil. Simply heavenly.
I'm ready for some more!Listed in: It's the Irish blood, Get in My [pork] Belly
-
Review from Haley C.
Palo Alto, CA
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ambiance, drinks, bartenders, bites and crowds were great.
You should only based this review on Happy Hour from 4-7pm because it's a good start for a night out. On the bar menu, I had the bites of Truffle fries, 03 nachos.
I have to say that the O3 nacho stole my attention, I kept on wondering how they make their cheese white creamy that was lightly draped over some deep fried won ton skins. It could be the alcohol talking but if a girl is having more than just a taste, it must be good.
As for the drinks, the pomegrante press was ok, saketini was strong but came with black berries (Yay for antioxidants); and lastly I had Soho, a citrus mojito.
I would definitely come back and try out their dinner menu. Who's in? -
Review from Stacey L.
San Francisco, CA
5/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I popped in for a quick lunch the other day since I heard there was a new fusion restaurant in the neighborhood. The food was fresh & proportioned perfectly. Loved the sauces & salad dressings. Modern decor. I doubt I could drop in everyday but it's good for a working lunch meeting. We'll have to check out their HH to see how it compares to Sugar. My coworkers & I are always looking for new HH spots that's centrally located to City Hall/DPW/PUC/MTA. I'll be back for the scallops, ox tail hash, wagyu burger, Bone marrow. Service was a bit unattentive.
-(*) Belly: Slow cooked with Quail egg $11
-(*) Tuna Crudo $12
-Oxtail Grilled Cheese (very rich, I only finished half of the sandwich)
(*) = Favorites -
Review from Elena N.
San Francisco, CA
Since this is an easy hop off my bus line on the way home, it's become an after work stop. I love coming here and hanging out in the lounge. On Monday nights they have $1 oysters and half off bottles of wine! What more could you ask for in an after work snack?! I wasn't a huge fan of Asian fusion before coming here, but O3's managed to sway me. Their bar menu is delish! I luv the O3 nachos! The chips are crispy wontons and add a different crunchy texture when eating the nachos. And with the oxtail and jalapeno cheese?! They definitely hit the spot!
From the dinner menu, I luv the Scallops and Steak. SOOO GOOD! The Scallops are cooked to perfection and the the Garlic Lobster Noodles are nice and garlicky! The Steak melted in my mouth and the truffle fries were just heaven! I luv truffle fries and these do not disappoint! My mouth is watering just thinking about them! I can't wait to come back! -
Review from Denise S.
5/3/2012
O3 Bistro & Lounge is a great addition to my work neighborhood.
It is right across the street from my work so we take advantage of their great happy hour every Friday. I have not sat in the dining room for lunch or dinner yet but I am familiar with the happy hour menu. It's all really great to snack on and they have great cocktails too.
The decor is beautiful and I really love the bar. A lot of dark wood, seating and plush comfortable lounge area. The employees are really great and friendly. hate to say it, but the only think I don't like is the long awkward trek to the bathroom.
Great, convenient place at Civic Center. -
Review from Jen C.
4/19/2012
Excellent execution for a very large dinner party of 16!! Family style eating that was perfectly timed between courses. They even brought out an extra small piece of fish when they noticed someone didn't get a piece.
The food was really tasty:
Braised oxtail tacos - favorite of the night
Pork Belly - really good flavors and love the crispy skin
Roasted Bone Marrow - too much onion relish
Brussel Sprouts - I think my sister could eat the whole bowl on her own, love the mushrooms
Kimchi Fried Rice - too full at this point but the sunny side up egg was great
Grilled Lamb Chops - Not a huge fan of lamb so no comments
Miso Salmon - perfectly cooked.
The dessert selection was nicely presented and aside from the thai tea bread pudding pretty unmemorable.
Drinks at the bar were tasty but a bit steep at $9 for the quality of the cocktails. Definitely will stop by here again before a symphony or ballet performance. -
Review from Liana L.
Daly City, CA
Make sure you've got your grown man/woman fit on before you come to this place because it is fancy!
I was pleasantly surprised by this place due to the fact that Asian fusion has rarely been done successfully. But this place had me sold on their Scallops with Lobster Garlic Noodles, baby bok choy and uni x.o. sauce!
6 out of the 8 girls in our table all ordered this dish ($27) and we were blown away by the amazing flavors in it. Nothing jarred even though the 4 medium-sized seared scallops had the distinct uni flavor while the noodles were perfectly garlicky. Mine was initially missing the bits of lobster meat that were scattered across the noodles like in the other girls' dishes, and while I didn't appreciate the manager's stupid remark about how he saw "some" (it was really just ONE little piece vs. a scatter of it over my friends'), he did get it fixed. He redeemed himself and this place by replacing it with two BIG pieces of lobster claw meat drenched in buttery goodness! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Bone marrow ($10) was not bad. While I don't have much to compare it to, I was slightly disappointed that it tasted exactly the same way I've had it in a bowl of homemade jook (rice porridge). Maybe I was expecting too much because why would bone marrow taste different each time, right? Some of the girls who had never tried bone marrow were initially turned off by the discovery that it was actually (DELICIOUS, MOUTH WATERING, COME AND CLOG MY ARTERIES) fat, but I like to think of it as the FOIE GRAS of PORK! Spread it with the tomato beef broth and shallot marmalade over the crostini... *droooool*
Cocktails were interesting and strong... strong enough for me not to remember much about them.
Thai tea bread pudding was too hyped up. Sounded and looked interesting on paper, presentation was beautiful but the consistency of the bread pudding was too soggy/mushy. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The Chocolate and Vietnamese Coffee Layer Cake was all coffee flavor! Bitter and dark, I actually enjoyed this a lot more than the thai tea bread pudding.
Good for group parties, girls' night out, or sexy dates. But watch the $$$ fly out of your wallet. It's ok though, because grown ups are fancy like that! -
Review from Karen H.
Daly City, CA
4/19/2012
4 1/2 stars Can accodamate large parties
Loved their food so much! Portions are decent
Ahi Tuna Crudo with snap peas, green onion, light soy, sesame taro chips-really flavorful, and super fresh
Braised Oxtail Tacos with jicama cabbage slaw, wonton shell-very unique and so much flavor. Tons of meat and sauce, but the shell is still crispy
Calamari lightly battered with salt & pepper, chili aioli: not too oily and just crispy enough
Roasted bone marrow with shallot marmalade, chive, tomato beef broth, crostini-my first time trying this. Didn't know what to expect. I thought it was going to be super fatty and oily, but it had ton of flavor. The crostini balances it out and gives it that extra crunch
Petaluma Fried Chicken with potato pave, long beans, oyster mushroom-full of flavor and fried to perfection. Not sure if the whole dish was dry or not, but the piece I had was really tender
Seared Scallops with lobster garlic noodles, baby bok choy, uni x.o. sauce-fave dish of the night. Scallops cooked to perfection and they gave alot of garlic noodles with a good amt of lobster on top
Pan Roasted Butterfish with sake steamed clams, chorizo, black bean garlic sauce-comes more in a broth. The fish and clams were perfect. The chorizo is kind of random and doesn't match the flavor. Also it was super salty and brunt
Pan Roasted Duck Breast with brussel sprouts, duck confit, tamarind chili reduction. Just perfect. Super tender and great flavor
Dessert: Thai ice tea bread pudding-I heard it was a fail! I didn't even try it. Read Lianas L review for this
Viet ice coffee cake-wasn't bad. Really strong coffee taste. -
Review from Kyu L.
3/30/2012
O3 has become my favorite HH place in the City...
awesome decor, excellent service and staff, solid menu, and great beer/wine/liquor selection to boot...
although i havent had alot of the dishes on the menu, i DO have a handful of favorites...
the dry aged rib eye is a 10 oz cut of tasty steak...truffle fries on the side that you can dip in the peppercorn sauce...very solid entree
petaluma fried chicken...served with potatoes, long beans, and oyster mushrooms... seasoned perfectly...crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside...would give colonel sanders a run for his money...
BRAISED OXTAIL TACOS...you know...i dont know if i should be happy or upset with these tacos...reason being...im addicted to them. shredded oxtail, marinated to perfection...tender, juicy, sweet, salty braise meat...all resting in a crispy fried shell... these 3 mini tacos are a serious problem for me...you see, i cant order just "1" order... every time i get these, i end up eating like 4 plates of them...gluttonous? dont judge me...i try to justify that since the tacos are small, its not bad...but its bad...i know it...but i dont care...i just like them THAT much...you know when you really like something and theres 1 left on the plate...usually i tell someone "hey, go for it...finish the last one"...but with these tacos...i dont say anything...if there is one left...you better believe that im going for it...
definitely recommend O3 to anyone who hasnt been before...if not for the braised oxtail tacos...come for the friendly staff and booze! my only recommendation for O3 is that they sell the braised oxtail tacos as a bakers dozen...buy 12 get 1 free! -
Review from Insiya L.
San Francisco, CA
5/12/2012
Food 2 stars
Drinks 3 stars
Services 4 stars
Location 2 stars -
Review from Sandy L.
3/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DISAPPOINTING! i RARELY ever write negative reviews but this one definitely deserves this one star and this is being GENEROUS! ack.
I've seen lots of people check into this place and it SEEMS like it has pretty good reviews but this is the first time in a long time that I almost felt like walking out. we arrived and made an open table reservation for 10pm. everything started off smoothly. then, we got seated.
it took almost 5 minutes for a waitress to come and give us the specials for the night but she couldn't remember the items and read them off a piece of paper. she had so much difficulty reading that i was getting lost in her words. it's okay though because we kinda had a decent idea of what we wanted to order.
she left and we waited patiently....5 minutes...10 minutes.... 15 minutes... 20 minutes i finally had to get up and ask if she was going to take our order. she said she totally forgot and was REALLY sorry. ok ok... acceptable. it's a busy night! we said we'd like our drinks to come first since we've been waiting so long.
then 25 minutes... 30 minutes.... 35 minutes... no drinks come.
there's a birthday party going on with probably 20 people going in and out of the restaurant and they're about to sing him happy birthday....but they're getting rowdy and knocking the bfs chair repeatedly. UGH.
boyfriend finally gets fed up and asks if we can be moved to another table. I'm beyond irritated at this point and they seat us at the high tables in the lounge area... our table wobbles, our chairs wobble....they quickly get someone to balance everything out.
still no food.... 40 minutes... 45 minutes....
the food comes and it's the same quality as the service and the whole environment. none of the food is even worth mentioning. id rather eat at PF Changs!!!!!!!! We ate in 15 minutes but we had to wait almost AN HOUR just for miso salad, one appetizer of pork belly and one entree of the braised beef.
yes, the server apologized a million times, yes the manager came by to apologize.... but really, if you take pride in your restaurant you go above and beyond since YOU KNOW you're customers are having a horrible experience. sometimes, sorry just isn't enough.
while sitting there i was strongly contemplating where to get some REAL food and begin enjoying my Friday night.
I'm still so irritated by this entire experience. $70 totally wasted. please do not go here.Comment from Chester W. of O3 Bistro & Lounge 3/13/2012
Hi Sandy, We had commented on the review that Dennis had… More » -
Review from Jessica P.
San Jose, CA
4/9/2012
Came here for my friend's birthday dinner and heres what i got to try
Oxtail Tacos: 3/5
Roasted Bone marrow: 3/5
Seared Scallop with lobster garlic noodle: 3/5
Dry aged 10 oz. rib eye: 1/5
braised pork shoulder: 3/5
lychee bellini: 2/5
Don't expect your steak to be cooked the same way as you would expect from a steakhouse. The rib eye was very thin and when we asked to be cooked medium rare, it came out as well done so we had to send it back. Second time around, it was still medium but we just gave up at that point. Everything else i tried was just okay....the only thing that stood out for me was the truffle fries that came with the rib-eye...it was pretty darn good and i couldn't keep my hands from digging in for more. Lastly, im a huge fan of lychee flavor cocktails but the lychee bellini didnt really have any lychee flavor and my gf and i thought it was weird how it had little pieces of ginger in our drinks..tasted like more champagne. Overall, this is just another asian fusion restaurant in the city. Been there, eaten that. -
Review from Kayla V.
3.5 Stars, but I'll up for the great service.
Weekday Happy Hours 4-7PM
Cocktails and Wine $5-7
Small Bites $6-7
Service: AWESOME. They let us start HH early at 3:30PM
Drinks: Good beer selection (Chimay, yay!) and one delicious Lychee Martini with REAL lychee puree.
Small Bites: Oxtail Tacos (decent, well-seasoned) and Chicken Liver Pate (needed a little more salt, but still yummy and had great texture).
It's a hip/trendy restaurant for the TL and I loved the bar seating. I would definitely come back! -
Review from Ezequiel R.
San Francisco, CA
3/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Sorry Daffy Duck. Looks like O3 B&L finally beat Elmer and took your life. Good news for me though, I never knew you could taste so good!
My friend and I were trying to catch some food before the concert at the Symphony Hall so I came to yelp. Seeing that the restaurant looked modern I decided to give this place a try so I made reservations with Opentable. How awesome! I got here and we were quickly sat down (bypassing the walk-ins with no reservations). The ambiance of the room was very cool and modern with great decor and layout. Seeing that we were starting to be pressed for time, we skipped appetizers and dove right on it.
I got the Duck and my friend had the house special which was Spicy Pepper sort of burger. As we were waiting I noticed we really didn't have a lot of time so I asked the server how our order was coming. I kid you not, our order came within 20 minutes of us ordering it which was fantastic! I was thrilled at how our lovely server handled it and the plating was amazing! ( I posted the picture).
Basically, the food was fantastic. I had tried duck before but the way the chef cooked this was perfect!! My friends burger was three stories high and smelled delicious. I definitely loved this little restaurant! -
Review from helen t.
5/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
my friend and i came here before the ballet yesterday and sat at the bar. we made it just in time to catch the end of happy hour, so we were able to order cheap cocktails and bar snacks. i got the lychee martini, which was delicious, b/c they put in pureed lychee versus lychee syrup w/ a single lychee on the bottom. my friend loved her margarita(s) also.
to eat, we shared the lobster pops, fresh veggie spring rolls, the brussels sprouts, and she got the fried chicken. the portions were very generous. i think there was a whole pound of brussels sprouts in the dish, and we could have eaten the entire bowl. they were so delicious caramelized w/ a sweet chili sauce.
the bartender/server was also super nice and chatty. i will come back next time i have a theater event. -
Review from Marilyn W.
San Francisco, CA
My six girlfriends and I came to O3 to celebrate my friend's 21st birthday. It was a monday night to it was pretty quiet inside the restaurant. I loved the ambiance and feel of the place. It's great for a romantic date with your significant other. All of us ordered appetizers because we wanted to try a little bit of everything, and we didn't want to stuff our faces too much. My friend and I knew we wanted to try the oxtail tacos and decided to order the bone marrow as well, since we heard good things about it. As for cocktails, I ordered the lychee bellini because I love anything that is lychee flavored.
After taste testing everything, the oxtail tacos had to be my favorite. It was quite small, but the sauce that was on it was really tasty. The taco shell was nice and crispy, and the meat was quite tender. The bone marrow was interesting. It definitely wasn't my favorite. All i could really taste was a strong onion flavor, and the texture was a bit slimy. I also tried one of my friend's fried calamari, and it was pretty good. As for my cocktail, I did not like it. I probably didn't read the description of it, but there was bits of ginger in it and a lot of it! I don't like the taste of ginger at all, so this made me quickly dislike the drink.
The service was good. One of the managers were nice enough to give us all girls a little shot he created. It tasted like an upside down pineapple cake! I will definitely be back to try one of their entrees. -
Review from Patricia M.
San Francisco, CA
4/24/2012
Came for the prefix meal for my friend's birthday--- we had the oxtail tacos, ceasar salad, the ribs, kim chi dirty fried rice with bacon and egg, the brussel sprouts, lamb chops, salmon, and the dessert platter. My favorites were the tacos, the salad, and the brussel sprouts. This is a good place for a big party--- we had over 20 for ours. And there were two other bday parties too that same night!!! I would come again... maybe for lunch. Come hungry.
-
Review from Liza T.
San Francisco, CA
Arrived at the restaurant at 8:00pm and the hostess told us that our reservation was 7:15pm instead of 8:00pm..Oopes what a big mistake we made!!?? Good that it was not too packed that night, so we still got seated right the way.
The decor was very nice. Hip and romantic. Good for a date night and friends gathering. The service was awesome too. Everyone was so professional, attentive, friendly, and welcome, especially our waitress, she was very sweet.
We have ordered:
Pork Belly with quail egg, pear and truffle oil ($11.00) - I am not a big fan of pork belly because of the fat. But this one was not bad. The sauce was sweet and flavorful. Very interesting. The pear does a good job here to neutralize the taste of the pork belly.
Calamari with chili aioli ($10.00) - Standard taste. The calamari was lightly battered with salt & pepper. The taste was good and it was not oily. Good portion.
Pan Roasted Duck Breast ($23) - It was so good. The duck breast was tender and flavorful. Portion was pretty good too. I especially like the brussel sprouts and duck confit as the side. It was so fresh, tasty and flavorful. It was not heavy at all.
They had couple interesting items on the dessert menu, like Thai Tea Bread Pudding, Vietnamese Coffee Cake....Since my friend loves cheesecake, we picked the Green Tea Cheesecake (haha..boring isn't it?!). The cheesecake was so good. It was light, creamy and smooth but not overly sweet.
Overall, great services, creative menu, good atmosphere, excellent food, easy for parking..... I had a great dinning experience at O3. I can't wait to go back there to try their other dishes on the menu. -
Review from Papaya S.
Oakland, CA
2/21/2012
There arent many places in this area to have large group outings. Max's is gross, Chevy's is now closed and gross and Brendas is great but they dont take reservations and lunch already is busy practically any day if the week. So we all decided on O3 for my goodbye luncheon and had a great experience.
We made reservations and arrived about 10 minutes early. The hostess promptly seated us even though our entire party had not completely trickled in. Our waitress was very friendly and placed all of our orders promptly once all of our guests arrived.
Service is great; friendly, attentive, professional and accommodating.
The restaurant is very aesthetically pleasing; warm wood with neutral colors allows for a pleasant dining experience considering the lovely characteristics the TL has provided to government employees while they are working in SF.
I ordered the Petaluma Chicken which was BANGIN and was able to substitute the Garlic Fries for the Garlic Noodles with no hesitation or resistance from the waitstaff. The food was hot, fresh and flavorful and I didnt require any condiments to adjust the taste. I like this place, it gives me hope to dining alternatives to my working neighborhood. Welcome to the hood O3, great job! -
Review from Persimmon G.
Oakland, CA
5/2/2012
Given the choice of restaurants in the Tenderloin, I was really excited to try a new restaurant, especially now that CPK and Chilis are not around. Sadly to say that their cocktails leave plenty of room for improvement.
Th tequila tasted like medicine. I think it was the grapefruit that made this drink unappetizing. The oxtails tacos was average, small portions for the price.
The only worthy order was the fries which is not on the menu anymore. -
Review from Maiden D.
O3 is eclectic, upscale, and charming. The concept of this Asian fusion lounge brings a very fresh outlook to town. It's something that I feel like I've been waiting for- I don't think I even knew what I was waiting for, but the whole experience of this place made me realize that this is actually what San Francisco needed! Been here quite a few times and was able to have very different (but lovely!) experiences.
I've been here with friends and family where we sat around the cozy lounge sofas, another night where we sat around the tables, and on another night where I dined with my significant other. What I'm trying to say is, this place very is open minded and it fancies me every time, whether I'm on a romantic date or just enjoying good company. I am invited in with jazz music and a room of both relaxed and upbeat energy.
The menu is fun, genius, and you can tell that a lot of thought and experimenting came into putting it together. This isn't your typical bistro with your typical foods. O3 has brought asian fusion to another level. I love every dish I had there and can't seem to pin point which one is my favorite... all of them?
-The Pork Belly has great texture -crispy, soft/tender, fatty, and delicious.
-Truffle Fries (not on the menu!) comes with sriracha, ketchup, and aioli dipping sauces that bring out the concept of O3 where you have cultural, original, and contemporary aspects in the flavors.
-Bone Marrow- my first time trying it and it was lovely with the crisp crostini. Very savory.
-Duck Breast and Braised Shoulder entrees were very pleasing. The flavors were all very authentic yet modern. Honestly, I wanted to try everything on the menu but the only thing holding me back was my limited appetite that we humans have to suffer.
-The dessert menu is very fun dishes such as Thai Tea Bread Pudding, Coconut Twinkie (?!?!), and Vietnamese Coffee Cake. I've tried the whole dessert menu and it is excellent. And you can trust me because my diabetic lifestyle will prove it to you. These unexpected items were something you wouldn't usually expect to see but the names will give you exactly what you're expecting. (wow i'm confusing) For example, the Thai Tea Bread Pudding definitely tastes like thai tea.. and bread pudding.. Working together so harmoniously to satisfy that party in your mouth that has started since the first bite of the appetizer.
The experience was impressive and delightful.
Enchante, O3. It was fancy dining with you and we shall meet again :) -
Review from Mike J.
Rodeo, CA
Good stuff! Quality. Enjoyable....and nice staff
-
Review from Genevieve Y.
San Francisco, CA
1/29/2012 8 photos
Date & Time: Saturday January 28, 2012
Location: Former Pizza Kitchen
Dining Companion: Kam
Scene: The Younger Set in The Bar/Lounge Clad in Suits sans Ties & Girls in Slinky Tops, Hue Tights + Ankle Boots. The Pre-Theatre Crowd in The Dining Room
Music: Jazz
Decor: Zen & Contemporary. Sleek Bar & Lounge w/ Sectionals & Cocktail Tables & Main Dining Room w/ Banquettes
Service: Nice & Efficient
Imbibe: Cocktails
Devour: Ahi Tuna w/ Taro Chips, Mini Oxtail Tacos, Pork Belly & Coconut "Twinkies" for Dessert
Total: $46.86 -
Review from Tiffany C.
San Francisco, CA
2/10/2012
I've been here a few times so let me just list some items
APPETIZERS:
Chicken Liver Pate: I love it with the watermelon radish, frisee lettuce, crostini. First time I had it was a little too crunchy, but this time around, it's perfect =) Thanks for perfecting it!
Miso Caesar Salad: Caesar salad...you may think, "oh, it'll just be a plain caesar"...umm, no. The chicharrones and seaweed blew me away. The whole aroma and taste made me want to order my own next time. Who said sharing was caring? Haha.
Ahi Tuna Crudo: In LOVE with the taro chips. I wish that they gave more just so we can munch on it while having a few more drink. The tuna was frrrresh and love the concept that they separated the ingredients since I'm not a huge fan of sesame.
Braised Oxtail Tacos: Okay, no joke, this is the best tacos I've ever had. The shell was perfectly fried...not oily at all. Their Oxtail is AMAZING!!!! Which brings down to the next item I so love...
ENTREES:
Braised Oxtail Grilled Cheese: The first bite I took was heaven. The cheese was light and fluffy, and the oxtail is so tender, but what hit it off for me was the sweetness that came in the end. Woooh, was that delicious. I'll be back for lunch for this one!
Pork Belly: I was surprised, most place you need a knife to cut through the pork belly. The skin was lightly crisp, so I was able to use a fork right through it. The aroma of the truffle oil made it more delicious. Some reviewers are saying that the pork belly is salty, but i think it's sweet. I guess everyone has different pallets =)
Grilled Lamb Chops: I didn't have this dish but my friend said that it's really good. I don't eat lamb, but I'm really tempted to try this dish.
Seared Scallops: I definitely LOVE the scallops. The are so fresh!
Dry Aged 10 oz. Rib Eye- I ordered med rear for my Ribeye...Perfection. Not dried at all. I love love love truffles =)
Sake Steamed Manila Clams: I can't wait, I HAVE to try this the next time!!!!!!!
The Brussels sprouts: For me is NEED to have. It's perfect for a group of 4-5. Shared by two was a little sweet. I would never eat Brussels sprouts, but there is this little crisp to it made it a winner!
Roasted Bone Marrow: MUST HAVE!
DRINKS:
Cucumber Martini: too much gin, I guess I'm a light-weight. Well, the lime juice, mint, lemongrass, and ginger and a splash of ginger ale puts it on the yummy list!
Bramble: My friend loved her drink, but when I tried it, it was a bit sour for me. Two people with different pallets.
O3 Soho: The amount of gin was perfect, agave nectar, lime juice, lemongrass, and topped with a splash of ginger ale. The lemongrass made it really tasty! Yum!
The Fancy Mule: It has an unique taste to it. Some may not like it but I love it!!
Sweet & Spicy: It is very unique. I will try it again.
Wasabi Bleeding Mary: Seems like a lot of people like it. I want to try this next time. -
Review from Derrick V.
San Francisco, CA
2/22/2012
3.5 stars.
The food was good but nothing special. We shared a bunch of appetizers that were all cooked well for the most part, just a few issues with seasoning.
Ambiance is dark and sexy, good for dates. TVs at the bar showing sports. I didn't try the cocktails, but the menu looked pretty interesting. I might come back for a drink at the bar. -
Review from Erika C.
O3 Bistro and Lounge, Ozone Thai's sister restaurant, has settled into CPK's old Van Ness space. I always thought that was an odd spot for a chain...but then again, Chevy's is just up the street and really, isn't anywhere in SF an odd place fo a chain restaurant?
I've never been to Ozone, but O3 had me at "kimchi dirty rice with bacon dust." My mind exploded. I bookmarked it on Yelp shortly before its mid-January grand opening and waited for initial reviews to come in. They were pretty good. Given its price point, size, central location and ease of parking, I chose this place for my birthday dinner.
Plus, this place just opened. Like a fat girl, I knew O3 would try harder.
I was right. They took a little longer than expected to seat our group of 16-17, and there were some kinks in the service (a few dishes came out really late or were forgotten), but they gave me a complimentary glass of rose and a free dessert of my choice! The latter is pretty standard these days, but restaurants don't normally let you choose, or they may bring out a smaller, simpler dessert just for birthdays. Overall, I liked our waitress. She was one of the better waitresses I've had in awhile, and she was nice without being too fake about it. Other folks in our group noticed the same thing.
Given the prices and my general contempt for paying western cuisine prices for Asian fusion, I probably wouldn't come back for dinner, but I would definitely come back for lunch and happy hour. Still need to try that kimchi rice, which wasn't served for dinner.
Here's the chow rundown:
Braised Oxtail Tacos
with jicama cabbage slaw, wonton shell $10
- Skip. I wouldn't get this again. Actually, I didn't care to order this but the bf wanted to try it.
Pork Belly
slow cooked with quail egg, hosui pear, savory caramel, truffle oil $11
- Skip. This was freaking weird. Read the components again. Pork belly with egg and truffle oil? I definitely didn't read carefully before I ordered. The truffle oil was so out of place, it was like I kept smelling another dish while eating this one. That was also no "slow cooked" egg, it was a regular medium boiled egg, cut in half, placed on top. You lied!
Roasted Bone Marrow
with shallot marmalade, chive, tomato beef broth, crostini $10
- This was okay. You know, I might be done with bone marrow for now. The past three recent times I've had bone marrow ranged only from bad to average.
Seared Scallops
with lobster garlic noodles, baby bok choy, uni x.o. sauce $27
- This was pretty good. I don't like scallops but I ordered this anyway, because everything else sounded great. Especially the uni x.o. sauce. I didn't taste much of the uni and x.o. flavors, but overall the noodles and baby bok choy were DERISHUS! Next time, I'll just have the lobster garlic noodles side dish.
Pan Roasted Butterfish
with sake steamed clams, chorizo, black bean garlic sauce $25
- What? This was $25? Definitely not worth $25. It also doesn't come in a sauce; it's a broth. The butterfish was way overcooked.
Wasabi Bleeding Mary
Iced bloody mary cubes spiked with wasabi, dropped inside Ketel One vodka, garnish of celery.
- This was really, really good. You can't taste the alcohol at all. It's like a delicious wasabi V8.
Thai tea bread pudding
- O3 offered me a free dessert of my choosing. I went with the Thai tea bread pudding, and it was really good. I'd order this again. -
Review from Ebonina E.
San Francisco, CA
1/30/2012
Uhhhh, I must have gone on a off day compared to all the reviews here. Actually, the person I went with said he wondered if the reviews were shills since they were sooo amazing & glowing. I went on their site and was expecting to be amazed, but...
We went a little after 1:00 pm and there was a decent amount of people in their, so I had high hopes. One of the first things I asked the waitress was "What is the soup of the day." She responded in an indifferent way, "Oh, well I don't think it's actually been made yet." Huh?
We had calamari, ox tail tacos, ahi tuna, and a salad that we shared amongst ourselves...I can honestly say nothing was memorable and nothing that made myself or my friend plan on coming back or advising others to. Was it horrible? No, but just not enough to make me go back when there are numerous other options around me to choose from that are tempting. -
Review from Cherylynn N.
San Francisco, CA
4.5 STARS
Bringing SWAAAAKINESS to the Hood!
O3 Bistro & Lounge is a welcome addition to the area, bringing a dash of Asian flair to the dreary avenue of Van Ness.
As a former chef at Le Colonial, Joseph Villanueva has created his own an Asian-Californian Fusion menu. If you've read my reviews, you'll know that I have a Love-Hate relationship with Asian Fusion cuisine. To their detriment, many Asian Fusion restaurants dumb-down their flavors to appeal to the masses. Not with O3. They've found a perfect balance to appease the Asian palate while bringing the lightness of Californian cuisine to fruition.
F O O D
*PORK & SHRIMP SPRING ROLLS w/ Garlic, Cilantro & Green Onion ($7) - 3 STARS
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The spring rolls were filled with unique yet familiar savory pork and shrimp paste mixture. For all you Brodard fans (OC's Best Kept Secret: http://www.yelp.com/bi...), the filling reminded me of the Nem Chau Cuon beef paste (meatball-like) in their infamous crack spring rolls. Though I enjoyed the filling especially when paired with the tangy Vietnamese nuoc cham fish sauce, the wrapper was not crisp and borderline soggy.
*PORK BELLY w/ Quail Egg, Hosui Pear, Savory Caramel & Truffle Oil ($9) - 5 STARS
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Redeeming the spring rolls were the flawlessly executed trio of pork belly pieces atop fresh frisee and drizzled with a caramel and truffle oil sauce. The pork belly was impeccably seared; crisp around the edges with a succulent tenderness. The caramel and truffle oil sauce added a luxurious layer of sweet earthiness while the pear gave a pop of crisp freshness. For all you oink oink lovers, this dish is A MUST ORDER!
*GRILLED SALMON w/ Kimchi "Dirty Rice", Carrot, Shitake Mushroom & Bacon Dust ($11) - 4.5 STARS
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Being a carniwhore, I never order fish when I dine out. I hate cooked fish (because most places tend to overcook it) and will only eat it sashimi style. As much as I wanted the Wagyu Burger, I had a flashback of myself huffing and puffing while on my date with Mr. Elliptical this AM so I decided to take a leap of faith with this dish.
As I took the first bite, I was blown away with this dish! The generous slab of salmon was perfectly grilled. The skin was crisp and the moist salmon delicately flaked off with each stroke of my fork. The magical bacon dust added a subtle smoky decadence which made me forget why I was ever a carniwhore to begin with. The al-dente kimchi dirty rice was like a "happy" marriage of Korean and Cajun flavors.
*THAI TEA BREAD PUDDING w/ Egg Bread, Thai Tea Anglaise, Almond, Sesame, Feuilletine Tea Crunch, Vanilla Ice Cream ($8) - 4 STARS
The Thai tea bread pudding was like having the best of both worlds: a novelty Asian drink and a classic American dessert. The bread pudding was deliciously crisp around the edges and soft in the middle. The sweet milky tea flavor was prominent but not overwhelming. The sliced toasted almonds and tea crunch gave a nice crunchy texture sensation in my mouth while the creamy vanilla ice cream gave a cold contrast to the warm dessert.
(FYI: To my friends who saw me check into the gym this AM while ranting about "healthier" eating...I enforced the Dolly Parton two-bite rule and ate half my entree. *Fingers Crossed* that my waistline can be as small as hers one day with boobs as gigantic as her head.)
S E R V I CE
The entire staff from the hostess, our waitress to the busboy was incredibly professional, friendly, and attentive. Given they've only been open since Friday, kudos to the staff for operating like a seasoned restaurant.
Our waitress accidentally gave us the wrong dessert (chocolate coffee mousse) but quickly fixed our order. She let us keep the extra dessert without charging us for the mishap.
Our busboy, Raul was super friendly. At the end of our meal, he kindly introduced himself. He saw our leftover boxes sitting on the table and quickly went to get a doggy bag for us. How sweet.
A M B I A N C E / D E C O R
SCHAAAAAA-SWAAAAANKYYY!
Once use to be California Pizza Kitchen is now the most beautiful restaurant & lounge in the Civic Center/TL area.
Muted gray walls paired along with dark purple furnishings and the large abstract gold flecked Buddha art piece makes you feel like you've stepped in to a chic LA or NYC restaurant. The huge pane windows and clear glass encased orchids transports a lovely brightness into the space.
With City Hall just across the street and neighboring city buildings, the lounge area has a long comfy ivory leather couch perfect for civil servant FMJ (f*ck my job) happy hours.
P A R K I N G
Metered street parking only.
With that, you can find me at a comfy ivory leather couch near you... -
Review from Carol C.
Alameda, CA
2/17/2012 1 photo
Several of us wanted to take a co-worker out to lunch since she was leaving our office to head over to PUC (across from the bistro). The choice was either this bistro or Brenda's Soul Food on Polk Street. We wanted to try something different and since I never had Asian fusion cuisine, well, it couldn't hurt to give it a try. The bistro was highly recommended by yet another co-worker who had already dined here for lunch and his suggestion - the grilled salmon. Thus, we opted for O3 and I'm glad - very content - that we made the right decision. We lucked out as we did not have to wait and were seated immediately (beat the lunch crowd). The wait staff was very attentive, friendly and kept our glasses filled with water. We didn't order any cocktails, but I wished I would have ordered an Arnie Palmer.
We were all impressed with the lunch entrees - Petaluma fried chicken, braised oxtail grilled cheese sandwich, pan seared wagyu burger, grilled salmon and sake steamed manila clams. Four of us had the grill salmon with kimchi "dirty rice", one had the wagyu burger and the honored guest ordered the braised oxtail grilled cheese sandwich.
The grilled salmon was superb and flavorful (4.5 stars). It was not overly salty and it was just right for my taste bud. The kimchi "dirty rice" with slivers of shitake mushroom and finely chopped carrots was delish...but I have to admit I was trying to figure out what the bacon dust was and instead of thinking "where's the beef", it was "where's the bacon"? After stirring the rice a bit, I did see the "bacon dust". Everybody who ordered this entree enjoyed it immensely.
Pan seared Wagyu Burger: Co-worker said it was tasty, but the brioche bun (bottom) became soggy from the juice of the burger patty and the kimchi mayo. She asked for a "replacement bun", but it was not as tasty. I guess all the seasonings of that burger went right into the soggy bun. Rating based on presentation: 3.5 stars.
The presentation of the braised oxtail grilled cheese on lavain bread with five spice raisin jam and bechamel, accompanied by a side of mixed salad greens, looked very inviting and savory (4.5 stars). It's a must try for my next go round since I haven't had oxtail for many years...like over 40 years ago.
We were very pleased with the food and we all agree to have lunch here again at a later date. We also want to sample the sweets on the dessert menu - Thai tea bread pudding, chocolate and Vietnamese coffee cake, coconut "twinkie" cakes, green tea cheesecake and the trio of sorbet. I found out from Chester (not sure if he is the owner) that the pastry chef aka PC is in the house during the dinner hours.
For what O3 Bistro and Lounge is offering, definitely I will be back for more than one visit.
Finally, thank you, Chester, for taking the time out to talk to me after my group finished lunch and headed out the door. -
Review from Quan T.
San Francisco, CA
3/16/2012 Seated via OpenTable
We had high hopes for this place as the menu is pretty interesting. We had the ahi tuna crudo which was just ok. It lacked acid and flavor. The Pork shoulder was good in the sense that it was not fattening and I did love the kale with it but it lacked a little more salt. The chicken wings were just average. I did like my lychee cocktail!
The ambience is actually really cool though the music did not match the vibe of the decor. I was expecting some ambient music or electronica but was listening to Frank Sinatra instead.
It's always unfair to judge after one meal, particularly when the service is excellent and maybe I'll change my mind the 2nd time around. -
Review from marianne w.
San Francisco, CA
I was excited about O3 Bistro ever since the remodeling began and the "For Lease" signs were taken down. This location is where CPK used to be located on Van Ness. I work a few blocks away and can say that this is definitely a great addition to the neighborhood.
My colleagues and I decided to stop in for lunch a little early on their grand opening and I'm glad we did because it started getting packed at around 12 o'clock. The owners of the place definitely put a lot of money and time into remodeling and designing because the interior decor is something that you would see on HGTV! The bar and lounge area is very modern and inviting which is great for folks who want to come in after work for a drink or two. We dont have many happy hour places around this area, especially now that Chevy's is closed.
The service was excellent: our plates were changed between courses, our water was constantly being refilled and our server was very friendly and attentive.
We ordered different appetizers and entrees to share amongst the 4 of us. The review of the food is as follows:
1. Pork Belly - words cant even describe how good this was- must order.
2. Chicken Wings - sooo juicy and crispy
3. Oxtail Tacos- my first time having oxtail in a taco and it exceeded my expectations.
4. Petaluma Fried Chicken - juicy and crispy just like the chicken wings
5. Garlic Noodles - very garlic-y! (i guess that was the point, right? lol)
5. Pan Seared Wagyu Burger - burger was really juicy and cooked perfectly
Their lunch menu is slightly different from their dinner menu. I cant wait to come back for happy hour and dinner!
Welcome to the neighborhood, O3 Bistro & Lounge! -
Review from John T.
San Francisco, CA
2/14/2012
Place was pretty awesome! Nice decor and atmosphere. Dinner for 2 and this is what we got:
-Oxtail tacos
-Miso ceasar salad
-Fried chicken wings
-Aged rib eye
-Garlic lobster noodles
-Pork belly
Couldn't finish it all but everything was great. The oxtail tacos was my favorite. Great food, great service, full bar, whats not to like? Will be back to try out the rest off the menu! -
Review from Natalie l.
San Francisco, CA
1/30/2012
Great new addition to the city
We ventured out to 03 for a group dinner on Saturday night. The restaurant was pretty crowded, and more people continuously came through the door throughout our meal. Beautiful ambiance, friendly servers, and a gorgeous bar.
Everything we ordered from appetizers, entrees to desserts were delicious! Surprisingly nothing was a miss at all! Service was spot on with lots of smiles and not overbearing at all. The highlights were definitely the pork belly appetizers and LAMB CHOPS. I had a small sample of the Butterfish which was just as wonderful! Finished off with some bread pudding and Vietnamese coffee cake. We were stuffed and satisfied at the end of our meal.
Overall a great dining experience which I haven't had in a while. Come to eat and stay for drinks. This place is a solid 5 stars! -
Review from Brian T.
Santa Clara, CA
3/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
I went with a group of people on a Saturday night. The food here was good but very heavy. We ordered the pork and shrimp dumpling soup, calamari, roasted bone marrow, the chicken liver pate, butterfish, pork belly. All the food is good but very heavy. the servings seem small but they go a long way. the food here is very rich.
Although the food is good, the drinks here were not that great at all. We had the lychee bellini, bell pepper margarita, cucumber martini, and the sweet and spicy. None of the drinks made you feel like you wanted more. I had the bell pepper margarita and i couldn't even finish it. -
Review from Richard B.
San Francisco, CA
1/14/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Where else would "That Devil" be on a Friday night other than the grand opening of the latest entry into the swanky SF food scene?
It's opening night, so I can overlook the obvious eccentricities: an ethnically homogeneous clientele, having to protect your lounge table from the envious stares of upright patrons and the incessant prodding of waitresses who care more about turnover than service.
Yes, let's just focus on the positives: the food and the bar.
Now any review of a place this new is bound to be somewhat premature. That said, the selection of the bar is exquisite and the bartender showed true poise in the face of a sizable rush.
But the food tonight was the star. The ribs and spring rolls, solid displays of the benefits of mixing East with West. The bone marrow was visually stunning and tasty to boot (even though the crouton almost gave my date a chipped tooth). The lobster noodles were very good and will no doubt be a favorite of those who do not eat noodles in the Richmond or Sunset.
However, the defining moment of my trip here had to have been the Brussels sprouts side dish. They "stole the show"! They're caramelized little chunks of love. In fact, I think I'm in love with them. O3 Brussels sprouts, would you be mine? I'll eat you whenever you'd like, in the morning, noon and night.
Did that sound bad? Perhaps, but I only see good for this latest introduction into the fusion frenzy called the SF culinary scene. -
Review from T L.
San Francisco, CA
4/11/2012 1 photo
Here on a Tuesday night and we basically got the run of the joint. Luvin it! We sat at the lounge which is a L shaped sofa area with a table and chairs. Nice modern look and not to mention clean. Nice selection food an appetizers (Asian fusion). We tried the oxtail tacos that were kick asss to say the least. Will most def come back to try the oxtail nachos! Now doesn't that sound interesting? Yeah buddy
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Review from Connie C.
4/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here on St. Patrick's Day for dinner with three others. We did family style just so we can try more dishes. This place has more of a Vietnamese fusion, so you'll noticed the presentation seems to look very similar to certain dishes at your local Vietnamese restaurant.
We ordered Pork Belly, Chicken Liver Plate, Seared Scallops with Lobster Garlic Noodle, Duck Breast, and Dry Aged Rib Eye and a bottle of Riesling. The Pork Belly is a must. Very cute presentation, very flavorful, the meat was made quite tender. The chicken liver plate was okay. The chicken liver pate was the best part, but there isn't enough bread to eat all of it. If you're looking for rich flavor spread then this is your dish. I'm not sure what the meat slices on the side was, but only 25% of the dish was worth it (aka the pate). Seared Scallops with Lobster Garlic Noodle, your typical garlic noodle dish. I can't really tell the difference between this and Perilla's, other than there are little pieces of lobster meat mixed into the noodles. I guess seared scallops were added on just so the noodles are not the main portion, but they really were. Should have just called it Lobster Garlic Noodle with Seared Scallops. Then the quality dropped in the next two dishes. Duck breast was overcooked, very tough to bite and chew on. It was served with brussel sprouts, but they served them in SHREDDED brussel sprouts! OH GOD WHY?! I felt like I was eating shredded cabbage! I asked my friend what she thought about the sprouts, she goes "huh? what sprouts?" I don't remember much about the rib eye other than flavorless meat served with salad on the side. The wine was not served chilled, our server had to go back and forth to chill it some more. Also she tells us that the wine we wanted was out and asked if we want the more expensive one, then came back to tell us they have the one we originally wanted. Service was definitely sloppy than expected. -
Review from Dennis L.
3/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
When did swank and classy become trashy and obnoxious??
I appreciate when restaurants sign with OpenTable to offer reservations easily for their customers. After making a reservation, usually restaurants have some sort of system in place to plan seating arrangements throughout the night. It's pretty simple, like playing Diner Dash. Which is why I'm BAFFLED by their decision to seat our party of 2 in between two large birthday parties and on the way to the bathroom. It's not like this was the last remaining table. Instead, there were tables available throughout the restaurant.
In the dining room, the place was LOUD. Louder than you could possible talk to your table mates reasonably without having to yell. Louder than it was to hear the the waitress tell us the specials. So loud you can't even hear yourself think.
After waiting what felt like an eternity, I had to ask our waitress to take our order. She was one of two servers attending the large bday party. We watched as they bussed one plate at a time, and enjoyed themselves with their customers. She admitted to forgetting about us and after apologizing we quickly ordered drinks, apps, and an entree. Another 30 minutes pass and I can't fathom how hard it is to make the caesar salad we ordered. Mind you, this salad isn't with chopped greens; its about 5 long leaves of lettuce sprinkled with seasoned nori and miso dressing. Still waiting, we are entertained by the large birthday party standing around and raising glasses and screaming in jubilation. They seem to either know all the other tables in the dining area or they've stumbled over to hit on the single women. We are less entertained as they spill over into our table space and encroach into our area while continuing to toast hovering over our table.
I tell the waitress we need to move tables. The atmosphere in there is unacceptable for dining in.
The manager? comes over to joke, "a little loud over there?"
No shit.
All this would have been worth the wait, had the food been good. But the salad was OK, the pork belly OVERCOOKED and BURNT on the corners, and the short rib DRY. The short rib which was their special of the night came with truffled mash potatoes. Sadly, there was no truffle flavors. If you're gonna even mention truffles, it should have at least a hint of it.
O3, get your act together!Comment from Chester W. of O3 Bistro & Lounge 3/13/2012
Hi Dennis, The team at O3 had discussed this dining… More » -
Review from Monelle P.
San Francisco, CA
12/22/2011 32 Check-ins Here
I had an opportunity to attend a soft opening here before the restaurant opens to the general public. I was impressed by the interior decor: chic, sophisticated, with a subtle Asian flair. And from the appetizers that I tasted, the food matches the interior: simple, tasty, and Asian-influenced. I tried crispy tacos, short-rib sliders, and fresh crab spring rolls. I really liked the braised oxtail tacos. The oxtail was really tender and flavorful and offset wonderfully by the refreshing acidity of the jicama cabbage slaw and crunchy wonton shell.
This place will be a welcome addition to the Civic Center Happy Hour and Pre/Post-Theater Crowd. I live close by and I'm getting tired of all the usual T-Loin & Hayes Valley bars. I will definitely return for happy hour. I will update my review when O3 is fully operational and I get an opportunity to try the entrees.Listed in: Civic Center/Hayes Valley
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Review from Maile N.
2/3/2012
3.5 stars really - *this is strictly for the Happy Hour*. Arrived for Happy Hour on a Friday evening around 6. Crowded. A good mix of people. Not too hoisty toisty. We were on the nice lounge couches at first but quickly grabbed a table for our party of 4. Nice high tables with decently comfortable chairs.
We ordered the spring rolls (crispy, tasty, nice sauce with shaved carrots), calamari (good standard HH food, all right), and wings (liked these, good crispy, tasty, yum), and I got two lychee martinis (more citrus-y than lychee, sweet just enough).
We made ourselves at home, caught up on things, made a new friend, good times, good laughs. Prices were not too bad. Service needs a little working, but with time, O3 will make a fine dining, Happy Hour establishment.
