Best Authentic Restaurants in Downtown / Union Square

This was our second time coming to O' by Claude le Tohic a couple of days ago and it won't be our last. As with our previous visit the experience from start to finish was terrific. I had the 9 course option and and my wife the 5 course and both were superbly put together and delivered with extraordinary service. Rather than go into all the food, which is covered by other reviews, we wanted to celebrate the incredible people who make it happen. From the moment we walked in, Kevin at the front door was welcoming. Marc the Maitre d'Hotel was hugely accommodating and was kind enough to take us on a tour after dinner of the various kitchens that make up the several businesses Chef Claude has there. It was stunning to see. We were professionally assisted by Jasmine, Venron, Joaquin and Jeremy with the wines. They were always there when you needed something as one might expect from a Michelin starred restaurant but one does not always get, or gets too much. Chef Claude who comes out of the kitchen to greet his guests is a very engaging guy. I do agree that the wines on the list are very expensive but there is ample choice and reasonably priced options by the glass. We eat at many Michelin starred restaurants as we travel extensively and O' by Claude le Tohic is as good as any of them and better than most. We will be back.

John’s Grill is one of my most favorite restaurants in SF. The staff are efficient and friendly. The ambiance is great, and I enjoy taking first-timers to this gem. The food is great, and my favorite is Jack LaLanne seafood salad with a glass of Chardonnay. Steaks and pasta dishes are great too! Make a toast or two to Hammett, Bogart, Astor, Greenstreet etc. Save a bit of time to check out The Maltese Falcon and other film noir items upstairs. Enjoy the day!

The decor is so well done and the restaurant looks amazing! The quality of meat was superb as well. Drinks were tasty and the drink menu was extensive. My one qualm is we had a reservation for 6 guests and we were seated at a large table with another party. Usually they give separate tables or even a divider so it was def a diff experience. They also had private party rooms that weren’t in use for the duration we were there. We ordered 3 diff types of meat and all were so yummy. Give the yukhoe a try. It’s so well presented. And the dwaengjang jiggae was so perfectly seasoned. Overall the food, drinks, and vibes were great!

What a gem of a family restaurant! My husband and I went here before going to a play at the SF Playhouse. The owner served us at the bar. He was so gracious, friendly and attentive. His family members were equally welcoming and lovely. I consider myself to be a bit of a Greek food snob. My mom was from Greece originally and I travel there often. I am always looking for good Greek food in the States. The Parthenon exceeded my expectations. Every dish was outstanding. It’s rare to find a kebab that is not too dry. The lamb kebab was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The Pastitsio was delicious and fresh. The tzatziki was great and their own house dipping sauce for pita was even better. If you go, best to go on the early side or make a reservation as this place has been discovered and gets packed. We were there when they opened at 5 because of the timing of our play. By a little after 6 they were already busy. We will definitely be returning!

Three of us dined here before our show at the Curran, just one block away. Started with the large sized Cesar to share. I had 2 appetizers- I eat pasta and pizza at home. So the Kampachi crudo was great as were the meatballs. Plenty of food and a chance to try more things. One friend had the chicken leg confit over polenta and she loved it. The other had the spaghetti with clams and loved hers. A very good meal, excellent service and lively atmosphere. We will definitely be back.