Modernist

Modernist reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

1. M

   Margot

   San Francisco135 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on July 23, 2017

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Great tapas plates with innovative flavours just a little on the pricey side. Wine list is non existent
   

   1 person found this helpful

2. AK

   AmeliaK

   San Francisco27 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on March 11, 2017

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   The prix fixe menu is NOT dinner. It is small ( very small) little bits of admittedly delicious food. We left hungry. The concept is that they serve this menu along with samples of cocktails. Everyone in the bar area gets the same thing at the same time. They did not START until almost 8, and we had been there since 7. Took them a long time to get each drink out pared with these tiny tidbits of food. The drinks were fantastic but with so little food we got tipsy. They need to have a menu and let people order, and the portions need to be much much bigger, especially at the prices they are charging. Each little bite of food was really good, so there is hope! They were not full and the whole experience felt flat as well.
   

   3 people found this helpful

3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco1 review

   1.0

   Dined on February 15, 2017

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   First and foremost, we were lead to believe that the tasting menu would be the one listed on the website. It looked much more appetizing than the one that was offered on Valentines day. It is a given that website menus should be updated! I was truly saddened by this the second I sat down but we gave Modernist a chance. - The menu was not clear on how many courses vs how many drinks there would be. I found it very odd to have 1 cocktail to be paired with 2 different bites. - The menu layout was very misleading. The underlined ones seemed to be the food bites, but then at the dessert, it said Liquid Dessert, so obviously we were waiting for our desert to pair with our cocktail. Furthermore, The Seabass & The Octopus were written together on one line, but was surprised that it came out as 2 different bites one after another. - Clearly, there seemed to be a disconnect between the kitchen and bartender. The drinks came out first (which was fine) but had to wait way too long for the food. In result, we finished the drinks before the food even came. It defeats the purpose of the food pairings since they are made to be taken TOGETHER. If the food wasn't ready, the server should have waited to give us the drinks. Yes, we got refills for 2 drinks but one of the refill tasted fairly different than the first glass of tomato whiskey we had. The refill tasted like pure tomato juice. Also, I felt like the place had no ambiance and character at all. It seemed like there was random music played ranging from Top Hits to some oldies music. The bottom floor seating arrangement was very awkward and off. We got seated at the table front and center, literally in the center of the whole room with no other tables left and right, in front of the bar and was glad we got a chance to move. We also realized (and the hostess should've realized too) that the party that got seated at that exact same center table after us also requested to move tables.
   

   1 person found this helpful

4. FC

   FoodisCulture VIP

   San Francisco13 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 9, 2017

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Looking for a new place for our monthly foodie excursion, Modernist came recommended from a friend in the industry. A bit difficult to find and had to enter a code to get in. But voila, once inside we were led on a symphony of tastes! Cocktails reminded us of the Aviary in Chicago- unique with some complex pairings, not a place for just a regular gin & tonic. Enjoyed most all of the bites and cocktails, a great value if you're into a fun cocktail/dining experience. Michelin quality cocktails - if there is such a thing. Pacing is a bit slow, the 10 bites and 5 or 6 cocktails took around 2 1/2 - 3 hours, but gave us time to catch up and soak in the experience. Overall we loved it!
   

   1 person found this helpful

5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   New York City2 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on January 25, 2017

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 1

   Slow pacing for food, atmosphere is cold and feels like an airport lounge. Table set up for party of 8 is awkward and the process of paying the bill was tedious. I would not return nor recommend to anyone unless something dramatically changes.
   

   2 people found this helpful