The Cavalier
| Address: | 360 Jessie St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA |
| Phone: | +1 415-321-6000 |
| Site: | thecavaliersf.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–11PM 7AM–11PM 7AM–11PM 7AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 7
SA
Samantha Berg
YUM. Came here on a Saturday night with two friends for dinner and drinks. I wasnt sure what to expect, but I came away impressed. Lamb scrumpets: 5-stars. Theres a reason these have been on the 7x7 Big Eats list three years running. Theyre incredible. Lightly fried morsels of lamb served on the bone. Perfectly tender and rare on the inside, not greasy or too heavy on the batter on the outside. The mint chutney served on the side is the perfect amount of sweetness to pair with the lamb without overwhelming it with sugar or mint. Corned beef scotch egg: 4-stars. The egg was perfectly done, it broke to absolute perfection. The corned beef was very rare but tasted really good, like a reuben inside a scotch egg. This dish was great, but the price tag brings down its star rating - it just wasnt worth $15. Sauteed wild mushrooms: 4-stars. Absolutely not what I expected, but really delicious. I expected... well, sauteed mushrooms. Instead we got a puff pastry type thing filled with creamy mushroom tastiness, with spinach and leeks. Though heavy, the dish was hearty and filling, and the earthiness of the mushrooms was perfectly balanced with the flaky pastry and creamy filling. I do wish there was a bit more mushroom, as it felt to be more spinach and dough, and I just love mushrooms so much. Minted pea salad: 5-stars. Super fresh ingredients, great ratio of salad to burrata and bread. The levain was perfectly grilled, bringing some char to the super creamy burrata and crisp mint. There was a perfect touch of salt to highlight all the flavors without overwhelming the salad. Yum yum yum. Roast chicken: 4-stars. A perfectly roasted chicken breast, drumstick, and thigh over mashed potatoes and carrots. Served with a mustard bacon jus that was a bit creamy but not heavy at all. The mash was very heavy on the horseradish flavor, which I didnt mind, but it was just a tad overpowering. Also, a few more veggies would have been nice. Overall, I came into the dinner with fairly low expectations, which were then exceeded. The price takes this out of my "regular place" zone, but Id be happy to come back on occasion to try other things on the menu.
CH
Cherry Summers
This is a place that is all about the ambience and they play it to the hilt, from the menu to the decor. Dont get me wrong, the food and drinks are good, but I think youre paying for how you feel in a trendy, cozy spot more than what menu items such as "grilled cheese soldiers" might normally deserve. They have some creative menu items and excellent specialty drinks. I really enjoyed a pineapple-gin punch served with a sprig of rosemary -- I dont usually like gin, but it was unusual enough I had to try it and the combination really worked for me. They use high quality spirits and infusions and really take the craft of bartending seriously. This is not a cheap place to stop after work one day -- its expensive even for this touristy area. They have a small, cozy room they will reserve for events with a $1000 minimum last I heard. Their menu is pricey, so if youve got a group for a corporate outing, it would not be hard to hit that number. But for the price, you get very personal service and more of that ambience youre presumably there for.
WI
Will Kivinski
This is the newest restaurant to the folks who brought you Park Tavern and Marlowe. Its got a British Theme (with quite the decor) and a stellar cocktail menu. Although its not my favorite restaurant of the bunch, I think theyve done a solid job with the food, service and cocktails. Given that the food in this part of town is typically touristy and meh, having the Cavalier by Westfield Mall is incredibly refreshing. I loved the Venison Tartare in particular. It was exceptional. I also tried the quail egg, the Cavalier salad and the Ribeye with Bone Marrow Gravy. All were good. You know what was surprisingly awesome too? The Mint Peas. Incredibly fresh and refreshing. My friend got the Sole. It was cooked well but a bit lacking in flavor. They serve Stumptown Coffee to boot! I want to go buy and try some of the more traditional British Pub Fare (Pies, Roasts, etc.) Dont be surprised if you run into former SF Mayor Willie Brown at dinner. Hes known to stop by. I even grabbed a photo with him.
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Andrew Eland
Being an Englishman in SF, I was strongly pre-disposed to liking the place, but ultimately felt betrayed by their roast potatoes. To me, these are perfect when prepared using beef dripping, and have a glasslike crust that shatters to reveal a light, fluffy interior. The Cavaliers version are cooked in chicken fat - which immediately tells you theyre doing something out of the ordinary. Their version uses salad potatoes, ruling out any chance of crispness - and serves them with a malt vinegar & fat vinaigrette - much like, in fact, a salad. A more open-minded diner would reasonably describe this as an edgy, daring, and ultimately inspired Cali-fusion take on a British classic. Id like to be that person, but am struggling to get past the initial disappointment. The Farro & roasted beetroot starter was unreservedly a delight, however.
AM
Amy Gepfert
Really loved the decor of this place. Not sure what makes the decor British (are we Brits known for stag heads on the wall...?) but its lovely all the same - dark and sophisticated, with a really buzzy atmosphere. The food was great too - we tried: - Quail Eggs mayonnaise, which was deemed very good - Sunday Roast Chicken, which lovely and moist and went well with the horseradish mash - The rib eye, which was very good and the beef dripping chips were divine! - The pork and beef bangers, which were very tasty - Also tried the chicken fat roasted potatoes, which were alright - Double Crusted Crumble - yummmmmmmy! - Rhubarb Steamed Pudding - very tasty, loved the rhubarb All in all I really liked this place and Id definitely go back next time I am in SFO. Its pricey but for the neighbourhood its a really good option.
MI
Michael Xing
Brought to you by the folks behind the wonderful Park Tavern and Marlowe, The Cavalier is a British inspired eatery, which turned out to be quite good despite being based on a cuisine not particularly well known for its superior food. I must admit, the venison tartare was a bit lacking in flavor (it needed a bit more salt), but the rest of the dishes were excellent. The pies were particularly superb, and a special call out also goes to the roasted chicken and burger (a variation on the exquisite Marlowe offering). Cocktails were expertly prepared, though the service was a bit slow getting the drinks to the table. Supposedly, a hidden lounge resides behind the bookcase towards the rear of the restaurant, though only cardholders (a.k.a. friends of the owner) may enter.
NH
Nhung Kim Phan
One of the best british pub restaurant around! The food is phenomenal! The duck fat fries are AMAZING! a must have!! w/ duck fat dripping dipping sauce! This place also has the best drinks around! I love the Pimms cup here. Its gingery, and refreshing, youll drink 5 before you know it! I love the people, great service, and the hostess is polite. Note: On the left side where the bar is located, you can call ahead to get a table there, or try the bar. We are usually pretty lucky w/ both. Def. try the quail egg. runny on the inside, the fried onions are perfectly toasted to give the right crunch! and flavors! Try everything here, because its all memorable and so good! Best place around here!
