Carnelian Room

I know it is too late now as the place has sadly closed down, but after reading all these bad reviews, I couldn't sit idly by and let all th... more

This place is criminally bad. Lets cover the one good thing first; the view. Nothing else is good. The food was not terrible, but I would rate it as 3 stars if it had been a $30 bill. It was a $300 bill. Furthermore, 20% of that bill was a service charge that they tacked on to my party of 2. I think they do this because no one was giving them tips because the service is horrible. For a $300 meal, we did not have a single person ask how anything was, we had to constantly ask to have glasses refilled, and they just were generally bumbling. San Francisco has too many good restaurants to let guys like this stay in business. Take your money elsewhere. Pros: View Cons: Bad food, bad service, bad ambience more

Without a doubt the worst dining experience ever, anywhere! The service was mediocre at best. The cloak room had no attendant. The hostess was dressed in plain casual clothes. The Maitre D' didn't ask to take our coats and when we finally arranged for our coats to be hung, we found them later stacked carelessly one on top of the other on a single hanger. The wine we ordered was not the wine we were served. The appetizers were not prepared in the way they were described on the menu. My consomme was cold on arrival and I had to send it back only to have it returned to me cold again. Our main courses (all meat) were tough and unpalatable and came with cold and clammy polenta and not the garnishes described in the menu. Our bus boy reached across the table to serve water out of a cheap plastic pitcher and missed our son's glass. He didn't wipe it, let alone apologize. Our desserts were literally uneatable. The chef's menu which I had chosen called for a grapefruit sorbet to be followed by a pumpkin cake. The two were brought together on the same plate as though to speed things up. The sorbet was substituted with a lavender one and the pumpkin cake was so tough, I would have challenged any lumberjack to cut through it! My daughter's chocolate souffle was made with cheap chocolate and arrived cold and deflated! At no point, throughout the evening did our main waiter ask how things were. We didn't want to create a scene and we felt quite sure that either there was no one in charge and possibly even no formal chef attending the kitchen. It seemed as though everything was prepared ahead of time and reheated. This was not our first visit to the Carnelian Room and in the past we had quite a stylish and pleasant culinary experience. It used to be a classy, San Franciscan establishment. No more! Stay away and spend your money wisely somewhere else. This is a ridiculously overpriced tourist trap! more

Remarkably bad all around... in nearly 15 years of regular (and many, many wonderful) meals in SF, this was easily my worst dining experience. That in and of itself is noteworthy I suppose - so if you want to be amazed at how bad it is then give it a try. We were seated in a corner window spot which had a wonderful view. It looked like one of the two best tables in the restaurant. That is the end of the positives except a competent bus-staff. When the bad food and poor waitstaff becomes the only topic of discussion over a view like that during what was supposed to be a romantic dinner, that is a bad sign indeed eh? The waiter was unfamiliar with standard courtesy (I suppose when a dish has had three bites consumed total and you don't find it surprising the guest wants it removed, that must mean it is a common occurrence). I have had more informed, intelligent and personable service at Jack in the Box. The fish that I ordered was so overcooked that it literally crumbled when cut!! I have never seen or heard that was even possible before for salmon. They tried to compensate by drowning it in a generous pool of vinegared sauce... I liked the menu I saw online and in spite of a number of bad reviews decided that since I love food I would likely find something redeeming. Shockingly I did not. At all. Starters, drinks, desserts... nothing was at all enjoyable and when we left my companion was complaining that she was still hungry (not surprising since she couldn't bring herself to eat much of her food either!) Many have said it here and on yelp but it is fundamentally true: avoid this place at all costs! Pros: view (but you can do better!) Cons: food and service more

I made the reservation a month in advance requesting a table with a good view because it was a special occasion. However, not only did we get a table in the middle of the restaurant, the host was very rude. There are very few tables in the restaurant with a view and their regulars are preferred. It is only worth it to pay for the mediocre but outrageously expensive food if you're sitting by the window. Instead, go an hour before the time of sunset, grab a table by the bar (first come first served), order a drink or two and enjoy the view. Would not recommend eating there. Pros: Great View Cons: Food not worth it more

While I wouldn't recommend the Carnelian Room for a party, I would certainly recommend it for a nice outing. The food is really good and the... more

What a joke! This place has rested on its one laurel [52nd floor view of the City] for far too long! The host add hostess were rude and snooty. The rest of the wait staff were worse. We dressed up for the occasion, too bad the restaurant did not. It is truly in a 1970s time warp. Everything about it reaks of the 70s. The dress code in the lounge was a bunch of tourists in shorts. We ordered drinks as we waited for our reserved table that was not ready. We waited 15 minutes and never did get our drinks. We finaly got them after we got seated in the dining room for another 10 minutes. The menu is the most un-imaginitive I have ever seen. The food was not okay, or even weak, it was poor. Even the bread was lousy [day old?] and they even managed to ruin a chocolate dessert. This place is for the senior crowd that think it is "Top Drawer". Trust me, it is not. For the money, you can do far, far better. As noted in several other reviews, this is a poorly run, tired, restaurant. Do not waste your time and money. This place needs to close. Pros: View Cons: Everything else!! more

We had reservations for a bday. we were sat promptly but w/out even a smile from the hostess. We brought a botel of champagne which they promptly iced, but never came back to serve. it was a good 20 mins before our waiter approached and quickly left to get the glasses for champagne. we requested the wine menu many times before we got it, and were only approached by the wine stuard to tell us if we order a bottle he would waive our very expensive corkage for the champ. the ceviche was wonderful...I had the veggie entree which was very good but the rest of my table faired just OK. the souffle is pushed on you at seating for the desert, our table ordered 5...and we were very disappointed with them. if the service was up to par it would of been an ok experience...but it was far from what you would expect for fine dining...I wouldn't even expect it from a diner. the view is amazing...but that is it! Pros: parking garage Cons: service more

Perhaps it was Valentines so they decided to play a trick on those who wanted to have a special dinner. Perhaps all the employees simply were exhausted. Whatever their reasons, their waiters, their hostesses, and their food failed to give any satisfaction. When I walked in the hostess asked me to wait for my date. Didn't explain anything to me or let me know there was a lounge where I could wait. They were snooty and simply rude. When we were seated, the room was so bright I had to shield my eyes. We were not seated at the window, the whole reason for the reservation, so we couldn't even enjoy the view. The waiters neglected to expain anything abou the menu and simply began to throw plates on our table and walked away without an explanation. The shrimp appetizer was edible but the salad was barely palatable. The filet mignon came over cooked and we realized the waiter didn't even ask how we liked it. My date's was medium which is how I like mine. We switched plates but the filet mignon tasted like uncooked meat and the lobster was simply overcooked tire with no flavor. The dessert was cute but nothing to write home about. I am still reeling from the wait staff. They were so rude, unprofessional and non-service oriented, I wondered how they could call this a fine dining establishment. I kept my mouth shut because my date put so much effort into the evening but inside, my wrath was building at such poor service, poor food for outlandish price. I hate chain restaurants but the Carnelian Room doesn't have anything on Red Lobster or Denny's. Go there instead and save your money. The view is lovely but no need to fork over $300-$400 for it. STAY AWAY FROM THIS POORLY RUN RESTAURANT. IT IS NOT FINE DINING BUT RATHER DENNY'S WITH A VIEW. Pros: view Cons: food, service, ambiance more

Absolutely terrible food and service. The menu is the worst in the city and besides the view there is nothing going for this place. The worst place in the city from high end restaurants. more

Disregard the old reviews. The Carnelian Room has improved dramatically. Our last two visits were wonderful. The food matched the view and the service was efficient and friendly. There seems to be a new sense of creativity in the kitchen. Everyone in our party loved it! The best salad dressing I've ever tasted. Also, don't miss the souffles for dessert. Pros: Spectaculae view, excellent food Cons: It's not cheap more

This place is amazing. I came here with a date and was seated right next to a window over looking the bay. The service was great and the food was delicious. It's the best view San Francisco has to offer. Pros: Great View, Good Food Cons: Be ready to spend $$$ more

The view alone is worth half an hour of your time and the cost of a drink. Skip the food. If you do stay, dress warmly. The ventilation system is directly under the windows next to the tables. We shivered throughout the meal, having twice asked whether it were possible to adjust the vents at our table, and twice met with no response. Food was mediocre and not worth mentioning. Service was perfunctory and provided without a smile, though we tried in our quiet way to charm our servers. We were amazed to find an 18% gratuity included in the bill (party of two)--a first in many years of fine restaurant dining. We never tip so low, even for poor service, but were offended by their presumption and left it at that. Pros: The fabulous views Cons: Poor service, poor food more

Yes, I know you go for the view, but the everything else was horrible. I went on a Thursday evening for after-work cocktails. We sat at a high raise table that had 2 huge bars on the side, making it uncomfortable for 2 people to sit w/ their legs under the table. It took over 15 minutes for our drinks to come. Both were small and poorly made for being $15. The lighting was bright in some areas and dark in others due to the cheap, brass (plastic?) fixtures. The view is amazing, but hard to enjoy w/ no drink at an uncomfortable table in glaring light in a freezing room! Pros: View Cons: Service, atmosphere, drinks, price more

We researched a lot of SF restaurants in anticipation of celebrating our 10th Anniversary in the city. We read over and over again how romantic this restaurant was. I would have to say that is true-but the view is definitely the best part. My husband really liked his halibut, but my filet was average. Although it was a Sunday night, the tables were so close together you could hear everyone else's conversation. I've heard that it's very hard for a restuarant so well known for it's view to have a menu to match, and unfortunately that was proven true on this visit. more

I surprised my wife with a private room for our 20th anniversary. View was incredible and the private room was worth the extra charge for the special occasion. Be sure to book the private room well in advance. I booked it 4 months in advance and could only get a Sunday night. Service was great, food was good but not outstanding. (The view is the main reason to go anyway.) The corn chowder and crab soup along with the prawns were great. Ceaser salad was average. The tenderlions were good, cooked perfectly and very tender. Chocolate sufflet was average. Outstanding wine selection. Pros: View and wine selection, private dining a great touch Cons: Food is not outstanding but good. more

We had the private room, which was very romantic and had an amazing view of the city and bay. No complaints about the location. Along with the private room came an on call server, who could barely speak english and we could not understand what he was saying most of the time. He had also never heard of Hefenweizen (sp?) beer. The food was mediocre. I ordered roasted chicken with polenta and artichokes. There were a few artichoke pieces hidden under the chicken. I won't even talk about the polenta. blech! Go for drinks and the fantastic view and ambience. Skip dinner. Pros: Romantic, Amazing views Cons: Service, Expensive more

We'd enjoyed The Carnelian Room several times in past years but on 4/16 we couldn't leave the restaurant fast enough! We weren't told that the menu would be limited to six entrees and leftovers from Easter brunch. We had to ask for water and two times to see a wine list. But worst of all the place was a mess, with left-over brunch stations not cleared, empty tables in disarray and crumb-covered. At one table a half-eaten dinner roll was left lying there the whole time we were there! All this when the dining room was less than half full and many of the staff were standing around DOING NOTHING. Enjoy the view by having a drink in the bar but skip the over-priced dinner in the shabby dining room, where no one seems to care if you have a pleasant experience or not. more

We have gone here over and over during the past 6 years and have never had anything bad to say about this restaurant. The service is outstanding the food fantastic and interesting, the atmosphere quiet and pleasing to all the senses. The wine stewart very knowledgeable....Maitre'd outstanding...servers too....great place to go for a wonderful evening and to take visitors. more

I have heard a lot about the great view in Carnelian room but never got a chance to go there. However, when my parents came to visit from out of country, I brought them to Carnelian Room to impress them. When we all got up there, we were really impressed with the view. Unfortunately, everything else was going downhill. All we do is waited. Service was terrible -- we have to wait more than 45 minutes for our entrees to come. And the captain has an attitude. After waiting that long our food to come, they are NOT cooked properly! more