Ovation At the Opera

For Grandma Jose’s 80^th Birthday!!! :)

My parents and ordered in room service from Ovation during their stay at the Inn at the Opera. I ordered a mixed green salad and a grilled chicken sandwich since they were out of hamburgers. The fries were standard without much spark. They came with off brand ketchup, which I thought was more funny than anything. The chicken sandwich was pretty meh. Soft crunchy roll with a thin layer of mayo w a hint of dill or thyme. Barely noticeable (the best policy for mayo if added it without consent) and actually tasty. High praise coming from a non mayo fan. Tomato was fresh. Romain lettuce’s seen better days maybe end of the head. The sandwich slipped and slid apart as I was eating which was kinda frustrating. At $ 12 I think my parents overpaid for my meal.
Mixed greens was standard. Balsamic vinaigrette was creamy rather than your standard vinaigrette. No Bueno.
All and all it was okay. I curious if the actual restaurant is any better. I recall their continental breakfast from last year being pretty good.

It’s NYE and our group of 35 ppl are all heading to this VERY quaint restaurant that one of us has chosen to bring in the new year. I am skeptical at first, bc it’s somewhere I have NEVER heard of.
It’s at a hotel with valet, so I didn’t have to fight the millions of ppl on NYE trying to find a parking spot near city hall and the opera house. Was so grateful for that, bc I didn’t have to walk miles in my heels.
Then walking in the room is so cute with a real fireplace and live music (piano and singer).
The BEST part was the FOOD!!! The timing of our courses were impeccable, and the food delicious!!! IT is SO difficult to prepare 35 main courses perfectly. We had a choice of Kobe steak, Lobster with fish, and Chicken. The salad, although simple, had fresh seasonal greens, not just your normal green salad. It tasted like someone went out back and picked it. The potato soup was excellent and not too creamy. Everyone, and I mean everyone in our grp was VERY satisfied with their dishes.
It tasted wonderful and cooked to perfection. You can tell that they have a very well practiced chef. The owner even let us swipe our meals separately, without giving us grief about having too many credit cards, now that is SERVICE. OH, and the service was great too!!!
I want to maybe have my birthday there, since they are very well organized with big grps… and did I mention YUMMY???
Oh, and we DIDN“T know the owner, like so many of the other reviews… and he was still great to us!

Came here for a second time for my birthday and it was as delicious as I remember.
My bf knows the owner so we got extra special attention for dinner and wine pairing. =)
*Smoked salmon platter
— It was dressed nicely and the small salad that came with matched it perfectly.
* Lobster tail over greens and some pasta
— This was completely delicious. The lobster was seasoned and warm and just freaking GOOD.
* Heirloom salad with seared tuna
— Dressed nicely. The seared tuna was a little overly seared but it was still good. My bf’s was seared perfectly so a little inconsistency. No complaints though.
* Carrot bisque
— I couldn’t figure this out, but it was good nonetheless. Simple with a little sweetness.
* Kobe Beef entrée
— The kobe really melted in your mouth. It was actually a large portion that I couldn’t finish it at all, but it was REALLY good. The sauce that the steak was cooked in was perfect.
I really like this place. It’s nice and cozy. And it’s completely a hidden gem. It’s a really popular place after performances at the Opera House and symphony so make reservations if you’re coming on performance night.
They also close pretty early (around 9pm/9:30pm) depending on the crowd so be sure to stop by early!

On top of my list-​: This restaurant is one of my favorites in San Francisco, with a delicous menu which you cannot go wrong with any selections, relaxed and romantic ambiance that is truly an enjoyment to dine at any day of the week. The price is a little more than listed in yahoo dining — between $ 40 — 50, but well worth the value.

DISCLAIMER: I went with someone that knew the chefs/​owners
This place is a little small but the feel of it is very cozy. It is extremely elegant and high quality food made by cantonese chefs. I don’t know why, but that doesn’t seem like it should be in the same sentence. I think of dim sum when I hear canto chefs haha
Any who, we got this 4 course meal which started with a grilled lobster tail over some greens, SO GOOD
followed by a duck breast salad with some sort of cilantro dressing, it was amazing. the duck breast skin was nice and crispy, but the meat was tender. It was not too salty and complimented the greens with it VERY well
Then we had a lobster bisque soup and some bread to dip in it as well. This bisque was delicious!
For the final meal, the chef asked what kind of protein we wanted (steak, chicken, pork, fish, or lamb). I went with the lamb
I had a half rack of lamb, potatoes gratin, and some grilled asparagus. the lamb was cooked perfectly and the potatoes melted in your mouth. Not a big fan of vegetables, but the asparagus was yummy too!
For dessert, I got the tiramisu, but my girlfriend got the assorted sorbets. I would have to say the blood orange sorbet is the best so get that one!
Check this place out if you are in the area! Get the stuff I ordered!

wonderful place, excellent food, delightful environment, fine service.
Now explain after a really wonderful meal they can serve coffee below what you get at Denny’s
And I mean that literally.
So… maybe bring some instant in your pocket and just ask for hot water if you want coffee.
Otherwise, Relax and Enjoy! Memorable!

Who knew this place existed? Very traditional décor.
The service was perfect. I had the beet salad. Nice little zing to it. Pork chop for main course was equally delicious!

I came here with my family on my birthday! This place deserves more spotlight esp on Unilocal!It’s a great restaurant with great food and service, however it’s hidden in the hotel. Definitely a place for the older crowd, I would recommend coming here with your parents/​grandparents/​family.
The chef prepared us a few dishes that weren’t on the menu. Perhaps you can ask for chef’s specials when you’re here! Definitely won’t be disappointed!
I’m really bad with names of dishes (see pictures) so I’ll just describe them:
— Raw beef appetizer– was DELICIOUS! it had i think cheese?, some sauce, and little olives on top. sooo freaking good!
— Lobster soup — BEST LOBSTER SOUP EVER! it was sooo creamy and flavorful! mhmm…
— Watermelon salad– this salad was yummy. It was so simple & healthy! It had watermelon, lettuce, and tomatoes.
— Lobster & scallop dish — this was also very delicious! It was a lobster tail wrapped in bacon with scallop and spinach.
The waiter recommended my grandma and I fish for our entrees, he said the fish were fresh that night. I had salmon and I don’t remember what type of fish my grandma got, but both dishes were really good! Everything they recommended turned out to be my favorite!
Other than their DELICIOUS food, their service was superb! The waiters/​waitresses were very attentive and friendly. Felt like I was one of the regulars when I was here for my first time =)
—
To address the previous low rating review– I believe this place is open after performances, however their kitchen close by a certain time or perhaps earlier on certain nights? I think their bar however remains open til a later time.

We had a lovely invite for dinner and a show yesterday. We parked on Grove street and walked over. I love this part of town.
We walked through the Inn into the dark restaurant. The Unilocal reviews were not kidding about the demographics and it made sense that it was recommended by my friend’s 80 year old grandmother.
We ordered a nice bottle of Mark West Pinot. I had the beet salad and smoked salmon, which were both nice. My friends enjoyed the halibut and the duck. When we tried to get another bottle of wine for the six of us, they told me they ran out. When we didn’t like the bottle we ordered, they let us send it back and get a couple of glasses. The service was good and it was a fun evening. Nice preparation for Kathy Griffin :-)
My friend’s mom was super generous and her kindness was very touching.

Came here last night for a pre-​show dinner. I came late (why does this keep happening to me?) and my party was already seated and had even ordered my entrée. I arrived right as those who ordered their first course were getting it.
The restaurant is dark and decorated pretty lavishly with paintings, big chairs, wall paper, etc. The people eating here are all older, but the wait staff is young and very attentive.
For entrees our table had duck, salmon, halibut, and short ribs. Everyone liked their meals. My halibut was perfectly cooked and the consome it was bathing in was very flavorful.
The only negative is the band playing their jazz a little too loudly for comfortable conversation. Other than that, well, and the older crowd, it was a nice dining experience.

Great food and great service!

My second time eating french food and a pretty good experience. The food was pretty tasty. The famous beet salad was good, I’m not a big fan of beets, but it was good. The raw beef and salmon was tasty. I had the rib eye for my main course and was OK, had good flavor, not as tender as I like my meat to be though. The apple pie dessert is to die for, really… I’ve never had an apple pie like that before. Most of the people in there are older and may be going to the opera so the atmosphere is not your usual restaurant. The live music is really nice. Service is very very good, friendly and attentive. I’d like to go again and try their other dishes.

We are staying at the Inn at the Opera and decided to eat in the in-​house restaurant to celebrate my birthday. Good choice! My wife and I started out with the beet salad — wonderful presentation and flavors.
I ordered the short ribs. The were meaty, fork tender in a very nice sauce topped with perfectly steamed asparagus and green beans. Delightful. My wife ordered lamb chops. She was very pleased. We finished off with some tasty desserts; Opera cake (chocolate & nuts, topped with fresh fruit) and raspberry mousse. Both very tasty.
The surroundings were attractive, and the service prompt and pleasant. Not many people, but that is because it is off-​season for the opera and symphony.

It is a fancy restaurant. If it wasn’t that we know somebody who works there, I probably won’t go there for dinner.
The food is in a ok-​ok level, not extremely impressing nor creative like many local authentic or California French restaurant in the area. We usually spend about 1 to 2 hours there, just because my girlfriend likes it.
If not for her… not in my option for fine dinning.

Called ahead to make sure they would be open after the symphony performance.
My 80±year-old guest and I, both formally dressed, walk over immediately after performance.
Signs abundant saying «open after performance».
Wait for the greeter to seat us. He walks by nonchalantly, saying: «oh, we’re closed».
We leave, see the greeter ask the next person in line: «oh [insert name here], what can I get for you?», and seats him at the bar.
No apologies.
Will not return.

This is a charming jewel box restaurant — tiny, elegant, intimate, and just a little bit old fashioned with a fireplace, live music, and healthy portions. The classic French food has improved immensely since the last change of ownership, and the service is much friendlier. (I used to get the evil eye from Jean Claude whenever I asked for a change from their «standard» steak preparation in years past.) I would strongly recommend this lovely restaurant for a romantic rendezvous before the symphony, ballet, or opera.

ive been to many french restaurants in the city but this one is by far my favorite. the onion soup is amazing and the beets salad is the best. you have to try the lamb chops bc thats the best thing on the menu! it is for sure recommended! and remember to have the tarte tatin for dessert! its big enough for two to share!
as for kevin c’s comment. the restaurant is often empty because they run on opera/​ballet business. not a lot of people know of this place because its so hidden. the usual crowd there consists of older gentlemen and ladies who are attending the opera, ballet, or symphony. if you catch them on one of those nights, you wont even be able to get a seat at the bar. every seat in the house is taken.

We went on a Wednesday night and were the only people in the place — and now I know why. The food was uninventive and the ingredients of poor quality. And they ran out of the cheese platter! 8PM on a Wednesday night — without diners? Very pricey ($ 60+ per).

3.5 stars that I’m rounding up to 4 because of the overall experience — If the duck breast had been less chewy, it would have rated solid gold 4 for sure. «Ovation At The Opera» is a small, intimate restaurant at the «Inn At The Opera» hotel. Service was very good and the room décor (loved the couches — great for snuggling) is warm and romantic.
Maria V’s comment about the average age of the patrons is correct but then again, it’s not often that Transit Man and I are the youngest, hippest, most dangerous people in the room but I’ll take it any way I can get it.
Gourmet G’s description of the menu is pretty accurate. It’s a mostly traditional menu heavily weighted towards French. I had the onion soup gratine (excellent!!). and TM had the crab cakes. I didn’t like the bread-​y coating but the inside was very crabby tasting (in the good way) and the accompanying lightly dressed greens were perfect. The greens were obviously fresh and very tasty.
TM had the Muscovy duck breast that was paired with a duck leg confit and a squash purée. Duck breast = tough and chewy. Duck leg and squash purée = Fan-​freaking-​tastic! Generally, I don’t order steak in restaurants but I ordered the NY Strip that came with some roasted new potatoes and green bean/​asparagus sides. The steak was perfect.
Good jazz pianist/​song stylist that was the perfect accompaniment to the environment. We were in the neighborhood to see Verdi’s Requiem at the Symphony so the $ 8 valet parking the during the GLBT celebration weekend was VERY welcome.