Lazy Bear - San Francisco (CA)

2 /5 cantik: Returned for my birthday after a wonderful first experience, but Lazy Bear has changed dramatically - and not for the better. The charming bear decor and communal tables are gone. More concerning: we spent $1,700 for two people (including beverage pairing) and received no birthday acknowledgment beyond an initial greeting and card. No candle, no special dessert, nothing. Every other Michelin-starred restaurant Ive celebrated at has made birthdays feel special. The food was underwhelming, nothing special, portions in each of the dishes are tiny that left us hungry. The Coal-Roasted Wagyu Ribeye was excellent but just one thin slice. The Liberty Duck which is also one thin slice was too salty. Dessert ended with 2 bonbons and a single gummy bear. Compared to my first visit, both the creativity and the number of dishes have declined significantly. For two Michelin stars and this price point, Saison, Californios, Birdsong, and Commis all offer much better experiences. We were left very disappointed. Cannot recommend this place, spend your money elsewhere.

5 /5 Stelios Serghiou: Wow. One of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to and easily the top one or two-star in SF (better than Californios). Food: Exceptional across the board. The cioppino, bread and butter, trout, and wagyu were out of this world. The wine pairing was spot on - remarkable bottles and one of the best Sauvignon Blancs I’ve ever had. Worth every penny, which I don’t often say about pairings. Some reviews mentioned small portions; that wasn’t my experience. Service: Excellent. Perfect pacing with no long waits. Servers were sharp, personable, and deeply knowledgeable. Finishing touches: The banana cake and cold brew to-go were the best parting gifts I’ve ever had. The espresso at the end was also one of the best I’ve had. Loved the personalization of the notebook. Minor misses: We had 3 separate waiters try to get a cocktail order. The cocktail was not as balanced as the rest of the menu. The restroom felt basic for a two-star. The décor could be more refined, though I appreciated the open kitchen. Notes: Attire smart casual. Parking is tough so take a taxi, especially if you’re getting the pairing. There’s no bar. No communal dinners anymore. Can’t wait to be back!

5 /5 Mike Carlin: I mean come on, what else needs to be said here. There is a reason why the chef has 2 Michelin stars. Incredible experience, one of the best dining experiences of my life. The food, service, ambiance is a 15 out of 10.

5 /5 Cecily Burke: It’s a tasting menu, so you will have whatever is seasonal and inspires the chefs. It will be served with an explanation from one of the many cordial and pleasant staff, and we (a party of four) found it intriguing and mostly delicious. Many courses, some very light, most just 2-3 bites - so we didn’t leave feeling overfilled, just fulfilled. The oysters served two ways was our favorite course. Any disappointments? Only the cocktails, which 3 of us ordered, and no one thought were splendid. I ordered wine (Sauvignon Blanc). There’s not a lot of choices for by the glass, but mine was perfect for this meal. We didn’t go for any of the pairing options (non-alcoholic, standard, and blow-the-budget.) Would we come again? Yes, we would!