Atelier Crenn San Francisco - Buy Reservations

Atelier Crenn is definitely one of the most memorable restaurants I've been to, and going into it, I had huge expectations due to the reputation of the restaurant. The menu is largely pescatarian, and features some really unique ingredients and plating technique. All in all, the food was beautiful. Every bite was unique in itself. The Apple cider one biter was something I've never tasted, the oyster had layers of flavor, and the bread AC served was some of the best brioche I've ever had. The dining experience took a bit over three hours, so there was quite a bit of waiting. It was definitely super interesting to hear the backstory behind every dish and the attention to detail for every aspect though. The night was definitely a storytelling experience of Chef Crenn's life. While I did enjoy the food and dining atmosphere, there were a few reasons I thought MY OWN PERSONAL experience could've been better. The food was fantastic, but the bites I enjoyed the most were the first few, and every following dish felt a little bit more 'boring' than the last. So, as the night went on, each dish was less and less exciting. Additionally, there really is not a lot of food. All the portions are pretty small, so I ended up grabbing Jack in the Box on the way home so I could fill up. The price is definitely up there too considering it is a 3 star restaurant, but restaurants like Benu provide a bit more food. The dining experience was fine too. Waiters give you a good amount of space, and do a good job describing the dishes. Also wanted to mention parking is very hard...Overall, Atelier Crenn is an extremely sophisticated restaurant. The food looks and tastes like some of the best culinary masterpieces the kitchen has to offer. Hats off the the chef and crew. It may have been because I had a HUGE expectation of AC due to its reputation and fame, but there were just some small things I wished were adjusted. Especially at its price point. If you want a memorable and special night out though, definitely check out AC for a unforgettable experience.

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I've been to a handful of 1,2,3 stars restaurants in the Bay Area and I had very high hope for Atelier Crenn but I have to say I was very underwhelmed. The SERVICE was AWKWARD and GLACIAL, they didn't make any small gestures even when we called out that someone at the table is having their birthday. There were big gaps of time in between courses and at the end of 4 hrs we just wanted to leave (the reservation says it should only be 3 hrs). And they "accidentally" put on the supposedly complimentary sparkling wine (they gave us complimentary wine because they couldn't seat us by reservation time, never ever had this situation in any other Michelin star restaurants before, so it was off putting right off the bat) on our bill at the end of it, and we spotted it cuz we were worried that might happen, and guess what, it did.One thing I would say that's redeeming about this place is the plating and the ceramics, they are definitely eye candies. The food is creative while some of them are just way too sour. Overall it's a very underwhelming experience for a 3 star restaurant and we would not go back to the Crenn again.

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I wish I could give 10 stars! This special place is a favorite of ours. I have, and continue to rave about the chefs creations. They continue to surprise us with their amazing cuisine. Chef Crenn is an artist. She puts so much to effort into each and every course. They have mastered the key ingredients to a successful restaurant. I can't tell you how many people we've referred. Please support them, and try if you haven't. You'll bd happy you did.

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I think like others have said, its hard to come here without having insane expectations and wanting every single mouthful to be a hit. It wasn't that, and i do feel like it was a slow start (it wasnt until a few bites in that we were wowed). But it was unique to other places we have been. A lot more of molecular gastronomy than we've experienced before, and I'm a seafood lover so was happy to see that be the highlight of the meal. Their take on French onion soup was out of this world! We also enjoyed the "moveable feast" aspect and being taken through the kitchens to Bar Crenn for the dessert courses. The desserts were incredible and very asian inspired so that hit home for me. Yes its very expensive but i think the overall experience, service, ambiance was worth doing once for sure.

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It's not in my budget to do this regularly, but I think once every year or two, treating yourself to a place like this is a delight if that's an option. Every dish is exquisite and beautifully presented. To be savored. It's like an indulgent meditation with friends.

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Atelier Crenn After trying at least 3 different times, including a wait list, wife and I obtained a reservation for a midweek evening. The restaurant accepts only pre-paid ($410 per person with add-ons for chef’s tasting menu, no other choice. Service included.) reservations with wine, supplements, etc. paid at end of meal. From the outset, the staff (perhaps as many as patrons) were welcoming, warm, and always attentive. The layout is supposed to resemble at atelier with a central open space, some paintings, and a number of nooks, with framed poems on walls. There was also a sheet of poem on each table, a pretty long poem that took a while to read if you were so inclined. The atmosphere was somewhat dignified and conducive until more patrons arrived and all talked and laughed loudly – then it became quite loud which was annoying for us sedate diners. The 14+ course dinner (without wine pairing, but with a glass of champagne each, a half bottle of white wine, and a supplemental caviar course) was overall delicious including some unexpected delights, like the first course – an icy cold ball that burst in the mouth. For a Pescatarian restaurant, however, we were much of the time unable to taste the pesces in the food. Each dish was visually attractive, artfully prepared, intricately constructed (or deconstructed), many to be eaten in one bite. The teeny bites, however, were largely, very tasty. There were several dishes, e.g. the deconstructed onion soup, black cod, that were identifiable, not teeny, and excellent. The “moving feast” involved our moving, after the main course, to the Bar Crenn next door for the dessert and after dinner drinks following a brief tour through the kitchens. Bar Crenn had the look of a 1920’s comfortable bar. Overall, this atelier presents visually beautiful petite dishes, with very good to excellent taste and outstanding attentive service. The final bill came to $1,200 of which $820 was prepaid at reservation. Dining in this exclusive 3 starred Michelin restaurant, with its memorable service, savoring the artful yet uneven palate pleasers, was an experience!

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Atelier CrennHard to reserve, wonderful service, beautiful food, loud. After trying at least 3 different times, including a wait list, wife and I obtained a reservation for a midweek evening. The restaurant accepts only pre-paid ($410 per person with add-ons for chef's tasting menu, no other choice. Service included.) reservations with wine, supplements, etc. paid at end of meal. From the outset, the staff (perhaps as many as patrons) were welcoming, warm, and always attentive. The layout is supposed to resemble at atelier with a central open space, some paintings, and a number of nooks, with framed poems on walls. There was also a sheet of poem on each table, a pretty long poem that took a while to read if you were so inclined. The atmosphere was somewhat dignified and conducive until more patrons arrived and all talked and laughed loudly - then it became quite loud which was annoying for us sedate diners. The 14+ course dinner (without wine pairing, but with a glass of champagne each, a half bottle of white wine, and a supplemental caviar course) was overall delicious including some unexpected delights, like the first course - an icy cold ball that burst in the mouth. For a Pescatarian restaurant, however, we were much of the time unable to taste the pesces in the food. Each dish was visually attractive, artfully prepared, intricately constructed (or deconstructed), many to be eaten in one bite. The teeny bites, however, were largely, very tasty. There were several dishes, e.g. the deconstructed onion soup, black cod, that were identifiable, not teeny, and excellent. The "moving feast" involved our moving, after the main course, to the Bar Crenn next door for the dessert and after dinner drinks following a brief tour through the kitchens. Bar Crenn had the look of a 1920's comfortable bar. Overall, this atelier presents visually beautiful petite dishes, with very good to excellent taste and outstanding attentive service. The final bill came to $1,200 of which $820 was prepaid at reservation. Dining in this exclusive 3 starred Michelin restaurant, with its memorable service, savoring the artful yet uneven palate pleasers, was an experience!

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Visited various times and felt like home. She is kind, empowering, and unique.The meal was extremely unique each time and was one experience that was hard to beat. Don't want to ruin the surprise.

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Perhaps the expectation was too much, but everything from service to food was just a little lacking. What is five stars is the presentation of the food and the surrounding. Came here for my birthday and they all greeted me with happy birthday. Ambience 5/5:The restaurant itself is very pretty and elegant, I love the paintings around. Anyways, so I came here with my friend to celebrate my birthday. Checked in and we were escorted to our table right away. The tables are really nice here, my table had some privacy, it was all the way at the end. You can definitely feel the fanciness of the restaurant, and please dress formally, you really don't want the server to look fancier than you LOL. Food 4/5: Honestly taste wise is a 3, some just tasted too sour and weird. Like you would put in your mouth and say omg this is so good, it's just like a " huh, this is weird...." It wasn't bad but it was just weird. I'm pretty sad there's no meat lol. I mean if it's pescatarian at least give us some lobster and crab something fancy. ( they had a king crab dish but you can't even tell it's crab). What was good was that shiso leaf, its crispy interesting but at the same time it's yummy. Bread service was great they had yummy butter. Anyways not much standouts I remember most of the dishes tasting weird. I'm only giving 4 stars because they put a lot of effort for presentation of the food, to the point where it tells a story about Chef Crenn. I don't think she was here at the restaurant which is disappointing, but she prob busy starring in the upcoming movie "The Menu" *shrugs* regardless I really think they should do something about the taste of the food. Honestly the cooking and technique is great but you're not really elevating the taste of the element. Also it took really long for the food to come, literally stayed there four hours, when it's only suppose to be three, at the most three and a half hours. We were waiting for the courses so long that we were getting full from waiting or getting full from the wine pairing5/5 for the dessert portion. Finished everything, and not because I was hungry. I was so full but the dessert was spectacular, my favorite part. Service 4/5: The server was nice, but it was hard to get a hold of them, unless they're bringing something out. They're not that engaging either, scurries around. It's busy so I understand. It was nice when they led us into the kitchen and the chefs there were all really nice and greeted us they deserve 5/5. Anyways there's not much to say it was good though when they did come to the table . Loved having my utensils changed. Drinks 5/5: Wine pairing there is good paired well with the food, despite the weird dishes it actually made the wine better. I splitted my wine pairing with my friend and even though it's split, it was very generous. So definitely worth. I don't know how much they pour if I didn't split with them, I prob be too drunk or too full from alcohol. Had like eight tastings of wine for two, that's like 16 glass together. Definitely worth.Recommendation 3/5:I mean you have money you want to celebrate something special and you want to take nice picture of fancy food COME. If you are cautious about spending and expect really tasty food do not come. Overall it was a nice experience, even though the food didn't turn out as good as I expected, but sitting there and being served felt nice and accomplishing. Just like people said crossing off a wish from the bucket list :)Oh I forgot to mention something important. In the beginning they offer you two champagnes to choose from, me and my friend thought it was complimentary since they ran up to us with two bottles laid out, thought it's because it's my birthday, but turns out we got charged two glasses of champagne 40$ 20x2. I mean they should had asked if we wanted to "ORDER" some champagne instead of just coming up with two different bottles to our table making it seem like it's complimentary. I'm only letting it slide because regardless me and my friend was probably going to order some sparkling. Anyways did any of you guys go through this? Also, they printed out my happy birthday menu and gave me a golden chocolate. just in case anyone wondering what specials I got.

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I thought to celebrate a career milestone here because of Dominique Crenn, a legendary/empowering female chef. Her background and creativity is what brought me to this place, and it's really sad that it started out as a disappointment.I received a text 5hrs before the reservation asking if we could show up 15mins later (8:30 instead of 8:15) for a glass of champagne. Kind of unprofessional but we thought why not. We showed up 30mins early because they only have street parking and we wanted a good spot. We checked in and they didn't offer champagne. We came back at 8:27p, and they said it'll be another 10-15mins. We were upset because it is one thing to extend it once but it's another to keep us waiting. They offered a glass of rosé at the table but nothing extra for going over the 15min extension. I've been in multiple 3michelins/world's best 50 restaurants, and I've never had to deal with bad service before. If you are charging over $400 for dinner, there is no room for mistakes esp when the restaurant/chef has accolades. The dinner lasted almost 4hrs instead of 3. So we didnt leave the restaurant until closer to 1am. We were so tired after the 7th course. We even contemplated of skipping the rest of the courses. It is the most exhausting fine dining experience ever. It almost felt like torture. It sucks bc Chef Crenn prides herself with the experience of her tasting, but we didnt even get to appreciate that because it was bad from the start. Chef Crenn wasn't even there which is disappointing as well. I've never been to a 3michelin where the chef is not present.3 stars for the food, having POC staff, and the decor. It's probably the most inclusive 3michelin place I've been to. Decor tells a story about her father and recognizing Asian refugees. Other cons: street parking/one stall bathroomThis was a miss esp since we were celebrating something big. Maybe for a casual dinner it's okay? Def the worse service for any Michelin star restaurant I've been to.

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Literally felt like you were transported somewhere else outside of SF. The storytelling with each dish was amazing, the caviar add-on is a must, and the service was superb. I swear I must have counted 19 small dishes at the end of the night. Highly recommend for a fine dining, 3 Michelin Star experience. They were also able to accommodate a dairy-free menu.

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