Opinions EMPRESS BY BOON San Francisco

Took my girlfriend here for her 25th birthday and she love everything about it. From the view of the sun set, to the amazing food. Everything was great. They had very good substitutions for my dietary restrictions as well! Will definitely recommend to friends!

crazy good courses dinner with a view of Coit Tower.

Great atmosphere and beautiful design, but not much value for the price; the course meal was good only because we added the Pekin duck at an extra charge. The short rib was exquisite; the noodles lacked flavor, and the eggplant was just ok. Excellent presentation; we each had a glass of wine and two desserts after the course meal; with the tip, it came to about $460, which is significantly overvalued. The restaurant enjoys a Michelin star rating and a very striking environment, but for the price, the value is not there. It seems like you're paying for a beautiful setting, stunning views of the city and incredible cocktails but nothing that warrants the exorbitant price points.

We used to dine in with the previous owner. The restaurant is nicely updated. Quick service, very tasty dishes and yummy/pretty desert. Nice atmosphere with view on Coit tower surroundings of San Francisco.

This place was absolutely outstanding in almost every way possible! I’ve dined at all ranks of Michelin star restaurants across the country, and this place could be deserving in coming years. It also won’t break the bank as it’s only just over $100 per person for a hefty 5 course meal. Cocktails are fantastic and the wine list is curated expertly.

The only things that need to improve -

This is a Chinese / Cantonese restaurant but only has one Chinese wine….and it’s $700 ????????

I agree with others that having to add on dessert doesn’t make sense. I’d rather pay more per person and have dessert included.

Everything else was perfect and can’t wait to go back!

We were there to wrap up the lunar new year celebration. But it was hard to get to the restaurant due to the road closures for the parade. By the time we got there, we were told that they couldn’t hold the table much longer. I then suggested to my spouse that we take the seats at the bar. Here’s the thing - to be told that was the last thing I ever wanted to hear, especially after the arduous journey to get to the restaurant (yep, we had to walk around streets and amongst the crowd, no ride share, no Waymo). One of the servers was empathetic and that, with the delicious food, dessert and drinks (champagne and then Gruner Veltliner) made the evening … better. We will return to the restaurant, but definitely not when there’s a parade in the area. It was a total nightmare!!!

Initially I saw Eileen Gu come here with her family on Chinese new year, which made me interested. I left only 60% full, dissatisfied, and with less money in my wallet.

Dish 1: puff pastry, egg roll, lily bulb
Puff pastry is generic, I would easily find something similar in a dim sum restaurant. The caviar on the egg roll doesn’t taste like its high quality. There’s egg white inside and scallop. The egg white really did smell like egg. Not sure whether it’s because it’s undercooked. Scallop was flavourless, might be there for the texture. Lily bulb was a nice surprise. On the inside there’s a honey ginger filling, which was contrasting.

Dish 2: shrimp and squid dumpling
Apart from the cute presentation, I’d say it’s nothing special. Again, easily accessible at dim sum restaurants. The soup thought I believe was chicken soup base, with wayyyy too much vinegar and chilli. It almost hurt my mouth.

Dish 3: fish/squab?
To be honest I don’t remember what it was. I thought it’s fish but on the online menu it says squab. It’s cooked pretty tender. Sauce was ok, it reminds me of a caramel sweet and sour sauce and braised meat combination flavour. Dish is paired with candied walnuts and boiled cauliflower. Both generic, and can be bought at store and easily cooked at home.

Dish 4: lobster
This is where it starts to go downhill. The dish feels like it’s just thrown into the menu as a filler. It’s cooked nicely with a similar sauce as the fish/squab.

Dish 5: vegetables/rice noodle and bean curd/pork belly
The vegetables are again generic, can be found at any Chinese restaurant. Rice noodle was ok with a similar sauce as dish 3 and 4. The bean curd tasted hard, and has no flavour. Don’t know what’s the intention here. Pork belly overall was good. But the sauce is too red man. It almost looks like blood. How revolting! Bet there’s either excessive red food colouring or too much ketchup.

Before this I ordered tea.

Tea menu was almost 70% pu-er, and the variety wasn’t there. I ordered a jasmine tea, which is 18 dollars. There is NO REFILL. Usually at Cantonese restaurants they give you a tea pot with tea leaves in it. And the same tea leaves can be steeped up to 3-5 times. They only gave a tea pot with pre-steeped tea. What a ripoff.

Dessert menu was disappointing, which is why I didn’t order any. The choices were 1) Asian dessert with sago which I can get at Meet Fresh for cheaper, better quality and quantity 2) generic cheesecake 3) generic ice cream. I really don’t understand what the deal is.

Dessert wine menu only have the wine names, origin and years. When I asked the waiter to describe the notes and taste profile, I could tell that they are not an expert. They didn’t offer to ask to bring out the sommelier either. Which leads me to doubt: Do they even have a sommelier? This also brings up the question: why is there so much Italian and French wines? At a Chinese restaurant? I’ve never seen wine being ordered in ANY Chinese restaurant. Besides, there are many good wines produced in China. Maybe add some of those? (I don’t believe in wine pairing with Chinese food also.)

The view was pretty nice. Apart from that, they play pop music. I expected at least some Classical Chinese music, since this is a Chinese restaurant.

Overall very disappointed. For what it claims to be fine dining, I expect at least stunning presentation, interesting flavours, and unusual food pairings. I ended up paying 160 including tips. Would not come here again nor recommend to anyone.

Awesome food and cocktails.Elevated semi-fusion Cantonese food,menu is definitely not stagnant and evolves with the season.Prix fixe menu at the table,limited ala carte items at the bar.Beautiful city view.The bartenders are true artisans! not very pocket friendly though.

good service, but really disappointed that they didn’t do anything for birthdays. we came for my mom’s 60th and after the high price tag ($108 per person) we were hoping for something…but dinner did not come with dessert, nor did they do anything to help her feel special. would’ve expected more, especially since we were asked whether we were celebrating a special occasion when booking the reservation :/ food was just fine.

I think they judge us by our appearance, young couple no money... sat us in a corner, but asked to be sat on a free table (2 empties) by the window which they decline, and 2 couples that came after us where sat there...

What an incredible experience.
As someone from French and Singaporean culture I was blown away by the dishes and the wine pairing. I was incredibly impressed by the wine pairing and explanation by Edgar. I am third culture raised and felt that the start to finish was curated to be for those who want to feel the elegance of asianatic cuisine with the height of French experience. I know that each section is curated to be about the customer from start to finish. Every dish was excellent I cannot recommend this enough.

I want to also highlight the busboys, attentive to each silverware change and requests for new cutlery. It is difficult on a busy day like Lunar New Year to give individual attention. We were received with the attention of family and value of a long term customer.

Thank you again Edgar for every detailed answer to my questions. You truly made the experience

Thank you to the bartender that made all the Harry Potter themed drinks -I am a big fan of the Lumos.

Great Chinese New Year experience here! We enjoy the view to fire works and lion dancing show during our meal as well. Food preparation was elegant. Great service. Welcoming and serving then paying attention. It’s different Chinese cuisine fine dining experience for me. I love the caviar and scallop spring roll. It’s different than traditional Chinese spring roll taste it’s with full of umami flavors. This is such a great spot for Chinese New Year celebration ???? unforgettable memory.

This restaurant is a pass. I echo all the many other reviewers here, over priced if only the food served was worth it. I would not recommend coming here unless you want to throw away $168.00/per person before alcohol + 22% mandatory gratuity (service charge) + SF 9% hospitality tax (for health care for restaurant workers) + State sales tax 8.7% (so add about 40% on top of food before booze).

This restaurant is catered for the unwitting tourist looking for a "Chinese" restaurant experience.

The food is photogenic but ingredients and tastes on the level of the local take out Chinese place that you pay $8.99 for a box of Chow Mein. That is an insult to the take out place actually.

The manager for the Chinese New Year dinner and the Maitre D have no manners. They are both morbidly obese (medical term) men, one is Caucasian the other African American , both appear bored out of their minds, completely disinterested in the customers' experience, e g. where you want to be seated (not by the bathroom, more on that below).

The wait staff are mostly Hispanic and just throw the food down on the table. If you ask what the food is, they call someone over who tells you. Everything is a rush.

This restaurant tells you in email confirmation that they turn tables. Meaning you have an allocated time to eat. So, take your photos, eat and get out.

By the way, the fried egg roll, it's stuffed with egg salad (gooey texture, reminds me of my vomit when I was sick). All the food is served tepid, you leave feeling very ripped off.

A place to write off, one and done but wished the one never happened.

Ps. Don't use the gender neutral bathroom. It's filthy with urine splattered all around the toilet. The floor looks as if it had never been cleaned. It reeks of everything disgusting.

I would say it's the best restaurant of the year in SF. Get the course menu. Please please give it a try. Also try their creative cocktails!

Lovely atmosphere and food… but at these prices I expect more… and the tables need to be refinished… chipped and scarred..,
-And what’s with the miserly wine poor and extremely high prices? This is no Tommy Toys…
You leave the place thinking it was a pleasant experience, but $200 over priced…
I won’t be back or recommend this to anyone else…

Service falls in the middle, not the best but not the worst. I appreciate the creative food design, especially this month with different choices. The prefixed menu was a pleasant surprise, helping me limit my options. The egg roll and lobster were definite favorites, showcasing a good balance between oiliness and freshness. Considering the view, the price is definitely worth it. Though we missed the window seat this time, I'll be sure to aim for it on my next visit. Overall, a special experience at this fine dining Chinese restaurant.

Excellent food, views, and service. Must visit.

Food did not deliver, especially for the price. Don't get fooled by the 'want-to-be-gastro' presentation and naming of the fish. quality may be there but taste is not. Service was also far from the expected standard, I'm saying this with all due respect: waiter were barely audibles and understandable. Lastly the two bottle of wines were either too cold or too warm. Dessert were additionals... I do not recommend for the price-quality ratio.

2nd time dinning here. Very good creative Chinese food. Good service and presentation. 10 dishes set menu for New Year Eve 2023.

We went on New year eve to this Michelin Star restaurant with great expectations - having excellent experience @previous restaurant in this location named "Empress of China". The experience was a disaster. Upon arrival we requested for a searing with view and was rudely told by the receptionist that it is first come first serve and not possible.
After a wait of 10-15 min we were escorted to the back room and seated at a table with no view whatsoever. This room appeared to be a private party room and was used as a make shift dining room for overflow customers. At the seating I requested that we would rather wait and get a better seating but was told this is not possible. We felt like being treated as second class citizens. The seating was plain tables with damaged edges. No linen or table cloth. The food is over rated for the fixed menu price of $158 which normally was at $108. Dumplings, Cod, and New England Lobster was tasty and well presented. Passion fruit cheesecake was more like a mouse or less baked cheese lump wrapped in passion fruit cup. The service was slow with little attention.
The menu said there will be gratutity of 22% will be added for party of 5 or more. We were party of 4 but the bill had gratutity added. Upon confronting with the server, we were told for New Years Eve it was compulsory for all.
Above all, Waste of money. I would not go to this place again and certainly not recommend any one to do so. my 2 cents

The service here tries too hard to be high class and unique. I have no clue what I was eating because every one was very soft-spoken, and they all felt like they had to get through their memorized spiel of what the foods were quickly. I honestly don't remember what I was eating for the most part. Something like a mini-sized 叉燒包/Cha Siu Bao but with venison instead of pork was my "favorite" if I had to choose one. But none of this stuff was that unique that it knocked my socks off. Like a tiny piece of lobster tail and hand doused in Chili oil isn't that unique, just a different sauce than you'd normally think of. Where's the rest of my lobster?
My friend tried a drink called the Tennessee Top Hat? That was memorable, only because it's the first time I drank that constricted my throat temporarily like I had an allergic reaction. I like my 花椒/Szechwan Pepper Corns like any spice lover would, but this place tries too hard in using using ingredients to concoct up some drink. If it tasted ok, it might have been a dipping sauce for one of the food items, or a base for a marinade. But we ended up drinking marinade base... What the hell?
My friend complained about the serving time between meals. I can understand though. First, a place like this is going to emphasize its ambience, and hope you talk and soak up the environment. They're not really about feeding you. You want to be fed? Go to a food bank, not some fancy-pants establishment that makes "artwork" on a plate, leaving it to settle and cool down after it's cooked before serving, so it can get to you cold instead of piping hot and fresh.
Also, when it comes to the placement of the utensils, does anyone actually know how they're supposed to be placed? No one it seems went through knife and fork school, because for a high class of a place this tries to be, their utensil placement after each meal is completely random. Also, when they pour water, they just let it *glug glug glug* and splash all over. Not smooth at all, and no one didn't twisted the bottle towards the end of the pour the smoothen that last bit at the very least. Just let me pour my own damn water!
Nice window view of the city --just why wasn't I placed by the window?

Squaaaaaabbbb....

Went there for our honeymoon. Best experience

Easy 5-star, one of the best meals, perhaps THE best I’ve ever had. Fun experience, most of the interior was fantastic; we did sit in the back area which did not have the same elegance as the front.

Honestly, this was… underwhelming. Had high expectations based on friends’ reviews. Atmosphere and decor were a vibe, views gorgeous. The food? Fine but not worth the price. The service is what left the most to be desired though: coursing was rushed, plates withdrawn while our party still eating, and our server couldn’t tell us anything about the the cocktails or make recommendations. Worse, we had two allergies at our table, and while the kitchen accommodated beautifully, our server stumbled to keep them straight and made the interactions awkward by referencing them repeatedly while doing so. I expect much better for this price point. Glad to have tried it but won’t be recommending or returning.