1601 Bar & Kitchen

I came here for my birthday dinner, and it was everything I hoped for — and more. The food was absolutely incredible, easily the most authentic Sri Lankan I’ve had outside of home. Every dish was bursting with flavor, beautifully coursed, and left us completely stuffed. The service was warm and attentive, and the ambiance made the whole night feel special. Truly a perfect experience — I’ll definitely be back!

This place is absolutely incredible! I walked in not knowing what to expect — it was my very first experience with Sri Lankan cuisine — and it ended up being one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. Every dish was beautifully presented, like a work of art, and somehow managed to taste even better than it looked. The flavors were complex, vibrant, and comforting all at once. What really stood out was the service. The staff was warm, attentive, and genuinely excited to introduce us to the food. They guided us through each course, sharing background on the spices, the ingredients, and the cultural significance behind the dishes. It felt less like a dinner and more like a guided culinary journey. I’ve already told so many people to come here, because Sri Lankan food is something I rarely see offered — and certainly not at this level. This place elevates it to something inspiring, memorable, and truly special. If you’re looking for a unique dining experience that expands your palate and leaves you thinking about the flavors long after you leave, this is the place.

I recently dined at 1601 Bar & Kitchen, and it delivered a distinctive culinary experience that highlights Sri Lankan cuisine through a modern fine-dining lens. Located in San Francisco’s SoMa district, the restaurant presents an elegant and contemporary dining space that immediately signals a more refined approach to the cuisine. The atmosphere is polished yet welcoming, creating a setting where guests can focus on the layered flavors and careful presentation of the dishes. Sri Lankan cuisine is known for its vibrant spice blends and aromatic preparations, and the menu at 1601 Bar & Kitchen reflects those traditions with precision. Many dishes incorporate ingredients such as curry leaves, coconut, cinnamon, cardamom, and chili, creating complex flavor profiles that balance warmth, sweetness, acidity, and heat. The kitchen demonstrates a clear understanding of these spice combinations, producing dishes that feel both authentic and carefully refined. One of the highlights of the meal was the thoughtful structure of the courses. Each dish showcased a balance between traditional Sri Lankan techniques and contemporary plating. Proteins were cooked with care, often accompanied by sauces and sides that enhanced the main ingredient without overwhelming it. The layering of flavors across the dishes allowed diners to experience the depth and diversity of Sri Lankan cooking. Another notable aspect of the experience is the attention to presentation. Plates are visually striking, with careful arrangement that reflects fine-dining standards while still respecting the cultural roots of the cuisine. This approach helps elevate Sri Lankan food into a format that feels both modern and sophisticated. Service throughout the meal was attentive and highly professional. Staff members demonstrated deep knowledge of the menu and provided detailed explanations of each dish, which helped diners appreciate the cultural context and culinary techniques behind the food. The pacing of the courses felt deliberate and well coordinated. The beverage program also complements the cuisine effectively. Cocktails and wine pairings are designed to work alongside the bold spice profiles found in Sri Lankan cooking, adding another layer to the overall dining experience. Overall, 1601 Bar & Kitchen offers a refined and memorable interpretation of Sri Lankan cuisine with exceptional attention to flavor, presentation, and service. It stands out as one of the few restaurants in the United States presenting Sri Lankan food at a fine-dining level.

I had a wonderful dinner here in December 2024 - intimate and delicious and perhaps the most filling tasting menu I’ve ever had (we were already stuffed by the second course)! Highly recommend, everything was super flavorful esp the chicken curry and dessert was 🔥

We had an amazing dining experience at 1601 Bar & Kitchen on New Year’s Eve, which was also my daughter’s 3rd birthday. The restaurant serves a Prix Fixe menu inspired by Sri Lankan cuisine, and every dish was flavorful and unique. The staff went above and beyond with their service, making us feel so special. They even prepared a lovely birthday surprise for my daughter, which made her day unforgettable. The warm and thoughtful gestures, combined with the delicious food, made it a perfect evening. Highly recommended for a special occasion!

We had a really spectacular meal here. The menu was creative and fresh, and was presented beautifully. Our server was friendly and attentive, and ensured we had a great meal. One of the better tasting menus I’ve had in San Francisco.

Amazing food, everything was so delicious and everyone was so nice. Cannot recommend enough! They are doing scheduled dinners for approximately 10 people, only one each night they do it. They can also follow dietary restrictions because they are only cooking for your party.

Such a special restaurant! Every course is clearly so thought through, with incredible flavor and beautiful presentation. Love the chef’s upscale take on Sri Lankan food and honestly the owners are the NICEST people. Will be back soon!

It was a lovely and fun dining experience! It's basically four courses with each having multiple components. The starters were tasty and pleasant. The highlight was the Egg hopper and accompaniments - really delicious, especially the chicken and potatoes! The entree short rib was decent, and the dessert was too sweet. The service was strong - overall I enjoyed it, but felt there was something slightly missing from the flavors that is why it's lacking the fifth star.

Just had a lovely dinner for two at 1601. Exceeded my expectations by a far and the husband and wife team are lovely. Bring an empty stomach because you'll want to eat every bite. The courses are beautifully composed and each dish is balanced and/or bold in flavors. You get a little of every thing here and the wine offerings are quite nice. I would go back. Unassuming on the outside with a peaceful cozy inside.

My wife and I picked out this amazing place without knowing anything about Srilankin food. We are adventurous so this was right up our alley. From the moment we walked in it felt like we were in for an experience. The staff was super friendly and provided an explanation for every course. The food was perfectly made and everything tasted so good. The experience was beyond our expectations, we'd recommend anyone that is seeking something different. Highly recommended, thank you.

This place is a hidden gem. Run by a lovely couple - pre fixe menu blending Californian cuisine with Sri Lankan flavors but not too heavy. We had scallop crudo in coconut milk, smoked salmon and caviar on toast and fish cutlets to start with. Followed by the classic egg hoppers and chicken curry with a yummy onion chili jam and potato fingers. Main course was lamb curry with rice and pickled vegetables and lentils. Very traditional yet presented in a California style. Great wines and superb service.

The food is amazing. The chef uses fresh ingredients and elevates Sri Lankan food using french cooking techniques. The sea food is cooked to perfection. My all time favorite is definitely the black cod dish. I never had anything like that in my life before. The service is spectacular, the chef even came out and handed us the dish and explained the ingredients and cooking method used. The restaurant is very cute and romantic. No loud music so you don't need to guess what your partner is saying, which is really shocking to find in San Francisco. Highly recommend this place to those that want to see what it's like when South Asian food fuses with french.

1601 is one of the most unusual restaurants I've ever enjoyed. Not only is the food a work of creative fusion of cuisine from an under-represented part of the world, the results are well-executed with great attention to detail. I have been here about four times for dinner, but have put off reviewing the place because I still don't know how to describe some of the dishes. Much less do I feel confident I can guide a newcomer as to what to order or expect, other than that if you are at all adventurous with food you really must give this place a try. For starters, read a bit about the couple that started this venture, and especially about chef Brian Fernando. He describes what he's doing with the food at 1601 as a California-styled fusion of flavors and ingredients from Sri Lanka using French preparation techniques. The result are dishes you won't find anywhere else, which is not to say they are totally off the wall, just that the food is presented in a form presumably a bit like home but turned out as well as if coming from a Michelin star kitchen in Paris. I was just there the week of April 7 and had the set tasting menu for that week. There were no a la carte items this evening and in any case I strongly suggest going with the set dinner. It will occupy a good bit of your evening and you will come away filled not only with memories of delicious food but with a new scale for food innovation. I especially like the fish items, which this evening was Hokkaido scallops crudo paired with Tsar Nicoulai 'Estate' caviar. That dish in itself gives you some idea of where the evening went after that. You will likely have the "egg hopper", a kind of signature dish here and unlike anything you've had before, yet described here as a kind of "street food" back home. A celery soup was perfectly pureed with highlight flavors of fresh crab. On and on it went, have a look at the restaurant's website for the full spring offering. At the end was my personal favorite, a dessert described as Valrhona white chocolate & passion fruit mousse dome. Just the perfect geometry of the dome itself is amazing, but once you crack the white chocolate dome covering it the passion fruit mousse inside is wonderfully fresh. Again, this is a must-try if you're an adventurous sort but it will also appeal to anyone who is open to new flavors, forms and textures of food.

An interesting menu featuring a variety of dishes with Sri Lankan influences. Unique offerings made of high quality ingredients. The food is complemented by an offering of outstanding wines. All in all a great dining experience.

Just visited SF for the weekend and found this place on the Michelin website. The food, wine and service are world class. In a city filled with great restaurants, this was the highlight. Loved it!

This was one of the best recent finds, despite it being around for 11 years now. We're both Sri Lankan and found the food both authentic and innovative. The bites were all great - although the standouts were the fish cutlets and smoked steelhead. The highlight was the appetizers - the hoppers were great and the chicken curry was the best I've ever had. The lamb curry was quite nice and the dessert was delicious. Service was prompt and attentive and the decor was amazing. Can't wait to go back!

We had a really spectacular meal here. The menu was creative and fresh, and was presented beautifully. Our server was friendly and attentive, and ensured we had a great meal. One of the better tasting menus I've had in San Francisco.

This place is a total GEM. Owned by Yulia and her husband (whose father was from Sri Lanka), this restaurant features dishes and flavors I had never encountered before. Super innovative and delicious! Small, peaceful place away from the loud buzz of too many hyped-up restaurants. The staff is always discreet and very helpful, the seats are comfortable and the setting is tastefully decorated. A great place for a date or a change of pace.

Absolutely delightful experience. The service was superb, with great explanations of the dishes by the chef and staff. The food was impeccable and truly a fantastic set of flavors - Sri Lankan food is uncommon in the US and almost non-existent in SF, and it was really amazing to taste especially in a context where the chef was free to experiment at a higher price point. Will come again when the menu rotates (probably 3-4 months).

Tasty food with creative plating, excellent ambiance, and wonderful service and as always, great owners (husband and wife team). This is the MUST be place for a fine dining evening in San Francisco...we enjoy our evening once again as a group.

After watching "Check Please" and seeing the interesting food served here, I immediately had to make reservations to see what this was about. The restaurant is quaint, with maybe 40 seats, so it's intimate, nicely decorated, could be romantic sitting in the far back room, and QUIET! Finally a place you can have dinner in SF and not have to yell at each other. There are a la carte items which we saw coming out that looked great but if this is your first time here, go for the tasting menu so you get a taste of everything the chef has to offer. For the price, you get a nice amount of food and you won't be hungry when you are done. The dining experience last about 2 hours so a perfect way to spend an evening. I won't list every item as you can see the tasting menu on the website. However you have to get an Egg Hopper if you don't do the tasting menu. Hoppers are very Sri Lankan and are big there but very little is known abou them in the U.S. so having one here is a great way to experience something you probably won't find in many places. In their simplest form they are bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. Cooked in small round pans, they tend to come out crispy round the edges, thicker at the bottom. The Egg Hopper we had was like that and you fold over the bowl and pick it up and eat it like a taco. You can use a fork and knife but that takes out all the fun! The service was excellent and the timing of the food was fantastic. Rather than shoving 10 dishes in front of you within minutes, you get plenty of time to enjoy each dish, talk about it and maybe even talk to the chef who comes out (he did come to our table). A fantastic evening and on my "Do Not Miss In SF" list now when people ask me where to go. Funny end of the night, there is a man sitting at the table next to us and guess who he is? The guy that was on CHECK PLEASE! He was the one that introduced the restaurant to the t.v show back in 2016. Shows you how old these reruns are but they are sure worth watching! 5 stars all the way around.

This place is very unique. I don't know Sri Lankan food well, but my friend who accompanied did and mentioned how many of the dishes were based on traditional things, but with an interesting and creative twist. The tasting menu was in my opinion fantastic with a nice variety, the people very nice, and it was very easy to park on the street, so basically everything you could ever want. Considering the quality, time we spent there, and number of dishes (something like 10ish items), it was well worth it! We were basically alone in the restaurant for most of the time, which may not be a positive for everyone, but I felt like it was a very personal dining experience.

Delicious, carefully crafted food and awesome service. Extremely good value for the quality and amount of food provided. Will be back!

One of the better meals in San Francisco. I've been twice in the last couple of months. The egg hoppers and sambols are excellent. Every dish is done well. Creative and well-executed. Good wine list. Great desserts.

Excellent food and great service. Flavours are not watered down like we see in many other ethnic restaurants

This has been one of my favorites since discovering it a number of years ago. I'm so delighted to see they have opened back up for reservations, even though it's only a few days a week! The food is amazing and the whole experience is unique and magic. It's quiet and elegant and there is course after course of inspired creations from Chef Brian. And of course...those wonderful egg hoppers!

My uncle fancies that his downtown Colombo cafe has the best hoppa chef in Sri Lanka so I had to check out this joint. I walked an hour from a late work lunch to eat here at 5:30pm and was nervous they would make me buy the chef's tasting menu. Fortunately they offer a la carte options including the egg hoppa, fried okra and dahl curry. I really enjoyed the hoppa. Believe me these semi spheres of happiness are hard to make well, i.e. with a golden crisp lacing the edge of the bowl but a soft spongey center, without over or undercooking the egg and keeping the whole thing crispy on the outside and a softly steamed dough on the inside. The yeast added a sourdough flavor (nice SF twist, chef!) and the subtle salt brought depth. The side garnish trio of sambols was authentic and perfect. I also enjoyed the fried okra. Not a traditional SL dish, much too salty fry for the local palate - but a good adaptation for the US customer, served with a delicious mayonnaise. The dahl was disappointing to me. Raised on a diet of purippu (The Singhalese word for dahl) I expected more depth, a little smokiness and considerable heat from fiery red peppers. This instead seemed like a toned down version, the kind of thing my mother now prepares for the infant palate of her grand children. It was all beautifully presented but a little bland for someone in search of Amma's home cooking. Maybe perfect for non-Sri Lankans. I enjoyed the semi freddo. A little too much sugar on the top but I scraped some off. The top cracked like a soft creme brulee. Delicious and refreshing.

Came back several years later and was blown away! The food we had was incredible and service was A+. Went with coworkers so we pretty much ordered everything on the a la crate menu and we also got to order a few things from the pre fix. Everything was delicious - the salmon, potatoes, tomato, egg hopper, carrots, okra, all 3 curries (especially loved the minced lamb one) and the chocolate mousse. Yummmy!!!!! Go now!

Phenomenal dining experience. Certainly Michelin level food for a fraction of the price. Delightfully Crafted menu by kick ass culinary designers.

I don't know what traditional Sri Lankan cuisine tastes like but the contemporary version offered by 1601 Bar and Kitchen was just fabulous! I came here as I was working through the Michelin Bib Gourmand list and was just so pleasantly surprised by a really strong tasting menu: (1). Frozen Savory Uni Watalappam with caviar (5/5) - basically this was uni ice cream with caviar. This is a really strong start to the meal. The bite itself was so unexpected and really made a statement about the caliber of this restaurant. (2). Hokkaido Scallops Crudo with Passion Fruit and Goraka with Chip (3/5) - The scallops and chip was perfect but the passion fruit flavor felt odd to me. (3). Maine Lobster Bisque with Mulligatawny Spices (4/5) - it's a play on lobster bisque but with different spices. The lobster meat was nice and tender and the spices just worked here. (4). Traditional Egg Hopper with Jidori Egg and Sambols (4/5) - this is very playful but the coconut sambol really overpowered this dish for me. (5). Dungeness Crab Kottu Roti (5/5) - really nice, hearty dish. (6). Crispy Okra with Dessicated Coconut and Cashews (5/5) - I get apprehensive when I see Okra on the menu (not a fan of the slimy texture) but this preparation was just great. They've figured out how to largely de-slime the okra and create tempura. The cashew also adds a great textural element to this dish. (7). Smoked Cornish Game Hen-Maldive Fish "Tisane" (4/5) - this is a consommé and really well placed in the menu. It's like dashi but with fowl. It was on the edge of being too salty for me. (8). Duck Leg Curry with Wild Rice, and Acharu Pickles (5/5) - This was just a great, hearty entree. There's a lot of love in this dish. (9). Mulberry Sorbet (4/5) - great palate cleanser before the main dessert. (10). Bittersweet Valrhonna Chocolate Custard with Toasted Spices (4.5/5) - love this dessert - it's the right amount of bitter, sweet and texture components. Fever Tree Ginger Beer was the best non-alcoholic pairing for me. I came here during Game 4 of the NBA Finals so the restaurant wasn't packed. Service was great and the ambiance is nice and modern. Including tax and tip, the above meal ended up being about $160. It's what you would spend for a one star Michelin place in SF and my experience here was consistent with that level. They also have an a la carte menu that's competitively priced. Highly recommend this place!!!

1601. Another numbered restaurant, one that reminded me of 1706, where I had a delicious and unexpected meal. I expected the same at 1601 and got lots of unexpected but very little delicious. The price was steep and I was unimpressed by the wines. For the price, I would not recommend. Note: they no longer have happy hour.

Every now and then I come out of hiding to write a review when I find a new bar or restaurant that truly deserves the praise and recognition. Like most Yelp searches, I had picked 1601 for its location (we were going somewhere nearby afterwards) and its first-glance rating. We were pleasantly surprised to find this sophisticated restaurant in the middle of a neighbourhood that's taking its sweet time to come to maturity. Low lights and comfortable spacing between tables made for the perfect ambiance for an intimate dinner amongst close friends (and dates!). The food was phenomenal, to say the least. Generally when you go to a well-known restaurant already populated by 7x7 readers you know what to expect (that is, the usual greatness of the SF foodie scene), but not having heard anything about 1601 I was blown away. It was also an excellent introduction to Sri Lanken cuisine. Between the two of us, we shared the smoked halibut, portuguese octopus, traditional egg hopper, lamb and pork meatballs, crispy okra, and Ceylon tea semifreddo. While the main ingredient of each dish was cooked to perfection, it was the thoughtful yet playful garnishes that really made every bite exciting and delightful. Highlights of the meal were the traditional Jidori egg hopper with the different sambols (looks like Sri Lankans got gastronomy right from the very beginning!), the curiously good iced heirloom tomato chutney that accompanied the octopus, the crispy okra (think kale chips but better), and finally, the heavenly semifreddo that literally melted in my mouth. Service was great as well, we never found our glasses even half-empty and our server thoughtfully helped us space our choices into three courses, plus dessert. We also got very thorough recommendations for wine (we wanted a medium bodied red good with seafood and ended up with the Stoller Pinot Noir 2011) - I'm a sucker for a good wine and a good somm, so brownie points there! All in all, this was one of the best meals I've had in San Francisco. I'd put it up there with the likes of Quince and Benu. I'm definitely returning to try the rest of the menu. I really hope 1601 starts landing on more radars because it is truly a hidden gem in this city.

Pretty amazing! It's a mix of asian fusion, seafood and sri lankan style mixed together. It seems like its a family owned restaurant. The host, servers were great but the only thing is different servers kept coming up and got confused who I should order from (only improvement thats needed) but other than that the food was delicious! This is more of a family style/tapas -- small portions but it's great to share and try different dishes. Theres a pretty good selection of wine as well. AND the temperate of the wine was on point. What I ordered/recommend: - House-smoked salmon w/ burnt onion creme fraiche, turmeric gel - Raw kale salad w/ toasted coconut meat, black garlic-citrus vinaigrette,parmesan - Lobster fricassee w/ barley, English peas, spring onion achcharu, coconut oil - Hokkaido scallops w/ goraka, traditional fish cutlet, champagne vinegar - Lamb and pork meatballs, Sri Lankan cinnamon, cilantro-almond relish, Straus yogurt (a little over cooked but was still tasteful) - Portuguese octopus w/ lime gelée, iced heirloom tomato chutney

Just had another wonderful meal here last night. Great service and fabulous food. Can't wait to go back. - Dungeness crab chilled, jackfruit, kiri broth - Maine lobster bisque, mulligatawny spices - Smoked cornish game-Maldive fish "tea" - Egg hopper, Jidori egg, sambols - Chicken curry, coconut gravy, English peas - Yukon gold potatoes, fried, chili-fenugreek vinegar - Baby back ribs, smoked, smoked, black curry, mango chutney Highly recommended!

Creative dishes here, for sure. As a Sri Lankan, I'm pretty picky about my food - especially because I cook as well. There's a lot of traditional plates here, with very interesting twists. I enjoyed the prix fixe - the food combinations were very thoughtful, especially the dessert. Extra points for dope ambience and interior artwork

Delicious food, great service. We had three small plates and a dessert: The kale salad, the dungeness crab and the chicken and egg curry, a dessert and drinks. It came to significantly less than $100/person, which I consider a bargain given the quality. I'll definitely be back, and next time I'll be properly hungry for the tasting menu.

Hidden gem with delicious and unique dishes, which will make you love Sri Lankan fusion. I highly recommend going with the chef tasting.

We had a wonderful and enjoyable dinner here. The cuisine is very interesting, simplistic, and reminded of home. I had authentic Sri Lankan food in the past and was curious to try this modern take. As a welcome drink we were served beautiful melon, turmeric, mint and lime mocktail. It was refreshing. We ordered the potatoes, tomatoes, okra and jack fruit small plates. The tomatoes were served with a chutney infused with spices, potatoes were fried with chili and spices, the okra was a bit deep fried and can be missed, the jack fruit is strictly for people who love this fruit and enjoy this distinctive flavor. We ordered the dal with rice main course and it was delightful, healthy and flavorful with the eggplant. Chocolate dessert melted in our mouths and the crumbles topping was a perfect touch! Would recommend to definitely try this place for different yet familiar south Asians flavors.

Not only did we forget we'd been here before (ok Boomer) we couldn't even find it (no sign). That said, another terrific meal and good service. Unusual food prepared impeccably.

We dined here for the first time last night. The experience was "dining perfection". Every dish was prepared perfectly and it was delicious. The portions were generous and I loved the decor. And the service was lovely. I'll be returning soon.

I went here for Sri Lankan food, for egg hoppers and the hoppers were great, and the accompanying sambols were great too. That part of the meal was authentic. They have a fusion chicken curry with butternut squash that is delicious on its own too. For the price point, we weren't blown away, the dining experience wasn't exactly above average.

My first time eating Sri Lankan fusion food and I was very pleased by the taste and presentation. The only complaint I have is the portion of all the food we ordered are super mini, it's definitely the strategy of the chef for not having the food wasted, and it totally works because I felt like I wanted to lick all the plates clean to make sure I got every drop of the yummy sauce. Here's my opinion of all the dishes we ordered: - The Portuguese Octopus with tomato chutney ice tastes spectacular, this is my favorite dish among others. - The Crispy Okra was super mini and crispy. - The Lamb and Pork Meatballs were lean but juicy, very delicious. - The Mulligatawny Soup was served beautifully and tasted delicious. - The Bavette Steak -- I didn't really like the presentation: the small pieces of steak were scattered on the plate, overall, they looked messy and the portion was very very small for steak. - The Bittersweet Valrhona Chocolate Custard, Toasted Curry Dessert -- I wish I didn't order this dessert. The chocolate was super thick and heavy. This dessert was very unpleasant on the palate. The atmosphere of the restaurant is casual but modern and trendy. The service is a bit slow. Overall, it was a great meal and experience.

I tried the tasting menu. It is pricy but worth every dollar. Every dish was original, authentic and full of flavorful surprises. The service is perfectly professional and very good. The restaurant itself is intimate with a very good noise level to have conversations. Will definitely come back!

A unique type of restaurant, Shrilaican food, smoked salmon, is good. Kale salad. egg hopper with spices, lobster type of salad. Duck dish. Valrona chocolate. Indian smokey wine. The service is great. $60

I eat out a lot but this meal was one of the best I have ever had in SF. We did the tasting menu and every dish was unique and flavorful as well being beautifully presented. They were even nice to throw in a few extra dishes. The ones that absolutely stood out were the scallop crudo, the lobster bisque, a duck broth drink, the duck curry, the guava kiri broth, the egg hopper a salmon coquette, and the desserts. The ambiance is nice and we spent 2 hours being pampered. A super spot. Highly recommended if you want to try something really interesting. Thanks for a great meal!

4 stars for the food, 2 for the service. After reading the reviews, we opted for the a la carté menu. The food was good, but the service was slow and lacked warmth. Considering that Sri Lankan food is not commonly available, it would be good to have the servers explain the food before asking us for our order. One if our servers took the trouble to explain, but the other just seemed in a rush to get our order. For the dishes we ordered, the lamb and pork meatballs were flavorful and the sauce was an interesting mix of Sri Lankan and western flavors. The smoked salmon with roe was salty, briny and tasted of the ocean. We also got the chicken curry with basmati rice topped with fenugreek leaves - this was a fresh and boldly flavored dish. The egg hopper that we'd ordered (bring told that it was an appetizer) showed up towards the end of the meal. This was a great dish (one we definitely recommend even if it's the only thing you get!) However, after seeing the pictures in reviews, I notice that we only got 2 sambols instead of the three pictured in the other photos. Hmm... The halal goat stew was perfectly cooked to tender perfection, and in a bold spicy curry. The beets gave it a tangy twist that made this dish unique. We ended our meal with the valrhona chocolate dessert. They strangely forgot to serve a coffee that we'd ordered but put in on the tab. After pointing out their mistake, they comped our dessert. We appreciated their gesture.

Haven't been as excited about a restaurant since I found Atelier Crenn five years ago (when the menu was $75). Well Crenn has gone on to get 2 Michelin stars and quadruple its price, so I have good taste. ;p This place is phenomenal. The flavors are vivid and exciting yet smooth and sophisticated. Not one overpowering flavor, subtle and complex combinations. The quality of the ingredients is excellent. The tasting menu is full of surprises and will definitely leave you full. Get it while the price is what it is, especially if it's your first Sri Lankan experience. The closest I've traveled to SL is Cochin and I think the flavors are reminiscent of Cochin but the beautiful fresh seafood reminds me more of Hawaii and the on-point unique combinations remind me of Crenn. I spotted the owner/chef busy in the kitchen; he is not outsourcing the execution of his creations. Perhaps that's why every single dish I tasted was perfectly executed (not oversalted not overcooked, and not overspiced). I even took home two entrees for the next day and those were perfect too! The perfect execution reminds me of The Inn at Little Washington or Gary Danko (where the dishes aren't so unique but they are delicious and perfectly executed). The must-have dishes are the egg hopper, the smoked salmon, and the bavette steak. Those are no-brainers that'll make you swoon. If you like seafood, and I love seafood, my favorite was the scallops and the uni ice cream with caviar; the octopus with granita was excellent too- never had it more tender. The goat was yummy too. The desserts were homey and light - lovely finish. The atmosphere is hip and elegantly minimal. The bathroom is huge. Private room in the back. Hostess is a pleasure to chat with. Lots of free street parking at dinner time. The only thing I disliked was the artwork!

The food is fantastic. The full tasting menu was too much for me so i asked the staff to just choose a couple of dishes for me and they put a very nice meal together. I will have to come back again next time i'm in San Francisco.

We went there for our anniversary and got the tasting menu! The food is tasty and the presentation of the courses is pretty nice but I don't think it is worth the price ($110 per person)! I am not usually someone that comments on the design of the restaurant or anything that was not related to food, but for a restaurant that is supposed to be a bit above average the whole restaurant experience was very impersonal and it was slightly cold inside! I would still recommend people to try it out, their food is pretty tasty, but if I'd ever go back there it will be for the a la carte menu and not for the tasting menu because imo it was not worth it!

Service is wonderful. It was suggest to us that we order the chef's tasting menu, but next time I will probably stick to my gut and pick and choose the dishes I want. There was one thing that stood out among all of the dishes though. The egg hopper. Come here for a drink and the egg hopper and you will leave with a smile on your face. That egg is not only one of the coolest things I've ever seen, but it tastes damn delicious! I'd come back here and order two just because.

My pronunciation skills are just as good as my geography. And we all know, I don't know my east from west. Me: "Can we try this new 'Siri' Lankan restaurant?" Mr. NSS: "Siri...? It's not your iPhone.. it's pronounced: s-h-r-e-e." Me: (-____-) 'Siri' Lankan, 'Shree' Lankan or however my dyslexic ass pronounces it, 1601 Bar & Kitchen is one of the BEST new restaurants I've been to. It's not often that I rave about newly opened restaurants especially during their soft opening stage where they have as many wrinkles as Joan Rivers to be ironed out. Being that I have a serious Yelp addiction, I've gone to many soft openings/grand openings and I have to say that 1601 Bar & Kitchen is the BEST new restaurant in San Francisco I've been to since State Bird Provisions which opened last January. The first of its kind in SF, 1601 serves Californian Tapas with Sri Lankan and French influences; menu: http://bit.ly/12MzFcA (this is NOT a traditional Sri Lankan restaurant). Hailing from Chez Panisse and Le Papillon, Chef Brian Fernando's dishes were nothing short of spectacular. All the dishes were refined with complex flavors and textures. His creative menu and use of exotic ingredients pushes the envelope and the fact that it's VERY well executed makes the food 5 stars in my book. The two reasons why this is a 4 star review are because 1) the prices are a tad high for the portion sizes and area, and 2) service was green and could be more prompt. F O O D Although the food is just Sri Lankan influenced, it would have been nice to get some introduction to the menu since Sri Lankan cuisine is foreign to many (most similar to Indian and Thai cuisine). For tapas, about 2-3 dishes per a person is sufficient. *Raw Kale Salad w/ Coconut Meat & Black Garlic-Lime Vinaigrette ($9): http://bit.ly/1564TMl *Mulligatawny Soup w/ Chicken Confit ($10): http://bit.ly/1565aik *Crab Cutlets w/ Red Chili Saffron Turmeric Remoulade ($13): http://bit.ly/17tfekR *House Smoked Salmon w/ Coconut Forbidden Rice ($12): http://bit.ly/17tfhwU *Lamb & Pork Meatballs w/ Green Chick Pea Relish & Strauss Yogurt ($13): http://bit.ly/XFrvRm *Grilled Bavette Steak w/ Coriander Demi Glaze & Roasted Cipollini Onions ($21): http://bit.ly/12Mzm1i *Ceylon Tea Semifreddo ($8): http://bit.ly/ZPkqIa From start to finish, every dish was impressive with prominent Asian flavors with a fine dining approach. My favorites were the Mulligatawny Soup, House Smoked Salmon, Lamb & Pork Meatballs, and Grilled Bavette Steak. The Mulligatawny Soup was like a creamy thick curry soup that was packed with robust flavors and spices. I didn't get a taste of the confit since the BF was sick and I didn't want to touch his cooties but he said the chicken confit was "velvety smooth" (Yes, I trained him well!). The House Smoked Salmon was flakey albeit a bit dry but the smoky essence was delightful. I loved the accompanying forbidden rice as it had coconutty and nutty nuances. The Lamb & Pork Meatballs were deliciously succulent but the mouth-watering chick pea and tangy Strauss yogurt is what sent this dish off the charts. This is a MUST order. Another must order dish is the Bavette Steak. It was perfectly cooked to a medium rare and was very soft and buttery. The coriander demi glaze gave a floral earthiness making it one awesome fusion dish. Skip the Kale Salad as it was too pricey for the portion and I felt like it was missing something; nuts perhaps? The Crab Cutlets were like crab croquettes but would be more enjoyable if they weren't more than $4 a ball. Capping off our dinner was the Ceylon Tea Semifreddo. If you're a texture whore like me, you will LOVE this dessert. The light creamy semifredo had a subtle tea flavor similar to earl grey tea. The soft creaminess against the crunchy rock sugar fragments and buttery crumbles were absolutely divine. I'm still dreaming of this dessert as I type. S E R V I C E We came in for happy hour (4 pm - 6 pm) before dinner service started at 6 pm. Getting a drink in hand took a while (bartender seemed busy doing misc things) and the Crystal Bronx aperitif I had was weak. Overall, the staff was nice but green and service could have been more timely considering we were one of only two tables for dinner. I hope they speed up service because wait times may be long otherwise during peak hours. A M B I A N C E / D E C O R Industrial sheek, 1601 Bar & Kitchen has a communal table, bar seating, and a small dining area seating about 20-25: http://bit.ly/Zc0W4C. I loved the quirky painting(s): http://bit.ly/10ZVfGC which gave the dining area a fun, funky style. P A R K I N G Easy metered parking. After ironing out some minor kinks, 1601 Kitchen & Bar seems very promising considering they have unique, refined, and well-executed dishes. Kudos to Chef Fernando for impressing the hard to impress food snob. Now, if you can offer some Siri Lankan language class for my dyslexic ass, it will be all good in the [SoMa] hood.

First of all, don't call 1601 a Sri Lankan restaurant! Certainly, the menu is rooted in that heritage and there are standout dishes prepared with tradition and respect to the motherland, but the food also draws inspiration from around the world, particularly Spain and France. Does that make it global cuisine? I'm not sure, but the tasteful truth is that the flavors sing in unison. Two standout dishes were the raw kale salad and the lamb and pork meatballs, but my absolute favorites were the hoppers, served with a Jidori egg and two tantalizing sambols to mix and enjoy; and the fried heirloom potatoes, a modern translation done right, with the tumeric and fenugreek really pushing those tastebuds I'm sad I did not get to try the coriander seared bavette steak, but the feeling I got was that 1601 was a neighborhood spot, ripe for revisiting, if even just for a glass of wine after work. I was lucky enough to attend a soft opening, but with that some of the service and timing were off. For example, some of our party received those delicious hoppers first while others waited about 5 minutes, and the sambols came out with no explanation and by themselves. I thought the menu to be a romantic one, so hopefully the servers will pause to explain the dishes and what goes with what going forth. Again, I think these were just opening hiccups and I can't wait to go back to be forced to upgrade this review to 5 stars. Random thought: Fellow Sri Lankan M.I.A. should pop in here next time she's in town. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewRjZoRtu0Y

Absolutely fabulous restaurant. I rarely give five stars, and for a relatively pricey restaurant, the bar for 5-stars is even higher. I started the review and smiled as I clicked the fifth star - I only wish I could give it six. This is one of my new favorite places in SF. Unique, Asian-inspired tapas. My friend and I came relatively hungry, but continued ordering long after we had filled up - just to try as much as we could. Completely stuffed, we then enjoyed an amazing desert. The wine was very reasonably priced and both of our reds were superb. Play by play below. Service was friendly and attentive, but not intrusive. We showed up 5 minutes before closing and were the last ones there, without so much as a single disapproving look or rushed comment. Together, we shared: -- Local halibut "ceviche," preserved cucumber, coconut milk, cilantro // $12 // Delicious, though not filling and pricey -- Traditional hopper, organic soft-cooked egg, sambols // $9 // Fantastic, a bit like a dosa bowl with sauces (sambols), something I've never had before -- Braised sturgeon, black curry, crispy preserved maitake, red basmati rice // $17 // Absolutely fantastic, a thick square of sturgeon with a nice curry spice -- Seared pork belly, new onions, peas, dark spices // $15 // Perhaps my favorite of the night, richly flavored pork belly -- Seared bavette steak, coriander, demi-glace, roasted cipollini onions // $21 // Tied with the pork belly as a favorite, the steak was perfectly rare and the light bed of mashed potatoes matched perfectly For dessert we had the: -- Ceylon tea semifreddo, streusel // $8 // A fluffy cross between flan, ice cream, and creme brulee, and just as delicious as all three combined. No matter how full you are - you have to get this (and it's not filling, don't worry). For wines, we had: -- Mary Elke Pinot // $9 // Lighly peppery red wine, perfect for a wide variety of tapas, doesn't over-power the fish and the pepper accents the steak -- Paul Hobbs Malbec // $10 // My friend's glass, a delicious Malbec, but I thought too strong for the fish Total for the two of us with dessert and 3 glasses of wine was $120+tip. Not cheap, but well worth it for this fantastic meal. Mmmmmmm good!

What is it with these new restaurants with just the address number as their sole identity? I just went to 1760 on Polk and now here's 1601. Whatever happened to great restaurant names like House of Prime Rib or Swan's Oyster Depot? Maybe the owners could have gone with something more creative like Ceylon Palace of Eats or Sri Lanka Yo Mama? But the sterile name does appear to fit the zen-like, West Elm-meets-SoMa warehouse loft vibe the interior emits when you enter the portal (photo: http://bit.ly/19j2tXL). I had no idea they served Sri Lankan cuisine here, and frankly I had no idea what that meant. I know it's an island south of India, so I assumed there would be curry involved, but that would trivialize chef Brian Fernando's culinary creativity into an unnecessary stereotype. There is definitely a European influence, and the Spanish tapas-style presentation reflects that. Jamie W. and I came on a pure whim based on a blogger post he read. I was surprised he was willing to sacrifice his beloved Chipotle burrito bowl for one night, so I seized the moment and had us come here. It's on a strangely desolate corner in SoMa at 12th and Howard, and there was only one table occupied when we entered with just two people at the bar. Uh-oh, we thought, but we gave it a go and was immediately drawn by the 17 plates on the "Short Eats" menu (photo: http://bit.ly/16bCHK1). The term "Short Eats" is actually a term they use for appetizers to go. However, something tells me they are probably not as immaculately presented as Fernando displays here. Based on the waitresses recommendation, we jointly ordered six dishes, and they were quite diverse and flavorful albeit small in portion. First up was the $9 Raw Kale Salad with Toasted Coconut Meat, a slice of Parmesan and a Black Citrus-Garlic Vinaigrette (photo: http://bit.ly/16hP6Fu). It was refreshing with a nice bite and the saltiness of the Parmesan providing a nice contrast. Next was a true Sri Lankan specialty you won't find anywhere else in the city, the $9 Traditional Hopper made with a Soft-Cooked Jidori Egg (photo: http://bit.ly/16q4Kj7). It's an unusual bowl-shaped creation made of fermented batter of rice flour, coconut milk and a dash of palm toddy with a perfectly cooked egg in the center. it was a deceptively simple dish sharpened by the addition of Sambols, a red chili paste on the side (photo: http://bit.ly/17LU5SM). Third in line was the $8 Crispy Okra served with Dessicated Coconut in a Cashew Nut Curry, which was right up Jamie's Kentucky bluegrass roots and quite tasty to me, too (photo: http://bit.ly/1fbL7Ce). The two comparatively main dishes came in a one-two punch. The first was the inevitable $15 Crispy Skin Pork Belly with Yellow Corn Mallum and Tarragon (photo: http://bit.ly/15FhoOH). Inevitable because I hardly ever pass up a chance to eat pork belly, inevitable also because every restaurant in the city appears to feature some variation of it no matter what the cuisine. It was very good, just small, with the pork rind and corn kernels nice touches. The second plate was the $13 Lamb and Pork Meatballs with Sri Lankan Cinnamon, Cilantro-Almond Relish and Straus Yogurt (photo: http://bit.ly/156uiXB). A little more sweet than savory as I expected, but quite an exotic twist on a comfort food standby. The $8 desserts were an afterthought for us but nicely presented. The better of the two was the Banana Fritters with Coconut Nectar, Yogurt and Treacle (photo: http://bit.ly/1aNweDg). That's because the fritters were crunchy bite-size treats easy to devour. By the way, I never knew 'treacle' was an actual syrup since I've read the word more frequently used when the author finds something so sentimental that it's annoying. The Ceylon Tea Semifreddo with Almond Streusel, a house specialty, was too sweetly soupy for my taste (photo: http://bit.ly/18dsnNI). Throughout the meal, I sipped on a refreshing $4 Fever Tree 'Bitter Lemon' Soda (photo: http://bit.ly/1aNwZwd). All in all, the dishes were primarily just north of bite-size but on the upside, we tried a bigger variety of food than we would have expected. Most were solid and a few made me want to Sri Lanka yo mama. FOOD - 4 stars...creative takes on an unfamiliar cuisine, small portions AMBIANCE - 4 stars...serene if a tad desolate due to the location SERVICE - 3.5 stars...attentive enough, not that warm except for the smiling host in front TOTAL - 4 stars...definitely worth a visit for a food style unavailable anywhere else in the city

3.5 stars I live a few blocks away from 1601 and never knew such a classy and sleek place existed in the corner of 13th and Howard. It's a great place to come for a date or a small group of friends, the space isn't too large or open. I'm not very familiar with Sri Lankan food so I wish there were more descriptions on the 1601 menu so I knew what I was ordering. My parents and I weren't that hungry and would have preferred to order al la carte, but since weren't familiar with the dishes, we ended up doing the tasting menu. The tasting menu was good, the dishes were unique and full of flavor, but it was a lot of food and not every single dish was memorable. My 2 favorites: - Traditional egg hopper - It's a coconut savory crepe with a soft boiled egg in the middle that comes with onions and spices to garnish. The egg yolk blends very well with everything. - Local halal goat stew - The stew is served with a beet root salad and the sweetness from the beets goes really well with the gamey-ness of the goat If i do come back I would order al la carte.

11.23.13 They have about 15 items on their menu (not including dessert). We ordered 10 of them among the four of us. And no looking back. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/1601-bar-and-kitchen-san-francisco?select=2EDU_P3JiQc3FMqMB20wDA#2EDU_P3JiQc3FMqMB20wDA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/1601-bar-and-kitchen-san-francisco?select=2EDU_P3JiQc3FMqMB20wDA#VOTgiPv7_VeA9p00drVUMQ The hopper, or egg dish, was my absolute favorite. It's such a new and unexpected way of cooking such a simple ingredient, and showcases the culinary skills of Chef Fernando. Just don't be the loud, obnoxious group that we tend to be, and you should do just fine there. Apologies to the others whose dates we may have interrupted with our catch up sesh. Total damage for four: $250