Bistro Ember

The food is sooo good! All plates we got were fresh and delicious 😋 The beets salad, grilled Halloumi, and roasted cauliflower in appetizer menu were amazing. I also enjoyed the chicken kebab main entree, chicken was marinated well and barley risotto had a rich flavor.

The food presentation is magnificent!! Each dish is like an art piece. Love that part a lot. However, service was lacking. No water refills in time and generally all requests from our table took a while. Food is delicious but portions are mid size — definitely feel free to order more food if you hungry. Overall, we booked a table last minute there and had a great dinner for 5 of us. Thanks!

Food, service and atmosphere are all excellent. We've been twice to Turkey and eating at this restaurant was like travelling there again. The waiter was very kind and polite. We didn't ask for a kids menu because our daughter enjoyed sharing the food with us, so I don't know if they have any. Everything was very tasty, I particularly liked the Hummus, the Lam dumplings and the Baklava. Highly recommend and would go again if only we lived in SF!

Was excited to try this place after seeing all the beautiful photos online and reading about the chef/owner, but our meal was not impressive in flavor despite the creative aesthetics. Service was slow and inadequate. There were 2 menus for the 3 of us so we asked for another menu twice, but even after saying they'd bring us another one, they didn't. It took about 20-30 minutes for us to receive our entrees after starters. We sat for 30 mins or so after completing our meal without service, even though we were sitting in the line of sight of the front counter. It took some effort to flag someone down despite them coming and going, serving the table next to us. Although nicely decorated, the space is small and loud (the sound really ricochets). And they seated us at a table right next to the front door which means people coming in and waiting will stand right next to you, and you'll experience any drafts from the door which was left open at times. We ordered 8 dishes and didn't like any of them enough to say we'd want to go back. - The chickpea bread is what you would imagine a gluten-free bread to be - dry and crisp. The butter looks so freaking cool, but you don't get much flavor from the spicy honey, olive oil, and rosemary oil. - The mud cheese and the tomatoes in the watermelon salad were really good. - Beet salad is middle of the road and tastes of licorice from the fennel. - Couscous was toothsome, creamy, and savory. - Manti skin was a bit dry and tough. The yogurt and mint sauces paired well with the lamb. - Dining buddy said the scallops were ok. - The lamb was medium tenderness and lacked flavor - dipping it in the yogurt and mint sauces helped. Although it was a generous amount of meat, we wouldn't pay $44 for this dish again. - The sea bass was cooked well w crispy skin and the clams were good, but the accompaniments were absolutely tasteless, and that's coming from a super taster! Did they forget the preserved lemon? Def not worth $42 - They did gift us some rose flavored Turkish delight which was lightly flavored and very chewy. Had we gotten service closer to when we ended our meal, we may have considered desert. But not at 9:20pm after we'd been sitting there for more than 2 hours (and had stopped eating over half an hour ago).

You can tell everyone at this restaurant is working hard and striving to provide good service. They were very attentive and we never had to wait for anything (although the place was half full, so not sure if that had anything to do with it). The food was tasty and they serve decent portions. A few items needed a little more seasoning or oomph, but nothing was bad. NOTE: No cocktails. Wine & beer only and the list wasn't anything amazing. Didn't have dessert.

When we saw the new signage a couple months ago for this restaurant, we were keen to give it a try. We really enjoyed the restaurant that was previously in this space, so we had high hopes that this would be another “Go To”. Bistro Ember is a solid restaurant! As it’s in its infancy, there are a couple things that need improvement, but overall we were very pleased with the food and the service was very good. First off, the remodel of the space is very elegant… not pretentious in anyway, but definitely sets the tone that this is a “fine dining” experience. Bringing our 3 y/o boys might have been a mistake as the atmosphere isn’t conducive to kids, but the staff were so nice to them, as rowdy as they can be. The only knocks we had was that the portions are small for the prices charged and that the wine list is a bit limited, Overall, the food is very good and the experience of dining here is very pleasant. There’s room for improvement, and that should be viewed optimistically.

Enjoyed the decor and atmosphere, and the food was tasty, nicely presented and reasonably priced (for San Francisco nowadays), but stars off for service. The (inexperienced?) server placed new silverware on the table while we were still eating the previous course, and was much too free with sharing his political views -- unsolicited and at length. UPDATE (after second visit): Background music was too loud and often had a pounding base that made relaxed conversation difficult. The main dishes were tasty and nicely presented but were not served hot enough. The bill for two glasses of Bordeaux was incorrect (charged $16 per glass, instead of $14 on menu), however the check was cheerfully corrected after this was pointed out. Suggested tips were based on total including tax, instead of before tax.

We got the octopus appetizer and bass entree. The octopus was decent. The bass was very flavorful, crispy skin. Presentation was nice. Service could be improved. It took around 5 min to be greeted by the server, we weren't asked if we wanted anything to drink besides water, and an appetizer (chickpea bread) we ordered never came out. The tables are a bit cramped so when people have to get by your table their clothes are brushing against you.

What a delightful spot! A fried of mine made a dinner reservation for our party of 6 at Bistro Ember. The restaurant is small and cozy, and we had a wonderful time enjoying a bottle of wine and appetizers. It was hard to choose an entreé since everything on the menu looked pretty enticing, but I ended up ordering the Ember Kebab. The flavors were everything I had experienced in Turkey, and I wiped my plate completely clean. Overall I was very impressed with the dining experience and will be sure to visit next time I am in Noe Valley.

I had dinner here on a Sunday night. The restaurant was half full. The vibe was romantic. The service was warm and attentive. Food was good. 4.2/5 I didn't try many items but liked all dishes that we got. - Artichoke beignet: it looked like mini arrancini. I loved the crunchiness and the sauce that came with it. It was my husband's fav of the night. - Manti: well done dish but I couldn't understand the combo of tomato sauce + tangy yogurt sauce. - Muhammara with flat bread: could be better but still good. - Chicken kebab: the chicken was excellently grilled, charred but tender and moist. - Coconut pudding: the pudding itself wasn't sweet but you had charred date to balance it out. Pretty good. It was nice to see them serving Far Niente as the dessert wine. Good choice right there. Overall I liked the dining experience here and would come back to try other items on their menu.

Bistro Ember is closed. I live right nearby. There is a transfer to new owner sign on the front.

Bistro Ember is such a delight to eat at! Their meat was very tasty and high quality. I ordered the Pappardelle pasta but my friends ordered the chicken kebab, which was the highlight meal in my opinion. The chicken tasted especially seasoned and tender. The space inside felt a little cramped and many seats were next to each other. Nevertheless, the service was so good and our waiter was extremely attentive. It was definitely a "worth it" experience and the food was high quality!

Nice restaurant with good vibes and staff. Food is pretty delicious and there is a good variety of food on the menu. We ordered mostly off the appetizers list and just got 1-2 entrees. The meal ended up being ~$40 per person for a group of 12 girls. One negative aspect was that the restaurant did not have AC and we were there on a very hot day, with the sun beaming through the windows. The waitress kept bringing out ice water for us to help but it was still pretty hot..

This may be my new favorite restaurant. We came here for a birthday dinner and got a number of items. For appetizers, the bread is delicious and fresh, the seared tuna was perfectly seasoned, and the roasted cauliflower was great! I had the filet mignon and my favorite part of that dish was the blue cheese potatoes. We also got the fish and the homemade pesto pasta and every plate was nearly licked clean! The service was also phenomenal, very quick to fill your water, answer your questions, and make recommendations. Beautiful design inside and very comfortable. I can't wait to go back!

A close friend had previously been to Bistro Ember and, when suggesting dinner spots for us, included it as a place she'd happily return to but in the time between visits she'd noticed a change. Namely, the menu no longer skewed Turkish, and several of the things she'd previously enjoyed were no longer featured. This explains why we focused our meal entirely on the appetizers. The entree portion of the menu seemed disjointed and all over the place (spaghetti, risotto, kebab, Australian Lamb Chop) and nothing stood out as anything we must try. The appetizer portion of the menu created more interest and though it, too, lacked cohesion (spicy ahi tune poke anyone?) we cobbled together a Mediterranean-inspired meal which we enjoyed with a bottle of Turkish wine ($75). A shared Meze Platter ($18), Grilled Haloumi ($14), Manti ($16), and a Burrata/Tomato/Watermelon Salad ($16) were all nicely presented and tasted good, though mostly mild in flavor. Bistro Ember has created an elegantly attractive dining room. I'd come early on a weeknight when mine was the only party in the place but by the time I left I was happy to see many tables filled. Also happy to report that the dining room remained a place of quiet decibels; you could easily hear the person you were dining with. Nothing here blew my socks off. Everything tasted good, service was warm, and both the setting and food presentation is attractive. Sometimes that's all one requires and in this instance, it was.

Went there for my birthday, and I couldn't be happier. Excellent service, chic ambiance, the food was top notch. Definitely a place we'll come back to for special occasions.

Plenty of street parking within a few blocks of the restaurant. No cocktails and wine/beer list is unimpressive. I think the main issue I have with the restaurant is that it seems confused on its identity, Mediterranean? Italian? Californian? The appetizers overall are more appealing than the pastas. Duck rolls: Fine flavors, but pricey for the size Roasted cauliflower: tasty Grilled halloumi: Dish didn't feel cohesive and the halloumi wasn't great. Would skip. Manti entree size comes with 8 dumplings instead of 4. Most flavorful dish of the night. Lamb was not overpowering. Beets salad: Prepared well. Fettuccine/spaghetti/risotto: All were extremely disappointing with lack of flavor or salt. Would not recommend. As a neighborhood restaurant, it's okay, but would not be rushing back if you don't live in the area.

Warm, welcoming restaurant in Noe Valley. Was able to get a table for 4 as a walk in on an early and relatively quiet Wednesday night. Server explains dishes descriptively and carefully. I felt the lamb was a little under seasoned, but everything else was beautifully presented and for all of the other dishes, the taste matched the looks!

Came here with a small group for dinner and they did not disappoint! The food layout was beautiful, the service was great (they gave us an extra dessert on the house!) and the dishes were delicious. Would definitely come again.

Bistro Ember is one of the new restaurants on the block and yet it feels like it's been part of the neighborhood for years; it doesn't feel like it's a new restaurant - they really have their stuff together! My friends and I had great wine and cocktails and every dish was on point. We started with the burrata salad which was light and refreshing and the meatballs made from lamb. Lovely! I had the bronzino which was juicy and nicely grilled. My friends had the ribeye and lamb, which they loved. We ordered some beautiful house made bread and butter which were both so delicious! We ended with the Turkish coffee cake, affogato and coconut milk rice pudding. The presentation of the coffee cake was fun and elegant and the rice pudding was fluffy and light. The service was excellent. Everyone was so kind, welcoming and helpful. They were knowledgeable about every dish, which was very helpful when discussing food allergies. I will 100% be back!

Best and most elegant Turkish food option in SF. It's perfect for any occasion: business meeting, birthday, romantic dinner. The wait staff offers great suggestions and were attentive. Highly recommended making a reservation as the restaurant is small and does fill up quickly. My only complaint or reason for 4 stars is their Branzino is wild caught and not farm raised. Branzino is over fished. In addition, wild caught has higher level of mercury and less nutrients. This is important because the Branzino is their most popular and well liked dish.

Our second visit to Bistro Ember it was about 1/4 full with patrons and one server. We sat near the front left of the restaurant it was extremely cold had to keep our jackets on the whole dinner possible draft coming in so be prepared. The ambiance is beautiful, cozy, low lighting, jazz like setting. It was nice because we didn't sit near anyone the tables are very tight and when the restaurant is full it can be uncomfortable. Took awhile for our server to start our order because he was the only one working however very nice. Sangria was 10/10 wine was smooth full bodied and perfect amount of fruit. Grilled Halloumi 10/10 was delicious you can taste the fire grill on the cheese and was a perfect blend with the greens citrus and almonds. Manti 7/10 was just ok the first visit that was my favorite dish on the menu however this trio it wasn't bursting with flavors. New York strip 5/10 I ordered medium rare it was more medium to fully cooked however it was still tender. The asparagus was cooked perfectly but the whole dish lacked flavor. First time in my life I actually used the salt on the table for the whole dish which I only consumed half. Australian lamb chops 7/10 cooked perfect rest of the dish lacked flavors as well. Milky Cold baklava 9/10 great ending to the meal not too sweet or too sticky. If you want something but not a huge sweet lover this is the best option. I truly like this restaurant maybe we came too close to closing or on an off night. Wasn't as flavorful as our first visit and was hoping to order knafeh but we missed it.

I live in the neighborhood and have passed by this place many times. I finally gave it a try today. The restaurant is very cute but the tables are so close together I physically could NOT get to my seat on the inside. I was confused why the waiter sat us at the tables almost touching when the restaurant was almost empty. It was also extremely hot inside. Even with no jacket on we both thought it was uncomfortably stuffy. We ordered a bottle of wine and appetizers to start. When our waiter brought out the white whine, it was warm. I've never had a bottle of wine served warmed. It's almost like the temperature of the restaurant and possibly the wine sitting over a light had affected it. We asked for an ice bucket asap. For something that is over $50, I'm surprised it was not served correctly. My partner had to rotate the wine in the ice bucket for 30 min to get it to chill. The appetizers were delicious though. The artichoke beignet was more like a croquet but still good. We wanted to order entrees but both waiters never came back to our table. We kept trying to flag them down and couldn't even pay our bill! We watched a server stand there and watch other tables leave to say bye. But would always go back into the kitchen. After 15 min we had to get up and bring our check to the front. Can't comment on the entrees but extremely disappointed in the service and the warm wine.

Just ate at Bistro Ember for the first time and cannot wait to go back. Walked in for dinner on a Thursday night, about 5:45pm, no problem getting a table for two. Ordered: - Syrah - the Turkish option, full bottle, bold and not too peppery, perfect compliment to everything we ate. - Bread w/ house cultured butter - these were good, but I'd save room to order more pita with the... - Mezze -everything was sooooo good! highly recommend, I don't know if we can go to Ember and not order the mezze - Grilled Haloumi - nice and salty with an accompaniment of fruit to pop the flavor - Cauliflower - sweet and tangy, with the perfect char - Manti - yummmy! Turkish dumplings - Octopus - comes with muhammura and roasted eggplant, so tender - kunefe - for dessert and it was cheesy and salty, such a great way to end the meal Service was friendly and prompt, and we got some great suggestions for what to order. The place is super cozy inside.

I would describe the food as New American with a Mediterranean influence. We shared a beet and Caesar salad as appetizers; both had too much dressing. Same with the roasted cauliflower, too much sauce and lack of flavor. I wanted to try the octopus, but it wasn't on the menu. The halloumi dish was nice, though. The restaurant's décor is nice. There is a small but nice selection of beer and wine but no full bar. Our server was very attentive.

This was my second visit to Bistro Ember. The first was with a large group, including my wife, and we were able to share dishes and sample a bit of everything. We were so impressed with the freshness of ingredients and the distinctly Turkish flavorings that we decided to make it the destination for our wedding anniversary dinner (41st, thanks for asking). We toasted with two Turkish wines (which we were told were new to the menu). I had the white to go with my scallops, and my wife had the red to go with her burrata and mezze salald. Both were delicious. The scallops were perfectly cooked and plated with a sauce that included great spices and a sausage (so it was a sort of refined surf and turf). We shared a hot main course. In this case it was the "kebab", which turned out to be a deconstructed wrap with grilled ground lamb and beef on top of fresh veggies and pita bread. The flavors were fantastic and it was easy to eat. Finally, I'm not usually a dessert person (or so I say). We couldn't resist ordering the baklava and it was fantastic. Filled generously with pistachio nuts and served with a just-right dollop of ice cream. We highly recommend the restaurant. It is a great addition to the Church Street corridor in Noe Valley.

Excellent food and service! Elegant setting. Had 4 appetizers: cauliflower, beet salad, meatballs and borek! Wine also lovely. Will be back!

Wow! What a gem in the Mission District that provides an upscale exploration into Turkish cuisine. I am guilty of not trying many Turkish dishes in the past, but after a night at Bistro Ember I am now sold. Aside from the rock star dishes, which I'll go more into detail in a bit, the service is stellar. As cliche as this may sound, you can feel the blood, sweat and tears put into the restaurant. Each worker has a huge smile and describes each dish with pride and passion. Most notably for our dessert course, the pastry chef came out to present the dish and had so much happiness as he was describing how to eat it. The staff definitely deserves five stars for providing such high level service. Now, to the part you are all here for: THE FOOD! Our personal favorites were the Turkish Tartare, Chickpea Yeast Bread, Lamb Mutancana and Chicken Pudding. Wow was that tartare packed with flavor. It was a mix of Kofte (Turkish meatball) and tenderloin. Man, I am not sure what spice was in the dish but it was so tasty. I could eat an entire plate on my own. Regarding the bread...it was so good! Fluffy, warm and paired exceptionally with the butter. It had great bounce and you couldn't even notice it was made out of chick peas. Now to the lamb...so tender paired with a smooth and luscious keskek (a Turkish risotto)! The sauce was silky and we licked every last bit of it up. Finally, the pudding. This was a perfect ending to our dinner! It had such a nutty flavor, and you couldn't even tell there was chicken in the dish at all. The goat cheese ice cream had an amazing tang that cut the savoriness of the pudding. Overall, amazing service and tasty dishes! You need to try this place out if you're in the mood for a Turkish meal.

Every morsel and bite we had was delicious! We started with a cold appetizer: Fish and Raki. Raki is the national drink of Turkey and it's twice distilled grapes. It was light and perfect for summer. Then came the piping HOT yeast bread and our hot appetizer - the couscous. The couscous was my favorite dish because of the spring onion and basil purées that are incorporated into the dish. For a entrée, we had the Lamb Mutancana, which was tender, moist and flavorful. It is perhaps the most traditional Turkish dish on the menu but it was nice to have a traditional component to an otherwise very contemporary and innovative menu. Wait, we also had coffee and dessert! We couldn't resist trying the Burnt Chicken skin pudding. It was very unique and equally delicious. The service and the wait staff were perfect. There was ample parking outside on a Saturday night. The place is brand new and well turned out. It was quiet so we could hear each other talk, but it wasn't too quiet. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and would go back again in a heartbeat.

My fiancé and I were able to snag a reservation to try out Bistro Ember during their first week of opening. The waiters and staff were very professional and attentive. Understandably since it was their opening week, the wait was a bit longer than expected. Dishes we had: EMBER OYSTER - I got 6 of their oysters which were very fresh and light. Love the sauce that accompany them. TURKISH TARTARE - fun rendition of steak tartare with a Turkish flare. I thought it was good. Personally, when the kofte and tartare were all mixed together, that usual tartare texture got lost a little. EMBER OCTOPUS - the octopus was nicely seasoned and perfectly cooked. The sauce it came with brought it together. COUSCOUS - delicious dish! It ended up being my entrée and I really enjoyed it. The calamari dolmas were very tasty and they went well with the basil purée. LAMB MUTACANA - the cooked lamb shoulder was good and it paired well with the mushrooms and keske (resembles a little to mashed potatoes). However, not a fan of the anise and plum purées. They felt too sweet and overpowering. For dessert, we shared the TURKISH COFFEE CAKE. Solid dessert and the star of this dish was actually the berries sorbet. Overall, our meal was very tasty and the plating of each dish we had was beautiful and seems intentional. They also have a decent wine selection to choose from. The restaurant is cozy and the decor is beautiful. I would recommend everyone to check them out! Congratulations on opening in Noe ! Wishing the team at Bistro Ember all the best!

Went to Bistro Ember to try brunch. Highly recommended. Very relaxing and unrushed. The hummus with warm pita was outstanding. Everything was great. Looking forward to a return visit!

Went for brunch on a cloudy Sunday. The restaurant is conveniently located just off the J muni line on Church. We were seated immediately and the service was friendly. The restaurant vibes are very cozy and the decor is beautiful. We ordered the Menemen, avocado toast with smoked salmon, and a side of sujuk. Both dishes were delicious and the flavors in the Menemen dish were unique. The sujuk was also very tasty but a little greasy.

As you enter this establishment...in one of the quaintest neighborhoods in SF...a warm glowing fireplace greets you. The restaurant style is cozy and stylish with great aesthetics. The staff was superb with attentiveness. The menu is small in choices but packed with delicious choices, flavors and tastes. We enjoyed all our dishes...the bread was so yummy, the salads flavor-filled with freshness and brightness. The entrees...the tagliatelle with grilled chicken, the fillet and the lamb shank...winning. We tried two desserts...the chocolate cake with Turkish coffee a definite table pleaser. We all are still raving over our meals. Bravo!!!

Last minute decision have what we thought would be a lovely leisurely meal on New Year's Eve. Instead we got crammed into a table so close to the other diners my jacket and purse were touching the woman next to me. We got the Turkish spiced hummus with lamb, which was okay, but two bites in, they removed our plates and gave us our entrees. We were pretty hungry so we just started eating, but it became clear how they got our food to us so fast because everything was cold. The food looked nice but it was all chronically under salted and had very little flavor. Cold food, under salted, and completely rushed through the meal. It just felt like they were chugging our plates ahead of time. The tables next to us also got the same treatment where they had just started on their salad when the entree came. Entrees are $35-$50 so...probably won't be back.

i don't make the trek out to noe valley too often but am so glad i stopped by bistro ember. we came around 5 when they opened on a thursday and it was empty until others started trickling in around 6. we split a few plates and the standout were the matzi, halloumi, and coconut rice pudding. the complimentary bread was divine as well and the butter was in a cute honeycomb shape with other sauces in it. inside was nicely decorated as well and bu the time we left around 8 it was lively inside.

Bistro Ember is a new Californian/Mediterranean restaurant in Noe Valley. They've got some tasty, savory meal options, but the prices are a bit steep and the restaurant is uncomfortably cramped and loud. -- Food-- Ember has an interesting curated dinner menu with modern Mediterranean options. The Chickpea Yeast Bread was a nice home-made bread to start off with. The butter was presented in the shape of a honey-comb, with the capsules filled with different sauces, which I thought was a creative and fun presentation. The seared tuna, was fresh and tasty, but not the star of the show compared to nearby restaurants that focus on raw seafood. The Lamb Matancana was a great main dish. If you're looking for a wonderfully savory lamb dish that falls off the bone, this is it. -- Atmosphere -- Ember is in a small venue, with a cozy fireplace and dim/romantic lighting. It's very cosy -- but almost too cozy. They've packed roughly 30 seats in to a space more appropriate for half that. Their 2 seat tables are next to an area meant for their largest parties and I couldn't get to my seat without squeezing past other guests. When I visited, it was painfully loud; I struggled to hear my partner or the waiter all night. The entry way is also pretty awkward. The entrance leads directly to a fireplace, with guests eating on either side, and the host's station is in the middle of the restaurant. So you have to awkwardly seek them out squeezing by people. -- Service -- Service was ok. The restaurant was very busy on a week day and we had to wait about 20 minutes despite having a reservation. Once seated, the service was fairly fast and the waiters were great at explaining different dishes and giving recommendations. -- Drinks -- They have a small wine menu, with a few vintages available by the glass, but no pairings or cocktails. -- Overall Opinion -- Ember's a great new addition to the neighborhood, but I was a bit disappointed. The restaurant frames itself as a high end culinary experience from a chef with clear Michelin aspirations, but it's overall pretty unpolished and on the expensive side for what you're actually getting. I'd probably visit again in a 6 months or so if their menu and atmosphere changes, but it's not something I'd recommend friends to go to if they are visiting the city. -- Stars -- Food: 2/3 Stars Service: 1/2 Stars Atmosphere 0/1 Stars Total: 3/5 Stars

Ambiance ， Food 1/2， Service 1/2 Price it was decent all around considering it wasn't the most expensive. Everything was acceptable

Amazing amazing outstanding food and service, had a wonderful meal. Place is beautifully decorated and great ambiance, I'll give 6 stars if I could

We just moved to the neighborhood from across town, and stumbled upon Bistro Ember last night! Perfect opportunity to try a new spot and sit outside with the warm weather! They have both indoor and sidewalk/street side seating for dining indoors and out. From the service to the food to the overall ambiance, it was all top notch! The host and waiter were both knowledgeable and immensely polite. They were very attentive but were not overly so, and checked in with us the perfect amount of times. Each dish had SUCH great flavors and variety - even their side of focaccia- style bread was AMAZING. We ordered most of the appetizers to share as a family and were pleased with everything we tasted! I highly recommend checking out this new and surely-to-be-beloved neighborhood gem!

When we saw the new signage a couple months ago for this restaurant, we were keen to give it a try. We really enjoyed the restaurant that was previously in this space, so we had high hopes that this would be another "Go To". Bistro Ember is a solid restaurant! As it's in its infancy, there are a couple things that need improvement, but overall we were very pleased with the food and the service was very good. First off, the remodel of the space is very elegant... not pretentious in anyway, but definitely sets the tone that this is a "fine dining" experience. Bringing our 3 y/o boys might have been a mistake as the atmosphere isn't conducive to kids, but the staff were so nice to them, as rowdy as they can be. The only knocks we had was that the portions are small for the prices charged and that the wine list is a bit limited, Overall, the food is very good and the experience of dining here is very pleasant. There's room for improvement, and that should be viewed optimistically.

Wonderful establishment, cozy interior with lovely music that isn't loud and or obnoxious. Food was perfectly seasoned, had the Meze platter, the Manti (omg, so delicious!!!) and the Branzino followed by the ice cream choice of 3. We chose the Vanilla Pomegranate, Tahini and Navel Orange. The Meze was so good, each flavor was divine. The Manti, wow, it was so good it was difficult to not lick the plate, ask for more pita to help with the sauce. The Branzino was perfect, flavorful and did not need any extra seasoning, it was very filling and yummy. The ice cream was the perfect balance to a great meal. We shared each dish and it was the perfect amount of food. Service was nice and the noise level was very pleasant even with a full restaurant. Highly recommend and will return to try other items on the menu.

A neighborhood gem. The food is delicious. The lamb shank is their signature dish and it was a must try if you like lamb. We had the beet salad, octopus and fried cauliflower which were all delicious. We also had the rib eye steak, which cooks perfectly. Service was friendly and very attentive. The place is a very nice decor and beautiful. Great place for an intimate romantic dinner.

What a great addition to the Noe Valley restaurant scene. I would call it an "elevated" neighborhood restaurant experience - occupying the space between casual and high-end fine dining. The dining room is elegant and hush, leaning towards a high-end feel, but the service, overall ambience and price point are warm, relaxed and accessible. Perfect for romantic dinners, special occasions, or showing visitors the tremendous range of cuisine and dining experiences we have here in SF. There arent any other restaurants in Noe Valley that occupy this midpoint experience. The food delivers. It's Turkish/Mediterranean, but with California influences and find dining flare. Everything was perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. Four of us shared a mix of starters and three mains: lamb, salmon and trout. The fish dishes were exceptional - grilled to perfection for a crispy outside yet perfectly tender on the inside. The lamb was literally fall-off-the-bone, succulent and slightly gamey (as good lamb should be). We had octopus, cauliflower, and scallops - again all perfectly cooked and showcasing the grilling techniques for lightly smokey flavors and caramelized exteriors without overcooking. All dishes were beautifully plated, and all came with small surprises. DO NOT SKIP ORDERING THE BREAD. You will be sad if you do. Really hope the neighborhood supports Bistro Ember because it deserves to become a neighborhood institution.

The $18 meatballs were not homemade. They had the texture and subtlety of a frozen meatball from Trader Joe's. And they were served lukewarm (at best). The meze platter was fine but underwhelming and the lamb chops were tasty but everything on the plate was lukewarm. Best thing we ate were the creamy mushrooms side. Service was friendly and vibe was nice.

This review is for brunch only. I had to make a last minute reservation change to increase our large party size, so I called and the restaurant was so accommodating! They even were nice enough to let us push the time a bit. This place has a good ambiance. The omelets were huge. I ordered a Turkish coffee to try it... but didn't realize it comes the size of an espresso, albeit in an elegant tea cup set, lol. Got to savor my three sips with pinkie up of course. Though brief, the bold dark roast was quite enjoyable. I would love to come back and try the dinner menu which looks much more interesting!

Bistro Ember is one of our new favorite neighborhood spots. Every single dish totally blew us away and you can tell the chef put a lot of thought into the detail and presentation of each plate. We started with amazing fried chickpea bread served w/butter stunningly shaped as a honeycomb. The Manti Dumplings were filled with a savory lamb and beef mixture and served in a rich, oak-smoked yogurt sauce, and the Turkish Tagliatelle was tossed w/tender grilled chicken and a nutty, fragrant antep pistachio pesto. The 12-hr Slow Cooked Lamb Shank was filled w/flavor and just melted off the bone. For dessert, our Turkish Coffee Cake was moist and chocolatey w/a coffee sauce poured over, and the Burnt Chicken Pudding was a delightful surprise - a rich & creamy pudding w/goat cheese ice cream, cinnamon crumble and topped with a candied piece of crispy chicken skin. The ambiance was so elegant and cozy w/warm, exposed brick walls. I definitely recommend this place looking for a nice dinner and can't wait to come back to try their weekend brunch.

It's a hidden neighborhood gem. Turkish-inspired cuisine that is delicious and affordable. We came here to catch up with a friend, and this was the perfect spot. The service was very pleasant. We never felt rushed and could easily hear each other at the table without feeling like we needed to yell. Cozy ambiance. My only wish was that I had room to try the dessert because it looked delicious. Order the Manti, Ember Kebab!

Good but not great. I think the biggest detriment to this place is the price. For what we paid we could have eaten at many other fine dining restaurants in the city and had a more memorable experience. The food was decent and well prepared, but the sauces were bland, the veggies were unseasoned and the plating left a lot to be desired (I had a couple stray carrots in my mashed potatoes that were clearly leftover from another dish). We liked the dolmas, but the halloumi was over cooked and nothing to season the salad it came on top of. My steak was well cooked, but again the sauce was bland and didn't bring any exciting flavors to the dish. The cake my husband had was dry and the coconut rice pudding I had definitely needed the special coffee chocolate sauce that actually came with the cake. I won't be running back here and I'd be worried about cross contamination for anyone with food allergies.

Took my boyfriend here for a surprise birthday dinner and at first glance he was concerned that I brought him to a place that was "too adventurous" (his words, not mine). Thank god everything worked out and we loved our meal. Bistro ember is a cozy neighborhood spot and definitely authentic! You can tell immediately when walking in that this is truly a family & friends operated business. They provide service family style so you have the pleasure of meeting the entire team. The staff were absolutely lovely and they go above and beyond to deliver. I highly recommend the BURNT CHICKEN PUDDING, I know it sounds crazy but trust. Other recommendations are the filet, pasta dish, butter & bread. The manti was good but honestly a little too gamey for my tastebuds. I will say literally everyone around us was chatting about how amazing the meal is. Enjoy!

My husband and I honeymooned in Turkey so we were SO excited to see Ember open near us, and decided to try it for our 15th anniversary dinner. In our reservation, we asked to be seated in a quieter area away from large parties. Unfortunately, when we arrived - it was midweek - we found the restaurant to be ear-splittingly loud. And we were offered a table by a party of 18 :-( To their credit, the staff tried to accommodate us by offering a table farther away from the large party (if we were willing to wait 15 or 20 minutes) but it wasn't going to be much quieter there. We walked away sadly, and were lucky to find a table at a quieter restaurant in the neighborhood. I wish the designers of Ember gave more thought to acoustics (I didn't see any of those sound panels on the ceiling for instance). Or maybe they want to discourage diners over 40? The menu looks so interesting and the space is beautiful, so we hope to try it another time, as long as we don't have to shout to be heard.

Went early. Quiet n peaceful and awesome service and terrific food. Yes I will be returning. Lovely folk.

Absolutely delicious, elegant, and friendly here. There are so many great things to try on the brunch and dinner menus. Try the Traditional Turkish Breakfast! The staff are extremely friendly and very good at walking you through the different items on the menu. The decor is lovely as well. You feel like you are in an exclusive lounge. Can't wait to come back!

Wonderful, beautiful neighborhood restaurant. The decor and ambiance is classy and comfortable. Noise level is decent so you can hold a conversation. We were impressed with the staff as they were so nice. The food was delicious and the portions were decent. What a gem on Church Street. Highly recommend!!

Fabulous and cozy, Ember is a number one date night or special occasion eatery. Don't let the "Bistro" fool you. This place has top-notch food and service. We had grilled octopus, seared ahi, Seabass and pasta. They served an amazing dessert to my birthday wife and took care of us the whole time. Highly recommended.

A wonderful Neighborhood Restaurant with relaxing Ambience friendly service and delicious food. Everything we ordered was delicious from the tartar to the eggplant to the scallops and the two desserts. Nice wine by the glass selection too. What more could you ask for?

An astonishing, delicious meal at Bistro Ember, which has taken over a former Burmese restaurant. The dishes are billed as Mediterranean but there was a strong Turkish undertone to our selections. We started with the Fish & Raki salad, a refreshing combination of sweet melons and finely sliced kampachi. Our main course were the fried squash blossoms and grilled octopus tentacles. Both were delicious, with each ingredient not overpowering but complimenting the whole. We chose the burnt chicken skin pudding for dessert. I've had chicken cooked as dessert in Turkey and was delighted to see it on the menu. The portion for each dish is constrained - we much prefer this to the massive pile-up served in many restaurants. We look forward to returning and trying other items on the menu.

Loved the experience perfect for brunch. Chef Deniz have an amazing menu ! We definitely come back again