The Lounge

Restaurant · Chinatown

The Lounge

Restaurant · Chinatown

1

600 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108

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Highlights

Chic lounge with cocktails, small plates, and city views  

Featured in Eater
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600 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108 Get directions

ritzcarlton.com
@ritzcarltonsanfrancisco

$$$$

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600 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108 Get directions

+1 415 296 7465
ritzcarlton.com
@ritzcarltonsanfrancisco

$$$$

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Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

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Star Chef Jason Fox Returns to the Kitchen at Proper Hotel  - Eater SF

"Fox joined in October, and has been quietly updating the menus over the past couple of months." - Becky Duffett

https://sf.eater.com/2020/1/13/21064139/jason-fox-proper-hotel-sf
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Ken and Alicia Lund

Google
This was our favorite spot in the hotel. Great ambiance and really nice views. The furniture was comfortable and though the lounge was plenty full, it always felt intimate and we could always hear each other speak. The food, appetizers, and desserts were always very good each of the times we ate here.

Ileana Moreno

Google
We stayed at the Ritz Carlton during our stay in San Francisco and were so excited to eat at the lounge. The service and atmosphere were impeccable but the food missed the mark. We ordered oysters, the farmers salad, and the burger, which were unfortunately unmemorable. The best part of the meal were the truffle fries.

Clemens Wan

Google
Decadent and attentive. This place oozes class and the large windows flood in some beautiful sunlight for a great lunch and mid day steak.

Marisa Lopez

Google
They give you some chips and olives, love the nice touch!

George Landa

Google
Went here for champagne and wine with a friend and he had a BLT and I had oysters, surprisingly they weren’t even served on ice chilled as other high end restaurants usually serve them, they were rather serve on a bed of salt so as I was having my champagne and conversation with friend the oysters were at room temperature; bad for seafood. Left the place went home and got woken up by food poising. As well as my friend. I would not be coming back seems that they aren’t handling food well! Sucks that it’s the ritz and the food quality is bad and dangerous to eat.

Kitty Gao

Google
Like the vibe here

Lana C

Google
While the lobby lounge was elegantly decorated with harp music playing, the flavorless sandwiches made with stale bread were surprisingly disappointing. The selection of sweets was quite substantial, and the scones were tasty.  Moreover, the customer service was top-notch- when I provided feedback to the server and the manager (who came by our table), about the sandwiches, they immediately brought over a new plate of sandwiches made with a different bread that was a bit better tasting and took one of the tea service off the bill.

guang yang

Google
Sat at the bar, Jennifer was great! After a long day, I ended up with a Moscow Mule (made with Australian Bundaberg - yes!) and a bowl of warm olives. The Lounge servers are very friendly, the décor is perfect, and views are great!
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P M.

Yelp
This place is dangerous. Excellently prepared dishes with superb service. It's hard not to come here multiple times a day, every day when we are in the city. Although we have been here several times now, a couple of gals stood out. Sit at the bar if Jen is working and ask for Stephanie if you'd rather enjoy your time there at a table. Although a very classy place they are kid friendly and in true Ritz Carlton fashion the service is personable and top notch!
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Benny H.

Yelp
Probably the most I've ever spent on cocktails, but you only live once! Food is also really good, but you're really coming here for those special drinks. I've had better for cheaper, but it is in the Ritz. Overall a memorable experience, but not sure if it was worth every penny.
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Jason F.

Yelp
When meals are as wonderfully served as they are at The Lounge, then it is a memory that will be cherished forever. Located within the first floor lobby of The Ritz-Carlton in the heart of San Francisco. Just north of the city's Chinatown neighborhood along Stockton Street right above the infamous Stockton Street tunnel, The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco is a little oasis among the city's chaos and that is proven by the view of the city's skyline directly against one side of the wall of The Lounge. Upon approaching The Lounge especially since its entrance is directly opposite their front doors, one would consider this restaurant the main bar and restaurant of The Ritz-Carlton, and they would not be incorrect, as they have another restaurant Parallel 37 that serves brunch and is reserved for private events, and a terrace that too is used for special events. So when my group of friends and I came for a business meeting to tour The Ritz-Carlton, where else would we dine for an elegant and refined lunchtime meal but The Lounge? Elegant doesn't even come close to our experience as every detail from the meal to the overall service was top notch. The lunchtime menu at The Lounge is separated into categories including Appetizers, Salads, Entrées From Land and Sea, and Sweet Treats. Since our group of seven was quite famished we decided to split a couple orders of their Truffle Fries which were topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano, Truffle Oil and Shavings, and Parsley and served with a Jalapeño Aioli and their own house made ketchup. To enhance this first course, every table is presented with a complimentary serving of potato chips and olives for good measure which only adds to the customer first mentality at The Lounge. Although many of their lunch time menu items sounded so delicious, there was something about their House Made Cavatelli, which was topped with Spicy Kimchi Tomato Sauce, Goat Cheese, Breadcrumbs, Basil and Bonito Flakes that sounded so authentic and regal at the same time that I and many of my dining mates also decided to order this as our main meal. Others in my dining party ordered their Mary's Organic Chicken Breast which was served with Braised Kale, White Truffle Infused Bean Ragu and Shaved Summer Truffles; Pacific Yellowfin Tuna Tartare which was topped with Ginger Soy, Tarragon Aioli, Nori Oil and served with Puffed Rice Crackers, and their Local Market Fish, which was a beautiful halibut served with a side of vegetables and tapenade. The Truffle Fries were the perfect way to start our meal as both the ketchup and aioli were lovely side condiments, and the complimentary chips and olives were such a thoughtful touch that we could not wait for our main course. That main course was a lovely pasta dish that was plated with intention, and served with such aplomb as I tried my very best to savor each bite. I was able to try a few bites of my dining mate's Tuna Tartare with one of their Puffed Rice Cracker and I have to admit after some questioning upon seeing the plating, it turned out to be a lovely fresh dish that was flavorful and fun, which was unexpected. For our sweet treats, a fellow diner ordered their Hazelnut Affogato which was a generous scoop of Hazelnut Gelato topped with Cocoa Nib Crumble and Shot of Espresso, while I enjoyed a Americano, which was the perfect way to sip and savor a meal as wonderful as it was at The Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco. Even though it's just the regular hotel restaurant and bar, it is so much more with the perfect service, in this case from the attentive Stephanie to the setting that simply shouts San Francisco from all of the hills from which it can be seen. Coastal California cuisine served with handcrafted cocktails named and inspired by the famous neighborhoods that make up this great city, The Lounge serves up a meal to savor and is a must visit for locals and tourists alike.
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Sam P.

Yelp
We had reservations here ( not really necessary) on our first night at the Ritz. It's an elegant cocktail bar right in their lobby. It began on a surprising note as everyone working at the Ritz was lovely but the experience here was slightly different. We waited several minutes until anyone acknowledged us and other people gave up and sat themselves. Then the hostess rudely told us our reservation was for two and we were a part of three - our copy clearly said 3 people and it was a moot point as most tables were set up for three or four people anyways! Service was also a little slow to begin with but did eventually both speed and warm up! We tried a couple of their signature cocktails - Karl The Fog and North Beach Negroni , followed by some champagne and local IPA. Pretty lounge, prices are steep but in line with the location and the cocktails are a definite must try!
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Reena S.

Yelp
This cute restaurant is located inside the Ritz. Well lit, lots of windows. Services is attentive, prices are as expected, food is excellent. My date enjoyed every bite of his burger, which he ordered medium well. We got bread service, which was a nice snack. Premium drink selection. We'll be back to dine here again soon!
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Parth S.

Yelp
The food is very standard for a hotel restaurant. The service was a little slow, it took a long time for the waiter to come to the table & to get the bill at the very end as well. It was a decently spacious restaurant that had bar seating and table seating. They had two TVs at the bar. Overall, it's worth it if you're staying at the hotel and want to get food without having to leave, but I wouldn't come out of my way to eat here.
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Vuoch L.

Yelp
Inside the Ritz Carlton Lobby area . It worked out great since that weekend was also the Lunar New Year parade , we had reservations prior at STK steak house on Market St. we anticipated a lot of traffic and road closures along the way. Leo our Club Level Concierge suggested we dine down stairs at The Lounge, since we stayed in the Ritz Carlton for the weekend to avoid the hassle , for our sanity and convenience just to walk down stairs for dinner and stay dry from the down pouring rain . Leo our club level concierge help make reservations for us , while we continue with breakfast. ( thank you Leo) We had reservations for 11 our server Victoria were great , she recommended a few dishes for us girls to share and some drinks as well before our meal . Most of the ladies had "The Karl ". they all loved it and ordered a second round of that. I had their steak, only one choice on the menu, it came with a few slices of potatoes. Other side dishes are a la cart . Flavor of steak tasted delicious, cooked perfectly. The price was steep though $67
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Faye S.

Yelp
The Lounge was very good. We ate there twice during our visit last weekend. They were very accommodating, Karl the Fog drink was excellent (although the most expensive cocktail I have ever purchased), food was very tasty, and they were so wonderful to my 7 year old. Would definitely return!
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Celine P.

Yelp
We took a pit stop here for dessert and drinks break post dinner and had a splendid time. first of all, alcoholic chocolate milkshake! quite addictive. the presentation with the whipped cream and chocolate rim was stunning. I don't exactly remember what was in it but I would love to get it again, a desert drink! the $20 signifier chocolate cake was rich and thick. the cake itself was not very moist, but stiff and firm. It balances well with the frosting. Not overwhelmingly sweet. But the thing that was the cherry on top was the orange cardamom syrup and crunchy chocolate balls. I enjoyed the complexity of flavors and textures. at the end of our stay, a group of people in crisp suits and dresses poured in and filled the air with conversations. most of the people looked very affluent and white. Felt very out of place as three young adults, but our server was super sweet and charismatic, we had a great time!
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Marina S.

Yelp
The food was pretty awful. I had the chicken and it was thick and the skin was soggy. Not much flavor and the beans it comes with is a shame. The fries are way too salty and the burger is simply whatever. The Carl fog cocktail was pretty bad as well.
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Kelly Y.

Yelp
This is located in the lobby of The Ritz Carlton and is upscale for sure. I sat at the bar for lunch and met Tommy the bartender. I was debating between two salads on the menu and he recommends the quinoa bowl, which was fantastic. The flavors were fresh and very tasty. I paired the salad with a killer white burgundy Tommy suggested - perfect! The menu is a bit pricey, but the quality of the ingredients and wine selection makes it worthy of the price tag. I would highly recommend for a business lunch, cocktails, or even a solo meal (or drink) at the bar.
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Austin G.

Yelp
Fantastic decor very comfortable and cozy but what else is one to expect of a restaurant and bar inside of the ritz? The drinks and food were great. The ritz Carlton burger was fantastic. Cooked to perfection in my opinion. The appetizers we're a bit disappointing. The burrata wasn't very good and neither was the halibut ceviche. We could've probably passed on both of those but we enjoyed the entrees we got and the gelato for dessert. The gelato came with a little cracker and was only $6! Probably the most fairly priced item on the menu. Overall this place is going to get 5 stars because it met my expectations and even though it was very expensive it's the ritz. It was to be expected some might say.
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Katie B.

Yelp
Came to The Lounge located inside the Ritz for a cocktail while we waited for our dinner reservation. We each had an Old Fashioned and split the charcuterie plate. The drinks were great! The charcuterie was unimaginative. The cheeses were delicious but the plate presentation looked like they piled a couple of options on there and were happy with B+ work. Nice ambience- there were a couple of toddlers crying toward the end, but we left shortly afterward.
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Charlie E.

Yelp
Tommy and Robert were great; perfect service, couldn't have asked for anything more. ¡Bellisimo!

Joel S.

Yelp
The service is impeccable as one would expect from the Ritz, but the team are warm and welcoming. They do not have an air of snobbery. It's very kind and gracious- engaging and thoughtful. Our food and drinks were perfect. No flaws at all- just luxury, 5 star hospitality and immersion into an atmosphere of - anything the guest desires. I work in service, hence, every once in a while, I want to feel pampered in that way. It is restorative. My baby and our dogs all thoroughly soaked up our night at the Ritz. Worth every penny! A Grand Experience from top to bottom. Thank you Team Ritz Carlton San Francisco!
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Karen r.

Yelp
The Greek Yogurt panna cotta was amazing, as was the carrot cake. Didn't love the signature chocolate cake, which was disappointing. The biggest let down was the grain bowl with grilled chicken. It looked very pretty but somehow was just bland and disappointing, especially the flavorless chicken.
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Marie W.

Yelp
Stayed at The Ritz for my Birthday decided to try out The lounge for Dinner. My meal was really good the service is always amazing at The Ritz never a complaint.
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S C.

Yelp
Dinner was Okay. Meat was a bit over cooked. Had to order dinner to go since some altercation happened where police were and request 2 couples to leave. Felt a bit unsafe so I ended up eating in room. Waited about 10 min to be seated, 15 more minutes to get water, decided the drama was escalating so ordered it to go, charging it to my room.. after we got our food the police came. It still took us 10 mins to get check after our food got delivered
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Bryan R.

Yelp
This lobby bar rivals some restaurants I've been to! The Lounge at Ritz Carlton offers great food and drinks, both served with a high attention to detail. I've had the salmon here a couple times, definitely would recommend. Although their menu is relatively small since its a lobby bar, it offers a good variety of choices. We recently went here with a party of 8 and staff was very attentive. Service was consistent throughout our lunch. Drinks remained filled and they made sure we enough bar bites while waiting for our orders. The staff is also very professional! TIP: Seating by the fireplace (opposite the bar) has great lighting from the floor to ceiling windows!

Jamie C.

Yelp
You don't have to marry Prince Harry to be treated like royalty! You can pretend to be Queen for a day and enjoy Afternoon Tea at The Lounge located inside the fancy shmancy Ritz-Carlton Hotel! Price options as of August 2019: Traditional Tea - $88 per person, excludes alcoholic beverages. Premier Tea - $98 per person, complemented with a glass of Schramsberg California Sparkling Wine. Royal Tea - $108 per person, complemented with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Brut "Yellow Label," accompanied by strawberries and cream. Caviar Tea - $440 per person, complemented with 1 oz of Osetra Caviar and a half bottle of Ruinart Rose Brut. Menu items vary based on seasonality. Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, and Dairy-Free options available. 3-tiered cake stand filled with delicious sweet treats, served with a plate of finger sandwiches and a freshly brewed pot of tea. Wish they gave a menu describing all the goodies but I'll try my best from memory! Sandwich plate includes egg salad, cucumber, smoked salmon, turkey cranberry, and a goat cheese tartlet. Sweet indulgences includes kouign amann, brownie bites, apple tart, chocolate-dipped almond biscotti, strawberry creamsicle, scones, and chocolate ganache candies. I prefer a tea to neutralize all the burst of flavors, so Gunpowder was the perfect choice. It's a green tea from Taipei, displaying notes of smoke and sweet grass with sublet undertones of burnt honey. Make a reservation! Tea Time is only offered on specific dates throughout the year!
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Richard E.

Yelp
High tea is delicious here. It's just a bit crowded as the space is so small. But the servers are nice and quick, and they don't rush you. It's quiet a bit pricey for high tea but it's a nice experience for once in a while
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Valeria R.

Yelp
The kid and I rolled in here Friday evening...her for an apple juice and me for a shot of tequila. I'm usually a cheapskate, but every once in a while I like to take her there for the experience and so that she can get some practice "behaving" in nice places. What I love about the Lobby Lounge is that they don't treat us any differently from the dressed-up tourists and high-spending businessmen. We get the same warm welcome, the same upscale snacks and the same friendly service. Even if I'm in jeans and she's in her school uniform (which, in combination, is a dead give-away that we're not going to be spending a lot of $$), nary an eyebrow is raised. $19 + tip later, we sauntered out of the hotel feeling quite fancy. Worth every dime!
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Soo H.

Yelp
Sophisticated and lovely. I wish I got the name of the bartender here bc she was super quick and smart. Remembered my name on my second night there and remembered many other regulars' names and orders. I had the Melville Pinot and the cheeseburger in a lettuce wrap. As a snack before my burger, I got complimentary spicy cashews and olives. Everything was delicious and service was excellent. Great spot to meet a friend.
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Dave L.

Yelp
Sexy friends and I enjoyed drinks here one evening. Smooth service, as expected for the Ritz-Carlton. At the bar, friendly bartender Napoleon took the time to brainstorm with me, then made us hefty "shots" of banana mudslides, a pleasant, fruity concoction perfect for alcoholic monkeys. The atmosphere in the lobby lounge is clearly old money (read: stuffy) but the seating was surprisingly comfortable. Their lounge has a view of the surrounding neighborhood, too. It wasn't crowded, but your luck may vary. Of course, go dressed up - we were all decked out. Drinks cost a pretty penny, but, hey, it's the Ritz.
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Eric L.

Yelp
This was my first time having high tea, so I don't have anything to compare it to. However I will warn gentlemen readers that have not experienced high tea before; tea does not constitute a meal. You will get an assortment of finger sandwiches and sweet pastries along with your tea. But relying on this and tea alone, will not take the place of lunch. A waitress will swing by with 3 different teas you can try. I sampled the Vanilla bean Green Tea, and the Shanghai rose tea. To be honest I cant imagine drinking a large quantity of tea without it accompanying some delicious greasy Chinese food. The Ritz Carlton's Lobby Lounge is decorated nicely. At this time of year they will likely have the fireplace going. Unfortunately if you sit towards the entrance you will feel a draft every time someone opens the front hotel doors (often). They have a harpist playing a variety of tunes, including a Lord of the Rings "shire" motif. The my inner geek rejoiced when I heard it. Bathroom stalls have floor to ceiling marble walls.... classy.

Tony F.

Yelp
Tried Lounge for the first time with high expectations as it is inside RItz-Carlton. overall the experience I expected was not there and would compare it to be less than family restaurant. I ordered a caviar and few other appetizers. waiter came to me when all the appetizers were served to tell me the caviar was out for the day. i quickly ordered a replacement appetizer and waiter asked if i would want that before the main. I said yes and the replacement appetizer came well after the mains were served anyway. If an appetizer i ordered was out i would have expected the waiter to let me know giving enough time to get the replacement going instead of telling me when the rest is the appetizers were done. the replacement shrink cocktail coming after the main lamb shank was served just showed how little they think the sequence of these things matter. I also ordered the bread service which is a basic slices of standard sour dough. half of the bread was so hard as if it was left for days. overall the quality of the food is mediocre, prices are of course relatively rather high for it being in Ritz. its still a nice alternative when staying here and you want a quick bite. just set your expectations low and you will be ok.
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Avi B.

Yelp
I usually dont review lobby bars since they all seem to do the same thing ,however, this one was a bit different. When staying at this particular Ritz, grabbing a bite to eat is not a very easy option, because of its location on Nob Hill it would mean treking down some seriously steep hills to get to the closest cafe hence my many trips to this lounge while staying here. But I must say after my first time eating here I was blown away. The food coming out of the kitchen is made fresh and to perfection, every detail is covered even down to the house made ketchup. The great service you would expect at a Ritz property continues into this lounge. The staff here were on their game and made this experience a great one. Simple things go a far way, like my first server remembering me from the day before and although not serving me the second day made an effort to come over and say welcome back. Seating is very much like a lounge with a mix variety of furniture including lounge type couches to table and chairs, as well as bar seating. The feel here is of relaxing and just taking your time and is shown with the service, you are not rushed here one bit which can be a little troublesome if you are in a rush. Overall this place was a great option if you are staying in the nob hill area and just want a relaxing space with good food and great service.
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Carnita M.

Yelp
This review is for their afternoon tea. First of all, I know they don't offer afternoon tea service every weekend, and I'm not sure if it's offered year-round or only in the fall/winter. You can check their website for dates of availability as well as fill out a form to make a reservation. I would probably call rather than book online, though, as you can get a more immediate response that way. We parked at the Sutter-Stockton garage which is only a (steep) block or two away. You will see the Lobby Lounge right as you enter the hotel. There is no hostess podium, but when you enter someone will come over and check you in. Their tea is expensive, but when you are there you will see why. The ambiance is very nice, and customer service good. They've got some really friendly ladies working there :) And there's a harpist playing music - how cool is that?! As for the food, can I say BEST SCONES EVER?! So delicious! Teas were good (vanilla bean tea, yum!), desserts ok, sandwiches though - eh. Too fancy shmancy for my taste buds! At about $65 (for their Traditional Tea), this is a bit too expensive to do on a regular basis, but worth the once in awhile splurge!

Chris H.

Yelp
Ambiance is nice, service was A+. Charcuterie plate was average, a few bites, certainly nothing special at over $30. Drinks were tasty. Skip the Caesar salad, an utter disappointment.
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Karne N.

Yelp
We had a lovely evening - pre dinner and post dinner - sitting in the lounge at the Ritz listening to Sony Holland sing. We had never heard her before, so that was a real treat. The staff were helpful and attentive, whether we ordered drinks or just coffee. And I appreciated that they were not over-solicitous, just friendly. We will definitely be back, particularly if Sony is singing. (My only suggestion to her would be to stand while singing. Her very impressive voice gets lost a bit when she sits throughout. ).

Jennifer H.

Yelp
Tried this place the other day. Given that this place is "$$$" on Yelp, I was assuming this place was really good. The drinks are on the stiffer side. I ordered Mary's Organic Chicken Breast and that was on the drier side. I also couldn't believe the portion size compared to the price. The beans had a good flavor, but overall I felt this place was ok. I did appreciate that the staff asked if there were any allergies when we were seated. They also reiterated my nut allergy again when wr ordered food. Things like this make a dining experience positive since I don't have to worry that I could potentially have an allergic reaction. I've experienced it and I think I am ok with it being a one time thing.
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Hayley H.

Yelp
Nice place to sit for a cocktail before a night out in the city...the staff is very attentive and the complementary snacks won me over. although we were not guests of the hotel, we were still able to valet our car....FREE! Nice touch in the city where parking fees can cause a serious dent in anyone's wallet. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/8wGfkHlQyS-tfZYwdQNuMQ?select=bBfdMR5IPyOi5wKXjTXXpw
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June Y.

Yelp
Afternoon tea in the lounge had so much potential but was such a huge disappointment. Pricing is a little steep compared to other SF tea rooms because it's in the Ritz Carlton hotel. This would have been a non-issue had I received excellent service and amazing food. However, the food was not only completely forgettable, it was also incredibly lackluster. Everything was either OK or not even worth finishing. I've been to over 10 tea rooms in the area and I usually never have a problem finishing my food. Tables are tiny and there was barely any space for our tea pots and plates (see photo). Also note that the photos they have on the RC website for afternoon tea are NOT ACCURATE. Look at Yelp photos instead if you're curious to see what the spread looks like. Another issue was that it was evident their servers knew NOTHING about tea. I had 2 different servers and both of them were in desperate need of training. I asked the first server for a tea recommendation but he couldn't even answer my question. He also couldn't even describe the teas I asked about...In every other tea room I've been to, they present the spread and describe the food/dessert included in your three tiered stand. Our server didn't know half the stuff in our stand and used the vaguest words to BS his way through it. To add fuel to the fire, we barely got refills for our tea and had to flag down our servers to pay the bill. For $65, I wouldn't hesitate to say the Lounge's afternoon tea is NOT WORTH IT. Please go to the other wonderful tea rooms nearby (ie. Charles Chocolates, The English Rose)
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Lisa T.

Yelp
Fan-flippin-tastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been to high tea many 'o times. From the Waldorf Astoria in NYC to the Savoy in London to various little Lisa's Tea Treasures (LTT) all around the Bay. So I believe that I'm a decent judge of "High Tea". For Mom's birthday I gave her the gift of High Tea at the Ritz; something neither of us had done before. I talked my cousin into taking her mom too and we had a wonderful girls luncheon today: 2 sisters and their adult daughters. The Ritz is certainly not cutesy. It's classy. The cute little sugared violets and beaded doiles you see at LTT are nowhere in sight at the Ritz. It's Simple. Sophisticated. Scrumptious. First things first - where to park?!! On this Saturday afternoon we actually found street parking right on Stockton in front of the hotel and there were two other spots right around the corner on Pine. If we hadn't found street parking we would have parked at the Sutter/Stockton garage. If you park here - make sure you exit the garage on Bush (it's on the 2nd or 3rd floor of the garage and not at ground level). From the corner of Bush and Stockton you walk a short (yet steep) block up Stockton to Pine and voila! If you're walking up from Union Square - simple: take either staircase on the left or right side of the Stockton Tunnel (on the Sutter entrance of the tunnel) and you'll find yourself at Bush and Stockton! Anything to help my fellow-yelpers avoid paying for that ridiculous valet!!! But you don't want to know about parking - you want to know about tea! Since none of us wanted/needed alcohol this afternoon we all opted for the Traditional Tea for $36: -An entire pot of tea. You choose 1 of 18 different teas. Black, green, fruit, flower, decaf, herbal - they have it all! -Smoked salmon with pickled onion & caviar on dark rye sandwich -Cucumber, roquefort and walnut on white bread sandwich -Prociutto & melon on light rye bread sandwich -Egg & chive sandwich -Scones with devonshire cream and lemon curd -Various tea pastries. Today we got: banana macaron, chocolate macaron, lemon marshmallow, almond shortbread, pistachio tea cake, chocolate cup with cream and blackberry, tiny lemon tart and tiny chocolate tart What I noticed the most was the quality of the food. I come from a family of HIGHLY critical home chefs and bakers. The only item that didn't wow this rather "tough crowd" was the pistachio tea cake. For my mom and auntie to rave about food like this - it has to be done well. Food was FAR, FAR above LTT's. Oh and the best part?... I mentioned, while making my reservation, that we were celebrating Mom's birthday. And I was shocked when after we'd finished our tea sandwiches and pastries - the waitress brought out a complimentary order of strawberries and vanilla cream alight with 2 candles! Perfection! The fundamental Ritz service was evident. I don't exactly mean the waiters/waitresses (who were satisfactory) but the overall level of service. For example - I think we could have stayed 3 hours if we wanted to. We never felt rushed. No one hovered and we leisurely sipped the last of our pots of tea long after we'd finished eating. Top that with the birthday surprise and I was really impressed. This was worth the money for me. I'd never take a man near those tea pots - but an afternoon with women will most definitely be repeated in the near future.
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Miriam W.

Yelp
Had anyone besides my watermelon martini-swilling cohort been with me on the evening I visited the Ritz Carlton Lobby Lounge for drinks I'd have probably hated it. But his constant commentary on the patrons (moneyed old men), the art (staid and formal 18th and 19th century portraits), even how much the tapestries that hung near his head annoyed him was so entertaining I ended up loving the place. When stopping by for an after-work drink, follow these simple steps to ensure a good time amidst the Victorian decor: Step 1. Bring a sexy drinking companion (a big plus if he/she is ALSO funny) as there is nothing sexy about this lounge or the people who drink here Step 2. Sit by the window - you'll want to look out of it rather than at your fellow patrons Step 3. Order wine and forget about everyone else in this stuffy joint. . .

Angela R.

Yelp
The food was phenomenal. We each had pistachio and herb crusted salmon that was cooked perfectly and tasted very fresh. The sweet potato side was so delicious and had a unique profile with a pomegranate reduction. The wine was great and the service was exceptional!
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Shonna H.

Yelp
Afternoon Tea at The Ritz Carlton is only delightful if you are surrounded by good company. The service is luke warm and the wait staff were dressed a bit less casual than our group. I expected a bit more spit, shine and polish but for an experience that all should have, save your $ and make reservations. Tea and small chef pastry delights were nice but I went to Nordstrom's and really ate afterwards.
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AJ W.

Yelp
A group of us finally tried the high tea at the Ritz Lounge yesterday, as expected the tea room was elegant and service from the staffs were 5 star. There was live harp performance, the lady Laura was playing princess song by request for my 4 year old, what a nice touch. We tried various tea and they were good. I had very high expectation but was a bit disappointed. We ordered the Traditional tea option, it came with 4 piece of hors d'oeuvre instead of sandwiches, and the rest were yummy sweets (chocolate, scone, lemon cake, tart...). Overall it was very nice but it would have been more satisfying to see a better balance between food and dessert. I would still recommend this for a special occasion since it's so elegantly done.

Mike B.

Yelp
The hours for this restaurant are great, particularly the late hours. I got the branzino wrapped in prosciutto. excellent. I will definitely return when the option arises
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Jack P.

Yelp
It is a great place Perfect location The funny thing is that I have rented a car for $30 a day at the airport and I have it here at valet parking and they are charging me for $72.95 a night I think this could be the most expensive valet parking I have ever paid
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Karen B.

Yelp
Service during afternoon tea was Very, very, VERY disappointing. Keep this in mind: They only offer tea twice a month. Reservations must be made in advance. It's pricey. Most importantly, it's the Ritz. So there was such a high anticipation for experiencing a high caliber tea service that left us mesmerized. With that said, our server only checked up on us towards the end of our tea. She never bothered to even refill our tea. We had to constantly seek out other staff to refill our tea and water. I've been to tea service at the Palace and Rotunda. The Palace beats the Ritz hands down. We left so very disappointed, underwhelmed and annoyed at the lack of Ritz white glove service. Do yourself a favor and just go straight to the Palace or Rotunda. The only reason a two star is even deserved, aside from the fact that Yelp doesn't do 0 stars, was Travis who was kind enough to give our daughter a very awesome gift. The food was good. And Linda stepped up when our server disappeared forever on us.
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Michel G.

Yelp
Great place to grab a appetizer and some drinks. The staff is extremely helpful and always does their best to help you with all of your needs. Everyone is great at this place
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Kate B.

Yelp
On a recent weekend trip to San Francisco, we had early afternoon tea here. We had two 4 year old girls with us and they were so excited to get dressed up and eat tiny food. They were very accommodating with our dairy allergy and served my daughter hot chocolate soy milk. She was in heaven. The food was tasty and my tea was perfect. There was a harpist performing and she played some childrens music for the girls (Mary Poppins, Little Mermaid, etc.) which was very sweet. Overall the staff was very attentive and made it an enjoyable afternoon.
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Simon C.

Yelp
Came here on a Sunday for drinks only. Pros: Great service at the bar Ordered a regular beer but it was great. Great views of the courtyard of the Ritz and downtown SF. Fancy, fancy and posh for sure. Cons: Very expensive, to be expected I guess at the Ritz!
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Emily L.

Yelp
This is not the newest, trendiest Ritz Carlton I've been too (the decor is very out-dated), but: 1) Service is great. We had a reservation for 2 and the hostess gave us a table for 4 with comfortable couch seating (upon request). Our waitress was 7 months pregnant - but still had a great smile, checked on us every 10 minutes, just very available and attentive. 2) Tea sets were small, so if you have 2 people, you really have to order 2 sets ($35/each). But the food quality was good. See photo. Lots of yummy goodies: scones, tea sandwiches, cakes and petit fours. 3) Great harpist.
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Veronica M.

Yelp
A great space. It's polished. It's classic. It's quiet. If I'm going to be honest, & I'm going to be, then I have to say that I prefer this space to the restaurant, Parallel 37. If you sit at a table, you're sitting in these classic refined upholstered chairs. They're not passé, they're not modern. Think classic chic. Like Ralph Lauren. I could see Ernest Hemingway having a drink in this room in one of these chairs. Totally. Service is not exactly swift. Ok, it was slow. But that may be just because we went through a server instead of going to the bar ourselves. You reap what you sow. It definitely warrants a place on the best SF hotel drink list. The Big Four. Dirty Habit. The Tonga Room. Anzu. The Ritz Lounge. All gems. I'm still on the fence about MKT @ The Four Seasons. It was pretty meh. 4 stars.
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Patricia N.

Yelp
Sat at the bar, Jennifer was great! After a long day, I ended up with a Moscow Mule (made with Australian Bundaberg - yes!) and a bowl of warm olives. The Lounge servers are very friendly, the décor is perfect, and views are great!
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David D.

Yelp
Smart men drink tea. Or, rather, they take their ladies to tea. There's something about a high tea that is distinctly attractive to women. Perhaps it's the unhurried pace, the quiet atmosphere, and the opportunity for unlimited conversation. Eight years ago My Lady and I held our wedding reception here, a tea at the Ritz for our community. On our anniversary this year, it seemed like a natural way to celebrate. The service was still first-class. The room still looked like a ballroom in a European palace. The harpist was still there, and she was playing melodies that everyone, even the toddlers, could enjoy. Yes, there were toddlers. Rich people have children, too. There's nothing quite like having sandwiches and petits fours stacked on a three-tier service on your table. The prosciutto sandwich was amazing! The salmon sandwich was outstanding! Various things like the miniature eclair and the pecan tart entertained us with their taste, both in appearance and flavor. Reminding myself of my manliness, I ordered a tea called "Eros," which turned out to have an interesting combination of flavors. The waitstaff made us feel like royalty, and as we enjoyed our two orders of Royal Tea (including the Ritz-Carlton's special champagne), we remembered the elegance of our first visit and celebrated the longevity of our relationship that led to this visit. After we thought the meal was over, the staff brought in a surprise tray with "Happy Anniversary" written on it around another dessert! The afternoon was well worth the $107.31 + tip, which we would gladly pay daily if we were actual royalty, I'm certain.
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Nobu K.

Yelp
I used to like this place....a lot. Great, elegant atmosphere, fantastic service and Jazz. But when we walked in the other night, we noticed right away that there was NO PIANO! And, they used to have great, old paintings on the walls but they were gone, too. What's going on? So, we asked the waiter. He said that management decided to redecorate the Lobby Lounge. And they decided no Jazz anymore. Big Disappointed Sigh! The waiter was sorry, too. But, did you know they have sushi menu? Check the prices below: California roll with real crab meat......$27 Spicy tuna, BBQ eel and avocado roll.....$27 Lobster and avocado roll........$45 Tekka maki........$12 Toro-tetsu.......$19 And, Kappa-maki is..........drum sounds......... $10.!!!!!!!!!! Have you ever heard of $10 Kappa-maki? You know what the FXXX Kappa maki is, right? It's a Cucumber-roll, for crying out loud. Ten Bucks for a Cucumber roll! What kind of cucumber roll is it? 18 inches long? No, No. We didn't order it. There was a group sitting right next to us who ordered sushi. So, we decided to stay longer to see that how spectacular sushi would be.. When the sushi came to the table, we could tell by just looking at what they got that we were so glad we didn't order the sushi. I don't know what kind of fish they are using but it's very clear there is a huge mark-up! By the way, the rest of the sushi menu included... Nigiri, of course 2 pieces, tuna $12, hamachi $8, salmon $8, katsuo $8, unagi $9, toro $19, uni $19, 10 pieces nigiri combo $31, Sashimi 5 slices of tuna $27, Sashimi 9 slice combination $35, WHAT A RIP OFF! When you walk into the lounge, you won't miss the small sushi wagon right in front. Well, I will still go back there for a nice drink with the great service but I am sorry, I'll miss so much the piano and the live Jazz. I don't mind paying stopping in for a drink every once in while. But I DO MIND THE 10 BUCK CUCUMBER ROLL! I'll never order the sushi....that's for sure.