Pacific Cafe

We loved this place. It felt like you were stepping into the San Francisco of forty years ago, with worn wooden booths, dishes like Petrale Sole Newburg, and a very hospitable staff. As a young family in San Francisco, you often feel like your being tolerated through bared teeth until someone cooler can take the table. This was not the case here — this is definitely not a «kid’s restaurant,» but they could not have been nicer to our two-​year old. They don’t have a kids menu, so they just grabbed some fries and put them on a plate for her, gratis. There was a free scoop of ice cream at the end of the meal as well.
We will definitely be back… who passes up a free glass of wine?

We loved this place. A homey feel, tons of great food and free wine. Wonderful.
Also, for those of us with food allergies-​they make clam chowder that is dairy free and tastes rich and creamy. I was in heaven.

I went to the Café in a group of 4. It took us about 45 minutes to get seated, but we were given wine while waiting. Get there earlier than when you want to eat. This place gets crowded quick, and for good reason!
Once seated, the host was very friendly and funny. He kept filling our wine glasses and keeping us updated on the wait time while continuously joking with us. The food is pretty much all seafood. The wine isn’t bad, but be careful! They keep filling your glasses and you’ll get drunk real quick.
Verdict:
The atmosphere is cozy, but it can get noisy if the place is full. I’d recommend it to anybody who likes seafood and wine. Make sure you have some money to spend, because you’ll rack up a pretty sizable bill.

It’s old school and if you don’t understand it and must have new American then don’t bother. Honestly it’s very San Francisco. It’s as old as Herb Caen quotes and the famous twins that ran around downtown. Wooden booths with ocean prints and a melting pot of employees makes this spot a golden gem.
First of all for an entrée, you get a starter of soup or salad– read the menu board. Then you get a protein listed on the menu or again on the daily specials. You choose to have a side of potatoes, rice pilaf, a vegetable or French fries. And, if you’re waiting to be seated, the will give you house wine.
It’s mostly seafood, again I love this. The portions are generous, the staff is friendly but not overbearing. No sodas, just water or four different wines to buy by the glass. Again it’s not fuss and thrills just down to earth cooked meal. They also have Mitchell’s ice cream– four flavors to choose from. Two scoops per portion, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Now come during the week when it’s less crowded, no reservations are taken, so being a jacket.

The food is okay, but bringing it up to a solid 3 stars for the «free» add-​ons, like the complimentary wine while you wait and with your meal, and that each meal comes with choice of salad or soup (which worked perfectly for me because I wanted to try their soup anyway). Came here with a group of 5 for dinner around 6:30 and didn’t wait long for a table. I had the Filet of Sole Newburg which was a creamy dish that went well with the side of rice (you get choice of rice or potatoes… possibly something else but I can’t remember right now). Be careful when you eat this, because I did find some bones in there that I almost swallowed! For the soup, I went with the chowder which was fine– nothing special, but good ’cause it was nice and hot.
I doubt I’ll be back but it’s a cute little spot that kind of brings you back ’cause it’s been around so long. It’s on the expensive side for just okay food.

Great food. Great service.
I ordered the spicy snapper and crab cakes with both being outstanding.
One thing that surprised me was how crowded it was for early on a Thurs evening.
The weekends must be crazy. Well worth it though.

SO I’m gonna give this place 4 stars for the food, the ambiance and the service and the 5^th star for the free wine you get while waiting for a table.
This is a small place, opened in 1974 and totally a friendly neighborhood seafood spot.
We showed up at 6 on a Saturday, put in our name — No Reservations accepted– and waited outside, we were brought a legit pour of some Chablis for our wait. This was a great touch.
The host came around with refills several times. When we got in after 30 minutes or so we got a great booth table, this place is small so it gets cozy. We had a great server — Larry who has been there forever. Fresh bread and amazing butter on the table we ordered their house red which was pretty good– great for the price.
I had their clam chowder which was less creamy than I expected but very good. My wife had their shrimp louie salad which I tried a bit of and was thoroughly impressed. I went out on a limb and had their New York steak which was incredible– I know… it’s a Seafood joint so what am I doing ordering steak? This is something I often do and it was worth it.
All in all this place is greta, very cozy, super friendly and had a great vibe. It’s always a bit of a wait, but worth it for the food and totally worth it for the wine.

Another really great seafood place. The friend fish and fries was great. I went back for the shrimp with seasoning in broth I saw that made me gruel so i had to have it! I couldn’t stop considering it after seeing another reviewers Unilocal photos they posted! –LOL Free wine-​yep! Good service-​Yep! Friendly environment and even a little scenic! I recommend if you dig fish and are in this area even though there are piles of fish serving restaurants around here, this is a memorable tourist like atmosphere and fun!

Went in on a weekday evening. No wait. Service was still annoyingly slow. We tried to flag someone down over the course of 15 mins or so, and it took me glaring at the owner for someone to come over.
This was food that I could have prepared at home, but it would have tasted better (and been healthier) had I done so.
I had the Salmon and Baked Shrimp combo. I don’t eat dairy, so they prepared the food with olive oil instead of butter. I’d guess that this was where I went wrong, but my girlfriend had the newburg, and that was smothered in cheese and also super greasy.
My food was somehow both oily and bland. I’d shake this off and give it 2 stars normally, but the bill for this not so great meal came out to $ 90. There’s good seafood in SF. Go find it elsewhere!

Neighborhood place with a been here forever atmosphere High booths.
Met at the door with a glass of wine. Comfort food from the sea. I had an excellent petrale dore. Fresh, prepared with mushrooms. And capers Wish we had one in our neighborhood!

I enjoy coming out here and sip… chugging the free wine while you wait! The longer the wait the better. The host or hostess does her rounds every few minutes filling up wine glasses. The food is very good too. It’s a very enjoyable experience to
Come here.

Love the service. And free wine when you wait? Hell yes!!! After having a fourth of a glass, I was buzzing before I even sat down.
The bf and I ordered spicy snapper. I choose mine with broccoli, and he got his with rice. It comes with a side if clam chowder or oyster bisque. We finished the night off with a slice of fluffy cheesecake.
I will definitely be back!

Food: a quaint local place that provides simple and hearty fare without any fuss.
We ordered the English sole and the Newburg Sole, both of which we liked. It’s a casual place so presentation is lacking but the fish were fresh, cooked simply, and delicious.
Service: very friendly waiters who often checked in on us and offered us free glasses of white wine as we waited.
Ambiance: it’s very casual and the style is reminiscent of a Northern European pub.
It looks pretty British in my opinion.

Sustainable seafood.
Loved by all since 1974:
Loved by me since 2015: Free wine as you wait, petrole with tasty interior and amazing crusted parmesan exterior, choice of side and salad all for a more than reasonable $ 30.
In fact the biggest issue is trying to choose. Fortunately my companions were willing to give samples of the fresh salmon and grilled shrimp. Both would have been delicious alternatives.
Service was prompt, informative and focused. More time is spent making sure you order the right thing rather than small talk. Surprised there was no wait at 8pm on a Friday. Still got wine.
You get four stars.

Don’t really get the hype about this place. Yes, free wine is awesome, and yes, the servers are pretty nice. The clam chowder was not normal clam chowder and tasted like chicken soup. I ordered the scallops which, for over $ 30, I thought were going to taste like god. Yeah, nah. They were skewered and thrown on a grill, resulting in rubbery, burnt tasting scallops. Cassava does scallops way better and way less expensive.
My boyfriend ordered the parmesan halibut, which tasted like chicken was encrusted with what tasted like Kraft parmesan. He got «steamed potatoes» as his side which was literally two red boiled potatoes plunked on his plate. Like, not even cut up or anything. It was actually funny.
Salmon bisque was the one highlight of the meal.
In retrospect, my boyfriend and I are still disturbed by how expensive this meal was in comparison to the food.

Pacific Café is an absolute neighborhood classic. Yes, they ply you with cheap wine while you wait — perhaps this is why no one seems to mind. The crowd is convivial and talkative — not at all impatient, even when they are out in the cold.
Sumptuous seafood dishes abound. My favorite entrée is the Filet of Sole Newburg — $ 23.27. It’s rich, creamy and an absolute silky delight. It comes with soup or salad — both of which are served up in generous sizes.
The atmosphere is warm and cozy, and the staff makes you feel like a regular from the first visit.

A nearly perfect dining experience for seafood lovers — it’s no accident the place has ben around for 40 years! The crab cakes: excellent. The clam chowder and oyster bisque? Meh, at least on our most recent visit. But the entrées, including lightly breaded, perfectly cooked abalone medallions and two different seafood Newburg preparations, quickly drove any lingering soup-​related disappointment from our minds. Even the sourdough bread and butter were great.
The best seafood is always fresh, cooked perfectly, and prepared in ways that showcase the main ingredients. If you want some of the best seafood available in one of the best seafood-​loving cities in the world, go to Pacific Café — and enjoy the complimentary, surprisingly tasty free wine if there’s a wait!

I dare say that this place is a San Francisco institution as I have been coming here since the 80s and the food and service has remained consistent for decades. This place is not trendy, but a great neighborhood establishment with a devoted clientele. It can be a challenge to find parking and the restaurant does not take reservations; however, they will pour you glasses of complimentary Chablis until you are finally seated at your table. Hint: First seating is at 5pm when they open — thus if you miss the first seating, try to get there around 6pm for seating around 6:30pm which gives you time for the complimentary Chablis!
Tables are arranged in sectioned off booths with table cloth on each table. Bread and water served immediately and the menu (a small white board with hand written items) is brought to your table. Boston Clam Chowder is good while the Oyster Chowder could stand for more oyster brine. Entrees of sauteed, grilled, fried, or steamed items have always been consistent with each visit.
On our latest visit, we had Grilled Jumbo Scallops and Steamed Mussels (nice Wine? base with lots of mussels). So sopping good! We then closed out by sharing a slice of light Chocolate Mousse Cake. Service is excellent and unpretentious.
A San Francisco institution like the cable car…

A close friend who travels on board cruise ships as the boat doc once recommended this low key, low profile restaurant. He was very specific. «I have traveled around the world many times and I’ll dare say their Petrale Sole is one of the best I had anywhere.» I have to try PC, as I can’t ignore my doc’s orders! The restaurant was not fancy schmancy. In fact, it was basically no frills and down-​to-​earth… like starting dinner off with a boring loaf of sourdough with plain ol’ butter. The quaint exterior of the building gave PC a charming and old-​fashioned appearance, shrouded occasionally by the enveloping fog. The interior is congested with many tables and antique booths tightly jammed in every nook and cranny. It did exude a cozy and welcoming aura once you step inside not to mention the cool glass of complimentary white wine in your hands for having to wait for a table.
I was amazed as to how simple the menu was. There were only three basic styles of cooking… Baked or grilled or pan-​fried. Add in a couple of soups and salads and there you have it, the whole menu of PC in a nutshell.
We wanted to start off by sharing an order of sautéed and pan-​fried calamari steak. Since it appeared in the menu only as a dinner entrée ($ 18.75), my server cleverly suggested ordering the entrée without the sides and she knocked $ 6.00 off from the entrée price. Sounded like a deal! Calamari is relatively cheap, in abundant supply and ecologically sustainable. PC’s calamari was first pounded, egg washed and batter dipped and lightly fried to give the calamari a golden brown crust. In spite of its tough or rubbery reputation, the texture of PC’s calamari was so super tender that a fork was all you needed. Coupled with the lip-​smacking egg batter, the tender steak earned a well deserved 5 stars. I was told the abalone was prepared much the same way but at $ 45 a pop, I’d rather stick with calamari and try my luck at diving for abalone off the Mendocino coast!
Petrale sole ($ 24.95), a Pacific Coast fish, is prized for its delicate, mild and sweet flavors. The fillets were quickly sautéed and pan-​fried with a sauce of white wine, shallots, butter and herbs. PC then plated the fillets with sautéed button mushrooms, a sprinkling of capers and a gentle squeeze of lemon. The sauce wasn’t overwhelming so I can still taste the natural flavor of the fish. Even though the prep sounded so simple, I can’t somehow make it to taste this good at home! The carb of choice was rice pilaf that tasted exquisite like fried rice and good to soak up the excess sauce. I guess my doc was right about the sole, though I think I had better elsewhere. (4 stars). Besides, the calamari had the edge!
The Spicy Red Snapper ($ 20.68) didn’t have the «wow» flavor I’d hoped for but my wife said it was still a keeper in the menu. I personally think that the fish was a tad over grilled and the meat a little drier than I would like. It was labeled as spicy but not in any true sense of the word. The outer crust of the snapper had a robust, tangy char of some kind of mixed Cajun spices and herbs, cayenne pepper perhaps being the most discernable. (3.5 stars). The red snapper’s meat was a little firmer and did not have the melt-​in-​your-​mouth quality like the sole.
All in all, a great seafood place… the price is right; the food is unpretentious and seafood perfectly executed. I just love old established restaurants like this one. Parking can be a challenge in this neighborhood. No reservations are taken and the system is kinda funky and disorganized. A lady comes around to take your name without writing it down and then pours you a glass of white wine!

Five Star Service here at Pacific Café !!!
The staff are friendly and accommodating with a gratis glass of white wine while you wait for a table, and can even bring that glass once seated and finish it off for free too.
The food here is excellent, ‘tho because it is fresh seafood, the menu I think varies and changes as well as not having the most robust of selection to choose from, but adequate enough to find something most people (who enjoy seafood, whether fish or shell fish) can find appetizing.
I had a SOLE and it was under $ 20 and was deliciously prepared, coming with some sourdough bread as well as fresh fries (and options for other sides) and a salad (I had a shrimp louis).
The portions are satisfying as well, and prices are reasonably fair.
Parking in the area, the outer Richmond district can be tough at times, but if you have luck, karma and perfect timing on your side, you may be blessed with a front space, but if not, and you’re willing to talk, a free non-​metered space can be had fairly easily.

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Un barrio favorito venerable … que sirve comida fresca preparada por chefs detrás de un mostrador abierto .
El servicio es amable … ambiente informal.
Compartimos Tortas de Cangrejo con ensalada … y Salmón al Horno con Camarones en mantequilla de ajo derretida. El pan casero era perfecto para sumergirse en la mantequilla de ajo. Dado que la comida se prepara fresca tomará un par de minutos antes de que se sirve.
Precios razonables … $ 60US incluyendo la propina, por 2.