First Crush Restaurant Wine Bar & Lounge
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 982-7874
Fax: (415) 982-7800
- Cross Street:
- Ellis Street
- Specialties:
- Wine Bar
- Best of Citysearch:
- Wine List 2008, Romantic Date Spot 2008, Wine List 2007
- Hours:
- Sun-Wed 5pm-11pm, Thu-Sat 5pm-12am
Message from First Crush Restaurant Wine Bar & Lounge
SF's favorite spot for dates, groups, meetings and celebrations.
- Award Winning Wine List
- Great for Group Dining
- Seasonal California Cuisine
Paid advertisement by First Crush Restaurant Wine Bar & Lounge.
Editorial Review for First Crush Restaurant Wine Bar & Lounge – by Joanna Currier
The Scene
The attractive street-level dining room is busy with tourists, shoppers, and yes, first dates. A low, tin ceiling and tinted windows deepen the room's wine-red walls and accents. Hand-thrown, eggshell-hued dishes in irregular shapes add touches of whimsy to crisp, white-topped tables. Service is smart, efficient, and patient with the exclusively California wine list. A small, back bar upstairs accommodates after-work oenophiles, while downstairs a larger, cavernous wine "grotto" lures private groups.
The Food
The menu of simple California favorites is divided into small and large plates. Appetizers are fresh, colorful and presented like gifts--"Crush" oysters served warm with bacon and chard, and sashimi of tuna crudo with green olive tapenade. Larger dishes include pan-roasted chicken breast, diver scallops with a cauliflower puree and grilled rack of lamb with cranberry beans, pearl onions and glazed radishes, all with sweet, tangy sauces and reductions.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkWine flights--three glasses poured a third each ranging from $10-$15--are a good idea and a good deal.
What to EatNot too hungry? The $17 cheese plate offers a lovely international selection with plenty to share with a group.
ExtrasSave room for dessert, there is a vanilla cupcake trio, a decadent lavender vanilla bean creme brulee, and a thyme infused lemon tart.
User Reviews for First Crush Restaurant Wine Bar & Lounge
11/11/2008 Posted by jennnaka
My first visit to First Crush was a disaster and I can honestly say I will never go back. Despite the fact that we had reservations, apparently we didn't reserve far enough in advance and were seated in the bar area upstairs. There is nothing remotely romantic about this area as it is loud and there are waiters rushing back and forth with drinks, and I couldn't move my chair back because there was a pipe sticking out of the wall blocking it. We tried asking the hostess if we could be seated downstairs, and clearly she was used to people getting upset by second rate seating because she tossed her hair and gave us an incredibly rude response. In fact, I think she made me more mad than the bad seating did! This trip really ruined our evening and put both of us in a bad mood. We should have done what we saw several other people do and leave as soon as it was clear we were getting 'second rate' seating.
10/31/2008 Posted by more4meplease
With so many places in SF to eat at, very few can be a memorable experience.. First Crush is not one of them. I am now a fan of this place! Although it was just me, table for one, I was treated like a VIP. Seriously, I was greeted and seated from the moment I walked in, catered to without having to famously “flag ” my server down, and yet, with all of the attention, I was still able to relax peacefully and enjoy my flight of wine. The food was excellent and my chocolate dessert was very rich and sinful.. I Couldn't have chosen a better spot for my quiet dinner alone.
