Best Contemporary American Restaurants in Cow Hollow

Perry’s is our favorite restaurant in SF. I would describe it as a European casual-neighborhood vibe. A great location for lunch or dinner. Service is always good. Staff is super nice. And the menu has entree size (big) salads! Never had a bad meal here & we eat here often. Perry’s has become our “go to” restaurant. Outdoor “sidewalk cafe” has a nice vibe & easy parking in a parking garage (right next door).

We went to The Brixton for a Valentine’s Day dinner, and while we have seen this place in the neighborhood for a few years, and longer, this was our first time dining here. They gave my wife a rose, which was a VERY nice touch and this place was packed and everyone was also here for a Valentine’s Day dinner, as to be expected. Being packed, I think, absolutely affected the food quality. It wasn’t bad, and it wasn’t great either. We ordered cocktails that showed up quickly and we’re very tasty. Our appetizers were a spinach and artichoke dip, which was very tasty. The kale caesar salad with lima beans was good. My wife ordered the baked chicken which was lovely. I ordered the filet mignon - medium rare. It came out medium well. Despite sitting literally next to the kitchen, I saw how backed up it was and didn’t have the heart to send it back. The back-of-house resembled an episode from “The Bear”, because it was that busy. I just wish I got a steak knife and our server was so swamped, I couldn’t catch her to get one. I would like to point out that our server was as sweet as can be, along with the other staff handling our food. I think the biggest miss of the night was when we ordered dessert, and it was the sundae. I think it took us anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour to get it. I mean we didn’t mind because it allowed us to stretch out our date, yet didn’t The Brixton want to turn over our table? They could have easily asked us if we wanted more cocktails while we waited, and we would have absolutely ordered more, because why not?. This would have resulted in ordering something with higher profit margins and they could have then comp’d us on the sundae for the long wait, which would have changed the trajectory of this review, and of the immediate possibility of giving this place another try. Would I go back to The Brixton? Maybe. I’ll give them a little grace for being busy. Just a few miscues altered my overall impression & experience.

Our server treated us so well on Valentine’s day. With quick service and a beautiful view, we definitely recommend and will be coming back! Also the food was great and not too pricey.

We got lucky getting the best table in the restaurant, across from the bar in a nook under the stairs, so we easily heard each other! We chose a plant forward menu and our waiter Kai (sp?) decided on the order of the dishes. I’d trust his judgment again because we had a great time. The pigs head hid a shaved fennel and pear salad underneath. I delightfully learned how different parts of fennel tastes when shaved so finely. The Hokkaido scallops were soooo good and fresh and compared to a sushi restaurant, a very good value. My partner normally doesn’t like shellfish but he loved the scallops. We ended the savory portion of the meal with the seaweed noodles and the grilled cabbage with dill pickle butter and roe. Both plates had amazing, complimentary sauces and Kai brought us some bread to savor the last drops. The One Punch Man cocktail complemented entire the meal so well with its fruity yet creamy flavor. We got the chocolate semifreddo for dessert for the texture. It had a toasted umeboshi meringue that tasted like dates if they were slightly pickled. I left food drunk and with very happy tastebuds. I loved the restraint in all the flavors. I think a lot of dishes could’ve easily gone sideways in less capable hands, or even the meal because this menu had a lot of citrus and pickled items, and instead they nailed it just right.

It is always a special experience to dine at the Rotunda because it is so much a part of San Francisco history and a beautiful venue! My friend Manuel had never been there so he had a blast seeing the space and enjoying the food. Ralph, our server, was polite and attentive and the food was good as always. I do enjoy a place where I am already recognized by the hosts especially since one feels like one is being greeted by family. :)