Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
oChef » The Tailor’s Son – San Francisco
The Tailor's Son - San Francisco
Photo from The Tailor’s Son
The Tailor's Son at a glance
San Francisco Japantown
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $51–$60
mentioned by 70 of the guests
#1686 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#210 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Good
6.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
449
Reviews
65.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful dishes
- Romantic decor
- Happy hour
Frequently criticized
- Loud environment
- Slow service
- Small portions
The restaurant The Tailor’s Son, located in the vibrant Japantown neighborhood of San Francisco, offers an exceptional dining experience. You’ll discover an upscale and romantic atmosphere perfect for any occasion, complemented by a truly great wine list.
Whether you’re seeking a cozy dinner or a trendy spot for drinks, this San Francisco gem promises memorable moments.
Overview: Introducting The Tailor's Son
The Tailor’s Son offers a dining experience where the ambiance often sets a romantic tone, though some find it can get quite loud. While the food receives considerable praise for its flavors, there are occasional concerns about consistency and portion sizes.
The service generally aims to please, with staff often described as kind. However, some experiences highlight challenges with attentiveness and speed.
Despite these points, many guests find aspects of their visit quite enjoyable, particularly the culinary offerings and the overall setting.
Good
6.9
out of 10
449
Reviews
65.3%
Satisfaction
126
negative
30
neutral
293
positive
The Tailor’s Son holds a respectable 6.9 overall score, indicating a generally good experience, though customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 65.3%. This assessment comes from a significant volume of feedback, with 293 positive remarks against 126 negative ones, out of 449 total comments.
Diving deeper, the Food (7.5) is clearly a strong point, often highlighted for its quality and flavor. The Ambience (6.9) also contributes positively to the experience.
However, opinions on Service (5.7) are more varied, and Value (4.5) appears to be a notable area where many feel there’s room for improvement.
What people like
- Flavorful dishes
- Romantic decor
- Great happy hour
What people don't like
- Loud environment
- Slow service
- Small portions
If you prioritize a pleasant setting and well-prepared dishes, The Tailor’s Son is worth considering. The 7.2 recommendation score suggests many find it a worthwhile visit, especially for its culinary offerings and inviting atmosphere.
However, be mindful of potential noise levels and manage expectations regarding portion sizes and overall cost. While the food often shines, inconsistent service and perceived value might temper the experience for some diners.
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Verdict: Our expert take on The Tailor's Son
Food (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, things are looking pretty good! With a solid 7.5 score and 73.6% customer satisfaction, many guests are raving. Out of 250 comments, 184 were positive, frequently praising dishes like the pork ragu rigatoncini, burrata appetizer, and seafood risotto, often described as authentic Italian food with homemade pastas.
However, not everyone was completely won over, with 49 negative comments noted. Some diners felt the portion size could be an issue, while others mentioned food being too salty or issues with cooking oil. There were also occasional remarks about dishes being overcooked or undercooked.
Food
250
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
49
negative
17
neutral
184
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious authentic Italian
- Homemade pastas shine
- Phenomenal flavor profiles
What people don't like
- Portion sizes small
- Inconsistent food quality
- Dishes too salty
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant has been wonderful every time I've visited. I've consistently received fantastic food and service. It's a great spot for both brunch and dinner, offering a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
- drinksdrinks but they were definitely the best
- pastathe meatballs, steak tartare and pasta were most memorable
- risottohighly recommend the risotto here – simply a phenomenal flavor profile!
- FoodFood:4
- focacciaI enjoyed the Caesar salad with grilled chicken, which was served with a very fresh and crispy Escarole salad that was well-seasoned. The focaccia was also excellent – very moist and tender. Our group of four all enjoyed our lunch.
- vegetarian optionsThey have fully vegetarian options in the menu, tried mushroom pasta and it was pretty yummy!
- BudinoThe Budino and tiramisu delicious!
- appetizersThe appetizers... were all absolutely delicious!
- bucatiniThe bucatini was so good and so chewy
Frequently criticized
- foodridiculously overcooked while my partner’s were somehow undercooked
- drinksMain course came out before my drinks.
- pastaThe pasta tasted like it was reheated leftovers
- portion sizethe portion was minuscule
- Apple CrispApple Crisp, but it was a bit of a letdown — it was more like warm, soggy apples
- Di Mare risottoThe lemon in the Di Mare overpowered the dish, and barely had any seafood in it
- Italian foodItalian food is all about big portions. I think they missed that.
- Orata alla LigureI couldn’t finish the dish
- black ink pastaThis significantly impacted the dining experience, making it a waste of $75 per person. While the food was good overall, the black ink pasta was way too spicy. It wasn't a good dining experience, and I was disappointing.
- carbs with carbsI wouldn’t recommend getting carbs with carbs.
If youre seeking delicious Italian fare with many standout dishes, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful of potential inconsistencies in portion sizes or seasoning, and youll likely have a great meal. It's a solid choice for a satisfying culinary experience.
Service (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 69% of the guests
Based on 110 comments, the service here often shines, with many guests praising the efficient service and friendly staff . Youll find fantastic recommendations and gracious, kind service from servers who go above and beyond, making for a pleasant experience. The overall score for service sits at an 5.7, indicating an average performance.
However, its a bit of a mixed bag, with 50.9% customer satisfaction and 50 negative remarks balancing out the 56 positive ones. Some experiences point to significant waiting time , poor staffing , and rude attitudes from wait staff or the hostess , leading to slow service and a lack of attention.
Service
110
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
50
negative
4
neutral
56
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, kind staff
- Efficient, quick service
- Great recommendations
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Rude, unbothered staff
- Poor staffing issues
Often praised
- serviceDespite initial concerns that the family-style option ($58 per person) might not be enough, we were absolutely stuffed, with no shortage of food and plenty of leftovers to take home. The service was prompt, and the servers were all genuinely kind and sweet. I absolutely loved celebrating my birthday here and cannot recommend it enough!
- ServiceService was good
- servertrusted the server to select a white wine
- staffThey really went above and beyond to make us happy
- managerThe manager was so kind and constantly checked in with me
- babies and childrenSo incredibly kind to babies and children
- bar staffthe bar staff makes some mean drinks
- bartenderTheir bartender is amazing
- customer serviceHappy with the customer service!
- dog clienteletake care of the dog clientele well
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service, another movie…we drink 3 coffees all were brought spilled all over, no napkins, just left like this on the table, rude behaviour in general
- serverLight red-haired female server was EXTREMELY rude
- ServiceService was extremely slow
- hostessespecially the hostess
- waiting timewaited for more than one hour to eat
- waitressthe waitress was getting frustrated because we couldn’t hear her.
- asking for a thingyou had to ask for a thing like 3-4 times and maybe just maybe they brought it
- attentiontook forever to get her attention
- attitudeit was taken out on us, the diners
- bar seatingtold that I can only sit at the bar
Service here seems to be a roll of the dice; you might get a fantastic, attentive experience or face long waits and unenthusiastic staff. If you're willing to take a chance, you could be pleasantly surprised, but be prepared for potential inconsistencies.
Ambience (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 56% of the guests
When it comes to the ambience, this spot generally hits a good note, scoring a 6.9. Many guests rave about the gorgeous, airy, and bright decor, often describing it as rugged yet romantic. With 48 positive comments out of 74 total, the vibe is frequently praised as a great date spot, offering intimate spaces, tall ceilings, and a pleasant noise level.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a 64.9%, indicating a mixed experience for some. A few of the 17 negative comments point to a noisy atmosphere, especially during dinner, with loud music and tables feeling too close. Some also mentioned tight spaces, being seated in the cold, and concerning pest sightings, which can definitely dampen the mood.
Ambience
74
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
17
negative
9
neutral
48
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Stylish, romantic decor
- Quiet, intimate vibe
- Great date spot
What people don't like
- Loud, noisy atmosphere
- Tight, close tables
- Pest concerns
Often praised
- atmosphereThe food, service, and atmosphere were all excellent
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambianceThe highlight here is the ambiance: the decor is rugged and romantic
- vibeI highly recommend the risotto here – it has a simply phenomenal flavor profile! This restaurant definitely has a great date or intimate gathering vibe. The portions are good for splitting, making it a great date spot.
- decorthe decor is rugged and romantic. It's modern and classical
- placeVery nice and spacious Italian place
- Noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- areaThe area really is lovely
- barI haven’t eaten here yet, but the food looks good. My experience was centered around the beautiful, light-filled white marble bar. I had the very best martini I’ve ever had, which contained both gin and vodka, orange bitters, and a drop of white balsamic vinegar.
- bar tablegot a little bar table in the window nook
Frequently criticized
- Dinner timeDinner time is very loud.
- atmospheredoesn’t match the loud and uncomfortably close the tables were.
- claustrophobicit can be a bit claustrophobic for me
- dining experienceWhile the food was good overall, the black ink pasta was way too spicy. It wasn't a good dining experience, and I was disappointing. I could not recommend this restaurant and will not go back.
- disgusting placepay for the dinner at this disgusting place
- mousea mouse ran over my friend’s foot
- musicstarting with the music, we couldn't hear each other
- noise and loud musictoo noisy and with loud music
- noisy atmosphereMuchisimo ruido
- people and wait staffKept getting bumped from behind by people and wait staff
If you're seeking a stylish, romantic setting with intimate spaces, this place could be a great choice, especially during quieter times. Just be aware that it can get quite noisy and crowded, with some concerns about tight seating and occasional pests, so manage your expectations.
Value (4.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
When it comes to value, it's a bit of a mixed bag here. While the overall customer satisfaction for value sits at a rather low 33.3%, and the score is an average 4.5, some guests did find bright spots. Based on 5 positive opinions out of 15, many enjoyed a well priced bottle or a great happy hour deal, noting the wine list was quite reasonable.
However, the majority of feedback, with 10 negative opinions, points to significant concerns. Many found the prices to be expensive, citing a disappointing price to portion ratio and even feeling it was a waste of money. There were also mentions of an unusual charge for employees benefit, adding to the perception of poor value.
Value
15
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
10
negative
0
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great happy hour
- Reasonable wine list
What people don't like
- High prices
- Small portions
- Unexpected charges
Often praised
- happy hourThey have a great happy hour
- happy hour dealgreat happy hour deal!
- pricemenu was priced fairly
- well priced bottleenjoyed a well priced bottle
- wine listwine list that focuses on flavour's instead of cost as the wine list is very reasonable
Frequently criticized
- priceThe service was terrible, and the host was incredibly mean for no apparent reason. The food was completely mediocre and overpriced. I would advise against going here.
- pricesthe prices are very expensive
- charge for employees benefit5 % charge for employees benefit ??
- costThe food was tasty, and I particularly enjoyed the agnolotti. However, the portion size was minuscule, which I found to be way too little for the cost. I left the place hungry, and as an Italian accustomed to the standard size of a primo piatto, I was surprised by the skimpy portions, especially without house bread and olive oil with balsamic vinegar.
- expensiveVery expensive for a distasteful food
- parkingDifficult to find parking
- price to portion ratiodisappointing, primarily due to the price to portion ratio
- waste of moneyA waste of $75 per person
If youre eyeing a great happy hour or a reasonably priced bottle from the wine list, you might find some good value. But for regular dining, be prepared for potentially high prices and small portions that could leave you feeling like its not worth the cost.
How are the prices at The Tailor's Son?
On average, you’ll spend around 60 per person – from 70 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $51–$60 category. For a Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at what other diners spend, prices are quite spread out. While many find options in the $31–$40 range, there’s also a good number of people spending much more, even up to $91–$100, showing a wide range of experiences available.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 70 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
For a restaurant in San Francisco at this price point, we’d say the pricing feels fair if the quality of the food, service, and ambiance truly deliver a memorable experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about The Tailor's Son
Price per Person
- $61–$70
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
6
Delicious Mains, Disappointing Dessert & Service
My experience at The Tailor's Son was a mix of highs and lows. The food was generally great, with both the Spaghetti all’Aragosta and the Cappellacci di Zucca being delicious and well-prepared. However, the Apple Crisp for dessert was a letdown, described as 'warm, soggy apples with raisins and a scoop of gelato' rather than a true crisp.
While the main dishes were solid, the service definitely missed the mark. Our waiter was inattentive, not checking on us after the food arrived, and the overall experience felt rushed. It's a shame because the food itself was enjoyable, but the service detracted from what could have been a great dining experience.
- Spaghetti all’Aragosta9
- Cappellacci di Zucca9
- Apple Crisp3
- service2
- experience3
Price per Person
- $51–$60
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Expensive and Disappointing Experience
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the high prices and poor food quality. While the service was okay, the cost of items like $8 for a piece of bread and $8 for a non-alcoholic beverage felt ridiculous. The main plates, such as the $28 risotto, were not a generous portion size, making them expensive.
Additionally, the 5% charge for employee benefits was unexpected, as I believe it's the restaurant's responsibility to cover employee costs, not the customer's. I will not be returning and suggest the restaurant evaluate its policies to retain future customers.
- service5
- prices2
- food quality2
- piece of bread1
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Loud
10
Authentic Italian Gem with Excellent Food and Service
My experience at this restaurant was excellent. The food quality was outstanding, offering authentic Italian food. The pasta was superb, and the seafood risotto was spot on.
I trusted the server's recommendation for a white wine to pair with my linguine a la Vongole, and she absolutely nailed it. The Budino and tiramisu were delicious! I also had a nice chat with the manager who stopped by to check on things, which added a personal touch to the evening.
- food quality10
- authentic Italian food10
- pasta10
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
6
Disappointing Delivery of Flavors
I visited this restaurant last Friday for dinner with a friend, and while it had its moments, the overall experience was disappointing. The service felt cold and unbothered, particularly from the hostess. Despite the busy rush, our food arrived in a timely manner.
However, the food itself was a letdown. On the positive side, the bruschetta with burrata was excellent, with high-quality, warm bread. The zucchini and eggplant skillet was also very flavorful and comforting.
Unfortunately, the crudo had a horrible smell and was clearly not fresh, which was a significant disappointment even after sending it back. The clam linguini had a good flavor, but the sauce was excessively watery, pooling at the bottom instead of coating the pasta, which was also overcooked and mushy. The tiramisu had too much liquor, though the mascarpone itself was nice.
Ultimately, the restaurant had good flavors but failed in execution and quality.
- bruschetta with burrata9
- zucchini and eggplant skillet8
- clam linguini5
- service2
- hostess2
- food2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Exquisite Martini and Beautiful Bar
I haven’t eaten here yet, but the food looks good. My experience was centered around the beautiful, light-filled white marble bar. I had the very best martini I’ve ever had, which contained both gin and vodka, orange bitters, and a drop of white balsamic vinegar.
It was served in an elegant ice-cold filigreed glass. Exquisite. đź‘Ś
- bar10
- martini10
- glass9
What The Tailor's Son offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Brunch reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
- Restroom
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Curbside pickup
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid parking garage
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Upscale
- Romantic
- Cozy
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and dining options can you expect at The Tailor's Son?
At The Tailor’s Son, you’ll find an atmosphere that is upscale, romantic, cozy, and trendy, perfect for various occasions. You can enjoy a full range of dining options including brunch, lunch, and dinner, all with comfortable table service and delicious dessert selections.
What service options and accessibility features does The Tailor's Son provide?
The Tailor’s Son offers flexible service options including dine-in, outdoor seating, takeout, and convenient curbside pickup. For accessibility, you’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
What is the overall verdict for The Tailor's Son?
The Tailor’s Son holds an overall score of 6.9, with Food scoring well at 7.5 and Ambience at 6.9. However, Service (5.7) and especially Value (4.5) are areas where opinions are more mixed.
What do customers enjoy most about The Tailor's Son?
Many guests appreciate the restaurant’s food, particularly dishes like risotto and pasta, and the overall ambiance, often described as romantic and well-decorated. The bar and its drinks also receive positive remarks.
Are there any common complaints about The Tailor's Son?
Some diners report issues with the noise level, particularly during dinner, and occasional slow or rude service. Concerns about portion size and the overall value for money are also frequently mentioned.