Fly Trap Reviews

Upon arriving to the location, we were seated for our large party immediately and noticed the charming decor. Beautiful and romantic. The only drawback was the live singer accompanied by a piano that sang really loud. We requested she sang softly and noticed the staff would applaud louder after every song. Finally when she finished and had to eat dinner herself. We were relieved and could hear our conversations and enjoyed the meal. The Celery Victor was different and enjoyable, server was wonderfull and attentive. Food was delicious and we received a treat of Port wine for dessert afterwards, from our server for the inconvienence earlier.

Had a dinner date here last week. The drinks and food were great. Valen was amazing. Great service and she read us immediately. We had a lot of fun and will definitely be back. The outside eating area was clean and each table had individual heaters because it did get a little chilly. All of the employees were wearing masks. Highly recommend!

Everything from interior to execution felt like an average upscale bar. Not a noisy Irish pub kind of bar, far better than that but still it's your average upscale bar. Everything was according to this expectation. Service was ok, food was ok and both beer and wine ok as well. Nothing really stepped outside this expectation track.

Went for an early dinner. Easy to make reservations through Open Table and received an email confirmation. Arrived about 20 minutes late but there was no problem with seating. Most of the bar crowd was there but the diners did not show up until 7. Sampled appetizers and one main course. Hummus was a generous mix of three varieties but the additions thinned the hummus a bit too much without adding much flavor. Also was served chips rather than my preferred flat bread. Olive sampler was a generous mix of four varieties. Risotto cake was excellent and accompanied with ample mushrooms. Brussel sprout side was fried and served with a sauce where I would have preferred broiled and without the sauce (which is not mentioned or I would have asked for it on the side). Short rib was moist and tender but accompaniment was too much and not very flavorful Wait staff was attentive but not overbearing. Speakeasy atmosphere was a nice touch.

More bar than restaurant? I don't know. Very nice place, but what you might think is a traditional dish is just different enough from the standard that I lost interest. I guess it's an acquired taste.

This is a dimly lit, warm and inviting restaurant. Serves good drinks and service is friendly. However food was bad to average. We shared the Brussels sprouts which were ok but in SF you can find amazing Brussel Sprouts so this didn't impress. I ordered the Risotto which was so sweet I couldn't eat it. On the plus my friends Seafood Linguine was pretty good.

We booked a reservation here after reading over great Yelp reviews and they were right! We loved this place. We were seated right away at a cozy little table looking out into the equally cozy and tastefully decorated outdoor area. Our server greeted us immediately, and when questioned about an item on the menu was super knowledgeable. For appetizers we went with the "famous" Pistachio Meatballs & the Bone Marrow. The meatballs came out first and they were superb! I could eat those every day. There is a recipe for them I found online, and you can bet I'm going to give it a try. The bone marrow was also fantastic, and came with a nice mango chutney that basically turned our appetizer into an indulgent dessert (that's good in my book). My husband ordered the goat, which he said was very good, and I believed him because he cleaned his plate. I ordered the mushroom saffron risotto, also good, but it didn't blow me away like our appetizers. The flavors were all very well paired and although not a huge portion, it was filling, and I ended up eating only half my plate. I do always try to keep room for dessert. We ordered the cardamom panna cotta with pistachio and saffron to share. Excellent way to end a great meal. The only regret I have is I ate too much before dessert and missed out on trying a second dessert. Next time we're in San Francisco, I'm positive we will be back to Fly Trap. Until then, I'm going to try out that meatball recipe.

Love this place. Discovered it on my last trip to San Fran and even though it was a longer walk this time, it was a must. Atmosphere is a relaxed elegance. Lamb is definitely the specialty of the house. Excellently prepared. Can't wait to return

The drinks were a generous pour in cute quirky glasses. The food was excellent. The soup was super flavorful. The cheese platter accompaniments were perfect.

We eat dinner and we were not real hungry so we split a salad and an entree. We started with the greek salad, which was good and as expected. The server without us asking brought us separate plates and utensils to service our salad. We then split a lamb stew which was tasty and different we both really like this dish and again we were provide separate plates and utensils. The service was outstanding and the food was very good,

I have passed this place easily 100 times and always meant to visit. I really love middle east spices and they have those down here. Interior is cozy, kinds of a casual bar and some private tables for 2 or 4 in the back. We were lucky to do a walk in at 7:00 on a Sat eve. no waiting, we tried 4 items, Spring Salad w/ roasted beets, butternut squash, kale, chicories, pumpkin seeds, goat cheese, balsamic dressing ( could have used a bit more kick but the - the seasoning was there) Pistachio Meatballs- Outstanding choice ,very unique complex flavors in a rich sauce def. a signature dish Braised Lamb w/ potato, chick peas, turmeric, preserved lime, lavash and torshi- Good not great, kind of depends what you want from these dishes, a little more richness maybe. Pearl Cous Cous Cacciucco - Kind of an Iranian Cioppino, prawns, dungeness crab, baby octopus, calamari, clams, mussels, sumac aioli- The flavors were great bright, fresh fish with a crispy toast on the side. I could eat 2 of these. Another winner & signature dish. This is worth a 2nd visit. The wine list was very good for the menu even by the glass. Did not get to desserts , but they sounded really good. Service was attentive and friendly. Food is unique,and ethnic with a Cali sensibility, professionally prepared, atmosphere can be romantic, not too noisy, perfect for couple or small groups of friends.

This is wonder ful place. The setting, decot and athmosphere arr work very well. Adventurous food, with Persian influences, interesting wine list and attentive staff.. Highly recommended.

An unassuming hip restaurant with a very imaginative menu. The light fare and casual atmosphere makes this a fun way to spend the evening.

The food is fantastic.. Totally worth trying.. It is a bit pricy.. But what can you expect, it's SanFrancisco !!..

Drinks were good, as was the food, slightly pricey, great vibe, would eat here again. Service was great, highly recommended.

This is a regular stop for the programmers (and they're all programmers or startup life) in the area. They have nice sitting places: in an adorable alley between buildings or in private rooms behind drapes. The bar is great and the bar tenders have always been friendly and known their cocktails! They have a wide selection of beers too, but really it's about the cocktails here!

This was the best meal that we had in California on our 8 day trip this time around. Everything was fresh, creative and delicious! Service was awesome. We went with family that goes often and the General Manager was a gem.

This was an unexpectedly excellent meal - the understated entrance and decor gave no hint to the enjoyable and reasonably priced dinner we had. My rating of 5, excellent, is based on the overall impression for the price, it was a good night out. The restaurant was busy, not too loud just a good atmosphere. Definitely somewhere I would be happy to return to.

Excellent comfort food with a Mediterranean flavor. My wife had the Cacciucco (fish stew served over Pearl Couscous) and thought it was excellent. I had the Braised Lamb which was also excellent; a lamb ragu with small potatoes and chick peas. The turmeric and lime in the dish provided an interesting and zesty addition to the flavor of the ragu. Initially I thought the portions were a little small but quickly realized that there was more than a sufficiency of the ragu. We shared a side dish of crispy brussels sprouts, also extremely tasty with an interesting season that I cannot now remember. I started with a glass of Verdicchio, very good though nothing notable about it. The red wine however was very different. It was called "Forlorn" (although that isn't very descriptive or helpful in identifying it precisely) and I think it is from a small winery in Napa. It was very unusual, with a strong fruit flavor and quite sweet, almost a desert wine. Clearly the restaurant has had customers balking at the wine as the server insisted I try it before committing myself. While I wouldn't enjoy simply sipping the wine it actually paired extremely well with the lamb, the seethes nicely offsetting the spiciness of the meat. The service and server were both excellent, the hostess and server were friendly and efficient. The restaurant itself is not particularly large and is a little noisy but it has a friendly, bustling ambience. The total bill for two glasses of wine, the fish, lamb, brussels sprouts and a coffee (excellent) was $96.55, including tax and before tip. They don't levy a "Healthy San Francisco" surcharge.

I had dinner here at the bar after a late-arriving flight. I was pleased to see some small plates on the menu which were perfect for this situation. I had the flatiron steak kabob, which was delicious. I would definitely eat here again!

Reserved on open table. Nice ambience for prolonged conversation, convenient location, excellent wait staff. Menu a bit limited. My serving of chicken was undercooked. Would be happy to return again to further sample their menu.

We stayed at The Courtyard by Marriott, 2nd Street, SF when we wanted a relaxed visit to the City to see the Giants play the Chicago Cubs in an afternoon game. Great game, Giants won 5-3! Came back to the hotel after and looked on line for a short walk for dinner. The Fly Trap! Oh my! Seemed like a lot of locals enjoying the atmosphere. A 2 minute walk from the hotel and beautiful space, great service and wonderful Mediterranean inspired fare! I highly recommend this place. I was skeptical: Fly Trap sounds like it could be a dive. Far from it. Classy and very cool.

We have been there many times and I waited so I make sure is not a one time experience. Dont miss the meat ball pistachio for starter which is my favourite and the brussels and the bread with spreads, the service is great the cheff himself comes to the table and explains the dishes so friendly and the ambiance is perfect only one problem sometimes it gets so noisy thats all I can think of. Thank you Fly Trap last night we had a blast.

My friends and I ate here recently and really enjoyed the meal very much. The menu is Mediterranean but with fresh & modern interpretations of the food. The food was very well prepared, fresh, exciting flavors and very interesting. The service was excellent, the prices were very modest and reasonable. Excellent value for the money. The decor was beautiful but the biggest negative was the noisy room which seems to stay noisy even when the restaurant is not crowded. Otherwise, we really enjoyed our meal.

Took my colleagues here for a business dinner, and regrettably 4/5 said they would not return. The highlights included the cocktails, ambiance, location and dessert (lemon meringue). For the price, the food was only average, with several not finishing their meals, and several leaving hungry due to small portion sizes (scallops). Also as the night wore on, the noise levels increased dramatically and it was hard to carry on a conversation. Don't regret visiting, but the vote was to not return.

My husband and I love Fly Trap. We've been eating there for more than four years and always have a great time there. The atmosphere is classy but still friendly, elegant but still cosy. The staff are amazing -- especially Valen, former bartender and now an owner! She makes us feel like we are family -- even on my first visit, she connected in a very special way with me. Also Brittany, the current bartender, is wonderful -- helpful, funny and another reason the restaurant feels like home. Did I say how yummy the cocktails are? Yes! Love them! And everything comes to you quickly and efficiently. Now on to the food, which is exquisite. The mediterranean influence is there but so are other new Valen-influenced sensory delights. We ate their last weekend and loved every single bite, from the fava bean dip, through the delicious eggplant dish, to the fabulous linguini with clams, prepared in a way I've never before tasted and is now my favorite preparation. Oh and the vegetarian meatballs were to die for. WE love Fly Trap. We celebrate important family events with Valen and the crew and will always return because it feels like coming home every time. Fly Trap is a precious gem in a crowded and frantic restaurant city.

This is a very old restaurant, founded in the late 1800s. We went there because it was near our hotel, and my husband's father used to take him there when he was a boy. The decor is pretty and certainly looks Old San Francisco. But to our surprise, the food was middle eastern. It was delicious!!!! I highly recommend

Ate here one time. It's right across the street from the hotel...Place was clean, food was decent, prices were average for Frisco....Worth a shot!

We headed down to Fly Trap on the recommendation of others. We had not booked ahead but on a few hours notice managed to grab a table for four. Our night started with some great cocktails (try their version of a Moscow Mule - yum) and quickly progressed into our meals. I had the rack of lamb, others had lamb shanks and the fish. Everyone was happy (in a rare moment of zero food envy) and although desserts were enticing we stopped there. The staff were also fantastic. All this helps justify prices slightly above what might be considered average - a test that had held true a few days on as we look back on the night positively

As we work just across the street, we've been coming to Fly Trap for happy hour for many years. The staff is always friendly and welcoming. The drinks are well-made, and the happy hour prices are a good deal for SOMA. And to top it all off, the restaurant has a classy, intimate feel.

We chose the grilled salmon. Nicely seasoned, juicy and warm. Was served with delicious jacket potatoes and green asparagus. The service was very attentive. Furthermore, a very pleasant atmosphere

Recently enjoyed dinner at the Fly Trap with my daughter while visiting San Francisco. We both enjoyed the experience from beginning to end! We ate in the smaller back room hoping to avoid the louder noise level in the front/bar area. The waiter was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. The menu is not extensive but a great variety of salads, small plates and larger plates. Daughter had chickory salad and scallops, both of which she loved and ate every bite. I had the black cod in parchment which was light, aromatic and yummy. Even though it was listed as a "larger plate" it was just the right portion for dinner, with no leftovers which can be annoying when traveling and staying at a hotel, with no use for the excess food the next day. Very happy with our choice and definitely recommend.

Absolutely out of this world!!!!! Would recommend to everyone. The food is stunning, the atmosphere is great.

New dishes with great flavors; unprecedented combinations. Similar to Lebanese food, but with flavors and new tastes.

Try and book before you come, most of the time I have been here , its crowded , collection of drinks is nice and service is good. Food is nice. It can get noisy ;-0

I stayed across the street at the Courtyard and ate an appetizer dinner here at the bar. I had: Roasted Eggplant “Kashk Bademjan” 13 Pistachio Meatballs 14 Sauteed Cauliflowers 9 and a grilled octopus dish that isn't on the menu on the web site. This place is nice because it has a good vibe of regulars (one of whom changed stools because he thought he was crowding me) and friendly bar staff. You can eat here on your own without feeling awkward and you can sample some really nice dishes. The wine list is eclectic too. This is probably not the place for a romantic dinner but for a business friendly, close to the hotels, not too expensive place it is very good. I also liked that the vegetarian choices were so delicious. I would bring veggie friends here from Moscone.

I came with a few friends for dinner. We arrived about 40 mins early (oops!) for our reservation, but they still seated us right away. The hostess was very nice and our drinks and appetizers were great, but it went downhill after that. I had the chicken breast jerusalem, and the chicken was very over done and dry. There was one tiny piece of artichoke, and the rainbow potatoes were unrecognizable. They could have been cream of wheat for all I know, not appealing. The whole dish was smothered by the sauce, very disappointing. I had the Baklava for dessert. What the menu neglected to say was that it was not traditional baklava, but their play on it, which was triangles of very dry phyllo, a scant portion of a nut mousse (? still not sure) a very salty persian cream, and some rose jam, which was the only saving grace. At least label it "deconstructed" or something. It was ok, and the service was good, but I won't be back.

We were staying at the Clancy across the street. We asked the front desk to recommend a place for dinner nearby and they recommended the Fly Trap. We walked across the street and checked it out. We were seated immediately and given menus. We ordered the following: - Chicken Skewers - Good. Chicken was tender, and chimichurri provided lots of flavour. - Fried Calamari - Good. Properly fried. Pretty light, and not too oily. - Rigatoni - Good. Nice sauce. - Cheeseburger - Good comfort food. Service was pleasant. Service was friendly and did everything right. Overall, good food and good service. I edged up the rating because the meal was a lot more affordable than what I would've expected in San Francisco. It was a nice visit.

Our group had very good and fast service featuring very stylish pub cuisine. Prices are mid to upper range. Service was very courteous and professional.

We stumbled into this place on a recommendation from the wine store around the corner and were pleasantly surprised. The restaurant was absolutely beautiful, intimate, and lively for a Tuesday night. We had a great bottle of wine - The Harrison Pinot Noir - to accompany a delicious meal of duck croquettes and pasta. Our server was working hard to cover a large section, but all tables seemed happy and well taken care of. We understand the challenges of reopening, and this place is doing everything right. We had a wonderful time, and will definitely be back the next time we visit San Fran! Thank you!!

It a city loaded with noisy party restaurants, it's nice to find one that is peaceful and where one can have a conversation. This has been one of our office lunch regulars, and is also good for dinner. Full bar.

This place has great food, ambiance, and is located in a cool up and coming part of town - South of Market. We went there with a group of 10 people or so and the service was great. Highly recommend.

Most people order what they know from past watering holes but you will be missing out if you don't ask to see the cocktail menu, very inventive, try the gold digger cocktail.

Delicious food! Great customer service and ambiance. Food was delicious and not pricey for what you get. We had the Brussels sprouts, calamari, meatballs and goat cheese. All appetizers were excellent. Then the ñoquis that in my opinion should be more tender. The chocolate mousse was to die for!!!! Love the experience.

One of our tour guides recommended this restaurant to us and it was right around the corner from the downtown Courtyard Marriott. It is a Persian restaurant with a large room with a bar up front, but there is a more private room in the back which is where we sat. The staff was attentive and the food was very good and reasonably priced. We had braised lamb with the humus appetizer and it was nicely prepared and not your typical fare that is served in other middle eastern restaurants.

Before the GF left for Switzerland, and I found this little gem 8 minutes from the apartment. It’s not often ( in the USA at least) that you can have a meal in an establishment that was founded in the 1800’s, and the name comes from the fact that the cavalry used to frequent the place, and the horses attracted flies, so they hung sticky fly paper ....and hence the name. Food was very good, with innovative dishes to share, wine was also reasonably ( for SF) priced, total bill $145 plus tip...so didn’t break the bank. Well worth a visit, and I certainly will be back.....

Small restaurant with a small menu comes up big on the savory scale. We very much enjoyed our visit to this SOMA bistro just off 2nd and Howard. Deftly prepared sauces, well seasoned entrees made for a delightful evening. Casual atmosphere with attentive service (for a pleasant surprise) in SOMA.

Stop! Don't miss their Coq Au Vin!!!

Came here on a rainy Tuesday...the place was pretty busy but we were able to get 2 spots at the bar. The place has a laid back, eclectic vibe with friendly service. We were here fairly late so mostly just getting a snack. We shared the Cream of Mushroom soup, Chicken Skewers (came with 3), and Warm Bread. The star was the soup - hot and comforting. The bread was a disappointment - small portion for $4 and was more like crusty crouton slices. Chicken skewers were juicy and had great flavor. With a cocktail and a beer, our tab came to around $55. A bit pricey for a late night snack but food was tasty.

The Fly Trap is the entire package-- amazing food, incredible service, warm and unpretentious staff, and beautiful design. I have been here a number of times in the past five years and I always leave feeling satisfied and sated. Chef Zare watches over the dining room and makes his guests feel that they are eating in his home. Zare's food is unique and creative: Mediterranean with a dash of Nouvelle Persian thrown into the mix. Try the pistachio meatballs, the bone marrow and goat cheesecake for dessert.

Amazing food and amazing down to earth Chef. We have been there several times and we were amazed by each dish. Thank you Chef Hoss Zare. My favorite Meatballs pistachio and pomegranate sauce.

Usually we love Zare. A full dinner or just stop in for an appetizer and drink, or dessert and a gass of port. But last night when we walked in, around 8:30 PM, seeing most of the tables in the front empty and noting that the bar was full, we asked for a table. The host led us to the bar where there was one empty chair, for two people. I asked if we could have a table, mentioning to the host the obvious many empty tables. He said "we are full up." We left. Come on guys, this is a neighborhood place, and you need to treat your neighbors better than this! We'll go back, but we won't enter if this guy is in the front of the house.

We had dinner at the Fly Trap tonight in SF out on the “patio”. The decor and curios was mad! The tomato salad was garden fresh with onions and feta, the cheese plate had honey and pears. Very attentive service as well. See you soon.

One of the oldest restaurants in San Francisco, the decor takes you back to the time of horse and buggy and the height of the industrial revolution. I just checked in at The Clancy across the street and was looking for a late lunch. I arrived a little earlier than the 4pm kitchen opening but the staff was very nice and a few drinks helped me pass the time. I had the duck croquettes and a ribeye washed down with the house red. Nice place comforting food but I think dinner is the way to go.

Maybe it was one of the most unique dining experiences I ever had. It has a beautiful ambiance and the food is fantastic great fusion Persian food. The service was top notch and the restaurant atmosphere very nice. Great selection of american bourbons whiskey. Overall I do highly recommend this place.

After 12 long years I finally dropped into Fly Trap. What a great experience. Chicken dish was amazingly flavorful with the right amount of heat. Drinks were great, especially the rare first taste of a new drink made with Gin and black pepper. Thanks Valen for a great first night at the Fly Trap!

I had found memories of Zare and the amazing Duck fessenjoon I had last time. This time, the whole experience went south. We had booked a table for 5 but were seated at a table for 4 with 3 squeezed on one side and 2 on the other side, not a great start. The menu was not very appealing. The more original dishes like the duck fessenjoon had been removed. I had a bone marrow appetizers and a kashk bademjan after. Neither was great and I left with a sour experience this time.

Slightly sticky tables. A couple of soaks propping up the bar. A huge wall behind the long bar, covered in a multitude of gins, whiskies etc. Beer on demand. Friendly staff who put up with raucous foreigners with a smile and a shrug and a recommendation for the next whisky to try... The only thing that was missing was Jim Morrison/The Doors blasting "Whiskey Song" from the corner... Came here twice, will come back again.

That's perfect. Besides the presentation of the dishes, the combination of seasonings impressive. An awesome experience.

We had a large group dinner on a weeknight with our professional society. The space was fine, although we ended up split into two separate rooms. The service was ok, and the orders were correct... but the food was cold and had no flavor. To the point where one of my colleagues jokingly held a piece of meat over the little candle on the table to warm it up. Perhaps things would have been better for a single table, but I can't recommend the restaurant.

We really liked the atmosphere of the Fly Trap. Had been here several years ago, but it is not in an area we usually frequent so had not been back. The décor and service make you feel right at home. We had small plates and wine by the glass and enjoyed our experience.

My friends and I were staying across the road at the Marriott. We'd just got back from an Alcatraz night time tour and we didn't want to go far. The manager at the Marriott suggested the Fly Trap. Wow! So glad he did. It was a Friday night and when we walked in the place was packed, so we were really unsure we'd get a table. Thankfully, we were seated straight away and our drinks order taken. The menu is a little bit special here and we struggled to choose which is were our waitress came up trumps. She recommended the Fattoush Salad, Roasted Eggplant and Pistachio Meatballs and Spiced Naan with Fava Bean Spread for starters and the Braised Lamb Abgoosht, Braised Short Rib served with a side of Crispy Brussels. Everything was so very, very tasty and we thoroughly enjoyed everything we ate. None of us had room for dessert but I'm sure they're good too! On our way out, the owner made a special effort to come say goodbye which was really nice and appreciated by us all. Lovely guy, really friendly and chatty. Thank you for such a wonderful dining experience Chef Hoss! If we're ever in San Francisco again, we'd most certainly be back!

Unusual food pairings that really worked. Interesting drinks and a nice wine list. Attentive service. Choice of small plates or full entrees which is always a plus. Has a neighborhood vibe but still feels like you are treating yourself.

Our first meal in San Francisco didn't disappoint - the Fly Trap delivered on everything! I'd long heard of the beautiful pistachio and pomegranate meatballs and they exceeded my expectations - just perfect! Can't wait to try and re-create them at home. The avocado salad with tart cherries and spiced cashews was a perfect light addition to our meal, and it was great to have a salad that was a little bit different to the usual - it reminded me of something out of a Ottolenghi cookbook - delicious. The roasted eggplant dish was a little on the bland side though still good, and we finished the evening with the poached quince - seasonal and a nice change from the standard poached pear or apple. The cocktails were good but a little of the strong side, something we had to get used to in the USA as they do 'free pour' - far more generous than the very measured alcohol pours in Australia! Look forward to dining here again next time we're in SF.

I took my staff here, while in SF for a conf. Great find! Very friendly staff, great service, and what a (bizarre) menu! Eggplant jam?!? It was oddly delicious. The goat cheese cheesecake is not to be missed. Yummy Brussel sprouts. I would have enjoyed a few more choices on wines by the glass, but the (limited) offerings were very good. Enjoyable evening all around. I would recommend this place for sure.

Fun atmosphere with a good bar. Delicious an interesting cocktail menu. We enjoyed several different dishes. Especially the lamb.

We really enjoyed our meals here, but the service was what really made it an excellent restaurant. The waiter really took the time to explain everything, recommend dishes, talk about SF (we were visiting)... My wife ordered a cocktail she didn't end up liking, and the bartender came by, asked her what stuff she likes, and made her a new one.

amazing food combinations I had never tasted, or even thought of! a rich history going back to the late 1800s! try the Pistachio Meatballs (beef meatballs with pomegranate glaze, rolled in chopped pistachio) or any of their special humus (and this humus is light and whipped-like, not at all like store bought) I had the short rib entrée, with delicious sides; for dessert, a Goat Cheese-cake! and a great local San Francisco blonde ale on tap was with a large group and the comments around the tables were all very favorable! walk from Moscone Center or AT&T Park, across from Courtyard Marriott highly recommend

Highly recommend this restaurant! It's small but has a great atmosphere. Drinks were good and food was even better! Dessert was wonderful!

Headed here for dinner based on reviews on recent family holiday trip to SF. Nice bar/restaurant, fairly noisy as expected but nice atmosphere. We had starters though one didnt show up and our baked goats cheese was unfortunately burnt. Mains all good. Overall pleasant dining experience.

We were a party of 6 and all of us enjoyed our dinners & cocktails. It's a fairly small place, with a comfortable ambience. The servers were fun, helpful & attentive. The food had nice flavorings from cinnamon to cardomon to peppery. We had ribs, beef cheeks, salmon, cod as our entrees. The prosciutto/fig bruschetta was a hit. And the poached apple dessert w/amazing ice cream was a hit & so was the flourless chocolate cake. We all left happy, sated, & ready to return.

A good menu for omnivores and vegetarians alike. Even now, my wife is planning to see if she can replicate the roasted baby beets and goat cheese salad. We enjoyed this restaurant very much. But if you come early, when the after-work crowd is in the bar, it's pretty noisy. Like so many new SF restaurants, the rooms are acoustically very "hard."

Hosted a work dinner at this restaurant. Very nice food, nice atmosphere. But the restaurant added a 22% tip to the bill, which came to USD 440 just for the tip. I usually expect 18% tip to be added, have seen 20% on occasion. But 22% is too much.

In San Francisco on biz....dinner plans with buddies evaporate, so my husband and I are on our own for dinner (blessing, really) . We left the Omni and walked across Market Street looking for something that looked interesting. Thankfully, we stumbled upon Zare at Fly trap! It was a Friday night, so I felt the likelihood of a table not a reality. The manager told us he would see what he could do and we decided to have a drink at the bar. VERY cool little spot; cozy and romantic. Good drink/wine list. I had a cardamon martini (so, so tasty) and my husband had a glass of wine. As it ended up, a table wasn't in the equation for us, so we opted to eat at the bar. Our bartender took really good care of us, offering suggestions and information about the cuisine. The food was wonderful; my husband had the lamb shank and I the Fulton valley chicken. Just delicious! Dessert was special- goat cheese cheescake with delicious coffees. Very good value for the quality of this locally grown food and its expert preparation. Service was so very attentive, but not overbearing...Chef Zare delivered our meals to us at the bar, explained how to use the condiments, and left us feeling as if he was proud of his food. Our bartender/server was amazing....she made the meal special. I tend to do so much "research" when planning meals when we're out of town...Zare at Fly trap was the most unexpected and best part of our weekend in San Francisco and I can't wait to return!

Apparently, there is a different restaurant called Zare on Sacramento. Don't get confused. I'm writing about the 606 Folsom St location, which was a wonderful late Friday night find. The fare is billed as Mediterranean and is good a label as others. There is some middle Eastern influence too. The house cocktails are swell, and the general atmosphere warmly aged with candlelight at night. The food we had was very good to excellent. I had a market fresh corn soup that was perfect in its texture -- neither too thick nor too thin. Overall, it was very good. A little extra salt to complement the sweetness was needed IMO, but I added it myself. The regular beet & flash-fried kale salad loaded with other goodies was perfection as presented. Also, they serve a fine iteration of the ubiquitous fried Brussels sprouts on every Gastro pub/ tapas menu. I would definitely return here and recommend it to all. Our waiter also was perfection -- friendly and helpful, always professional.

Saw Zare at the Fly Trap on the food channel before going to San Francisco. They specialize in Persian food. San Francisco has a lot of great restaurants but if you can only go to one go the Fly Trap. We went for the lamb kabobs. They are not the traditional shish kabobs you think about when going to a middle eastern reastaurant. They are bone in lamb steaks that are marinated for a day before cooking. (Note they must be ordered 48 hours in advance when making a reservation). As good a piece of meat as I have ever eaten and certainly the most tender. First piece of meat I have never put any seasoning on - it was that good and very tender. Also order the baba ganoosh (eggplant). Did not taste like eggplant at all. The sevice was just as good as the food. Zare the chef is very personable and bought our party an after dinner wine.

Stopped here for dinner because of convenience to our hotel. What a gem! Would go again & would recommend it. Great service, very good food & comparable price to most restaurants in SF.

We enjoyed dinner here, it is a pleasant room with friendly, professional service and an interesting menu. The food was good, although nothing really wowed me. Salad was tasty, a beef kabob appetizer was a bit too charred. The rack of lamb was very good. I had to try the baklava for dessert when I saw it had rose preserves - that turned out to be the best part of the dish; it is a "deconstructed" baklava that's a little dry, vs. the usual honey-soaked bars, topped with the yummy rose preserves.

We are here on a Friday night and it was busy, but the staff were relaxed and we did not have to wait too long for our food, which was tasty. The outstanding thing was the warm bread.

We went with a group of friends after an event and it was a great place for a light meal. The bar menu is small but very adequate, with an emphasis on healthy, Mediterranean style dishes. They make a mean Mai Tai! A great choice if you are in the neighborhood.

A friend highly recommended this spot. Menu was a total snooze. Small plates had some good flavors -- the Brussel sprouts and peppers. The large plates? Not so much.

I had a business dinner here and was absolutely impressed by the food quality and service. The prices are reasonable considering you are in the business district of downtown San Francisco. The bone marrow appetizer is strongly recommended as were the beef cheeks. A bit on the rich side for all that but delicious nonetheless. Everything from the fresh olives to roasted eggplant was prepared well. If there was only one criticism it would be the somewhat limited draft selection of beers. I would not mind coming back here at all.

Good, fresh food and ambiance. Good for work-related lunches.

Frankly this is one of the better meals we've enjoyed in SOMA. The chicken breast ($22) comes with a potato gratin which is probably the best side dish we've eaten in San Francisco. I wasn't really hungry so just had the flat iron steak kabob ($10) which came with a yogurt dressing and a side salad which included tarragon, parsley and dill. It was refreshing and incredibly flavorful with the yogurt and steak. We had two glasses of wine $10 each. Reasonably priced. Fair portions. Friendly service. Nice atmosphere. We'll return when we're staying in the neighborhood. Highly recommend.

I went here with my coworkers for drinks and dinner. The service was great, the food was delicious, and the service was excellent. I highly recommend the bartender's "Fly Tai", a twist on the Mai Tai. It's delicious and packs a punch. The food is a mix of Mediterranean and Iranian, with a lot of lamb and feta on the menu. The hummus trio was delicious as an appetizer, and I particularly enjoyed the special salad of Persian cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes, and feta cheese. The best meal were the side of Brussels sprouts that we ordered to share. They were the best Brussels sprouts I've ever tasted (and I love me some sauteed Brussels sprouts). I can't wait to go again and bring my husband.

I found this restaurant by accident during a walk. Had a small late lunch and the next night returned for dinner. Both times were excellent+++. I say give it a try.

It's a bar, so expect noise. But if you get there right at 5pm you'll have an hour or so of relative quiet. The food was surprisingly good. Between us, our group had a couple of burgers, the roasted eggplant appetizer, two orders of fries, and the flat iron steak. All very tasty. Drinks were good, too, with a good selection of cocktails and wine. Finally, our server was great. Found this place by accident but will definitely go back.

The restaurant is odd in that the inside is more like a sports bar type atmosphere - and indeed, when we were there, the Warriors game was playing, while the outside is more like a stereotypical old European style restaurant. We were told the outside had actually been an alley that was turned into outdoor seating during Covid. They did an excellent job - as it was pretty enough to take a number of pics. The server was very friendly and efficient. The food was great - especially the brussel sprouts! You may not think this is something that would be especially good, but try them - they are.

It was going to be a tough evening - after an hour in traffic we finally made it to our hotel (Courtyard by Marriott) but we missed our original reservation at another restaurant. It was Labor Day weekend and every restaurant we called was booked solid - except Fly Trap. What a serendipitous surprise! The Fly Trap was not even a block from the hotel so we hustled over there, very hungry. There were 6 adults (including 2 very picky senior citizens) and 2 young children in our party. They gave us a huge table near the door but a little separate from the other guests which was a good thing because of our kids. Our waiter was gracious and extremely accommodating, because we had several questions about the menu and special requests for the kids (a plastic drinking cup instead of glass, a simple pasta dish since there was no kid menu, high chair, etc.). My parents are not adventurous eaters so they wanted to make sure they understood the menu. Our meals were delicious. We started with baba ganoush. I had the Morroccan grilled salmon with toasted fregola and charmoula. My husband had 2 appetizers, the braised eggplant and the beef tips. We shared and everything was wonderful. I loved the 2 sauces that came with my salmon - one was yogurt-based and mild, the other was quite spicy. Together, they were the perfect condiment for the salmon. The fregola and charmoula were so tasty that I looked them up at home for recipes. And my husband devoured the eggplant and beef. The beef came with a curry cream that he thought was a terrific combination. The rest of my family had the Dungeoness crab salad, pistachio meatballs, and lamb. No one left anything on their plates. For dessert we shared a chocolate mousse cake and sorbet. I'd love to go again, without kids and other picky eaters. If you're staying in the financial district or are in town for a baseball game, this restaurant is a must.

The fly trap is a charming restaurant not far from the financial district, the cooking and the choice of dishes are excellent, the wine card is very appropriate, the relation price/quality well balanced. Competent and attentive service...we spend a very nice evening at this place!

In search of Persian-fusion we had heard so much about. Hostess told us that Chef H was no longer there. We wanted to give it a chance. Menu was definitely cheaper. Ordered Truffle fries and flat iron kabob. McDonald's fries and old beef. Even my 11 year old could smell the beef. The management took care of the beef and we left. No celebration.

Went with some coworkers for dinner. The service was fine, food was fine. Maybe we were expecting more because of all the great reviews. Not a lot of options, and only one vegetarian entree. There are better places near by for the same price or cheeper.

This restaurant was in a great urban location of San Francisco, short cab ride from the Moscone Center. Great yet cramped eclectic atmosphere inside and very loud. The menu was very limited. We had appetizers that were not good, we disn't even finish them, for dinner, I had the only chicken dish on the menu which had very little chicken! A party of five everyone's dish was over $25. We left the fly trap hungry and not impressed Sorry. But I do think there is room for improvement, add normal items to the menu, price them more affordable and decide if it's a bar or a restaurant then focus on that appropriately.

Have now visited twice and on both occasions we were treated to fantastic food. The chefs specials are particularly good - we had a 2-day slow roasted pork and prawn dish that was amazing. Great cocktails, fun vibe and awesome waiting staff.

Had a couple drinks after work. Atmosphere was nice, and drinks good, but a little pricey. A cider and old fashioned came to over $25 with tip. Cool place to stop for a drink, but wouldn't be a normal watering hole for me.

PROS Good wine list even if a bit pricey in some case. Excellent bar. Friendly environment and good food. I’d rather suggest desserts. Well positioned and priced. CONS Nothing big to highlight

I seem to wind up here every trip. And the food really is delicious, but I'm fairly surprised to see another commenter calling it reasonably priced. Not according to my credit card statement! But it's a pretty place, and the Big Guy swans around greeting all the guests as if they were all celebrities. I'm never sorry I went. Just a little bit financially depleted.

We had a good group lunch here with friendly service. It's fairly peaceful so we were able to have a good conversation. The food was tasty.

I have been to this restaurant with my colleagues and I would rank it good. I travel a lot and I tried some good number of Mediterranean restaurants. I wouldn't say it is awesome, but the food is fresh and tasty. I have tried eggplant and sweet pepper dolmas, pistachio meat balls, crispy brussels and grilled lamb sirloin. Lamb was cooked to perfection. I really liked the crispy brussels, a very unique taste. egg plant was ok. The service is outstanding. The chef visited us personally and told us about the new dish out of fish that is not there in the menu yet. We did not try it though, as none were interested in fish. Prices are slightly high, but I would definitely recommend this.

Very friendly and knowledgeable service. A little loud because of the bar scene. Had the beef skewers for an app and the yogurt was great. Beet salad was well done. Scallops were perfectly cooked. The only thing I thought lacked a little flavor was the brussel sprouts. The baklava was unique and a good light desert.

We were a party of four. We ordered many items from the appetizer section of the menu. I would especially recommend the grilled Brussells sprouts. Everything was very tasty. We were happy to sit in the back room because it is quieter there.

I made a business dinner reservation here based upon online research. Well let me tell you Fly Trap will not disappoint. A small, but focused menu allows for a win no matter what you order. I recommend spending sometime with the wine list as you will find some great selections for smaller Napa Valley establishments.

This south-of-Market restaurant is a mecca of wonderful Mediterranean food. We were looking for a closer and less expensive alternative to Aziza and found it at Fly Trap. In our enthusiasm, we ordered the Trio of Hummus, Smoked Trout, and Pistachio Meatballs as starters. Each dish was flavorful, creatively presented, and just downright delicious. Because the amount of food served was generous, we shared a seafood stew-like main course along with the crispy Brussels Sprouts. Again, we were not disappointed. The seafood tasted fresh, was delicious, and was served in a delicately spiced tomato sauce. The Brussels Sprouts were indeed crispy and served with a light yogurt dressing that complimented the dish. A great wine selection, reasonably priced meal, prompt service, pleasant wait staff, and excellent food made for a delightful evening.

We had a wonderful waiter who really knew the menu. The chef himself served our food (a very nice touch). The drinks were incredible - very fresh and flavorful, especially the cardamom martini. The only downside was that our reservation wasn't in the system. I had the concierge make the reservation so I'm not sure who is at fault. They did seat us promptly without complaint on a very busy crowded night. It was in the back which at first I didn't like but turned out to be the best location in the place as we were able to have a nice conversation back there. The main room is very noisy. The food over all was really flavorful and fresh. They took risks in an inspired way and created unique items not found on other menus which made the overall experience very fun.

What a beautiful restaurant! The food was amazing!! Great value for money too! Definitely recommend sitting outside as there are lovely heaters so defiantly won’t be cold. It’s definitely made our holiday!

Service was amazing the food was a little less than desirable quite bland. Trio of Hummus was very good. Desert not good. The best part of the desert was the items on the side of the Apple. Just a so so place.

The restaurant located on Folsom, a couple of blocks away from the bustling restaurant scene of SOMA. Looks like a perfect place for an after work drinks with friends. I tried to visit this place a week ago but it was totally full, not even standing room. I was lucky today, the restaurant was kind of empty in the late afternoon. I was sitting at the bar, attended by a very cheerful, but professional young lady. She made me one of their special cocktail with Alaskan vodka, grapefruit and prosecco. It was delicious. I only had an appetizer, Pistachio Meatballs. It was a unique and exotic experience. Lots of things were happening in my mouth, sweet, savory, spicy, but it made my mouth very happy. The dinner menu looks also very interesting. Can't wait to return for a full dinner experience. Great décor, delicious, unique food, fantastic drinks and warm, but professional service!

Four of us went to Fly Trap for dinner. Every dish was tasty but small and the menu was somewhat limited. However, I've heard that they mix up the menu frequently, sometimes changing the main ingredient, sometimes the prep. We'll definitely go back forewarned to order more - small plate is small and large plate is medium

Always a pleasure to have drinks and great food at Fly Trap. We always start off. With the olives and hummus special very good, the daily soups are excellent and very pleasant to our taste buds. The lamb is my wife's favorite and always cooked to perfection . Gabriel is our favorite server and always is helpful and very attentive 10 Great bar scene for after work crowd with lots of nice people and super back bar and wine list. ;( Four Star)

We had a phenomenal meal in this homey spot located right around the corner from the Dreamforce Conference. The staff and owners were hilarious and friendly. Great spot!!

We shared two appetizers ( the bone marrow and a cheese dish) and a special of the day--a Persian meatball dish--along with a couple of cocktails. The appetizers were fantastic--just tremendously tasty. The meatball wasn't as tasty but was enjoyable. All were served with Persian sauces that added a nice flavor. We weren't crazy about the :"special cocktails" so we switched to traditional Manhattans, which were very well made. All in all, very tasty food and definitely a restaurant we will return to.

Been there many times. Great staff and bar area. This place is always pretty busy just after work. The food is very good quality. Not your average bar food. Some tasty and interesting dishes.

This is a fabulous restaurant. Great food and service. The wine list is top notch. Very high end establishment but a good price/value. Very romantic setting. Reservations recommended.

Giving them 5 stars for their service amidst Covid alone! Loved how careful they were and the set up outside by ourselves, and how accommodating that they were. 4pm early dinner to avoid as many people as possible, and lucked into happy hour! $5 white ale from Iceland followed by a nice $5 Cab from JW Morris in Napa. Went big since meals out of home are few and far between right now, and enjoyed the ribeye. Great place near SF MoMA if you get a chance!

Of the starter dishes we tried, the bone marrow dish stood out. Creamy, delicious especially when paired with the slightly sweet preserve on toast, the combination is rich and flavorful. We also liked the trio of hummus as the flavors were fresh and well balanced, much better than any of the hummus we ca buy from stores. For entres, I liked the short rib best, followed by the black cod which flakes off easily, on top of a bed of vegetables that provided an excellent contrast to the course. The lamb sirloin is juicy, tender and delicious while the seafood cous cous also scored high with the family. For dessert, we tried the goat cheesecake which you will need to like goat cheese to enjoy (not my favorite), while the cucumber panacotta is our favorite overall.