Magic Flute Restaurant Reviews

Came here for brunch with my friends right before a wedding. Friendly and accommodating staff, solid bloody marys and delicious brunch food. They’re open early so it’s a great spot for a quick bite before you get rolling. The Benedicts were delicious and don’t forget the beignet dessert!

This is a lovely Italian restaurant in Laurel Heights. Lunch can be outside on the patio on a nice day or in the main dining room.

I am surprised that more people haven't discovered this lovely place. Not only is location in a beautiful part of San Francisco, but the food for brunch is outstanding, as is the service. We have been coming here for years and have never been disappointed. I am always at a loss when I have to choose what to order - I want so many different things!

We've been to the Flute many times, always for brunch. For a casual varied menu it beats all the Union St area brunch places we tried so we keep returning. Prompt service and very consistent brunch traditional choices always with an added twist or selection that differentiates it from other restaurants. Reasonable prices, attractive décor with the added plus of a attractive garden for seating when weather permits (our favorite spot). Keep doing it Phil (owner) ; we always enjoy returning.

We were party of 12 celebrating family reunion. Beautiful restaurant in a nice neighborhood. It has the feel of a quite neighborhood Bistro with high end dining. Great wine selection, and food was just awesome. Great service as well.

Just had lunch here for the first time with a girlfriend yesterday and our dishes were great! The best risotto she's ever had and we loved the olives. I very much enjoyed the Presidio Scramble and like that breakfast is served until 2pm. Social distancing during this Covid times done on their quaint patio dining with umbrellas and nice sound of a fountain! Since the Presidio Scramble has ample amount of bacon, it can taste a bit salty for those that need to be on low sodium. I would say, the olives too. And bonus for women shoppers, found many things at two walking distance Consignment Stores that had designer and all types of clothes. Check out GoodByes and Designer Consignershops both on Sacramento St.

We had a lovely and leisurely lunch out on their back patio. We had been there many years before and were delighted that the level of service and quality of food continue to be fantastic. Delicious soups and salads, and their bread was warm and addicting. So nice to see a neighborhood gem continue to shine. We will be back!

Have eaten here many times and decided to take visiting family with three kids for brunch. Staff was charming, especially to kids. Knew just what to recommend for them. Had a lovely table in the rear dining room. Great service. All dishes were very good...we all loved the special doughnuts to start...yum! Only negative...pizza was not great.

I met a group of friends at Magic Flute for one friend’s birthday get-together. It is his favorite restaurant. The restaurant was very accommodating to make sure we had a big enough table, and were placed so we had some relative privacy. The waiter was very thoughtful and professional. The food – the best. I understood why my friend loves this place. We had a great evening. If you have a gluten issue, they will be able to direct you and know what you’re talking about (something not many places do). From listening to the guys who dine there regularly and seeing what they ordered – you can’t go wrong if you order the special of the day. It was amazing. But then again, everything was amazing from the bacon-wrapped blue-cheese stuffed dates to the deserts. I say, give it a try! Oh, and best of all… cost. So reasonable.

Kids friendly restaurant offering classic comfort food. Patio in the back is a plus. Good service. Tables are small relative to the size of the plates The connection to the Magic Flute Opera is elusive

This lovely restaurant in an old Edwardian in the charming Laurel Heights neighborhood is our favorite brunch/lunch restaurant in San Francisco. They also serve a delicious dinner menu, but we tend to go mostly on sunny days, when the beautiful back garden is the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing meal. Mario is our favorite server- always gracious, warm, and efficient. Though the ambiance is stellar, the food is the star attraction. They serve all of the brunch classics, and a few less typical items (an egg dish with chorizo is my husband's favorite, I adore the beignets, as a starter). We've never had a meal that wasn't delicious and we're always treated like treasured guests of the manor.

I've been here about a dozen times and always been pleased. I love their outdoor garden and brunch menu and great service. Now that we have a baby, they are very accommodating with strollers.

This is a hidden gem. Loved the decor and the good was amazing. Even had dessert for lunch. Best chocolate cake ever. Nice servers. Treat yourself to this lovely restaurant

This is a good neighborhood restaurant with a very special patio space that takes you by surprise. You wouldn't know the patio was there walking down Sacramento street. The staff is friendly. They do make a good burger, but the pizza is sub-par. Their mussels and fries are done very well and would recommend that dish for a nice lunch. I've had inconsistent experiences with the quality of cappuccino. My wife and I come here every couple of months.

Amazing beignets, best I have ever have. Wine and meal selection is off the charts. Monica delivered beautiful service. If you’re a wandering tourist in San Francisco, wander into here. You won’t regret it.

After reading the glowing reviews last year, we (husband and I) "did" brunch at the Magic Flute in late Fall. On the patio, cozily tucked in at the rear of the garden with plants and a heater, we feasted on wonderfully creative food (bacon sprinkled waffles with warm apple compote, and an awesome chorizo scramble) and beverages, and were made to feel as special guests. Fast forward to today... seated in the middle of the patio with five large parties going on around us, and the specials of the day mainly based around fish/seafood, nothing brunchy about it really, we were surprised. Service was hurried/harried as would be expected with so many parties going on at the same time, and apologies were profuse. Sent back the quiche, with it's large chunks of spinach undermining the gelatinous custard in favor of a Cobb salad, which was okay, but not exceptional. Husband had the chowder and crab cakes, which were okay too, not the best... but okay. More apologies as the kitchen was really busy... I want to love the Magic Flute, and I know they have to take the business when it comes their way. But, I made reservations about 3-4 weeks ago for two people on the patio; that should signal an intimate brunch. Smart management would have held and offered us a table indoors in the event that we did not want to sit in the middle of party land. With that gesture, we might have been able to overlook the unexciting menu and service issues. Disappointed, yes... but this gives us the chance to try someplace else for our next Saturday brunch.

The Magic Flute is a delightful neighborhood restaurant and we drive all the way in from Marin County to enjoy it too. The food is great and the service is extremely pleasant as well. They have lovely seating on a patio in the rear of the restaurant also. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to friends.

We were placed in the gorgeous patio area, next to the fountain. Service was lovely and unrushed even though it was clearly busy. We indulged in the beignets and they were out of this world.

I found this restaurant doing a search on Open Table. I wanted to celebrate my Italian friend's birthday over brunch. My friend absolutely loved it! The restaurant decor is very charming with colorful paintings in the walls. We had a seat in the back patio, which is well heated and has a lot of beautiful plants. Service was friendly and very fast. We started with the beignets which was my favorite! I don't usually like fried pastries, but these were delicious! Most of us had the egg scrambles which were perfectly cooked! This place is perfect for a family/friend celebration of a Romantic date.

What is not to like? A great location for Sunday brunch. Takes reservations even on Sundays (not the rule for a San Francisco brunch) and brunch in the sunny courtyard is a very pleasant experience

Went to the Magic Flute for brunch with my girlfriends from college. We made a reservation so that we could sit outside in the garden area in the back of the restaurant. The garden was fabulous, the wait staff was wonderful, and the food was excellent. The drinks though were outstanding - best part of the experience! I love Mimosas these were the best I have ever had! My girlfriend who normally doesn't drink champagne was talked into getting a Bellini and she agreed that it was spectacular and that if all champagne drinks were made as well she would drink them. We ordered beignets to share and it was the perfect amount. I have not had beignets in New Orleans but these were light, covered in cinnamon and sugar and served with a yummy whipped cream dipping sauce. For my meal I had an egg scramble that was only listed on a special menu at the restaurant. It was also very good. I would highly recommend this restaurant and will go back the next time I am in San Francisco!

This place couldn't be any more magical. The vibe is elegant but relaxed and the best back patio in Presidio heights. The food never disappoints.

Lovely ambiance, delicious food, courteous service. Who could ask for more? They even got my eggs right, just they way I like them. It's a busy and popular place, and no wonder. Go! You won't be sorry.

I think this place is under-rated and passed by as folks flock to the newest and trendiest restos. The Magic Flute is somewhat classic, a quiet affordable neighborhood bistro with good food. Nothing fancy or trendy, just good and relaxing. Quiet atmosphere where one can have a conversation, a rarity in San Fran where the decibel level in too many places is intolerable. Good Italian, continental food. Lovely service.

The best part of The Magic Flute is sitting outside at Noon for a quiet, serene lunch. . . . unless the neighborhood Mommy Brigade arrives with strollers and toddlers. It's hit-or-miss. Sometimes we get lucky and when that happens, the food and ambiance are terrific. When the mommies arrive, the experience is, well, not so pleasant. However, the food is always excellent, fresh and a very good value. We do visit at least 3 times per year.

Had an excellent dinner at the Magic Flute last weekend. Thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the patio seating. First off, the patio is in the back of the building, with heaters, so it is protected from both the wind and the chill. The food was outstanding. They served bread --- outstanding; so I ordered the garlic bread --- very yummy. Then we had salads (a lettuce salad with beets) and then entrees, I ordered the ravioli --- it was delicious, but I wish the portion was larger. The dessert (a decadent chocolate cake), was a great way to finish off the meal....so so yummy. Pricing was what you would expect ($50 per person out the door). Service was very good.

First time to have brunch here and it did not disappoint. The brunch menu had excellent choices. The service, food and ambience for a very nice weather day in the city. Definitely wood come back here.

My wife and I had dinner here in October 2019. The starters were wonderful: grilled figs stuffed with blue cheese and a lovely arugula and ripe tomato caprese salad. My wife's main, mussels were mixed - some were fresh, some old tasting. My risotto was unique and flavorful - green leafies with the rice. Desserts were delicious. Wine list more than adequate. Service was with a well informed wait staff.

A few days ago, five of us celebrated a win of a legal case. One of the team Chose this restaurant which was within walking Distance of our house. I was not impressed with his choice and suggested other restaurants I had frequented. But I was too late to change his mind. To my great surprise, the Magic Flute served up a terrific dinner on a weekday night, The fig appetizers were delicious and fresh. My husbands pork chop was delicious and tender, and my porcini ravioli was just fantastic, Two companion enjoyed their salmon while the rest ordered the pork chips too. Our server, Natalie was very professional and friendly. We had a truly great time. I had not frequented this place in years but will do so very soon.

What I thought would be a fabulous dinner based on the Magic Flute’s on line reviews, the cuisine, particularly both entrees which my wife and I ordered, just didn’t cut it. We both love Italian food, so I ordered chicken Marsala and my wife ordered pene pasta with a saffron sauce. Unfortunately, both dishes fell far short of our expectations. The chicken was thinly sliced, coated wth panko, deep fried, served on top of mashed potatoes and then covered with a heavy, mushroom laden, pasty, overly sweet, Madeira wine sauce. Sounds like a pretty, tasty concoction. But, truth be told, it didn’t work. Neither did my wife’s pasta with saffron sauce. Aside from the chef, the Magic Flute is a pretty cool restaurant. The service and ambiance was excellent. Perhaps we just hit it in an off night b

What a great place and they take reservations! So many places in SF have an hour wait for weekend brunch so going right to your table was great. The outside is very nice but the cool weather made inside dining more enjoyable. I has the presidio scramble and it was delicious. My friend has the French toast and we shared the beignets. Everything was delicious. The crowd here is but older and better dressed than you would find at Plow or Noppa. Would come back again for sure!

Went here for brunch on April 14, 2018. We have lived in the neighborhood since I was a child and we have never been here. We went for brunch on a Saturday and were lucky to find street parking. It is usually very busy. Anyway, we had reservations and were seated immediately. Our server appeared at the table right when we sat down. He was very friendly and helpful. We started with drinks, then each of the 3 of us had a scramble. They were all excellent ,served with potatoes and a few slices of fresh fruit. We decided to try the beignets for dessert and they were delicious. You getg 3 large ones with a cinnamon whipped cream. Anyway, service was excellent, food was excellent and we cannot wait to go back for lunch and dinner. They also have an outside eating area at the back of the restaurant which was very popular.

We have been there half a dozen times. All ways great service and interesting menu. Too bad they do not have valet parking. been known to circle the block 3-4 time looking for a place. For lunch, my wife had the lamb burger. could barely finish it. Good size.meal. I had the procuto parma sandwich. Flavor was great , but the meat was a bit tough.

My current 3-star rank is all about the brunch, dinner might be a better idea. Let's start with the bottom line first The good * Mimosas were great * Quiche was very generous. Huge dishes overall The bad * Eggs Benedict - I usually complain that I'm given way too much Hollandaise sauce, in this case, it was almost non-existent, which made the whole thing very dry. Eggs were overcooked, and the potatoes on the side were most probably microwave re-heated or at least didn't feel fresh * French toast was dry and very mediocre. I think this was the first time I didn't mind sharing one with others. * Pizza - It's an Italian place, so we had high expectations - Very meh. Just a very mediocre, regular pizza. Nothing to write home about. * Service - We were five people, with five different brunch orders and it took about 25-30 minutes until we got our order. We were not too hungry, so that was fine, but we did get to the point in the conversation when you begin to ask yourselves "where is our food" and look around. It's an OK brunch, but with the high number of other, better brunches you have in the city, I would advise against getting one here. The place itself is nice, and the crowd was older from I usually encounter in other locations. That's not a bad thing, of course, just an observation. While I might come back and try the dinner service, I won't be coming back for a brunch

Delicious cheese stuffed dates as a starter and great steamed mussels! Charming staff and good service.

Have been to Magic Flute for Lunch a couple of times - this review is for dinner. Great! Superior service, cordial, accommodating, wonderful menu with varied choices - great wine list and the owner makes the place feel homey and welcoming. I like that!

Quintessential neighborhood place for brunch/lunch. Their beignets are every bit as good as advertised. Quiche was light and tasty aw were the scrambled eggs. Portions are very generous. Service was pleasant, unobtrusive and easy going. Place is bright in the front, cosy in the middle and there is a nice terrace. Enjoy!

Outside in charming setting. Thirty years experience really shows!

Very good, creative food and very efficient service. Moderate prices. But no hard liquor. An adequate wine list. No valet parking, it can be a bit difficult to find a spot to park nearby.

Beautiful setting in a nice part of town. The food was to die for along with chilled Sauvignon Blanc and mussles. Bloody marie was great. We had a family reunion, it was just an awesome experience.

Outstanding, highly recommend for any occasion. Great service, great food, awesome setting. Can't wait to go back

A business contact suggested Magic Flute for our lunch meeting. It is along a pretty street with other similarly small restaurants. Had the weather been nicer, we could have eaten on their back terrace. The menu had a decent selection and our entrees were very good. The noise level is high once the small space is filled with diners, unfortunately. Service was attentive for the most part.

attended a family post-wedding brunch. The atmosphere was charming and fun, the food very tasty (Beignets! mmm), and the staff accommodated a shifting stream of arrivals and various preferences.

This place was just lovely! It looked small from the outside but it was quite spacious, with a wonderful garden area at the back. We had the steak, which was done to perfection. The atmosphere was so relaxing and I cannot compliment the staff enough. They were just fantastic. I'm not a big dessert person and asked if they had any fresh fruit (as it was not on the menu) and they happily obliged. The owner even came around to say hello and ask us if our meal was ok, which I thought was nice. Top marks to all in the Magic Flute.

Brunch or lunch, this is the spot! Sit on the back patio if weather permits. a rsvp would be helpful but at 11:15am not crowded but filled up fast. A neighborhood gem with friendly & very accommodating waitstaff (quickly replaced the seeded bun (no can do small seeds!) on my MF Burger w/a lovely ciabatta roll), lovely wine list and really marvelous variety of food selections. 1. MF Burger - a perfect medium cooked patty w/crispy prosciutto, melted cheddar & MF Sauce; easily shared. 2. Avocado Toast Benedict- very generous w/ side of dressed greens, 2 perfectly pouched eggs, lots of avocado, served on think slice of Texas toast & topped by Hollandaise Sauce & sprinkled w/fresh chives...Getting THAT next time!

I love this restaurant in Presidio Heights, SFO, and always try to enjoy dinner there when in San Francisco. It's a neighborhood treasure with warm, intimate dining rooms, elegantly appointed; a quiet retreat in Presidio, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Magic Flute has a lovely garden patio, partially covered, in the back - and this is where we like to dine, enjoy an evening sunset in summer and fall and be courted in the most delightful way the servers present and deliver the sumptuous food and drinks in the garden setting. We’ve shared this treasure with friends, and they all leave feeling like a “queen of the night,” entranced and satisfied with the ambiance and superb food and libations, as if lulled into some sweet aria. The shops along Sacramento Street are fun to stroll around and window gaze, if you arrive prior to your reservation time. Everything we've tasted at Magic Flute is really good, so it's hard to pinpoint a few outstanding food choices. Nevertheless, these are the favorites I choose time and time again: (1) Melon & Prosciutto Di Parma Appetizer – drizzled with balsamic reduction. (2) Grilled Figs Salad - will make your mouth water just reading the menu (that Point Reyes Blue Cheese!), and drizzled in the same sumptuous balsamic magic. (3) Butter Lettuce Salad – with roasted beets, hazelnuts and cheese – yum! Will make you sing high giggles, not scary melismas! (4) Laurel Heights Pizza – mmmmm, the caramelized onions on that cheesy proscuitto di parma base. (5) Forest Mushroom Risotto – this dish will make you faint with delight - mushrooms, spinach, onion, pinenuts, subtle pesto (not that overly drenched bad version that makes one scream sharp notes), parmigiano-reggiano. Whether you want a warm, toasty inside table in the lovely dining rooms or wish to enjoy dinner al fresco on the patio, Magic Flute will have you waltzing out like a queen (or king) on “cloud nine.”

As a displaced 4th generation San Franciscan, I was pleasantly surprised to find a dining spot nestled on Sacramento St. near Laurel Village and a short distance from my childhood home on Jordan Ave. The Magic Flute has a European decor with both inside and patio dining. My wife and I both had lamb burgers that had a small kick from jalapeños ground in the meat. The burgers were prepared perfectly and came with sliced tomatoes and onions, a large pickle section and Greek olives. The fries were thin and also close to perfect. Service was also very good!

Magic Flute has earned a reputation for superb brunches and it's in a lovely setting. So it's very popular. And this may be the problem, as it's booked for showers and small group events. However, popularity is no excuse for ignoring patrons once they've arrived. We had a reservation ( and these are necessary for Sunday brunch) for a family occasion, but when we arrived, discovered that our reservation had been entered for an incorrect number of people, and that the requested high chair had not been included in the reservation. The table was not ready, either (for any number of people.) We waited, while the host expressed some annoyance that we were obstructing traffic flow in the small entryway. Those without reservations were obstructing the sidewalk outside. The waiter seemed a bit flustered that we'd arrived with a child (well, the reservation had included a high chair, which was eventually found). There is no children's menu, and he really had no advice to offer concerning which menu items might be available in small portions for a child. Perhaps there was a pattern here? The food was good, although slow to arrive, likely due to the two parties in progress in the outdoor area. The waiter never returned to check on us or offer refills on drinks, or suggest desserts. Eventually we asked the busboy to find our waiter so that we could get the check. He failed to do so...we searched the restaurant, found him, and were able to be honest citizens and pay for our brunch for 6....although, simply walking out was a great temptation. Only the lovely setting and excellent food saved "Magic Flute" from a much lower rating.

Perfect spot for large or small gathering. Personalized service,great food in a nice garden or inside setting

This is another place that has been around for years and I went for brunch on a Sunday after not having been there in years. The menu has been updated as well as the physical space. I had the eggs benedict and it was as expected. No big surprise when it came to the food. The back room is a good place for a shower or bridal party luncheon. There's also patio seating for the nice days.

Brunch at the Magic Flute was wonderful. Everyone enjoyed their food and sitting out back on the patio was wonderful. Those seated inside also seemed to be enjoying themselves and it was a busy place. The French toast was delicious and the quiche portion was huge and also very good.

A great place for a special luncheon. It is expensive, but worth it. I had the Steak Salad and it was one of the best I ever tasted. They have a great Patio in the back, but sitting in the dining room, one sees the comings and goings on Sacramento street. We shall return

Cal-Italian cuisine For those sunny days in the Pacific/Laurel Heights part of San Francisco, the outside patio dining is perfect with its umbrellas and garden setting. The homemade bread and accompanying olive oil are delicious. The wines by glass selection is very good. My half-pound lamb burger with yogurt dressing was excellent. The pistachio-spumoni gelato dessert was scrumptuous; unfortunately, they had run out of the chococate cake. Service is good, but not great.

We had the ideal setting for a fantastic lunch with friends in the garden patio!! Inside seating has a warm and charming décor.. the patio is a must on a beautiful day. Loved the ambiance of the well maintained garden in the patio. Lots of shade and seating. The well attentive staff made sure you have everything you needed. Antipasto appetizer a must...risotto was fabulous...and a nice selection of desserts. Will definitely be back to the Magic Flute for another delicious visit!!

From the minute we walked into the sweet, nicely appointed restaurant until we left 2 hours later, we were delighted by the personal attentiveness of the owner, our funny and lovely server,the ambiance of the garden, and the food! We had a large party of 10 for a 10:30 am reservation (yes- they actually take reservations!) celebrating a very special birthday of one 91 year old and her children and grandchildren. The noise level was very manageable, and although the restaurant was full, we got fabulous service.Food offerings for brunch include both breakfast and lunch options with enough variations for vegetarians and gluten free diners. We started off with three orders of warm beignets, which come with a mascarpone/whipped cream mixture topped with lemon curd- a must try! The birthday girl had a delicious large slice of quiche (comes with green salad), others had more traditional omelettes and benedicts, smoked chicken hash, and scrambles with salmon, veggies,etc. Lunch includes sandwiches, salads, soups, and steamed mussels (I'm trying this next time!) We absolutely will return and have only good memories of our day yesterday at the Magic Flute!

We had a lovely impromptu lunch here. Excellent service, exceptional lunch salads, and a very nice cup of coffee.

We did dinner for 4 here a while back and enjoyed it. This time we had 9, including a toddler, for brunch. It was excellent- the food choices were tastyt (my omelet, for example, was excellent), and everyone was very satified. The service- especially our server Alisa- was very attentive, thorough, and complete. Overall a good experience.

Everything is amazing on the menu! I usually go with the lamb burger or bolognese which are amazing lunch choices! If we do brunch the chicken hash is a MUST!!

First timer at the Magic Flute this past Easter weekend. Yes, San Francisco is loaded with great restaurants. The Magic Flute has all the "ingredients" to compete. Great menu. Great location. Great outdoor garden setting. Great Service. Above all is Phil. He sets the tone. He's engaging and makes you feel as though you're part of his "family". The Magic Flute is high on our "go to" list next time we're in The City!

A group of ten of us had dinner here. Let's start with the service, which was excellent. Couldn't have asked for better service. The atmosphere is cute. We sat in the backroom. The prices are SF prices, so you just have to pay. We don't live in SF and I don't like these high prices, but I have come to accept it in the city, and I will say, you get more for your money here than places around Union Square or the Ferry Building. The mussels are delicious, so is the garlic bread, fettuccini, and salads. The only dish that was disappointing was the Bolognese. Overall, because of all the pluses, I would be happy to go back and recommend this restaurant.

I had Saturday brunch here with my daughter (a college student) today (Saturday morning). Food and service were both superb! I had the lox and bagels, and my daughter had the chicken hash. Generous portions and delicious. Highly recommend!

Came here with 8 others and sat out on the patio. Initially the waitress refused to put up the umbrella, which meant that some of us were roasting in the sun. Someone in charge was finally prevailed up and it went up. Excellent range of choices and the food was very good.

A wonderful brunch in an ideal setting. If it is a sunny day sit in the back patio. It is beautiful. It is in a more residential area than a tourist area but is well worth the trek.

Our San Francisco daughter picked this little hide away..and she knew what she was doing! We ate in the garden, what great atmosphere. What great, flavorful, fresh food.. Excellent service.. Pizza, mushroom soup, clam chowder, shrimp louie, it was all excellent. Perfect for a Saturday brunch. Next, we'll book dinner inside and move to their dinner menu Multi generational, child friendly, and perfect for a boys or girls only brunch... Could not have been better!

The Magic Flute is just a few blocks from our friend’s apartment and we met for brunch while in town. We were seated on the patio to enjoy the late season sunshine. When a chill rolled in heaters were turned on to maintain comfort. We ordered and enjoyed beignets and French toast. It was a sweet breakfast and prepared perfectly. This lively environment was hosting several baby showers, birthday parties, and overall had a joyous atmosphere. Waitstaff was attentive but did not rush our party.

I had brunch here with my husband during a trip to San Francisco. We enjoyed walking around the neighborhood to build up an appetite. We ate outside in their lovely backward garden. The food and drinks were excellent and the service was attentive.

I went to this establishment on 3/15/13. I had a Bloomspot Certificate and called to make the reservation, stated on the Bloomspot Certificate for 5:30 pm. The "gentleman" who took my call said something similar to this: "Madame, you realize that the value of the certificate is $50.00." I told him that I did and that I would spend the full value, probabaly ordering two meals, having one there and bringing the other home. He had the audacity to call me back, stating that usually two people use this certificate. He said that he contacted Bloomspot and if I dine alone, I am to have an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert. NEVER before have I been dictated as to how to spend my money. As for me, I don't like this type of behavior. I contacted Bloomspot twice to try to ascertain the truth. Bottom line, they apologized for the trouble that I went through and said that they don't know where the disconnect lies. My instincts tell me that Bloomspot was NOT contacted by this guy. Bloomspot did the right thing and refunded my purchase. I won't go back to this place

We had a very nice dinner tonight in this small but lovely restaurant. It is an Italian-themed restaurant with an outdoor patio and covered patio in the rear. We had the Caesar salad, NY steak, chicken marsala and mussels platter. They were all excellent! They mentioned that they will have a wine bar in the premises soon. Their busiest time so far is brunch on the weekends, but they deserve to be full all the time! A great hidden gem!

My wife and I were walking along Sacramento enroute to the De Young Museum and just happened to drop in on the Magic Flute for lunch. We are so glad that we did! It is a beautiful and intimate restaurant (though not so tiny - we were shown the large open patio in the back when we left - looks a great place for brunch). We ordered the roasted dates with prosciutto for a shared appetizer, then my wife had the steak salad and I had the salmon sandwich. Our plates were spotless at the end - we savored every bite. Our server was excellent - friendly, helpful, even wrote down the names of several of other restaurants on her own initiative when we told her we were visiting. If you are looking for an excellent meal, friendly and professional service, in a setting that is beautiful, romantic but without a lot of hype, this is a good choice. Highly recommended, and we will return for brunch...

Magic Flute is part of the Presidio Heights’s restaurant troika (Michelin starred Spruce across the street and well regarded Sociale next door). It’s clearly the underdog here. What it lacks in finesse it makes up with lavish outdoor seating. Climate change, of course, is not helping. So, things aren’t going as well as they can at the moment. The space has four distinct areas. The front room features mostly two-tops (the best are in either window alcove or the last one in the left corner) and is pleasant. The middle room features lager tables and can get quite noisy. The trestle room (the quietest area) is a covered porch which can be optionally exposed to the fourth area – a large bushy outdoor patio. The décor seems to have changed little since their 1981 opening. So either you will enjoy the past or feel it’s dated. I ate in the trestle room and even with overhead heaters the enclosed space (the walls are heavy retractable curtains) was SF chilly with my legs taking the brunt of it. Tables next to the interior wall reduce the nip. While this area is all four-tops with a lone miniature two-top which I wouldn’t recommend, it’s likely a couple can still score a four-top here; providing a more elegant experience. The cuisine is Cal-Italian and if I had to throw a dart on the map it would wind up somewhere near Rome. The menu is very compact leaving little room for selection agony. All the dishes I had were competent and while not overly inspiring the decent prices compensated for it (expect about 100 USD for three courses and two drinks, tax and tip included; mercifully, there is no surcharge). Then again, the mozzarella was too chewy and the arugula a tad sad. The California heavy wine list pales to what you can get from the neighboring restaurants and Flute’s prices aren’t even competitive, sigh. Service was borderline good but it was clear that the two servers that night were overtaxed by diners spread across the three open areas even though none were more than half full. Magic Flute could be truly magical when warm weather allows you to eat in the secluded patio. Timing your visit with the unpredictable SF weather is a daunting task. Ultimately, only the neighborhood locals can reasonably indulge. Magic Flute may be one of those experiences you should only dream about.

The Sothoths are looking for a place to live and exploring neighborhoods weekend by weekend. Walked into TMF by chance after walking around Presidio Heights. Really great brunch options; I cannot recommend the salmon scramble too highly. Friendly owner, quirky ambiance - moms and matrons.

As we were debating on the street between 2 places we have never been ; a passerby told us we should give the Magic Flute a try because of the cute courtyard in the back. We were seated outback and it was so quaint. Our local beers were poured in wine glasses, lol. Lunch salads were delicious as well. This is an awesome location; if ever back in SF, we will return for sure.

Went for Brunch and absolutely loved the place! The interior patio is really nice! Food and service are great!! Recommended!

What a delightful local cafe. Good food. Reasonable pricing. Lovely porch out back with heaters. Nice neighborhood for walking and shopping too.