Maven

Waited outside for almost an hour and fifteen minutes for a table for brunch when the hostess said it would be 30 minutes. The food was okay, but not worth the wait. Really enjoyed the Pimm’s Cup cocktail, though.

Food was a little disappointing, but the venue itself is REALLY nice. Very modern and upscale.
Elaborating on the food, the main drawback was that the descriptions on the menu sounded better than how it actually tasted. Some of the things that sounded amazing and exotic would come out tasting bland and even a little on the weird side (in terms of taste).
For example, the oysters had a unique sweet taste that you wouldn’t normally expect from oysters (it didn’t go too well with them tbh). The duck sliders were too plain and just weren’t a hit. The burger was WAY too bland and the person who ordered it didn’t even get through half.
The mussels were pretty good and probably the only thing I would order again if I came back.
Overall, the meal was on the forgettable side, which was a little disappointing from the impression you get from the venue and menu.

This place has a snobbery and condescension that is out of place in San Francisco. They are extremely overpriced and pull the stunts like «we can’t seat you even though it’s half empty until your full party, that’s one minute away, is here.» Amateur hour management, and I will never be going back. Have three data points here and that is sufficient for me to make a judgement that this place sucks.

I love the vibe of this place – it’s a really great and unique concept.
The words that kept coming to mind while there were «urban picnic.» In place of picnic tables you have long, high communal tables made of polished, solid wood, which lends an atmosphere of fun conviviality and energy while maintaing a level of privacy and space. In place of plastic red solo cups with cheap beer, you have lovely glassware filled with gorgeous, jewel-​colored cocktails that show off the exceptional talent of Maven’s mixologists. In place of burgers, ribs, fries, and comfort food, you have burgers, ribs, fries, and comfort food – but GOURMET, beautifully crafted, decadent yet delicate, and absolutely delicious comfort food. Few menus can list a burger, short ribs, sliders, cauliflower soup, and gnocchi in a way that ironically makes you feel up-​scale, cultured, and excited for the lovely presentation and eclectic flavor profile coming your way, but Maven does it.
Best cocktail of the night: Mr. Wiggles. As a whiskey enthusiast, this one was something special. The Hometown Vixen was nice, but a bit too refreshing. I like my whiskey drinks to kick me in the throat, but this one just sort of massaged me – and I didn’t taste the pistachio or the black pepper I was so excited about. The Corpse Reviver was very unique and reminded me of Spring – the coriander in it adds a really nice dimension that gave it an herbiness I thought was very pleasant.
As for food, I didn’t order enough to really be able to say. But the duck sliders were awesome, with a perfect ratio of juicy duck meat, rich sauce, and soft, slightly sweet buns; the cauliflower soup was pleasingly, delicately flavored and beautiful (you’ll see what I mean when you order it – the presentation is cool), the fries were perfectly cut, fried, and seasoned, and the burger was solid. I am an obnoxious burger snob, so I can’t rate this the best in SF, but it’s in the top ten. What makes it particularly good is the olive tapenade it comes with. This was so good I actually licked the container it came in, and dipped my burger and fries and duck slider buns in it. I would have dipped the soup in it, but that seemed difficult and at that point I was into my third cocktail so even staying in my chair was a challenge.
I love this upscale, trendy urban picnic with its marvelously talented bartenders, fun and energetic space, and attentive, very helpful (ie, they REALLY know their cocktails) waitstaff and will certainly be back.
Note: though their website oddly disagrees, you CAN make reservations here for small parties, via Unilocal SeatMe. DO IT.

Though Maein is easily glanced over from the outside, you’ll soon realize that it the interior is comfortable and chic. It has great light and serves as a perfect «after-​work-​grab-​a-​nice-​drink» place. But, of course, you can also take your love here; pucker up if you do, because it’s a romantic spot that is sure to thrill your tastebuds with their enlightened cocktails and phenomenal olive aioli fries (their Angostura burger is also a popular calling card).
A small word of caution: for dinner it can get quite crowded, so the service can be a bit delayed, whether you’re at a table or the bar. But if you sit at the bar, you’ll have live entertainment, because you get to watch the chefs cook! And, of course, the food is more than worth the wait. All in all, Maven is a treat.

This place is top notch. The brunch cocktails are exquisite. The food is exceptional. Service is implacable. Is there anything to say? These pictures speak for themselves.

Maven is the only Lower Haight bar you need to know about. Order the Money Tree, hands down the most unique cocktail here, and one that’ll keep you ordering more even though you promised yourself otherwise.
Delicately crafted with pisco, egg white, and tarragon, the savory foam-​topped drink keeps the taste buds dancing throughout the experience.
Contrary to your childhood literary fantasies, the hot buttered rum is nothing to write home about, and this one ended up being two thumbs down.
The moral of the story is: post up with a Money Tree (or two) and you’re guaranteed to love life.

I loved my experience at Maven on Saturday night. It was our final stop of a week-​long trip to San Francisco (and surrounding areas), and one of my favorites of the visit.
We walked in without a reservation, and the only option for our foursome was to stand at a small ledge between the kitchen and bar. This worked perfectly as we were only having drinks and a couple snacks. A server was assigned to us and we ordered a medley of beer and cocktails. The beer list was a little weak but the cocktails looked great — I will go that direction next time.
We decided to share two orders of the grilled cheese and one order of fries. This was the perfect amount of food for a splurgey dinner without overeating. The fries were perfect — so crunchy on the outside but fluffy on the inside — and served with an olive aioli that was delicious and unlike anything I have had before. The grilled cheese had kimchi and mushrooms and it was phenomenal. I loved this creative twist on a classic!
I’m so glad I was introduced to Maven. Next time, I am coming for dinner and making a reservation in advance!

My girlfriend and I got to Nopa a bit late, got turned off by the wait for brunch, and wandered over to Haight to Maven– and Maven completely impressed us.
We got seated by the kitchen and saw how the chefs were cooking and were instantly wowed by their attention to detail and the presentation of every plate they made. My girlfriend got the Cuban Reuben, and was floored. I had the Huevos Rancheros Benedict, and it was very good– a solid Benedict on a cold morning.
All in all, I’m excited to come back soon. Great cocktail list — absinthe sorbet with champagne poured over it for the win.

I went to Maven with a couple of friends on a late afternoon for some quick bar bites and a few drinks. The place is really nice and the bar bites and drinks we had were pretty good.
Here’s a quick rundown of the food we shared:
Housemade Pickles — fennel, beet, cucumber, cauliflower, carrot
Kennebec Fries — juniper salt, olive aioli
Chinatown Duck Sliders — shiitake, bok choy, hoisin
We obviously weren’t that hungry when we went but these these items were enough food for us. The fries definitely hit the spot and the pickles were really good. The duck sliders were what we really wanted to try and they were good as well. They put a good amount of duck in them and they were pretty substantial. I would order these again.
I ended up pairing my food with the Sparkling Paloma which was made up of tequila, bubbles, lime, and grapefruit. It was a refreshing drink and especially went well with the sliders and fries.
Though my friends and I had a pretty lite experience at Maven, I thought what we had was good enough to warrant another visit in the future. I really would like to more of their food items such as their Chicken Confit, their Potato Gnocchi, and of course Maven’s Burger since you know I’m a huge burger slut. Hope I get to go back again soon!

It was around 6pm and I was on the brink of hanger. I was supposed to meet a friend for dinner/​drinks, but it took her an extra 60 seconds to get to me, at which point, I’d already ordered.
(Don’t mess with a hungry Adena. Really and truly.)
I opted for the Maven’s Burger with a side of fries (
). Until that arrived, though, I carefully sipped on the Hometown Vixen cocktail (with bourbon, pistachio, orange, black pepper). I didn’t detect any pistachio or black pepper, but the bourbon and orange definitely made me easier to talk to (in my state of starvation).
The bartenders were really friendly and attentive. The food was excellent and the drinks were tasty. Not bad, Maven.

Have been here a few times for drinks and also for food and enjoyed it every time.
— Cocktails (⁵⁄₅) — Good selection of interesting concoctions.
— Food (⁴⁄₅) — The pork chop with spaetzle, Chinatown duck sliders, and Brussels sprouts were all pretty tasty.
— Atmosphere (⁵⁄₅) — Probably the best part of Maven. The space is very airy, with high ceilings, huge windows, and large community tables. And there’s a loungy upstairs with large couches and also barstools overlooking the first floor. Just a really comfortable place to hang out.

Review for their great Sunday brunch!
I guess we had some luck/​good timing because we were seated instantly for 2 at the stools in front of the open kitchen when we went at 2pm. I know a lot of people prefer tables, but I actually really enjoyed watching the chefs cook (~foodie life~)
— Bread Pudding French Toast (small): Really good! I liked the homemade whipped cream and pear. The menu said it had chocolate goat cheese, but I really only tasted the chocolate.
— Huevos Rancheros Benedict: A really tasty Cali-​Mex twist on my favorite breakfast dish, and I loved the potatoes it came with! I would’ve liked the yolk to be a little more runny, but that might have just been because I took a few minutes to take pictures of it before breaking it ^_​^;;
— Duck Hash: My favorite! I was actually really surprised at how good the duck was, and I loved the flavors of the duck combined with the broken yolk. Also came with the yummy potatoes.
Definitely would come back!

Maven is way underrated. I came here for brunch and was surprised that there was no line out the door. We were the first group to get seated!
I got the egg shakshuka. My first egg shakshuka ever… and I think I found my favorite breakfast brunch dish after the classic egg’s benedict and museli. The shakshuka dish was two eggs poached in a pan with a variety of vegetables simmered with tomatoes. Don’t hesitate and just get this! There’s so much flavor and it’s REALLY satisfying. You’re going to make everyone at the table jealous after they’ve tried a bite.
Maven lags a little on the coffee options though. They only have a classic french press and there’s no iced coffee, cold brew, or aeropress. But this place is a gastropub so it makes sense. For drinks, I would get a brunch cocktail instead.
It’s an extremely modern place and has a lounge-​y feel to it. If brunch is good, then dinner must be good too especially with their cocktails. Next goal for me is to try this place out during dinner!

Go here for brunch. Get the duck hash. Get the Maven Julius. Get at least two pots of coffee. Do this every weekend for the rest of your life.
Remarkable.

This place is boooooooomb. Hella hella dope. Or whatever else NorCal people say. One too many hellas? Never.
My friends and I dropped into Maven for Sunday brunch. As you walk in, it’s like you’re bathed in the warmth of all the light coming in through the huge windows and the smell of delectable food wafting into the dining area from the open kitchen.
I ordered the Huevos Rancheros Benedict: black bean, tomatillo salsa, avo purée, and potatoes. Definitely a sweet Cali-​Mex take on your classic eggs benedict. A little bit of a spicy kick, but not overwhelming.
I had a taste of my friend’s Eggs Shakshuka: baked egg, israeli spiced ratatouille, pita. Delicious, and sort of made me wish I had ordered that instead – I oved my benedict, but was more in the mood for a light brunch.
Definite solid 5 stars.

Sunday evening, 7 PM — 9 people
We came in expecting a tapas place with a large variety of things to pick from, and we left disappointed by choice but satisfied by the food (quality, not quantity). Maven definitely has an upscale, ‘trendy’ feel inside, with the high ceilings and open kitchen in back, tall windows, and greenery on the walls. I didn’t go up to the 2^nd floor level, but it seemed to be a quieter, more intimate area from what I could see. Ground floor has a bar with stools, and long hardwood-​topped tables that have bag hooks on the underside! Nice job with that.
Service was very good, and if they’re going to add the gratuity on to the bill automatically, it better be. No complaints there.
On to the food:
Local King Salmon Crudo — champagne, deviled potato, mustard cream — probably the best tasting dish out of what we had, which makes sense, as it was the most expensive. Probably the least amount of food as well. We were literally scooping up all the light and airy mustard cream and using it on the fries and sliders because it was so good. The deviled potato and salmon together was a beautiful flavor combination — you could tell a lot of time went into making this plate. I also must point out the beautiful presentation here.
Chinatown Duck Sliders — shiitake, bok choy, hoisin — table favorite. We got 2 orders of these. Living in Singapore and traveling around SE Asia frequently, I developed a taste for duck that my American compatriots have not discovered yet. I’ve seen duck on the menu a few times around SF and I jump at the chance to try it whenever I do. This was one of the best I’ve had — juicy duck meat, flavored well but not overpowering, on a warm, soft potato roll. The shiitake really brings the slider together. My only wish is to buy a hamburger-​sized variation of this.
Kennebec Fries — juniper salt, olive aioli — meh. The olive aioli was good, but we all know ‘aioli’ is another one of those new buzzword ‘I hate it when trendy places put a proper noun in front of a basic side dish to make it sound cool. $ 6 for fries is not worth it, even it they are flown in on a refrigerated cargo plane from Idaho.
Grilled Corn on the Cob — miso butter, breadrumbs, parmesan — unique combination! I’ve had all of these things on their own, but never together. only 1.5 cobs (3 halves) for $ 7, so again a bit pricey. I appreciate the flavor innovation going on here as well as the beautiful presentation, so I ignored the value prop while I was eating it and just enjoyed the cheesy, buttery sweet corn goodness.
Overall, we would have liked a larger selection of ‘tapas’ to pick from, or maybe opening up the brunch menu to all day. Quantity of the food was small, as you might expect. The rest of our table had a few cocktails, and they were all expertly made and pleasant to drink. We all left a bit hungry and planning to fix up some leftovers back home, so take that into consideration. For a date, it’s up to you — couple cocktails, entrees, and an app would probably run over $ 100. If you’re not trying to empty the wallet (and you’re with a big group), consider other places for a full dinner and share a bunch of small plates — just know that the selection of small plates is by all means NOT extensive.

Stopped by here on a Saturday night around 5 pm, hoping to catch an early dinner before the place got packed for their dinner rush. The restaurant is nicely decorated, very modern. The main dining area consisted of communal tables which is great for big parties or for the social type, to meet new friends.
For those who wish to stop by early for dinner, make note that they do not print dinner menus until 530.
I ordered various dishes from the menu and everything tasted great. The cocktails here are amazing and they are not too strong but not weak either.
Overall, great ambiance, great food, and great service. I will definitely recommend.

I love this place! They have a phenomenal cocktail menu pairing with suggested dishes.
Asparagus has never tasted so good, especially in their asparagus soup which is beautifully presented (the way soups should be), poured into each individual dish.
The setting is beautiful with shared long high tops.
No reservations however we got a table for 2 easily at 7pm. By 7:30−8pm it was pumping and so it should be :)
The braised beef was great too!

This is a great spot in a beautiful space for many occasions: date night, dinner with friends, drinks with colleagues.
My friend suggested we go here for dinner on a Wednesday night. Walking through the doors, we saw the place was busy but not immensely crowded, and we were sat immediately at the counter on the second floor. This provided us with an excellent vantage point to take in the cool décor & active bartenders from above.
Though Maven is know for its cocktails, we both selected glasses of wine and started our meal with the cheese board. The plate arrived with a few pieces of thinly sliced bread and three cheeses: blue with a thyme honey glaze, manchego with a fig jam, and a pistachio-​encrusted goat. All were good, but the selection and sizes left me underwhelmed.
From there, we ordered the brussels sprouts, potato gnocchi, and fries. I can’t even tell you how much I loved the sprouts and fries! Okay, maybe I can. The sprouts has the perfect texture, a combination of crispy and soft without being either charred or mushy; topped with a tart vinaigrette, I could have eaten my weight in these.
Then, those fries. Wow. Fries are my guilty pleasure, and I will be doing penance for these for some time. They have a crispy exterior with a rich, salty flavor that gives way to a soft, buttery interior. I know, I can’t believe I’m describing fried potatoes like this either, but they were that good. I didn’t even bother with the olive aioli that came with them — no sauce needed for these amazing fries!
The potato gnocchi was good, but were almost too much in terms of flavor after the fries. Next time, I’d opt for another option instead of the gnocchi because there’s no way I’m not ordering the sprouts or fries.