Just look for the neon sign! John’s Grill is one of the oldest restaurants in San Francisco built shortly after the 1906 earthquake. Made famous as a setting in Dashiell Hammett’s novel The Maltese Falcon. The restaurant is a great example of a vintage seafood steakhouse.  The bartenders here are well versed in classic cocktails and the ambiance is cozy. The Dames were escorted to the 3rd floor where we found ourselves at a large round table. For this dinner we invited a special guest Joey Stevenson (Editor Flavorpill). We ordered cocktails, salads and appetizers while Joey kept us all smart with her literary talk.

The menu included many old-school standards including a Dame favorite creamed spinach and Jack La Lanes favorite Salad (for two). Portions are large. There is no vegetarian main courses on the menu but plenty of sides to keep a vegetarian full. Prices are not cheap at John’s Grill so make sure to savor every bite!

Overall Dames aux Gateaux Rating (1, lowest – 5, highest)
Ambiance – 4 Dames forks
Service – 3 Dames forks
Food – 3 Dames forks
Cocktails – 5 Dames forks
Dessert – 3 Dames forks

Dame Lynn “I went for the Oyster’s Wellington and would have liked a little less Wellington, a little more oyster”

Dame Shona “Hello, Sidecar, where have you been all my life?”

John’s Grill
63 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 986-3274
http://www.johnsgrill.com