Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Equinox restaurant, San Francisco

When I’ve learned it’s the only revolving restaurant in SF, I was sold! Our family of 5 had reservations for a Friday dinner. The restaurant was only half-full, mostly romantic pairs.

From the lobby of Hyatt Embarcadero you take an elevator or 2 escalators up to the atrium, then after talking to a host, another elevator to the 18th floor. I was sitting by the window, being afraid of height is not a problem. A dress was! No, not the way it looked. It was a summer San Francisco night, and sitting by the window, a half of my body got frozen just a few minutes later. I had to cover myself with a warm jacket!!

But it was real fun to rotate. We made 2 full circles. Of course, the first question was what would we like to drink. Children asked for a drink menu. “We don’t have it, we’ll bring you anything you order” was the reply. Weird, huh? We looked at each other and ordered. I can clearly say “mai tai” with accent, but understandable ;) Kids went for apple martinis. “Mix your drink as the rum is on top” said the waiter to us, delivering mai tai’s. A drink is not ready to drink??

We didn’t know how and how much of the food is served, so ordered main dishes and sides. The dishes were something like $30-50 a plate, sides $7-10. The size of everything is microscopic. Start with appetizers, we made a mistake by not ordering. But the food was really, really good! Somebody here said people come for the views, not for food? Nonsense! Food was great. Just too little :)

The views were very enjoyable, 7.30 was before the sunset, and then the lights came on, so beautiful. It was the best – to see the views in the daylight and in the dark. My son made a perfect time choice. And doesn’t matter where you sit, what direction you face, still great views.

The service was slow. We didn’t mind, took our time to read the menu, to admire the views, to talk, to unwrap the presents. Slow was not the worst thing. The busboy came up saying “Cutlery. Butter plates.” like giving orders to us to pass the items to him. No “please”, no “excuse me”. We all thought it was rather rude.

Then came the dessert menu, and guess what – they do have a wine list! We didn’t have to guess. If you’re there, order “cable car” desert – heavenly mousse, $10, order one dessert each, again the size issue :) but so tasty, can’t describe! and a tiny chocolate copy of the cable car, so cute!

Overall, it was enjoyable but overpriced and not very polite experience. If you want to impress your significant other, make a reservation. I am not sorry, but won’t go there again unless I have money to burn. There are so many places I haven’t been to yet!