Che Fico

Very popular, nice Italian restaurant in Divis that's a great choice for a date night or special occasion. The restaurant is located upstairs with a rustic loft interior featuring hanging dried flowers and with a glass area with hanging meat. It's huge, with tons of tables, and was packed. We arrived at 6:30pm on a Thursday and managed to get a walk-in table for two, but every other table was full and even the bar was packed, so I wouldn't count on walking in. Despite being packed with close-knit tables, my friend and I were able to carry on a conversation without issue. This may be because we were at a booth at the back. The menu features salads, handmade pizza, & handmade pasta. It's on the pricier side for Italian restaurants in San Francisco. The food was delicious, but the pasta & salad portions were too small (and we're two thin women!). The pizza crust was soft, fluffy, & delicious. The menu featured unique dishes with seasonal ingredients. Everything we ordered was delicious and I'd go back to try other menu items. I'd go back here for a date night or a special night out, but it's too pricy to return to frequently.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but our experience at Che Fico was disappointing from start to finish. We had a 9:00 PM reservation and arrived around 7:00 PM to see if there was any possibility of being seated earlier. We completely understand that restaurants can be fully booked and that accommodating an earlier table may not be possible. However, the hostess’s attitude was unnecessarily cold and dismissive when informing us that no earlier seating was available. When we returned at 8:50 PM for our reservation, the experience only got worse. We were directed to a “waiting area” without any explanation of what it was or why we needed to wait. After standing there confused for about 10 minutes, we finally asked for clarification. We were then told that we could not be seated before 9:00 PM because our reservation was for 9:00 PM. I don't know whether that make sense. Unfortunately, the food did not make up for the poor service. Both appetizers we ordered were overly salty and excessively acidic, lacking the balance and refinement I would expect from a restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide. The overall dining experience fell far short of the expectations created by its reputation. Given both the service and food quality we experienced, I don’t believe Che Fico currently delivers the level of hospitality or execution that justifies its inclusion on the Chase Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables list. There are many restaurants in San Francisco that provide a much warmer welcome and a significantly better dining experience.

This was an interesting experience. We wanted to try something new and Che Fico is always on every list of must try places so we thought we'd try it out. I'll start with the pros and then move into what didn't work for me. Pros: The Giardinera Martini is really good and something you don't see every day. Personally I liked the foccacia and the stronger Fennel taste but that's just me. My pasta had a filling with nettle which also was new for me, and good. But overall the service was all over the place. Sometimes we were rushing, sometimes there was no one. We came right at our reservation and we were told to go to the "waiting area" which is just a bar, with people super busy to take orders. Its Friday night so its going to be busy, I. get it. But tables were also empty. Also, its very pricy. I don't mind spending money when the food blows you away, and in SF there are several places that you can get that at. My experience at Che Fico just seemed like it was "dining out on its own reputation." Still, they have been around for a while so maybe its worth trying again. Or maybe just for some drinks and a snack.

We had such an incredible meal at Che Fico. Every single thing we ordered was outstanding! Truly one of those dinners where you keep looking at each other after every bite. Beyond the food, the atmosphere completely makes the experience. The open kitchen brings so much energy to the room. Every table was full, music was playing, the space felt alive and somehow it still felt intimate enough to easily talk and actually hear my partner. That balance is rare and they nail it. We sat at the chef’s counter and I absolutely loved watching the kitchen in motion. Seeing the team move and then tasting the dishes as they came out made it even more special. The focaccia was phenomenal. The pasta with their bolognese was rich. The pizza was my personal favorite perfectly balanced and beautifully executed. And the crostata? Eyes-rolling-to-the-back-of-my-head good. Absolutely incredible. No notes.