Few restaurants in the country carry the kind of quiet, earned gravity that Quince does. Opened in 2003 by chef Michael Tusk and his wife Lindsay in Pacific Heights, the restaurant has been located in Jackson Square since 2009. What started as an intimate neighborhood spot has evolved into one of the most critically lauded dining experiences in the United States — a place where every detail, from the soil a vegetable grew in to the precise temperature of each plate, is treated as a matter of artistic importance.
Quince was awarded one Michelin star in the debut San Francisco Bay Area Michelin Guide in 2007, a second Michelin star in 2014, and a third Michelin star in 2017. It has also been awarded four stars by the San Francisco Chronicle, a green star from the Michelin Guide, and is a distinguished member of Relais & Châteaux. The accolades are staggering — but the experience is what keeps people coming back.
What Makes Quince Extraordinary
Quince serves nightly-changing tasting menus highlighting the restaurant’s unique partnership with Fresh Run Farm, where Michael and Peter Martinelli plan the plantings in the singular microclimate of Bolinas each season. This farm-to-table relationship isn’t a marketing phrase — it’s a living, breathing collaboration that determines what lands on your plate each evening. The menu genuinely shifts night to night, which means no two visits are ever quite the same.
Restaurant Quince serves California contemporary cuisine guided by Chef Michael Tusk’s lifelong respect for seasonality, terroir, and artisanal producers. While his culinary foundation is grounded in the principles of Italian cuisine, his years in California have influenced his approach with a deep sense of place. Along the way, a cuisine that started out as Italian with Californian influences has become the reverse: Californian with some Italian touches — a natural, organic evolution that reflects both the chef’s roots and the extraordinary bounty of Northern California.
The Gastronomy Menu — a refined tasting journey composed nightly by Chef Michael Tusk — is the definitive Quince experience, served exclusively in the main dining room. Think gently cooked first-of-the-season peas served in a silky broth with guanciale and Tomales Bay clam. Pasta has always been a highlight here, and the agnolotti filled with white asparagus is no exception. Signature dishes that tend to resurface — like luscious tortellini, rare squab, and white truffle noodles — showcase the kitchen’s command of both technique and ingredient quality.
The Bolinas Bar is an intimate salon-like space dedicated to the California Coast & Valleys menu — a refined, four-course experience that serves as a tribute to the restaurant’s farm and a culinary exploration of the state’s vast terroir. This menu allows you to create your own experience by selecting dishes from a four-course menu that celebrates the state’s rich and varied terroirs — from coastlines and farms to valleys and forests. It’s a slightly more accessible entry point to what Quince offers, and it’s genuinely spectacular in its own right.
Quince has been known to surprise guests with a “kitchen tour” that involves a course or two at the chef’s table — an effect that makes many feel VIP while still being inclusive of more diners. Evenings often close with a rolling mignardise cart, an old-world flourish that has delighted diners with treats like bourbon old fashioned truffles, matcha coconut honey cream flowers, and salted caramels — a sweet, theatrical sendoff to an unforgettable meal.
Wine director Jai Wilson oversees a topnotch cellar that can accommodate 10,000 bottles; the focus is on the Piedmont region, but selections draw from the best from France and California. The wine program alone is worth the trip for enthusiasts.
Atmosphere & Décor
Chef Michael and Lindsay Tusk’s fine dining enclave reopened in a historic brick building in Jackson Square, resulting in a more expansive, grown-up atmosphere completely befitting of Michael Tusk’s sophisticated Italian-influenced cuisine. The building itself carries a palpable sense of history — exposed brick, layered textures, and carefully chosen art work in harmony with the food being served.
A renovation revealed a sheltered entryway crafted in glass and metal; an elegant Champagne bar and lounge with tableside cocktail preparations, Champagne and caviar service; two private dining rooms; a redone kitchen with added Chef’s Counter seating; as well as new furnishings, art, and décor throughout the dining rooms. Every inch of the space feels intentional — nothing is accidental, and nothing is out of place.
The private dining room, located just above the Bolinas Bar, can seat up to 16 guests and offers views into the adjacent wine cellar. The room is a beautiful space, offset by a wall of original brick arches true to the historically landmarked building. For a special event or an intimate celebration, it’s one of the most memorable private dining settings in San Francisco.
Other Considerations
What does a meal at Quince actually cost? The Gastronomy Menu, which spans 10 courses, costs $475 per person. There is also a four-course menu available for $270 per person. These are investment-level prices, but for a Three-Michelin-Star experience with a nightly-changing menu sourced from a dedicated farm, most diners find it to be among the most memorable meals they’ve ever had.
How do I get a reservation? The reservation system of choice is Tock and requires a hefty deposit; the reservation can only be rescheduled, not cancelled or refunded. Plan ahead — tables fill up well in advance, especially on weekends. Quince is open Tuesday through Saturday, with reservations for the main dining room available from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Can I visit for lunch? Lunch is offered every Friday and Saturday from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, providing an elegant and relaxed welcome to the weekend. The four-course lunch menu offers a refined and concise expression of the Quince dinner experience, composed with ingredients sourced daily from Fresh Run Farm. It’s a slightly gentler introduction to what the kitchen can do.
What about the Bolinas Bar — do I need a reservation? Seating in the Bolinas Bar is on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of guests booking the California Coast & Valleys menu, which requires a prior reservation. This makes the Bar a more spontaneous option for those wanting to experience Quince without the full planning commitment.
Are there any dietary considerations to be aware of? Due to the complexity of the menu, it may not be possible to accommodate all dietary restrictions. The menu relies quite heavily on shellfish and dairy-based ingredients. If you have specific dietary needs, reach out to the restaurant well in advance to discuss options.
Is Quince right for every diner? It’s worth noting that the experience at Quince skews toward those who appreciate precision and refinement above all else. Some find the atmosphere exquisitely elegant; others who prefer a more vivacious or soulful dining energy may find it quite formal. For special occasions, milestone celebrations, or serious food lovers seeking one of California’s absolute pinnacles of fine dining, it is unmatched.
Quince
📍 470 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Website: https://www.quincerestaurant.com
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