San Francisco Restaurants|San Francisco, California, United States

Villon

Name: Villon
Telephone: 628-895-2039

Eclectic contemporary cuisine in a stylish setting

VERIFIED LUXURY

Learn How We Inspect

Villon, San Francisco Proper Hotel's stunning restaurant, is a dining destination. The menu focuses on tableside service, elegant preparations of upscale ingredients like American wagyu and farmed abalone, and innovative treatment of vegetables.

The menu also features cocktails inspired by the city's seven-by-seven square miles crafted by the well-respected bar team behind Trick Dog. There are also superb renditions of classics like a wonderfully balanced sidecar and an irresistibly potent mai tai. The wine list, curated by general manager Robyn Montes, is exciting and trendy, with bottles from lesser-known regions like Croatia and Hungry.

So order a drink and prepare to linger: renowned interior expert Kelly Wearstler designed a wildly chic dining room that is intimate and inviting.

Our Inspector's Highlights

There is an enchanting opulence to Wearstler's décor. No other San Francisco restaurant is quite this stylish. A custom black marble and walnut bar with a towering spirits library anchors the space. The walls are a soothing and distinguished blue. Gold, stone and glass punctuate throughout, creating a dining room that is layered and full of rich texture. Geometric elements, like the wood floor and sleek chair covers, recall the art deco era and the grandeur of ages past. Every detail is eye-catching and conversation-provoking, from ribbed wooden panels to the light fixtures that resemble flying beds.
Jason Fox is an acclaimed chef revered throughout the Bay Area. To understand his culinary perspective, order the chef's tasting menu. The eight-course meal changes seasonally and features local, sustainable ingredients. A recent dinner included crunchy squid-ink crackers, melt-in-your-mouth abalone and perfectly cooked plump duck breast with honey glaze. For $85 without wine pairings, it's an affordable and delicious way to experience Villon's best.
That said, if you partake in the chef's menu, definitely order the wine pairings. Each pairing enhances the food in the most delectable way. For example, the sensational steamed bun with chives and caviar is paired with a sparkling pét nat (shorthand for pétillant natural), a Vouvray from France that is light and refreshing — it’s a divine way to wash down the pillowy buns.
The regular menu is broken down into four sections: raw bar and seafood, vegetables, fish and meat, and table side for two. Fox is paving his way as a chef influenced by international flavors. Carrots roasted over hay and lamb shoulder grilled over redwood may sound unusual, but it will be a revelation of scrumptiousness.
Made of vanilla and strawberry semifreddo, chocolate cake and burnt meringue, the baked Alaska is a must-order. The dreamy dessert has one of the best ice cream cakes you'll ever taste. It is both nostalgic and retro yet refined and luxurious.

Things to Know

Villon is open all day, and standout dishes aren't found only at dinner. Breakfast includes a savory shakshuka with pepper sofrito and huevos rancheros with gigante beans and smoked yogurt. There are mussels and chorizo with crispy potatoes and a "Proper" club sandwich with roasted turkey, bacon, avocado and herbed ranch at lunch.
Although its address is 1100 Market Street, Villon does not have an entrance on Market. To get to the restaurant, you must enter the Proper Hotel through the back door at 45 McAllister Street. Stroll through the gorgeously appointed lobby until you find the restaurant on your left.
While walk-ins are welcome, reservations are recommended for the most enjoyable experience.
On Saturday and Sunday, brunch and afternoon tea are also offered, the latter of which includes a selection of delectable tea sandwiches and housemade sweets from the Proper Hotel's pastry chef, Samara Wales.

Amenities