Z & Y Restaurant in San Francisco

Wanted to try this place because it was recommended on Michelin. Ratings were not so high so we were cautiously optimistic. We got there at 10:45 and Google said they open at 11:30. We asked the guy said sternly that they open at 11:30. We felt a little put off since they had the door open and they have this sign that says they “reserve the right to refuse service to anyone” which also was a little off putting. We walked around and came back at 11:15 and there were others waiting for the restaurant to open. A little surprised. We waited for them to open and they didn’t open a single minute before 11:30 which was really annoying. They could have let us sit down at least and let us browse the menu. We ordered the sour fish with numbing spice. The fish was cut thicker than we normally have it but the flavoring was amazing. The fish even though it was too thick was silky. Amazing. The soup is amazing. Not as spicy as our go to restaurant for this dish. Only place we drank the soup, it was that good. We also got the chef special clams in wine. Cooked just right. Very good as well. The cauliflower with preserved meat was served in a dish they put over some jelly flame. The flavoring is the best I’ve ever had of this dish. While we were waiting for our food, some other people got their dish and it smelled amazing. Even though we had ordered too much food we order that fried chicken dish also. Not as authentic since they breaded it and the authentic style is with no breading. The breading definitely made the dish not as good as it could be. All in all everything was above our expectation. We also ordered the pur er tea, was very good as well. Warning, the folks in front of us ordered two dishes and was shocked by the bill. Our criticism is that they should have looked at the prices before ordering. This place is expensive, but very good. Highly recommend trying at least once. Attitude could have been a little more friendly.

Heard great things about Z&Y so stopped in with friends while visiting SF! Waited about 30 minutes for dinner on a busy Saturday night. Staff is friendly and helpful with the menu, food comes out quickly once ordered. The best soup dumplings I’ve had in a long time, very rich and great texture. The mala fish was fantastic as well as the Mongolian beef and green beans. You really can’t go wrong with the menu! Filling and a good price per person when shared. Definitely recommend.

The stir fried cabbage with chili peppers is truly amazing. everything here is great, but this cabbage is really exceptional. you’re probably thinking, “it’s just cabbage,” but you’re wrong. it’s phenomenal. every time i come here i try different things, but i always get the cabbage, and you should too.

Was recommended this place by my niece who lives in SFO. I realized later that it is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant... And the other claim to Fame is that Pres. Obama ate here!The food loved up to the Michelin expectations. Coming from Singapore, I am very familiar with Sichuan chilli / mala flavours.But this restaurant manages to do the balance of flavors amazingly well. The chili spice is not overwhelming, the other flavors come through too. Unlike in many Sichuan places where the chili is overpowering as also the chili oil. Z & Y manages to do the perfect balance.But do note that if you cannot handle spice then give the spicy dishes a miss!The pricing is a bit on the expensive side!It was super crowded on a Friday evening, but the tables turn pretty quickly, so wait times wont be too long.Overall well worth the visit... And would like to definitely come back again!

Be prepared to wait on line !Food: Looking at the menu literally, made me want to order everything but since I was with family, it was hard to order many spicy options and certain dishes due to food allergies.Beef Pancake was amazing!! Aromatic, fresh with a perfect balance of flakey and crunch with a savory beef, that was my first bite. Now the second bite, was the same awesomeness but I got an amazing sauce that was in there as well; the surprise made me smile and I absolutely loved this app and looking to find in NY.Spicy Dumplings, ordered twice! It was a perfect balance of lusciousness of spicy and savory !Fried Noodle w/ Pork- mouth watering, just thinking of this and all the food! Took an order to go, perfect balance of savory, crisp yumminess topped with a marinated luscious pork.Explosive Chilli- SPICY zestful perfection, the fried chicken in it was juicy and crunchy, I really like this dish just wish that it had less red flakes ! Be careful with them unless you want to turn red!Fried Rice- fresh and tasteful, great compliment to the explosive chili.Service: quick and to the pointAtmosphere: Fine, doesnt really matter, the food it worth it all.Summary, I would stop by again when in San Fran but Ill be honest, I only found this gem because I googled top favorites restaurants of Anthony Bourdain.

Loved my experience here! the food was absolutely amazing. the price was a little bit high for my liking but overall a great time.

Good Sichuan Flavor. Taste of spicy chicken is authentic but the size of chicken cube is kind of too large. Beef stripe beyond my expectation.

The food here is really good! Go here for lunch (as we did) as the queues for dinner are huge (we tried to get in the night before hand and ended at a nearby restaurant…..as I was so hungry and the wait was huge).The spicy Sichuan dumplings are delish! Hot, spicy, mouth numbing goodness. Best I’ve had (better than my travels to Asia). The Kung Pao chicken was great, the duck rolls are great and the pork/cabbage dumplings were good. I highly recommend….especially for lunch as you will get a table immediately.

This one was a pleasant discovery. Good food, loved the flavours.There was a 15-20 mins wait for lunch on a Saturday afternoon however the wait was worth it. A perfect place for people who love spicy food. The dumplings are a must try here.

Out with Blaster Strongate and his little stab Koo Ling, and heres the lowdown, we wanted pizza but Koo Ling wanted Chinese, and not just any Chinese restaurant, she wanted to go to Z&Y Restaurant. So, we had to go across town, but Ill tell you it was sure worth it. The food was amazing! My first time here, but not my last thats for sure. My little slippery slide, Woo Bang Lee Lee has been trying to get me to take her here for a year or so but we always go to other places, but from now on when we want Chinese food were coming to Z&Y Restaurant!5 stars all day long. ☆☆☆☆☆