At the top of the staircase inside Mastro’s San Francisco, the light drops and the room opens into something closer to a supper club than a steakhouse. Large, curved picture windows frame the skyline, and a quiet glow from tabletop lanterns plays off of the dark walls lined with wine bottles. It’s designed to feel like evening, even when it’s still light outside.
Live music begins around 6:00 every night. The entertainers rotate, but the tone stays consistent: polished, low-key, and a little bit seductive. On this visit, a piano-playing chanteuse moved through her set of reinterpreted pop—Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa—with just enough phrasing to make each song her own. The sound level is calibrated to the room; it’s audible yet not at all intrusive.
The Menu
The menu plays to steakhouse expectations, beginning with classic starters like Shrimp Cocktail, French Onion Soup, Nueske’s Bacon Steak, before moving into the core of the experience: steak. Cuts range from a 6-ounce filet to a 33-ounce tomahawk, each arriving on a heated plate with a final sizzle. The Petite Filet is compact and richly flavored, with a well-seared crust. The Double Cut Pork Chop carries a smoky sweetness and comes off the bone cleanly. Salmon can be prepared several ways. (I selected grilled, and was not the least bit disappointed.) Side dishes are familiar — isn’t that why we love a good steakhouse? Garlic mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, truffle butter sautéed wild mushrooms, white cheddar lobster mac & cheese are served in shareable dishes. And note: portions are incredibly generous.
The Cocktails
Drinks follow suit. The wine list is extensive, and the by-the-glass pours are unusually generous—roughly nine ounces compared to the standard five. That makes the per-glass prices feel more reasonable than they appear at first glance, especially for those not ready to commit to a bottle. Classic cocktails are well-made, with martinis shaken tableside, emerging crisp and cold in proper stemware.
The Summer of Luxury Menu
Currently, through September 25, Mastro’s is offering a three-course “Summer of Luxury” menu Monday through Thursday evenings, starting at 6:00 p.m. For $100 per person, it includes an appetizer, entrée, side, and dessert. Appetizers include French Onion Soup with a deeply caramelized base, Maple Glazed Bacon Steak with a crisp edge and sweet finish, and a classic Shrimp Cocktail. Entrées offer a cross-section of the broader menu: Petite Filet, Herb Roasted Chicken, Double Cut Pork Chop, or Blackened Salmon. Sides include Creamed Corn, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Rosemary Garlic Sautéed Mushrooms.
The Dessert
The dessert options include the fabulously delicious Mastro’s Warm Butter Cake. This iconic item is served warm with whipped cream and berries. It’s soft in the center with a crisp edge and a browned, sugary top. It’s the moment during the meal when everyone’s eyes glaze over in rapture—it’s that good. This summer, the flavors feature lemon and blueberry.
The Takeaway
Service is composed and attentive. Staff intuits guest pacing preferences. Timing is tight, but unhurried. If you choose to linger after dessert, the team doesn’t rush you to turn the table.
Mastro’s San Francisco is well suited to all expectations. It’s quiet enough to hear your conversation, elevated enough to feel dressed for dinner, and steady enough to return to again and again, as was the case with the Sunday-regular diners at the table next to me. Whether for a formal celebration or a weekday dinner with friends, the restaurant commits to getting the details right: the cut of steak, the pour of wine, the view out the window, and the final chords of a familiar song.
Mastro’s might have multiple locations across the country, but the San Francisco outpost manages to feel specific, and special.
Photos courtesy of Mastro’s San Francisco