State Bird Provisions is a Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco that serves creative American dishes dim sum style. The small plates, called “provisions,” rotate regularly and are brought around on carts, while larger dishes, called “commandables,” are ordered from the menu. My husband and I visited State Bird Provisions this past weekend to celebrate my birthday, and here is my review of our experience.
Getting a Seat
Reservations open a month in advance, and I booked ours through Chase’s Exclusive Tables. Open reservation slots were hard to come by, but the restaurant accepts a limited number of walk-ins. When we arrived, there was already a long line of people waiting outside before opening.
Drinks
The drinks menu is fairly small. Here’s what we ordered:
- Pluot Cola ($10): flavorless according to my husband.
- Yuzu Genmaicha ($8): just ok, I couldn’t really taste the yuzu.
- N/A Heirloom Pear Cider ($15): so tasty, we both loved it!
Food
Our server recommended ordering one pancake or toast, two commandables, and several provisions. However, it was so tempting to keep grabbing dishes as the carts rolled by that we actually had to cancel one of our mains mid-meal (thanks to the staff for allowing it). If you’re visiting for the first time, I recommend leaving plenty of room for the provisions—they’re the highlight of the experience.
We spent about $110 on 11 dishes before tax and tip. I don’t remember the exact names or prices of every provision, but here are our favorites, ranked from best to worst:
- Smoked Trout Chip & Dip ($15): I usually don’t like smoked fish, but this was incredible and ended up being both of our favorite dishes.
- Eggplant: perfectly cooked and so delicious.
- Heirloom Tomato Salad: fresh and flavorful.
- CA State Bird with Provisions ($24): namesake signature dish that’s always on the menu. The quail was crispy, and my husband loved the accompanying onions.
- Fried Pork Belly with Fish Sauce: tender and juicy.
- Beef Dumpling with Thai Green Curry: good but nothing special.
- Smoked Trout Fish Sticks: good but tasted very similar to the smoked trout.
- Sourdough-sauerkraut Pecorino & Ricotta Pancake ($7.50): on the menu since the restaurant opened. We got one piece each but it was too cheesy for our taste.
- Duck Liver Mousse & Almond Financiers: the mousse was good but the financiers were a bit dry.
- Shredded Potato Salad: I thought the potatoes were too soft, but my husband didn’t mind it.
- Potatoes with Fish Flakes: bland and our least favorite dish.
Dessert
Dessert options were limited, and we shared the Sourdough Chocolate Cake ($15). It was served cold and was just ok. I wish we had tried their famous “World Peace” Peanut Milk instead, but unfortunately my husband doesn’t like milk.
Verdict
Overall, we had a fun experience at State Bird Provisions. Not knowing what the next cart will bring keeps the meal exciting. While not every dish was a winner, the portions are small enough that it’s easy to try something new without much regret. The provisions added up quickly, but we used my Chase Sapphire Reserve annual $150 dining credit to offset the cost. Even without the credit, I’d happily come back for special occasions to try a new lineup of provisions!
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