Stem Kitchen & Garden

We had a big group lunch (16 people for a work event) and was really happy with the food and service (and they have a full bar which is fantastic). We had the middle-​priced pre-​fixe for $ 41/​per person and had two salads which were really, really fresh (beet/​burrata & garden lettuce), tri-​tip and chicken for the entrée and a couple sides. Everything was cooked well for the group size — I highly reco and I am sure it is fun to play bocce in the spring when it is nicer out. Also the chocolate cookies are really good.

Happening place for social activities and 20−30something socialites. Love the big outdoor space with rows of vegetable plants. Good comfort food menu with solid thinner crust pizzas, beet salad and fresh mozzarella, desserts.
Also surprisingly a good place for families on the weekend as kids can kind of roam the halls of the office area or the outside garden area.

This is a good place for lunch or dinner. They have something for everyone. They also usually have a good vegan or vegetarian option. However, if you aren’t that type of foodie they also have a Cheese steak sandwich or something on the carnivore side. There also is generally a fish option. The food and desserts are consistently good. They are also conveniently located in Mission Bay. However, this isn’t a place you want to frequent every day since the prices are a little above most budgets. It’s really a once every few weeks place to meet and relax. I’ve been here more than 8 times and it has never been disappointing. The staff and service are also generally pretty good. A solid four star.

Had my sister’s baby shower here! Was so gorgeous and the people who helped us coordinate the shower were so helpful and friendly. Staff was more than kind the entire time and made sure that we had a wonderful time. They served several hors d’oeuvres (most of which I can’t remember) and a few pizzas which were so delicious. The food really was quality and was prepared with so much attention to detail. It surprised me that every single plate that came out to us looked as good or better than the plates before it, and they were turning out dishes for a solid two hours straight.
Location is also so gorgeous, with a view of the SF bay. There’s also bocce ball which is a super fun party game to play with a bunch of half-​drunk adults and children.
Only downside is parking is a bit of a hassle since there’s no private lot.
If you want to have delicious food at a beautiful venue I highly recommend this place.

What a hidden gem! It’s definitely a bit out of the way, but it is worth the trek. Now that I’m moving to Potrero Hill, I’m really stoked to know that this place is in the neighborhood.
Ambiance, especially for large parties, is excellent. It’s spacious with a sexy modern interior, and there were many long dining tables meant to accommodate large groups. Because this restaurant is a bit out of the way, it wasn’t too crowded even at 7:30pm on a Saturday night.
Food was excellent. Much like the quality of food served at the restaurants in wine country. Loved the open kitchen concept and high ceilings.
I thought service was fairly good, but could have been better considering there weren’t so many patrons in the restaurant.
Even the price point and portion sizes were extremely fair — we had a prix fixe menu and got to try several dishes paired with some red wine; the total amount pp came out to less than $ 70. (The chocolate bomba dessert was amazing, btw.) I know where I’ll be taking any visitors/​family when I went to impress them with any local bites near my apartment.

I went here for a friend’s birthday party with a table of 10 people. We had a set menu with two items from salads, sides, mains, and desserts. Everything was delicious. The staff was super accommodating and friendly. I’m still dreaming of the chocolate mousse ganache cake. Wonderful place great for groups or a couple. Kind of weird entering into an office building but very beautiful one you get upstairs.

I have been here many times and tried most of items on their menu. Every single item was sooooooo delicious! Their foods are light, lean, and clean yet full of flavors.
It seems like they changed their recipes a little bit (or changed chef?) recently, I personally prefer the old recipes, but their foods are still good.
They have the nicest patio area with ocean view and the beatiful chef’s garden. You can see the ingredients in your dishes are growing in the garden.
Easy parking is a huge plus!

Stem is a restaurant hidden in Mission Bay but could be a diamond in the rough. I went for a friend’s birthday and we shared some apps/​drinks and it was quite expensive when we split the bill evenly the next day but I attribute that to some people running up the bar tab.
While confusing to find and a bit of a strange location, as you enter the actual restaurant you are welcomed by a lovely setting and a trendy outdoor garden space. Our group sat outside around three fire-​pits and had the large outdoor space practically to ourselves. You are sitting under string lights with a view of the bay. I am very interested in coming back for a day event with friends to take advantage of the bocce ball courts.
As it was predominately a beverage birthday party, my focus was on wine not food but I did have a few slices of pizza. The pizza was great and did taste fresh. Stem boasts of using all items from their garden onsite, which is very neat.
I look forward to coming back.

I went here for the first time a few days ago with 3 vegetarians. We shared everything, but I admit I was a little concerned about not having many options and not feeling satisfied with just veggie dishes.
I am happy to report that I was neither disappointed by the variety of options nor did I leave hungry; quite the opposite actually!
There was an apple dessert… the crispin apple something-​a-​rather that was so good I couldn’t help but finish the whole thing even though I was already full. Delicious!

Had a similar experience to Natalie K. and Sig S. when we got together with a group of my wife’s colleagues for an informal end of year dinner. There were roughly 12 of us so apparently we were told we would need to preorder to make a reservation. Bizarre requirement that added a bunch of difficulty collecting orders ahead of time so the decision was made to chance it and go walk-​in. When we arrived, they told us we could either sit outside or in the lounge area which had just a few small tables that would be tough to eat at for 6 let alone 12. So we bundled up and went outside. The staff who set us up out there did not seem happy and she sloppily pulled together a few tables.
Food and drinks we had to order by going inside individually and then paying upfront. Again bizarre and likely we would have ordered much more of not for the inconvenience of having to schlep inside for each order.
What made this all the more odd was the mediocrity of the food. Ingredients included fresh produce, yet the way they were combined was pretty uninspiring.
In summary:
Service: rude to non existent
Food: meh
Atmosphere: beautiful setting. If it were daytime and not so cold, I’m sure it would have been even nicer.
Maybe this place is nice for a so-​so date (which is why I gave it an extra star), but gawd awful (hostile even) for large groups. Maybe they should just say they don’t accept groups larger than 6 people?

Absurd. I will NEVER return. I’m so disappointed in this restaurant. We came here for my girlfriends birthday last night (Tuesday) and had a party of 12. They made us pre-​order food (what?) and put a card down. Weird, but I get it, so fine. That being said, no one got to order what they actually wanted for dinner, because we had to preorder food. This probably made our bill less and was worse for their business. Again, whatever.
The staff was SO BIZARRE. We walk in to be seated, they seat us outside near no fireplaces or heaters. We ask to move inside to the empty restaurant or almost empty deck, and the manager rudely tells us no, because they have parties… who never showed up. First and foremost, we prepaid for most of our food, and we’re ordering tons of drinks as a party of 12, and you CANT move us somewhere warm?!
Next, we decide to deal with freezing outside. They begin bringing us food and we ask to order drinks, but they tell us we don’t have a server and must order from the bar!!! Are you kidding?!? So we leave our warm food in the cold and head to the bar to get our $ 13 drinks, that took 15 per drink to make, and basically miss out on the entire dinner and conversation.
So disappointing. Our fire goes out and we sit in the cold for 15 minutes and they tell us that turning them on is annoying. We eat our cake by the «lobby?» Not sure what this is. We aren’t able to get our bill. Then, they ruined our cake surprise by announcing it to the birthday girl.
Food was prepaid and I still managed to have to order $ 90 worth of food and drinks, and so do four other people in our group!
Nice space but in a weird location. The food is mediocre to say the least. The service made this experience unbearable. We wasted hundreds of dollars at a restaurant that ruined the experience for us.

The roast beef sandwich is really fresh with what I’m assuming house roasted meat – pretty raw and flavorful. I wish the meat were sliced thinner so it’s easier to chew on since it’s pretty raw, but I have no complains for the taste. Service is not attentive or friendly, but fast, it is okay for lunch hours.

I brought two of my co-​workers here for lunch. The food is very simple abs light but good. The view is pretty incredible as well. I will have to try it for dinner some time.

Great spot. We sat outside as a large group of 10. The heat lamps were great, especially with the cold breeze. As for the food, it was superb. The pizza was delicious — not the best, but above par (⁷⁄₁₀). The halibut was rather small, but it packed a decent punch. I’d rate it ⁵⁄₁₀. As for the appetizers, the corn balls were not bad at 6/​10, but the meatballs were the highlight at ⁹⁄₁₀.
The waitress unfortunately spilled two drinks on my back and it soaked my jacket/​pants, but I don’t want to ding her for it.
I’d definitely come back here — just wish they gave us something for the big spill!

Stem has a great atmosphere and boche ball courts when available. For the atmosphere alone, I would Gove this place 5stars, but there are are are so many alternatives working against this place that I believe they are over looking and they are striving on just their setting.
Fistt, when I tried to make a reservation at 6 for 6 people, they told me nothing was available, only bar stools. When we arrived at four, there was no one there, however we stayed until six, and only about 7 of the 30 tables were being used. We should up and the tables were moved against the wall with only enough seating for five, but one did not come, but there would be no way we coiuld fit six there. Either really bad answering service or really bad reservation follow through
Next were the meals. Although they were very delicious, they were very small in portion. A $ 12 meatball had about three meatballs the size of large gumballs. Also the salad for $ 11 maybe had 10 leaves with a little radishes. The five of us shared two helpings of each and each person maybe got one meatball and five leaves of lettuce.
The Pizzas were fairly decent in size and only $ 18, and the only decent thing worth ordering on the menu. If I were ever to go back, I would advise to only order pizzas .
Next came the desert, which was delicious but fairly small as well. Also about $ 9. The average bill for one person here with drinks and an entrée is about $ 70, and in my personal opinion, definitely not worth it for the small portions.
When we received our total bill, it was $ 225 for 5 people, who were splitting the meals. Ridiculously over priced. I actually went back to the menu and added up the current pricing, and unless they charged us for the water, the overcharged us by $ 60. I called them but still no return
Then came the boche ball courts. They was a small family who was using the the courts for over 2 hours and never moved. We would have obviously of gotten up and loved to play, but the chance never arises. Something needs to be put in place so the bocce ball courts will free up. IE chalkboard
My final advice: Avoid this place unless you are looking for a art deco fancy expensive dinner.

The entrance to the restaurant is through a steril office building lobby. Once you walk inside the vibe is modern yet rustic.
It is a cool space but can seem a bit dark if you are not seated by the window.
The food was very good. We shared a burrata/​beet salad, and I had the Halibut for my main.
The halibut was perfectly cooked and had just the right amount of sauce without making feel to rich.
One thing that seemed odd was I had made a reservation via Unilocal Seatme. When we arrived I asked for a table by the window but was told that those table were already «reserved».
Not sure if you have to actually call ahead with the special request…

There are so many places to go for good food. In the south SF area. But I needed more.
Folks were coming in from all over the country so I needed something that would have a unique Bay Area feel.
I needed a space where we could build relationships on a new team.
I needed something for us to do if things got awkward.
And I needed good food.
Stem offered all and it did not disappoint.
We had a reservation on the patio for 8. Looking out onto the bay. SO lovely. Heat lamps and relatively sheltered so the temp was great even on a cooler evening.
As the sun goes down we see the lights on the patio brighten, a walk around the garden, bocce ball for fun. Fire pits, chairs with great bones…
The food was fantastic, fresh and well portioned.
It’s oddly located in a space above a office building — but that was my only beef and really not a problem at all. Just odd.
See the list of pics for what we had — all of it was fantastic.

This place reminds me of San Diego. It has a classy, minimalistic and modern yet organic décor. It also has an outdoor patio and garden that is located right next to the waterfront in Mission Bay. It’s a perfect brunch and lunch spot for the summer.
I met up with my mom to have lunch. She started out with a sparkling white prosecco, but I stuck to water for the time being. They are a bit pricy, but everything on the menu looked fantastic and gourmet. The chefs definitely took their time developing and creating the menu. I had a soup and a salad, and my mom had a sandwich and soup combo. We both had the corn soup, while my mom got the chicken salad sandwich and I got the special salad of the day. Everything tasted SO fresh and vibrant. You can really taste the quality of ingredients they use. The way everything was plated was also very classy and tasteful. The soup had flower petals adorning the surface as well as other sauces that were laid on top in a special design.
I would definitely come back here, but it’s a big expensive for a frequent meal. I guess you are paying for the quality, the creativeness and the ambiance/​location. Loved this place!
Ambiance: 4.5÷5 (it is located inside/​right next to an organization)
Food: 4.5÷5
Service: 4.5÷5
Overall Experience: 4.5÷5 (not a 5 only because I feel like I didn’t try their main entrees)

What to say about Stem… well, the only reason why I even heard of this place was through a coworker. I had tried her LEFTOVER SALAD which was absolutely delicious. To think, the ONLY reason why I wanted to try this place was based on leftover salad… that’s gotta tell you something.
Any who, I decided to give this place a try on a Friday night! They were pretty empty at 7pm but looks like the later crowds came around 7:30−8. They have outdoor seating which you should definitely check out! They also have bocci ball for when you’re done eating and still wanna hangout :)
Drinks: I decided to try the Tradewind and dogpatch cobbler. Tradewind was ok but the dogpatch was so much more refreshing!
Appetizer: The steamed clams and mussels. My favorite! I love steamed clams and mussels and the broth they had was To. Die. For.
Mains: the Margherita pizza was alright. Nothing special. The tri-​tip was pretty yummy, I really liked the garnish on top which was a mixture of capers, onions and pickles. Paired nicely with the meat.
Dessert: cookies with cream, i love cookies especially when they’re warm but this wasn’t something I’d order again.
Bill came out to around $ 110 for 2 people. The view itself is something I’d come back for. Service was good, parking is impossible unless you park in a nearby garage. Overall, I’d come back to try the other things on the menu but aside from the clams and mussels, I probably wouldn’t order the others again.
Side note: this building is beautiful!

Fantastic outdoor area
Bocce Ball courts
Farm to Table dishes
Great for large groups
Plenty of seating
Drinks selection is great and craft drinks are done well
Food is good with no real highs or lows (vegetarian friendly fare)
Overall Thoughts
Great place to unwind after work!