[17] The shop has stayed largely unchanged in terms of its seafood selection, wine selection, and presentation too, the simplicity of which has earned it consistent accolades. Although I lived just one block away in San Francisco, CA, I had absolutely no clue about the famous gem in my neighborhood – Swan Oyster Depot – until I had moved away. Swan Oyster Depot $ $ $ $ Seafood / Raw Bar in Nob Hill. Swan Oyster Depot: The best Sashimi plate ever! Swan Oyster Depot Super-fresh seafood in Nob Hill, hold the attitude. Fresh oysters and clams. For locals, this is an Nov 11, 2019 - Swan Oyster Depot's Crab Louis Serves: 4 Recipe from the Swan Oyster Depot restaurant, San Francisco. Beer & drafts. Tradeoff is there are only 10-15 seats. Photograph: Flickr/Rob Hyndman Spiced delta crayfish at Swan Oyster Depot. [10], When Sal Sancimino bought the shop, he expanded the line from shellfish to include Pacific coast fish and seafood. It’s still worth the wait. Olympias are one example, known in the industry as "Olys." Swan Oyster Depot is a seafood eatery and cultural landmark located in the Polk Gulch neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Swan Oyster Depot, like La Taqueria and House of Prime Rib, is an essential institution in San Francisco. May 4, 2019 - Explore Rosie Eads's board "Swan Oyster Depot" on Pinterest. I recommend getting there early, going alone, and on a rainy day, but even those layers of precaution aren’t foolproof. ", "Lawrence Ferlinghetti's Enduring San Francisco", "Where Chef Stuart Brioza of San Francisco's State Bird Provisions Eats", "10 of America's Best Historic Restaurants", "The Foodist's 10 Favorite Oyster Bars Across America", "America's Classics: Traci Des Jardins on San Francisco's Swan Oyster Depot", "James Beard Foundation Announces 2019 Chef and Restaurant Semi-finalists", "Bourdain's Favorite San Francisco Spot Remembers Famed Chef", "Celebrity Anthony Bourdain loved Swan Oyster Depot in San Francisco", "Anthony Bourdain's suicide leaves his beloved San Francisco shocked and saddened", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Swan_Oyster_Depot&oldid=995809376, California articles missing geocoordinate data, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Vincent Sancimino, Steven Sancimino, Thomas Sancimino, James Sancimino, Kevin Sancimino, Brian Dwyer, Erik Wideman, Vincent Croon, Andrew Idiart, Marino Peradotto, John Del Bianco, Nico Toracca, Michelin guide, James Beard Award, Silver Spoon, This page was last edited on 23 December 2020, at 00:31. [30] After having his first job working for a seafood wholesaler, he and Rose bought Swan Oyster Depot. [43], On the day of Anthony Bourdain's death,[44] June 8, 2018, hundreds of people came to Swan Oyster Depot to pay their respects to the star and remember him at the place he came so often in San Francisco. Swan Oyster Depot. A profile of this landmark San Francisco seafood restaurant. Smoked salmon, shrimp cocktails & all kinds of seafood salad. Bing Crosby, Margaret Thatcher, Francis Ford Coppola, Madeline Kahn, Michael Mina, Claudette Colbert, Julia Child, Nicolas Cage, Éric Ripert, Traci Des Jardins, Bono, to name but a few. "Swan Oyster Depot is known for its selection of fresh and sometimes rare oysters, with the list of what is available changing daily. [25] On February 27, 2019, Swan Oyster Depot was announced as a semi-finalist for the James Beard Award for service. [32] Rose and Sal had eight grandchildren, all of whom grew up working at some time in the restaurant. Smoked salmon, shrimp cocktails & all kinds of seafood salad. [33], The walls of Swan Oyster Depot are covered with memorabilia and artifacts collected and curated during the shop's over century-long existence. [16] The band of brothers behind the counter in the early days and now the Sancimino extended family is reportedly a big part of the attraction because of their extensive knowledge of seafood. it's a required visit as part of one's itinerary. institution that epitomizes the best of San Francisco. Pinterest. "Seafood heaven! Wer rein möchte kann sich auf einige Wartezeit vorbereiten. [1], Swan Oyster Depot first opened its doors in San Francisco in the early 1890s[2] as the Cable Oyster Depot. Kevin says: “They’re like the Kumamotos of clams—small and sweet with a pronounced flavor. 5 out of 5 stars. During the Gold Rush time in the 1850s, Olys were popular, readily available in the Bay Area, and used in many dishes. The first thing you'll notice about Swan Oyster Depot is the line outside. James Beard, the famed cook, author, and champion of American cuisine, was a regular as was Anthony Bourdain, who lived in New York and was said to have come to Swan every time he came to visit San Francisco. ", "What Are the Must-Have Dishes at Swan Oyster Depot in San Francisco? There’s a nice balance of salty and creamy. 5 comments. [27], While the Lausten family is credited with starting Swan Oyster Depot in the 1890s, it is the Sancimino family that can be credited with working to make Swan into a popular dining destination. [22] James Beard was a major fan of Swan and regularly dined there. Get this. be back! [21] Traci Des Jardins states that it is her "go-to place for cracked crab and oysters", noting that she has eaten there for over twenty years. Swan Oyster Depot is a seafood eatery and cultural landmark located in the Polk Gulch neighborhood of San Francisco, California. While there, he met Maria, a woman with Sicilian roots, who was serving soup to the displaced from an impromptu soup kitchen. - See 743 traveler reviews, 465 candid photos, and great deals for San Francisco, CA, at Tripadvisor. COVID update: Swan Oyster Depot has updated their hours, takeout & delivery options. [8] Sal and his wife Rose were at the shop daily, with Sal working behind the counter and Rose doing the accounting and billing. 2902 reviews of Swan Oyster Depot "Very good clam chowder. Andrew Steinthal. Visit website. best seafood restaurant in San Francisco. In the scene at Swan Oyster Depot, there’s a genuine sense of childlike glee as Tony works his way through some of his menu favourites, like crab backs and freshly shucked oysters. For tourists, it's a required visit as part of one's itinerary. [5][6] They decided to change the name of the shop to something for good luck and chose Swan, because the Swan is the national bird of Denmark. [14] One writer called it a "tiny temple dedicated to the glories of fruta di mare. I will This makes it one of the longest continuous businesses and dining establishments in the United States. [26], The lines at Swan are known for being long at any time of the day. [40] He described his relationship with Swan as "true love"[41] and frequently made the restaurant a priority stop, alone or with a camera crew. Save. [29], Salvatore Sancimino finished high school and during World War II, joined a branch of the Navy called the Seabees and served in the South Pacific. The catastrophic earthquake that either toppled or caused fires across much San Francisco in 1906 sent many San Francisco residents, including Vincent, to seek temporary refuge in city's Golden Gate Park. swanoysterdepotsf.com has been informing visitors about topics such as Dining Menu, Restaurant SF and Seafood Restaurant Menu. 1517 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109-3606 +1 415-673-1101 Website Menu. See More " Swan Oyster Depot is a wonderful experience." with a Louis dressing. … [20] Andrew Knowlton has called it his "favorite restaurant in America". / new. Olympias are one example. Vincent, however, eventually returned to the shop and took up his place beside his brothers. Their earlier enterprise was named Cable Oyster Depot. They headed to the waters off Fisherman's Wharf to start making a living. They also gave us complimentary bread as we sat down. This makes it one of the longest continuous businesses and dining establishments in the United States. It's one of the most popular in the city! Share. 8.9/ 10. The Sanciminos had six sons: Vincent, Steven, John, Thomas, Philip, Jim, and a daughter, Mary, and over the years, all of them worked at some point at the shop. This was very delicious and can be very filling! and his GF and yes, we had to wait line ... which was expected... with Sometime thereafter, the two were married and eventually had two daughters and four sons, the eldest of which was Salvatore. Clam and Oyster Primer. Here, Kevin Sancimino gives us a quick breakdown of flavor profiles. Celebrity chefs and critics are regular visitors and vocal reviewers. Get directions. Ranked #4 for seafood restaurants in San Francisco. " Swan Oyster Depot is fantastic & tasty however you'll need to wait in line, pay a handful and its CASH ONLY." Buy to go is an option. After the devastating 1906 earthquake the Army Corps of Engineers dynamited everything from City Hall to Fisherman's Wharf to stop the fire from spreading. During the Gold Rush time in the 1850s, Olympias were popular, readily available in the Bay Area, and used in many dishes. Twitter. Swan Oyster Depot first opened its doors in San Francisco in the early 1890's as the Cable Oyster Depot. ", "Hill, Swan Oyster Depot is larger than life and arguably, the "Hill, Swan Oyster Depot is larger than life and arguably, the best seafood restaurant in San Francisco. For locals, this is an institution that epitomizes the best of San Francisco. Beer & drafts. This seafood restaurant is famous for their crab. [12], The long Italian marble counter and the 18 stools have been there since the shop reopened. Classic San Fran Seafood Located in the Nob Hill neighborhood, Swan Oyster Depot is more than 100 years old—an amazing feat in the restaurant business, especially considering they haven’t lost … A seat at Swan Oyster Depot is possibly one of the most sought after in the U.S. and most definitely in San Francisco. COVID update: Swan Oyster Depot has updated their hours, takeout & delivery options. Fresh oysters and clams. By 1912, the Laustens constructed a new shop at 1517 Polk Street, adjacent to the former location. [39], From the Swan beginning in the early 1900s, a regular following of locals has come either to eat or to pick up seafood to go. Surviving all types of economic upheavals, that is a mind warming exceptional accomplishment. Order delivery Time Out … Founded by the Lausten family, who were immigrants from Denmark, the shop, started as a purveyor of shellfish from Fisherman's Wharf. This place is amazing! Join thousands of satisfied visitors who discovered Best Restaurants, Restaurant Dining Coupons and Restaurant Lunch Menu.This domain may be for sale! [42] After Bourdain's segment of his television show The Layover was taped in San Francisco at Swan Oyster Depot and aired on October 15, 2012, it increased the popularity of the restaurant. Shortly after his discharge, he married Rose, a former Army nurse. Written by . [3] With their business gone, the Laustens made a name for themselves in the devastated post-earthquake community by bringing wheat to Golden Gate Park and handing it out to people so that they could make bread.[4]. [45], San Francisco Examiner, December 25, 1894, "How did Swan Oyster Depot get its avian name? In 1946, Sal Sancimino and Pat La Rocca bought Swan Oyster Depot from the Laustens. Buy to go is an option. Swan Oyster Depot. 1517 Polk Street. 2900 reviews of Swan Oyster Depot "Very good clam chowder. Fresh oysters and clams. This makes it one of the longest continuous businesses and dining establishments in the United States. The wait could be longer than you think. Smoked salmon, shrimp cocktails & all kinds of seafood salad. There are families that have come for six generations[30] and the Swan crew knows the majority of customers by their first name. It opened there in 1903 and except for a brief hiatus and rebuilding period following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, it has been running continuously in the same venue since that time. Swan Oyster Depot's Tom Sancimino On Celebrities, Weirdness, And A Fish Market on the 'Edge Of The Earth'. [28] The Sancimino brothers arrived in America in the 1880s from Sicily. only counter dining.. it was ALL worth it..", We have moved to a new, catchy domain SwanOysterDepot.US to emphasize our USA nature, CopyRight @2013-2014 www.swanoysterdepot.us All Rights Reserved. Alex Lau. Das Swan Oyster Depot ist eigentlich ein langer Tresen mit einigen Barhockern davor- platzmässig ein Trauerspiel. Unclaimed. Restaurants, Seafood Nob Hill Recommended. I would be there every day if I There were all delicious as [13], Swan Oyster Depot has been the focus of international travel writers and food critics for many years. Tradeoff is there are only 10-15 seats. Littleneck Clams. We also had the assortment of dozen oysters. ", "Swan Oyster Depot is a GEM! T here’s never not a line at this no-frills raw bar in Nob Hill. could. The wait could be longer than you think. [35] Over time, however, because they are smaller and more slow to mature than most other popular oyster varieties, they became less profitable and more rare a choice for most shellfish purveyors to grow. By Sophia Lorenzi January 11, 2013. I had the pleasure to visit this awesome place with my brother It opened there in 1903 and except for a brief hiatus and rebuilding period following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, it has been running continuously in the same venue since that time. See More "If you want to go to a real original San Francisco seafood place, and you're up for a little adventure, then you have to try Swan Oyster Depot on Polk Street." For tourists, The joys of Swan Oyster Depot Locals and tourists flock to stand in line at San Francisco’s most famous seafood counter. Monday. COVID update: Swan Oyster Depot has updated their hours, takeout & delivery options. Later, a fifth brother named Vincent arrived and started fishing the local waters as well. Swan's menu has remained largely unchanged throughout its history, and it has had exac… [38], Celebrities have been regularly sighted at Swan Oyster Depot over the years. [19] CNN listed Swan's as one of "America's Best Historic Restaurants". San Francisco, CA 94109. [23], Swan won the coveted James Beard Award for Best Restaurant and Chef in the American Classics category in 2000[24] and has been a semi-finalist for the award several times. 588. ratings. a combo salad that had crab, prawns, and shrimp on a bed of lettuce Closed now : See all hours. [11] Sal described Swan as "strictly a seasonal house" meaning that everything sold there was fresh, rather than frozen. [5], Celebrity chef, author, and television host Anthony Bourdain was a Swan Oyster Depot regular for decades, paying his first visit to Swan Oyster Depot long before he had gained celebrity status. Remy Galvan-Hale Venue Info Via Foursquare. Please contact the restaurant directly. [31] Salvatore made it into both a seafood market and an informal eatery, with fresh daily fare being his standard for both. When something is already close to perfection, there is little need for change. See more ideas about swan oyster depot, swan, lake birthday. Co-owner Steve Sancimino says this is the way hi Facebook . [9] Rose stopped doing the books when she was 90 and Sal worked until he turned 88. [7] After the shop was rebuilt the Lausten's expanded it to include a pickup and delivery business. well. He sends himself on a minor guilt-trip when he decides to disrupt his diet with a beer (a pint of Anchor Steam, brewed just three miles away, no less) as his monologue veers towards the self-depreciative. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, call ahead to verify hours, and remember to practice social distancing. The seven Sancimino children grew up working various jobs behind the marble counter. "[15] The shop is often called a journey back in time because it has stayed largely unchanged for decades. Lines can last as long as three hours and drape all the way down Polk Street. Tradeoff is there are only 10-15 seats. Eventually, daughter Mary opted for another direction and became an attorney as did the eldest of the clan, Vincent. [34], Swan Oyster Depot is known for its selection of fresh and sometimes rare oysters, with the list of what is available changing daily. Online Menu of Swan Oyster Depot Restaurant, San Francisco, California, 94109 - Zmenu Due to Covid-19, restaurant open hours and service may differ. [36], In addition to the posted menu, there is what has been called a "secret menu," which includes seafood selections that are known and requested by regulars[37] The secret menu has such selections as the Smørrebrød, an open-faced Sandwich; a "Dozen Eggs" which are thin, raw scallops with Sriracha in ponzu sauce, and Sicilian Sashimi. 2876 reviews of Swan Oyster Depot "Very good clam chowder. Swan Oyster Depot. A trip to Swan Oyster Depot is incomplete without an order of clams and oysters on the half shell. Beer & drafts. Buy to go is an option. Swan Oyster Depot. Call restaurant. 744 reviews #72 of 3,666 Restaurants in San Francisco $$ - $$$ American Seafood Healthy. Swan's menu has remained largely unchanged throughout its history, and it has had exactly the same 18 wooden stools and marble counter that were installed for the post-earthquake reopening in 1912. My boyfriend and I shared Swan Oyster Depot has remained a mainstay of San Francisco for decades, remaining open through shelter-in-place as they continued on feeding locals … Most prominent is the 3-panel handwritten menu, put up in 1985 and left unchanged since then, with eponymous swans illustrated on the corners. The wait could be longer than you think. [18] Its reputation for fresh seafood has been the subject of praise in travel guides and food publications. 415-673-2757. Email. The shop was located at 1517 Polk Street in the Polk Gulch neighborhood.