SFReview
Included In
Being showy is in Blue Whale’s DNA. After all, it’s related to Empress By Boon, the majestic Chinatown fine dining restaurant with a $108 tasting menu and a dress code. At Blue Whale, curved royal blue booths beckon you never to leave, the patio is a multi-level destination bigger than the Cow Hollow apartments nearby, and sleek mirrors are backlit like ring lights. Blue Whale has no official dress code, but the dwellers of Union Street show up in slinky tops, tastefully unbuttoned button-downs, and more snakeskin than a reptile exhibit. They’re here to look hot and eat pretty food.
While both restaurants share a chef and a sense of style, Blue Whale is billed as the “casual” counterpart to Empress By Boon. They have an a la carte menu of mostly Chinese one-biters, dim sum, and seafood entrées for sharing. But casual doesn’t mean skimp on presentation—there’s a clear effort at play. We can’t remember the last time we saw a papaya salad draped over a pile of crispy-skinned chicken like it’s Moira Rose’s prized wig, or a comical looking whole baked lobster with the head propped up like a cruise ship animal towel.
photo credit: Erin Ng
photo credit: Erin Ng
Though nice to look at, every single dish isn’t a home run. The braised seafood noodles and Malaysian grilled snapper with shrimp paste are pleasant, but not enough to leave you dying to come back. That honor goes to the duck. The rule of thumb: if duck is involved, order it. Those dishes are the best on the menu. The crispy duck salad is zippy with pomelo bits, and the XO noodles crowned with roast duck should be on your table.
photo credit: Erin Ng
For all this talk about Blue Whale being casual, the high prices cut deep, especially considering the small portions. One order of a passable lobster will run you $88, and the Iberíco ham xiao long bao is $22 for only three pieces. Expect to spend over $75 per person at dinner, including one drink. For less of a blow to your wallet, swing by the gleaming bar for a Chinese five-spice cocktail and pork buns, then be on your way.
Blue Whale is Cow Hollow’s poster child for dinners where the food is slightly upstaged by the space, and that’s OK. You’ll still want to roll in for a birthday bash with multiple cocktail rounds, or a date night on one of the most impressive patios in town. Dust off your sexiest little top and be ready to eat a lot of duck, and you’ll have a great time.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Erin Ng
Crispy Duck Salad
photo credit: Erin Ng
Kurobuta Pork Bun
photo credit: Erin Ng
Shanghai Xiao Long Bao—Crab
photo credit: Erin Ng
Thai-Style Crispy Chicken
photo credit: Erin Ng