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I used to spend every other week in San Francisco on business. While there, I would often stay at the Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel. I discovered a restaurant back when it first opened (in 2011) and have been dining there ever since. Per Diem is located in the Financial District and its menu of Californian-Italian cuisine is consistently excellent.
Anthony’s Take: I have been to Per Diem many times for lunch, happy hour, and dinner. It was the perfect spot for a solo meal this weekend. My food was fresh and delicious, perfectly cooked, and just what I was craving. The service was great and I left full and happy.
Decor & Vibe
The restaurant occupies two floors and I dined downstairs. The ground floor has a large bar that takes up a good percentage of the room. Tables line the walls and a banquette extends along the window. The decor is masculine with navy, dark wood, columns, and metalwork throughout.
My table was near the front windows.
Food
The dinner menu offers a nice mix of pasta, flatbreads, delicious starters, and a nice assortment of main courses. I opted to begin with the PEI Mussels and followed that up with the Pan Seared Salmon.
My PEI Mussels arrived shortly after I ordered them. The tomato broth was so delicious that I could have eaten it with a spoon like soup. I dipped the perfectly toasted bread into the broth and savored the moment.
The Pan Seared Salmon was my choice for a main course. It was served with roasted root vegetables. This felt a bit more like a fall/winter dish, but it was perfectly cooked with a nice crispy skin and the sides were just as yummy.
Drinks
Per Diem has a nice wine list, cocktails, and beer.
I had a sparkling rose from Sonoma County. It paired nicely with my seafood selections.
Overall Impression:
I am thrilled that Per Diem survived the pandemic and continues to offer the delicious dishes that I had come to expect. My meal was excellent and I’ll certainly return on my next trip to San Francisco.
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