Bix

"Bust out the velvet accessories and a sophisticated suit—you’re going to Bix. A group dinner at this old-school American restaurant is one to plan with people who go teary-eyed listening to jazz (you’ll be serenaded by a tie-wearing pianist), or who religiously drink martinis nightly. This Jackson Square spot spans two floors, and a majestic staircase curves between them. Tables can fit ten high-backed green velvet chairs—maybe consider planning that murder mystery-themed dinner party after all." - julia chen 1, patrick wong

"Some requirements if you’re going to Bix: drink a martini, let a suave jazz cellist serenade you, and then order another martini. The 1930s-style supper club in Jackson Square feels like the kind of posh, mysterious place where wealthy people go to dine and hash out dog-related prenup clauses. While the American dishes are passable to good, the free table bread is a highlight. Fluffy rolls are dropped on your plate by buttoned-up wait staff with the flourish of a magician. They may later slide over a side of succotash on the house." - julia chen 1, patrick wong

"At Bix, there’s live jazz every night, cocktail glasses are chilled in mounds of shaved ice, and buttoned-up waiters might sneak you an order of succotash on the house. It feels like a 1930s nightclub trapped in time (though it did open in the '80s). Drinking a martini is practically a requirement at this old-school American spot in the Financial District. And even though the food—from limp caesars to mildly confusing open-faced burgers—can only very loosely be described as good, we don’t care. What Bix lacks in mind-blowing salads, it makes up for a hundred times over in character." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, lani conway

"Bix is an old-school restaurant where you wouldn’t bat an eye if you saw Francis Ford Coppola talking through movie scripts with his team, and a couple in mink coats signing divorce papers. There’s live jazz every night. Ordering a martini is a requirement. And even though the food at Bix can only very loosely be described as “good,” we love this classic institution dearly. What the swanky two-story American spot in Jackson Square lacks in mind-blowing food it makes up for a hundred times over in character. The Art Deco-style dining room is like time-traveling to a 1930s supper club, even though Bix only opened in 1988. Waitstaff in buttoned-up vests will drop off free bread rolls with the flourish of John Turturro in Mr. Deeds, and sneak you an order of succotash on the house. The piano and cello duo is set up under a large painting of a lovestruck butler (the very same one that inspired this David Arquette short film). And there’s a mural of a lively dance floor that spans the length of the bar, which is more stocked than a fraternity house basement. Slide into a seat to admire the martini glasses chilling atop a huge mound of shaved ice, or mysteriously sip on a negroni like a disgraced heir plotting an elaborate jewelry heist. photo credit: Carly Hackbarth photo credit: Carly Hackbarth photo credit: Carly Hackbarth photo credit: Carly Hackbarth Like we said, the decidedly OK food is not the reason you eat at Bix. The caesar comes out soggy, and the shrimp cocktail is more or less forgettable. Heartier mains, like a grilled pork chop and seared duck breast with summer squash, are decent, although nothing to write home about. But somehow, we don’t mind. We don’t come to Bix for a perfectly cooked burger or the best steak tartare in the city. We come to soak in the white tablecloth vibes, drink boulevardiers in a ridiculous and lovable space, and romanticize life while a cellist in a tie serenades us. On all those fronts, Bix delivers. Food Rundown Caesar We’re sorry to report that this caesar is soggy. But enough jazz and strong martinis will make anything taste better. photo credit: Carly Hackbarth Classic Shrimp Cocktail Exactly what you’d expect from a shrimp cocktail. Nothing more, nothing less. photo credit: Carly Hackbarth Black Truffle Cheese Burger We’re not sure exactly what compelled Bix to serve this burger open-faced, with only one side of crustless seeded wheat bread and a slab of grilled onion on top. But the confusing dish at least makes for pretty good table conversation as you try to figure it out. The patty has a weirdly gummy consistency. You can skip this. photo credit: Carly Hackbarth Grilled Duroc Pork Chop The slightest bit dry, but one of the better entrée options on the menu. What tops it changes seasonally, so you might get nectarine chunks one night and slow-roasted tomatoes the next." - Julia Chen

"Wander through picturesque Jackson Square and down Gold Street, and step into the time machine that is Bix. The two-story restaurant immerses diners into a sleek, speakeasy, jazz club-type space, where the city outside melts away with a classic martini or Manhattan. The “modern American” food is excellent here; don’t skip the steak tartare or the “Potato Pillows”: puffed, fried squares of potato topped with caviar. It’s hard to go wrong from there, but a word to the wise: If Bix’s summer tomato cart option is available, go for it and watch as the tomatoes are dressed tableside in mozzarella, basil, and olive oil. It’s pure summer magic." - Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff