Absinthe - Has the service improved?

[jsteingarten]

I went to Absinthe about a year ago and was horrified by the service (the waitress nearly yelled at me). A follow-up email to the owner was unreturned. I told myself I wouldn't go back until the service improved. Michael Bauer just gave the place a good review (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/10/21/DDFQ1FQ5S9.DTL&type=food) in the Chronicle, but did not address service, which was his big issue last year (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article...). Does anyone know if the service has improved?

Thanks!

[bbulkow]

I went there this week, and was very impressed.
First, there's a new room since the last time I went. LOTS of tables. The opentable availability is much smaller than the actual availability.
Second, service was pretty good. There was a certain lack of the waitress checking in, but we were on time pressure before a show and they kept the train on time.
Third, the food was very impressive. Although it might be a notch below michelin-one-star, it wasn't far below. I was considering luminaries like Prospect, and was worried that Absinthe would be too pedantic. I should be more impressed when I get around to Prospect, but Absinthe was no slouch.

I was happy with how the place worked as a pre-show destination. I was able to valet for $10, keep the car with them during the show, come back for desert and a drink, and pick up the keys at the bar. The bar's open till 12, but the place was clearing out around 10:30 (on a wednesday).

All good.

[dolcevita_sf]

Had a weekday lunch there about a month ago, and although they couldn't find our reservation, we were seated quickly and service was quite good. As were the food and cocktails.

Can't speak to what it's like for dinner, as it's been years since I've been there at night for anything more than a drink at the bar.

[bbulkow]

My experience about a year ago was excellent.

[toncasmo]

we went last month, had to sit outside because we had our new rescue dog with us and got great service. and since we were only people out there, sometimes you get forgotten but we were treated very well. good food too

[bgbc]

Has it always been bad? I went there for lunch with two others years and years ago and it was the worst service I have ever experienced in a restaurant. (None of us has ever been back to try again; it was a seriously horrendous experience.)