Timber & Salt was recommended by a friend and turned out to be a great place for five of us to reconnect after not seeing each other for several months.

The food was outstanding from start to finish. Everything we ordered—from the appetizers to the entrees to dessert—was excellent. One surprise standout was the French fries. They were some of the best fries any of us could remember having: perfectly cooked, not greasy, and served with both a flavorful ketchup and a unique tartar sauce. We enjoyed them so much that we ordered a second round.

For our entrees, two of us ordered the sea bass while the other three chose steaks. Every dish and side dish was well-prepared and received rave reviews from the table.

The service was a bit more mixed. It was a busy Friday night, and it appeared only two or three servers were covering both the indoor and outdoor dining areas. As a result, service was slower than expected, and it sometimes took a while to flag down our waiter. That said, he was incredibly friendly, and it was obvious he was doing his best while being pulled in multiple directions. We made a point of encouraging him throughout the evening, and he seemed genuinely appreciative of the support.

One disappointing moment came when we overheard another server making a negative comment about a nearby table. It felt unnecessary.

Overall, the kitchen absolutely delivered. As one of my friends put it, “the kitchen carried the weight of the restaurant.” The quality of the food alone makes Timber & Salt worth a visit, and with a little more consistency on the service side, it could be an exceptional dining experience.

The menu may be short, but every dish is outstanding. We started with the mushroom soup, Brussels sprouts, and bao — and each was a hit. The soup was hot, buttery, and deeply comforting on a chilly evening, while the bao and Brussels sprouts were exceptionally flavored and uniquely done.

For mains, we tried the smash burger and the Chilean sea bass — you honestly can’t go wrong with either. The burger was juicy, smoky, and perfectly seasoned, and the sea bass, served over a bed of sweet corn kernels, was absolutely exceptional.

Service was warm and attentive, and the ambiance was great, with both indoor and outdoor seating available.

A must-try spot in Redwood City for flavorful food and a cozy evening out.