What a disappointment. The mussels were good, but all other dishes were not up to standard. The escargot lacked salt, the salad was not appetizing, and the raspberry tart's crust didn't look cooked and turned out to be cold/ frozen. I eat out often and this was just awful. read more

Overpriced restaurant with poor service. We came in and we're standing at the door for several minutes and we're not acknowledged by the bartender, or waitress who walked by. Later the maitre de came from the back and said "how many" without apologizing for being ignored. I said " I thought I was wearing an invisible coat, " to which he said, "this way". Food was ok but you'd expect that for the price. The wait service was fair. We won't be going back. read more

I had dinner on June 16th when the Cassoulet was 13,662 days old or 37.4 years old. The Cassoulet was very dense and rich. Packed with white beans, duck, pork and lamb stewed together for 37 years, you start to feel the effects after eating half of it. After finishing the meal, food coma started to blanket me and there was a need for coffee. Luckily I also split a fish special, breaded and baked, over vegetables in a white sauce. I came here for a early dinner, most of the patrons were at the bar drinking, towards the end of dinner there were more patrons having dinner. Looking at the menu, the next item I would like to try is the Blood Sausage special! read more

The first time I went, I would have given the place 5 stars. The roasted beet salad was to die for. I would have returned just for that! The crab cakes were melt in your mouth. The second time I went, the beet salad was not as I had remembered, it was not as fresh. Perhaps beets were out of season? They serve a very delicious local butter with their bread. It's the small things! I could have just eaten it. I was glad to see that this did not change. Will I return. Oui, bien sur! read more

Amazing food and atmosphere. Loved the selection of the wine. Highly recommend this place for french cuisine.

We went here for the SF Restaurant Week event where we had a three-course pre-fixe dinner for $40. I had the Escargot de Bourgogne which was cooked in a buttery-garlic sauce that had a great taste and texture. For the main course I had the Beef Bourguignon which had tender pieces of beef that melted in my mouth. My boyfriend had the Cassoulet which was a hearty and delicious serving of soft white beans, pork shoulder, lamb, duck confit, and Toulouse sausage. For dessert I had the creme brulee which was light and sweet. My boyfriend had the raspberry tart with cream on the side. Overall, a wonderful French food experience. read more

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The food was phenomenal, everything seasoned to perfection down to the best creme brulee of my life! But, the best part was Rodil, he took the time to talk us through the endless options of delicious food, while always keeping the water full and the dishes cleared. He truly made our whole night and took the best care of us. And even though it was so busy he never seemed rushed or inconvenienced. The whole night was spectacular! read more

Love love love Le Central. I ate here many times when it first opened in 1974. Still takes you back to France every meal. Classic and traditional French bistro fare. Excellent pate, lovely Belgian endive. Service was appropriate for slow food and charming bistro as ambiance. Although we arrived too late to take advantage of it, their happy hour looked excellent. If you love traditional French bistro food (and know what that actually is) you will love Le Central, too. read more

I just had dinner here last night to celebrate my 1.5 year anniversary with my boyfriend so I thought I'd write this review while the experience is fresh in my mind. The first thing we both thought when we walked in was, "wow this place is French." -- as in the decor. We were seated right away because we had a reservation (general tip: whenever you can, make a reservation, it will make dinning out a lot easier). The tables are veryyy close together (in fact, the waiter had to pull the table out for me to get to my seat. Also it did get pretty loud during dinner, but not unbearable and understandable considering the place was packed. It was pretty busy so we were served by just random waiters which made it a bit confusing when it came to asking for the bill at the end. As for food, we had the crab cake for our appetizer and my bf really liked it but I found it a bit too "carb-y"? Later he had the half chicken and said it was pretty good and I had the grilled salmon. OMG. Best salmon ever. Not fishy, buttery, and soft and the sauce was amazing too. As for the price, I think it was a BIT overpriced for what it was, but then again it is a slightly fancier place. This is considered a classic in SF so I recommend trying it, but I'm not sure if I'll go back (maybe just for the salmon). If I could, I'd give this place a 3.5. read more

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I'll admit, I wasn't psyched to come here for a group dinner a few weeks ago. There are so many new, trendy restaurants in San Francisco, and French food isn't usually high on my list. But I was very pleasantly surprised by Le Central! The atmosphere is warm and feels a lot like the bistros you'd see in the streets of Paris--it was fun to feel transported when we walked in. They also have a good happy hour deal on house wines but you have to order it at the bar, can't get it at your table! The cassoulet was definitely the standout. It's quite heavy--I split it with another person and it was still a lot of food. I'd actually suggest three people go for it and then get sides. But the flavors were excellent, it was comforting, and not something you find at most restaurants in San Francisco. We also had the butter lettuce salad which was delicious, the french fries which were really good, and the escargot because when at a French restaurant, go big or go home. Flavors on everything were solid, the dishes were well prepared, and and it was great for a group of eight. read more

Meh... last time here was 20 years ago when I worked FIDI and I've told my wife for years the best Cassoulet in the world, better than we've had in Lyon, France... yeah, not so much anymore... The Steak au Poivre literally did not have peppercorns but rather was a brown gravy and mushrooms... hey I wasn't born yesterday and I didn't just fall off the turnip truck, I know Steak au Poivre, and this was no Steak au Poivre... The onion soup was tasty as was our reasonably priced bottle of french red... service was goo.b But we cannot recommend. read more

Went here for restaurant week. The French Onion Soup was pretty good but we came for their Cassoulet which was mediocre at best. It was incredibly bland. Giving it another star for the ambiance as it does feel like a little slice of Paris and I could see myself coming back for a glass of wine at happy hour. read more

I worked here in the 80's but left to Southern California before almost becoming part owner. 20-30 years later I returned with my kids. After all these years the restaurant has still preserved its level of class and excellent food. You can still see classic customers, like the former mayor of San Francisco, Willy Brown. The original owners and chefs came from France but have handed over most of the restaurant and their culinary knowledge to the new owner. We got to meet the owner Paul, he has been working there since the 80's and dedicates his time to preserving this restaurant. I ordered the fillet medium rare, it was cooked perfectly and not dry at all. My son ordered the cassoulet, a traditional French meal. It is a savory dish, cooked with garlic and flageolet(white)beans, inside the stew is duck, sausage, and lamb. My daughters ordered the chicken with pom fritt and roasted tangy Brussels sprouts. The food was perfect and the presentation was very elegant. For dessert we were served bush Noel and creme brûlée. The new chefs have put a spin on these classics, instead of a normal creme brûlée, it is spiced. Presentation was again stunning. The staff is well trained and create a homey environment. The inside has been preserved to look like a real French brassiere, if you are in San Francisco you should definitely visit this restaurant, the ambience and the food gives it a unique experience. read more

I had​ a wonderful lunch here. I loved​ the airy open feel and the ambiance. The food​ was excellent an well prepared.​ We shared mussels and ordered​ prawns and the halibut. Nice wine list to choose from. Enjoyed some French wine the waiter helped select. Very pleased and I will return soon​. read more

My best friend and I decided to come here for our Christmas lunch. She works far away in the marina and needs to drive to downtown, so Sutter-Stockton garage was the best place for her to park. Long story short - we chose Le Central for its proximity to the stupid garage. Moral #1: Never, ever choose a place to eat by its proximity to parking. We did not have a reservation. It turns out that walk-ins are not welcome at Le Central. Vraiment? (translation: WTF? Really?). The host was a stark Asian guy, whose English was suitable for selling fake Fendi handbags in Chinatown. After telling us there were no free tables (restaurant was half empty at that time), he very rudely asked us how much time we needed for lunch. He could only seat us if we promised to be out of there by 1 o'clock. Moral #2: When this happens to you, walk away. There are plenty of eateries that want you as a customer. The place is very small and to maximize the revenue per square foot, tables are so close to each other that I was brushing my neighbor's sleeve every time I reached for my bread. To be seated, the table needed to be completely moved forward then moved back. So if my friend needed to use the restroom, she obviously was out of luck. Moral #3: When you see that the patrons of the restaurant are pipe smoking, plaid flannel suit wearing, snobbish Sherlock Holmes wannabes, walk away. Fast. Anyway, the food was very good. Real French-style gourmand-worthy treats. Message to the employees of the joint: dudes, lose the attitude. You are not in Paris. You are next to Chinatown. read more

Our Tuesday night, 6:15PM reservations weren't needed. The place was near empty. Plus: Tasty, well presented food. Excellent timing from the kitchen. A little bit of San Francisco funk. Minus: Our waiter tried to be a bit aloof, but I treated him like an old friend, and he warmed up. A tad bit pricey, $90 including tip for two entrees, two appetizers (no drinks, no dessert). Overall, pretty good. If you need a night out from the kitchen, or a place where where non-foodies can relax and enjoy some pretty darn good chow, give it a try. read more

This restaurant was my first ever Yelp review and I was overly critical before, so I am updating my review. I came back recently for a business lunch and thoroughly enjoyed my meal, the service and my dining companions. Yes, there is a limited selection for a vegetarian, but that is my problem/issue, not the restaurant's. This time around, I had the cheese tart with figs and a salad. The tart had a perfect combo of cheeses, was light and fluffy and the crust was fantastic, firm and not at all soggy. The figs were a great touch and had some sort of cream piped onto them. The salad had a nice balsamic vinaigrette. Some of the leaves were a bit wilted, but still a good salad. On a more interesting note, I ran into Willie Brown on my way to the restrooms. He's a frequent diner here and it was great to meet him! Although I was a bit foolish and said to him, "Hey! You're Willie Brown!". Duh! I think he knows who he is! read more

Real bistro fare that isn't shy about butter and cream - check. Hard-core Vietnamese waiters kickin' it old school, Colonial style - check. Mini-chalkboard menu brought to your tiny table - check. Willie Brown sitting at his window table every Friday for lunch - check. I've been here for lunch and dinner at least a dozen times and I am always the youngest person in the house... by a solid 2 decades. It's loud, boistrous, and the seating arrangements border on claustrophobic. Duck rillettes. Two words that keep me coming back. Oh, that... and "duck aspic". Which is served cubed and generously scattered across the serving plate... When no one is looking, I scoop a few pieces into my mouth, and let my tongue play over them as they yield and melt across my taste buds. Why can't I buy duck-flavored jello at the store? This gorgeous slab of decadent... duckness... liberally spread across sliced table bread and sprinkled with some gelee... followed by a mini-bite of cornichon is as close to lunch-hour heaven as it gets. For $7.50, and without risking a misdemeanor, that is. And that's my appetizer! I also adore the leeks vinaigrette, the sexy salad nicoise and when I'm feeling like a splurge (which is often) I'll have the Crab Cake Beurre Blanc. The latter is a portly, fist-sized crustacean-cake that arrives crisped and coated lightly in bread crumbs... basking in a freshly-poured puddle of buerre blanc. While this item is listed as an appetizer, if you start with something else... and share a few bites of your fellow diner's dishes... the crab cake can serve as an entree. I, personally am over tiny little appetizers... like the "lobster ceviche" that I ordered at Nobu back in 1999 for $20 and was nothing more than a short stack of tortilla chips with a paltry sprinkling of dry lobster crumbs between them. Not that I'm holding a grudge or anything. Okay - back to my crab cake: it's refreshingly free of fillers and chunks of not-crab. It is perfect with a swipe of the beurre blanc and should be consumed reverently, at a leisurely pace. So... maybe this place is a bit stodgy... but between the authentic bistro fare, which includes seasonal delicacies and a charcuterie selection that never leaves me wanting... I always hit that gustatory sweet spot. Look for me if you stop by for lunch; I'll be the only other person who doesn't have an AARP membership, blissfully attending to my rillette or pate de campagne. read more

This is one of the 'classic' SF restaurants that is a 'must' to experience. It is the oldest French Bistro in SF and apparently a former mayor of SF would eat lunch there every day. It is unpretentious, warm and welcoming. I accidentally found this restaurant one day when I 'missed' the official 'lunch hour' (it was 3:00pm) and while all restaurants seemed to be closed, they were open for lunch through to dinner - they do not close! Their food would be described as classic French food (meaning good sauces, but not too heavy and not sauces with 'everything'!), and you can tell by their steady, reliable, older, loyal crowd that they have earned loyalties through their consistent great service, food and atmosphere. They have a wonderful - high end wine selection at very 'reasonable' prices - which is always a refreshing find! I highly recommend at least ONE visit to this great establishment! read more

I've seen this place for years, but never had a chance to eat here. Tonight, we decided to go for some French food, so why not try it finally? Hubby started off with a mixed green salad with Roquefort cheese - he absolutely loved it. I had to have the escargot. Piping hot, fabulous garlic and oil that you just have to dip with French bread. For entrees, I had the cassoulet. Delicious! White beans, sausage and duck served in a little iron pot. My husband had the risotto with prawns. Risotto was average, but the prawns were so succulent. You really can really taste the difference with fresh seafood. For dessert, I had the creme brulee. Except for the powdered sugar on top (which I've never seen anyone do on this dessert before), I thoroughly enjoyed my selection. There wasn't any left over, let's put it that way. My husband had a slice of lemon tart with fresh whipped cream on the side, with a small pile of raspberries. He said it was very good, but could be a little more lemony. On the whole, we really enjoyed the food there. The bar was the focal point of the evening. There were only about three - four tables of diners this Friday night. read more

So I somehow ended up here on vday which is another long story but i suppose i'll keep that one to myself. the menu wasn't too impressive, especially for vday. where are the desserts yo?? anyway. so the bf ordered escargot for appetizer and the rack of lamb for his entree. i had the lobster bisque and the seared day boat scallops provencale. escargot: way too much garlic, and on top of that the garlic was still pretty raw. the garlic was just waaaaay too strong and spicy. lamb: excellent. seasoned and cooked perfectly...and i don't even like lamb! lobster bisque... was not very bisquey. pardon me for sounding like a food snob but i could've swore that bisque is supposed to be creamy? it looked more like and tasted more like a lobster stock but oh well... scallops provencale: i thought that this was supposed to be a thick, oily tomato-ey sauce? and although my scallops were seared, they got chewy. i think there was too much sauce poured over my scallops. also, my sauce wasn't red or tomatoey at all?? there was like.. maybe 2 pieces of sun dried tomatoes.. the side dishes that came with our entrees: spinach, sweet potatoes, cauliflower. the spinach was bland, i added a lot of salt. the sweet potatoes were also bland, how'd that happen? cauliflower was gross, and my dish came along with half of a half cooked potato. go figure. i opted to skip out on dessert because i was actually pretty full although i didn't really finish my food. although i wasn't too impressed by the food, the service was great. my extremely dirty wine glass was replaced immediately and water glass was never empty. Host was really nice, pulled out the table for me and everything. if you go, stay with red meat. i would've stuck with filet mignon or steak if i had known but someone told me i was going to a different restaurant so i yelp researched the wrong restaurant... but alas, i digress... I love my boyfriend, he tries. I love him dearly. also, everybody in the restaurant was old. either geriatric or late 50s. says something doesn't it? and no i'm not a snobby 20 something asian hipster *rolls eyes* even though i came here. read more

Really nice place for dinner for 3. Appetizers: Escargots - Excellent, good balance of salt, butter, garlic Saucisson Chaud - Not overpowering, with a nice sauce and potatoes Rillettes de Canard - great. Just like you'd get in France Main plates: Rack of lamb - terrific. Perfectly cooked and seasoned Skate, sauce grenoblaise - excellent, this was a special Cassoulet "Le Central" - melted in my mouth w/ duck confit and sausage Dessert : Pear tart - not too sweet with a flaky crust. Exactly what I wanted. Wine: A 2003 from Margaux. Quite good. read more

Delicious, classy, service-oriented, and all-around great. Choosing what to eat was difficult, and I was glad the menu wasn't any longer; it was particularly fun to have the daily specials on a small chalkboard that was delivered to the table.The cassoulet was excellent, though I'll admit some might find it just a touch salty. My sea scallops were exquisite - tender and just barely opaque all the way through. The service was attentive and unobtrusive throughout, charming but nearly invisible. The brick walls, patterned floor, and general decor all reminded me strongly of my time in France What put it over the top for me, though, was the end of the meal. Without a word, the waiter brought out a plate of their tiramisu with "Happy Birthday!" written lavishly in chocolate drizzle on a base of sweet cream for my companion. Two glasses of dessert wine accompanied dessert and made for a perfect denoument. Tres bon noir - merci! read more

This place is a BIG JOKE. For many, many years, I would pass this restaurant and have always been intrigued by tthis "French" restaurant that supposedly had a lot of history. Finally, I found time to stop by and have lunch here last Friday. After reading so many positive reviews, I was excited to finally try Le Central! With that in mind, my expectations were quite high... What a surprise! I t hought this was a French restaurant...but I think I actually walked into a Chinese restaurant. From the host/owner(?)/manager(?), to the waiter, to the bus boy to the cook!!!, they were all Chinese! The service I received was also comparable to a dimsum experience -- harried. They spoke Chinese too! (IN A FRENCH RESTAURANT!!!???) I ordered the French Onion Soup - which was bland and very ordinary ($9) For entree, I had the Sea Bass special of the day - supposedly fillet -- but had 4 big bones ($28). This too was very ordinary, bland and dry. Lemon Souffle for dessert that didn't do anything for me ($11). This is comparable to something you can order from Denny's. Diet coke was served in a 6 inch tall, very narrow glass, full of ice. I probably had 2 good, long sips from my straw...and like magic, it was all gone. ($3.50) I asked for a refill and I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I expected a bottomless drink. Until I got my bill and I got charged $7 for my Diet Coke. I asked tthe waitress if this was perhaps a mistake and she said it wasn't a mistake. I told her I only got 2 good sips from the first glass because it was basically 80% ice. But she just shrugged and said "oh no, that's the way we do it.". One of the reviews commented on the staff brown-nosing the host/owner/manager; SO TRUE!!! The staff not once failed to whisper something to host/owner/manager everytime they passed him. The place was also filthy. It didn't help that I sat right in front of the kitchen. 1 and 2 star reviews are so so true. This place is a BIG TIME WANNABE. Probably once upon a time this place was a must-go. What a complete waste of time and money. read more

I will say one thing good about this place before launching into my tirade: the ambience of the restaurant did in fact remind me of France, which made me all warm and tingly inside. Our server was friendly and made us feel very welcome. And the crab cake was delicious, albeit lukewarm. However, the food in general was extremely expensive for what you get out of it. For example, we ordered a prosciutto with melon appetizer. Sounds exotic, right? Highly underwhelming. It was literally three slices of average prosciutto on top of half a cantaloupe not even sliced well. Then there was the $16 cheese platter, which was five small pieces of cheese and a few grapes presented on a depressingly bare plate. The brie was rancid, and I'm not using the word in a slang insult way. It was literally rotten cheese gone bad. Not wanting to be rude, we asked the waiter what kind of brie it was - after all, we weren't cheese connoisseurs and maybe there is brie out there that's supposed to taste weird...? The server went to the kitchen to ask, came back with red cheeks, and said in his best waiter voice, "Why yes, it is double ripened President brie, accent on the E". As in President cheese, the generic, mass-produced cheese you can get in bulk at Costco?? So to summarize, the chef phoned in his performance and we paid $16 for rancid Costco cheese. Our total bill was more than the food was worth, and we left feeling like we'd been lied to. Later that night, we went to get drinks and dessert at Absinthe. Now THAT is a restaurant that's worth the money. Le Central could take some pointers from them. read more

Classy and elegant place where people were in proper attire like attending a business dinner. Ambiance was quiet and low key. The deco was good-- semi-dim lights to mellow out the evening. Food was also low key and simple. My prawns risotto was pretty good. Dessert was passable, a bit heavy and was pre-made way earlier and lacked the excitement. Service was a bit confusing as we were served by multiple people instead of 1 who took the order and 1 server. read more

It's got an old-world French-restaurant-in-SF vibe. You've got the old French waiters, an obviously aged dining space and a view of the city streets. Not too good in terms of service or dining. I had the rabbit, whose bones nearly scratched out my tonsil. The waiter stared at me for moments on end when I asked him for my meal and was in general a cross between distracted and rude. I felt self-conscious eating with him around. The presumed owner, or the owner's son, came by and took ahold of our table in a proprietary manner so he could pull it to the side for another couple to squeeze in next to us. It was fine and all, but I'm always a little stunned to have my meal dragged away from me without an apology or explanation. I had creme brulee for dessert. It was just like the one I made during a let's-bootleg-dessert! spree I went through last year: burnt sugary top, rubbery cold custard. Le Central costs too much for what you get and I walked away feeling dissatisfied and moody. read more

The Setting: Dinner with a coworker, Tuesday night 8pml, had a reservation, seated immediately. Food: 4 stars Service: 2.5 stars And ditto Q.L's post about the host being a bit awkward... The GOOD: 1. Escargot - I'm kind of a sucker for Escargot, but this was quite good. The snails were cooked perfectly and the butter sauce with the bread was wonderful. 2. Cassoulet - wow. Get this. We both loved it! Meat and White beans and sauce were all amazing. 3. Creme Brulee - I've had some bad creme brulee and it seems easy to mess up, but this was well executed. The OK: 1. Grilled Salmon - While good, this was completely overshadowed by the Cassoulet and Escargot. 2. Service - While kind and well meaning, the staff was less attentive than I would have expected at a restaurant with the upscale atmosphere. We had to ask for water and had to ask for a refill. And had to ask for the bill twice. The BAD: nothing The Bottom Line - Very good food and atmosphere with fairly mediocre service. But for the price point and food quality ($60/person got us an appetizer, two entrees, a dessert, and a half-bottle of wine) this place is worth visiting, especially with it being worth 1,000 points on OpenTable (equivalent of $10 credit). read more

Did the business lunch thing here recently. I swear a sport coat's required to get a table, but hey, it's nice to dress up and feel important sometimes. While the prices were a little steep (I guess $30 for a filet is reasonable for downtown SF, but at lunch when the portions are noticeably smaller?). Barack, where you at w/ my stimulus check?!? Overall, my steak was juicy and flavorful, and my friend's plates were clean in a hurry. I didn't try their dishes, but we did share some prosciutto e melone - very tasty. Final words of advice, sit down on the early side if you want to get in and out (relatively) quickly. Around 12:15, I think a shuttle from the Embarcadero Center dropped off about 20 suits. read more

Been here twice in the last couple of months. Their food is super yummy but a little on the expensive side. I took my fiancee here for our 3 yr anniversary celebration a few months ago & he really liked it. I got the Jumbo Shrimp Risotto which I have to say is AMAZING! very creamy, rich, thick & the shrimp are truly JUMBO. I gave them a 4 star because their server that particular day was to say the least an ASSHOLE! gave him a 10% tip just to be nice, but he should not have gotten anything at all this his snotty self. Anyways asides that I recommend this place. Without tip the bill came out to about $90 & with tip it came out to $100 exact. read more

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I love old timey places like Le Central, where everything seems to have frozen in a bygone era. On a particularly melancholy Thursday, I stopped in, by myself, for lunch. Discovering Le Central was completely unexpected-- I stumbled out from a hair appointment at Elevation next door-- and totally welcome. I was in a terribly nostalgic mood and the small, dark European interior was inviting. I sat down with no wait around 1pm. Service was efficient, well timed, gave me sufficient space to ruminate over the tunes of Louis Armstrong. The waitress didn't bother handing me a wine list or dessert list, which was sort of surprising; usually they fall all over themselves to push a glass of cabernet or a slice of tiramisu on you. The crowd was 50+, white crust, lots of regulars. Lunch for one, about $50 (crab cake, grilled salmon, cappuccino, sparkling lemonade). Crab cake is generously sized, grilled salmon was rich, but not dazzling. Prices are reasonable for French bistro fare. The ambiance is not for everyone-- bring your own moody film noir attitude. read more

I really wanted to try the OLD OLD thousand year old stew! But for some reason when it was being described to me i lost my appetite. Amish cake-Old Stew--sounds like a trip to the bathroom--many of them. So i played it safe and went with sea bass which was delicious! Could have definitely come with more rissoti--I hate and love leaving a place with my plate wiped clean which leads me to believe it was delicious but just not enough. Great ambience, seemed authentically french to me. Omg and I love how they present desserts--they have a tray of them--smart! cannot resist to them then. Creme brulee-chocolate cake, tiramisa--HEAVENLY! read more

Very disappointing experience with my family. I'm French and can cook better at home...for 1/3 of the price.

Random night in union square brought me here for dinner. Looked up on yelp, and only 1 friend reviewed this place...... Cher, selena, where u guys at? Could be a bad sign. Something about the host seemed off. But anyways the customer service here lacks slightly compared to other French restaurants in sf. Food wise here's the low down. Clams - a little too much garlic but had a nice sharp kick to it. Mustve been chili peppers. But the broth was so good I had more bread to go with it. Pork chop - a little dry but that's ok. Well seasoned. The sides that came with it was really well done. The scalloped potatoes had a creaminess to them while still having a nice bite to it. The beets and raspberry sauce added a sweet and sour taste to the dish. So much contrast of textures and flavors going on in this dish. Not bad but could be better. read more

This has been our go to restaurant for years during the Xmas season. This year they moved into the no return category. Sad. I chose to have sea bass with risotto. The fish as not exceptional and the risotto that came with it was not done...hard as rocks. And who doesn't have blue cheese stuffed olives these days??? I asked them if they had blue cheese...they did. So stuff the olives for goodness sake! Our waiter was terrific and he stuffed them himself. Good guy, very pleasant. Remembered us from previous visits. The salmon that my husband had was a little undercooked and not particularly good. Disappointed. read more

First off, do not bring your children here. This is an adult restaurant for people who want to have drinks and really good French bistro food and do not want to listen to spoiled brats screaming at the next table. Whew. Sorry, had to vent. Truly good food. Very experienced staff who know how to take care of you provided you do not walk in wearing torn jeans with your shirt hanging out, and then demand that they change what you want to order in 10 different ways. Vegetarians need not apply. Excellent bartender and good wine list, and the wine by the glass is often a treat. Excellent steak au poivre, roast chicken, cold salmon, and the pomme frites are the best this side of Paris. Always a good dessert tray if the sweet thing is your thing. Good people watching. My only minor complaint after eating here regularly for years is that the early lunch and dinner food can sometimes be undercooked - almost like the kitchen staff is not up and running in time for the opening hour - hence 4 stars instead of 5. A suggestion is to eat lunch after 12:30 and dinner after 6:00. Other than that, it's a terrific place with nearby parking in the Sutter Stockton garage. And don't forget - leave the rugrats at home. read more

We hit up this place last Friday night when we were in SF for the weekend. We found the place cozy and comfortable. Although the place started out slow, it was pretty hoppin by 8ish. It was full of what seemed to be locals -- which was our favorite part. We try to not be tourists when is SF. I had the Halibut -- it was HELLA GOOD!!! The hubby had the Osso Bucco (sp?)... really, really good. Thu funny thing was we were the last 2 people to get these dishes because they only had 1 left of each... we scooped them up quickly. The Halibut was so, so good I could have licked my plate clean. I've never been to Paris but if this is what a french bistro is supposed to fee like... I can't wait to go. Needless to say, we'll be back. read more

Christmas, 2007. 50 drunken Santa Clauses coming from the Irish Bank. Damn - If the real one is in there, I'm thinking, Christmas is doomed. Dave and I quickly duck into Le Central to avoid thier beligerent ho ho ho's and cracks about the reindeer. Suddenly I am transformed into an expat somewhere in the south of France. The bar is a perfect mix of interesting people, freindly and knowledgable bartenders (we had a great discussion about Frenet-Bianca). And the food isn't bad either. The Escargots and French onion soup is great. The place has a homey atmosphere that translates into plain old good eats. Next time you want to hide from an army of drunken Santas, hide in here. They avoid it for some reason. read more

I kept it simple and had the French onion soup, a chicken caesar and the Côtes du Rhône by the glass. All were very good, and the folks I was with said their Filet Mignon and Seabass were both good as well. I actually was going to order but skipped the scallops because I could smell our table-neighbor's from 4 feet away and they did not smell appetizing. The service was relatively fast, though not what I'd characterize as welcoming (they were just to the point, not unfriendly). The price/performance is not very high. It's not exactly what I'd call a *fancy* French restaurant, even though Steak-Frites is $32. The restaurant overall is dated, and the food not great enough to demand those prices. read more

I don't know what to say...I went here and found that the food was blah,,,,The filet was OK to good but not great. The crab cake was one piece for $10 but just Ok. Ambiance: People that are older (50-60) Decor was quaint and nice (kind of like something in a cruise ship) But something was dead, off and twilight zoney...I will not be coming here again. I give it two stars b/c I have been to worse. The Cassoulet was mushy with a lot of canneloni beans (no sauce), no flavor. The service was attentive and polite, It was just weird to come here,,,,maybe it was latural gray lighting from outside...Just say this, the food is better at Cheesecake Factory... read more