French Restaurants

With colorful flower boxes, large picture windows, and a sunny saffron-colored sign, La Folie exudes a charming Frenchness. Inside, a luminous dining room in warm hues and lush fabrics is an elegant canvas for the presentation of Executive Chef Roland Possat’s French and California-inspired creations. The prix-fixe menu whimsically explores the interplay between tradition and experimentation: classic French ingredients like foie gras, frog legs, and snails mingle with dishes featuring lobster vanilla sauce and oxtail stuffed calamari. While, as its name suggests, La Folie has a playful streak of madness, it is more the result of a masterful and supremely …

As Executive Chef and Owner Staffan Terje says, "You don’t choose who you fall in love with." To that same affect, diners may not have a choice but to swoon over the elegant experience a visit to Perbacco promises. A romantic ambiance is achieved through the restaurant’s showcase of exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and opulent accents of marble. Chef Terje’s menu delights the palate just as the décor treats the eyes, and presents a truly authentic selection of Italian dishes. For example, the Coniglio Al Civet, or Devil’s Gulch Rabbit, is rich and rustic in a spiced red wine …

Under the direction of chef and owner Michael Tusk, Quince is revitalizing a sense of European charm in Pacific Heights. Utilizing only the finest organic, local, and seasonal, ingredients, Chef Tusk creates a new menu each day to exemplify his Italian and French-inspired culinary sensibility. Diners will never experience the same meal twice, but they will always recognize familiar notes of Chef Tusk’s vision. Dishes like the Warm Octopus Salad, the Tonnarelli, and the Devil’s Gulch Rabbit, deliver the classic elegance of fine Parisian fare minus the haute pretense. The ever-changing tasting menu pairs the intricacies of flavors with the …

When it comes to restaurants, Zuni Café is a San Francisco institution. Its warm and inviting space, unpretentious feel, and delicious food are reasons to come back again and again. Judy Rogers cooks the way mom might if she had access to all the best produce and hours of time. Whether it is the classic Chicken-For-Two with a side of bread salad, a perfect cut of meat, or the heavenly Ricotta Gnocchi, the dishes are all wonderfully executed and mouth-watering. It’s near impossible to sample everything San Francisco has to offer, but if you’ve had a chance to dine at …

Old World elegance woos modern sophistication at Scala’s Bistro through an ambience and menu that prizes classic presentation and quality. Rustic Northern Italian and Southern French influences converge in the restaurant’s traditional Parisian café setting, and Executive Chef Tim Nugent takes the opportunity to bring the European countryside to his patrons. Dishes like the Beef Carpaccio, Lemon Parsley Gnocchi, and the Seared ‘Loch Duart’ Salmon, hope to seduce you with their fresh and seasonal ingredients, while the 150 bottle wine list and classic cocktail menu compliment the cuisine and offer their own unique rewards.

Located on the second floor of the trendy Hotel Nikko, Anzu offers up a distinctive Euro-Japanese menu in an elegant and intimate atmosphere. Chef Barney Brown, a seasoned veteran of Asian cuisine, creates tasty and colorful sushi creations as well as a range of entrées from Miso Butter-Poached Lobster to Slow-Braised Boneless Beef Shortribs. Set in the heart of bustling downtown San Francisco, this fusion restaurant is a stylish retreat equally suited for a relaxed brunch with friends and family or a romantic evening with that special someone.

The Village Pub not only serves the appetite for food, but it also hopes to satisfy the entire being. Whether you’re looking to tread new ground, or you’re simply hoping to be greeted by the familiar, The Village Pub has the menu and character to keep you intrigued. Executive Chef Mark Sullivan constructs his contemporary American cuisine by drawing from classic French and Mediterranean traditions, and locally cultivated ingredients. The dinner menu highlights dishes like the Shaved Foie Gras Torchon, while the pub menu offers lighter fare – the Pork and Garlic Sausage is made in-house. The truly staggering wine …

Doing its part to be environmentally sound and organic is Lalime’s philosophy: local farmers markets and small distributers provide the restaurant’s produce, and the availability of such ingredients directly influences the menu. This health-conscious mindset manifests itself in a menu that balances freshness and flavor. Cold appetizers like the Cold-Smoked Scottish Salmon highlight fresh, natural flavors , while the Rack of Sonoma Lamb satisfies the appetite and fuels good intentions. Local regional wines also have a place on the menu, and are balanced nicely between Old and New World varieties.

No matter that Chouquet’s was not intended to be the next big thing; it took off just the same. Chef Laurent Guillaume’s ability to meld old and new flavors into delightful light dishes; the service staff’s attentive and unpretentious care; and the stylish dining space meant to compliment, not distract from, the food, all converged to give Chouquet’s the attention it deserves. Brunch is offered on the weekends in place of the weekday lunch menu, and dinner is served nightly – the Effigham Oysters are seductive mignonette mint and shallots; and the Rigatoni with truffles, chanterelles, and foie gras is …

Heralded as one of the best French bistros in the city, Fringale satisfies the urge to eat with a menu that prizes freshness and flavor. Sophistication and satisfaction are lovingly married by Chef de Cuisine Tripp Mauldin, who melds traditional French flavors with a modern aesthetic. The Dungeness Crab Napoleon is delightfully simple and artistic: crab, avocado, and a tomato confit, are layered in a structured tower of vibrant contrasting colors. The Seafood Basquaise lies at the other end of the food spectrum with its rustic presentation and flavors – the dish is bathed in a spicy roasted red pepper …

Although Coi’s décor exudes a soothing calm in shades of earthy minimalism, its cuisine is a jolt of culinary electricity. Chef Daniel Patterson’s tasting menus take diners on a sensuous adventure reflective of his diverse culinary background, which includes a stint at the infamous El Bulli. A meal at Coi is an exercise in the revelry of the unexpected: a starter might include the application of essential oils to the wrist, while a dessert might be couched in smoked yogurt. The result is an experience that embodies the doe-eyed wonder of childhood with the poise and refinement of haute cuisine.

Revel in an evening of intimate and flavorful dining at Rue Lepic, in Nob Hill. Executive Chef and Owner Michiko Boccara has constructed a refined menu that showcases her aesthetic for Japanese artfulness and her knowledge of French technique. Two impressive variations of the “Chef’s Menu” offer five courses that give patrons the opportunity to experience Chef Boccara’s range. One menu has you begin with the Seafood Pasta; move on to the Soup of the Day; savor the Garden or Caesar Salad; delight in the Lobster Tail sautéed in a lemon butter sauce; then end on a high note with …

Located just off San Francisco’s famous Lombard Street, Bistro Aix is bursting with new flavors .These organic dishes are created nightly using fresh ingredients from local growers. . Bistro Aix’s Californian twist on French Provencal food traditions present guests with a taste of this Northern region right here in California. The restaurant’s focus on olive oil and fresh organic products allows for unique menu flexibility and variety in which the chef’s versatility shines. Dishes are intriguing and invite diners to try an old favorite with a new age spin. Bistro Aix provides an intimate and simple and comfortable atmosphere in …

Catering to diners’ many tastes, appetites, and personalities, Le Zinc offers a menu and setting fit for a true Parisian retreat. Diners can prop their elbows against the zinc bar and enjoy a light snack and fine glass of wine, or settle in at a table for a long and leisurely meal. They can also catch up with friends, or make new ones, on the sun-lit patio. Come in for brunch and try the Crepes Au Chocolat; nibble on tapas selections like the Foie Gras de Canard; indulge in the evening with the Cassoulet Au Confit (duck leg confit).

The French tradition of amuse bouche is in full bloom at Jardiniere, but diners will find the execution at this one-of-a-kind restaurant to be refreshingly far from traditional. This San Francisco gem, from cuisine to decor, makes any dinner a meal to remember and is sure to leave guests longing to return for more. Foodies will adore the attention to detail and regulars are able to enjoy an ever-changing menu of seasonal specials that reflect the power of fresh, sustainable ingredients. The restaurant's proximity to the city's symphony and opera are another draw for many diners. Experience indulgence at the …

A Cote restaurant is symbolic of Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood--cozy, friendly, and inviting. Jack and Daphne Knowles planned it that way, and their careful choices are reflected not only in the decor, but in the food and atmosphere. Everything in this restaurant reinforces the idea of intimacy, from the family style dishes to the wood fired oven in the open kitchen. Their Mediterranean cuisine is perfect for an intimate dinner for two, or for an after work bite with coworkers after a hard day. This is definitely a place to fill your belly and ease your mind.

The chic Fifth Floor restaurant acts as a culinary and visual bridge connecting the Bay area and executive chef Laurent Manrique’s native Southwestern France. The menu is both refreshingly modern and faultlessly traditional, with one dish having a provenance traced to King Henry IV’s table. Fifth Floor’s décor enhances the experience of regional pastiche, with a color scheme that evokes the landscape of both regions. Cool ocean blues mingle with sandy ochres and wine reds, colors that embody not only the surrounding Bay area, but simultaneously transport the diner to Southern France. An evening at Fifth Floor is an exploration …

Set in an old transformed warehouse in SoMa, just a mere block from the Moscone Convention Center, Restaurant Lulu evokes the feeling of being in Provence while still staying true to its urban cityscape. Most notably recognized for its wine selection, this French eatery boasts a selection of 500 bottles and over 70 wines by the glass from all around the world, and a slew of awards from Wine Spectator. The seasonal Provençal menu is served family-style on rustic blond wood tables, the bold flavors of the food the ideal complement to the colorful and contemporary space it occupies.

Fleur de Lys presents guests with sophisticated French cuisine in a romantic and intimate setting. The restaurant gives off a dramatic atmosphere with dim lighting, large vases full of flowers, and their trademark fabric ceiling tent. The menu offers creatively crafted dishes like the Duo of Veal Tenderloin and Braised Veal Shank “Parmentier,” which is scented with juniper berry and orange essence. Guests can choose to create a three-, four-, or five course meal with or without wine pairings. Chef/ Owner Hubert Keller is an award-winning chef who was featured on Bravo’s Top Chef as a guest judge in 2006.

Located a few streets away from the busy Union Square area, Ame provides a relaxing and elegant getaway and a delectable dining experience. Ame is decorated in a chic and intimate Asian style, with a signature red table that seats eight. Ame offers a New American cuisine that is widely influenced by Japanese creations. The menu provides raw treatments from the sashimi bar as well as various appetizers and entrée plates. Creative dishes like Tai Snapper Sashimi “Kombu Jime” with seaweed, crab and cucumber sauce come from the Sashimi bar. For an appealing main course, Grilled Veal T-bone Steak on …