A perfect neighborhood French Bistro, great food and well crated accessible wine list, welcoming service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
LaTasha Burton
Great atmosphere!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ellen O.
We enjoyed another lovely, relaxing evening at l'Ardoise, this time at the 9:15 seating on a cold and rainy night.We again shared the delicious Tiger Shrimp ravioli as a starter. My husband also remembered loving the Coq au Vin from our visit last summer and was very happy with his choice.I had the excellent and fairly priced salmon and cod special. The fish was wrapped together in a chard leaf and seared, placed on a bed of fresh crunchy cucumber and butternut squash spirals on top of mashed potatoes, then finished with a lobster sauce.The dish was beautifully prepared, the ingredients complemented each other, and the fish was tender and flavorful. I had a glass of white Sancerre, recommended by the waitress, and liked it. I asked for a half-pour to go with the rest of the meal and was accommodated, which I appreciated. Not all SF restaurants will do this! We would love to have a wider choice of wines by the glass as we are not big drinkers.Dessert to share was a special double swan puff pastry they added for Valentine's Day filled with hazelnut cream and "floating" on a lake of creme patisserie. Dinner was hearty, so we did not want a heavy dessert. The double decaf espresso was excellent and went well with it.The beautiful aspects of French culture are expressed here--the excellence of the food, comfortable atmosphere, and emphasis on enjoyment. We never felt rushed and enjoyed a lively conversation with our waiter. Several groups of friends hung out, talking and laughing as the restaurant emptied. There's something magical about a place that lets you retreat from the urban rush and be in the moment. It was a bit of a splurge for us, but it's worth it, and I think it will now be a regular feature of our SF trips.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mashed Potatoes, Coq Au Vin
PCHEESE
Interesting, different treatment of our escargot appetizer. Both of our fish entrees were very well prepared, not overcooked at all. Spinach risotto base was ambrosial. Service, as always, was attentive without being intrusive.
LydiaC
Perfection from start to finish. The food was outstanding, service impeccable and overall experience— exceptional. We have been to L'Ardoise before and we'll definitely go again. Our most favorite bistro in the Bay Area!
One of the best French restaurants I have ever dined at! The food was AMAZING and their wine choices were a perfect pairing! I normally don't drink wine but I loved the one that I got recommended!
Ryan
This is a neighborhood gem! The food, service, and ambience were all outstanding, and the prices were surprisingly low given the quality of the food! We'll be back many times!
schman
excellent food in a crowded french bistro. Tables are very close together. We were sitting by the door and cold breezes came in with every opening despite the heavy curtain there. Service was a bit rushed for a french bistro setting.
Cyril
We have loved this authentic French bistro for many years. Its only fault is that it "hurries" you through dinner unlike in France or Caribbean French Islands. There you have 2+ hours to enjoy your food. Not at the Chalk Board. Otherwise its perfect.
StephM
Valentine's Day dinner was wonderful (food, ambiance, service) but I wish they had non-alcoholic "mocktails" or alcohol-free sparkling wines (Leitz' "Eins Zwei Zero" sparkling riesling is a really good option) for those who don't drink alcohol. I'd still go back; the food is always delicious.
They did a great job! I loved the rose at the end. I have really found a great love of L'Ardoise. My name is French. Upon arrival, the woman pronounced it CORRECTLY... which has only ever happened once in my 26 years of life in the US.
David V
This is such a fantastic restaurant. We visited from Australia in November 2023. The food, atmosphere, service and wine was wonderful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Terrine De Foie Gras, Coq Au Vin, Floating Island, Pan Roasted Rack of Lamb with Pommes Frites or Pommes Landaises Garlic & Parsley Butter, Charcuterie
rachel95008
I can't say enough about this restaurant. I love their sister location, Mathilde, so was eager to try L'Ardoise. We started with tiger prawn ravioli. Their take on this was like nothing I've ever experienced. The ravioli was light, like a Chinese dumpling. The fragrance of garlic, butter, and wine was present with each bite. I opted for arctic char while my husband had his favorite, rack of lamb. We finished with a dense chocolate cake on a raspberry purée that was one of the best I've ever had. Excellent, attentive service, and a charming, intimate setting.
Nathan Kraft
What a San Francisco gift! I came in on a Saturday night after a long work week for a treat-my-self solo meal. Warm, polished service. Snug, charming ambiance. And a deeply satisfying, decadent meal worth every rich calorie. Thank you Chef Clement and team.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Coq Au Vin, Brussel Sprout Salad with Goat Cheese Almonds Sundried Tomatoes Balsamic Reduction, Flourless Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Sauce and Strawberries in Red Wine Syrup
AlexRu
This place is incredible. Everything we have ordered was absolutely delicious.The service was very friendly, yet very professional. The person servicing our table ( Ber) made us feel right at home and made our dining experience very pleasant. We already made another reservation and cant wait to go there again. I highly recommend.
A perfect neighborhood French Bistro, great food and well crated accessible wine list, welcoming service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great atmosphere!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We enjoyed another lovely, relaxing evening at l'Ardoise, this time at the 9:15 seating on a cold and rainy night.We again shared the delicious Tiger Shrimp ravioli as a starter. My husband also remembered loving the Coq au Vin from our visit last summer and was very happy with his choice.I had the excellent and fairly priced salmon and cod special. The fish was wrapped together in a chard leaf and seared, placed on a bed of fresh crunchy cucumber and butternut squash spirals on top of mashed potatoes, then finished with a lobster sauce.The dish was beautifully prepared, the ingredients complemented each other, and the fish was tender and flavorful. I had a glass of white Sancerre, recommended by the waitress, and liked it. I asked for a half-pour to go with the rest of the meal and was accommodated, which I appreciated. Not all SF restaurants will do this! We would love to have a wider choice of wines by the glass as we are not big drinkers.Dessert to share was a special double swan puff pastry they added for Valentine's Day filled with hazelnut cream and "floating" on a lake of creme patisserie. Dinner was hearty, so we did not want a heavy dessert. The double decaf espresso was excellent and went well with it.The beautiful aspects of French culture are expressed here--the excellence of the food, comfortable atmosphere, and emphasis on enjoyment. We never felt rushed and enjoyed a lively conversation with our waiter. Several groups of friends hung out, talking and laughing as the restaurant emptied. There's something magical about a place that lets you retreat from the urban rush and be in the moment. It was a bit of a splurge for us, but it's worth it, and I think it will now be a regular feature of our SF trips.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mashed Potatoes, Coq Au Vin
Interesting, different treatment of our escargot appetizer. Both of our fish entrees were very well prepared, not overcooked at all. Spinach risotto base was ambrosial. Service, as always, was attentive without being intrusive.
Perfection from start to finish. The food was outstanding, service impeccable and overall experience— exceptional. We have been to L'Ardoise before and we'll definitely go again. Our most favorite bistro in the Bay Area!
One of the best French restaurants I have ever dined at! The food was AMAZING and their wine choices were a perfect pairing! I normally don't drink wine but I loved the one that I got recommended!
This is a neighborhood gem! The food, service, and ambience were all outstanding, and the prices were surprisingly low given the quality of the food! We'll be back many times!
excellent food in a crowded french bistro. Tables are very close together. We were sitting by the door and cold breezes came in with every opening despite the heavy curtain there. Service was a bit rushed for a french bistro setting.
We have loved this authentic French bistro for many years. Its only fault is that it "hurries" you through dinner unlike in France or Caribbean French Islands. There you have 2+ hours to enjoy your food. Not at the Chalk Board. Otherwise its perfect.
Valentine's Day dinner was wonderful (food, ambiance, service) but I wish they had non-alcoholic "mocktails" or alcohol-free sparkling wines (Leitz' "Eins Zwei Zero" sparkling riesling is a really good option) for those who don't drink alcohol. I'd still go back; the food is always delicious.
Restaurantji Recommends
They did a great job! I loved the rose at the end. I have really found a great love of L'Ardoise. My name is French. Upon arrival, the woman pronounced it CORRECTLY... which has only ever happened once in my 26 years of life in the US.
This is such a fantastic restaurant. We visited from Australia in November 2023. The food, atmosphere, service and wine was wonderful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Terrine De Foie Gras, Coq Au Vin, Floating Island, Pan Roasted Rack of Lamb with Pommes Frites or Pommes Landaises Garlic & Parsley Butter, Charcuterie
I can't say enough about this restaurant. I love their sister location, Mathilde, so was eager to try L'Ardoise. We started with tiger prawn ravioli. Their take on this was like nothing I've ever experienced. The ravioli was light, like a Chinese dumpling. The fragrance of garlic, butter, and wine was present with each bite. I opted for arctic char while my husband had his favorite, rack of lamb. We finished with a dense chocolate cake on a raspberry purée that was one of the best I've ever had. Excellent, attentive service, and a charming, intimate setting.
What a San Francisco gift! I came in on a Saturday night after a long work week for a treat-my-self solo meal. Warm, polished service. Snug, charming ambiance. And a deeply satisfying, decadent meal worth every rich calorie. Thank you Chef Clement and team.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Coq Au Vin, Brussel Sprout Salad with Goat Cheese Almonds Sundried Tomatoes Balsamic Reduction, Flourless Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Sauce and Strawberries in Red Wine Syrup
This place is incredible. Everything we have ordered was absolutely delicious.The service was very friendly, yet very professional. The person servicing our table ( Ber) made us feel right at home and made our dining experience very pleasant. We already made another reservation and cant wait to go there again. I highly recommend.