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Chez Papa Resto
Categories: Restaurants French Restaurants Modern European French, Modern European
4 Mint Plz(at Jessie St)
San Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhoods: Union Square, SOMA
(415) 546-4134
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Tue-Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
722 reviews for Chez Papa Resto
Review Highlights
"GREAT KOBE BEEF TARTARE with tableside presentation."
(in 97 reviews)
"i love their Cocoa Nib Profiteroles."
(in 36 reviews)
"Me - Foie Gras Two Ways and Beef Cheek Daube."
(in 18 reviews)
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722 reviews in English
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Review from Stu S.
San Francisco, CA
Mint Plaza, across 5th Street from Westfield Mall, The Chronicle and the 5th and Mission garage is alive with some great food choices, and one of the loftier choices that really delivers is Chez Papa. I've had some great dinners here and love the place, but today I want to experience for myself what many have told me the last couple of years: "Chez Papa has a really great burger", so while I had a gap in my day between duties, I swung by, found street parking and went in to a pretty uncrowded restaurant on a beautiful day. Mint Plaza has a different food truck each day in their space and it really siphons off a lot of business from the brick and mortar guys who pay such exorbitant overhead and somebody pulls up in a tricked out truck with two untrained guys turning out one simple item, maybe two, and pretty much count the money.
At any rate, part of the mystique for me at Chez Papa at this location is the almost dream like S&M feel, like a dark, luscious dungeon, black and shiny with trouble a brewing. So I was politely escorted from the front door to a seat at their right sized bar with lots of creature comforts and a menu appeared. I knew I wanted their burger but perused the whole thing to find items that might indicate their philosophy about what makes a good burger. They do good stuff and upon receiving my plattered and delicious looking burger I quickly realized that they use fine ingredients across the board and treat them right. The burger with Gruyere appeared open face with the cheese not melted, wish that hadn't happened. It was smothered with somewhat oily grilled onions and a bushel of small leaves of some kind of green along with three slices of tomato and a slathering of an Aioli that was good. The bun was toasted beautifully and looked like the perfect fit for the meat and moist accompaniments, and after cutting the thing in half and taking my first bite, which was really superb, trouble appeared and the patty of great meat with unmelted cheese slid right out of the bun and onto my plate, thank God not the floor or someone near me's clothes.
First and foremost the ingredients were all top notch and the tastes were truly wonderful, but if there's something I hate at a sit down, linen and china restaurant, it's a burger that can't be contained within it's bun, or is too oily and slippery to enjoy leisurely. So I want to mention that biting into that crunchy toasted bun, into that coarse, tasty meat with the flavor of the Gruyere was a flavor sensation that I loved. The plate also contained an abundant pile of what Julia Child called Pommes Frites, and that they were although they were basically cold. The staff are well trained and attentive, but my mishap w as not seen or ignored by all of them and I suffered in silence. This would be a great burger if these mishaps hadn't been so glaring for a fine restaurant, so enough of my haughty, bitchy attitude and for the setting, decor and ambience and quality of the ingredients, I give it four stars, but not five which it should easily have earned.Listed in: Burgers
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/10/2009
Burger Bible, wake up and take note! A new contender for BEST BURGER came on to my radar recently… Read more »
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Review from Doraemon T.
San Bruno, CA
2/22/2012
Came here quite early for Valentine's Day dinnerand there were only 3 tables seated. We were offered a great seat and that definitely deserves a star.
Like all restaurants, we were offered a pre-fixed menu. The menu was listed on their website and the items seemed quite decent enough for the price so we gave it a shot. Also on the website, it mentioned about wine pairing along with your meal for another extra xx amount of $. However, upon arrival, I did not see that option on the menu. We asked our server about it and she wasn't sure and had to check with someone. When she returned, she said, we don't have pairings with the menu. We only have these half bottles listed on the side to offer along with the vday cocktails...I was kinda bummed and disliked it right away since the website said their would be. Later into the evening, of course, like when we were being served dessert, 3 tables down, I notice that they had a pairing with their meal..WTH?!
Aside from the lack of knowledge from our server, we also did not get our amuse bouche that was listed on the menu. We basically had to let our server know and of course, it was given to us in the middle of our main course.
Food was mediocre and the service was definitely horrible. I mean, there were only 3 tables ahead of us and already things were mixed up? Imagine if it was busier?!
I don't think I'll return just because I had heard lots of good things about this restaurant but after trying, I was definitely disappointed. I would rather go to Chez Papa Bistrot instead. -
Review from James W.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2012
I brought friends from out of town here last night for a treat, and while the food and service was very good I was surprised to see the place looking rather shabby. They need to re-upholster the furniture (especially the barstools) and refresh the decor somehow. The high prices no longer match the ambiance.
That said, the food was fantastic, for the most part. I had the roasted beets with a Gorgonzola ice cream and the English pea Risotto, both of which were exquisite, but my rib eye seemed to be a mediocre piece of meat and I did not come close to finishing it. Everyone loved the pommes frites. -
Review from Mona W.
I had a pleasant dining experience at Chez Papa Resto. Having heard great things about this restaurant, my expectation was high. I am happy to say that I am satisfied with both the service and the quality of food.
The service was excellent. Our server was knowledgeable of the menu and was able to give good recommendations. Timing between each courses was simply impeccable. There was just enough time for you to savor your last bite without feeling rushed or bored.
Food was lovely. For french cuisine at a moderate price range I think Chez Papa really exceeded my expectation. The foie gras duo, the torchon and the seared version, was flawless. I love the creativity of their dishes. Smoked Salmon 'nibble' looked lovely and tasted fantastic (as long as you don't mind the ingredients stealing the spotlight of the salmon). The Charred Octopus has good tender texture but could be even better if the octopus is cripsy on the outside. The entrees were decent. I enjoyed the Roasted Butterfish but found Beef Tripe a bit ordinary.
The portion is on the small size even for French style cuisine standard. You will probably need at least 3 courses (nibble, appetizer and entree) and a side to feel somewhat fulfilled.
Oh yes. They have some really good cocktails too. I might even opt for the cocktail pairing instead of wine pairing.Listed in: Special Occasion Dining, Best French Restaurants
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Review from Kristen S.
San Francisco, CA
1/28/2012
Warning - portions are small!
Recommended:
- beef cheek
- kobe steak tartare
- butterfish -
Review from Ken G.
Updated - 1/15/2012
The Chez Papa Burger is one of the best.
I ordered their burger during lunch (I'm pretty sure it's the only time it's available) and enjoyed an incredible meal. The burger was a great quality beef patty with a ton of great flavor and cooked perfectly (medium). Even though the menu didn't give smoked gouda as one of the cheese options, I knew it was available and asked for it to be included with my burger and it ended up being a fantastic choice - it was totally decadent and totally delicious.
The service has always been attentive and great!2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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8/11/2011
Steak Tare Tare - As always, fantastic! The great, quality meat is enhanced with just the right… Read more »
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Review from Renee C.
San Bruno, CA
2/22/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Good service, nice atmosphere and good food overall.
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Review from Michael H.
Hayward, CA
2/5/2012
We came here for a birthday dinner. I hardly remember what we had to eat. But the impression from our party was that it was good but we wouldn't come back. I liked the direction of food from the plating to the unique combination of flavors. Yet the portion size and entire flavor punch of the food was lacking that "OMG that's F-ing delicious" touch. Our waitress was amiss a couple of times. We didn't know we were supposed to receive bread until the party next to us was given bread. One of the bartenders dropped a bottle so that definitely woke us up. It was cool to see the chef through the kitchen doors plating some food. For the price you pay the value doesn't translate.
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Review from Irene C.
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Made a reservation for dinner before the 7 pm Nutcracker, and they were conscientious to get us out on time without being rushed. I wasn't expecting much, but it turned out to be the perfect casual pre-theater meal. Drinks (pisco sour and an old fashioned) were delicious.
All the sides we ordered (brussels sprouts, truffle orzo, and grits, each $7) were fantastic, probably some of my favorites of the night, especially the brussels sprouts and orzo. Kobe beef tartare is what originally drew me to the restaurant, and it did not disappoint. Other dishes: diver scallops (great sauce; flavor and texture reminded me of foie gras, which I didn't order), beef cheeks (really good), ribeye steak, Bibb lettuce and beet salad (didn't have any, but my friends said they were good). I think the sides and appetizers were the best. While the entrees were good, the smaller plates won out.
Tips: located in a small alley/courtyard off 5th Street, they did not have valet and recommended parking at the Westfield mall garage. -
Review from Snuffles B.
Boston, MA
12/11/2011
Chez Papa is like that middle child who tries hard and is pretty good at most things but easy to forget, but you still feel warmth for it regardless.
Atmosphere: Open, dark, loungey, good sound level - good for dates.
Service: Solid
Food:
- Gougere amuse - Good
- Siete Leguas Reposado cocktail - Gross, like cough syrup
- Grilled Octopus - Best item we had b/c of the satsuma puree and chorizo powder
- Kobe Tartar - Good, not great
- Shortrib Cigar - Good, but boring like a spring roll
- Sous Vide Duck Egg - Its sous vide, duh it tastes good, but a bit bland
- Brussels Sprouts - Excellent
- Veggie Cassoulet - OK
- Butterfish - Slightly overcooked, but light fluffy gnocchi and tasty sauce
- Beef Cheeks - Falling apart tender
- Dulce de Leche Panna Cotta - A bit too sweet
- Molten Almond Cake - Crisp, light, very tasty (and small)
W/ tax/tip: $75-80/person
Btw - parking is a cluster and a half, so just suck it up and go to the mega parking structure a block away on the corner of Mission - $7.50 will give you ample time to stuff your face. -
Review from Kathirne J.
Concord, CA
2/6/2012
four stars because the food was great, but when you go to a classy place you expect them to have some class...for instance you dont expect a crew of half naked men with animal face paint to bust in on your romantic meal! As for the food it was good, with an interesting mix of flavors.
Had the:
Kobe beef tartar- five stars
complementary cheese puffs..one bite but will change you..it was like a homemade cheezit but creamy and soft! Amazing
short rib cannelloni- Two stars..the meat inside was pureed into a mousse and wasn't what i expected, but still had a good flavor.
duck confit- five stars! Wonderfully flavorful, and tender.
chicken breast- was perfect the second time, had to send it back because it was over cooked and really dry the first time even drenched in sauce. However still gets four stars for being great the second time around.
Great wine selection, and very helpful nice staff. -
Review from katherine c.
San Francisco, CA
1/19/2012 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
im no where close to being an expert in french food, but i loved everything i ordered from here!
kobe beef tartare - good and very freshh but a tad bland
seared foie gras - DELICIOUS! from the foie gras to the what i like to think is a small piece of grilled bread to the sauce. if you're even remotely a fan of foie gras, this is a must get starter
truffle cheese orzo - i loveee truffle cheese pastas! and this was the perfect side dish to get with the two meat entrees we ordered. it was light, but still cheesey enough
braised beef cheeks - sooo good! soo tender and full of flavor. the cheeks just melt in your mouth. the creaminess of the mash potatoes, the slight spiciness of the arugula. and the buttery cauliflowers was the perfect companions to the cheeks. YUMMY! i would definitely recommend this dish
braised lambchops - a hugeee lamb shank with fall off the bone meat. the sauce is a little heavier than my beef cheeks but still just as good. wish it came with a side of veggies too though... that is a lot of meat to be eating by itself
this is a great place to have a romantic and intimate dinner date. i love the chandeliers! if you're around downtown and want some french food, definitely give this place a try! -
Review from Paul M.
Bay Area
Updated - 11/27/2011
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. It's been several years since I've been here (2008?) and it was just as good as last time, if not better. Atmosphere was just as it was before, except just a bit quieter, probably due to the economic environment. Didn't bother me though, because it was nice and quiet, perfect for a quiet conversation.
The kobe beef tartare was delicious as the others have said. I also got the lamb, which has a yougurt on the side - which was SMOKED. Yep, you read that right. Yep, it was fuckin awesome.
Desert was on par too..but it was the XO armagnac that really blew me away.
Before I arrived I was a little bummed it didn't end up working out getting a reservation for La Costanera or Chez Painesse, but after? I'm pleased I've gone back. Being a college student, I don't get the opportunity to eat at restaurants like this too often.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/10/2010
I went here for my birthday dinner a few years ago. The very BEST service I have EVER experienced.… Read more »
Comment from Amy A. of Chez Papa Resto 4/19/2010
We are glad to hear your experience was so memorable!… More » -
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Review from Sing W.
San Gabriel Valley, CA
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
This Los Angeleno is definitely SAD. VERY VERY SAD!
My friend (a NorCal native) and I decided to come here to eat after weeks of deliberation of where we should dine when I was in town for the day. I chose Chez Papa Resto because of the raving reviews by Yelpers...and also because my friend wanted to try this place. And boy, do I regret making this choice.
We came in for lunch and both decided to choose the business lunch special where you can choose between two appetizers, two entrees and two desserts. I chose the Acorn Squash Soup for the appetizer course, the mussels for my entree and the sorbet for my dessert. DID NOT ENJOY ALL THREE ):
Acorn Squash Soup- Lukewarm when it came to the table...and wasn't tasty at all. Also doesn't have a great aftertaste... I shudder even when I think back to this soup.
Mussels- TASTES LIKE THE OCEAN. Definitely the saltiest mussels I have ever eaten... I couldn't finish my entree at all... and had to drink plenty of water to balance the pH in my mouth. The mussels were cooked well though... just not savory at all.
Sorbet- this was the dealbreaker for me...I was going to forgive Chez Papa but their sorbet was like the bad cherry on top! Definitely just tasted like the Costco berry smoothie... very bland and generic tasting.
Lastly...I was going to forgive & forget...but... THEY CHARGED ME TWICE THE AMOUNT I PAID FOR. I was checking my transactions last week and noticed that they billed me for the entire meal when I had split the check with my friend. I called them immediately and the person told me that this happens often... that they charge one person for the entire meal -_________- This was a HUGE inconvenience to me... I live in L.A.
UPDATE: I called them again for followup on my wrong transaction and guess what--- they totally forgot about this "mistake." I just want them to send me the transaction so me and my friend can have our accounts checked! GRRRR!
I'm still sad about the mediocre food and the wrong charge to my credit card. Definitely never coming back here again... and will FORGET Chez Papa(I don't know about forgive). -
Review from C N.
Palo Alto, CA
Updated - 1/21/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Went for dinner. The food was not bad but not good enough for the price. I would not return unless it was for Dine About Town.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/22/2011
Great atmosphere and the food was good but not great. I had the sausage appetizer, which was only… Read more »
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Review from Marlon T.
11/12/2011
This place was well worth checking out.
It's tucked away in a nicely designed alleyway type area.
One second you're standing on the pee-ridden streets of SF then you're walking on a nice path made of marble-like stone to the entrance of Chez Papa.
This is what you must order:
1) kobe beef tartare, dijon mustard, capers, shallots, garlic, toast points
2) sonoma farms foie gras pot de crème, banyuls, toasted pain d'éspices
3) roasted rib eye steak, sweetbread gremolata, pont nuef potato
4) braised beef cheeks, cauliflower purée, caramelized cauliflower, pickled cauliflower
Our server was a nice guy with a French accent.
The restaurant was busy, but it didn't seem crowded.
The toilets in the bathroom were black (not your usual white). That was pretty interesting.
Prices were decent and the whole experience was great. -
Review from Simone E.
San Francisco, CA
12/26/2011
Ambiance:
Trying hard for comfy and casually upscale, closer to a hotel bar atmosphere
Service:
Excellent. Our waitress demonstrated incredible patience as we deliberated our order.
Product:
Acorn squash soup - good
Roasted Butterfish - excellent (doesn't need the butter)
Braised beef cheeks - could be better. The texture is... almost mushy. The cauliflower sides are all excellent and surprisingly distinct from one another.
Frites: Don't laugh. These were like steak fries, as thick and starchy as you can imagine. A far cry from the shoe string frites I'm used to in French restaurants.
Overall:
Not going back. This food doesn't require the hassle of parking near Union Square. -
Review from Constance C.
East Bay, CA
12/20/2011
Got the business lunch set, thinking it would be a good deal. A deal it definitely was not.
Organic Bibb Lettuce. With Crispy Shallots and Mustard Vinaigrette. This could have been better due to how fresh the lettuce was. But it was overdressed so I could barely even taste the flavor of the lettuce. Sadface.
Bread. And Butter. This was okay, one of the best things I ate that meal, which isn't saying much.
Carlsbad Aqua Farm Mussels. With White Wine, Bay Leaf, Garlic, Aioli and Crostini. Wow, I have no words to describe how horrible this dish was. I've never had mussels this horrible ever unless they were frozen and smelly and these were definitely not. The mussels themselves were good, however it was the sauce that ruined it all for me. It was like sea water, literally. The crostini was also super burnt. But even if the crostini were not charred to bits, you could not have dipped it into the sauce without feeling your tongue burn from the amount of salt in it. I was so thirsty afterwards just from eating the mussels. Never again!
Bread Pudding. With Caramel Sauce and Cream Fraiche, topped with Slivered Almonds. This was alright, nothing to write home about seeing as I could make it at home. It wasn't as horrible as everything else as I have nothing to complain about really. Just bread pudding with cinnamon and nutmeg, the usual.
So I thought this place would be super good based on all the high reviews from Yelp. I was disappointed beyond belief and I think it definitely shows through in my review. I am by no means a French food connoisseur, but I have eaten at many French restaurants in the city and I definitely have my lists of likes and dislikes and this fell under the dislikes, not just because the food was not great but also because their service left A LOT to be desired.
Our server pretty much sucked. Maybe because we were the youngest people there but that does not by any means excuse poor service (especially since I hate it when restaurants treat young people like crap). He was definitely more attentive to other tables with older, business-looking people. Also, we asked to split the check in half and he did not. He ended up charging the whole sum to my friend's credit card. That's kind of a big issue seeing as my friend is from LA. Because of that she spent many phone calls calling this restaurant to deal with it. She called at the end of the week and they said that their accounts person was out and would not be back until Monday and that they'd call her back. And because of all the inconveniences they offered to refund the full amount and basically give us a free meal, which we didn't care about because we just wanted the issue resolved and my friend just offered to just pay the full amount including mine. Come Monday, they had already conveniently forgotten about the issue. And they had decided to refund my friend the full amount, providing us receipts (that we could not understand) of everything.
SIGH! That was just one long story of why I will never return, too much trouble and it's not worth it for the food. Had the food been 4 star quality it would have at least been worth it, but unfortunately this was not.
See photos of food, http://potbellypanda.t...Listed in: Worst of the Worst!
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Review from Jenn R.
Chicago, IL
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hubs and I were wandering the rainy streets of SF this Friday looking for a cab and they were all either taken or not picking up at Jones & Ellis... yikes! So we wandered down to Stevenson, which was another mistake, BUT, just past that on Mint Plaza was Chez Papa Resto and the answer we'd been looking for.
As a walk-in, we had to sit at the bar, but it was no issue.
We each had one of the two four-course tasting menu with wine parings and told our bartendress, Sophie, to give one of us one tasting and the other the second.
First, the wine pairings were phenomenal.
Second, the oyster appetizer was SO delicious.
Third, the acorn squash soup - TDF - (& I hate using that term)
Fourth, both the fish & the beef were incredible. The beef check was incredibly tender and the ribeye cooked perfectly med rare. The items that came with the fish were divine.
Fifth, the wine pairings were phenomenal. Oh did I say that already? Well, it bears repeating.
Finally, OMG, I cannot rave about this enough!! The dulce de leche panne cotta with goat milk ice cream and salted chocolate crumb was DIVINE!!! There was mention of rolling around in it, it was so good.
I want to go back just for that, but Chez Papa Resto was so yummy, we'll go back for a whole meal. -
Review from Rose W.
Hanover, NH
11/27/2011
It's elegant, delicious, and a bit overpriced, but that's okay.
THE FOOD was pretty good. I don't really have much to say about it, but the Kobe beef was amazing :) be careful, though! If you can't handle raw meat, you should definitely order something else on the menu (they don't tell you it's raw before you order)...
THE SERVICE was alright. Although we were not able to receive as much attention because we were young (under 21), I guess it was satisfactory. I did spill water, and none of the staff noticed, so we had to wait a good 10 minutes before someone who came by actually noticed our waving towards them for napkins.
One thing that did ruin our dining experience was that on his way out, a scruffy, middle-aged man tapped us on the shoulder and told us that our camera flash was annoying to the others. I seriously recommend future diners to keep such snarky comments to themselves. Yes, it's a closely seated space. Yes, you might be affected by someone else's camera flash. But it's very dimly lighted, so flash is necessary when taking pictures. Also, because of the close proximity with other parties in the restaurant, your talking might be considered annoying too, but no one ever says anything about that because they actually know something called "manners." A millisecond worth of light is nothing compared to a night loud with obnoxious laughter and jabbering conversation. -
Review from Vibby V.
Burlingame, CA
1/18/2012
Location = Mint plaza is nice and this is the first restaurant I've tried on this block.
Decor = Beautiful decor. Reminds me of the Cosmopolitan Hotel in vegas on a smaller scale, of course. Because I enjoyed the decor, I was really looking forward to the food.
Staff = It was tough to comprehend our waiter and he had awkward timing when he came over to us or simply lingered when we didn't need anything?
Food = The food looked nice but we all felt the food was simply ok? For $24 - $30 per entree, we needed the flavors and textures to be spot on. However, they weren't. Also, the portions were on the small side.
Special Note = N/A -
Review from Sfgpgirl G.
San Francisco, CA
12/20/2011 Seated via OpenTable
This was our second time here @ Chez P Resto. It took a while when we sat down to get a cocktail (which showed up with our appetizers) but the food was delish. Requisite steak and roasted fish, oyster apps were awesome. Our server was very helpful, but suggested the deconstructed S'more for dessert that contained cookies with a graham cracker crunch, chocolate covered marshmallows, and some weird brown tasteless knoxblocks like gelatin that I don't know what it was supposed to emulate. Not so great. The stars were the cocktails: the smokey manhattan comes in a lidded jam jar (yes shake it) the rye smells slightly of a Krakatoa ciggy and the Port Saggre a yummy concoction of port, bitters, cranberry and spices is nice holiday drink. Overall, a great post holiday shopping look at the lights eatery.
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Review from amit s.
San Francisco, CA
9/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pros:
Its expensive, but its great place for a date, or a celebratory dinner. The service is pretty much flawless, and elegant. The food is very good too. I still remember their desserts were excellent. Their pana cotta is the *BEST* i've ever had.
Cons:
I give it 4 stars, mostly because its a little bit pretentious. Lots of places can be casual, yet classy, and serve food that's just as delicious. This one's a bit stuffy. -
Review from Daryl C.
Menlo Park, CA
1/10/2012
We took our staff here for our annual holiday dinner in January and we were VERY impressed! Our waitress was able to describe each dish in detail and the food was fantastic!
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Review from Amber B.
Oakland, CA
1/2/2012
We went to this restaurant because it was close to a show we were attending. We have been to Thermidor a few times and wanted to try something new but still be super close to the venue. So we chose this place. Otherwise we would not have gone based on the last Chronicle review. The meal was fine but not great. The cost of the meal in relation to the quality makes me give it two stars.
We ordered the octopus. Maybe it was an off night (other reviewers on yelp loved it), but it was really tough and lacked flavor.
The butterfish was overcooked and undersauced. What there was of the sauce, though, was good.
The beef cheeks were awesome. Not mushy, as another recent reviewer noted. They were glazed perfectly. The cauliflower sides were really good, too.
The bread pudding for dessert was a little too firm, although heated through which should have softened it. It was not satisfying like great bread puddings I have had. -
Review from Greg L.
Berkeley, CA
1/1/2012
My first visit here and the food was disappointing. The crab starter was super pedestrian and had one dimensional flavor, presentation was non existent. The foie gras portion was tiny and needed some acidic under pinning and the Douglas fir only added novelty. The chicken dish was tasty but the skin was brown but not crispy. The pasta was not that flavorful and i think was missing the truffle accent but was adequate. Come on step up the game. With so many choices in the city, not coming back to this food. The service was very good and the vibe is good.
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Review from Heidi K.
San Francisco, CA
10/25/2011
Pros:
The cocktails were amazing, fresh, and interesting. Food was equally tasty and imaginative. Had a great tomato watermelon salad and a spring pea orzo risotto...
Cons:
There is a very pretentious vibe at this place, and I'm not entirely sure why. The food is good, but not worth being uppity about. The restaurant appearance is stuffy, the patrons a bit older, and waitstaff efficient, but not friendly (or happy that I ordered a salad and a side...). -
Review from Gina S.
9/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was at Papa Resto for a cocktail and hors d'oeuvre social. The waitstaff were really good. They made multiple rounds with all sorts of appetizers from octopus skewers to Kobe beef bruschetta, tuna tartar and cheese puff pastries.
I surprised myself when I tried the octopus. It was awesome! The puff pastry was okay, the tuna tartar was worth trying once and the Kobe beef was the favorite of my coworker. Classy place.Listed in: Tapas
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Review from Tara H.
7/20/2011
Food, drinks, service, and atmosphere, yes, yes, yes, and yes.
We came for Saturday brunch, and I'd love to come back.
My croque madame with pork belly, gruyere, an egg, and mornay sauce (more cheese) was perfect. The bloody mary was insane; the 11 a.m. Saturday bartender makes a mean, spicy one, and I loved it. The atmosphere is somehow mod + French + boudoir, and being in the room was a plus in itself. Server was knowledgeable and helpful -- giving me the heads-up about the spicy bloody mary.
Damage was $50-ish for two, reasonable for what we got. Dying to have another bloody mary, but I may have to try the dinner menu, first.Listed in: Top-Notch Nom, Drinks, You Say? *hic*
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Review from Sarah K.
San Diego, CA
8/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm in SF for work quite a bit, off and on, and this is my go-to solo dinner escape: elegant, quiet, upscale without being overdone or unwelcoming, lovely bar and lovely drinks, lovely bartender, lovely nibbles. While I think I've actually only ever sat at a table once, I'm sure that's lovely too.
Tip: if you sit at the bar, afore-mentioned lovely bartender has a habit of offering you 'samples' and usually the odd muscat chaser. Couldn't commend this habit more highly.
Second best Blood and Sand in town, second only to Absinthe in the Haight.
Lots of Pastis. And dessert tend to kick ass. -
Review from Julia K.
San Francisco, CA
8/25/2011
Cute trendy French place. The waiters all have nice little French accents and are super friendly.
For starters we got the kobe beef tartare and the charred octopus. Both were very flavorful and great. We also got some complimentary cheese puffs to test, and dear, it was so good.
For entrees I got the roasted butterfish and my friend got the lamb duo. The fish was very moist and tender and the lamb was equally delicious but with more flavor of course.
I was too full for dessert but my friend insisted that we get the cocoa nib eclair, and I somehow found room to fit it in my stomach because we ended up killing it. I loved the pistachio ice cream. Great meal.
I want to go back. -
Review from wendy k.
Milpitas, CA
7/19/2011 Seated via OpenTable
My husband and I came for a quiet "fancy" dinner date for his bday. I was expecting a more upscale place, but no biggie. Then we got seated at a small table that felt like we were in the aisle. It felt like we were in the way. Minus 1 star.
Service was good. Two glasses of champagne were mediocre. Appetizers (hamachi sashimi and octupus something) were very good. Main entrees (pork belly and rib eye) were decent but not good enough to charge an arm and a leg. Especially if we're seated in a aisleway! Dessert (creme brulee) was delish! Honestly, it saved the dinner. Total bill was just under $200. My verdict: they charge too much for not enough. -
Review from Andrew C.
11:30am seems a little late for starting Brunch service so we arrived pretty hungry just a little after opening. The waiter convinced me to get the Grilled Aged Sirloin Burger (caramelized onion, rémoulade, pommes frites, choice of: bleu d'auvergne, goat, brie, gruyère $15) and the g/f ordered up Eggs Any Way (roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, pistou vinaigrette $12) along with a Bloody Mary & Bellini ($6 ea).
Nicely made and refreshing drinks, the Bloody Mary was lightly spicy and had a small salad on top (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) with a cocktail onion, square of cucumber, olive, sprigs of celery, and a wedge of lime and wedge of lemon with freshly ground pepper on top.
There were 2 tables seated when we arrived so we thought we'd be getting our food quickly, but it took 35 minutes. When delivered our server apologized and said they had to deal with "an issue" in the kitchen. To make up for our wait, he comp'd us another order of drinks. OK, I'll forgive you! ;-)
The g/f's eggs were poached perfectly cooked with nice runny yolks. The potatoes had a light paprika coating separating themselves from the typical home fries. The veggies had a light vinaigrette and were al dente and delicious (http://www.yelp.com/bi...).
The burger plate came with a large pile of rosemary pommes frites and a small bowl of rémoulade on the side. In addition to the caramelized onion, there were some ripe tomato slices and greens (http://www.yelp.com/bi...).
From the couple of dime sized holes in the cheese and the mild flavor, I'm guessing they had subbed some other swiss cheese for the gruyère. The burger patty was nicely cooked and juicy (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), but was lacking in seasoning / flavor despite it's Aged status.
The rosemary fries were addicting along with the tasty rémoulade. Thin cut and perfectly crispy with just enough salt and the distinctive rosemary flavor.
Burger - 3.5 stars
Fries - 5 stars
Egg & Veggie dish - 4 starsListed in: Brunching the Bay, Burgers
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/4/2010
Armed with our $75 for $35 GroupOn voucher, we came in for an early dinner to start the Labor Day… Read more »
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Review from Derrick V.
San Francisco, CA
6/6/2011
I thought i was tired of French food, but Chez Papa changed my mind.
The beef tartare was really nice, with garnishes that you mix in yourself.
Sweetbread sausage was creative, really tasty.
The beef cheeks were cooked to perfection, melt in your mouth with a delicious sauce.
The pork belly was an unctuous splurge, one bite was enough for me.
Wines were really nice and service was great. -
Review from Jeff W.
Cupertino, CA
10/2/2011
Went here for our 12th weddning anniversary. We have been long time fans of Chez Papa Bistro. The decor was beautiful and service was great. However, the food was just so so. My thoughts.
Ordered a vodka tonic with a lemon twist. Got a lime and when I asked to the twist I got a lemon wedge.
Beef tartare was good, but I've had better
Cocoa Nibs were freezing cold and "molten" lava chocolate sauce was more like cold chocolate syrup. Tasted like something out of a box from Costco.
I really have gotten disgruntled with these types of places. You pay a premium and walk away thinking the Chinese for lunch was better. I really think the chefs try to cook beyond their abilities and get lost in the food mazes they create. What is up? What is down?
I prefer Bar Bambino and Nick's in Los Gatos. Just wonderful flavors with ingredients a luddite like myself can understand. -
Review from MIA N.
7/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Blood orange margaritas!! A must try!
We came here for a work department dinner outing. The staff was very accommodating and made sure we were all happy (and drunk). We had a pre-set menu customized with our company name and logo so that was a nice touch.
Nothing quite too memorable except the absinthe drinks.
Did not particularly enjoy the summer squash flower leaf deal. It was fried but came out soggy.
The fish dish was moist and flavorful. Mmm,. -
Review from Cheryl C.
San Francisco, CA
5/23/2011 Seated via OpenTable
This is my first yelp review!
After many visits to Blue Bottle Coffee at Mint Plaza and peeking over to see people's lunch in the outdoor seating arena, I finally came here with two of my girlfriends for dinner!
Foie Gras Mousse, Pacific Sea Bass and Veev Gimlet were all good. The mousse was served sweet and creamy (not exactly what we had in mind-- but the menu did say yuzu puree, we just weren't paying attention due to the excessive gossiping). What kind of blew my mind was their Roasted Sonoma Squab and Blood Orange Margarita! The squab tasted like a perfectly cooked duck. So tender and juicy.
Not only that, the girls and I stayed there for 3+ hours on a very busy night but all the staff were so kind and patient. Never once did we feel rushed. Chez Papa is quiet enough to chat but also lively at the same time where it's comfortable to let loose a little!
Lastly, it's sandwiched between FiDi and 6th and Mission... so just be careful when you are parked on the shady side of the street. -
Review from Dawn Marie B.
Napa, CA
12/5/2011 Seated via OpenTable
We enjoyed Chez Papa. After our meal last year and the fine excellent service and food we wanted to enjoy the restaurant once again. We made a booking and we were seated right on time, however we waited forever (15minutes) to even be acknowledged, having to finally call over the host, people had walked by us many times not one of them offering water, drinks. When we finally had serviced, the food was outstanding, especially my lamb. It was cooked perfectly. All in all we had a very fine meal and the service improved after we ordered. I would recommend this fine restaurant and will return. However if the service does not improve it will be waste of the chefs fine ende
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Review from Annie L.
Mountain View, CA
8/29/2011
I recently went there for the first time on the weekend for a baby shower. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's quite convenient near all the shopping areas, and liked that it was quiet and not too crowded. We got lucky with the SF weather, and was even able to eat outside.
I ordered the mussels and a side of fries, and they were delicious! Our waiter was great too -- very prompt service and beverage always refilled promptly. Would definitely go back again, and next time I want to try their burger which I hear is really popular. -
Review from Alex P.
Austin, TX
4/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
My girlfriend took me here for my birthday, and had an awful experience. We had an earlyish reservation for a Tuesday night, and when we arrived the hostess told us our table would be ready in 5 minutes. We weren't seated for 30. During this time I did get to enjoy an excellent negroni, but that didn't help much, especially when I saw how much it cost.
When we were seated, we were seated at a cramped corner table with a bench seat that was uncomfortably low for the height of the table. The window above our table was blowing cold SF evening air, and when we asked the staff to close it they said they couldn't. Eventually we just put our jackets back on.
After waiting in the cramped entryway for 30 minutes, we were well and ready to order our dinner. Unfortunately it took them 25 minutes to came take our order, and another 30 to serve our food.
After waiting an hour and a half, I was ready to thoroughly enjoy the food. Unfortunately my halibut was overcooked, and my girlfriend's duck was surprisingly tough. The food and service combined for an exceptionally poor experience, especially for a city with so many excellent restaurants. Next time the urge for high end delicious food comes on, I'll be going to Delfina or Foreign Cinema.
