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Categories: French, American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Hayes ValleyMon. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Tue-Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
"Delicious French fare and a totally reasonable price. The cheese plate was a great starter. Recommend the flat iron steak-- the flavor was…" read more »
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Minus one star for the higher-than-thou prices. It's a comfortable space and even cozy upstairs with exposed brick and plush booths. Great place to eat before the opera, ballet, or symphony. Food is excellent.
One thing that always looks delish on the menu but we never like it is the sparerib. Don't skip dessert- it's always delish and it's small so you won't feel too guilty.
Valet parking is great but there's also a $12 garage next door. Don't bet on street parking because it gets too busy.
Uninspired, unimpressed. Jardiniere cost as much, if not more, than Gary Danko or the Ritz Carlton Dining room and it simply didn't move me the way those do.
In a word, it felt soulless.
Noisy. Tables too close together. Servers were rushing.
Bread--OK--here's where I started to get annoyed. When you are paying almost $100 per person for food you have the right to expect good bread. Bread isn't just something to throw on a plate while you're waiting, it's an essential part of a fine meal. This is San Francisco, there's plenty of fine artisan bread--or, better yet, it could be house made. And yet--the sourdough rolls were just average--bland, a bit hard, I've had better at restaurants that cost 1/4 as much. Incanto's bread and breadstick selection is unique and superb. Or the Four Seasons in NYC has an incredible array of very special breads and fresh croissants. But somewhat hard sourdough rolls (some warm, later just cold)--no choice, and a small tub of butter that didn't get refilled without asking--that doesn't count as fine-dining.
The frois gras was good, though the portion was small for $25. Again there was a bread issue--the tiny bit of brioche was only big enough for about 1/4 of the frois gras. The Autumn Vegetable Minestra was a huge portion, but so salty that neither of us who ordered it could eat more than a few spoonfuls.
The duck breast arrived cold--I'm not a stickler for hot--but cold? There's no excuse for that in any restaurant, much less one that charges $36 for this dish. It tasted good, and the small lump of spaetzle was really the best thing about it.
The $10 chocolate layer cake was delicious, as was the ice cream. The $13 Bonne Bouche Platter, though, was weak, as most of the little morsels were very dry.
Also a note about presentation--again, at $100, the presentation should be beautiful. This presentation was merely adequate. Too little sauce, smeared on the plate in a cliche way. It wasn't beautiful or mouth-watering, it just was clean.
Maybe I'm jaded from meals that were cosmopolitan yet warm perfection at NY's Four Seasons, or sophisticated scrumptiously soulful at Mankas Inverness Lodge, or Incanto's consistently refined earthiness. Or maybe it was just an off night.
But I left Jariniere uninspired & unimpressed.
I said I would be back for the tasting menu, and I keep my promises....mostly.... so I came back. And because I'm not one to do anything by half-measure, I had them do the wine pairings, too.
Now, six courses (and six glasses of wine) is a lot. And I was pretty well satisfied with virtually every course. BUT, when the total cost of a meal for one single solitary little meatbag is $200, said meatbag is likely to expect something truly transcendent. And this was good, indeed very good, but not $200 good.
Everyone else's meal looked excellent, and all seemed happy with their lot in life. The one who really lucked out here was Wifey, who got basically a quarter of my tasting menu gratis in the form of offered bites. (I don't usually do that, and I mostly hate people who insist on eating off of someone else's plate. I'll give you a bite of what I've got, but for the most part, it's every man for himself. If you wanted a steak, you shouldn't have ordered a salad, now get your damn hands off my food.)
Another opera, another dinner at Jardiniere. Doubtless, Wifey and I will be back. Again.
It seems cliche, but I started my night at the opera with dinner at Jardiniere. Wifey and I arrived… Read more »
Feeling good? Want to get dressed up and feel even fancier? Jardiniere is the answer. It's been a while since I've been here, but I often think back to the lobster bisque of 2001 and the risotto of 2007.
The thing that they do here, is they do everything right but they manage to not make it feel overly posh.
It's one of my favorite restaurants, and as soon as I make it I'll be dining here way more...a regular like just like Norm at Cheers.
Until then I miss you Jardi,call me sometime- let's catch up.xoxo
The atmosphere is part David Lynch, and part 1930's Great Depression glamour. Perhaps it's combination of the fact that I don't drink generally, but always have champagne and cocktails here, and that the lighting upstairs is very stage/theater like. It's always a surreal experience in anycase.
The food is always impeccable, and the service perfect. Ofcourse, for the prices, it should be. This is the Mandarin-Oriental of restaurants. I noticed it gets compared to The Four Seasons frequently... but I think that would be more appropro for Zuni Cafe. Both great San Francisco classics, but appeals to different demographical aspects.
Great food, classy ambiance. Portions were sized right, presentation was well done. Nice service, except it was a bit slow for us, even after the Opera crowd left.
We had:
1) Chef's 7-course tasting menu: each dish was better than the one before! We were told we could substitute some of the items with the ones from the a la carte menu if we preferred, which we did for the desert.
2) House salad w/ greens, roasted beets, soft cheese at the bottom: tasty but too oily!
3) Swordfish was superb
4) Chocolate layered cake was rich & delicious, had 4 layers.
Housed in a beautiful landmark building in San Francisco's Civic Center, Jariniere features award-winning French-California cuisine of chef and co-owner, Tracis Des Jardins, in the warm, elegant, two-story which was interior designed by co-owner Paul Kuleto. Definitely reserve a table on the second floor, so you can people-watch the locals at the bar below! What's good? Try the salmon, grilled perfectly with capers in a light lemons sauce.
5 stars for ambiance and food
My new go-to place for a perfect dinner. Flawless service, great wine, delicious food, big portions, beautiful decor and you aren't elbow-to-elbow with the people at the next table over. Looking forward to my next dinner here.
A very classy place for drinks and dinner - the clientele there is definitely of the upper lip, higher class, and it was quite packed at 7PM last night (the crowd filtered out by 8:30 or so, maybe they all left to catch a show at the opera or something). We had nowhere to go after dinner so we took our time and enjoyed our meal.
While waiting for my friend to arrive, I had a citrus-y drink with grenadine at the bar -- yum! :) Later, I had the Hoffman Ranch hen with brussels sprouts, celery root and heirloom carrots for dinner and the Tahitian vanilla tart with pears, huckleberries and pear sorbet for dessert. Both were very tasty and very classically done and displayed.
The service was nice & friendly - we had a good time chatting and catching up over our very tasty meal.
Dinner+1 drink+dessert+tip+tax = $68
Dinner w/ Geraldine # 17
One of my favorite restaurants in the city.
I've found that the best french restaurants are usually the ones that are not well known, like little corner bistros tucked away in an alley. Jardiniere is a fairly large or more well-known establishment BUT IT IS SO GOOD! The food isn't pretentious like other up(per) scale restaurants. I love the chicken entree (or I guess it would be hen/quail) and the desserts! The first time I went here was for my 22nd birthday and they gave us a free dessert on top of the two we already ordered, plus a mini dessert platter at the end (which I think is complimentary to every meal?)
I highly recommend for birthdays and anniversaries, or if you just feel like having a lovely over-priced meal that's actually worth being overpriced.
Went here for a Monday special three course meal. I believe it was Brazillian night. Unfortunately, I went here three weeks ago so I dont remember exactly what I ordered. But it was pretty loud and very hard to have a conversation. I think this is a great spot to come with friends. I'd recommend a different place for a date/anniversary or whatever.
Lets just say, I enjoyed the course and wine pairing. Very delicious. I certainly enjoyed the bread and butter. For some reason, I can still smell the fresh warm bread.
I'd recommend this place, for a Monday three course special.
We went to Jardiniere for our first wedding anniversary a couple of weeks back and had a wonderful night.
The staff makes sure that you have a perfect experience.
We ordered the tasting menu with wine pairings and it was totally enjoyable.
A glass of wine with every one of the seven courses made me quite tipsy which made the night even more fun :)
Special occasion!
-They added 20% to a bill of 5 people. (Is that customary???)
-Our food took 30 minutes between appetizer and meal
I don't think it is right to add gratuity to a bill when you know that the kitchen, waitstaff, or someone made a mistake.
We called and had let them know we needed to be at our event at 7:30. We did not get there until 7:55.
I basically had to CHASE down the wait staff to get our food.
Duck was great, but at 120 per person, I was not happy with the service and the food. It was a slap in the face for them to not adjust anything on the bill and then tell me that I had to tip an amount that is reserved for exceptional service.
Minus one star from earlier review. Tempted to remove two. If it wasn't that I was in between two hot men, I would.
Okay FIRST I have a pet peeve about fancy restaurants. Water.
I don't really drink water during a…
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It's been a while since I've dined here. It's difficult to review restaurants over time, as you always draw back to past experiences and make comparisons. When they first opened, it was an interesting design, location, and food that set this restaurant apart. Unfortunately, our dinner this past weekend did not live up to the past. When studying their menu, there were certain items that caught our eyes on the tasting menu (scallop carpaccio and lobster risotto) and the regular menu. When we asked the waiter whether items from the tasting menu would be available on an ala carte basis, he said no because the kitchen has apportioned the ingredients for the tasting menu diners only. I did not order the tasting menu as I do not eat veal and sweetbreads. As a result, here is my menu:
Appetizer
Maine Diver Scallops - Three seared scallops on a bed of pureed carrots and a rustic vegetable accompaniment. Nice dish, but some in our party commented about the portion size (small).
Early Girl Tomato and Polenta Soup - Large bowl of tasty and fresh flavored tomato soup.
Shared Appetizers
Charcuterie Plate - There was a variety of about six different cured meats, nothing that really stood out. The pickled vegetables and peppers were tasty.
Wolfe Ranch Quail - Accompanied by rice, cherry tomatoes, and peppers. Decent sized plate and quail was cooked well.
Entree
Local Petrale Sole - The fish was fresh and grilled well, though it was a bit dry. The accompaniments were rustic and included eggplant, I believe.
Shared Desserts
Trio of Ices - Tonight's selection were Jasmine Tea, Berry, and Black Sesame. The first two were pleasant, but the sesame didn't work for me.
Bonne Bouche - A assortment of different sweets that included fruit jellies, chocolate truffles, and some small pastries (shortbread, mini scone, etc.). This was probably the highlight of the dinner as the featured White Corn Creme Brulee shined.
Overall, dinner was nice, but did not impress. I noticed that their menu clearly explains how they pride themselves in using local ingredients from local growers, but this is no excuse for such a limited menu. There is no shortage of great restaurants in San Francisco, but, sad to say, this is no longer a destination spot for me.
Good Lord, this place knocked my socks off and I don't say that very often!
We were in SF for the weekend and had loose Saturday night plans which fell through. We were lucky enough to get a last minute booking at Jardiniere and what an unexpected treat it was.
First off, this place is pretty fancy so ladies and gentlemen, put your glad rags on. Get there a little earlier than your reservation time too and have a cocktail at the bar; it's swanky and feels somewhat modern Parisien. The wait staff are dressed in white collared shirts and waistcoats and the service was excellent.
I started with the foie gras which was perfectly sized and beautfully presented. It also tasted delicious. I followed that with pan roasted halibut which was cooked perfectly and melt-in-the-mouth gorgeous.
We didn't have time for desert but based on what we did eat, I can imagine it was awesome. We had some truly fabulous food in SF but this was by far the best all-round experience of the weekend.
The food here took my breath away. Service was timed perfectly so that my fiance and I had time to enjoy each individual course.
The potato leek soup is divine...and the duck confit salad is amazing!
Great ambiance, great service (our waitress was so nice), and stunning presentation. The food just melts on your tongue.
Great for special occasion, birthday, etc...or if you just feel like having an expensive dinner that's worth every penny! We had drinks, appetizers, salads, entrees, dessert, and coffee for $230...before tip.
Jardiniere was way too expensive for the quality and amount of food they serve. Yes indeedy, the food is pretty good. The salmon and the halibut that we had were seared just right, over a bed of juicy veggies and sauce. However, for $35-$40, I expected a piece of fish somewhat bigger than two finger widths. The oysters at $3.50 a piece were tiny as well. I wanted to order the gnocchi from their Tasting Menu a la carte, but was told the APPETIZER portion size was $28. Geez.
1 star off: too expensive for their quality
1 star off: ...and quantity
Stopped by Jardinière before the Symphony on a Thursday night. We walked in, intending on just getting some appetizers at the bar. However, I suppose it was a slow night and they offered us a table upstairs, and a prime spot, at that.
The theme is champagne. If you look around the upstairs, you'll notice that built-in along the railing, overlooking the bar below, are ice buckets! Yes, they actually keep wine and champagne in there.
I would say the service is very good. Our server asked us if we were attending one of the civic performances. It's always nice when they check! In addition, while we were eating, I had my camera out on the table, as I often do. Now, this is because I generally take about 40x more pictures of food than pictures of people, but our server very graciously asked if we would like our photo taken. I think this is a nice way of illustrating how they go above and beyond.
Charcuterie Plate: Lonza, Felino, Country Pâté, Luccese, Manteca Colorada and Spicy Coppa: This is a great dish to get if you like cured meats. And I do. =) The servings were a bit small though (IMO, but then again, I really, really like cured meats).
Endive, Avocado and Haricots Verts Salad, Marcona Almonds and Ricotta Salata: This salad is genius. I mean, it's so simple! I really like endive salads. But the marcona almonds were really a nice companion. I like the marconas: they're rounder than a regular almond and meatier, with no skin, so not even a hint of bitterness. But what really set this salad apart was the haricots verts. Yes, endives are common in salads, as are marconas. But haricots verts are much less common. We had ricotta salata in the maccaronara at A16 and it was mild, to say the least. Here though, it had much more personality and pungency. It definitely paired well with this salad.
Wagyu Beef Sliders, Aged Gruyere, Smoked Bacon and Dijon Aïoli: My dining partner had these. They were so cute. Tasty too. But I always feel like Wagyu is such a waste in burgers.....
Drinks here were a bit pricey, but very strong. We had the absinthe daiquiri and I believe the Haitian punch (? This wasn't my drink, but I did try it).
Parking wasn't difficult and it's not too sketchy if you stay near Davies/War Memorial. We parked at a meter just around the corner.
I'd come here again. Great ambiance, great service, and very convenient location for enthusiasts of the performing arts.
I'm doing this review way too late, went there in July for dinner before watching Wicked.
We both had the tasting menu, and I was not impressed. The only 2 dishes that stood out was the scallop carpaccio, which was pretty good. And the Veal, which was really, really good.
overall, it was a very pleasant experience. the service was excellent, but you expect that from a place like this. They did bring out a birthday dessert for my gf, that was nice, but again, I'd expect that from a place like this.
I would not dine here again, simply because there are soooo many restaurants in the city to try, Jardiniere did not leave enough of an impression for me to come back.
Being invited guests is never a bad thing, with that said, we had the most enjoyable time, as it was an experience.
Given a rare evening with offspring out of sight and mind. The significant other and myself got there a hour before our reservation and enjoyed the lounge. We experimented with their house specialties, specificaly the aged rums and tequilas. In short not a bad way to begin a nice night. The drinks were tasty hiding their true potency, not a bad way to a nice little pre-dinner buzz. I high recommend their house specialty drinks.
After an hour or so we spent the next 3 hours enjoying their contemporary spin on french/american food. One of us had the tasting menu which we all got a taste of here and there. The other three of us shared two appetizers. The scallops to die for and a nice light endive salad with fluffy cheese mousse. My dead cow was wonderful with perfect veggies and fries on the side, their steak frites I guess, no complaints. The girls had their typical fish dishes, perfectly cooked moist and flavorful. Its amazing how good company, good food and good wine can produce such a great evening.
We finished off our evening lingering over cheese, a mini buffet of dessert tarts/cookies, and a polenta cake with rasberry sauce. Of a quite a few shots of expresso so we liven our senses before calling it an evening. Overall nothing stood out but then again nothing was left to be desired, worthy of a solid 4 stars and a half if I could give it.
-Cheers
In need of a bit of romance and spontaneity in my singlehood I decided to take myself out for a fancy lunch after getting my last haircut at Oxenrose (Lee is the MANNN) across the way. I asked my waiter to order for me and he hooked it up! Maine diver scallops w/ chanterelle mushrooms and bacon HOLLA! Plus their pastry chef is a master.
This is the perfect place to go before heading to the theatre. Seasonal and sustainable cuisine that… Read more »
Went here, as hubby was given a gift voucher for this place. Lovely ambiance - one of the most beautiful decors I have seen in a restaurant in San Francisco. The food was nice, in a classic heavy French way, but a bit overpriced - I've eaten better for less. A 'special occasion' place - food was very heavy and expensive. I think my favorite dish on the menu was the dessert selection platter - a huge selection of mini cakes and desserts - YUM!
Yes, YUM is right! This place is right up my alley, pretty people with pretty food. We love the decor and ambiance, and of course, the food has been great. The bartender (Brian) who usually makes our drinks is incredible, to the extent that you tell him what you are thinking of and he creates a drink that fits your mood. And he hasn't failed yet. That my friend, is WOW! Yes, this place is not cheap by any means, but as usual, you get what you pay for.
Emperor's New Clothes. Nothing going on here, move on. Not sure why everyone loves this place.
Impeccable service, fabulous food, and beautiful atmosphere. I've been here 3 times now and every time was better than the last. You won't be disappointed by Traci des Jardins' creations, even though she's now somewhat of a celebrity chef (I saw her kick butt on Iron Chef America!)
Since the menu changes constantly, it's hard to do a review of food. I highly recommend the tasting menu. Every time I've had it, the portions have been the exact right size, the wine pairings perfect (even my mother, who doesn't drink wine, agreed that the food was enhanced), and the flavors are creative and seasonal.
There are always new restaurants popping up, but Jardiniere is a San Francisco fixture and a must see. Ugh, I'm getting a craving just writing this review.
n.b., it's a perfect before-opera/symphony restaurant, since they're only a few blocks away. Or stop by after for drinks (fabulously made) and oysters in the bar after a performance.
Among the finest options for dining in SF. Always impeccable service, and always something truly memorable on your plate. When you really want to feel like you've had the best meal you can find in this city, Jardiniere is a very good bet.
ok, so it's still not danko but close. very close.
one thing they are great at is making sure you are on time for your show.
at 5:30pm, we had plenty of time for the 7 course tasting meal.
and why not?
sure it's a wee pricey compared to some other heavy hitters at $125 a pop but it was a dinner + show night.
they printed out the tasting dinner with envelope since we were so interested in the menu.
the soft scarmbled egg - prepared in the egg shell with creme fraiche and caviar with a small piece of brioche was heavenly.
it blew la folie's version out of the water.
the crudo of salmon with green beans, cherry tomatoes and olives was good but quite small. almost like an amuse bouche size.
the potato gnocchi was melt in your mouth with a touch of lobster, corn and squash blossom.
for gluten-free diners - they served the seared scallop dish which was well prepared.
the slow roasted squab was a highlight. it put ame to shame with the farro, blackberries and foie gras mousse. the foie was like air.
the lamb with chanterelle mushrooms, watercress puree and truffles was also very good.
but save room because it's not over yet.
the burrata : slow pulled cheese with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and figs was excellent. it exceeded the version from a16.
and last but not least...
the yogurt, strawberry, almond and oatmeal crisp was elegant and flavorful.
overall a warm ambiance with great service and good food, it was worth 5 stars though, the price tag was more danko worthy.
super easy opera hang out. you could tell who was going.
elegant couples to cute little old ladies…
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Jardiniere was being saved for a special occasion. An evening at the symphony. A milestone birthday. A family celebration. A professional achievement.
As life often has it, we ended up going for a different reason, and one a little more bittersweet. Two good friends are moving away, and we wanted one last dinner out to remember all the good times we've had, and toast everything we have to look forward to, even if it will be miles apart. We made our reservation on a Monday night to take advantage of their new prix fixe deal - $45 per person for a starter, entree and dessert, along with wine pairings.
Walking in I was immediately captivated. The interior was much more modern than I anticipated - a hushed, sleek, evocative vibe that signaled you were entering something special. A selection of downtempo tracks provided the perfect soundtrack. I was particularly impressed with the lighting. Every table had it's own perfectly angled track light, creating an intimate glow for each party.
The food was simply outstanding. By choosing the prix fixe night, we knew what we were getting, but that did not in any way diminish the normal surprise and delight at discovering each dish is a work of culinary art. First came the shrimp and heart of palm dumplings basking in a soothing broth. It was the perfect starter on a cold and foggy night - warm, not to heavy, subtle, setting the foundation for a flavor crescendo to come. Second was the five spice duck leg entree surrounded by beans and onions, all complemented by an apricot jus. Wow. Amazing. The duck literally fell off the bone and melted in my mouth. This incredible combination of flavor is a candidate for dish of the year. Last but not least was the plum tart with black sesame ice cream. It was a splendid combination. Each scoop of the tart dipped into the slowly melting ice cream came together in a flavorful bliss.
All that would have easily been worth the expense. That each came with a wine tasting (featuring a cadence of incredible riesling, OK pinot blank and perfectly sweet brachetto d'acqui), made this one of the best dinner deals I've ever had.
Throughout the evening service was attentive and focused. Our waiter excelled explaining the wine, though seemed a bit off with the food. I attribute that to him being a little out of his selling element as everything was already set. It wasn't a big deal at all. The support staff always kept our water glasses full and our bread plates.
In summary - much in the same way I tend to smile while dancing during my favorite DJ sets, I was smiling through this entire meal. Easily one of the best meals of the year. The only downside was the part where we had to say goodbye to two dear friends. Not forever of course, but with just a few more miles between us. I'm so glad one of our final San Francisco memories was dinner at Jardiniere.
Fabulous food and decor describes this place.
The quality of the food is divine and the service is excellent.
Not to mention their extensive wine list.
This place never disappointed me.
Perfect place to go for a pre-performance dinner (ballet, symphony or opera).
Wow, this truly was as good as it get's when it comes to SF food. Amazing oysters, with a perfect paired glass of Beerenauslese. The duck confit salad was "out of this world" with figs. My steak was no ordinary steak, it was in fact just about the most amazing piece of dead cow I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. (ever!) Even the side dish was just as good too amazingly. My bottle of Saint Joseph Syrah went perfect to say the least. After all that goodness the cheese plate was "amazing" and dessert glass of beerenauslese blew me away. This was one happy birthday dinner! 100% recommend !
First of all, making reservations a month in advance is like torture because every day you get more and more impatient for the big day to come! As much I tried not to, after so much waiting I had very high expectations for the meal I planned on having at this restaurant (the full tasting + wine pairing). In a sense, I was setting myself up to be let down. Not only did Jardiniere meet my somewhat unrealistic expectations, it far surpassed them.
The setting: gorgeous. We were seated on the second floor next to the rail, which overlooks the stunning bar, and not to mention is a prime spot for people watching! Perfect for checking out how your dress, or date, compares to all of the women.
The food: thoughtful, inventive, delicious. Since the menu changes daily, I was a little scared that I could be a little let down with what they were offering that night. Fortunately, someone in the kitchen seems to have telepathy and decided to serve exactly what I wanted to eat that night. Highlights included a crudo of o'paka paka (Hawaiian red snapper) with caviar, red wine poached halibut (as opposed to olive oil poached, which seems more common and less interesting), and the liberty farms duck with a terrine of foie gras.
What really impressed me though was the thought that went into every dish - it wasn't just about the seasonality of ingredients, flavor profiles, and making sure things were cooked correctly. They also thought through the textures, colors, and presentation of each course, and seemed to like presenting the food in a beautifully deconstructed manner, with each ingredient or sauce having it's own place and purpose on the plate (points for alliteration!). Now, while most upscale restaurants think about these things, many seem to lack the level of Jardiniere's execution, and I left feeling pretty amazed with how complete each course had been.
The service was, at first a little slow (although it was also clear that we wanted to take our time), but soon ramped up to everything you would expect at a restaurant of Jardiniere's caliber. Notably, our waiter was very good at explaining why each wine was being served with each dish (not just what the wine is like, but also what the wine brings out in the food). However, I felt like they could have been a bit more generous with their pours! If I'm going to spend 4 hours at a restaurant, I'd hope to have enough wine to keep that buzz going (unlike the table next to us, whose 50 empty wine glasses indicated that they clearly wanted to keep much more than a buzz going!).
Overall, I think this was one of my best fine dining experiences in SF, and I will definitely be returning. Well...as soon as I find a date.
I have not had the pleasure of eating in yet, but the ambiance is truly impressive. I would thoroughly enjoy taking photos of the decor and hope to be back soon.
"Elementary my dear Watson." Although Mr. Sherlock Holmes, never did in fact utter those exact words, the famous phrase is still popularized today to qualify an advanced task to a mere, "really, it was nothing, not difficult at all," one.
Unfortunately, the elementary nature of the service, cuisine and ambiance at Jardiniere is not just a smug sarcastic remark. The service, cuisine and ambiance are simply elementary. Jardiniere exemplifies hospitality 101 (i.e. carrying the pre-dinner cocktails up from lounge area, wiping crumbs away, white plates, asking if the patrons are ready for the next course etc. - boring and expected)
I joined a pal here on a Monday night. Jardiniere currently has a very reasonably priced prix-fix menu on Monday nights. This includes a two ounce wine pour for each of the first two courses and a one once pour of desert wine at the conclusion, or third course of the meal, so in total, one 5 ounce glass of wine is included with dinner.
You cannot divert from that specialized, specific Monday menu (no requests, no other menu choices), so it is extremely advantageous to look up the particular date and menu prior to making reservations.
This particular Monday menu featured:
Warm Calamari Salad,
White Bean and Cucumber Salad, Cilantro and Spiced Yogurt
paired with Uvaggio Vermentino, Lodi, California 2007. The Calamari was exceptional; firm, fresh and not chewy, the salad had a crisp peppery kick and matched well with the buttery beans.
Cioppino,
Dungeness Crab, Prawns and Tomato
paired with Domaine des Nugues, Beaujolais-Villages, Burgundy, France 2006. The mussels in this dish had sand in them, resulting in a gritty broth. We both left the cioppino almost half uneaten and no staff person asked why, they just simply came around and took our plates in a rush to get us to the last course.
Tiramisu, Featuring TCHO Chocolate
Paired with Badia a Coltibuono Vin Santo, Tuscany, Italy 2000. The tiramisu was a very large portion (see attached pics) and was fabulous. I had three fourths of it the next night and it was just as good, if not, better!
For all the acclaimed representation and reviews that proceed Jardiniere I can only be a bit dumbfounded. It has a well-established sophistication but delivered only mediocrity, very elementary.
I guess I've milked this birthday season long enough.....7 weeks later and I am treated to a dinner at Jardiniere. On Mondays they are doing 3 course $45 prix fixe with pairings.
It's ok. I would rather go to Canteen, Luella, or spend a bit more and go for the full on Gary Danko. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. Our entree of pappardelle, asparagus, morels and ramp greens was truly excellent, and the dessert of "tahitian vanilla angel's food cake, riesling marinated strawberries" was rather wonderful as well. But I'm still hungry and I peeked over my sponsor's shoulder....she paid over $130. The hubbers and I have spend $150 at Gary Danko and had our socks and other things blown off. Call me a glutton, but I'll take the Danko.
I'm not sure how far in advance you have to call to make a reservations but one thing for sure IT IS WORTH THE WAIT. This review is way overdue but better late than never? I can't exactly recall the food we ordered BUT from apps to their "free lil macaroon" desert (for those who have no room for desert lol) were FORMIDABLE!
I left this place so full & =) i heart Jardiniere & i heart my bf for taking me =) lol
Gods bistro. Really, it is a very expensive, well executed bistro. The food is bistro-type fare, not haute cuisine.
Having said that , I had a great time. Great food. Great service. Very pricey.
I came here on the tail-end of a cold, tissue in hand, and am convinced that the lengthy walk home while being less-than-bundled made me feel worse again. But goddamn it was worth it.
The deal: Recession-price $45 three-course prix-fixe (with wine pairing), featuring food and wine from a different region every week. We were here for the night featuring the Dordogne region of France. Mondays only. Go now. Why?
The starter drinks: Sugar-rimmed Armagnac sidecar cocktail (sweetish wine with Cointreau and lemon juice, methinx) was dee-lish. Whiskey on the rocks for my sick ass was easily the best whiskey (smoky and smooth) I've had in a long while.
The noms: The summary is that the starter was good, the entrée was beyond delicious, and the dessert was just kind of ok. Mixed greens with a brandade (puree of salt cod and milk, which may sound fishy and strange, but it was good) on a wee little toast was a good, simple start. It came with a little pour of white wine (Cotes du Gascogne, I think).
The cassoulet entrée (a heaping pile of perfectly seasoned and flavorful meats, including sausage and duck and all kinds of other things) was my favorite part of the meal. We washed it down with a generous pour of Cotes du Rhone (100-percent syrah) that was similarly top-notch. This hearty dish was just like a southwestern-French resto we tried in Paree, and it made me want to go running back there.
Dessert? Eh. An almond tart with prunes and Armagnac chantilly (fluffy cream tinged with Armagnac flavor) was actually kind of strange. It was flaky and delish in some parts, but kind of dry and uninteresting in others. Prunes were an odd (in a bad way) choice. The chantilly was the best part of this dish, along with a wee taste of dessert wine (don't remember which).
The atmo: elegant surroundings weren't uptight, but were not casual by any means. If you lack an inside voice like I do, it's really not a big deal, though it's still intimate, somehow. Perfecto. The circular design (at the center of which is a giant circular bar downstairs) and cream-and-gold tones made me feel like I was in a champagne glass. A champagne glass full of awesome food, that is.
The drawbacks: in addition to so-so dessert (a criticism I heard from a pair of friends who went the following Monday, as well), some note that these prix-fixe portions were on the small end. I thought they were fine, but the hungrier among us might suffer.
With the starter drinks and tip, it came up closer to $70 each; still unheard of for this fancypants place.
Review both for restaurant and bar.
Yummy sliders (with side of pickles), meat has great flavor, 16 dollars for two tiny burgers, maybe overpriced.
boo on no coke. same thing with slanted door. waiter explained bar was opened by same person. i loves my cokes.
restaurant is lovely albeit slightly overpriced, I feel like I can get similar quality food at many other fine restaurants but I do like the decor so I suppose we pay a premium for that.
adore going after ballet or symphony, the blue hairs in their minks are all out in full force. before show dinners feel too rushed.
What can I say? As perfect as can be. Service and food are stellar. The amazing thing is that they can service the opera and symphony crowd so efficiently, and the customers will still have a fabulous experience. Have been there many times and will continue the tradition.
Still great. Noteworthy dishes - the gnocchi and the chicken. Both were great.
I tried Jardiniere for the first time this past Friday night. The restaurant has a very striking… Read more »
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