On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Categories: Wine Bars, Tapas Bars, Lounges
Neighborhood: Nob HillStop by for Happy Hour between 5 and 7 PM!
Mon., Wed. 5:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Fri. 5:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Loading...
It sure didn't take long for the secret of this place to get out! When invited by friends when it opened, seats were easy and we felt kinda bad that no one was eating there. Then we got the food, and like wolves with a prize carcass we knew we had to defend this one.
We weren't successful. Two weeks later getting a seat was unreliable at best, at least during brunch.
When you do make it here, you will be greeted with a simple but delicious menu. A burger with fois gras mixed in? Yes, please! There's nothing like duck guts mixed with who-knows-what-from-a-cow! The herbed chicken sandwich, while undoubtedly sounding less delicious than the aforementioned dish, is equally as good.
I will have to try the happy hour next, but for brunch you're looking good, Moussy's!
So for my 300th review, I felt the need to write about either a hidden gem of San Francisco or a fancy schmantzy restaurant that knocked my socks off (which is what I'm hoping Fleur de Lys will do when I try it in December). Well, I went with the former and decided on my newly found hidden treasure of San Francisco, Moussy's.
I recently finished a session at the Alliance Francaise de San Francisco and never even really thought about trying Moussy's. However I did notice the 5-7pm Happy Hour sign upon entering the Alliance every Sunday.
So for a late b'day brunch, my friend wanted to take me out on Sunday, so I said, let's try Moussy's since my class got out at 1230pm. It was a 70ish degree perfect sunny day outside, so we opted to sit outside, which is upstairs from the café, so I didn't even have the opportunity to check out the ambiance of the cute café on the inside. The server was welcoming and pleasant and even made a few recommendations after asking him what the best sandwiches were. And man, was he correct when he recommended the Croque Madame. It comes with a nice Dijon creamy sauce, jambon, gruyere cheese, and mornay inside, topped with a sunny side up egg. And once you cut into the sandwich, that yolk spills out all over the bread and it's one good gooey delicious sandwich. I die. It's that delicious. I would have to say it's better than Absinthe's Croque Madame/Monsieur.
I had the opportunity to come again on Saturday with Phil H for a pre-gym brunch. I met him inside after making friends with the adorably cute Frenchies sitting up at the counter. One of them tried to tell me in French that all the Frenchies sit up at the counter, but I of course was too nervous to understand, so he spoke very slowly to me and tried to tell me again in French. How cute is that?! I was expecting the impatient nature to catch up to him and for him to just give up and tell me what he wanted to say in English. I sat down with them for a few minutes whilst waiting on Phil H and they offered to share their pastries with me while we watched and cheered on the French football team who was playing Ireland. I of course declined, but they looked so yummy.
Phil H arrives and we sit down and begin studying the menu. I convince him to get the Croque Madame and I decide I would like to try something new, so I went with the Cordon Bleu sandwich. It was basically a fried piece of chicken stuffed with bleu cheese and jambon. It didn't look too appetizing on the plate (see pic), but it was good. The fries were awesome too. The ketchup was served in a ramekin of course, but once I finished that in 3 seconds, I asked for more and he brought me a bowl of ketchup after getting the subtle hint that I would clearly need more than a tiny ramekin.
Anyway, I'm in love with Moussy's and I plan on becoming a regular here if you feel like joining me. My next stop will be for Happy Hour (from 5-7pm) and/or dinner and/or another France football game. VIVE LA FRANCE!!! I'm also dying to try their burger after seeing how huge it was!
Oh! I can't forget to mention the delicious beer and champagne cocktails. Phil had two Kronenburg beers infused with some sort of delicious strawberry syrup. I had two champagne cocktails that had hints of ginger and starwberry. SOOO tasty. And yes, I still made it to the gym after this amazing, scrumptious déjeuner!
Moussy is like your best friend. It's intimate, friendly, and you know you will always have a great time. I've been here multiple times for brunch and was so impressed that I highly recommend it to friends. After all sharing is caring.
The foie gras brie burger melts in your mouth and makes you giggle with happiness. The Monte Cristo Sandwich has the perfect balance of salty and sweet.Oh yes, the brunch also includes a complimentary sangria or mimosa. Dear me, how can one refuse that?
Jean-Luc is a great guy and his staff provides excellent service. I believe on Sunday afternoons, they show French films. Drinks, food, and film, what's not to love? I want to keep this place a secret, because it's too precious to share!
Who said the French aren't hospitable !? My first impression was a very helpful and friendly server at the bar who guided me with a great flight of reds. I paired them with some utterly scrumptious roasted oysters and them some melt in your mouth scallops. The chicken thigh I had was a little disappointing. It was a tad overcooked and for 14 bucks you'd think they'd give you at least two of these itty bitty thighs, yeah? Dessert was a nice bread pudding in a subtle I don't know what sauce. It's a nice space and fun to sit at the bar where you can watch the chef do his thing. I kinda wish I had had the Kobe beef burger. Watched him cook a bunch
of em. Guess it's a popular item.
Moussy's is a hidden underground gem tucked away under the Alliance Francaise that was opened last summer. French tapas, cocktails, and wines at reasonable price. The service is very personable, Jean-Luc, Fred, and Nate will chat with you at anytime, a great team in bringing the Latin Quarter bistro of Paris to the heart of San Francisco. I run several dining groups in the bay area and these are my thoughts on Moussy's:
1) Champagne cocktails - out of this world. Two thumbs up for the creativity, my favorite is Lafolle (the crazy woman), followed closely by L'Exotique. After a couple of these, I do feel like a crazy exotic woman...
2) Cheese plate - great choices and well-balanced. Great quality Manchego. Cheese is my main staple so I recognize any worthy cheese plate at anytime.
3) Scallop - succulent, perfectly spiced and melts in your mouth with a thin layer of crunch on the outside. Well done, Nate, great execution and timing.
4) Kobe Brie Burger - tasty patty, interesting take on the brie with a touch of foie gras. You would think it's a waste to mix the honorable foie gras in this batch, but actually the result is a 'no-regret'. Personally I'm not a big fan of burger buns, so for me a crustier carb would be better so they will hold the meat and the juice better while I chat away. But then, it wouldn't be called a burger anymore, would it?!?
5) Duck Confit - I like the mix of potato and sauerkraut. It's interesting how you can taste the Frenchness in this German staple, if you know what I mean. What I'm saying is, the taste is subtle and the sauerkraut is not overpowering, to the contrary, it interlocks its fingers gingerly with the potato in harmony. The confit is well-done, you can taste a subtle salt cured underneath the crisp of duck fat, just how a proper confit should be.
6. Its warm and intimate atmosphere make you don't want to leave and put its address on your driver license as your second home. Moussy's is the french version of our Cheers where everybody knows your name. Good chance that Jean-Luc will greet you on a first-name basis when you walk in the second time. The open and interconnecting layout make you never feel left out wherever you position yourself, whether in the main dining room or in the wine lounge. Background music was in alignment with the atmosphere. Nice touch to have a pulldown screen for a background film screening. Wine, champagne, french tapas, and films - a true cultural center for the literati and the intellectuals to feed their hungers in multiple dimensions.
7) Service is fast, friendly, and facile - the 3 most important F-words in the service industry.
8) Parking is easy to find, off-street, around 1-2 grid blocks. I have a long-term love-hate relationship with the parking authority in the city of San Francisco. I once offered them to take a direct deduction off my paycheck if they let me park anywhere I want in the city without towing my car or giving my a parking ticket. So I always appreciate places like this where parking does not send me to therapy.
I am on the brink of 4 and 5 stars for Moussy's, but reminiscing all my visits so far, 5 stars it is. I only have a couple comments:
- An addition of 2-3 selections of dessert would be wonderful, even as simple as selections of truffles and gelato. It will spice up the whole package and it will make Moussy's even sexier.
- I'd like to see either a few more selections on the dinner menu or a new menu every 6-8 weeks. I opt for the latter. A small menu is chic, and a frequently revolving menu is hip. Besides, I bet Nate has a lot more tricks up his sleeve to impress us.
Go for lunch.
Winners: cheese plate, truffle chips, fries, chicken sandwich. Breakfast items were good too.
Servings are on the lighter side--very Euro. Like dining in a speakeasy. Very cool spot. Will be back for happy hour.
Never judge a book by its cover - walking up to Moussy's, I would've never expected that this mundane exterior has so much goodies in store inside. Moussy's has a nice and cozy atmosphere, very intimate.
My boyfriend and I started with the Duck Confit. It was delicious, it didn't have that leave your mouth/lips greasy feel since duck tends to be on the greasy side. I loved the potatoes/sauerkraut/sausage combination.
The Ratatouille two ways was to die for!!! They had the eggplant cut in strips, battered and fried. So good! The dish was amazing! Great twist on the classic.
Then we had the Trout. Since it was a tapas place, I was expecting a small cut of fish. But no, what came out was a whole trout!!! It was cooked perfectly. The mushrooms, cranberry beans (I think that is what they're called) and the mushroom where the trout was on top of was so goooooood!!!
And for dessert, we had the apple tarte. The boyfriend had to convince me to get this one since I am not one who likes fruity desserts. I am so glad I budged! This dessert was just so.... wonderful. I wanted to order another one, but I didn't want to look like a heffer. LoL
It was definitely worth the 15 minute walk (okay, I'm exaggerating, but I did feel like a long ass walk) from where we lived. Would definitely come here again and I am bringing the homies. I can't wait to try their brunch!
A diamond in a rough. A gem tucked away in a very unassuming part of the City. A spot that locals know or if not, should know, to go and enjoy a comfortable conversation & time with a few core friends.
With a great ambiance and low ight, cozy setting, Moussy's Cafe can even double as a great part to a romantic evening plan with that special someone.
Service was good. Being a newbie, I only sampled a few items from the menu. But, I would recommend the trout. Very well prepared and scrum delicious!
Add Moussy's Cafe as a place to go on your list while in the City. Look forward to future visits.
Imagine ...
Imagine an intimate place where you can sip a fine selection of wine and enjoy delicious French dishes in the middle of the city.
A warm and friendly host that is welcoming you with that special 'je ne sais quoi' that immediately makes you feels it's going to be a good night.
Imagine that ... done ... that's Moussy's.
One caveat, and only reason I'm not giving 5 stars, there's not a lot of choices on the food menu. But hey ... it's a wine bar ! and the food, again, is absolutely delicious, and for a very reasonable price :-)
One of the hardest things about writing Yelp reviews is translating the discrepancy between expectations and reality into a star-scored rating. Before dining at Moussy's, I expected it to be a 4-star establishment - meaning that I really wanted to like it. Having eaten there, I still really want to like it but can honestly only give them 3 stars.
Not much going on here in terms of decor. It surprises me that Moussy's has only been open for 6 months because it has the appearance of a much older, slightly more run-down restaurant. Service, while congenial, was a little odd. Our waitress described every menu item as "her favorite," and while I appreciate the enthusiasm, reusing the same qualifier to describe everything is ultimately not helpful. Our other waiter (?) did things like deliver place settings upside down. They also had some problems expediting - one diner was finishing his entree while another received her appetizer.
I feel unenthusiastically about the food. They managed not to oversalt the zucchini/squash soup, but the scallops and the shrimp (reportedly) were very salty. The deconstructed ratatouille was really good and I would definitely order it were I to return for dinner. We had the strawberry and chocolate mousse platter for dessert which was, ironically, a bit of a disappointment as neither shared any physical/flavor qualities with any other mousse I've ever experienced. The mousse was tasty enough but ultimately not satisfying.
It should be said that I didn't pay for this meal, but at aprox. $110 for 3 people, I think our money might be better spent elsewhere. That said, I will make a point to Moussy's for brunch (see: every other review here) because it still seems like a worthy, neighborhoody place.
Underground, inhibited, classy. Great place for French Tapas, drinks, and food in general. The Cordon Blue Chicken juicy, flavorful, and crispy. The Chicken Salad surprisingly good. The Monte Cristo over the top with taste, not enough balance. They also serve Chimay Beer... plus!
There is nothing more to say than to visit this comfy place and treat yourselves and your stomaches.
A secret I don't really want to share, but I want very much for them to do well... Jean-luc and company have created such an intimate space where you can have a few drinks and pretty much peek over and see what the chef is whipping up. It can be the venue for quite the romantic meal!
A delicious brunch menu, including the delectable Kobe beef + foie gras burger [very reasonably priced too!], a perfectly spiced Monte Cristo [jalapeno spread = mmm!], and yummy quiche! Absolutely fantastic homemade vanilla bean ice cream that even the boyfriend was impressed with. He's convinced that the best vanilla bean ice cream he's ever had was in Philly, but Moussy's may be a contender!
Excellent happy hour specials and a Sunday movie, which I am very much looking forward to checking out.
Shhh, don't pass it along!
Really impressed with the bacon leek quiche, and a good breakfast deal for $7. It comes with fries, which were great but you have to eat them first or they get hard. I might come back for eggs with a side of fish or a Monte Cristo. Looks like great outdoor seating which I will ask about next time. The only real downside is they blare awful disco and 80s music, a disease afflicting all too many otherwise cozy San Francisco eateries.
I thought I knew about every French restaurant in this town, until a friend Twittered about a literal "underground French restaurant". As someone who can't STAND secrets, I messaged him to spill the beans on the place, and found myself driving there at 10:30pm on a Friday night after a party that had a disproportionate amount of alcohol to food ratio (don't worry, I wasn't drunk - I was just hungry).
[On a side note, there really aren't enough quality dining establishments for the late-night crowd. Seriously, SF, step it up.]
We walked down the stairs and into a small room that felt like walking into someone's house - the kitchen is right there in the dining room, with a granite counter you can sit at and watch the chef prepare your food. The place was fairly empty, but there were a few diners leisurely eating their food and sipping on glasses of wine. The server we had was a very friendly woman who kind of squealed (yes, really) when we ordered the Gypsy Steak Medallions, Ratatouille, and truffle chips with aioli. They have a pretty small yet solid wine list, and also have a fantastic happy hour going on between 5-7pm. I'm giving Moussy 4 stars for now, and holding out for the 5th star when I head back for brunch! Or Happy Hour. Or Movie Night. Or for dinner again. It probably goes without saying, at this point, but I definitely am a fan.
Mais, bien sur.
I descend down the stairs and enter the underground bistro.
To my left, a woman stares as I enter and pass. I join a long table at the restaurant's center, greeted by complimentary bottomless mimosas and sangria.
As we drink and laugh, the owner, Jean-luc, approaches the table and asks what university I attended. To my reply, the woman at the bar stands and reveals herself as a college friend I hadn't seen in years.
I am pleasantly surprised to discover that, at what might very well be my new favorite restaurant, the owner and my friend are a couple. And such a lovely couple...
Random universal connections taking place, delicate like truffle chips in aioli, savory as my Croque Madame and as refreshing as a glass of ice-chilled sangria.
(I hope I don't regret writing this review. With the fantastic and friendly staff, the amazing food and the great deals, I can imagine this intimate venue would be filled with people on a busy night. The more the merrier, I guess! We are all family after all...)
This must be one of the best kept little secrets in the city. French food for a great price. A group of friends and I came here for weekend brunch. The service was great - the waiters are genuinely French too! I had the Croque Madam and it was delicious. The cheese platter was very good...very fresh cheese.
The mimosas are awesome!! Great place!
I almost forgot to write a review on Moussy's, but thanks to Keane L., I remembered :)
A bunch of friends came here for brunch on Sunday, and we dined in an adorable French underground basement. Bottomless complimentary mimosas and sangria, and fantastic brunch - eggs benedict always gets me. Delicious truffle chips with two types of aioli dipping sauces, and French movies on Sunday evenings. Friendly servers, and European-style ambiance. Swell.
a new charming french spot.
tucked away downstairs where there is a lounge and a sunday movie, i really hope this place thrives.
the quiche is prepared in a very traditional way - looks like a pain perdu - very loaf like but tastes like a quiche. the croque madame is for those with a bigger appetite: thick bread slices with a surprising tang of mustard.
with really friendly service and bottomless liquids: coffee or oj, it's still working out some kinks like any new place. i know the economy is tough but i like to root for the underdog.
cheers!
this new wine bar is freakin awesome. we stopped in here for a late night bite and although they were almost closed and there were very few customers left, they seated us anyway. yay for not turning down a willing, paying customer.
we had the burger which was excellently cooked (very juicy) - the brie was a nice touch, but I thought it could use a little more kick.
the tomato salad was very lightly dressed and slightly salted - very fresh and different from the typical salads found in american salads.
the real winners were the pan seared filet cubes. they were delectable, and so reasonably priced (5 large pieces for around 9 bucks)
i tried the peach beer (which came in a huge glass). it's a nice change for girls who want a sweeter beer. but i really enjoyed the red muscat-like wine that he brought out for us to have with the burger. yum!
the place is tucked away in nob hill and easy to miss, but can easily be a nice date spot or some place to have a quiet dinner and chat with the owner or the bartender.
I am really excited because A) I love French wine, French food, French language, French atmosphere and B) I love live music. This is why I am going to Moussy's later today to hear a cool jazz duo from 6:00-8:00 pm. Picture me, sipping some fabulous glass of French wine, eating one of those yummy small plates, and enjoying the jazz with my friends. Ooo-la-la.
Underground French bistro, literally! Very hard to find if you don't know about it from friends or Yelp. Down a flight of stairs near the entrance of Alliance Française into a very small venue with a few tables, a bar and small lounge area. Only serves beer and wine with extremely bargain priced Happy Hour specials ($20 bottles of wine)! So small that it is homey and you get to interact with the workers and owner a lot. Very good value for the inexpensive price point. Has room for improvement, but I am worried that improvements will bring larger crowds and higher prices... great for the owner, but bad for me!!! The four stars are being attributed to the burger, potato chips and awesome underground bistro atmosphere!
Potato Chips: House-made potato chips with white truffle oil, yes please! First of all, fresh potato chips are always a great treat because they are thin and crispy like regular potato chips, but have a very thin layer of softness inside. Truffle on anything tastes awesome. I do wish there was some salt though. Perhaps some freshly ground coarse sea salt on the side to allow you to taste to your liking.
Kobe Beef Burger: The must-have of the menu! So apparently they sear the burger in foie gras for a yummy, fatty caramelized goodness outer layer. The brie is a high fat cheese so makes a great conduit for complex flavors from the beef and foie gras. The bun is so fluffy and brioche-like. This burger is inexpensive, but definitely the star of the menu! The fries are naturally cut, with skin included, and not overly cooked so there is some firm texture. Could have used some herbs or spices on the fries though....
Steak Tartare: Bonus points for the innovation of placing a fried egg with runny center on top instead of the traditional raw egg. More points for cutting the beef by hand and using grainy mustard. Loses some points because the fried egg doesn't have enough runny parts to moisten the tartare to expected levels. Minus some more points for lacking the traditional capers, cornichons and onions. Has a lot of potential and the owner said he is re-imagining the preparation.
French Onion Soup: Amazing stock base! Very savory with bits of caramelized onions. Lacks on the cheese though as the only cheese is on lightly toasted bread wedges you add yourself. Maybe I'm a glutton for cholesterol, but I prefer the traditional preparation with a layer of semi-burnt cheese on top.
Frog Legs: Needs serious work! The legs taste steamed or boiled making the texture very tough. They are served in a tomato base broth; the lack of butter is just not appropriate for frog legs. Frog legs are like lobster: a delicate meat that is lost without butter! I learned that this dish is going to get reworked, so I'd highly recommend avoiding it until the butter is back.
Roast Peach: Loved the honey custard in the center of the peach pit hole. It was more like a honey-flavored liquid cream than custard, but still an awesome taste treat of the time revered "milk & honey" pairing. The peach itself could use some more roasting time and/or stand to be riper. It was firm and warm while I would have preferred very soft and warm.
I was soo excited to try this place but sadly was a little let down.
Overall, the food was not really that warm. I ordered coffee, and it was definitely room temperature. I never add salt to dishes, and a lot of the dishes here desperately needed a little salt and flavor. The tapas sounded so delicious but then when they were brought out, I was not that impressed. The best thing I had was by far the champagne with black pepper and ginger...this was one of the best cocktails I've ever had!
I will try again for brunch and am willing to give them another shot...but I hope they add a little more spice, include salt and pepper on the tables, and serve the dishes warm!
Props for the decor and prices though.
Had a bit of time before a meeting and came upon Moussy's by accident. I had heard about it so I went and check it out. Fairly large space which you wouldn't think when you walk down the stairs to the cellar. Nice place, great food, helpful staff. I will probably be back for dinner since I heard some other folks talk about it.
Yay for Moussy's!!
I called on Thursday to reserve a table for 15 for a birthday brunch on Saturday and Jean-Luc was incredibly accommodating. After talking to his chef, I got the okay and come Saturday we were walking to the secret lair that is Moussy's.
The food was delicious, the atmosphere was great, and Jean-Luc and his chef were amazing. By the end of the meal they had become a very welcome addition to our party.
I'm looking forward to next Sunday for some good wine, a good movie, and even better company!
Great new find! Went in the other nite for dessert and found the atmosphere, service and dessert to be fantastic.
I'm planning on going back tonite for the amazing Happy Hour. $20 Bottles of French Wine!!! wow!!! this may not last long...
Also plan on trying everything on the menu over time.
Actually about a solid "C". Early dinner on a Friday night before Ingrid Michaelson at Great American Music Hall and based on other Yelpers I was expecting, i dunno something more? Got there w/ 30 minutes left of happy hour so wines were $6 per glass not $8, or $20 per bottle. I should have gone that route..
The place is small...tiny. and there were only two maybe three other parties and about five people at bar, but both my wine glass and minuscule water glass went dry twice.. for many minutes...servers that's job one, keeping me socially lubricated..any way some heads up:
small plates -- scallop plate- only two scallops. so yes technically plural for $9. good not great
Grilled oysters-- Actually really frigggin good! no obnoxoius BBQ sauce, just warm steamy & briney oysters..5 to be exact.
Salad with apples and something or other---Meh not too impressed.
Pistachio braised beef with red beet puree- good, not great great, like mom's pot roast.
brie burger -- pretty darn good. fries lukewarm.. how? I literally sat 5 feet from kitchen and i saw him make my dinner? why aren't they hot? why? I saw him frying other things all night. hmmm. All in all.. A pretty good but not great experience.
although i did have one damn fine tasty pilsner urquell here mmmm...yummy frosty goodness..
But don't get me started on the stinky ass skunky beer at great american music hall.. but that is different story. Dont order draft beer at GAMH! DON"T
We did a weekend brunch here with friends, there were 7 in total.
I had the crepes with goat cheese and strawberry sauce...who thought that combination would be so killer? The slight tang of the goat cheese made a nice savory filling for the crepe, and the strawberry sauce just cinched the deal. It was rich enough to keep me satisfied but not too hearty to the point where I would be stuffed.
Coffee was hot (guess the machine's working now!) and delightfully dark, with the full French roasted flavor coming out.
For dessert we ended up with the creme brulee, perfectly done and silky ... but the winner was the ice cream!
Imagine this: vanilla ice cream with a sprinkling of salt on top, drizzled with good, fruity olive oil. Sounds weird, tastes amazing. We were all a bit skeptical but ended up devouring everything.
Looking forward to going back this weekend for another brunch! I think I've found my weekly fix. :)
Phenomenal food. Impeccable service.
Went for a girls' brunch last Sunday, and we were all very…
Read more »
I came here with my sister, Mary, who told me Moussy's is a 'must devour'. And that we did.
Lemme tell you, I was in San Francisco for only three days and out of those three days, I ate at Moussy's twice. It's that good. The first time, we got the olive plate, the truffle chips, eggs benedict and crepes with goat cheese and strawberry sauce. My mouth couldn't even contain the amazing mixture of food that went on that hour while I sat their enjoying every bite.
Unfortunately, they had run out of ice cream, seeing as how my sister had eaten all of it the day before, so Jean told us to stop by the next day, promising us that it would be available. They make their ice cream fresh, sprinkle salt and drizzle some olive oil on it. the strangest and most delicious combination. Period. The garlic fries were delicious, pretty much, you can't go wrong with this place
Bienvenue Moussy's Cafe!
This restaurant is below the Alliance Francaise on Bush. They have a great traditional french cafe breakfast and lunch menu. The food is deliciously filling and the service is quite good. Yes, and they serve Croques. The owner even served me some tasty divine dijion mustard from France. After the first taste, I realized it was obviously better and stronger than American dijion.
This is a great addition to the lower nob hill neighborhood. And a sweet place to relax over a french breakfast, or lunch. Plus this is a place to have a business lunch. Since its a quiet and hidden little location. I love that the young guy from France opened up this place.
J'adore ce lieu. Merci et a bientot. (Lights up a Gauloise....)
I have a feeling this charming little bistro will be pack with regulars in the no time, despite it's disadvantage with being extremely tucked away on a sidestreet. Nob Hill is filled with great brunch places, but my top reason to return to Moussy's would have to be the personable staff.
Service:
From the moment I walked in, the owner, Jean-Luc gave us non stop attention and amazing service. You can tell he takes extreme pride in his establishment and his culture and did not hesitate to make recommendations and highlight for you reasons why his retaurant stands above the rest.
For instance, he brought over homemade mayo with the bread but explained that I could have "big costco mayo" if i didnt like his version. When he asked if my date wanted potatoes or fries with his plate and got "potatoes," he would not have it and insisted his fries are better. Ultimately he decided"...i'll just give you both! trust me, the fries are good."
To top off the experience, Jean-Luc treated us to a free tarte tatin dessert b/c he had a new batch coming out shortly.
Food:
I ordered the Smoked Salmon Omlette ($10.50). With fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions, the omlette was preparred in a very simple manner but was tasty. The fries it came with, as promised, were lightly season with herbs and proved delicious. My cafe au lait was only decent, but HUGE.
My favorite part of the meal and the best way to get a feel of this restaurant would have to be when Jean-Luc came over and asked "how do you like MY food?" with a giant grin on his face. Not THE food, but MY food.
I love places like these ^___^.
Alliance Francais basement restaurant is back open under new ownership! Wow, what a refreshing change!
Even though I enjoyed La Cave (the old place) it was a bit like a dark cave. If that is what you are looking for, it was OK. But I digress.... this review is about MOUSSY'S and it was fantastic!
Jean-Luc has transformed the dark basement to something bright, inviting, and stylish, but at the same time, welcoming for breakfast and lunch.
All of the food was absolutely lovely - fresh, tasty, well prepared and, as my boyfriend said, "one of the best hollondaise sauces ever" for his Eggs Benedict. And he's has tasted quite a few!
Highlights:
* Huge bowls of coffee to start your day - no little tease of caffeine!
* Absolutely fresh and beautiful fruit and produce
* Friendly service - very welcoming
* French based menu - not overly complex, but fitting for an American and French pallets
* Deserts were lovely
* Subtle details were great - like the water jug was stylish, best use of the cozy space, elegant choice of dishes, presentation, and silverware
I will make this my frequent nieghborhood spot for breakfast and lunch. If you are in the Polk Gulch/Tendernob there are so many restaurants - but this is well worth the visit.
JL is in the process of getting a liquor license for Champagne and wine to support an evening business with wine and tapas. I'm looking forward to it!
Try it! Bring your friends! It is a friendly place to go!
This is one of SF's new best kept secrets! Moussy's is tucked away off Bush and Polk St, so when you do manage to find it, its a hidden treasure. Jean Luc did a great job in putting these rooms together. You have to try his favorite childhood dish "Aloco". The food prices are reasonable and the wine selection is amazing and affordable too. You can spend hours here , but when you emerge from the cozy ambience and its still light out...it will throw you!
hi claire! thank you for such an amazing dinner tonight! this is a non-assuming place to have great food, great ambience and just an all-around kick back time. i got to sample their heirloom tomato with arugala salad, braised pistachio beef, truffle chips, french fries (compliments of the chef), beef tartare and scallops. portions were bigger than i expected. they are not afraid of salt so be ready. i immediately felt like i was visiting a friend who just so happenned to cook very good food. after my first dinner with moussy's, i would definitely go back again. (corkage is 20 bucks)
Jean-Luc has successfully transformed the space that was once "La Cave", into an inviting little french bistro with an intimate ambiance and a laid-back, yet modern, euro-caribbean vibe (which admittedly came, in part, thanks to the cool and upbeat, islandesque music that happened to be playing when I stopped in.)
I haven't yet tried the food, but the espresso was just what I needed, and both Jean-Luc and Morgan's welcoming presences helped to brighten my spirits and infuse some european goodness into my day.
The new restaurant on the block...I hope this place sticks around, it's a really cute neighborhood cafe that's easy to miss. The actual restaurant is situated under street level and the inside has a nice feel to it, as if you're walking into your Mom's kitchen since the cooking area is visible. Their current menu is small but I think they're trying to expand it. And the last time I was there, they were still in the process of getting their liquor license but it will be great once they have it. What struck me the most about this place was the owner. Very friendly, attentive and fun to talk to. It was my first time trying croques and it was quite scrumptious! We even got to try a complimentary dessert they were working on which had a nice, light and refreshing taste. Bon appétit!
Wait, really? I must have been at the wrong place....
All these rave reviews leave me suspicious. Yeah, it's a cute, subterranean space with a friendly waitstaff, but the food was wretched.
Probably the worst food experience I have ever had in this fair city. First off, my latte was luke warm and definitely not served in a bowl-like saucer everyone has seemed to comment on. But no biggie, really, it was my second of the day. What really left an awful taste in my mouth, both by the experience and by the food was the quality of the ingredients. It was like eating French food in a small cowpoke of a town in Iowa. I got the croque provencal which typically blows my mind at other parisian bistros, but this sandwich was disgusting. It was cheap sandwich bread stuffed with Kraft-like quality swiss cheese (oh yes, it still had it's iconic square shape and melt-resistant qualities) and two flimsy slices of Budding ham. I shit you not!!! Then instead of sliced fresh tomatoes on top (which makes the monsieur a provencal), it was a half a can of diced tomatoes in it's juices tinging my sandwich with it's tin can like acidity.
I was flabbergasted. If I remember right, this sandwich was over $10, in which if I went to Cala myself, I could have made 20 sandwiches at that price.
Don't mean to be such a debbie downer, in fact I enjoyed my fries and the nicely-dressed salad that came with the croque, but I just couldn't believe that a Parisian restaurant in San Francisco would use such cheap supermarket ingredients!
My companion and I, he was in full disgust himself, couldn't help but wonder how their egg dishes were, obviously people enjoy some of the food here. But unfortunately, we will never make a return visit to give the other dishes a try.
Date & Time: Saturday May 2, 2009 @ 2pm
Company: Michael & Jack
Crowd: Deux 20-Something Couples Including a Hawt Blonde in a Beret, Fitted Sweater & Scarf, True Religion Jeans & Knee-High Boots & Guys in William Rast Jeans
Vibe: Chill
Music: Jazz
Decor: Down a Flight of Stairs & Tucked Away is A Charming Intimate Bistro. Gilded Mirrors on Walls. Tightly-Packed Bench Seating for Deux & Quatre & Cozy Tables for Deux
Service: Jean-Luc is Young & Winsome Insisting on Complimentary Dessert when We Protested he Graciously Wrapped it Up For Us To Go. The Rest of The Staff is Helpful, Friendly & Easy on The Eyes. I Can Continue Waxing Poetic...
Imbibe: Bowl-Sized Lattes & Espresso
Devour: Eggs Benedict & Bacon & Eggs w/ Cubed Potatoes & Tarte Tartin w/ Ice Cream on The House
Total: $23.97
Note: They Will Be Open For Dinner in A Month or so When They Get Their Wine & Beer License w/ Live Jazz. Can't Wait!
Excellent food in a great atmosphere. The owner is one of the nicest people and the food is a real treat. Can't wait for this place to start serving wine because then I will stay there all day!
I'd recommend the salmon omelet but everything is fresh, homemade and delicious.
This is my new favorite neighborhood brunch spot. It was exactly what my boyfriend and I were looking for: tasty espresso, light but filling food, intimate ambiance, and a personable staff. My boyfriend had the smoked salmon omelette with roquefort. Amazing. I had a Vietnamese fish dish with fried ham and onions. Also a winner. The owner was absolutely adorable, and took the dining experience to the next level. I can't wait to go back!
I was acting in a film in the immediate area and had half an hour to kill. The menu looked good, but the outside seating in a little courtyard off the street was already full, so I went downstairs where the inside seating is. I had a spinach salad, a side of apple-wood bacon and tried their black tea after. All were very good. I met Jean-Luc , who was a nice guy as was my waiter. Didn't realize he was the owner at first until the waiter told me. The place is nice and laid back, not snooty, I liked it and will go back to eat a full meal. They have only been open two days, so quite a find.
Alan
Most likely will say "Yes" to outings to these…
for french lovers! or rather french food lovers.…
