- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
The Ripe Tomato
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
9 reviews for The Ripe Tomato
My husband and I have dined here 3 times. Each time, the food was amazing, the service impeccable, and the atmosphere intimate and relaxing.
I loved the carrots---so much so that I crave them at times, but don't expect take out at this restaurant! Each time we've dined here, we paid about $200 including a bottle of wine and gratuity. We also love the rock shrimp. Simply delicious. The lamb is cooked perfectly. Try the soft shell crab and frog legs.
Reservations are a must. Men should wear jackets. Don't expect to eat and run. This is a dining experience.
Setting: It's a charming, although somewhat dated, setting depicting a French ambiance. The restaurant has been in business for approximately 30 years by owner/chef Rudy. There is an outdoor patio that would be nice to enjoy during warmer months, especially for lunch.
Service: The service was pretty good from waiter Sam. (He's been there for over 20 years!) I was also impressed with both servers ability to memorize the menu specials. However, we made reservations for 7:45 and had to wait approximately 15 minutes for seating although the staff was quite apologetic and it was apparent the servers were busy with other tables.
Food: The food was delicious although a little pricey. Expect to spend at least $75 per person with one glass of wine, an appetizer, a dinner entree, and splitting a desert. However, a salad along with vegetables and scalloped potatoes are served with every entree. The cream of lettuce soup was delicious as an appetizer! The other appetizer, the rock shrimp in a brie sauce, was amazing! Also, the carrots are marinated in a delightful sauce! However, there are a lack of entrees for vegetarians although the chef did prepare something off menu: Cream polenta with vegetables which was quite well prepared. The other entree, the rack of lamb with Dijon crust, was cooked perfectly and full of flavor.
Wine: The wines are limited in availability and could be better for course pairing. This is unfortunate because wine is a large component of French dining. The food is tasty and the experience could be enhanced with the availability of well-paired, delicious wines.
Overall: I can see why this charming restaurant was considered to be one of Fresno's best. Although it may not be as good as it was in its prime, the food is absolutely delicious!
I've been eating at this intimate French restaurant for the past 20 years and it has never failed to impress. The room is romantic, the service is outstanding and the food is exceptional. I love the shrimp in a creamy brie sauce and the lamb is fantastic. It's the perfect place for a romantic dinner.
This authentic French restaurant is tucked away in Fig Garden Village, and it's the best thing FGV has to offer. Hell, it's one of the best things Fresno has to offer.
Reservations: a must. We tried stopping by one a Friday evening and we were turned away. They were very polite about it, but they did turn us away. They were simply booked up for the evening.
Service: Impecciable. The staff is the best-trained of any restaurant I've been to in Fresno. They truly understand how make 100% sure that diners enjoy their experience in their establishment.
Food: Absolutely delicious. The hubby and I have dined there three times and enjoyed three different but equally fantastic meals. They know that huge portions alone don't a meal make.
Price: Rougly $170 for two people. No, it's not cheap, but that's not the point. If you want cheap-n-filling, try Chevy's or In-n-Out. And besides, I'd rather pay a little more and not be forced to contend with the heaving masses of humanity that flock to Claim Jumpers or The Elephant Bar. I'm a snobby bitch sometimes, and I'm proud of it.
This is got to be one of the nicer, better restaurants in Fresno altogether. Its in this nice shopping center with little shops and boutiques. It is more of an upscale french cuisine restaurant, so being dressing is a must as some people even dress formally to come to dinner here. Making a reservation is definitely a must. Although they may be able to seat you, you're better off reserving. They have inside dinning as well as outside with heaters during the winter time. They do have a full stocked bar.
The service there is excellent and the food is great. I actually went there for a business dinner, so everything was paid for =) so I kinda went crazy with drinks/food. And it wasn't a disappointment. The drinks kept coming, the waitress sure kept an eye on us cause we never had to ask for more, she always came at the right time as we were finishing up our drinks to ask if we wanted more. yeea!
The bad side, its expensive for the wallet, so this place is only for special occasions on my list.
Great place to eat French! Fanciest spot in town.
Service: Very good service. Waiters are dressed well, and tend to your needs, refilling your glass when needed, etc, without being nosy. You'll be hard pressed to find better service in town, with the possible exception of Captain Johns simply because the owner himself serves you, but even he doesn't tend your table quite as well.
Food: Very good gourmet! The only French restaurant in town. Try the Portabella mushroom! Very tasty, covered with melted cheese. If you can't afford to go to The Elderberry House in Oakhurst (the nearest gourmet French restaurant), or you want to stay local, this is the place to be for gourmet food. Much better than Slates or Gulias.
Atmosphere: Romantic! Not as low of lighting as you might like, but the lighting has a little bit of a softer quality. The light blends well with the red and white room and white tablecloths. The dining is in a nice small room, with a small table to get cozy. They also have a nice area outside where you can eat next to two gas-fed fire bowls to keep you warm--not quite enough to use in the winter though, unless you have a coat! But very romantic when it is nighttime.
Reservations are a MUST. Expect as much as a 30 minute wait without them, and even then you may have to be seated outside.
Cost: Serious money. Expect to pay $150+ for two people.
Complaints: The sophistication of the waiters does not approach the level of The Elderberry House, but they are well dressed, and treat you well.
Intimate space- tucked in to the relaxing Fig Garden Village. Impeccable service, ahead of its time for the No (was there long before an influx of foodie-friendly yumminess). The draw for me is the corn and jalepeno chowder with rock shrimp. Rich and creamy with a great kick- melted and toasted cheese on top- makes me come back again and again.
The ultimate small bistro restuarant experience in Fresno. Going on what, 30 years?, Rudy and his wife still manage to bring in the crowds every week. The service is impeccable, and the food is fantastic. ALWAYS go with the seasonal specials and the wine recommendations. I miss this place, it is home to me.
I used to love to eat here. And any time I visit Fresno, I will try to have a meal at the Ripe Tomato!
