Grand Cafe
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 292-0101
Fax: (415) 292-0150
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Taylor Street
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 7am-10:30am, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm, Fri 7am-10:30am, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-11pm, Sat 8am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-11pm, Sun 8am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm
Message from Grand Cafe
Perfect pre-theater ; Beautiful private party space; Weekend Brunch
- Free weekend brunch parking
- Private dining and events
- Gift certificates
Paid advertisement by Grand Cafe.
Editorial Review for Grand Cafe – by Daniel Liszt
The Scene
Housed in the Hotel Monaco, the cafe attracts guests who mingle in a front bar filled with upbeat pop tunes. Further back, a sculpture of an acrobatic trio balanced atop one another sets the tone of a truly grand dining room. Pillars support 30-foot-high ceilings and sunken tables are surrounded by booths. Caricature-like sculptures, including one of a plump waiter adjacent to the open kitchen, add more playful touches to the majestic space.
The Food
The French onion soup may be the best you'll ever experience--if you enjoy brown-sugar-kissed broth and soaked rye bread that somehow maintains a crisp crust. Smooth and savory defines the spreadable "brandade de morue" (gratin of cod, potato, garlic puree). Entrees range from a relatively mundane tomato-fennel-broth bouillabaisse to transcendent Pacific halibut--each plump, pristine chunk falls off the fork and then dissolves.
Hits: Fun French tunes dancing in the background help to establish an upscale-yet-whimsical ambience.
Misses: Said tunes are not performed live from the dining room balcony.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Save MoneyParking is free during weekend brunch.
Know Before You GoThere's a special plate available daily--from Monday's pork loin to Sunday's game selection.
Fun FactThe delectable French cuisine is authentic for good reason: Researching brasserie traditions and menus, Executive Chef Mauro Pando traveled throughout France in order to learn first-hand.
User Reviews for Grand Cafe
09/26/2007 Posted by alanop
I travel to SF often on business, and usually entertain clients at dinner. So I worry about my restaurant choices. I'd heard some interesting comments about good things happening at the Grand Cafe, and decided to try it. It was a wonderful experience! The room is beatifully designed and interestng, whith it's high ceilings, and open kitchen.The food was authentic French Brasserie. I found the servers attentive, but not overbearing, Our waiter explained intricacies of the preparation on request, and made some great suggestions. All in all, a great experience, and the food was the star!. I'd eaten at Les Halles, in Paris, and this was as authentic but far more sophisticated. The charcuterie, the puree of cod potatoes and garlic, and the skate wing stand out in my memory, but everything was done to perfection. A great evening!
Pros: All aspects of restaurant service were there, food, service and decor
Cons: None that I found.
09/25/2007 Posted by hblume11
The Grand's dining room is so beautiful - it speaks to another age when a room could take your breath away. The new Chef has given the food the attention & flavor to match. During a recent trip to Paris, we dined in all the famous brasseries, this one really takes the cake (or foie gras). I love eating at this restaurant!
Pros: the hip & busy bar, the splendor of the dining room
Cons: hard to get into on busy theater nights
