Jardiniere

Recommends

sfnativegal

Joined 9 years ago

Wonderful experience. Our group of eight had late reservations, but we decided to have a drink at the bar first. They gladly held our table until we were ready, no pressure at all. By the time we ordered and ate it was well after 11pm but we never felt rushed nor neglected. The service was outstanding, attentive without being intrusive, professional without being stuffy. The staff was thoughtful as well: Beer was poured in a glass then the bottle kept in a freestanding ice bucket (great touch!), and when our entrees were served one of our party was in the ladies room, so they took the dish back and kept it warm until she returned. Being such a large group we were seated downstairs but we happily enjoyed the music and atmosphere. This is definately a "tiny food/big plate" kind of place, but the quality and flavor of every dish was outstanding. Highly recommended.

Recommends

jackitay

Joined 8 years ago

Wonderful Ambiance but Some Service Issues. We loved Jardiniere -- our first visit. Food was exquisite as was the service by our waiter and, prior to dinner, the great bartending staff. The ambiance when sitting upstairs is amazing.Our one disappointment was the host staff. We booked a table several weeks in advance. We early for our reservation and were directed to the bar. No problem. We expected to wait. Ten minutes after our reservation time (25 minutes after our arrival) we had to remind the host staff that we were waiting at the bar. They seemed put out by our reminder and then quickly seated us at the worst table in the restaurant, right by the door. When we asked to be moved they took us upstairs. This wasn't a great way to start off our first visit to Jardiniere but the upstairs table, the ambiance, food and terrific waiter made up for that initial impression.

Recommends

cyndimcgee

Joined 7 years ago

a wonderful dinner. We had a birthday dinner here. I called ahead and asked that champagne be waiting for us which it was. We were seated by management that was very personable and friendly. Our server was very knowledgable about the food and wine. We were marked at appropriate times, our water and wine glasses were never half empty, and the food was excellent! I had a special request about the menu and the chef was happy to do so (which also tasted excellent). I will recommend Jardiniere to anybody and I will return as often as I can!

Recommends

jsmith1970

Joined 7 years ago

Better Than I Remember. I had eaten at Jardiniere a few years back and decided it would be a great place for a Valentine's dinner. The decor is very warm and sophisticated and the jazz music adds to the ambiance. The food was exquisite unique combinations of flavors that played off each other in every dish. The wine list was extensive. What I like the most was the side-by-side tastings that were offered for many of the liquors. I definitely won't wait so long to go back!

Recommends

mhb1954

Joined 8 years ago

Not bad, not great, excellent service. I went here on my BD 10FEB06 and the most compelling aspect was service. Everything was done well, maitre 'd-ing, seating, waiting, sommeliering... the food was good, but not as good as I'd expected. I had NY steak, a very small portion, but it was well done, somewhat chewy. We also had oysters, and leek soup that was rather dull. But with the sommelier's great choice and excellent service, it was a nice dinner, nicer than most I've had at upscale establishments. I especially liked the bar and brick walls all around... everyone was nicely dressed... the atmosphere spoke "elegance" and upper-class, but not snobbish. I recommend: have a drink at the bar, check the menu, which was limited in that it didn't have many exciting dishes... some reviews mentioned "bland" food and I would say that's true...but overall, I'd recommend and I'm very picky.

Doesn't Recommend

bomeekim

Joined 8 years ago

Not what I exected. Maybe it's because we dined at Jardiniere on a Sunday. It may have been an "off" night. But the food was over-priced and I didn't even touch my entree. The wine was not to my taste at all, perhaps, just a poor recommendation from the sommelier. I just did not care for this over-priced gaudy restaurant.

Recommends

robertsandler

Joined 10 years ago

Delicious - a perfect meal. This is one of the great upscale SF restaurants.

It seems that many aspiring 'fancy' places try to oversauce and come up with exotic combinations to make up for sub-standard ingredients. The best restaurants' food enhance the flavours in high quality ingredients and Jardiniere is one of these.

Our party of four went for 6 apps, every one of which was wow-inducing, especially the duck confit - not fatty, just tender and tasty.

Of the two mains (which the kitchen graciously split into 4 plates), the beef ribs were meltingly phenomenal. After tasting, Adam and I just looked at each other, drank some red wine, cheers'd and just nodded at each other. Happy. And the ladies loved their fish too...

Irene was still talking about the cheese plate the next morning and Sommelier Hils was great and friendly and made fine recommendations for pairing.

We will be back.

Recommends

todie4d

Joined 8 years ago

Be Prepared to leave with a Fat Belly. Had a lovely meal with fresh oysters to start and salmon as my entree. Both were fresh and scrumptious. Pots of Creme for desert topped off the night and a couple drinks. I left with quite the full belly. Best part is it wasn't packed until the symphony crowd arrived. Satisfying and romantic all at the same time.

Recommends

sfgourmand05

Joined 8 years ago

Mum on Valentines. Finally got the chance to cross Jardiniere of my fine dining destinations list on Valentine's Day. I wanted to really like it, but I'm afraid, for the price, it's just okay. Flavors weren't complex, just kinda so-so and really salty - I'm someone who usually likes their food saltier than everyone else! Didn't find anything particulary "French" or "Fine" about the food. Other than that, service was first rate, meats were cooked just right, good portions. Stayed away from the tasting course/menu - read bad reviews. Best thing we had was the mushroom soup - yum! Had the bread salad, calamari appetizer, duck breast entree, short rib entree, pineapple cake. Good enough food but not for the price and hype.

Recommends

jasoncal94

Joined 9 years ago

Tasty Outing. We tried Jardiniere for a birthday dinner and were very happy with the food and service. The arugula, endive, and frizee salad was delicious as was the braised chicken and short ribs. All the deserts looked great and the two we selected, peach tart and almond torte, were fantastic. Service is deliberately relaxed to allow diners to enjoy the ambiance and their meal. Not appropriate for a quick bite.