Cafe De La Presse
(415) 398-2680
352 Grant Ave
San Francisco,
CA
94108
37.7903
-122.4052
Neighborhoods: Northeast, Downtown
What People Are Saying About Cafe De La Presse
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
Modelled after the quintessential 1930's bistro, this charming Union Square cafe is a quaint spot to sip an espresso, an international newstand with over 500 titles, and has a formal dining room for lunch and dinner. Up front, huge street-facing windows and sidewalk seating are ideal for watching the tourist parade and rushed business types go by while perusing a hard-to-find foreign paper, while the sunken dining room in the rear feels much larger than its dozen or so tables, thanks to lofty ceiling fans and oversized mirrors. Waitstaff offer triple-P service--professional, plentiful and punctual--and classic French favorites are prepared with care. The finger-friendly tarts are like mini, paper-thin pizzas, the standout being one sprinkled with capers, smoked salmon and red onion, then dressed with a horseradish crème fraiche. Tiger prawns mingle with chunks of grapefruit, avocado and tomatoes for an ultra-refreshing appetizer. The classic French onion soup delivers, but the broth is nowhere near as rich as the braised beef stew--a must-order entrée bathed in red wine and paired with Swiss cheese macaroni. Savory poached halibut is a light delight, punctuated with rows of textured mashed potatoes.
User Reviews
katkuster
December 16, 2008
We stopped by this lovely restaurant for brunch on Sunday. We stayed about an hour, enjoying the warm atmosphere and pretty good food (great poached eggs, so-so quiche, delicious coffee). It was about a $50 brunch for the two of us. We were about 5-10 minutes from heading out when the waiter came and took everything except the coffee cup that I managed to hold onto. In another two minutes the manager came and said that he had people waiting and that he had to ask us to leave immediately! If he'd given us a warning, or just asked nicer, we'd have been fine with it, but we were just kicked out. Coming back from the restroom, I saw three other empty tables in the rear, that they hadn't seated anyone at the table next to ours, and that no one was waiting up front. For $50 plus tip brunch for two, I expect to get an hour at my table. It was appalling treatment, and completely undeserved. They seem to be more interested in turning over tables than in repeat business. The wait staff had earned their tip, so we couldn't stiff them. But the manager was completely unapologetic. So there's no recourse for such bad behavior except to warn you that you might be treated the same.
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Anonymous
November 19, 2008
As far as French restaurants go, this has to be one of my favorites. It has a great Sunday brunch feeling too, so I would say that is the optimal time to go. The only dislike I can say about the place is one of my waiters was a real ass.
read full reviewAnonymous
November 08, 2008
...it's been 6 years since I was there, but the croque madame made me want to go back. I met a friend for lunch there, not expecting much, but I was very pleasantly surprised. Friendly service and good food!
read full reviewThe Details on Cafe De La Presse
What to Drink:
In addition to a full bar, there is an international list of wines -- including Spanish selections that begin at less than $20 per bottle.
Know Before You Go:
The menu in the dining room is slightly different from the bar menu. Ask for both if you want the lay of the cuisine.
Parking:
There's a pay lot on Grant and Bush streets. For big-spenders, the adjacent Triton Hotel offers valet parking for $37.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Breakfast, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, People Watching, Lunch Spot, Group Dining, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene
