Fleur de Lys

09/15/2008 Posted by pcalhoun

This was our second time at Fleur De Lys, the first time being the one in Vegas. I found that the ambiance, as well as the service, was better in San Francisco. The restaurant basically uses a dinner format that allows you to choose how many "courses" you want, with the option of having each course paired with wine. You can go for 3, 4 or 5 courses. There is a menu to help you build your courses, but what I would recommend to anyone is to tell your server to ask that the chef surprises you - of course, you have to be open to eating anything on the menu, but the chef does create a personalized menu where each course builds on the previous one. Each plate is art - the taste, the pairing of the ingredients, the taste.... we were anticipating each course and it delivered each and every time. The cost is high, especially with the pairing - but it is really an experience worth having.

Pros: Fantastic food

Cons: High price

02/16/2008 Posted by ajr523

It was our anniversary so we were lucky enough booking late for a reservation for a 2 top during the week. We had very high expectations because it was rated top 5 french in the city.... where was the chef? we had ancey servers and not knowing who was our server out of the first 4 people to come to our table. if knife cuts and color with plate design was the three components to food the meal was great, except that you forgot FLAVOR , SALT and PEPPER. thanks to the wine, and the dessert part of the night was worth it.

Pros: Great wine

Cons: seasoning

11/17/2007 Posted by sfcitygal6

This is by far my favorite restaurant in San Francisco. The wine pairings are worth the extra money simply because they work beautifully with the menu. I love the attention to detail in everything from the food presentation to the artwork. Simply yummy all around!

Pros: Food, Wine, Service

10/17/2007 Posted by sallyvjj

I had my birthday celebration with my boyfriend here. It was very romantic and food was great! Wine selection is definitely good class too.

08/24/2007 Posted by foodandgolf

This is a SF restaurant that has been on my radar for a long time. The menu is excellent, so much to choose from. I am a huge fan of the tasting or prix fix menus, so this menu pleased me greatly. They offer 3, 4 or 5 course meals, with a expansive selection in each the appetizer, fish, meat and dessert sections. The foie gras appetizer was unique and delicious and that presentation was highly appealing. We both agreed that the sea bass was one of the best that we had ever tasted and in glancing around the room, which I often do, the sea bass was the fish selection to be had. The scallops were good, not great. For me, scallops are by far the most common seafood order for me, so I have grown to be highly critical. The presentation was nice. The selection of meats was wonderful, from a bison strip to venison to filet to quail...and much more. I decided that venison doesn't come around nearly as often as it should and that it was a must try. the taste was nice as was the presentation. I felt that the dish could have been upped a bit in some way, though I couldn't quite put my finger on it. All in all a nice dish. The deserts were excellent and beautifully presented. The wine by the glass selection wasn't large, but was well thought out. There were also several half bottles to chose from. One of the better wine lists that I've seen. Rated from 1-10: Taste – 8 Presentation – 9 Vibe – 7 Service – 9 Wine – 9 Likelihood to go again – 6. Not a very high rating, given my enjoyment of the place. Given the many choices in SF and the limited time I am in the city, a place really has to wow me in order to bring me back. I would recommend it to nearly everyone who is looking for a good meal. I wouldn't necessarily put it high on my list for larger groups, but for just a couple or two, It is definitely worth the visit.

Pros: Expansive menu, amazing wine list, solid service

Cons: None of note

08/07/2007 Posted by f8d

The ambience is on the romantic side with the gorgeous draped ceiling but dining at this restaurant is a treat despite the occasion or company. The service was great, although not flawless but nothing significant to fault. The food tasted as amazing as it looked. Everyone was completely gastronomically satisfied.

Pros: ambiance & food

Cons: none

07/27/2007 Posted by foodfanatic35

We (party of 9) just took my mom here for her birthday, and we were so pleased with the experience. I was initially concerned because I read some negative reviews, but it turned out that my worries were for naught. I ordered the five course tasting menu, and loved my appetizer, both entree's, and both amuse bouches. Don't miss the duo of fois gras, which included a mini fois gras potpie, and seared fois gras in a duck burger. So original, so tasty, melt in your mouth good. The portions were small, but the richness of the fois gras made the portions just enough to crave more, knowing that you'd have to run home to burn off the calories if you ate any more. The halibut was cooked to perfection, soft, moist, juicy and crunchy on the outside. I can't think of anything I hate more than overcooked fish of any kind. The two sauces set off the flavor of the halibut perfectly, and what made it fun was a couple pieces of popcorn also on the plate. I think the intension was for the smokiness of the popcorn to echo the crunchy outside of the halibut, and it did just that. This was the best halibut I've had in two weeks, which included a halibut at Range (SF) and CinCin in Vancouver. I had the lamb as the meat course next. The lamb was also cooked perfectly, not bloody, but red/pink enough to be perfectly tender, with the wonderful gamey-ness of the lamb shining through. (I am NOT a fan of mint with lamb, which tends to mask the gaminess, which I love.) The grain mustard sauce perfectly complemented the lamb. There was also a lamb sausage, which I did not love, as well as a little bowl of peas, undercooked and unnecessary. I would have much preferred a larger piece of lamb. I had the cheese plate, which was alright. I had the chocolate mousse for dessert, which multiple items made with chocolate mousse. I liked most of the items, but have also had better dessert. When I go back again, I would choose the four course meal, which excludes the cheese.

Pros: reasonable prices for five star price fixed meal, great, non-snobby service

Cons: desserts did not measure up to the entrees

06/20/2007 Posted by mooshagirl

My husband and I were in San Francisco for his birthday and decided to celebrate with a nice dinner at Fleur de Lys. It was one of the best dining experiences I have ever had! We both did the 4 course dinner. The food was so incredible. Every course was absolutely divine, and the portions were just the right size that we had room for the next, but left very full! The service was impeccible, they did not miss a beat. At one point during the dinner, my husband got up to use the restroom, and within seconds of him leaving, the wait staff came over, took his crumpled napking from the table and folded it up in a fan, and placed it back on the table! It was an expensive dinner, but oh so worth it.

Pros: Exceptional food and service, very romantic

Cons: Expensive

03/23/2007 Posted by pilotjosh25

I don't know how snooty and boring you have to be to write reviews like the 4 below mine, but they are way off. Aside from the ditzy hostess, the waitstaff were all excellent. Menus were delivered promptly - along with suggestions on entrees and wine. We opted for the 4-course (5-course only adds cheese) with the wine pairing. I think in the future I'd avoid the wine pairing option because if your dining companion(s) order the same entree, you are likely to get a mismatch. Just order a bottle of wine. The meal began with an unremarkable amuse bouche but soon continued with a delicious asparagus and fois gras appetizer. Amazing flavor. Beautiful presentation. We also enjoyed a sea bass dish that was beautifully prepared and pepper filet mignon w/ a wonderfuly innovative gratin with carrots and yams. The chocolate and Grand Marnier souffle were both scrumptous and highly recommended. We'll definitely be back!

Pros: Excellent food, wine, service, and dessert.

Cons: Pricey - but that's to be expected.

02/18/2007 Posted by bahiadave

Went here for anniversary. Had the five course meal with wine pairing. Service seemed rushed, unpolished, and impersonal. Seems like they want to churn guests. Zero charm. Perhaps they are influenced by their Vegas haunt. Food was good and presentation was innovative. They did give us free dessert for anniversary which was nice. On the way out a drunk tried to smoke at the bar and was thrown out and almost pushed into us as we were leaving. At this kind of money, go to Gary Danko or Masa's, both are leaps and bounds above this place.

Pros: Food

Cons: Service, Lack of Charm