04/20/09

Nice place for a casual dinner

by jonchang85

Went here last weekend with my girlfriend. Nice, quiet, small restaurant hidden away in San Francisco. Oysters and duck were delicious. The wine recommendations from our waitress were very good. Pricing is also reasonable. A nice place for a casual dinner in the city.

02/08/09

the restaurant clearly smelled of FISH!

by diamondsrforever

I used to love this place. Last time I went with a party of 11 was to celebrate my birthday.

Sadly, the seating was too cramped because of their space. What's worse is that the restaurant clearly smelled of FISH! Yep, I guess fish was going bad and they decided to cook it anyway.

You know Chef, no amount of kissing on both cheeks excuses something like that. Oui?

01/19/09

An extra guest on our table

by UYA

Shocking!!! It should not happen in my life. We sat at the corner by the kitchen. There was a door next to our table. After we ordered, my boyfriend looked freeze. There was an insect on our dinner table, sized about my thumb. We were not sure that was an insect we see in garbage or at kitchens. We both looked each other and he tried to catch it, but couldn't. We could have left the place, but we did not. (we were extremely hungry and wanted to try the food at this place because of the positive reviews). We hoped not to see any insect by the rest of our visit. There again, there is the insect came back on a wall. It seemed the insect came from the door . I called a waiter to come and pointed the insect to him. I cannot believe how he reacted. He just said, " Sorry about the guest", and laughing. It is not funny. It is serious. The same man came back with the napkin to catch it, but could not, and told us again, " Sorry for the guest". What is wrong with the management at this restaurant? Catching one insect does not solve the problem. The restaurant needs the pest control. We did not want to know what is going on behind the door. We felt like we were in a TV program, Kitchen Nightmare, where chef Ramsy shouted to customers, "This restaurant is going to be shut down!!!'. They could have done at least suggesting us to relocate to different tables since there were many empty tables. The food was not special. I got a salmon with saffron sauce and clams, which was not go well together. Too many things on a place and each ingredients diminished flavor. At the end, we paid $145, excluded tips. It does not worth to spent time there, eating their food, which is not memorable with an insect.

• Pros: Wine
• Cons: service, insect

11/03/08

Best Prix Fixe Around!

by ksjjj

I came here last night with a friend visiting from Seattle and a local here in SF. They told me to prepare myself for an amazing meal, wow they were right! We got here early for the early bord prix fixe menu and everything I had was incredible and the price was $25.50, or something close where I would have easily paid 4 times that amount. I live nearby and connot wait to come back soon.

03/07/08

This place is a nightmare!! The Chef needs a good therapist!!

by Douglaslarson

My girlfriends and I had dinner at Chapeau last week. Although we had heard that the place was packed and noisy, we decided to give it a chance.

What an horrible experience!! Not only was it overcrowded, but the atmosphere was shoddy and depressing. The service was lazy and slow. The food was basic and dull, but we ate it (we were hungry after the long wait).

But the worse of all was definitely the CHEF: he came several times uninvited at our table and was obviously desperate for attention! He poorly tried to flirt with one of the girls and kept coming back and back. At a certain point, we had to ask him to leave. It was so embarassing that we left before the end of the dinner. "Chef " Gardelle followed us to the door and grabbed another girlfriend, pretending that French people kiss eachother goodbye!!! Some guests at the table behind us seemed shocked. We litterally pushed him out of the way to get out.

I will never go back to this place!

I would strongly advice all women to stay away from Chapeau and his "Chef" / owner.

• Pros: nothing
• Cons: Chef inappropriate, slow service, food is bland

10/04/07

Overrated

by willis35

I am surprised at the fuss about Chapeau! The food in general is tasty but don't count fat or calories. Most entrees are saturated with rich sauces (lobster creme bisque and the like) that I wonder in a few visits, my belly will be well rounded like Chef Gardelle's. I found the place cramped, people are stacked like sardines, elbow to elbow. There is no chance for a romantic ambience or a private conversation , you may have to put off using the restroom cause it is a hassle to pass the tables next to you without causing a stir. It is almost disrespectful to the clients who pay upward of $150 for a nice dinner but get only loud noise, slow service, and overcrowded dining room. Chef Gardelle's roaring laughter adds to the noise and rumbles in this tiny room. My fiancee told me on the way out, he kissed her and brushed her lips! What a sleeze ball. I will go elsewhere.

• Pros: Good value meal.
• Cons: Crowede, noisy, disrespectful to clients, and high fat/caloric meals

11/01/06

Lovely atmosphere

by shoegal84

I was taken here for my birthday and I didn't expect much (although I heard the food was delicious). I was pleasantly surprised, althought the space is itsy bitsy, I never felt overwhelmed by the chatter or elbow room. I started out with the mussels and frites, moved on to some lobster risotto (as a tasting), then had some sorbet, salmon, and my favorite...panna cotta, which was toped with strawberries in a balsamic vinegarette - different, but yummy all the same.

The staff was wonderful - and so were the kir royals!

• Pros: The food! And a kiss from the chef!
• Cons: None that I can think of.

10/16/06

go for a late dinner

by sdemarc07

We iive in this neighborhood and walk by the restaurant frequently. Heard good things about the place but were a bit concerned about the very small space and crowded dining room. Decided to try it after a movie -- we made a 9:30 reservation, but were promptly seated when we arrived early at 9:10. The place was bustling but not at all overly noisy or instrusive. The table next to use remained empty until we got to out entree. Had a lovely bottle of wine -- they organize the wine list to include a page of whites and reds for "around $30." The chef is flamboyant and a bit over the top with pleasantries, but it fits the place. My husband chose the prix fixe for $35 and I chose a salad and entree, but we also split the mussels for a second course. A complemetary dessert was brought for me anyway -- which was a nice touch. The food was all delicious -- but on the richer side. Portions are nice sized and filling. Service was professional and efficient. Will go back but probably not as nice an atmosphere if dining at "prime time" -- and the places fills up early due to the early bird special prix fixe for $24.

• Pros: great food, good prices
• Cons: can get crowded at earlier dining times

09/19/06

Unlikely corner, great food

by dewalker

Granted, this is the old Alain Rondeli location but who would expect this kind of food in the Richmond? The place was packed on a Wednesday night at 6:30, and no wonder. The food was beautifully cooked and presented and the atmosphere was great. My halibut was perfectly sauced and my partner's osso bucco made me want to start eating red meat again. We sat in the coziest little corner and were treated like old friends.

09/09/06

Great food and service

by oygivult

This is oneof my favorite restaurants in San Francisco. The food is always top notch, and the service makes you feel special. Try the steak for a real treat! Completely decadent. All the tasting menus have great value and there is even an early bird special.

• Pros: Food, service
• Cons: no hard alcohol, but good wine choices