Recommended dishes: Classic Beef Wellington, French Onion Soup, Escargot De Bourgogne, Brussels Sprouts, Tiramisu, Chicken Cordon Bleu, House Salad, Slow Oven Braised Lamb Shank, Peach Bread Pudding
Raymond Mueller
This was an extremely well chosen location for a farewell dinner. Much appreciate the staff, their attention to detail and the especially that farewell plate for dessert.Some might say it's pricey but I say you get what you pay for. I am not hungry in my belly or in my soul tonight.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kelly Drake
Staff were outstanding!! Loved the escargot and Oyster Rockefeller. The Chocolate Mousse with cake desert was fantastic and was the highlight of the meal. Great beer selection and cocktails.I hope a Happy Hour menu is added.Wheelchair accessibility: Not easy to find Handicapped entrance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Escargot De Bourgogne
JOANNE TALLMAN
Excellent food from appetizers to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christine Everett
Amazing food, the wait staff is excellent, and the owner is positively charming!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Classic Beef Wellington, French Onion Soup, Escargot De Bourgogne
Kenny Nguyen
Best French restaurant in the East Bay.An amazing place with amazing food. Great for birthdays and the owner makes it a very personal first time experience.I tried almost ten different things from the menu and everything was great.I'll be coming back.Parking: They have a large parking lot. It's right on 238 and you need to look for the red restaurant sign.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Classic Beef Wellington, Soup
Doug Brockmeier
Great experience. Third generation owner is very nice and the food is excellent. He made me a table side strawberry flambee for my birthday. Everything was better than I hoped. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tunde Elegbede
Had a great valentines
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Papillon Housemade Cheesecake with Seasonal Fruit Coulis, French Onion Soup
Rebecca Cadwallader
My husband and I ate here just before Christmas. We recently moved here and Papillon came highly recommended. Everything from the freondly staff to the Delicious food was perfect. We even got the chance to meet the owner. Such a wonderful place.
Dana Peevy
The atmosphere is old cosey French. Separate booths with curtains for privacy if you desire. The customer service is individual attentive and outstanding.
Excellent service by staff, especially Connor, the waiter. Delicious meal. Excellent wine selection. Restaurant with longevity.Parking: Be careful on exiting on the far end of the lot due to the steep down ramp onto Mission Blvd
Papillon is our favorite for special occasions. We would go more often but we live an hour away by car. For New Year's Eve there was a fixed price menu with multiple options for each course. Three of us had filet minon with crab meat and hollandaise sauce, and one had grilled salmon with crab meat. Everything was superb. The wine list is extensive with many varieties from California, France and a few other countries.The proprietor is as nice a person as you'll ever meet.Parking: Ample free parking in front of restaurant and lot right next to it.Wheelchair accessibility: Completely accessible
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Classic Caesar Salad with Hearts of Romaine Garlic Croutons & Shaved Parmesan, Classic Beef Wellington, Papillon Housemade Cheesecake with Seasonal Fruit Coulis, French Onion Soup, Cracked Black Pepper Filet Mignon with Peppercorn Sauce Flamed with Brandy, Pumpkin Soup, Spinach Salad with Bacon Candied Walnuts Strawberries Orange & Rice Wine Vinaigrette, Pear Salad, Tiramisu
Straight Razor Daddy
Parking: Lots of parking. Easy access from two street entrances.Kid-friendliness: Papillon seems to be happy to share the fine French dining experience with children. There were two couples with children the last time we were there. The kind of parents who take their children to Papillon are raising well mannered, well rounded kids.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Papillon Housemade Cheesecake with Seasonal Fruit Coulis, French Onion Soup, Escargot De Bourgogne
Usha Dawn
It was a rainy at Fremont and it was our anniversary. We decided to go to this closest restaurant to celebrate it. It's a 40 years established restaurant by a couple though when we were seated with the menu card it had the 45th anniversary so probably they need to update online. The moment you get inside there's a smell of oldness, feels like the carpets have not changed since they started. Not a great feeling at the entrance itself. They have a huge bar but it was empty except the bar tender who was welcoming us. We were sitting at the patio area inside and a few customers were already there. We started with drinks , Pomme Peartini - Grey Goose Pear, Pomegranate liqueur, fresh lemon and Triple Sec, Candy Red Appletini - Made with Vodka, butterscotch, Sour Apple Pucker, cranberry juice, and Godiva Chocolate Martini- Made with Godiva Liqueur, Absolut Vanilla and a chocolate powder rim. There drink menu is really interesting because they have a great wine list, beer and special cocktails as well.We ordered the appetizer Escargot - served in a buttery herb sauce and eaten with special tools (a clamp and a long pointed fork), this dish is unique and is a must get if it's your first time here. The sea snails are served in a shell and retain a bit of heat when you dig into them. It comes with 6 pieces. Also we ordered SPINACH SALAD Cherry Wood Bacon, Candied Walnuts, Strawberries, Orange & Rice Wine, it was delicious we enjoyed it. Then we ordered French onion soup puff pastry - most entrees will have the option to upgrade to the French onion soup over the house salad. Do it. You will not regret it. The French onion soup is delicious - hearty onion pieces with cheese and puff pastry with every bite. I have to say that I have tried this at many restaurants but nothing can beat this one. My main course was Seafood Wellington - delicious take on a seafood variation of the classic Wellington. A mix of crab, prawns and lobster encased in a puff pastry was delicious. If you love seafood then you must try it.AMERICAN KOBE`BEEF SHORT RIB SLOW OVEN BRAISED Horseradish Mashed Potatoes, White Truffle Salt, taste delicious, well cooked as it just melts in the mouth.ANGEL HAIR PASTA with Artichoke Hearts, Squash, Mushrooms, in Tomato Broth or Crème Sauce, it's a lot and we had to get a takeout box.ANGUS FILET MIGNON* with Cabernet Sauce topped with Gorgonzola, Roasted Sweet Garlic Herb Butter, it's delicious, everything has it's unique taste and flavor.We ended with Peach bread pudding with cream anglaise and vanilla ice cream with happy anniversary written on it.It was a delicious experience.They're only open for dinner service so be prepared to plan ahead and make reservations if possible. The parking lot is a small entrance to the restaurant so be careful not to miss on Mission Boulevard. It gets dark in the evening so you may have to find the parking spot carefully. When we arrived it was not that crowded so we got lucky with parking.Overall, Papillon is the perfect place to go if you have any special occasion to celebrate where you can sit down to experience their finest delicacies . There's a bit of Fremont history this being close to Charlie Chaplin's town Niles and the railway museum. During Christmas time you will see the decorated Niles train with lights running across Sunol. There's more to explore.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Wellington, French Onion Soup, Escargot De Bourgogne, Spinach Salad with Bacon Candied Walnuts Strawberries Orange & Rice Wine Vinaigrette, Peach Bread Pudding
James Wedewer
Food was very hit and miss. Service was very slow most times of the evening despite only having 3 or 4 tables, taking 10+ minutes to be served just a few glasses of wine after ordering them. Ribeye - good. Sea bass special - meh. Dried out. Duck breast - edible but one of the worst had. John Dory - good. All of the vegetable side dishes were unseasoned and bland. House salad dressing was amazing, and salad itself was fine. French onion soup was good.Creme brulee with a mango sorbet was very good.Been here a few times in the past, but I hoped it would be better than the last time a few years ago thst I was here, and it wasn't. Won't plan on returning.
loved it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Classic Beef Wellington, French Onion Soup, Escargot De Bourgogne, Brussels Sprouts, Tiramisu, Chicken Cordon Bleu, House Salad, Slow Oven Braised Lamb Shank, Peach Bread Pudding
This was an extremely well chosen location for a farewell dinner. Much appreciate the staff, their attention to detail and the especially that farewell plate for dessert.Some might say it's pricey but I say you get what you pay for. I am not hungry in my belly or in my soul tonight.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Staff were outstanding!! Loved the escargot and Oyster Rockefeller. The Chocolate Mousse with cake desert was fantastic and was the highlight of the meal. Great beer selection and cocktails.I hope a Happy Hour menu is added.Wheelchair accessibility: Not easy to find Handicapped entrance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Escargot De Bourgogne
Excellent food from appetizers to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food, the wait staff is excellent, and the owner is positively charming!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Classic Beef Wellington, French Onion Soup, Escargot De Bourgogne
Best French restaurant in the East Bay.An amazing place with amazing food. Great for birthdays and the owner makes it a very personal first time experience.I tried almost ten different things from the menu and everything was great.I'll be coming back.Parking: They have a large parking lot. It's right on 238 and you need to look for the red restaurant sign.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Classic Beef Wellington, Soup
Great experience. Third generation owner is very nice and the food is excellent. He made me a table side strawberry flambee for my birthday. Everything was better than I hoped. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had a great valentines
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Papillon Housemade Cheesecake with Seasonal Fruit Coulis, French Onion Soup
My husband and I ate here just before Christmas. We recently moved here and Papillon came highly recommended. Everything from the freondly staff to the Delicious food was perfect. We even got the chance to meet the owner. Such a wonderful place.
The atmosphere is old cosey French. Separate booths with curtains for privacy if you desire. The customer service is individual attentive and outstanding.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Excellent service by staff, especially Connor, the waiter. Delicious meal. Excellent wine selection. Restaurant with longevity.Parking: Be careful on exiting on the far end of the lot due to the steep down ramp onto Mission Blvd
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Soup, Spinach Salad with Bacon Candied Walnuts Strawberries Orange & Rice Wine Vinaigrette, Peach Bread Pudding
Papillon is our favorite for special occasions. We would go more often but we live an hour away by car. For New Year's Eve there was a fixed price menu with multiple options for each course. Three of us had filet minon with crab meat and hollandaise sauce, and one had grilled salmon with crab meat. Everything was superb. The wine list is extensive with many varieties from California, France and a few other countries.The proprietor is as nice a person as you'll ever meet.Parking: Ample free parking in front of restaurant and lot right next to it.Wheelchair accessibility: Completely accessible
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Classic Caesar Salad with Hearts of Romaine Garlic Croutons & Shaved Parmesan, Classic Beef Wellington, Papillon Housemade Cheesecake with Seasonal Fruit Coulis, French Onion Soup, Cracked Black Pepper Filet Mignon with Peppercorn Sauce Flamed with Brandy, Pumpkin Soup, Spinach Salad with Bacon Candied Walnuts Strawberries Orange & Rice Wine Vinaigrette, Pear Salad, Tiramisu
Parking: Lots of parking. Easy access from two street entrances.Kid-friendliness: Papillon seems to be happy to share the fine French dining experience with children. There were two couples with children the last time we were there. The kind of parents who take their children to Papillon are raising well mannered, well rounded kids.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Papillon Housemade Cheesecake with Seasonal Fruit Coulis, French Onion Soup, Escargot De Bourgogne
It was a rainy at Fremont and it was our anniversary. We decided to go to this closest restaurant to celebrate it. It's a 40 years established restaurant by a couple though when we were seated with the menu card it had the 45th anniversary so probably they need to update online. The moment you get inside there's a smell of oldness, feels like the carpets have not changed since they started. Not a great feeling at the entrance itself. They have a huge bar but it was empty except the bar tender who was welcoming us. We were sitting at the patio area inside and a few customers were already there. We started with drinks , Pomme Peartini - Grey Goose Pear, Pomegranate liqueur, fresh lemon and Triple Sec, Candy Red Appletini - Made with Vodka, butterscotch, Sour Apple Pucker, cranberry juice, and Godiva Chocolate Martini- Made with Godiva Liqueur, Absolut Vanilla and a chocolate powder rim. There drink menu is really interesting because they have a great wine list, beer and special cocktails as well.We ordered the appetizer Escargot - served in a buttery herb sauce and eaten with special tools (a clamp and a long pointed fork), this dish is unique and is a must get if it's your first time here. The sea snails are served in a shell and retain a bit of heat when you dig into them. It comes with 6 pieces. Also we ordered SPINACH SALAD Cherry Wood Bacon, Candied Walnuts, Strawberries, Orange & Rice Wine, it was delicious we enjoyed it. Then we ordered French onion soup puff pastry - most entrees will have the option to upgrade to the French onion soup over the house salad. Do it. You will not regret it. The French onion soup is delicious - hearty onion pieces with cheese and puff pastry with every bite. I have to say that I have tried this at many restaurants but nothing can beat this one. My main course was Seafood Wellington - delicious take on a seafood variation of the classic Wellington. A mix of crab, prawns and lobster encased in a puff pastry was delicious. If you love seafood then you must try it.AMERICAN KOBE`BEEF SHORT RIB SLOW OVEN BRAISED Horseradish Mashed Potatoes, White Truffle Salt, taste delicious, well cooked as it just melts in the mouth.ANGEL HAIR PASTA with Artichoke Hearts, Squash, Mushrooms, in Tomato Broth or Crème Sauce, it's a lot and we had to get a takeout box.ANGUS FILET MIGNON* with Cabernet Sauce topped with Gorgonzola, Roasted Sweet Garlic Herb Butter, it's delicious, everything has it's unique taste and flavor.We ended with Peach bread pudding with cream anglaise and vanilla ice cream with happy anniversary written on it.It was a delicious experience.They're only open for dinner service so be prepared to plan ahead and make reservations if possible. The parking lot is a small entrance to the restaurant so be careful not to miss on Mission Boulevard. It gets dark in the evening so you may have to find the parking spot carefully. When we arrived it was not that crowded so we got lucky with parking.Overall, Papillon is the perfect place to go if you have any special occasion to celebrate where you can sit down to experience their finest delicacies . There's a bit of Fremont history this being close to Charlie Chaplin's town Niles and the railway museum. During Christmas time you will see the decorated Niles train with lights running across Sunol. There's more to explore.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Wellington, French Onion Soup, Escargot De Bourgogne, Spinach Salad with Bacon Candied Walnuts Strawberries Orange & Rice Wine Vinaigrette, Peach Bread Pudding
Food was very hit and miss. Service was very slow most times of the evening despite only having 3 or 4 tables, taking 10+ minutes to be served just a few glasses of wine after ordering them. Ribeye - good. Sea bass special - meh. Dried out. Duck breast - edible but one of the worst had. John Dory - good. All of the vegetable side dishes were unseasoned and bland. House salad dressing was amazing, and salad itself was fine. French onion soup was good.Creme brulee with a mango sorbet was very good.Been here a few times in the past, but I hoped it would be better than the last time a few years ago thst I was here, and it wasn't. Won't plan on returning.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup