Fantastic French food in the Marina. There is plenty of outdoor seating so I was able to do outdoor dining with my dog! Service was pretty good and attentive but they got quite busy at peak dinner time on a Saturday night. Here is the summary of my ratings for individual dishes. French onion soup: B+ Baked oysters: A Escargot with puff pastry and pesto: A- Duck confit: A Sea bass special: B+ Scallop with risotto: B+ Filet mignon with french fries: B Out of all of these I recommend the escargot and duck confit to get an authentic sample of French cuisine.
John R.
As you walk towards Cote Ouest bistro, the initial glimpse of the smart outdoor seating and the canopies evoke a familiar sense of nostalgia and European hospitality (as a European I felt right at home). Once inside, the bustling and friendly atmosphere delivers a comforting sense that you're in very good hands, and despite how busy the servers may seem, they're always keeping a keen eye on your table without making you feel rushed. The menu offers so many delicious dishes it presents you with a welcome challenge to select from the plethora of options. If you're dining with friends who are prepared to share, you're in luck! Our first experience was Saturday brunch. The menu offered breakfast and brunch staples, plus some dishes you don't normally see on a brunch menu. Everything we enjoyed was delicious and delightfully presented. For adult beverages, the Lillet Spritz makes a great upgrade to your weekend Mimosa if you fancy a switch-up. Cote Ouest nestles in a neighborhood setting but just a few steps away from The Presido. Making it for locals and those who want to get their steps in and go exploring. This restaurant is made and served with love. Go and try it out yourself and see! Bon Appétit
Fran V.
Came here with my gf for the restaurant week 2024 menu (3 courses 65$). Together we got the lobster bisque and beef tartare for appetizers, filet mignon and spring risotto for mains, and tarte tatin and chocolate lava cake for dessert. We also got a bottle of red wine. They started the meal with some complementary bread and butter which they offered to refill for us when we finished. My favorite of the night was definitely the beef tartare which was surprisingly bright and refreshing from the capers and shallots mixed in, though I wish they served it with bread or croutons instead of chips. I preferred the risotto over the steak, as it was a nice balance of salty from the cheese and refreshing from the vegetables. The steak and fries were good but not anything special, I did really like the sauce that it came with. Both desserts were good, the lava cake was rich and luxurious while the tarte tatin came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that was the perfect ending to the meal. Service was quick and friendly. Seating is a little limited inside and they offer outdoor seating with heat lamps as well. It was pretty crowded for a Thursday night, but that may just be due to it being restaurant week, either way it was easy for us to make a reservation just a few days prior
B G.
Excellent food, professional service. Our servers were attentive yet properly waited for all diners to finish course before bringing out the next course. Filet and frites were well prepared. Perfect doness for meat and crispy tender fries. Would definitely return for another meal.
Ayush K.
Ideally, I'd give it a 3.5/5, but I'm rounding up. Nestled in the Cow Hollow neighborhood, Cote Ouest Bistro offers a delightful escape to a Parisian cafe. Finding parking can be a bit of a challenge with street parking being the main option, but the friendly and attentive service quickly makes you forget any pre-dinner frustrations. The indoor space is charming and intimate, perfect for a cozy date night or a catch-up with friends. For those who prefer al fresco dining, there's a heated outdoor patio - a great option on a pleasant San Francisco evening. Just be prepared for a relaxed, French cafe vibe - this isn't the place for a rushed meal. My friend and I visited Cote Ouest for SF restaurant week ($65 for 3 course menu). We started with a couple of appetizers: Tartare de Boeuf: The hand-cut raw beef was incredibly fresh and flavorful. The capers, shallots, and cornichons added a nice tangy counterpoint, and the raw egg yolk brought everything together beautifully. This is a must-try for any steak tartare enthusiast. Pâté de Campagne: This rustic French pate was rich and savory, with a lovely hint of spice from the Piment d'espelette. The toasted pain au levain, unfortunately, didn't do it for me. For the main course, we opted for the following: Filet Mignon de Boeuf: The filet mignon was cooked nicely. My friend asked for a medium rare cook on the meat, but he got medium. The green peppercorn sauce had a strange metallic taste (think of iron; that's the closest I could compare it to). The accompanying French fries were perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. For our final course, we shared 2 desserts: Tarte Tatin: A classic done right. The caramelized apples were sweet and gooey, and the buttery puff pastry was light and flaky. Moelleux au Chocolat: This warm chocolate cake was pure decadence. The rich chocolate center oozed out perfectly when spooned into, and the combination of salted caramel, whipped cream, and creme anglaise was heavenly. It wasn't as sweet as I had thought. They also serve us bread and butter at the beginning. The butter was unsalted, and the bread was mediocre. Overall, Cote Ouest Bistro offers a charming French dining experience with good food and friendly service. Just be prepared for a relaxed atmosphere and potentially tricky parking.
Rachel S.
Tucked away on a charming side street in Cow Hollow is this delightful French bistro that has stolen my heart (and tastebuds!). The ambiance is warm and inviting with soft lighting that casts a romantic glow and cozy, charming seating (indoors and out) with views of the quiet neighborhood. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, making me feel right at home -- which is especially good since I spend about as much time eating at this restaurant as I do eating at home (I live across the street, and I am an awful cook!) But the true star of the show is the food. Every dish is flavorful, from the melt-in-your-mouth filet to the perfectly cooked coq a vin and duck confit. They also do a wonderful brunch with fluffy omelettes, quiche, eggs benedict, croque monsieur, french toast and more. And didn't miss the frites -- they are great! The food portions are generous, and the ingredients are fresh and high-quality. Every meal I've eaten here has been delicious. (To be fully transparent, sometimes I eat two meals a day at this restaurant, because it's that good... and also because the last time I tried to cook a steak at home, the fire department was dispatched. True story.) If you're looking for a quintessential San Francisco French bistro experience, look no further! This hidden gem is a must-visit.
Tilton Q.
SF 2024 Restaurant Week brings so many options for us to explore restaurants beyond our comfort zone. As fate would have it, old family friends recommended Cote Ouest. Their fixed 3 course option for $65 seemed like a great introduction to their style and cuisine choices. We were a party of 4, and collectively, we ordered: 1. Lobster bisque, crispy goat cheese salad, and tartare de boeuf. 2. Filet mignon de boeuf, Coq au vin, and Halibut 3. Tarte tatin and moelleux au Chocolat. WE SHARED EVERYTHING! We all agreed; One of the BEST meals we have shared since we started "date night Fridays" 4 years ago. We all decided to return. Food and service were exquisite. We learned about school night (tues, wed and thurs). Just one more reason to return. That was just icing on the cake for weekday trips.
Lizzie L.
Très très délicieux ... very very yummy!!! I knew this was going to be a good experience days before we dined. I called to make reservations and was kindly greeted by Alex. Reservation done. Then I forgot to tell them that it was my boyfriend's 75th birthday so I left a message. Laurent calls back to confirm. Birthday candle done. So far so good. Upon arriving, we were all so overwhelmed on how quaint the restaurant was. It made us feel at home. So far so very good. It's Restaurant Week so we each had the opportunity to order an appetizer, main entree and dessert. Being four every Friday (date night) we always do family style and share. "Mmmmmmmmm, this is good." "Mmmmmmmm, you gotta try this." "Ohhhhhhhh, that's good." "Whoooooooo, we gotta come back." "Yeah, when? "This goes on and on through the whole meal. Dessert wasn't even served yet and we're trying to figure out what we're going to order the next time we come. Our server (dang, I forgot to ask her name) was amazing. Spot on and on point. Before dessert was served she gave us a dessert and after dinner drink menu. Ahhhhhh, Île flottante so French and so luscious. Why not? Add it to our meal with 4 spoons. Great addition! Yum! We were stuffed. The servings were generous. The wine choice excellent. Such a perfect evening. Such a wonderful and memorable experience. Merci beaucoup, Laurent and crew. We look forward to returning. P.S. - KILLER GARLIC AOILI IS ADDICTIVE!!!
Dylan L.
We came here for restaurant week 2024 and we are planning on coming back for escargot and steak frites! I just love French food and this place definitely fills that craving. What I love about this place is their service and the ambiance- it is not trying too hard. Far enough away from the hustle and bustle this quaint little restaurant is a great place for a well executed meal. I ordered the three course meal: steak tartar, the filet (which came with fries), and the crème brûlée. Needless to say we were very full by the end as the portions are bigger than I thought they would be! C'est délicieux!
Karen B.
I've read many of the reviews and they're mostly good, so I'd say we may have come on an off night. My friends had the escargot and thought it was very tasty. I had a side of fries. The fries were bland. I'm sure if I had used the dip they would have been better, but without it there was no taste. My friend could not finish her filet, saying the meat was tough. I had the duck confit which was so dry it was almost inedible. The worst part was this morning when I was sick and felt like I had food poisoning. I would not go back.
One couldn't ask for more in a neighborhood bistro - fantastic food, excellent service, and a warm, lively, and welcoming atmosphere.
Brenna D.
We tried Cote Ouest during SF Restaurant week and started off on a bad note because we went for their lunch deal but it wasn't advertised that that only applied to weekday lunches. We ended up receiving the brunch menu which had some overlap but I ordered the Steak Frites off the main menu and while it was good, I wish the fries had a little more to them. Overall, the ambiance of the restaurant is very cute but the food didn't have as much flavor as we had hoped.
Cheryn S.
Whoever said the french fries were mid is delulu. These fries are crack. But the dish that keeps me and my partner coming back for more is the croissant french toast. That's not powdered sugar, that's crack. It's so good I'm actually addicted to it. Anyway yeah I'm mad that someone had an issue with the fries so here's my 5 stars. See you again soon, Cote Ouest.
J Mercer
Charming old world French bistro with superb fare. Cote Ouest never disappoints.Wheelchair accessibility: Curbside
Fantastic French food in the Marina. There is plenty of outdoor seating so I was able to do outdoor dining with my dog! Service was pretty good and attentive but they got quite busy at peak dinner time on a Saturday night. Here is the summary of my ratings for individual dishes. French onion soup: B+ Baked oysters: A Escargot with puff pastry and pesto: A- Duck confit: A Sea bass special: B+ Scallop with risotto: B+ Filet mignon with french fries: B Out of all of these I recommend the escargot and duck confit to get an authentic sample of French cuisine.
As you walk towards Cote Ouest bistro, the initial glimpse of the smart outdoor seating and the canopies evoke a familiar sense of nostalgia and European hospitality (as a European I felt right at home). Once inside, the bustling and friendly atmosphere delivers a comforting sense that you're in very good hands, and despite how busy the servers may seem, they're always keeping a keen eye on your table without making you feel rushed. The menu offers so many delicious dishes it presents you with a welcome challenge to select from the plethora of options. If you're dining with friends who are prepared to share, you're in luck! Our first experience was Saturday brunch. The menu offered breakfast and brunch staples, plus some dishes you don't normally see on a brunch menu. Everything we enjoyed was delicious and delightfully presented. For adult beverages, the Lillet Spritz makes a great upgrade to your weekend Mimosa if you fancy a switch-up. Cote Ouest nestles in a neighborhood setting but just a few steps away from The Presido. Making it for locals and those who want to get their steps in and go exploring. This restaurant is made and served with love. Go and try it out yourself and see! Bon Appétit
Came here with my gf for the restaurant week 2024 menu (3 courses 65$). Together we got the lobster bisque and beef tartare for appetizers, filet mignon and spring risotto for mains, and tarte tatin and chocolate lava cake for dessert. We also got a bottle of red wine. They started the meal with some complementary bread and butter which they offered to refill for us when we finished. My favorite of the night was definitely the beef tartare which was surprisingly bright and refreshing from the capers and shallots mixed in, though I wish they served it with bread or croutons instead of chips. I preferred the risotto over the steak, as it was a nice balance of salty from the cheese and refreshing from the vegetables. The steak and fries were good but not anything special, I did really like the sauce that it came with. Both desserts were good, the lava cake was rich and luxurious while the tarte tatin came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that was the perfect ending to the meal. Service was quick and friendly. Seating is a little limited inside and they offer outdoor seating with heat lamps as well. It was pretty crowded for a Thursday night, but that may just be due to it being restaurant week, either way it was easy for us to make a reservation just a few days prior
Excellent food, professional service. Our servers were attentive yet properly waited for all diners to finish course before bringing out the next course. Filet and frites were well prepared. Perfect doness for meat and crispy tender fries. Would definitely return for another meal.
Ideally, I'd give it a 3.5/5, but I'm rounding up. Nestled in the Cow Hollow neighborhood, Cote Ouest Bistro offers a delightful escape to a Parisian cafe. Finding parking can be a bit of a challenge with street parking being the main option, but the friendly and attentive service quickly makes you forget any pre-dinner frustrations. The indoor space is charming and intimate, perfect for a cozy date night or a catch-up with friends. For those who prefer al fresco dining, there's a heated outdoor patio - a great option on a pleasant San Francisco evening. Just be prepared for a relaxed, French cafe vibe - this isn't the place for a rushed meal. My friend and I visited Cote Ouest for SF restaurant week ($65 for 3 course menu). We started with a couple of appetizers: Tartare de Boeuf: The hand-cut raw beef was incredibly fresh and flavorful. The capers, shallots, and cornichons added a nice tangy counterpoint, and the raw egg yolk brought everything together beautifully. This is a must-try for any steak tartare enthusiast. Pâté de Campagne: This rustic French pate was rich and savory, with a lovely hint of spice from the Piment d'espelette. The toasted pain au levain, unfortunately, didn't do it for me. For the main course, we opted for the following: Filet Mignon de Boeuf: The filet mignon was cooked nicely. My friend asked for a medium rare cook on the meat, but he got medium. The green peppercorn sauce had a strange metallic taste (think of iron; that's the closest I could compare it to). The accompanying French fries were perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. For our final course, we shared 2 desserts: Tarte Tatin: A classic done right. The caramelized apples were sweet and gooey, and the buttery puff pastry was light and flaky. Moelleux au Chocolat: This warm chocolate cake was pure decadence. The rich chocolate center oozed out perfectly when spooned into, and the combination of salted caramel, whipped cream, and creme anglaise was heavenly. It wasn't as sweet as I had thought. They also serve us bread and butter at the beginning. The butter was unsalted, and the bread was mediocre. Overall, Cote Ouest Bistro offers a charming French dining experience with good food and friendly service. Just be prepared for a relaxed atmosphere and potentially tricky parking.
Tucked away on a charming side street in Cow Hollow is this delightful French bistro that has stolen my heart (and tastebuds!). The ambiance is warm and inviting with soft lighting that casts a romantic glow and cozy, charming seating (indoors and out) with views of the quiet neighborhood. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, making me feel right at home -- which is especially good since I spend about as much time eating at this restaurant as I do eating at home (I live across the street, and I am an awful cook!) But the true star of the show is the food. Every dish is flavorful, from the melt-in-your-mouth filet to the perfectly cooked coq a vin and duck confit. They also do a wonderful brunch with fluffy omelettes, quiche, eggs benedict, croque monsieur, french toast and more. And didn't miss the frites -- they are great! The food portions are generous, and the ingredients are fresh and high-quality. Every meal I've eaten here has been delicious. (To be fully transparent, sometimes I eat two meals a day at this restaurant, because it's that good... and also because the last time I tried to cook a steak at home, the fire department was dispatched. True story.) If you're looking for a quintessential San Francisco French bistro experience, look no further! This hidden gem is a must-visit.
SF 2024 Restaurant Week brings so many options for us to explore restaurants beyond our comfort zone. As fate would have it, old family friends recommended Cote Ouest. Their fixed 3 course option for $65 seemed like a great introduction to their style and cuisine choices. We were a party of 4, and collectively, we ordered: 1. Lobster bisque, crispy goat cheese salad, and tartare de boeuf. 2. Filet mignon de boeuf, Coq au vin, and Halibut 3. Tarte tatin and moelleux au Chocolat. WE SHARED EVERYTHING! We all agreed; One of the BEST meals we have shared since we started "date night Fridays" 4 years ago. We all decided to return. Food and service were exquisite. We learned about school night (tues, wed and thurs). Just one more reason to return. That was just icing on the cake for weekday trips.
Très très délicieux ... very very yummy!!! I knew this was going to be a good experience days before we dined. I called to make reservations and was kindly greeted by Alex. Reservation done. Then I forgot to tell them that it was my boyfriend's 75th birthday so I left a message. Laurent calls back to confirm. Birthday candle done. So far so good. Upon arriving, we were all so overwhelmed on how quaint the restaurant was. It made us feel at home. So far so very good. It's Restaurant Week so we each had the opportunity to order an appetizer, main entree and dessert. Being four every Friday (date night) we always do family style and share. "Mmmmmmmmm, this is good." "Mmmmmmmm, you gotta try this." "Ohhhhhhhh, that's good." "Whoooooooo, we gotta come back." "Yeah, when? "This goes on and on through the whole meal. Dessert wasn't even served yet and we're trying to figure out what we're going to order the next time we come. Our server (dang, I forgot to ask her name) was amazing. Spot on and on point. Before dessert was served she gave us a dessert and after dinner drink menu. Ahhhhhh, Île flottante so French and so luscious. Why not? Add it to our meal with 4 spoons. Great addition! Yum! We were stuffed. The servings were generous. The wine choice excellent. Such a perfect evening. Such a wonderful and memorable experience. Merci beaucoup, Laurent and crew. We look forward to returning. P.S. - KILLER GARLIC AOILI IS ADDICTIVE!!!
We came here for restaurant week 2024 and we are planning on coming back for escargot and steak frites! I just love French food and this place definitely fills that craving. What I love about this place is their service and the ambiance- it is not trying too hard. Far enough away from the hustle and bustle this quaint little restaurant is a great place for a well executed meal. I ordered the three course meal: steak tartar, the filet (which came with fries), and the crème brûlée. Needless to say we were very full by the end as the portions are bigger than I thought they would be! C'est délicieux!
I've read many of the reviews and they're mostly good, so I'd say we may have come on an off night. My friends had the escargot and thought it was very tasty. I had a side of fries. The fries were bland. I'm sure if I had used the dip they would have been better, but without it there was no taste. My friend could not finish her filet, saying the meat was tough. I had the duck confit which was so dry it was almost inedible. The worst part was this morning when I was sick and felt like I had food poisoning. I would not go back.
Restaurantji Recommends
One couldn't ask for more in a neighborhood bistro - fantastic food, excellent service, and a warm, lively, and welcoming atmosphere.
We tried Cote Ouest during SF Restaurant week and started off on a bad note because we went for their lunch deal but it wasn't advertised that that only applied to weekday lunches. We ended up receiving the brunch menu which had some overlap but I ordered the Steak Frites off the main menu and while it was good, I wish the fries had a little more to them. Overall, the ambiance of the restaurant is very cute but the food didn't have as much flavor as we had hoped.
Whoever said the french fries were mid is delulu. These fries are crack. But the dish that keeps me and my partner coming back for more is the croissant french toast. That's not powdered sugar, that's crack. It's so good I'm actually addicted to it. Anyway yeah I'm mad that someone had an issue with the fries so here's my 5 stars. See you again soon, Cote Ouest.
Charming old world French bistro with superb fare. Cote Ouest never disappoints.Wheelchair accessibility: Curbside
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Croque Monsieur, Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée, Cote Ouest Burger, Soupe L'Oignon
Still a reference in the area for a casual French bistro with authentic dishes and cozy atmosphere in a quaint location near the Marina and Presidio.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Moelleux Au Chocolat, Frites, Zolo Duck Confit, French Fries