The most authentic French Bistro cuisine served by the friendliest wait staff. This place is an SF classic that never gets old. Small, intimate, like stepping into a tiny bistro in Paris.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Duck Confit, Bistro Coq Au Vin
Yatin Chawathe
Excellent neighborhood French spot. Lots of regular locals visit here, which makes it feel that much more neighborhoody and cozy.Vegetarian options: Some vegetarian dishes, such as the risotto
L'Ardoise is an absolutely charming French bistro in a residential area, an easy block or so walk from the Market-Sanchez muni/bus stop. The food was simply wonderful from start to finish. Appetizers: tiger prawn ravioles and escargot in crispy potato cups. Entrees: coq au vin and duck leg confit. Desserts: Valrhona chocolate fondant and floating island (meringue) in caramel sauce with creme anglaise. Lovely wine selection to go along with anything you choose. Our server, Raoul was truly kind, helpful, and attentive without being over-solicitous. You really should make reservations, but if you're in the area, stop in and give it a shot--they also do takeaway, if you can't get a seat. ALL the stars to L'Ardoise!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lucas Meaux
Awesome food all around, but our favorite was the rack of lamb. The ravioles were a great starter, and we also really enjoyed the cook of the sea bass.For dessert, I highly recommend their chocolate 'cake' covered in a berry puree (sorry, I can't remember the actual name of this dish).Everything was delicious, so I am convinced you couldn't go wrong here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Antony PASSEMARD
Excellent French restaurant with typical menu and quality ingredients from appetizers to dessert. The raviolis are to die for.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elle Forrest
A perfect neighborhood French Bistro, great food and well crated accessible wine list, welcoming service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
LaTasha Burton
Great atmosphere!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ellen O.
We enjoyed another lovely, relaxing evening at l'Ardoise, this time at the 9:15 seating on a cold and rainy night.We again shared the delicious Tiger Shrimp ravioli as a starter. My husband also remembered loving the Coq au Vin from our visit last summer and was very happy with his choice.I had the excellent and fairly priced salmon and cod special. The fish was wrapped together in a chard leaf and seared, placed on a bed of fresh crunchy cucumber and butternut squash spirals on top of mashed potatoes, then finished with a lobster sauce.The dish was beautifully prepared, the ingredients complemented each other, and the fish was tender and flavorful. I had a glass of white Sancerre, recommended by the waitress, and liked it. I asked for a half-pour to go with the rest of the meal and was accommodated, which I appreciated. Not all SF restaurants will do this! We would love to have a wider choice of wines by the glass as we are not big drinkers.Dessert to share was a special double swan puff pastry they added for Valentine's Day filled with hazelnut cream and "floating" on a lake of creme patisserie. Dinner was hearty, so we did not want a heavy dessert. The double decaf espresso was excellent and went well with it.The beautiful aspects of French culture are expressed here--the excellence of the food, comfortable atmosphere, and emphasis on enjoyment. We never felt rushed and enjoyed a lively conversation with our waiter. Several groups of friends hung out, talking and laughing as the restaurant emptied. There's something magical about a place that lets you retreat from the urban rush and be in the moment. It was a bit of a splurge for us, but it's worth it, and I think it will now be a regular feature of our SF trips.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mashed Potatoes, Coq Au Vin
PCHEESE
Interesting, different treatment of our escargot appetizer. Both of our fish entrees were very well prepared, not overcooked at all. Spinach risotto base was ambrosial. Service, as always, was attentive without being intrusive.
LydiaC
Perfection from start to finish. The food was outstanding, service impeccable and overall experience— exceptional. We have been to L'Ardoise before and we'll definitely go again. Our most favorite bistro in the Bay Area!
One of the best French restaurants I have ever dined at! The food was AMAZING and their wine choices were a perfect pairing! I normally don't drink wine but I loved the one that I got recommended!
Ryan
This is a neighborhood gem! The food, service, and ambience were all outstanding, and the prices were surprisingly low given the quality of the food! We'll be back many times!
schman
excellent food in a crowded french bistro. Tables are very close together. We were sitting by the door and cold breezes came in with every opening despite the heavy curtain there. Service was a bit rushed for a french bistro setting.
Cyril
We have loved this authentic French bistro for many years. Its only fault is that it "hurries" you through dinner unlike in France or Caribbean French Islands. There you have 2+ hours to enjoy your food. Not at the Chalk Board. Otherwise its perfect.
StephM
Valentine's Day dinner was wonderful (food, ambiance, service) but I wish they had non-alcoholic "mocktails" or alcohol-free sparkling wines (Leitz' "Eins Zwei Zero" sparkling riesling is a really good option) for those who don't drink alcohol. I'd still go back; the food is always delicious.
The most authentic French Bistro cuisine served by the friendliest wait staff. This place is an SF classic that never gets old. Small, intimate, like stepping into a tiny bistro in Paris.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Duck Confit, Bistro Coq Au Vin
Excellent neighborhood French spot. Lots of regular locals visit here, which makes it feel that much more neighborhoody and cozy.Vegetarian options: Some vegetarian dishes, such as the risotto
Recommended dishes: Vanilla Creme Brulee, Pommes Landaises, Hanger Steak, Tiger Prawn Ravioles with Saucevierge & Fresh Mixed Herbs, Valrhona Chocolate Fondant
L'Ardoise is an absolutely charming French bistro in a residential area, an easy block or so walk from the Market-Sanchez muni/bus stop. The food was simply wonderful from start to finish. Appetizers: tiger prawn ravioles and escargot in crispy potato cups. Entrees: coq au vin and duck leg confit. Desserts: Valrhona chocolate fondant and floating island (meringue) in caramel sauce with creme anglaise. Lovely wine selection to go along with anything you choose. Our server, Raoul was truly kind, helpful, and attentive without being over-solicitous. You really should make reservations, but if you're in the area, stop in and give it a shot--they also do takeaway, if you can't get a seat. ALL the stars to L'Ardoise!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome food all around, but our favorite was the rack of lamb. The ravioles were a great starter, and we also really enjoyed the cook of the sea bass.For dessert, I highly recommend their chocolate 'cake' covered in a berry puree (sorry, I can't remember the actual name of this dish).Everything was delicious, so I am convinced you couldn't go wrong here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent French restaurant with typical menu and quality ingredients from appetizers to dessert. The raviolis are to die for.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A perfect neighborhood French Bistro, great food and well crated accessible wine list, welcoming service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great atmosphere!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We enjoyed another lovely, relaxing evening at l'Ardoise, this time at the 9:15 seating on a cold and rainy night.We again shared the delicious Tiger Shrimp ravioli as a starter. My husband also remembered loving the Coq au Vin from our visit last summer and was very happy with his choice.I had the excellent and fairly priced salmon and cod special. The fish was wrapped together in a chard leaf and seared, placed on a bed of fresh crunchy cucumber and butternut squash spirals on top of mashed potatoes, then finished with a lobster sauce.The dish was beautifully prepared, the ingredients complemented each other, and the fish was tender and flavorful. I had a glass of white Sancerre, recommended by the waitress, and liked it. I asked for a half-pour to go with the rest of the meal and was accommodated, which I appreciated. Not all SF restaurants will do this! We would love to have a wider choice of wines by the glass as we are not big drinkers.Dessert to share was a special double swan puff pastry they added for Valentine's Day filled with hazelnut cream and "floating" on a lake of creme patisserie. Dinner was hearty, so we did not want a heavy dessert. The double decaf espresso was excellent and went well with it.The beautiful aspects of French culture are expressed here--the excellence of the food, comfortable atmosphere, and emphasis on enjoyment. We never felt rushed and enjoyed a lively conversation with our waiter. Several groups of friends hung out, talking and laughing as the restaurant emptied. There's something magical about a place that lets you retreat from the urban rush and be in the moment. It was a bit of a splurge for us, but it's worth it, and I think it will now be a regular feature of our SF trips.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mashed Potatoes, Coq Au Vin
Interesting, different treatment of our escargot appetizer. Both of our fish entrees were very well prepared, not overcooked at all. Spinach risotto base was ambrosial. Service, as always, was attentive without being intrusive.
Perfection from start to finish. The food was outstanding, service impeccable and overall experience— exceptional. We have been to L'Ardoise before and we'll definitely go again. Our most favorite bistro in the Bay Area!
Restaurantji Recommends
One of the best French restaurants I have ever dined at! The food was AMAZING and their wine choices were a perfect pairing! I normally don't drink wine but I loved the one that I got recommended!
This is a neighborhood gem! The food, service, and ambience were all outstanding, and the prices were surprisingly low given the quality of the food! We'll be back many times!
excellent food in a crowded french bistro. Tables are very close together. We were sitting by the door and cold breezes came in with every opening despite the heavy curtain there. Service was a bit rushed for a french bistro setting.
We have loved this authentic French bistro for many years. Its only fault is that it "hurries" you through dinner unlike in France or Caribbean French Islands. There you have 2+ hours to enjoy your food. Not at the Chalk Board. Otherwise its perfect.
Valentine's Day dinner was wonderful (food, ambiance, service) but I wish they had non-alcoholic "mocktails" or alcohol-free sparkling wines (Leitz' "Eins Zwei Zero" sparkling riesling is a really good option) for those who don't drink alcohol. I'd still go back; the food is always delicious.