We visited this place for a brunch with friends. When we arrived around 11:30, it was pretty empty, but it got busy later on. We enjoyed the food – everything was great; my favorite was onion soup and beef bourguignon. Our waiter was wonderful and fun.
Great service and wonderful food. We dine here every time we are in The City and are never disappointed. The menu is excellent! Oysters, beet Napoleon, and onion soup! just wow! thanks for a truly perfect SF/Paris experience.
Hartfordite
The food was quite good, if not excellent. The service was slow and inattentive. It was almost like we were purposefully being ignored, though I don't actually think that was the case--it just feels that way when the waiter walks by your table so many times without so much as acknowledging that you're there and have been waiting a long time to place your order.
TomK
We got a reservation at the last moment, so were surprised. We got a great table in the bar area, which was our choice, loved the ambience. The French Onion soup was fantastic as was the Steak Frites. They were good size portions, excellent value.
We were unaware that there was a prix fix menu for Valentine's Day. Open Table listing didn't show it. Diners on both side of us left after being seated and finding out dinner was so expensive. Dinner was fine (except for profiteroles; tasted like the freezer).
JimH
The food (celery root salad, steak frites and roasted brussel sprouts) was excellent. However, there was initial confusion among the staff about who was responsible for our table, which resulted in quite a delay. However, the biggest problem was the noise level. There was an out of control party of 8+ in back of us and the noise level make it virtually impossible to converse. We literally had to use hand signals and lip reading to have a minimal conversation.
CBranch
Le Central has been my favorite for years. I worked around the corner in the 80's and 90's and had many lunches sitting next to boys of San Francisco. IYKYK. Everything was nice. The food was almost perfect. I had the Frisée Aux Lardons. It was made with bacon and not lardons. Big difference. The Cassoulet was awesome. The Duck was a little dry. I suspect it did not cook immersed in the actual Cassoulet. The Mousse au Chocolat was perfect. Waiter excellent. Wine was very good. Quite place.
Long standing semi-traditional French SF restaurant doesn't have much going for it food and value wise. Average glass of wine is about $20. Food is good but not great. We had dinner in the barroom while the dining room was completely vacant. Adequate if you're in the neighborhood, but definitely not a destination. An unfortunate contributor to SF s continued decline. Sadly, they are not alone.
C F Seabloom
Ask for Lindsay! Fantastic food recommendations and wine pairings. Service is top notch and friendly. You won’t be disappointed if you love French Food! ❤️
michelle pender
Iconic San Francisco establishment. Scott our sever is the best of the best. Romantic ambiance. Best beef bourguignon. Delicious escargot. French onion soup beyond compare.
Escargo needs to use butter not oil. Even they charge bread...... Should be bread service is free if you order a lot of food. Service is poor After they serve the dessert and we are still eating server bring the check to our table to left. Sauce is good taste but meat is just ok kind over cooking ( i order lamb and cook request was MR)
nannini
incredible casoulet never had such delicious sausage as in this dish and a new desert to die for -buche noel!!! lovely background music and beautiful space -cant wait to return-adam our waiter was great=thank you for making the evening so good
A San Francisco institution of decades, La Central continues to to exceed expectations. The dishes are consistent, delicious, and served with a smile from a superb and friendly staff.
Thatches01
Delicious food but very disappointing and poor service. Felt like we had been forgotten - The staff realized when no drinks order but the service didnt improve throughout the meal. A bit of a shame as nice restaurant and great food
Colleen Palia
Cassoulet is excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Escargot Bourguignon, Le Central Cassoulet, Onion Soup Gratinée
We visited this place for a brunch with friends. When we arrived around 11:30, it was pretty empty, but it got busy later on. We enjoyed the food – everything was great; my favorite was onion soup and beef bourguignon. Our waiter was wonderful and fun.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Onion Soup Gratinée, Beef Bourguignon
Great service and wonderful food. We dine here every time we are in The City and are never disappointed. The menu is excellent! Oysters, beet Napoleon, and onion soup! just wow! thanks for a truly perfect SF/Paris experience.
The food was quite good, if not excellent. The service was slow and inattentive. It was almost like we were purposefully being ignored, though I don't actually think that was the case--it just feels that way when the waiter walks by your table so many times without so much as acknowledging that you're there and have been waiting a long time to place your order.
We got a reservation at the last moment, so were surprised. We got a great table in the bar area, which was our choice, loved the ambience. The French Onion soup was fantastic as was the Steak Frites. They were good size portions, excellent value.
We were unaware that there was a prix fix menu for Valentine's Day. Open Table listing didn't show it. Diners on both side of us left after being seated and finding out dinner was so expensive. Dinner was fine (except for profiteroles; tasted like the freezer).
The food (celery root salad, steak frites and roasted brussel sprouts) was excellent. However, there was initial confusion among the staff about who was responsible for our table, which resulted in quite a delay. However, the biggest problem was the noise level. There was an out of control party of 8+ in back of us and the noise level make it virtually impossible to converse. We literally had to use hand signals and lip reading to have a minimal conversation.
Le Central has been my favorite for years. I worked around the corner in the 80's and 90's and had many lunches sitting next to boys of San Francisco. IYKYK. Everything was nice. The food was almost perfect. I had the Frisée Aux Lardons. It was made with bacon and not lardons. Big difference. The Cassoulet was awesome. The Duck was a little dry. I suspect it did not cook immersed in the actual Cassoulet. The Mousse au Chocolat was perfect. Waiter excellent. Wine was very good. Quite place.
Long standing semi-traditional French SF restaurant doesn't have much going for it food and value wise. Average glass of wine is about $20. Food is good but not great. We had dinner in the barroom while the dining room was completely vacant. Adequate if you're in the neighborhood, but definitely not a destination. An unfortunate contributor to SF s continued decline. Sadly, they are not alone.
Ask for Lindsay! Fantastic food recommendations and wine pairings. Service is top notch and friendly. You won’t be disappointed if you love French Food! ❤️
Iconic San Francisco establishment. Scott our sever is the best of the best. Romantic ambiance. Best beef bourguignon. Delicious escargot. French onion soup beyond compare.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Escargo needs to use butter not oil. Even they charge bread...... Should be bread service is free if you order a lot of food. Service is poor After they serve the dessert and we are still eating server bring the check to our table to left. Sauce is good taste but meat is just ok kind over cooking ( i order lamb and cook request was MR)
incredible casoulet never had such delicious sausage as in this dish and a new desert to die for -buche noel!!! lovely background music and beautiful space -cant wait to return-adam our waiter was great=thank you for making the evening so good
A San Francisco institution of decades, La Central continues to to exceed expectations. The dishes are consistent, delicious, and served with a smile from a superb and friendly staff.
Delicious food but very disappointing and poor service. Felt like we had been forgotten - The staff realized when no drinks order but the service didnt improve throughout the meal. A bit of a shame as nice restaurant and great food
Cassoulet is excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Escargot Bourguignon, Le Central Cassoulet, Onion Soup Gratinée