Chez
Papa — Bistrot
French
Provencal Cuisine
By
Dining Detectives
We
have dined at Chez Papa many times and always
feel right at home. Actually, when asked to recommend an intimate
fun restaurant in San Francisco we normally say "Try
Chez Papa on Potrero Hill." It is the quintessential
French bistro with a casual interior, comfortable red chairs and
metal tables, as well as outdoor sidewalk dining typical of bistros
in the south of France. The atmosphere is lively but not too noisy
and there is light jazz in the background. We met the new Executive
Chef Rodolfo Castellanos Reyes who hails from Oaxaca,
Mexico, the culinary capital of Mexico. He worked as a youth in
his family's restaurant, went to culinary school then to Monaco
and San Francisco at Jardinière, where he honed his culinary
skills. He told us that he was quite pleased to be at this popular
dining spot on Potrero Hill and would continue the tradition while
adding some of his own twists.
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We
ordered some Sparkling water and perused the menu. We were pleased
to see that Sun -Thursday there was a three course Prix Fixe dinner
with multiple choices for only $35.00! The two starters that we
enjoyed were the Roasted Wild Mushroom Tart with parmesan cheese,
frisee salad and honey vinaigrette which was luscious and the
Kobe Beef tartare with quail egg, Dijon mustard, ketchup, parsley,
shallots, capers and cornichons which was spicy and fresh tasting.
The main courses that we loved were the Lamb Daube with
rosemary wine sauce and seasonal vegetables which melted in your
mouth and the Sautéed Petrale Sole with leak fondue, Dungeness
crab and fine herbs with winter citrus which was light, delicious
and heavenly! We normally have their fabulous Mussels but preferred
to try some new things and were glad we did.
The
wine List features 25 wines by the glass. We enjoyed the 2006
Trecini Sauvignon Blanc from the Russian River Valley which was
very lively and fruity and paired well with both the Tart and
Sole. The 2006 Chateau Bonnet Andre Lurton Bordeaux paired well
with the Tartare and the 2005 Maxime Chomel Crozes Hermitage Cuvee
Sassenas Rhone paired perfectly with the Lamb and was full bodied
and toasty with hints of oak.
The
desserts were both delicious. We loved the Chocolate Fondant &
Crème Anglaise which was delightful yet not too sweet.
The Apple Tarte Tatin & Crème Fraiche was
also fabulous! Our double espressos were perfect....strong, hot
with a lovely crèma. The 2005 Domaine de Durban Muscat
de Baumes de Venise, Rhone dessert wine was the perfect finish
to our fabulous meal.
Chez
Papa Bistrot serves excellent French cuisine. The presentation
is lovely, the flavors are rich and the entrees are generous servings.
The Prix Fixe menu is also an excellent value! We also appreciate
that they use black napkins which leave no lint on black pants.
We'll be back again soon!
Chez
Papa - Bistrot
1401 18th Street
San Francisco, CA. 94103
415-824-8205
www.chezpapasf.com/bistrot
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