Cafe Claude French Restaurant

Built on reputation and no solid follow-up to keep it. Sadly, this restaurant has been so spoiled for the Loehmann's shoppers that they've forgotten what made them great.

The food has since turned to mediocre, and the passerbys gawking at you has become a huge nuisance. Oh not that I have anything against sidewalk cafes or eateries, they're tons of fun, but this one just isn't cutting it for me.

Finally got a chance to go and check out this place for lunch. Service was fine, but the food was below expectation.

What was good?
The Pate. The highlight of the meal.

What was bad?
The onion soup. It was like putting a large pitch of salt in your mouth. I had to send it back after the first bite.

Everything else(Salmon, Tuna sandwich, steak tartare and Ham sandwich) were below average or average.

We spent $150 for four people at lunch. I would suggest you take your money and go somewhere else.

Pros: Pate. That was the only highlight of the meal.

Cons: No parking, bad food

If you're looking to go out for the night by yourself, then I'd definitely give this place a try. It's hidden and I really liked the ambience of the Parisian style setting. You have to sit at the bar if there is space. Bar is a bit small but I actually prefer it that way. Bartender David made great drinks and I really liked the friendly staff members. I forget the name of the blonde hostess, but I think she's very hot! Portion sizes were perfect. The pan-seared trout and the ahi tuna were perfectly done. The sauce wasn't over powering. Go and meet the frienly staff. Food is really tasty and it really was a gastronomical experience. It appears that this is my new favorite place. Will definitely go back for more. Oh, I forget! Nice weekend Jazz music too! It was very soothing.

The food was delicious and the service was excellent. The first time I had the onion soup, ahi tuna, pomme frites, and chocolate mousse which were all delicious. Two days later, I went back for dinner again and what impressed me the most was that the server remembered my husband and I and had welcomed us back immediately upon seeing us again. She even remembered that I had ordered the ahi tuna and apologized that they had run out of the dish for the evening. I was IMPRESSED! I ordered the trout on her recommendation and it was equally as good the seared ahi tuna. I would definately come back again when I visit San Francisco. Great service, great food, and great ambiance!

Pros: Great prices for a delicious French menu. Service is impeccable.

Bon comme je suis Francais je m'exprime en francais. Mon patron en France a Rennes est un ancien serveur du Cafe Claude (Arnaud Coeff dans les annees 90) et m'a conseille d'aller faire un p'tit tour et je n'ai pas ete decu super ambience, des cocktails allechants et de tres bonnes salades. Bonne continuation a tous. Jeangui

Yum, yum, yum...yum, yum, yum,
Went to Cafe Claude on a Saturday night, had reservations and were seated fairly promptly for such a busy night. Sat at a table outside under a cozy heat lamp. Split appetizers with my husband: a hot steaming bowl of Onion soup with Emmenthaler cheese melted on top and the Endive salad-with creamy blue cheese and candied walnuts to balance the bitter peppery-ness of the leaves. Main courses included the hanger steak and one of the specials, escolar cooked in papillote with shrimp and lobster sauce. Again, Very tasty. Delicious creamy chocolate mousse for dessert. Also had a very unique tasting and delicious red wine with the meal, a Marcel Lapierre Morgon.
Our server, Carlo, was very attentive and ensured that our visit was thoroughly enjoyable!

Pros: Delicious food, great service!

Cons: Can be quite busy on weekends

I went here a few months ago with my fiancee and a friend after work on a Friday. The atmosphere was charming, as it is a small restaurant tucked in a cute side alley and had a jazz quartet playing. But that was nothing compared to the food. We started with a very good appetizer of seafood and mushrooms, but my main course was what was really memorable. I had one of the most delicious dishes I've ever eaten, a juicy pork chop in a sweet carmelized sauce with apples. I'm sure I'll be back, and would definitely recommend it as a date restaurant or one for a few friends.

Pros: amazing food, good service, good music

Cons: can get chilly outside

I went during lunch hour on a Friday and everything was amazing - including the food, the service and the atmosphere! I had the Bavette Frites and the marchand de vin sauce was delicious! They even offer a decadent cheese plate on the menu. I literally felt like I was in a restaurant in Paris! I highly recommend this restaurant!

The food here is great and I think it's a romantic spot for dates too. Wine selection is good as well.

This is our favorite spot for after work, sit at the bar, enjoy a glass of wine, and enjoy the charcuterie plate. The staff is always so nice and warm, they treat everyone like an old friend.

Went to Cafe Claude last night (Saturday). As other reviewers said, the place is not pretentious or stuffy - very comfortable and casual, but not loud, which makes for a great dinner atmosphere. The special mushroom soup was absolutely wonderful; the french onion soup was a bit thin (too much stock), but the flavor was still very well-balanced. The beet salad was very interesting, but my friend and I would have preferred a cheese that was less pungent for this salad. The flank steak was done right, with good flavor, but the coq au vin was completely drowned out by the sauce -- the potatoes, the chicken -- EVERYTHING was overwhelmed by the sauce -- very disappointing. I could barely finish the dish. The desserts were the worst offerings for the night -- the clafoutis was unacceptably dry, and the soft chocolate cake (moelleux) was also dry beyond repair. Sure, you have the creme anglaise, but my friend needed not just one, but TWO, servings of the creme to get through the dessert - and when you have to pour on so much of the creme, you end up losing the chocolate flavor anyway. We have never had trouble finishing desserts, but this was one of those rare occasions where we just had to push the plates away.

Most of the staff seemed friendly and warm, but the (seemingly) French waiter who served us was haughty. He definitely needs some attitude adjustment. Then again, we joked that he was simply bringing us a taste of authentic French attitudes.

In summary, it wasn't a horrible experience, and the prices (as mentioned by other people) were not outrageous either, but in all honesty, it was below my expectations, and it's probably not a place I would go out of my way to visit again.

Pros: Comfortable dining atmosphere

Cons: Entree, desserts, and service needs improvement

I really wanted to LOVE this spot. the interior is warm and charming. The service was stellar. The food was decent but nothing i want to rush back for. We started with the endive salad ...which was fabulous. The perfect combintation of flavours. The beet salad was OK. The feta cheese was too dry...i like a bit of creaminess to help bring out the flavour and texture of the beet. The escargot was overcooked...really rubbery...we left 3/4 of it on the plate. I loved the "en croute" part but that was about it. It was also pretty flavourless...which was odd...because you can usually guarantee atleast a great garlic dipping sauce for your bread :0) The steak tartar was large, beautifully prepared tableside but for some reason fell short. We added extra salt and mustard..but nothing really made it "pop". The coq a vin was very tasty. The wine list by the glass is pretty minimal. I'll try it again at some point---probably. its not too far from home.

I made a reservation and asked for a nice table for my anniversary. Not only did I have a nice table, but the food and service was fantastic. The owner came over to our table to wish us a happy anniversary and gave us dessert on the house. I highly recommend for a nice night out. But, get there early because they fill up fast.

My husband and I went there for our first anniversary and it was great. We made reservations via OpenTable the hostess read our requests and honored them. I was a bit worried the jazz music would ruin the mood, but it's actually quiet, subtle music, very relaxing... Our server was great, he recommended a wine and told us what he liked on the menu. The food was super yummy. Parking is kinda crazy, we parked at a lot on Sutter. The ambiance was very french, the alley way and the decor are perfect.

Pros: very romantic, great food, service

Cons: parking's difficult

I took my girlfriend to Cafe Claude last New Year's Eve- I realize this is quite some time ago, but that should give you a clue to how great an impression the experience at this restaurant left in my mind. The food was absolutely exquisite, the service was as good as I have ever experienced, and the atmosphere along with the live music made this a truely unforgettable New Year's Eve dinner. Although not cheap, the experience was worth every penny. I hope to visit Cafe Claude again next time I'm in San Francisco. Also, I'd like to mention how impressed I am with how responsive Cafe Claude's manager has been here on Citysearch. You won't find many places around that care so much about their customer's experiences.

Both of us had great meals---every course from soup to dessert was excellent. The Coq au Vin was especially superior. Problems were understanding the French waiter, and getting a table in the main bar/dining area. We were in a side dining room which would be noisy if anywhere near full, and had a poor table setup (for people watching). Minor irritations. Don't let them seat you on Claude street(alley), which smelled.

Pros: Great Food, attentive waiters, fun atmosphere in main dining/bar/entertainment area

Cons: understanding waiter, other dining areas

Very good service. Went around 7 on a Sunday night, seemed busy, but the staff seated me right away. They all seems to speak french, which was good practice for me.
Good choices on the menu. My only complaint was that the bread was a little hard.
The lamb was quite good.
I'll be back for sure.

Pros: Great staff, and food

Cons: not worth mentioning, but the bread was a little hard. oops I mentioned it.

I'll keep it short: I tend to go to Cafe Claude for business lunches. The service is always good & friendly, and they are always very accommodating with my frequently last-minute lunch reservations (they accommodate whenever possible, but it's not always possible). The food is always well-prepared & presented, and just the right size portions. The room is beautiful, with just the right lighting. I feel like I'm having dinner when I'm in there (and that's good)! The soup there is so good that I'm loathe to get it from any other place! Just a wonderful balance of flavors. Excellent place. Great room.

Pros: Excellent in every way

Cons: None yet

It was my friend's last night in town so I decided to take her to my favorite tucked away bistro, Cafe Claude! Wanting to try their full on french experience, we asked the waiter their suggestions on typical french food to try at least once. They suggested the escargots en croute, steak tartare, and a pate plate to share in order to get a taste of multiple dishes. We took all their recomendations and everthing was ABsolutely FABulous! Since it was getting late, we moved indoors to finish off our bottle of champagne and the staff was completely accomodating. To finish off this delighteful dindin we ordered a tarte tatin (yummy yummy), the perfect sweet to end the night. I know my friend is going to want to go back when she isits, yet I am lucky enough to go back everyday!

Pros: Food, Friendlly service

After ten years of living in San Francisco and diving in and out of numerous other French bistros in the area, we finally gave Cafe Claude a try. I had seen their space before - warm, modern, with great live music - and we expected the best. Unfortunately, the food was quite poor that night: both our salads were tasteless, the coquilles st jacques was the worst we've ever had, and the steak tartare was so-so (although it was served with a great flourish!). We had left the possibility open to each take a "plat" after the second course, but we decided to cut our losses and ask for the bill instead. Perhaps it was an off night at Cafe Claude? Or perhaps the kitchen should care more about the ingredients that they use?

Pros: Nice ambience, Good service

Cons: Bad food

Drawn in by the sound of jazz, I checked this place out for a quick bite last saturday night. Just sitting at the bar was an enjoyable experience, with a courteous and attentive bartender, fabulous appetizers and a band playing before your eyes. The restaurant was busy, but not taking away from the ambiance. I got a chance to chit chat with some of the wait staff who were very approachable and a great ressource for places to check out in Paris. The wine list was innovative and well paired with the bistro dishes.
Highly recommended on all counts... Enjoy!

Pros: wine selection, great snacks

Cons: parking

Delicious food, fabulous atmosphere, great wine list & cocktails, wonderful live music... Cafe Claude is definitely a place to visit again and again!

Cafe Claude is one of my new favorite spots. I recently visited this little gem during the week when its not as busy and I can relax and linger over dinner. My boyfriend and I love French food and this place was impressive. From the start, you're greeted by practically the entire staff making it a very welcoming environment. The waiter was attentive and very helpful with our choice of apps, entree, sides and a wine to fit the whole. My favorite is the steak tartare with table-side preparation. It's like having dinner and a show, not to mention excellent food. What more can you ask for? Great date spot or girls night out to check out the cute waiters.
Highly recommended for the great ambiance, service, and food. Two thumbs up!

Pros: food, service, everything

Cons: parking

I have to be honest, I've had co-workers who raved about the place for years, but for whatever reason, I never made it. My parents came into town about 3 weeks ago and were craving some French cuisine and what do you know, Cafe Claude pops into my head. So, we decided to give it a shot.

The service was immediate, the wine was fabulous and the food even better. Not to mention the quaint decor inside (and out). My folks walked out of their raving about the place and my dad even invited one of the waiters to play golf with him while in the Bay Area they bonded so well. So, here's a big 'job well done' from everyone from the cooks to the wait staff to the bartenders. You will see me again...and I have an inkling you'll see my folks again soon too. :) Until then...

Pros: Service, Food

Cozy atmosphere and fairly attentive service, but one main course was inedible -- and it was one of the specials!! The web site advertised "decadent specials" and music, but we had an early reservation and learned upon arriving that the music would not begin until two hours later.

When we ordered a bottle of red wine the waiter encouraged us to try a more expensive one, but we stayed with the 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape and it was excellent.

My husband ordered the Tuna Tartare and Duck a l'Orange. I ordered the Charcuterie Plate and Bavette Sauce Poivre Vert. The appetizers were good; the steak was delicious, though small. However, the duck, a small leg and thigh, had very little edible meat. A complimentary dessert wine was consolation for the inedible duck, but we would have preferred that the waiter remove the cost of the duck from our bill.

Pros: Atmosphere

Cons: Food

Every time I go to Cafe Claude, their live music groups amaze me. My favorites usually fall on Thursdays with Steve Lucky or Belinda Blair, then again their French DJ Alexis is a must for vintage French "yeye" music. With great little appetizers and a couple glasses of wine, my girlfriends and I always love this place after work or before a night on the town. Also one of my favorite date spots for its cozy ambiance.
Theres never a very long wait for a table, but even so, the food is well worth it. I love their Lacoste uniforms and of course the French staff with their adorable accent makes me want to learn French. As you can tell, Im a regular.

Pros: live music, great food, charming waiters

Cons: parking

Now, being french myself, I know good french food when I find it, and this was an amazing find.
For dinner, we started with a terrine of foie gras they had on special, and I must admit, it was the best I've ever had! We tried the escargots en croute, which were to die for, and I don't even like escargots... My husband had the roasted lamb which he devoured instantly it was so good, while I had the Ahi tuna served perfectly with a side of roasted potatoes.
Our waiter was very patient with our ordering and even recommended us a fabulous half bottle of Chateau Brown. What topped off the night was the live jazz, which made the entire evening perfect. From the food to the service, everything was smooth and delightful. This restaurant definitely reminded me of my favorite bistros in Paris without the 11 hour flight.

Pros: Great service, Great food, Great decor/ambiance

Cons: There's only one!, Difficult parking

My fiance and I love this place. We have been there twice. The only complaint I have is that it takes at least 15 minutes to get seated even with a reservation. We like the mushroom ravioli and the escargot as appetizers. This place is just like a small cafe in Paris. Down to the fact that a few of the servers are French with thick French accents. It is very loud in the restaurant since there is usually live music on weekends, but still has a romantic atmosphere.

Pros: Food, Service

Cons: Wait, Parking

The rain was pouring down, it was the wknd before Christmas, we couldn't get a cab, we missed our reservation by an hour and a half. We were at the point where we didn't want to go out anymore. Once there, we were instantly impressed. The cocktails were perfect, the waiter was patient, polite, attentive. My husband got the soup and when I borrowed his spoon to have a taste, the waiter appeared out of nowhere with another spoon for him. The jazz was good; subtle, but if you are looking to go and eat and watch Jazz, not the place for you. On the other hand, it's one of the best dining experiences in San Francisco we've had in a long time. The Kobe steak was melt in your mouth; the lamb was perfect. If you like onion soup, get it, it's delicious. It's French, without the richness.

Sometimes you need a place to linger over a bottle of wine and catch up on the news of whoever you're with. Surrounded by vintage Air France posters and a huge zinc bar, this is a good place to do it. The food is solid--it's not the gastronomic temple that other places are. This is the place to have a jazz band in the background and be unrushed over a plate of their excellent cheeses.

Actually, I wish this place was my secret. Forget about what I just wrote. It is really bad, the escargots are served raw, and all the waiters all smoke galoises while working. Don't come! Stay away!

Pros: Tres chic

Having a reservation is recommended, staff was incredibly attentive. We were celebrating an event and the staff had full knowledge with great discretion, no tacky singing and embarrasement here. I highly recommend the Coq Au Vin. This chef is something to experience. A true dining pleasure! The staff was indeed knowlegable, from the hostess with correct directions to the wait staff who didn't miss a beat, in fact such service being so incredible, went unnoticed the way dining is to be, anticipated by the attention to detail of the staff. Well, this is the place to go, Cafe Claude has it all, food, service, discretion all in an intimate dining experience. DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!

Pros: excellent food, great value, highly trained staff

Cons: more detailed directi

Wanted to dine here for a long time and it was well worth the wait. From the moment we walked in, everything was gracious and enjoyable. Staff- friendly. Atmosphere- lovely. Food- decadent. Everytime i dine out "french", i always try the specialty's. They did not dissapoint - Kobe steak tartare; charcuterie platter of fresh pate, saucisson, cheese; Escargot a la bourguignonne- if you've never had them before-ever, have them here; Coq Au Vin. Don't forget dessert- chocolate pot de creme. It's a new favorite restaurant and I can't wait to go back.

Pros: service, food, atmosphere

Cons: parking - take a cab

Everything about this place was perfect. Right at the start, I admitted to our server that I was a neophyte when it came to french food. For the rest of the evening, he graciously and patiently guided us through some suitable selections for our taste, including appetizers, wine, etc -- I wish I remembered the name of my dish, it was fabulous. The entire staff really made us feel comfortable from start to finish. Someone always seemed to be coming by at the right time. The live jazz made for a great ambience, without ever drowning out the conversation. We will definitely come back to Cafe Claude on our next visit to SF.

Pros: Great Service, Food, Live Music

Recently some friends and I went to Cafe Claude to check out their renovation. They've done a great job and improved on an already great formula. The interior is warmer and cozier. Great for a date or small group. The food is perfect french bistro, delicious and affordable. The specials were outstanding. We particularly liked the Poulet Roti and the Coq au Vin. If you want a real treat, order the Steak Tartare. The service was warm and attentive. Our waiter would appear exactly when we needed a refill in our wine glasses. It gets busy on weekends with live music, but it all adds to a great night. We'll be back.

The service was sloooow in that it took the server forever to bring salads, which require very little prep time to begin with. (In his defense, it was quite busy...) The food was mediocre. I ordered a Croque Monsieur and it was drenched in bechamel, to the point where it was inedible.

Pros: Outdoor Seating, Sometimes free music

Cons: Food is not very good, Slow service

The live music as great. Food was ok, the crawfish crepe was really good, but the escargot was too salty and drowned in butter, almost inedible -- I know, its very traditional French, but in Paris, I've had escargot in a puff pastry ring with a cream sauce that was heavenly and very edible. Even though the seating was tight, the atmosphere made it fun and friendly.

Pros: live jazz, lively atmosphere, friendly

Cons: escargot, parking, crowded

Ok so I don't know the french language well enough to write it but I know french food and Cafe Claude is so delicious. I've been there twice - once with a bunch of girlfriends to gab and drink wine outside in the charming alley seating and once on date, which was quite romantic - and both times the food and service were right on. The chicken was tender and the pork was to die for. On my date, there was live jazz and a cozy, yet lively vibe - perfect friday dinner.

Pros: delicious food, live jazz, cool atmos/patio

This tucked away restaurant gave me one of the best dining experience I've had in a long ltime. The location is on a short side street away from the crowd, which reminds me of cafes and restaurants in Europe. The decor and ambience of Cafe Claude was very charming and intimate -- definitely recommend it for first dates.

Service to me is everything, and the whole staff made us felt very comfortable. They have definitely enhanced our dining experience without the smothering.

Let's talk food! I usually prefer sweet crepe over savory, but their crawfish asparagus crepe was absolutely to die for. The couple next to our table saw it and immediately asked their server for an order, and they weren't disappointed either. Overall the food was very flavorful but not overpowering. Good selection of local and european wine by the glass, half craft and full bottle.

Pros: Price, Service, Food