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Frances

New American Restaurant$$$$

Castro, San Francisco

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Frances

9.0^/10

648

ratings

Ranked #9 for wine in San Francisco
Has a stamp of approval from Bon Appetit Magazine and Eater
"Highly recommend the beignets, spaghetti, and the lumberjack cake."(13 Tips)
"Pork chop, lumberjack cake, and bacon beignets were amazing."(24 Tips)
"Start with a market shot, hits the spot every time!"(7 Tips)
"When CIA Alumnus Melissa Perello opened Frances"(4 Tips)

157 Tips and reviews

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good for dates
lumberjack cake
market shot
trendy
healthy food
perello
restaurants
desserts
bacon
tasting menu
kale salad
bar
pork chops
polenta
meats
great value
chicken livers
affogatos
soup
good for special occasions
(15 more)

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EaterOctober 17, 2014
Snag a dinner reservation at Frances tonight. Always begin with her bacon beignets, at this easygoing, timeless neighborhood nook, and finish with a slice of rich, apple-filled lumberjack cake. Read more
CITY GRITAugust 1, 2014
Melissa Perillo, a Michelin starred Mama, might serve our favorite Italian dishes in the city. Reservations are recommended, as are the Squid Ink Linguine, Chicory Panzanella, and the Black Cod.
Vivian WongNovember 19, 2015
Their #quail was the best, the #steak (picture) was good, the affogato was absolutely delicious. I would go back just for the #affogato 10/10 would recommend. Great location for a pre-theater meal.
AFAR MediaAugust 12, 2014
Frances is the neighborhood restaurant you wish were just around the corner from you. The place is small & cozy with 50 seats & a bar. The menu changes daily. Their oysters & quail were fantastic. Read more
diana🐇December 22, 2015
The snapper and the duck confit were amazing, as were the appetizers and sides (Brussels sprouts) we had. Wine by the ounce is really fun. You can get in the same day if you take a 10 pm reservation.
Julien FromthewellOctober 13, 2016
Best food we had in US on our ending 2 weeks trip. First chef so far that actually understands balance and kicks ass at it. Service also incredibly attentive. The lentil/beetroot we had was ** veg!
SFGateAugust 2, 2014
On all my visits, cannelloni ($17) was the vegetarian main course option. Tender crepes are wrapped around kale with melted leeks, mushrooms and La Tur cheese that has the texture of ice cream. Read more
Andrew CerdaSeptember 11, 2013
Stick to the affordable house wine and you can order all of the bouchees and appetizers - they're divine! And if there's a soup, you have to order it! Perello has a knack for soups.
David RMarch 3, 2017
Probably the best restaurant in Castro. Great for dates or a small group. Pork chop, lumberjack cake, and bacon beignets were amazing.
LaurenNovember 11, 2013
Bacon Beignets! Very down to earth restaurant, delicious, concentrated menu selection that changes seasonally. Make sure to book reservations WAY in advance, it's hard to get into for sure.
timoni westApril 17, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Go with a tiny group, or by yourself, and sit at the bar, order wine, and those frites (!). If you want to go with a larger group, go very late on a weekday, or make a reservation.
Johnnie SkywalkingJune 2, 2015
Babette steak was tasty and healthy choice but the best was duck. Never had duck this soft and sensitively flavored. Perfect with 1.5$ per ounce wine.
Sam SpadeApril 18, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Cannot stress enough how excellent of a spot this is. No bullshit, just real, tasty food. Plain and simple. Eat the everything and trust your waiter. Sit at the bar facing the kitchen if you can!
Brook ShelleyDecember 27, 2019
Excellent food, with generous portions. The pork chop was juicy and perfectly balanced and their vegetables were a delight. The squid was particularly delightful.
Isabella WeiMarch 27, 2018
Fantastic service! Loved every dish but special mentions go to the lumberjack cake and grilled kohlrabi salad
Lee HuffordJanuary 29, 2017
Good food and service. Little pricey, $300+for 4 people (we brought our on wine, 2010 Stags Leap). Not a date night place, but great for a very special occasion, if you save for it.
Hai LiDecember 1, 2017
Located in the heart of Castro, it’s one of my favorite restaurants in the neighborhood. It's hard to book a spot so why not try walk-in..
Jean-Pierre PommetAugust 13, 2016
Refined rustic food. It may sound like an oxymoron but it is so worth every bite ! Bone appétit !! 👌
SFGateAugust 2, 2014
The short wine list features a standout innovation: They blend his own house red and white wines and then offers them for $1 an ounce; diners drink what they want and pay accordingly. Read more
Tom CoatesOctober 21, 2018
The tasting menu is really not much more than the normal menu and is pretty good fun. Not too ostentatious or heavy and you’ll have a good time with it.
David AllardyceOctober 19, 2013
Definitely worth a visit. House-blended wine was excellent. Service attentive and friendly. Would recommend and revisit next time I'm in San Francisco.
PureWowAugust 16, 2016
Don’t judge the lumberjack cake by its color. The flavor is rich and layered, thanks to Medjool dates, pears and coconut. Read more
Kelly 🍰June 9, 2013
Delightful. One Michelin Star restaurant is a hidden gem in Castro area. Bread is only on request. Be careful, tables are extremely close together and it's difficult to get out!
Brandon WilliamsonAugust 27, 2014
Excellent price and service for a Michelin quality restaurant! Don't pass up the bacon beignets, and the seasonal soups are always a winner
Elliott PoppelAugust 23, 2013
Baked Cherrystone clam (with fennel, mushroom, bacon, kale, and white corn) bouche and the Sonoma duck breast with lacinato kale main from my last visit.
Diana ArzNovember 19, 2016
Very elegant, everything tastes perfect. Make a reservation in advance, try dessert.
EaterDecember 1, 2010
Melissa Perello returns with Frances, an easy-going nook with a menu to match that’s swiftly become the muse of local rags, international pubs and the James Beard Foundation. [Eater 38 Member] Read more
Daniel SalinasJuly 22, 2014
While you generally need to call for a reservation 60 days in advance, they have a small amount of bar seating for rushing. If you live in the neighborhood you can drop your name off even.
Nik MittelsdorfSeptember 14, 2015
Good housewine, awesome little gems, great trout, excellent quail, marketshots, best seasonal food in town. Awesome service.
Jacob GyllenstiernaDecember 15, 2013
Get the kale salad and bavette steak. Finish with the boozy affogato. All amazing. The wine by the ounce is a great deal.
Lynne 🐰 QuFebruary 4, 2016
Beer and wine are amazing! Love the dessert. The duck entree was a bit dry and salty tho.
@JaumePrimeroDecember 6, 2014
The ricotta gnocchi: one of the best dishes I've had at any restaurant in recent memory.
The FeastJune 13, 2011
This cozy Castro newcomer is the talk of the town with charming decor and Melissa Perello's creative yet refined take on California cuisine. Wine here is a great deal, priced by the ounce. Read more
Bikash MishraJanuary 17, 2017
Excellent neighborhood feel for a top class restaurant. Fab service and food!
Wilson Favre-DelerueAugust 15, 2017
Good food though overhyped in view of how difficult it is to obtain a reservation here.
Matthew NeumarkDecember 27, 2014
Had the duck breast and white bean with cornmeal. All was outstanding! You have to order the apple desert. It was to die for.
Fran SuAugust 10, 2018
Lovely tasting menu, excellent service!
Elizabeth BarelliDecember 13, 2014
One my favorites in the city. Try the beignets, the Panisse, the pasta and the Lumberjack cake (best surprise)
Ben BarclaySeptember 10, 2016
One of the best restaurants in SF. Highly recommend the beignets, spaghetti, and the lumberjack cake.
Odile RoujolFebruary 28, 2016
Beignets. Tender steaks. And super desserts
SFGateAugust 2, 2014
Specialties: Applewood smoked bacon beignets; chickpea fritters; kale salad; lumberjack cake. Read more
Garry TanApril 12, 2016
Bavette steak is the best steak I've had in years.
Maura LeppoOctober 4, 2012
Can't go wrong here. Every ingredient of every dish thoughtfully and beautifully prepared. Staff is warm and genuine. Get whatever they recommend. .
cyn kApril 2, 2013
if they have it, get the chicken liver mousse. it's better than foie gras. i'd pass on the bacon donuts, but love their soups and steak.
Nima Elyassi-RadFebruary 11, 2018
Fantastic soup. Also love that the house wine is available by the oz. Best part: desert.
LukaFebruary 6, 2015
Market-driven Californian cuisine in a tiny Castro restaurant. Get Applewood Smoked Bacon Beignets, it's a must Read more
Sandeep MadhurDecember 29, 2017
Delicious flavorful food with nice wine pairings. Steak and cauliflower were perfect complements!
Oscar NAugust 9, 2015
Perfect combination of excellent food and relaxed atmosphere. Best!
Stephanie YeungMay 17, 2017
Been here 5+ times
Start with a market shot, end with the lumberjack cake.
Kay KApril 15, 2013
France's is an amazing restaurant with very high quality food. You should make sure to reserve well in advance.

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