Baker Street Bistro: Reviews

Baker Street Bistro: Reviews | restaurant info + video | full episode video

Chris Gerben
Name: Chris
Occupation: Stanford Professor
Location: San Francisco
Favorite Restaurant: Baker Street Bistro
Reviewed Baker Street Bistro: Friday, November 22, 2013

Located in Cow Hollow (don’t call it the Marina) a few blocks from the Palace of Fine Arts and the shops of Union and Chestnut streets, and nestled next to the swaying eucalyptus trees of the Presidio, Baker Street Bistro is a romantic and relaxing neighborhood spot. The chef, most of the staff, and the wine list, are French, and the dishes are traditional (as is the seating, which invites you to cozy up to your date, or perhaps meet people next to you.)

The well-known secret is the rotating prix fixe, which is a three-course meal that will leave you full, happy, and still with enough money for drinks, all for about $20. On a recent date night with my wife, we agreed that the Boeuf Bourguignon was the perfect dish for our quiet night out: warm, savory, with generous offerings of beef and wine, it helped us to push off thoughts of the cool night by focusing on our happiness of being alone together.

The service is always inviting, and though the prices can be a bit north of other restaurants in the area, I like to think of it as a very small surcharge for the ability to relax and idle away a night uninterrupted. Whether in France or San Francisco, such excursions provide memories that will also linger long after the food is gone.

Rebecca Cervantes
Name: Rebecca
Occupation: Cross Cultural Educator and Dance Teacher
Location: San Francisco
Favorite Restaurant: Old Jerusalem Restaurant
Reviewed Baker Street Bistro: Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Baker Street Bistro is a hidden gem located on a quiet street next to the Presidio. It is a small, intimate restaurant with casual décor but amazing, classic French bistro cuisine.

The Escargot Bourguignon was one of the standout dishes, served in a ceramic dish, rather than in the shell, with parsley anise butter, I was thankful for the complimentary and constantly replenished baguette so that I could sop up every last drop. The escargot themselves were tender and perfectly done. I was not an escargot fan until this dish.
The other star was the Steak Tartare, of which I am a fan, and order often when I have French food. Their version had the most perfectly balanced flavors I have ever had. Even my dining companions who were not fans agreed that this was the best dish of the night.

The main courses were stellar as well—the Cassoulet Toulousain, with a duck leg falling off the bone tender, sausage and not overly sweet white beans. Also not overly sweet was the Canard a L’Orange, very pink and tender. The Saumon Rôti, served with ginger carrots and spinach, was also quite tasty. The Bourride Provençal was hearty and brimming with chunks of salmon, shrimp and mussels.

For dessert we had the Pear Tart, Crème Brulee and Mousse aux Deux Chocolats. All three were great, but the Crème Brulee stood out because it was so light inside and crispy outside.

Victoria Clinton
Name: Victoria
Occupation: Executive Assistant
Location: Fremont
Favorite Restaurant: Massimo's
Reviewed Baker Street Bistro: Saturday, November 30, 2013

Easy parking was pure luck, right on the corner. We were immediately warmly welcomed and seated at a small, snug table close to other happy patrons longing for the romantic window seat already reserved. After two minutes we were politely invited to move to a more secluded, romantic seating as they strived to please. Wow!

After three baskets of baguettes with sweet, creamy butter accompanied the Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé, we shared the French Onion Soup, which was to die for! Layers of flavor and warmth, which were so traditionally French, along with the mixed green salad, was pretty to look at and even better to devour. The Cassoulet Toulousain was traditional and rich, but so absolutely over the top it transported me to Paris. So much perfection in one dish! The Coquilles St-Jacques au Coulis de Poivron Rouge with Puree de Brocolis and Courgettes Sautees was the hands down real winner! Paired with a fabulous Cote d’ Rhone, it made me want the meal to last forever! Their attention to detail, décor, French accents and warm hospitality was truly memorable. Soft music lingered in the whimsical and seasonal-themed décor.

After our meal, we shared the Fraises Balsamic, which happened to be Shonda’s “The Madam of the House” favorite. The Sautéed Strawberries with coarse black pepper, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar topped with vanilla ice cream went down too quickly, leaving us begging for more.

Bang for the buck? A little pricey, but absolutely top notch and worth every penny! Go again? I can’t wait and am eager to try a summer afternoon outside in the front, like a real French bistro. 100% enjoyable and satisfying.