Chapeau

First time ever having French food. I chose the 3 course meal with the French onion soup, lamb shank and French toast dessert which was heavenly. Also the servers were all so nice.

I wish I had the experience most reviews rave about, but for me, it was pretty mid. On the plus side, we were seated in a corner away from the crowd, which was nice as the restaurant quickly filled up. The tables are quite close together, making it a bit of a squeeze to get in and out for restroom breaks (which I expected to look nicer). The 3- or 4-course option seems like the best value since you get to mix and match appetizers, entrées, and desserts. We started with a complimentary soup taster, which, paired with warm bread and butter, was actually my favorite part of the meal. I ordered the salade lyonnaise (a bacon salad that was a bit salty), the filet mignon (just okay), and the blueberry clafoutis (which I really enjoyed, it reminded me of bread pudding). I also tried the lamb, which I've recently started to appreciate, but this one was too gamey for my taste. By the end of the night, I was definitely full, but for the price, my taste buds weren't exactly impressed. Service was friendly, though they were very busy, and we had to wait quite a while for the check.

I enjoyed my experience at Chapeau however I think they're punch above their weight class. They are definitely striving for that "high dining" experience but aren't making it there just yet.On the positive side, and where it certainly matters most, the food is great and delivers; traditional french/parisian dishes that are elegant, present well and are tasty.The service is also good, nothing spectacular but certainly nothing bad -- about what I'd expected. Where this place definitely lacks is the ambiance. Despite the place not being entirely fully (maybe at 85% capacity) it was extremely loud and very hard to have a conversation at the table without shouting or aggressively leaning in to my dinner companion to hear what they were saying. Additionally, the interior lighting is just way way way too bright like a pharmacy or hospital waiting area. I would strongly suggest that they thin out table count (i.e. only have half as many tables), and drastically dim the lights - add a candle to each table.Retuning to the food; this is what will certainly have me coming back to Chapeau for future visits. The menu has some terrific options, and I appreciate the fact you can choose a 3 or 4 course route or go a la carte. I felt the dishes were well proportioned and the prices mostly reflected the value of the dishes; the entrees are the only items I found a tad bit on the high-side -- those prices should be reduced by about 10% to 20%. While I can't say any of the dishes served were "the best I've ever had," I can certainly say none of them disappointed. I particularly enjoyed that potato gratin (side) and the flavors of the branzino dish. The lamb shank was cooked perfectly and portioned larger than I expected. The beets and the creme brulee were about average, but certainly not bad. I saw folks ordering items items I didn't have an opportunity to try this time so I will certainly come back to have those (escargot, cassoulet, and the filet).

I would give chapeau 4.5 stars overall. We started off with the escargot and onion soup. Escargot was soft in texture and garlicky which we liked. The onion soup was very rich in flavor and satisfying. For the mains, we ordered the lamb shank and cassoulet (pardon my spelling). I think both were very interesting dishes as my wife and were very familiar with these French dishes. The lamb was well braised and the cassoulet was very hearty and filling. I think both main dishes could be improved but I'm not sure how. Service was very nice and made the experience very enjoyable. Overall a nice dining experience.

My daughter wanted to eat here, since she is studying French language at USF and wanted to practice speaking. So we came to visit her at university from our home in Honolulu, where there aren't so many French restaurants and we weren't sure what to expect. Very happily, the food was flavorful and expertly crafted. The service was extremely personal and our server was very personable. We went on Thanksgiving and the ambiance had a very fun, festive, and joyful vibe! A wonderful and unique experience in San Francisco.

Ideally, I'd give Chapeau a 4.5/5. Chapeau offers a bright and inviting dining space with a lively atmosphere. The service, while friendly, could have been a bit more attentive, particularly during peak hours.We indulged in their four-course Restaurant Week menu, which was a delightful culinary journey. The meal began with a creamy and comforting soup, followed by a trio of salmon that was both fresh and buttery. The scallops, served as the second course, were cooked to perfection, tender and sweet.The highlight of the meal was undoubtedly the filet mignon. The meat was cooked to a perfect medium-rare, juicy and flavorful. The rich demi-glace complemented the steak beautifully.While the cassoulet was a hearty and satisfying dish, the duck was slightly dry. However, the overall flavor profile of the dish was good.For dessert, we tried the French toast and crème brûlée. The French toast was a decadent treat, with the salted caramel ice cream providing a perfect balance of sweet and salty. The crème brûlée, while delicious, was a bit too dense for our taste.The French martini was a delightful cocktail, with a taste reminiscent of Jolly Ranchers.Overall, Chapeau offers a memorable dining experience with a focus on quality ingredients and classic French cuisine. While there were a few minor hiccups in the service and one of the desserts, the overall experience was positive.

3.5 Stars Had a last minute dinner here and my favorite thing about this spot is their service. Staff is so friendly and bubbly, made the experience so much more worth it. We opted for the tasting menu with 3 courses. I think the first dish and the main dish were good enough, but definitely not the best I've ever had. The highlight dish was the dessert.Don't think I would come back in the near future just because the dishes lacked the "wow" factor, but the service here might change my mind!

My friend made reservations for my birthday and I was so glad she did. This place was absolutely amazing!!! I would definitely recommend making a reservation because they do get quite busy, especially on a Friday or Saturday night. Our server was very sweet and he recommended the 3 course tasting menu so we could try a bunch of different items since it was my first time there. So we did that and everything tasted so delicious!! We even had a couple desserts to share, which were amazing! I definitely recommend getting the French toast to top of an amazing meal.

Such a warm and accommodating welcome at a recent family function. A bustling atmosphere but with very attentive and friendly service. Food was delightful, especially the filet mignon which was cooked to perfection with a delicious maillard crust. Can't wait to come back again. Highly recommended.

Energetic and attentive staff. Ellen G was our server. Great fixed price menu. Had wonderful sea bass and pork tenderloin. Loved the drinks. Very pretty room.