Le Charm

Food-Raw risotto. Requested a re-fire to only receive a slightly more cooked with remaining crunchy bits of raw risotto. A friend and I had to send it back. He had his dish replaced with the steak (requested medium and received medium rare--leaning on the rare side) and I had mine replaced with the salmon. The salmon came raw. I got tired of sending food back and by that time my appetite had faded away. It's hard for me to not want to eat, but this place did it. The manager apologized that I didn't like their risotto, but I mean who would like undercooked risotto? I then attempted to talk to the manager about the three times I had to send back food and express my dissatisfaction even till the final dish (tart tartine). It was burnt. I even had other friends taste it to verify it and confirm that it was not just my rage. She apologize insincerely and said that they could have re-fired the salmon (SERIOUSLY??? Third time sending back raw food and you still expect people to trust that they won't get sick from your food?). After I walked away, she was stupid enough to give dirty looks when the rest of my party was still there. I definitely do not recommend this restaurant to ANYONE, even my greatest enemies. There are so much more exceptional or even average French restaurants in San Francisco that no one should waste their time at Le Charm Bistro. more

The prix fixe is a great deal, especially for French food in this city. Service and ambiance are good and if you are lucky enough to be seated on the patio it is hard to find a more romantic place in town. My boyfriend and I have been here several times and we always leave smiling. Pros: beautiful patio, great value Cons: parking is iffy but worth a walk more

We had a family reunion last may... daughter graduated from law school. there were 22 of us ages 1 to 51. Everyone enjoyed the food and the ambience, even our picky eaters. The manager was very helpful and kind. Cons: only one bathroom more

For $28, the 3 course prix fixed meal is worth it. I wouldn't rant and rave that it's particulary wonderful 'tho. The French Onion Soup was nicely prepared, mine had a lot of cheese but my friend complained his hardly had any. I liked that this soup wasn't over salted. The pork pate was quite firm, served w/toast & a salad. It was not memorable. Both diners who ordered the duck confit complained the legs were very, very dry. Either the ducks were precooked long ago, and left in the refrigerator for days before reheating, or the legs were stored in the fridge for days prior to cooking. The Pomme Causeur served w/it was just ""ok"", didn't like it enough to finish. The grilled beef tritip brochette was sm portion and spicy. The pomme frites served with it was the only really good thing on that dish, thin & crispy. My friend had the steak which she thought was good. The desserts were the highlight of the whole meal - especially the orange creme brulee, a creamy brulee with wonderful crunchy crust and hint of orange, garnished w/orange slices. The apple tart was good but not great as was the rum raisin pudding soaked in rum. Lots of rum and raisin, but a sm pudding bread - which was quite good, if you didn't mind the overwhelming rum. Our server was friendly & apologized for forgetting to give my friend the dessert menu to look at. The restaurant has a sm front room and a larger back room where we say 2 long tables of men meeting for dinner. The neighborhood isn't great(street bums) and you would need to go for an early dinner to find street parking. Pros: dessert were better than the meal Cons: duck confit too dry, food ok but not wonderful more

We were there at Le Charm because one of my gal pal highly recommend it. The price was good but I didn't feel so much ""charm"" from the staff there. The food was also just so-so with really small portion if you order from the ""deal"" meal. I left feeling that I need to go to another French restaurant so I can get really good pomme frites and get more food. Pros: Cheap French food Cons: Cheap French food, food portion made for skinny models more

Small cute french restaurant with tall windows that let in a lot of natural light. We got the prixe fix for $25 each. We ordered the smoke salmon tartare, glazed fig salad, tritip steak, duck confit, apple tart and the crème brulee. All very delicious and especially for that price! All washed down with wine. We walked out of there with wide grins and full stomaches without damaging our wallets. It's in SOMA and parking in the evenings is pretty easy. Pros: low key and great service more

I took my fiancee here for her birthday dinner yesterday and it was superb. Don't miss the Filet Mignon Rossini with Foie Gras and truffle sauce. We're really picky about service and one of our favorite dinner pasttimes is to critique the service. All we could about our waitress was ... ""Wow, she's good."" I had been there once before on a business dinner and the service/food were equally as good. The maitre d' was extremely nice and concerned that we were happy with our table. The wine list isn't terribly extensive but there are a few nice choices. Don't miss this place, it's really great. Pros: Service, Food Cons: Smallish wine list more

As others have noted, the prix fixe is a great deal. The food is not always novel (how many ways can they present the duck leg, etc), but it's always a solid feed. Great value for French food in the City. The wait help seems to change from week to week, but the service is usually adequate. You will leave full and happy. Pros: great value, tasty vittles Cons: neighborhood, parking more

My husband and I love to dine here. Sit out on the patio and enjoy the prie fix and a nice bottle of wine. Service is always friendly and unpretenious. Highly recommended! Pros: food, value more

Go to the patio and sit among the christmas lights. Very romantic. The Prix Fixe menu for $28 covers appetizer, main course, and dessert. Good deal. The duck confit was good and the floating island and creme brulee were excellent. The location is something to desired though, in a tough part town, but hey, there was lots of free street parking. They should get better patio furniture. Pros: good value, tasty, easy parking Cons: bad part of town, bad patio furniture more

Had an enjoyable meal here with a large group recently. They've got a prix fixe menu, which can get on the pricey side especially if you order a bottle of wine (or two). But a good overall experience. more

Le Charm was nice enough, the food was decent and the price was affordable. But for a little bit more money, there are much better restaurants out there that have better food and much better service (such as Clementine on Clement street, my absolute favorite French restaurant). Our service was slow and the server unattentive to our needs. Pros: dessert more

The food was good. The service was not really for a French restaurant. Unless you get seats outside, the restaurant has no charm. But I think I would go back... good food for $30, why not? Pros: food, price Cons: service, location more

Le Charm has the best menu for a resonable price you can find in San Francisco. The service is personable and efficient. I have been twice and will surely go again. The food and presentation were impecable. The wine list had a wide variety including all price ranges. A must for locals. Pros: Service, Food, Ambiance Cons: Neighborhood more

Some dishes were excellent, e.g. the onion soup. The ambiance is excellent. The service, however, was more fitting for a country tavern than for a city restaurant. The wine list is very, very limited. If you go, then go for the food. If you want service as well, then go to Fringale. more

I've rarely been disappointed with the warm and inviting Le Charm. Good value, especially at lunch. Delicious steak. A wonderful spot for couples. Pros: atmosphere, food more

Have been there a number of times for lunch, the latest 4/8/03. Today, my chicken entree was a little dry from overcooking, but the food is usually above average. Smoked salmon appetizer is always good, as is the salmon entree. Soups are usually excellent. The menu changes from time to time and the specials are varied and interesting. It's bistro fare with clever sauces, smallish portions and reasonable prices. Service can be a bit slow on crowded days but is always friendly and competent. Decor is simple and straightforward. The patio in the back is very nice during warm weather. Pros: Good Food, Nice Outdoor Area, Reasonable Prices Cons: Slow When Busy more

Le Charm has been my favorite restaurant for five years. No other restaurant compares to it in terms of food quality and value, service and charm. The owner is a class act, who always makes her customers feel welcome. The prix fixe menu is expansive -- whatever you choose, you're in for a treat. Pros: Great service, Delicious food, Good value more

Making weekend dinner reservations here? Well beware. I was trying to make a reservation for a birthday. So I give my name and number and she asks for a credit card number without explaining why. When I asked she said they need it to hold reservations on weekends. She didnt mention it would be charged til I questioned further - you get charged for all those who don't show up. if you book for 10 and 1 person doesn't show, you get charged as if they ate -- how? Well weekends are prix fixe menu only. She didn't tell me that either. $25/head. Sounds like a good deal, but it would have been nice to know that ahead without having to interrogate her for the info. Cons: policy explanations, w/holding info more

Located on 5th Street in the part of SOMA that remains a featureless urban wasteland between the upscale Moscone Center and the newly renovated China Basin, Le Charm is a pleasant diversion in an otherwise unpleasant neighborhood. While the small dining room is only sparsely decorated, the food more than makes up for the somewhat cramped quarters. Featuring delicious, classic French bistro fare, including French Onion Soup, Coquilles St. Jacques, Duck Confit, Seafood Bourride, Crème Brûlée, and Grand Marnier Crepes as part of a three course $25 prix fixe menu, Le Charm does not disappoint. With conscientious servers, the dining room has a casual, neighborhood atmosphere and liveliness. The wine list fairly priced, but selections are limited. With a modest corkage fee of $10, the best bet is to bring a special bottle from your own cellar. Le Charm deserves accolades for delivering simple, solid bistro fare at bargain prices. Pros: Inexpensive, Delicious Cons: Bad neighborhood, Lack of parking more