This is an amazing little french cafe in South Park. I had brunch here yesterday and loved everything about the place, especially the food. The eggs benedict could be the best I've tasted-... More

This is an amazing little french cafe in South Park. I had brunch here yesterday and loved everything about the place, especially the food. The eggs benedict could be the best I've tasted- perfectly cooked eggs set atop slices of french bread, with smoked salmon and topped with creme fraiche. Everything is decadent and truly delicious . Same goes for the Croque Monseiur, a hot sandwich made with brioche and lots of creme fraiche, then grilled. Great coffee as well. And they give you truffles with your check! I will definitely be back to try their crepes.
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Authentic, delicious, fresh and in true French style. Having lived in France in the past, I do miss the unbelievably tasty bistro goodies, and this place fills the need while in SF. The pastries,... More

Authentic, delicious, fresh and in true French style. Having lived in France in the past, I do miss the unbelievably tasty bistro goodies, and this place fills the need while in SF. The pastries, though few in choice, are all flaky winners (but you should get there early, as they do sell out). Ah, and how can one go wrong with a fresh, crusty baguette stuffed with French butter, cornichons and jambon?! There are also a couple of tables outside, so bring Fido with you so you can enjoy great food and people watching in South Park.
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Every time I walked by The Butler and the Chef, I always thought is just going to be an overpriced sandwich shop with a French theme. Who would have thought that under the vintage signs and new... More

Every time I walked by The Butler and the Chef, I always thought is just going to be an overpriced sandwich shop with a French theme. Who would have thought that under the vintage signs and new enamel tabletops promoting classic French brands lurked a real, traditional sandwich shop along the lines of what you find lining the streets near the Sorbonne. The menu at The Butler and the Chef is simple - the sort of food you would take to go and eat while sitting outside, watching the hordes of students passing by if you were in Paris. There are four main categories of food here: cold sandwiches, hot sandwiches, crepes and what I'll call "other". The cold sandwiches are made in the continental style - split baguettes simply dressed with butter instead of mayo. It might take a little getting used to your first time, but once you get through the initial shock of butter, cheese and a slice of french jambon (ham), you realise how decadent it is. The Croque Monseiur, from the hot sandwiches menu, was an amazingly good version - topped with creme fraiche instead of gruyere cheese before placing under the salamander - it's creamy, a little sour and perfect with a slice of tomato and herbes de provence. The crepes looked nice, and there are sweet and savory options available. Finally, in the other category are some salads, soup and the breakfast dishes such as belgian waffles and a fantastic looking pan perdu (french toast). The interior was a little warm last Saturday - but a nice cold Fischer d'Alsace Amber took care of that. Overall, the food was exceptional for what it was. the prices were a little high to make it a weekly stop, but now that it's open weekends (which is amazing in this neighborhood), I'll certainly make a point to stop in for a baguette now and then.
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I can't believe I haven't been here sooner, given that it's so close to our apartment. Having exhausted all of our other Saturday lunch options in our neighborhood, we decided to give the Butler... More

I can't believe I haven't been here sooner, given that it's so close to our apartment. Having exhausted all of our other Saturday lunch options in our neighborhood, we decided to give the Butler and the Chef Bistro in South Park a try. We were very pleasantly surprised - it is a very cute place with a real French feel - lots of French decor (and French music playing) and really cool cafe tables and chairs. I had an excellent Croque Monsieur that I'm still thinking about even the next day. The coffee was good as well; I'm going to note this as a new possible option for coffee-to-go in the area. Their menu is made up of classic dishes that one would find in a Parisian bistro, including soup, salad, quiche, crepes and baguette sandwiches. One of the greatest things about the Butler and the Chef is that it's open 7 days a week, which is great since most of the places around us are closed. The prices are a little high (the Croque Monsieur was $10, coffee was $2), but the food is of excellent quality, and the portions are substantial. Two chocolate truffles accompany the check, which is a nice touch. I'm looking very forward to trying some more of their dishes.
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Lovely venue with a real french feel - the Croc Madame is great. It is lovely to go during the day at lunch time - or even on saturday when it's relatively quiet in the park. The food is... More

Lovely venue with a real french feel - the Croc Madame is great. It is lovely to go during the day at lunch time - or even on saturday when it's relatively quiet in the park. The food is quintissential french with lovely salades and sandwiches. The decor is also very charming.
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