Review of La Folie San Francisco – French Contemporary Dining
If you’re looking for elegant French Contemporary cuisine in the San Francisco area (Russian Hill),you will certainly find it at La Folie. The award-winning restaurant is family-run, very sophisticated but also comfortable and welcoming. The subdued wood tones and glow about the small dining room create a feeling that is intimate and very relaxing. Impeccable service makes you feel like a cherished guest and well taken care of.
We enjoyed a five-course meal and a delectable Bordeaux, Chateau Olivier recommended by the knowledgeable sommelier. Choices were offered among the courses, so we (mostly) went in different directions to see and sample more.
I had a lovely Heirloom Tomato Salad with Burratta Cheese to start – and for him, Sauteed Gurgundy Snails served in a veal bone. The latter was as rich and wonderful (and French) as you would imagine.
In fact, the whole meal was rich and wonderful and French-inspired.
For our second course, neither one of us could resist the Lobster and Mushroom Risotto (who ever could?). It was creamy and scrumptious and I could have stopped there, but I didn’t. For my entree, I chose the Crispy Duck Confit Gateau – presentation as well as taste was spectacular. For him – beef of course, appropriately called Le Boeuf (Wagyu Ribeye). He described it as buttery, tender and melt in your mouth and it looked just that.
In for a penny, in for a pound – I know, let’s have cheese course comprised of 8 cheeses! Soooo good with a lovely and golden honeycomb.
Finally, there was dessert. Even after all the fantastic dishes, this may have been my favourite. Perhaps because it was a dessert made of cheese: the Edam Cheese Souffle with a cheese sorbet. This really defies description (cheese sorbet? it works!), other than a string of words meaning ‘heavenly’. Meanwhile, my dining companion went in a chocolate direction and enjoyed “The Sunset” – a warm, bittersweet chocolate fondant with chocolate ganache topped with creme anglaise and brandied dried fruits.
This dinner was amazing and would prove to be the absolute opposite of our next meal at the House of Prime Rib (also fantastic, but a whole other world). If you are looking for fine French-inspired dining in San Francisco, do make a reservation at La Folie!
La Folie
2316 POLK STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA,
Tel. 415-776-5577