Boulevard Restaurant

San Francisco French Restaurant Review

Boulevard: French Restaurant San Francisco

Located by the waterfront near the Financial District, Boulevard serves delicious French-infused American cuisine in a very elegant yet convivial and friendly atmosphere. Even though it is situated right next to several other restaurants, Boulevard is extremely popular and completely filled even late on a weeknight. The restaurant looks like a French chateau from the outside, and has dim lighting, brick ceilings, mosaic marble detail, blown glass shades, soft paintings, and the occasional bronze statue inside. A bar lines the open kitchen, which is full of busy chefs. Definitely make reservations, because Boulevard is definitely a popular place to eat and socialize.

One of the unique attributes of Boulevard is its ambiance. While the atmosphere at most upscale restaurants is a bit stiff, Boulevard feels very comfortable and friendly. Even though the menu is pricey and it is an elegant, upscale restaurant, its atmosphere is very loud, fun, upbeat, and bustling with people having a great time. Boulevard can also be a very romantic place to eat, though, depending on where you sit. While the bar by the kitchen and the larger tables in the center of the restaurant are great for hanging out and having fun, there are also smaller tables and booths by the windows around the outside that can be very romantic. These booths are set into little nooks with decorated separations in between them so that you are allowed privacy and are slightly set apart from the activity throughout the restaurant, but you can still enjoy the comfortable and convivial atmosphere of Boulevard.

Boulevard attracts a very eclectic combination of patrons. It is filled with business people, older couples or friends, chic younger groups, and romantic couples. It is most popular with business people, who can relax, have fun, and eat and drink in luxury after a busy day in the city.

The service at Boulevard is friendly and attentive without being overbearing. You may have to wait a bit for a table or a waiter at first, especially during peak hours, but even though the waiters are busy they still take time to answer questions, make suggestions, and focus on the customer. Wear nicer clothes, especially because you will probably be surrounded by business people in suits, but nice jeans are fine. While Boulevard may not be the best place for a young crowd (AKA teens by themselves), it is great for everything from drinks after work to a romantic meal to dinner with friends.

The cuisine at Boulevard is uniquely delicious, and artfully presented. The menu is richly appealing, and each dish features a wonderful combination of ingredients. The restaurant features a huge and interesting wine list, too. Sample items off the menu:

LUNCH

• Arugula and Manchego Cheese Salad ($11.75)
• Dungeness Crab, Artichoke, and Creamed Spinach Crespelle ($13.75)
• Spicy Ahi Tuna Tartare ($14.75)
• Fresh Dungeness Crab Salad ($15.50)
• Wood Oven Roasted Duck Breast ($18.50)
• Grilled Hawaiin Butterfish (Walu) ($18.50)
• Pan Roasted Petrale Sole ($17.50)

DINNER

• Pan Roasted Quail Breast Stuffed with Chanterelle Mushrooms and Foie Gras ($14.75)
• Braised Pork Cheeks with Tuscan Braised Bacon ($13.75)
• Roquefort Cheese, Salt Baked Pears, and Arugula Salad ($11.75)
• Maine Lobster ($16.75)
• Pan Roasted Maine Cod Fish and Lobster Tart ($29.75)
• Grilled California White Sea Bass (28.75)
• Fire Roasted Natural Angus Beef Filet Mignon ($34.75)
• Wood Oven Roasted Organic Chicken Breast ($24)
• Sonoma Duck Breast Wrapped in Applewood Smoked Bacon ($27.75)

DESSERT

• Tangerine Cardamom Crème Brulee ($9.50)
• Tropical Sorbet ($9)
• Apple Tatin ($9.50)

The food at Boulevard is pricey but well worth it. Boulevard is highly recommended because of its comfortable elegance, lively atmosphere, and delicious food.

1 Mission Street
Tel: 415-543-6084

Lunch: M-F 11:30 - 2:00

Dinner: Sunday - Wednesday 5:30 - 10:00pm

Valet Parking available / Convenient to Embarcadero BART station.

Reserve online with OpenTable!