Best European Restaurants in The Castro

Yeah I was hungry and I was just wrapping up some errands nearby in the city and it was late but I wanted something healthy and good, something that was really good. I decided to look on OpenTable and I found something very nearby. Didn't realize parking was going to be so difficult but wow what a pleasure! I've never been to such a wonderful local French bistro, L'Ardoise is a very special restaurant, they seated me at the bar and my meal was exquisite! ( this was around 9:00pm) I had one of the specials Saturday night, which was a breast of duck on a bed of spinach and mashed potato. The duck breast was just perfect and had a wonderful red sauce with some garlic and maybe some sort of nuts (I couldn't tell, I don't remember) but it was just wonderful. The appetizer I had was their prawn filled ravioli. That was a prawn-filled ravioli in a fresh rich sauce. I'm Italian so I'm used to a different kind of a cream or tomato based sauce but this was so wonderful, very unique and full of fresh dill, buttery, seasoned perfectly and paired with the delicious prawn raviolis it was great. Just a great experience. The salad was a warm goat cheese salad that, again, was amazing. I love to cook at home and it's often disappointing to go out to a restaurant and have a nice meal. It's never as good as what I can make at home. In this case everything at L'Ardoise... every part of this meal, from the prawn ravioli to the warm goat cheese salad with butter lettuce, the way it was seasoned and salted, to the wonderful duck breast main course, to the crème brûlée dessert, was just outstanding. What a treat! I will definitely have to come back.

The Pawn Mistress welcomed us, accepted an item we wanted to pawn, offered us an item in return, and guided us into the hidden shopping area, where we experienced wonderful service, delicious food, and very tasty drinks.

It is a fun and unique dining experience but than more than that, the food is really really good and the service is excellent. If you don’t think you’re into fondue, which would be crazy, there are other options.

Excellent food, attentive, expert service, great ambience!...thank you, we will be going back!

Always need to go here for a great meal. Always satisfied.