Off the Bucket List: Steak Frites at L'Ardoise

Upon entering the corner restaurant L'Ardoise Bistro at Noe and Henry in the quiet residential area of the Castro, you are immediately greeted with a sense of suspense. Before you is a heavy black curtain that, when opened, seemingly transports you from a sunny San Franciscan neighborhood to a dimly lit Parisian bistro, in all its antique flair. 

You almost feel like you've embarked on some best-kept secret. 

The French waitstaff is incredibly accommodating, addressing you as "Madame" or "Monsieur." Of course I took this opportunity to converse with them, and they were really warm and responsive to it, which added a special touch to the whole ambiance. You can see chef Thierry Clement through the kitchen's hand-off window. Occasionally he'll look out and you might exchange a smile with him. Admittedly, you almost never get this such personable service and demeanor in Paris because, well, it's Paris. 

The bread served here is warm, crusty and incredibly moist. You never see the bottom of your bread basket, nor the halfway point of your water glass, as they're both constantly filled. These were points commonly emphasized on Yelp, including the fact that they fold your napkin into a neat triangular prism shape while you're in the bathroom. It's their attention to detail which translates remarkably into the way they cook their food...

Black Angus Hangar Steak w/ Pommes Frites in St. Emilion wine sauce, $19

This dish was listed on 7x7 magazine's 2012 foodie bucket list. For good reason of course, as the hanger steak is incredibly succulent and unabashedly decadent. The pommes frites are shoestrings at their best, and when drenched in the rich wine sauce, are addictive. Garlic aioli is served to accompany the pommes frites but you can pretty much put it on anything. The proportion of it all was just right and everything flavor-wise was well-balanced. 

Bistro Coq au Vin in Rich Red Wine Sauce, $19

The coq au vin was smoky and properly prepared, as the meat was literally falling off the bone. Swimming in the hearty sauce is spinach, mushrooms, and potatoes so that every bite you take is just as good, if not better, than the last. 


I'd definitely come back to try their duck confit or pan roasted rack of lamb, and to just experience a truly unique joyau français in the heart of the Castro again.

Location:

151 Noe Street

San Francisco

Tuesday - Thursday 5:30pm-10pm 

Friday - Saturday 5:00pm-11:00pm