La FolieChef Roland Passot is great as everMy husband and I went there a couple days ago with my sister and niece from Japan. All of us fully enjoyed everything--from the beginning to the end. You can tell that each dish was prepared with great care. It was not only tasty but also beautiful to look at! This was our second visit to La Folie and our experience was great just like the first time.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMLa Folie-vorGreat place great servive excellent wine and wounderful food, nice place to take a lady. I made a reservation for a weekday a week before6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMSecond visitFirst visit everything was outstanding. This time food and service ranged from very good to outstanding. A few of the dishes were good without being memorable. Our waiter was superb but the time between dishes/servings sometimes seemed excessive.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMChef Roland is a masterMy wife and I dine out rarely so we like to make the most of it. La Folie was recommnded to us a few weeks back so we decided to try. We were not disappointed, in fact it was probably the best food encounter since dining at the French Laundry on our honeymoon. The creation, presentation and flavors in each dish were incredible. We were free to play with the menu, but Chef Roland sent several of his favorites out to ensure we didn't miss his entire repertoire. The finale was Chef's take on baked alaska which was a delight to the eye and palate. Our waitress Iva was friendly and professional, which rounded out our overall experience.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious food and wonderfulDelicious food and wonderful service. The arc of the meal was clearly carefully planned and nothing felt overly rich or overwhelming; even so, I was happily full at the end. The decor is a bit old-school, but not in a tacky dated way (i.e. not like Gary Danko :) Would love to go back.6/3/2013 12:00:00 AMSimple for the starterThis is my first time here, nice place to have romantic night. They have 3,4, or 5 course dishes with different prices, which is easy to make the choice and the special order "caviar" is awesome to dive in. Other than this, desserts are all amazing. I can feel the love in every little pieces of sweet!! I would definitely go back soon.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMJames Geller, president Geller Intlthis restaurant and it's cooking staff and waitstaff are simply awesome. The food is perfect, yet very refined... the service
is unreal.
I know food !
JMG5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMA Culinary DelightThis was hands down the best complete meal I have ever had. We ordered the 4 course meal and it was fantastic, plus the constant gifts from the chef were a welcome surprise! It was a great time and the wait staff was of the highest quality.5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat dining experienceI went with my mom, and really enjoyed it. We got the chef's menu: it was really solidly executed. Highlights; the frogs legs (delicate, meaty, the sauce was delicious), the squab dish was outstanding (how did he keep it so moist and tender??), and the palette cleanser (an addictive peach consommé with raspberry).
The wait staff were excellent as well, thoroughly knowledgeable, and extremely helpful. The chef came out to greet us at the end of the meal too, which was really cool as we're complete "nobodies", and we're not regulars that a chef might normally greet.
Overall, great meal and completely worth the final bill. I will be sure to return the next time I'm in San Francisco.
Note: Portions were generous5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMsmall portion stereotypes is WRONGsmall portion stereotype is way wrong, my wife and i both had the 4 course meal, and we were stuffed after the 2nd course, yet we couldn't stop ourselves from eating the rest of the course... it was an amazing experience5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMVery attentive, lots of detailsWe went to La Folie for dinner before the symphony. Arriving a little early we stopped at the lounge for a drink first and then we were taken to our table in the back dinning room. From the small entrance, the dinning rooms were quite large. The tables are spaced far enough apart that you aren't sitting right next to the other parties in the room.
Lots of details on the menu and when your food is brought out, you are told about each item on the plate. The amuse bouche between courses was a nice touch and unexpected. Nice little surprises and palate cleansers.
Very nice dinner for a special occasion.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMA must if you're in SF andA must if you're in SF and want to dine at one of the best restaurants. The food, presentation and service was all outstanding.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMGo now!Our first visit to perhaps the best restaurant in the city of San Francisco. The French-influenced-but-not-exactly-French food is outstanding, creatively prepared, and presented well. The portions vary so that it is unusually easy to make the right selection for any appetite, and the servers are happy to talk you through this as needed. In fact, the service is superb -- superbly attentive without being at all obtrusive, and as friendly or as distant as one wants it to be. The intimate and relatively quiet ambience is an absolute favorites for us. And somehow the restaurant has a strong foundation that is all things La Folie, and yet, obviously within limits, it manages to adjust to be the restaurant you would like it to be in the moment.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMUnusual dishes with lots ofUnusual dishes with lots of ingredients, but very delicious.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was one of the best diningThis was one of the best dining experience while I was in San Francisco. And I went to quite a few great restaurants. I am looking forward to dine at la folie again when I'm in San Francisco.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat service, great chef,Great service, great chef, beautiful and very tasty food, a mix of emotions and flavours...5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome!What a wonderful experience. I would label myself and foodie and the quality and service of the restaurant was outstanding! I would go to La Folie over and over. Interesting creative food combinations and spectacular service.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMBest surpriseWe had the tasting menu with wine pairing. The food was very tasty and each dish was an art piece. The lobster dish was the prettiest one we saw in the city. The plates, the arrangement on them, the colors were beautiful. The amount of food was good, not tiny as at other restaurants.
The waitress had detailed knowledge of all dishes on the menu.
We took many pictures!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMBest dinner in years!We live in the neighborhood but reserve La Folie for a very special occasion. After an exceptional dinner this week, I'm ready to cut back on the regular haunts to save up for more dinners here. Every dish was superb and in my book surpassed other top rated restaurants in the city. Truly deserving of endless acolades.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMFeast masterIt was a special occasion for me and my partner and La Folie provided an excellent venue. The ambience was wonderful, understated and comfortable for dining. The staff were excellent from start to finish, offering helpful advice on wine choice, and wonderful descriptions of the food on presentation - truly the best service I've had in years. The food was exceptional, balanced, flavourful, presented with style and panache and at a portion size that was totally appropriate.
Cannot wait for another special occasion to provide an oppertunity to go back.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMA Touch of FranceLa Folie provides creative and different dishes without going over-the-top and being excessive. The ability to choose 3 to 5 courses and create your own menu at a fixed price is a feature that I have enjoyed at other restaurants and is a feature that worked particularly well at La Folie. In addition to the food, the service also reminds me of the type of service at fine restaurants in France - attentive, but not intrusive and everyone in the restaurant does what needs to be done to provide an enjoyable experience. La Folie is a relatively small restaurant and even when full the noise level is low enough to provide for normal level of voice conversation.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMExactly what you expectIf you expect top quality, solid service, and an elegant evening, you're high expectations will be met at La Follie.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMNothing was less than excellentAll was delicious. The crab salad with green pea panna cotta was heavenly, the duck was fabulous, and the clafoutis, while not a traditional one, was superb. The amuse bouche that started the meal, along with other "gifts" from the chef, were tantalizing.
Our server was very attentive and explained the dishes nicely.
The portions were perfect. We left feeling sated but not over-full.
Some reviews on Yelp! complained about the time between courses, but our courses came out with perfect timing.
Other reviews complained about a lack of seasoning. I am a salt-aholic and did not once wish for a salt shaker. The seasoning was just right and enhanced the wonderful flavors of the dishes.
We will definitely return.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything perfectFrom the service, to the 4 courses and little surprises in between, this was a completely perfect meal. Every single dish was beautifully presented and special, complex, and unique, a four hour perfectly timed symphony of pefection. All four of us gave each dish that we had an A+. And I simply have not had anything this amazing for years. Bravo!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMI sometimes dine in MichelinI sometimes dine in Michelin restaurants for the combination of food, ambiance, service and dining experience. La Folie delivered on on each and every one of these. The menu although degustation with choices 4/5 choices per course was well balanced and could no dobt account for every food taste. I started with Asparagus and lobster soup, crab salad, combination salmon/scallop/oyster plate, lamb cutlet and finished with sorbet.
Food superb
Service outstanding
Visit to table by owner/chef appreciated
Pricing reasonable considering Michelin Star
Ambience best I have had for a long time especially as it was possible to have a quiet chat with anybody you may be dining with
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, but way too slowWe celebrated my birthday at La Folie. The food was very good, although some things were much better than others. Although pricey, it's worth it for a special occasion. The service was relatively good, and when I didn't care for the wine I ordered, they brought me two others to sample and let me choose a different glass for no additional charge. However, the food was VERY slow in coming out. We waited 45 minutes for our entrees. The whole meal took nearly 4 hours and not because we were lingering over our meals, just because it took such a ridiculously long time between courses.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMexpensive but well worth it.expensive but well worth it. The very defination of fine dining4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat PlaceWe went to this restaurant with high expectations and it completely exceeded them. I would highly recommend it.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was my second dinnerThis was my second dinner with La Folie, and my Husband's first. It was our 20th anniversary. Each time I have met the new best wait-staff person ever in the world! And, they each have had great back up people.
This visit, I thought the food was just good, not great. The Chef's menu had a beef course that was perfectly cooked, but dry, without juices, and I chose frog's legs and the dish was relatively tasteless. I expected garlic and tasted none. I clearly should have chosen dishes from the right side of the menu. The price tag is high enough that everything really should be wonderful, and, as I remember it was just that on at my last visit.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good but not cheapGenerally a very good meal (actually three very good meals for our party of three). Service was top notch. The two balancing points were a $80 cancellation fee backed br a credit card whilch may be normal for high end restaurants, but since we are relatively new to Open Table, was a surprise. Also the final check was somewhat higher than I would have liked. The night was worth the cost, but I would not call it a "good value". In summarry we will probably go back but there are lots of other good restaurants to try as well.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experience for an anniversaryGreat experience for an anniversary dinner or other special occasion. We have limited experience with French cuisine, but were pleased with our meal. Service was truly outstanding; very attentive waiter, sommelier and wait staff. We received explanation and advice on our selections which was spot on and tips for enjoying our meal to the fullest. We had four courses and were served at least three supplemental tastings as appeteasers/palate cleansers and chocolates after coffee. All costs were well identified as were options for selection from the menu.
Very pricy for our normal dining out, but all considered a reasonable value.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMExquisitely prepared food.Exquisitely prepared food. Service handled perfectly. Owner present and accommodating.4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMFrom food to service, La FolieFrom food to service, La Folie deserves 5 stars. Food was devine and worth the money spent. But what brought them over the top was their service. We were running late for a show and had to ask for the dessert to be boxed and a taxicab called. They called for a taxicab and everyone, EVERYONE was extra attentive (from the server, to the hostess, to the manager?, I think we had them all tell us our taxicab was here).4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent service, excellentExcellent service, excellent ambiance, excellent food, excellent wine...we truly savored every moment and morsel as we celebrated our tenth anniversary...merci beaucoup!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMFine dining at its best.Fine dining at its best. This is one of the top restaurants in San Francisco and it didn't disappoint. Two of my courses were a bit bland: the Asparagus Soup and the Burgundy Snails. My other three courses and all of my wife's were terrific. The service was impeccable. Chef Rolland Passot himself welcomed us to the restaurant and then came and chatted with us during our dessert.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat presentation. FoodGreat presentation. Food this time lacked memorable flavors. Too light on seasoning, garlic, etc. Fresh without question but could be better. Prior time was one of the best experiences ever, but this was so so for the price. Also, wait staff was too eager to pull away plates which we were still working on.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMarvelous meal!Outstanding French cuisine with each dish prepared to perfection!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMReceived a wrong order, butReceived a wrong order, but it was rectified. Still unfortunate one diner received their dinner late.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMwonderful, stillMy five courses stretched to more like 10 with misc amuses and the food was way more substantial than a couple of so called '11 course' tasting menus I've had lately. Sublime in every way: food, service, wine, location. The best restaurant in SF in my opinion.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMThis restaurant is a fantasticThis restaurant is a fantastic destination to go to for any celebration, romantic night out or just to pamper yourself. The food and service will impress and you will want to return again. Highly recommended!!!4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMTop notch classic french food.Top notch classic french food. Harkens to the feel of even French Laundry. Very quiet so it does seem a tad stuffy. They have dishes that I have missed for almost a year. Love that!4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was an outstanding mealThis was an outstanding meal - we were continually stunned by the quality of dish after dish. Even "misses" that we didn't personally enjoy were unanimously well-received as "well prepared, just not my style" - and there were only a few of those.
In particular - the risotto is simply world-class, and some of the best parts of the meal were the amuse bouche and petit fours - regardless of what you order, these can end up being the highlights.
In general, a thoughtful presentation, relaxed service, and stellar food in a semi-casual atmosphere. What more to love?4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother great meal. SnailsAnother great meal. Snails and bone marrow. Mushroom stuffed quail, wagyu beef. Baked Alaska. Plus an old Bordeaux to cap it off. Delicious.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent service and food.Excellent service and food. Portions were very generous.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMexquisite dinnerWe had dinner for two at La Folie. We were seated promptly. The menu is basically table d'hote based on 3, 4 or 5 courses. You can mix and match. You can do wine pairings also. The wine prices were quite reasonable. The dinner was amazing. We ordered 3 courses mix and match from the regular menu. The only course that was not excellent was the halibut, which was very moist (perfectly cooked) but too mild in flavor. The lobster on ravioli was wonderful though. The chef sent several amuse bouches also throughout the evening and the presentation of each course was such fun to watch. The escargot (snails) came in an upright marrow bone! I had the souffle with bacon dessert and my husband had the baked alaska. Both were over the top wonderful.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMNothing but 5 stars!After spending days scouring the internet for the Bay Area's best tasting menu, after looking up Saison (too expensive), Benu (too modern), Coi (too eclectic), Fleur de Lys (too iffy), French Laundry (too far) and a host of other place, I finally came across La Folie that fit my need for romance, an extensive menu, a great location, laid back and comfortable setting AND not too hard on my pocket. And my partner and I had the meal of our lives! Unique, traditional, provincial food is what they serve through ingenious plate presentations, food craftery, impeccable service, extensive wine menu and large portions. And the chef came to every table to say hello which was a nice touch. We'll definitely be going there again!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food experience!Wow! The food was amazing and our server as great and very knowledgable. He would explain the dish and then offer some advice on how the chef would like you to enjoy it. We thought it really helped to bring our the flavors and the overall experience. It was a lot of food! We were so stuffed we had to take some food home. I would recommend getting the 3 course because we got the 5 course and the tasting menu and it was way too much. We got the caviar and thought it was one of the best we ever had. We also got the blood and sand whiskey cocktail and thought it was so amazing.
We loved our experience, but be prepared that it takes a long time. We got a limo to take us from South Bay, and had to extend our trip by 2hours.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMAlmost in ParisHaving lived in France for 5 years, I am particular about my French restaurants. La Folie was as good as any 3 star restaurant in Paris. The presentations were innovative and also tasty (sometimes innovations lack flavor)! The amuses bouches were particularly fun. The best dishes included a lovely and delicious fresh dungeness crab served on a sweet pea panna cotta, a tatin of goat cheese on a bamboo asparagus ring with a red pepper coulis, an outstanding squab brast stuffed deboned quail with a beauiful array of fresh baby veggies. Of course we had to have dessert and they were a mulbrry baked alaska and a slice of opere cake with a surprise layer of penut butter. As I LOVE dark chocolate and peanut butter I thought it was devine.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMPhenomenal! We heard aboutPhenomenal! We heard about the restaurant through Anthony Bourdain's show, No Reservations, and were extremely happy. The servings were large and excellently timed and explained by the staff. We will definitely go back.3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMA very special place.The food, presentation, and service are as good as any restaurant in San Francisco, and that is saying something.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AM