San Francisco Restaurants : Castro

L'Ardoise Bistro

Address: 151 Noe Street, San Francisco, CA 94114 (Map) - Tel:(415) 437-2600

A quaint, red storefront welcomes guests into the cozy space that is L’Ardoise Bistro. This restaurant takes its name from the French word meaning “chalkboard,” so it is only natural that one of the key features of this restaurant is a large chalkboard upon which the nightly specials are written. Diners can opt to sit in the general dining area amidst dark wood tables or up at the bar. This bar houses a vast selection of wines, which servers gladly recommend to their diners. The menu includes many traditional French dishes such as the Charcuterie Plate and the Cheese Selection of the Day for starters, and the Pan Seared Black Angus Filet Mignon as an entrée. Many of the main dishes change daily, and are often reflected upon the chalkboard. This charming French bistro will have diners leaving with a strong sense of community and satisfaction.

Frances

Address: 3870 17th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114 (Map) - Tel:(415) 621-3870

Frances, located in the Castro district, serves up fresh French cuisine with a hint of California influence. A cozy interior filled with small wooden tables close together in a bistro-like style welcomes new and old guests alike. Frances uses only fresh ingredients and strives to support local farmers. Because of this, the menu is constantly changing. Diners can expect a menu in the a la carte style, however many options may be different from the week or even the day before. Some of the special dishes of this restaurant include the satisfying Applewood Smoked Bacon Beignets and the Red Snapper. Dessert is not to be skipped at such an authentic French restaurant, and includes such options as the Rome Beauty Apple Galette. Their wine list ranges from Light Whites to Meaty Reds, and encompasses many different flavors that provide complements to the food of Frances.

Poesia

Address: 4072 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114 (Map) - Tel:(415) 252-9325

Poesia, located in the Castro district, is known as not only an Italian restaurant, but also as a full bar and poetry lounge. The atmosphere of the restaurant itself is poetic, with an expertly decorated dining room that radiates warmth. Lucky diners may even get seated in a cozy nook hidden away in a romantic corner of the restaurant. Poesia makes their pasta fresh daily, resulting in inventive and authentic tasting dishes. Although the menu changes weekly, hungry guests can find a variety of traditional pasta dishes such as Ravioli, Fettuccine, and Gnocchi. These pastas come accompanied by the freshest vegetables of the season. There are plenty of wine and cocktail selections to pair any of the delectable dishes on the menu. With these ingredients for a great meal, Poesia brings traditional Italian cuisine as well as true poetry to the Castro district of San Francisco.