Frances

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1. DW

   DavidW

   San Francisco

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   Had some reservations about going after reading yelp reviews but the restaurant either picked up it’s game or the reviewers were sadly mistaken. We will be back for another special occasion dinner.

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2. AB

   AndreaB

   San Francisco

   20 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   20 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall3food3service3ambience3

   This was my first time returning to Frances since they reopened post-pandemic. The new, family-style menu fell flat. It was full of seasonal produce and sounded good on paper. The custard lacked flavor and the salad was overdressed. It was not the quality and flavor I remember loving at Frances in the past.

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   16 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   16 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall4food5service5ambience4

   Had not been to Frances since pre Covid so we were really looking forward to it. We were not disappointed…service was top drawer, the new (to us) prix fixe menu was delightful, and the execution was wonderful. Looking forward to going back soon.

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4. s

   shza

   San Francisco

   1 review

   vip
   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall3food3service4ambience4

   I hadn't been here for years. The service is wonderful, and it's a nice setting. The problem is that this is really a decent neighborhood spot that is positioning itself as a destination, which it just isn't. The food was mostly meh -- I thought the pasta dish was fantastic and the easy highlight. But nearly everything else was forgettable, and the duck breast -- which is hard to go wrong with -- was criminally underseasoned. Frances reminds me of Chez Panisse -- like a pretty good home cooked meal, but nothing trying to push any limits. I'd like more out of a $200/head meal.

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5. SS

   SakuraS

   Las Vegas

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall3food4service2ambience5

   Fair food good for a regularly dinner. We celebrate our anniversary here but there is no extra cake/dessert available to order in advance. I even asked the host in advance and was told that there MAYBE extra dessert to order so I don’t have to bring my own cake. But turns out nothing is there, very disappointing experience with a 20% tips.

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6. C

   Chomper

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall3food3service2ambience4

   Food was okay served family style. Servers did not change plates or put serving utensils wi offerings. Dessert was served on a small plate for two. We were not asked if we wanted coffee or any after dinner drinks. We felt rushed during entire meal.

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7. C

   Carmen

   San Francisco

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall2food2service3ambience3

   The new price fixed menu is overpriced for the experience. Our main course was switched just before it was served. It was overcooked, underseasoned and seemed like an afterthought. We didn't finish the meal, it was a disappointment. Servers were all really nice but the overall service was slow. The small plates allow for a lot of variety. Overall, was disappointed because had fallen in love with this place just before it closed during the pandemic.

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8. AK

   AandK

   Washington DC

   9 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   9 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We are so happy that Frances is back! The new tasting menu format allows you to try a little bit of lots of the chef's delicious, seasonal, unusual, and creative dishes. For us, it was a little too much food, so if you're not huge eaters, resist the temptation to order bread (even though the bread and butter at Frances is fantastic) and save yourself for the menu dishes. If you choose the wine pairings, know that the pours are quite generous, so pace yourself there too! The outdoor seating is very nice and solid, and there isn't any traffic noise to speak of.

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9. NM

   NedM

   San Francisco

   1 review

   vip
   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   A great combination of flavors and cuisines. We had a great time and were very well served.

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10. RH

    RalphH

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    WOW, what a great addition to the Castro! Frances has reinvented itself with this tasting menu and wine pairing. The whole experience: Food + Service was outstanding.

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11. n

    nts1

    Orange County

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 4, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    I wanted Frances to be like the precovid Frances . Having only one prix fixe menu was a total disappointment. I hate this trend to no choice . Food was decent enough but if I had a choice there was hardly anything on the menu I would have chosen. Pavlova had no resemblance to the real dessert. Dry hard meringue. We will not be back unless the menu changes

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12. RC

    RyanC

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on July 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious meal! Perfect for a birthday.

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13. MC

    MaryC

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We are THRILLED that Frances is back in action! The food was delicious and service was superb. Can't recommend enough

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14. c

    cheryl

    San Francisco

    139 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    139 reviews

    Dined on July 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The ceviche was fab the salad perfectly dressed, the lamb to die for and the chocolate cakes was a 10 plus The mushrooms were delicious…hard to find chanterelles Could not ask for more.

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15. M

    Marc

    Sacramento

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 28, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Amazing family style food with extremely attentive and knowledgeable servers.

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16. MM

    MarieM

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent food. Excellent service. Such a shining star in the SF food scene. Never disappoints

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17. TK

    TomK

    Portland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    One of the best restaurants in the city. Always creative and exceptional food and friendly and knowledgeable service. A treasure in our city

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18. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent meal, we enjoyed it

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19. b

    birchrunner

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on July 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Beautifully renovated space. Amazing new chef paired the “Experience” wonderfully! Terrific servers. So glad Frances is back in action.

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20. c

    cheryl

    San Francisco

    139 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    139 reviews

    Dined on July 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The black cod to de for us and the soup Great

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21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great birthday experience for my wife!

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22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    I can only say I was disappointed somewhat after eating two wonderful meals at their sister restaurant Octavia. Not to say it was a complete fail but there were a few disconnects. My soup course came without a spoon, course pacing was haphazard with hot dishes arriving on top of cold dishes. Some of the dishes could have benefited from less salting.That being said, all my requests were catered to, my server was knowledgeable about the wine and friendly and I truly enjoyed the creative dessert course. I would give them another try but maybe after another meal at Octavia.

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23. YK

    YomeiK

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    The food is delicious

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24. RS

    RahoulS

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5

    Food was excellent. The wine pairing was mediocre at best. Nothing very interesting. The add in’s make this place very pricey.

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25. SB

    SevenBySeven

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    I found the space to be charming and the noise level appropriate. I did notice a little confusion with the wait staff (we had a member who doesn't eat seafood) and it just seemed like a 'big ask' behind the scenes. The tasting menu was creative, fresh, but very salty - and I love salt. Dessert was the best part. I plan to return and hope kinks have been worked out by then.

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26. S

    Stephanie

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    The new chefs tasting menu since they reopened is not quite as wonderful as the original a la carte menu before the pandemic. We were a little disappointed with the flavorless tagliatelle but the black dos with eggplants was great.

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27. NB

    NatalieB

    San Francisco

    23 reviews

    4.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on July 21, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    This is our first time back post-COVID closing...we were thrilled! The tasting menu was a delight, great portions and inventive, refreshing flavors -- everything was delicious, but of special note were the gazpacho, cranberry beans, and the fairytale eggplants with the cod. So happy Frances is open again.

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28. T

    Th72

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Outstanding food and service. A memorable occasion.

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29. D

    Danny

    San Francisco

    12 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on July 17, 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience4

    We had the opportunity to dine at Frances after they closed down for sometime during the pandemic. We partook in the prix fix menu. It was a slow build up of flavors before we were eventually “wowed”, however. Some of the dishes could use more attention to acidity and salt. By the time we got closer to the main course, the dishes were stellar. It was an overall great experience. The value of the experience and food was worth the set price: $86.00 per person. Of course, we added on the levain bread to our meal (absolute must!). The Menu of the week was: •Monterey Squid fritto, toasted pepita, coriander, lime •Cucumber tabbouleh, puffed bulgur, tahini, cherry tomato •Green garlic fromage blanc, zucchini, eggplant, caraway lavash •Mushroom bucatini, morel, pecorino, summer savory •Little Gems, vinaigrette of miriam’s herbs, radish, pangrattato •Grilled Cornish game hen, cascade hops, sauce romesco •Fingerling potatoes, sweet peppers, charred scallion relish •Tapioca pudding, summer melon, fig jam, toasted coconut

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30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 17, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience4

    Warning - if you have been to Frances before and you are expecting Frances again - this isn’t it. New chef, new staff, totally new menu and new format. Frances has been our favorite restaurant in SF for years and years and I could not wait to get back! But at the end of this meal we said a goodbye to Frances. We won’t be back. I knew this was a prix fixe menu and for some reason I assumed it would include some of the legendary Frances dishes. Not only is there nothing recognizable from Frances dishes (except the bread and you can order chickpea fritters for extra), the food was just okay. And they give you absolutely no options. Most places you get to select some of your dishes like the fish or the meat on prix fixe. Not here. We just got duck. Take it or leave it. Service felt like a glorified buffet. All you heard was staff telling the kitchen to “fire” something and then they just drop it off at your table. Staff was nice but no one asks or cares how you are enjoying it because it doesn’t really matter. There are no other options for you anyway. And the staff didn’t seem to have the passion like the did before. Dessert - for a place known for lumberjack cake and beignets, you get tapioca pudding instead. Hope you like tapioca and figs. I am sure the menu changes weekly but for almost 300.00 for 2 people for average food and drinks - and you don’t even know what you are getting, no thanks. This isn’t Frances.

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31. AG

    AubanyG

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 17, 2022

    overall3food3service5ambience4

    We had dinner tonight at Frances, after excitedly reserving now that it’s re-opened after the pandemic. While the food wasn’t horrible, it doesn’t hold a candle to the Frances of the past or even their sister restaurant Octavia. The menu was set and for the price, the amount of food and portions were not worth it. Every dish lacked any umph and all could’ve just used some salt. The pay for what you pour wine is no longer available which was also a bummer. The timing of the food was off the entire meal at no fault of the servers. Service was impeccable and deserves 5 stars! I will say that for $85 a person there are much better options in the city.

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32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food was outstanding! Our server was warm, knowledgeable, and attentive. Start to finish- perfect meal!

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33. T

    Todd

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 15, 2022

    overall5food4service4ambience5

    We are so excited to see one of our favorite SF restaurants open again! We love Frances for its combination of a low-key, neighborhood feel and top-notch service and food. The prix-fixe menu was a bit uneven (we thought the mushroom pasta was rather bland) but it also had some delightful surprises and was well-balanced. Some of my favorites were a vegetable medley with a spicy (horseradish?) sauce and the calamari. The service was excellent, as always, and the lively atmosphere was a plus. We are already looking forward to our next visit!

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34. LW

    LisaW

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Lovely experience with exceptional preparation and service. One guest with dietary restrictions appreciated the extra special attention to the meal.

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35. KK

    KayKayG

    New York Area

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 14, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    While approximately eight plates were serve, it ate as though it was a three course meal; just something to note if you're going in expecting a degustation experience. Best dishes were the early vegetable ones, the main dishes were fairly plain. My partner is vegetarian and his main dish was just two florets of browned cauliflower atop of sauce; very unimaginative for an SF restaurant to serve as a vegetarian dish.

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36. MC

    MCDC

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 14, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    Pre-pandemic Frances was one of my favorite restaurants in the city. This most recent meal was good. But not memorable or special in any way, which is a big departure from what eating there used to be like. From my previous experience there, coupled with the price, I expected a much better meal.

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37. BA

    BrentA

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on July 14, 2022

    overall2food1service5ambience4

    The portions were ridiculously small. At an 85 dollar price point and the main was 1/2 of Cornish game hen for 2 people to share, accompanied by 4 fingerling potatoes was insulting. The pasta that was at most a 2 ounce portion, (again to share) had only the the most scant evidence of morrel mushroom. The salad was lack luster at best. The 3 staters also scant portions. Why am plating my own food at this price point? I stopped at a taqueria on my way home and picked up a burrito. Nothing was special or craveable and I walked away hungry, $200 (each) poorer. You fail Frances. I will not be back, I will not be eating at Octavia. Do better, care about your customers and feed them.

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38. FR

    FrancisR

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Still outstanding after the covid break! Food is simply wonderful, shared family style works well and is very reasonably priced. The potato chips with smoked trout dip was soooo tasty and the melon dish was outstanding! Also went another time and had the vegan menu, well executed and the creamed corn campanelle was a highlight!

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39. RM

    RoryM

    San Diego

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 10, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Liked it better when it was not pre-fixed menu, but the food was decent.

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40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 10, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    We were excited for our dinner at Frances. This was our first time there and were anxiously awaiting the renovation to complete so we could book. They did not disappoint! The food was great, the wine pairing a perfect match. We left feeling satiated but not overstuffed, which was perfect.

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