48-Year-Old ‘Frenchiest French Bistro in San Francisco’ Closes for Good | Eater SF

"I learned that Jeanne d’Arc, a 48-year-old restaurant the SF Chronicle called the “Frenchiest French bistro in San Francisco,” has permanently closed after being dark since the beginning of the pandemic; owners Micheline and Claude Lambert posted on Facebook that the restaurant “has been the achievement of our life.” Located in the basement of Union Square’s Cornell Hotel de France and open since 1972, it drew rave TripAdvisor reviews and critics’ attention—Jonathan Kauffman called it “a Gallic fantasy that grows more baroque with every year,” while Soleil Ho said the meal offered “a dose of authentic weirdness.” Tourists (and some locals) flocked to its $58 prix fixe featuring items like lamb loin with truffle sauce and Grand Marnier soufflé, and its over-the-top decor of stained glass, pillars, and statuary; the Lamberts said they will miss the guests “who became true friends of ours” and thanked patrons “for their faithfulness which gave us the good feeling of being useful in the San Francisco and the French communities.” Hoodline was first to report the closure." - Eve Batey