Mathilde French Bistro

The appetizers are great: escargot, onion soup, & mussels. This place has great sauce/bases for most of its dishes, & it's a delight to eat with just bread. The Halibut risotto had an amazing sauce & the fish was well cooked. The chocolate banana bread is one of the best desserts I had.

The onion soup is the best I've had in over a decade! The duck leg confit was very salty. Our server (might have been head server) was great!

What a gem! Incredible food and even more impressive service. The Escargot, French onion soup, and everything else we had was so good. They even got us in on short notice because we went with one of their regulars who they recognized and really treated as a friend. I really respect the small business you're really honors they're good clientele. We hope to be back and we will definitely come here!

Had a lovely dinner here, made reservations about a week in advance for the restaurant week pre fixe menu with a girlfriend. The back patio is well done and tranquil. The service felt quite authentic, and the food was quite great. I was looking to order a second glass of wine and wasn’t able to get the servers attention until we were finished with our entrees, which was a bit unfortunate. Even so I’d like to come back for the regular menu.

Went there for dinner and had a fantastic experience. We ordered escargots and mushroom gnocchi as starters. Then for dinner we had the duck leg and it was perfectly cooked. Topping of the night we had delicious desserts. Service was flawless at all time and everyone there were very kind with us. Looking forward to go back soon!

We had a 5:30pm reservation. As soon as we arrived, we ordered 5 staters. They were all great but chicken liver salad and mussels was stand out. The sauce coming from the mussels was delicious. You can taste the cream and tarragon in the sauce. My daughter soaked up all of the sauces with the house made baguette. We emptied out all of the appetizers. For dinner I had the filet mignon (medium rare), their fried potatoes was out of this world. I would go again for any celebration. San Francisco is very competitive in terms of great restaurants and I think this one is under the radar. Highly recommend to check this place out if you have the chance

Found this small French restaurant in the SOMA district. Inside are old chandeliers and wall scones. Tables are separated well. We had the Roasted Beet and Arugula salad and Ravioles with Boeuf Bourguignon in Red Wine Jus for appetizers. Beautifully done. For main course we had the filet mignon and the duck confit. The filet mignon was perfectly cooked with crispy potatoes. My wife loved the duck confit with crispy skin. Service was good and fast. As a side we also had the Brioche bread which we did not realize was an extra charge.

Mathilde is the place for authentic French cuisine with the perfect wine pairings to bring out each dish’s flavor. I recommend you order family style apps and I love their steak frites for my main. I prefer to sit outside in their heated patio because it feels like you’re dining at an outdoor patio in Paris.

Some of my friends and I were in the mood for some French cuisine, so we decided to check out Mathilde as we had heard that it was supposed to be good. Since we had a reservation, we were able to be seated immediately inside after arriving at the restaurant. The interior gives a nice rustic vibe, and they have a cool heated patio area that we sat at. The service here was also great, as the waiters were checking up on us pretty often. For the food we decided to get the house charcuterie board, the duck leg confit, and lamb. The charcuterie board was plated nicely, and all of the meats tasted very fresh. The duck and lamb had a lot of great flavors and were cooked well, so no complaints here from us. My friends got some wine to go with the meal as well and from their perspective it was high quality too. Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with Mathilde if you are in the mood for some nice French cuisine!

I had been eyeing Mathilde French Bistro for a few years, so when Mom was taking me out for our belated annual 1:1 dinner to celebrate my birthday, I chose to finally check this place out and made reservations via OpenTable for Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 6 PM. Unfortunately, Mathilde does not offer parking in a private lot, but, luckily, we found free street parking in walking distance, just a couple of blocks away. We arrived just in time for our reservation to the little restaurant with two bright red window frames and black & white striped awnings. We were seated at our wooden table [sans white cloth] and chairs next to the large transparent wall that offers views of the covered patio dining area. The venue, decorated in warm colors, was cozy and tidy. Interestingly, the dining room never fully filled up throughout the evening. Mathilde's menu offers French classics such as coq au vin, steak frites, and profiteroles. Below are the items that Mom and I ordered. Sautéed Tiger prawns with Pastis ($14) - This was my starter. The prawns seemed to be more like bigger shrimp and were overcooked. Warm Bijou goat cheese salad ($14) - Mom enjoyed this plate of greens. Onion soup gratinée ($15) - This French classic was ooey-gooey delicious. Traditional dug leg confit ($38) - This hearty plate was served with a crispy skin at my Mom's request. Pan seared Loch Duart Salmon ($30 ) - The fish was cooked nicely, I enjoyed it. I did wish that the lobster sauce was thicker in texture and a little less sharp in flavour. I was not a fan of the dauphines, unfortunately. Apple tarte Tatin ($12) - A nice slice served with caramel sauce on the side. Floating island ($10) - The meringue looked like a cumulous cloud in a bowl, drizzled with crème Anglaise, slivered almonds, and topped with fresh mint leaves and powdered sugar. The actual meringue was pretty solid and sturdy that it would slip and slide at times when trying to scoop to eat. It even held up well after I took it home and ate it as a leftover. It was very yummy. We were served by the owner, Lina, who delivered excellent service from beginning to end. Noticing that our reservation indicated that the dinner was for a birthday celebration, she served me a little complimentary bowl of Mitchell's Vanilla bean ice cream, topped with a strawberry slice and lit candle to make a wish. We had a lovely time at Mathilde French Bistro.

My fiancé's parent treated him and I to dinner here to celebrated our recent engagement. We had just come back from a trip to Paris a month before, but I had recently gotten terribly sick and was limited to eating soup and crackers for weeks on end. Once I was better and able to eat more foods, eating French food again was not a bad thing. The wine and food all tasted amazing. The gnocchi appetizer was bigger than I expected, but delicious; however, had I known it was going to be a decent serving size I probably would have shared it. Instead we all ordered our own appetizers. My soon to be father-in-law ordered the onion soup and I was able to see what all the fuss was about. He claims a good onion soup is hard to get right, but apparently it was done correctly here. After having a taste, I could understand how something like onion soup could be tasty. Once the main courses came out, I thoroughly enjoyed my black angus streak frites. My fiancé ordered the halibut and enjoyed every bite. I was very round by the time dessert came around, but I desperately wanted to have my Floating Island. Despite the feeling of popping open I ordered dessert and ate as much of it was I could. The island was also extremely delicious and reminded me of the one I had while in France (although, much bigger). The bowl did have a very low dip at the sides, which made it difficult to scoop out of. I basically had to dig and eat near the bottom to prevent the whole dessert from capsizing over the lower bowl edges. Would recommend a different serving bowl for that, but taste wise I was in Heaven. Would dine here again. The outdoor patio atmosphere was cute and cozy and the interior seating appeared to mirror that feeling as well. Tables are close together, but I never felt like I was sitting on top of other dining guests. Just enough room to walk around without bumping immediately into other chairs.

Had dinner late on a Monday night excited to try this hole in the wall French bistro in SOMA. The restaurant had a busy group that night, so unfortunately couldn't try the French Onion soup :/ Ordered the Duck Confit, Steak and Frites, Shrimp, and Mussels. Duck Confit looked crispy but wish it was more juicy on the inside. Steak and frites combo and mussels were solid, though wish the mussels had more of a garlic flavor in comparison to other French bistros. The flavor of the shrimp and the butter sauce was amazing. Perfect sweet dessert to end the night with the banana bread. Service is very nice, very efficient in clearing out plates at the right time and always coming around with free bread slices. Would come again to try the French onion soup!

This is the best French restaurant I've been to outside of France and one of the best even among those. The service is unmatched. The ambiance is so romantic it's unreal and feels very much like a Parisian bistro. The wine recommendations were fantastic, the menu and specials offer something for everyone without being overwhelming and it's changed enough to not get overdone. The French wine selection is fantastic as well. The menu's really well designed for 2 people to order one of each course plus a cheese plate to share (though we ordered 2 appetizers). I highly recommend getting a recommended bottle of wine or a paired glass with each course. We started with a plate of escargot which was perfectly prepared, followed by the truffle gnocchi which was the best I've ever had, in fact it's worth trying the restaurant just for that gnocchi. Our main was the halibut which paired perfectly with the saffron risotto and lobster bisque served with it and was completely beautifully by the wine pairing. We had a French cheese plate which was really well done highlighting each of the 5 major cheese types. And we finished with a floating island. I had never had one before but it quickly became my favorite desert. Nice and light while finishing the meal on a creative note. This place will become one of our favorite celebratory date spots for my wife and I.

The best French food I've ever had outside of France! We got the escargot, cheese board, gnocchi, halibut, floating island and an incredible wine called Vouvray. The escargot was amazing, with lots of herbs, garlic and butter. The cheese board was well worth it, and is the only place I would recommend getting a cheese board at. They had a great variety of cheeses that were fun to try. The gnocchi was the best gnocchi I ever had, it was so cheesy and melt in your mouth delicious--it is a MUST to order! The halibut was perfectly cooked and with the lobster bisque sauce and saffron rice was delicious. The floating island dessert was a perfect ending to the meal, and was nice, light and refreshing. With the meal we ordered the Vouvray white wine that paired perfectly with everything we ate. The service was impeccable, and the staff was incredibly nice. The ambiance was so adorable and you feel transported to another world. I LOVE this place! Highly recommend!

We had a wonderful dinner with friends at this authentic French restaurant in a difficult Soma neighborhood. Our meal was worth the Uber. Charming, with a lovely outside patio, Mathilde provides personal service. My heirloom tomato salad was fresh and delicious, a perfect start to the dinner. Choosing the Halibut special was a wise choice, the fish prepared perfectly, served over a bed of risotto. The finale deserved a standing ovation, Oeufs à la neige, prepared in the French manner. Ooh La La! Intimate and unique, Mathilde French Bistro provides a respite in an often too trendy San Francisco dining scene. Only beer and wine is served by the way.

Had a chance to try Mathilde during SF's Spring Restaurant Week~! Their prix fixe was only $75 for 3 dishes-- a decent deal to try something new. My bf and I drove into the city for a small date night. Would recommend making reservations. The setting is intimate, albeit a bit constricted. Even with our small table pushed against the lobby divider, our server still had to squeeze around others to get to us. Still professional, and dishes were brought out in a leisurely pace. GARLIC CHEESE BAGUETTE: This was ordered separately from their prix fixe. Absolutely slathered in toasty, melty cheese. Highly recommend for sharing to whet your appetite LES ESCARGOTS: About expected-- tender, chewy, and savory. SAUTÉED PRAWN IN PASTIS: OOoooo this is fire. We even asked for more bread to dip in the aromatic sauce. Though plump and sweet, the shrimp was overshadowed immediately. SEAFOOD RISOTTO: Ugh, so creamy. The bouillabaisse is dynamic and rich, nicely coating the shellfish. A little biased bc I love any form of risotto ;u; FLOATING ISLAND: Not a meringue person but still enjoyed trying this for the first time...! So delicate and airy. Like eating a passing cloud. We'll have to be back for their regular menu.

This lovely small bistro is charming with a great staff and a reasonably priced wine list. I just wish the food was better. The classic onion soup was heavy with bread and although the cheese was molten and delicious, there wasn't much broth. Very bready. Similarly, the coq al vin was bland and needed salt. The menu said the chicken would sit on spinach but it was really sitting on mashed potatoes and tasted reheated. My plate had one pearl onion on it. The chocolate sauce on the ice cream was thin and lacked rich flavor. I really wanted to like it but was disappointed.

My only regret going here is that my stomach isnt bigger to have more of that cake and to stay longer. This place is super cute with a inside and covered outside that gives a wonderful ambiance. Our server was really insightful, walked us through the menu, and gave us recommendations based on the things we like. Definitely coming back, definitely getting that cake again

If you're in the mood for some French cuisine, Mathilde's the place to go! My son is learning French in school, so we wanted to take him for some French food. Besides the delicious food, the service staff was attentive and the ambiance was cozy and delightful. My husband had the rib eye special, the meat was so juicy and tender. On the other hand, my son had the hangar steak with frites which he clobbered up. I had the duck confit and the skin was crispy and the meat was falling off the bone. We all agreed that the mussels and potatoes were yummy and must haves. The escargots were good although my son and I aren't fans in general. The onion soup was good although wish there was more broth than croutons and onions (but it might have been soaked up as we waited for it to cool.)Oh and the chocolate banana bread pudding is a delicious way to end the meal.

We were going to Hadestown at the Orpheum and a search for a pre-show dinner spot brought us to make a reservation here. I am glad we did. It was a wonderful dinner. The entire wait staff was very courteous, relaxed, and in good spirits which makes such a difference. They made sure that our food was prioritized and we got out on time. The food was excellent. The French onion soup, coq au vin, and the goat cheese salad were very good. The decor has a European feel to it including the patio seating area in the back.

Note- This review reflects my experience at Mathilde during SF Restaurant Week, nearly a year ago. (I posted about it on Google because I didn't have a Yelp account back then). Unfortunately I don't have any photos. I went there for SF Restaurant week with 2 other friends. We ordered a bunch of dishes - 1. Lobster bisque 2. Sautéed prawns in pastis 3. Garlic bread 4. Black Angus filet mignon 5. Seafood risotto 6. Floating island (dessert) 7. Tart tatin (dessert) 8. Chocolate mousse 9. Red wine 10. Dessert wine Lobster bisque was very creamy and delicious. Prawns were fresh. Filet mignon was juicy and very well cooked. Of all the desserts, tart tatin was the best. Floating Island was okay. We didn't like it as much. They have indoor dining space and cute outdoor dining space as well. The staff was very nice and attentive. The location of the place really threw me off at first, and I wasn't sure if I was in the right place. Overall, it was a great experience. I'd recommend giving it a try.

The food does not match the outer appearance of this restaurant! Looks like some regular shmegular spot but the food is incredible. The food was awesome. Loved the duck breast. Also got the gnocchi, some salad with really large cuts of tomatoes, and had this really great Bordeaux wine. Oh! I had escargot for the first time ever here too, it was coated in a garlic pesto sauce and the texture reminded me of a mushroom lol. Served was very knowledgeable! She knew her stuff, I forget what her name was but she was great. Would come back for sure!

One of the most incredible French Bistros in San Francisco, is Mathilde French Bistro. Lina Yew and her husband Chef Thierry Clement, also chef owner of L'ardoise French bistro have created a masterpiece and neighborhood gem with this restaurant. We had a very special evening as I am leaving San Francisco - moving to San Diego and this restaurant was one of the first restaurants I dined in when first moving to San Francisco back in 1999. So we came full circle. The food has deep French roots in preparation and the sauces are to die for. We started with the Tomato and Arugula Caprese Salad and the amazing classic French Onion Gratinee. Both were spectacular. Chef and Ms. Lina sent over Shrimps in a delicate seafood sauce. The crusty bread was done with perfection. We had the Pommes Frites as a snack too. For entrees we enjoyed the Halibut over Mashed Potatoes and Lobster Sauce and a delicious Seafood Risotto. We paired everything with a Domaine de la Monette Bourgogne Rouge Red wine from Bourgogne. It was delicate and delicious. Desserts didn't disappoint either, the Caramelized Apple Tarte Tatin and Crème Anglaise Floating Island, something both Mathilde and Lardoise are known for. This restaurant is a must in San Francisco, please check them out. Make a reservation as well so you're not surprised if no tables are available for a last minute walk in. Thank you Lina and Chef Thierry! I can't wait to visit you again.

I am so glad we went to dinner here. My wife loves French food and this place popped up on Yelp as being very well-reviewed so we decided to visit on a rainy evening. The service was excellent. I believe the owner, Lina, was who we interacted with most of the night and she was so friendly and made our dining experience great. We ordered: 1- Warmed Bijou Goat cheese with Baked Apple salad 2- Pommes Frites - Truffle oil. 3- Onion Soup Gratinée - with croutons and gruyère 4- Pan seared Trout - Lemon butter sauce, pommes dauphines and toasted almonds 5- Grilled Black Angus Hanger Steak - Truffle butter and pommes frites The butter sauce on the trout was excellent and gave it good flavor. I liked the gratinee a lot. Maybe it was because it was cold and rainy out but it was a tasty and comforting dish. Everyone that we interacted with was really nice and the food was excellent and a good value for money. I would definitely go back.

Mathilde French Restaurant is the kind of place that knows exactly how to seduce with charm. Nestled in a cozy, hard-to-find corner of San Francisco, the battle for parking was a small sacrifice for what awaited inside. The space exudes warmth, and from the moment my sub and I stepped through the door, we were met with the kind of service that anticipates your every need--much like a well-trained submissive. We started with the escargot, little bites of perfection swimming in garlicky butter. Each morsel melted in my mouth, and I found myself savoring every last drop. The French onion soup followed, rich and deep, with a melted layer of Gruyère that covered the bowl like a luxurious blanket. The broth had that slow-cooked intensity, the kind that wraps around you like a firm yet gentle grip. To accompany, we ordered a bottle of Bordeaux blanc, which balanced the flavors beautifully. The wine was crisp, with just enough acidity to cut through the richness of the dishes without overpowering them. For the main course, I selected the duck confit, a dish that knows how to hold its own. The skin was crisp, the meat tender, and each bite was a perfect harmony of textures and flavors. My sub, of course, opted for the steak frites, which arrived cooked to perfection, paired with golden, crispy fries that could bring anyone to their knees. Dessert was where Mathilde truly showed its dominance. We ordered profiteroles--light, airy, and filled with cream that was almost indecent in its richness. But then, the real surprise came. The lovely owner, who had been attending to us with a level of care rarely seen, brought out an unexpected dessert: a floating island. This dessert was nothing short of magical--a delicate cloud of pillowy marshmallow like merengue resting atop creamy custard, with caramel and almonds adding the perfect crunch. It was a delightful balance of textures, sweet without being overwhelming. Paired with a glass of 10-year tawny port, it was an indulgence that felt almost too decadent to describe--rich, buttery, and with that perfect hint of nuttiness from the almonds. Mathilde French Restaurant knows how to create an experience, from the first bite to the last surprise. Despite the parking challenges, every moment was worth it, and the attention to detail was nothing short of masterful. This is a place I'll gladly return to, knowing it'll deliver every time.

Ambience lovely , staff offer great individualised service . Food excellent with specials of the day , beautifully cooked and good wine list . Chicken liver warm salad to start delicious and daily special of fromage tete unusual , my husband loved . Highly recommend .

Food was alright but nothing mind blowing. Potatoes with the duck confit had a great texture! Duck was meh. Polite service and ambiance.

Matilde was amazing, a lovely gem in SF. Definitely top 10 most memorable dinners I've had and I enjoyed every second here. I had high expectations from this place and they were certainly met. The interior gives off an old, rustic vibe and you may not think much about this place walking by, but the food and service here is unmatched. Our sever Julie was so sweet throughout our whole dinner. She gave us great wine recommendations, she even got me to convert to Bordeaux wine. Everytime I went to the restroom and came back, my tablecloth would be perfectly folded again on my chair and I thought that was very attentive of them. She gave us great recommendations and explained their daily special which we ended up ordering. They give you complimentary table-side sourdough bread with the most light and decadent butter, it was delightful. Food wise, I have no complaints on any of our dishes but here's what we ordered: Baked Gnocchi - SO SO good, crispy on the top but so creamy and perfectly chewy when you mix it around. It was perfect, not salty or bland. Mussels Marinieres - the white sauce with this was amazing, pro tip is to dip your sourdough bread in the sauce. They give you a pretty big portion of mussels which were evenly coated with the sauce. Pan-seared Seabass - I usually never order fish as my entree at restaurants but this was cooked in lobster sauce so I had to try it. The fish was tender and juicy and the lobster sauce was heaven. Rich and flavorful. Boeuf Bourguignon - Their daily special and this was delicious. It came out hot and they cut the puff pastry for you and under you will find a steaming bowl of the most tender braised beef. The flaky pastry paired with the braised beef was truly phenomenal. Chocolate Bread Pudding - Light but decadent. It was moist and had the perfect sweetness to it. I'm definitely coming back here, I'm a huge fan.

Food 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 Service 10/5! Came tonight for my birthday and holy cow were we blown away!! The food and ~vibes~ were spectacular, but the reason I'm taking the time to write this review is for the incredible service! From the jump, our server was great. When I casually asked if a particular dish was gluten free, I expected the GF conversation to end there. But throughout the night our server and all of the staff that came to our table, made us feel like such a priority! If you have any food allergen, I 100000% cannot recommend this place enough. Some of the accommodations/attention to detail included: - bringing me gluten-free bread and my husband a baguette - mentioning what on *his plate* could have crossed gluten (fryers are not dedicated) such attention to detail that I would 100% steal bites from him is truly above and beyond. - removing croutons from my salad and explaining it typically comes with them - every staff member was aware and accommodating! Thank you all for a great night, can't wait to come back soon!!

Incredible overall dining experience! My friend and I were looking for a place to have somewhat of a celebratory meal and we stumbled upon Mathilde. We shared many of the menu items- tiger prawns, goat cheese salad, gnocchi, duck confit, steak frites, chocolate mousse... and a lovely bottle of Cotes de Beaune. Everything was exceptional. Our server, Hannah, was friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, and made great recommendations. We sat in the back patio which had a wonderful ambiance. If you have a chance to eat here, please do! You won't be disappointed!

Came here for dinner and booked a table for four out on the patio. Plenty of heaters outside so being cold was not a problem. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. We started off with a bottle of Tattinger to start and red wine with dinner 3/5 - Escargot - 6 pieces with a nice sauce. Tasted alright. 2/5 - French onion soup - was lacking some flavor and maybe a bit too much onion in the soup 3/5 - Duck confit - the duck leg was great, but the side salad was drenched in the duck sauce. The side potatoes could've some salt. 3/5 - Chocolate mousse - just alright 3/5 - Floating island - different but just alright Was hoping to get some tasty French cuisine in SF, but this place fell a little short.

On Bastille Day, I organized a group of 16 for dinner and to the theater to watch Les MISERABLES! Wouldn't it be cool, I thought, to donor like the French all night long? So we decked out Parisian style met at Mathilde's . Glad we did! Out of all the wonderful French restaurants in SF , I picked Mathilde ! So glad I did. Prior to the date, their manager and owner reworked with me to insure a smooth meals. They provided a pri fixed menu with great selections in which we preordered from. They were ready for us when we arrived. The 3 course meal was amazing by Chef Clement . Each course was expedited professionally and dishes were not only tasty but highly attractive. Roasted Beet and Arugula salad goat cheese and toasted almonds (41/2 stars) Traditional duck leg confit pommes Landaises, garlic sauce 4 1/2 stars Coq au Vin bacon, mushroom, pearl onion and spinach 4 1/2 stars Grilled Black Angus Hanger Steak Truffle butter and pommes frites 5 stars Caramelized Apple Tarte Tatin Holy crap yummy 5 stars Good job!

My coworker and I decided to come here for restaurant week on a Thursday night. She was able to make the reservation on OpenTable ahead of time. The restaurant wasn't as big as I'd thought it was going to be, but it was very cute inside. I noticed that outdoor seating was also available. We were debating if we wanted to order from the Restaurant Week menu, but we ultimately decided on a la carte instead. The server mentioned that their special for the night was bone marrow, so I had to get it. I didn't enjoy it as much since it was a bit saltier that I'd expected it to be. We both ordered the French Onion Soup and that was definitely worth the hype. The cheese melted perfectly on top of the soup and the entire dish was very flavorful. Because the soup made us super full, the server recommended that we shared an entree. We decided on the Black Angus Hanger Steak Frites. I didn't like this dish that much because the steak was bland and the fries wasn't as crispy. This restaurant is located in an odd area, so parking can be a bit tricky. We did park on the street a block away from the restaurant.

Dined there over Thanksgiving so not a comment for its daily menu...folks, it was truly delicious. Le "nickel" chef was in da house. You had a choice of 3 starters, mains and I forget how many deserts. Squash soup was rich (with cream so this is not a dieter's selection) and discretely flavorful. The salad w/goat cheese looked good but it was cold outside..Turkey was moist and delicious. I spec'd dark meat and it was fab along w/the gravy. Loved the chestnut stuffing, with its earthy smell. Another point- the food wasn't overly salted-yay. Let's talk about the wine list now. There's something for everyone here and some good choices, at good price points. Our wine came out a bit cold but no deductions here. Service was impeccable-folks are there without being *there.* So do yourself a favor. Hit this place-date night? I'm sure they don't need my review, they already know, but hey, maybe you didn't. Cheers all.

My boyfriend and I have been here twice now and each time we have come it is better than the last! From the beet salad appetizer, the mushroom risotto, the delicious lamb chops to the caramelized apple tart dessert everything was delicious. The entire staff is friendly, attentive and efficient. My bread plate was never empty more than a minute as were our drinks. Ambiance is nice and romantic so this makes for a perfect date night out. Highly recommend and we will be back to try other menu delicacies!

I had a fantastic celebration meal with my family here. The escargot, French onion soup were absolutely amazing!! The star of the show were definitely the appetizers. Here we also got to try a floating island, which is a dessert not many places make in San Francisco The ambience was pleasant and very Parisian. There is a nice patio outdoors as well! The service was memorable. Whenever we got up from our seat to us the restroom, our napkins were neatly folded for us.

Extended weekend here in San Francisco, CA, and our hotel is about a 5 minute walk from this place. Super excited to get a little dressed up and grab a same-day reservation for late Saturday evening dinner. Wife and I split the ravioli special and butter lettuce salad for the appetizers, and then split the lamb (on special for this evening only) and the sea bass for dinner. Food was on point (taste, portion sizes), and the wine recommendations to accompany the meal were just what we needed. Highly recommend! :) Hoping to come back and try the onion soup and the gnocchi.

The food was great and the service was wonderful!! We highly recommend "Mathilde French Bistro" and look forward to trying their sister restaurant, "L'Ardoise Bistro".

We love the authentic and tasty French cuisine here. We had a party of 60 ordering from the menu but still had well prepared food and great service. I usually do not eat chicken except the Coq au Vin which was done perfectly here. The Floating Island was something to die for. The price was also reasonable for the Bay Area.

Friendly service. Clean bathroom. Uncrowded. The menu on this site is wrong. Their current menu is much more truncated, no Bourgogne ravioli, bummer. The food was delicious, and the sauces were housemade. The Apple tart was well done, be sure to consider it seriously. It looked so good I forgot to take pictures. The chocolate mousse was also good.

We came for the $65 SF Restaurant week menu which included an appetizer, main course with side, and dessert. Looking over the regular menu prices, I don't think this was a great value, but it WAS delicious! We both had lobster bisque for our appetizer and chocolate mousse for dessert, but I chose the Black Angus Filet Mignon for my main course while my BF chose the Pan Seared Duck Breast. Both our meals were delicious overall, but I think the one huge standout for me were the pommes landaises (potatoes) served with my steak. I don't usually crave potatoes like some people do, but these were unparalleled comfort food. The weakest dish was probably the lobster bisque. While it had great flavor, I thought it was on the thinner side for a bisque. I appreciated its smoothness, but it would have been great to find a few lobster chunks, at least as a topping. Service was pleasant and we received a very good wine recommendation from our server. We wouldn't hesitate to return but may opt to sit on their back patio next time. The dining room is small and we were seated right in the middle of the room, so we felt sort of in-the-way. Otherwise, a very good experience.

Very nice little place. With indoor and outdoor seating with cover and heat lamps. The French onion soup and mussels were very good. The coqu o vain was quite good but I have had better. Staff were very friendly and attentive even though the place was full

It's been a while and, with all the goings and not many comings, I chose this restaurant for a group celebration on an early Saturday evening. Since covid, I am definitely only dining out for special occasions for the most part and, for large parties (14), I prefer to dine at familiar businesses that I am confident will observe all safety protocols. We were seated at a large table in the back outdoor patio area on a late Saturday afternoon. The skies were still bright so we could still enjoy natural light as we started our meal. My friends took the liberty of ordering a couple bottles of wine as I ran a tad late in getting there. After being seated and briefly studying the menu, our waitress came to our table and read the specials of the evening. A few of my fellow diners noticed some of the meals that were served at the tables behind me since I was facing a bush lined wall. After some back and forth about the menu items, here is what I enjoyed here: Shared appetizers 1. Mussels marinieres (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=72hDSWM7LkEYMGQSRL_dLQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) - Cooked in a light cream sauce, these went fast. In fact, I didn't take my photo until more than half of it was done. If you like mussels and fries (frites), get this. 2. Baked gnocchi with mixed mushrooms (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Mx_P6YbuUx62-uC1RcoGDQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) - The gnocchi had a mashed potato-like texture with a slightly crisp outer shell. I liked the creamy mixed mushroom sauce. It is on the heavy side, cream and cheese wise. 3. Pomme frites (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=qV-ERHsseYsMkklhr4Q5Wg&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) - The portions are generous so, if you are ordering entrees that include this as a side, you may want to cut back on the number of shared orders. These were very well done, to the point where I actually brought leftovers home (message me if you want tips on reheating them). Appetizer 4. Onion gratinee soup (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=qV-ERHsseYsMkklhr4Q5Wg&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) - This is a staple that I used to almost always order. The flavors were on point and the portion is still generous. My only peeve is that, though the cheese was melted and gooey, I really enjoy a firm crusty cheese top that sometimes sticks to the side of the soup crock. Everything was soft and gooey which made it a bit difficult to eat, having stretchy cheese on my cheeks and chin. Entree 5. Rack of lamb, medium rare (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=kLLXj0tQd_Z4ZDvzVZSVJQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) - This was the special of the night that the others in our party spoke about. When our table placed our orders, the waitress returned to our table that the kitchen only had four remaining portions (seven of us ordered this). Three people sacrificed and changed their meal orders. I was one of the fortunate to enjoy this. I liked that it was only topped with some chive butter and a light gravy on the side. This came with a small portion of salad and pomme frites; I took more than half of the fries home. The lamb was cooked a nice medium rare and had good flavor from the marinade of herbs that topped the meat. Dessert 6. Profiteroles (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=WEF50dKjp9QWZlNW44Y6sQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) - I shared one of my three with a friend who did not order a dessert. What's not to like about a tiny ice cream sandwich topped with chocolate sauce?! As the skies darkened, the hostess/owner turned on the heat lamps and lowered the awning to cover our dining area. Our waitress was kind and on point as well as the bus staff who brought our food and drinks, cleared our table, and refilled empty or low water, wine, or champagne glasses. The hostess remembered me from being a customer from the original incarnation of this restaurant Le Charm back in the '70's, '80's, and '90's, I believe. Thank you for a relaxing meal where I didn't feel the need to look over my shoulders every twenty to thirty seconds. Looking forward to enjoying your menu favorites like your beef bourguignon that was not on the menu when things open up again.

Standard French bistro with nice staff and patio. Really wanted to love it, but fell short for me on food. 3.3 stars Food: 3 Service: 4.5 Atmosphere: 4.5 outside, 3.5 inside Cost to worth it ratio: 3 Opentableable: yes Return worthiness: no Highlights: - Friendly and speedy service: nicely greeted and food came out in record speed - Menu has all the standards you'd expect: duck confit, coq a vin, mussels, etc. - Prices: reasonable for SF with many options around $25, some wines by the glass ~$10 - French bread: warm slices that were crusty on outside and soft inside. 4 stars - Fries: thin, crispy, and bit truffly. 3.5 stars Midlights: - Wine: got a glass of French white that was just ok--was hoping to be more satisfied at a French restaurant. - Seabass: was a nice piece of fish and cooked well with a crispy exterior and flaky inside, but there was some fishiness to the lobster sauce that threw it off. Potatoes also didn't have much flavor. 3 stars - Can't choose outdoor seating on Opentable Lowlights: - Bit out of the way south end of soma (10 min walk from Moscone). Was hoping to enjoy my main course more and outside is where the personality is, so being inside you miss some of that. I adore French bistros so not sure if was just my order or the vibe of the night that I didn't get the dining experience I had hoped for.

aesthetic: 3.5/5 food: 4/5 service: 5/5 i went to mathilde for a friend's birthday and came in knowing that vegan options would be very limited for french cuisine. the pastas looked so delicious, but because they weren't able to make substitutions for that, our waitress asked if i was interested in something other than a salad. the staff was so sweet to make something off-menu for me!! the surprise dish ended up being truffle-oil sauteed mushrooms and spinach -- simple yet tasty :) aside from vegan items, my friends especially enjoyed the escargot, risotto, and duck. throughout dinner, the waitress would continuously check in with us on how they were liking the food and whether i had enough to eat, which i really appreciated!! if mathilde expands their menu offering to include a vegan-friendly pasta/butter alternative, i'd be down to come back !! with the cosy and quiet ambiance and above-and-beyond service, mathilde makes for a great dinner date place.

Came with my friend on a Wednesday night. Great place in an odd, not so nice neighborhood. Food was amazing! Service was amazing! I would definitely return and get the chicken liver salad again. The risotto was delicious and the trout perfectly cooked.

Nice French food restaurant in town!!! Today's special menu is scallop with mashed potatoes

Came during SF Restaurant week and had a great dinner. We sat outside which is covered and sheltered from the elements. Cute and charming seating! Our reservations was at 5:45pm so we just happened to beat the crowd. The roasted bone marrow with country bread was chock full of flavor and went great with the toasted bread. Our favorite! The filet mignon was good but we were expecting more flavor and tenderness but still very good! Staff was friendly and attentive. Within the hour, the place was filled. The staff checks your vaccination card and ID before entry.

Came here for a birthday celebration! One of my friends coordinated with one of the waitress to surprise our friend with his gift and cake. Not only was the waitress extremely professional, she also had a great sense of humor and service. Although I don't dine out at French restaurants much, I do enjoy an occasional indulgence. Really enjoyed the escargot and the duck leg confit, as the flavors were both pretty authentic. The outdoor patio also has vibe-y low dimmed lights, perfect for a date.

Great duck confit I ever tasted outside of France! Love the ambiance of the restaurant & attentive wait staff. It's always a wonderful dining experience at Mathilde.

excellent experience soup steak escargot all excellent staff friendly menu reasonably priced I'll be back

I had an OK experience for Valentine's Day last week. My boyfriend booked this place as a surprise dinner last week and for once I really had 0 clue what we were doing or where we were going up until we walked in! The vibe inside is super cute but the area is not the best. Coming from the Marina, it took a solid 25 minutes to uber over here so it definitely was a trek! Parking is iffy so I definitely recommend ubering or walking if you are close enough. The restaurant storefront is on a main street and not in the greatest area so I would also be weary of leaving your car..especially if you have valuables inside! When we entered, we were instantly greeted and escorted to the outdoor patio where there were an abundance of couples enjoying the ambiance! Our table was cute and right next to a heat lamp which I loved. I am usually most concerned about being chilly throughout the entire meal when I am seated outside, but this place did a great job of keeping the patio cozy and warm. We were a bit taken back by the service right off the bat as our server was pushy and not exactly the most friendly or welcoming to us! After a couple interactions, we concluded that it was just her nature and nothing personal, but not exactly an excuse in my book! She asked us a few times if we were ready (in the first 5-10 minutes) but we needed a couple minutes every time she asked as you have to put in your entire meal at once. The Vday special was a fixed menu with 3 courses that you could choose -- the price was $95 per person so definitely not cheap! To start, my boyfriend and I both got Rosé to cheers and celebrate the evening! At the same time as we ordered this, we also put in our food order (around 7:30 or so). I got the arugula and goat cheese salad to start, the filet mignon for my entree, and bread pudding for dessert! My boyfriend went with the lobster bisque for a starter, the filet for his main, and floating island (ice cream and merengue) for his dessert! A solid 45 minutes go by and we have not received any food. We are starting to get antsy at this point because all the tables around us who arrived around the same time or after us are already wrapping up their meals! Our waitress comes by and asks us if we want another drink so we each order a glass of red wine (as we had filet mignon coming for our main entree!). Another 15-20 minutes come by and now it is 8:30-8:45pm with still no sign of food! Our waitress comes back and asks what we are waiting on and we let her know that we have still not received a single item... she lets us know that there may have been a mix up with our order and this is when we started to get a bit bothered. From what we observed, it seems like she forgot to put in our order or our order somehow got lost in the mix. Given that the meal was pre-fixed, I have a hard time believing this was due to an extra busy night given there were only a few items the chefs had to prepare in large batches! Soon after, our appetizer came out! The goat cheese salad was huge and absolutely phenomenal. I loved the combination of the warm cheese with the cool salad and toppings. Likewise, the lobster bisque was also 10/10. We both actually wanted to salad originally, but decided to switch it up so that we could try multiple items. Following our starters we both began to feel a bit tired/full as we had already downed a couple drinks and were past the point of hunger. Our entrees came out and the meal was also delicious! I loved the scalloped potatoes and the filet was cooked perfectly. While it looked small at first, I couldn't even come close to finishing and ended up taking almost the whole thing to go! If you come here, think about splitting a starter so you can save room for the main as it was FILLING for sure! I asked for my entree to go and was a bit disappointed that they took it away and didn't add any of the steak sauce. That was my favorite part so I was bummed that they tossed it! Next up was dessert. By this point we were both pretty full so could only manage to have a couple bites of each. I'm the first to admit I am a dessert snob, so these really did not at all wow me. I have had my fair share of amazing bread puddings, but something about this one really did not stand out. It may have been the raisins but also very well could have been the condensed milk sauce being way too sugary and milky for my liking. The floating island was also nothing to rave about. I have never been a merengue fan so I was not surprised that I did not care for this option. Overall, if you come here on a normal day (non pre-fixed) I would suggest skipping dessert and just sharing a starter -- most likely the goat cheese salad because it was BOMB -- so that you can really enjoy the main. We really enjoyed our Valentine's Day together and the steak made for a fabulous leftover, but the service is what really knocked the stars off this review.

We came here to celebrate our wedding anniversary on a Wednesday evening during SIP. We sat in the quaint little courtyard with seven other tables. There was a plexiglass setup between the tables along the wall. Now for the food: - Gnocchi a la Parisienne: love the creamy bechamel - Onion soup gratinee: cheesiest soup ever - Black Angus Hanger Steak Frites - Duck confit with bacon pommes landaises: Juicy and tasty - Apple tart with caramel sauce Great service, lovely ambience and delicious food. I am curious to check out their sister restaurant and definitely look forward to trying out the rest of the menu when we return to Mathilde French Bistro.

Authentic French bistro fare, great atmosphere, and genuinely warm hospitality. Highly recommend!

Wonderful French food, wine, and dine-in service. Top notch crew. Great dining experience with a dedicated staff.

We discovered Mathilde recently and have been here once a month on average. It's the become the restaurant we have brought our family and friends to whenever we want to celebrate an occasion and just-because. Not only is the food simply incredible, the staff & service is stellar. They're attentive, flexible, and friendly! I've tried the following and have loved them each time we've had it: - escargot*: buttery goodness that melts in your mouth. dip your bread into the buttery cilantro sauce. - bone marrow: ordered one entree (2 pieces) that's just right for our party of 6. it's so rich that we were satiated with just a small bite each. - beet salad & arugula w/ goat cheese*: this refreshing salad is the perfect complement to the rich appetizers - butter lettuce salad: super crunch & fresh lettuce with a refreshing dressing - chicken liver salad*: umami loaded salad that explodes with every bite As for entrees, I've had a taste of the following dishes since I've been here: - Mushroom risotto w/ truffle butter: plenty of umami from the mushroom blended in to elevate your every bite. Sometimes when I order a vegetarian dish, I feel slightly left out beacuse my friends may have ordered a meat dish I really like (steak frites or duck for instance) but I didn't feel this way at all! - Steak frites: i typically have my steak medium rare but for health reason we ordered the steak medium well last night, and to our surprise we still really enjoyed this dish. The meat was tender and moist--I can just imagine how tasty it would be medium rare. - Duck confit: my favorite dish by a long shot. Duck is so tender, juicy, and flavorful. Comes with thinly sliced potatoes on the sides that's to die for as well. I can't wait to try more dishes on the menu!

I am from the bayou of Louisiana. This French restaurant reminds me of home. In this huge city I could not image such a sophisticated French restaurant. I normally take more pictures of my food, but I was just lost in the moment with my husband. This chef was spot on. My night was magical. If you dine at night, it is so romantic. So, make sure to dress up! I cannot wait to return to the city but this time I hope to meet the chef.