Ottavio

Took a friend here yesterday for dinner and it far exceeded my expectations. I've been craving Tuscan Italian food ever since I went to Italy last year. This tastes exactly like some of the best food I've had in Italy. Ottavio is not the fancy food that is pitifully small and with a dab of creme fraiche on the side. This is a hearty, delicious meal with fresh ingredients. I ordered the pasta with wild boar. My friend ordered the seafood stew. Both were great. We also got a bottle of wine following the recommendations of the chef and staff (I remember it was the DOCG wine on the menu) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My friend and I polished off a bottle between the two of us. I live in San Francisco, but definitely want to bring my husband out here. We have been working through the list of Michelin starred restaurants in SF, and I actually prefer this restaurant to the much-acclaimed SPQR in the city. Also: price I think is really reasonable. My pasta was $20 and my friend's seafood stew was $24.

When dining at Ottavio, you are transported to Italy. From the moment we set foot in the door, we felt like we were in a barrel room of a Northern Italian winery. The small number of tables and dim lighting provide for an intimate setting. Valentino is the owner and head chef. He named the restaurant after his father, so it is truly a labor of love and one that he takes very seriously. Valentino and his sous chef, Richard, create the most delicious food that I have had in the Bay Area and perhaps in the U.S. The food is authentic Italian that charms the palate with every bite. An example of the dedication to tradition is shown in the fact that Valentino makes his own bread and cures his own meats at the restaurant. For wine, Valentino recommended the 2010 Valpolicella Superior Ripasso Bosan from Veneto and it was divine. The wine complimented the food perfectly and provided a nice balance with our choices. We started with the Burrata Con Speck Della Casa, which came with a fist size of burrata and their homemade prosciutto in a balsamic vinegar sauce. The burrata melted in my mouth and it was a perfect combination with the saltiness of the prosciutto and the sweetness of the sauce. It was simply heavenly. Then we sampled the Piovra Alla Griglia con Ruchetta e Olive which is the grilled octopus with arugula and olives. The octopus tentacles were quite large and cooked perfectly. I have tried octopus many times and this is only the second time I have had it prepared correctly. There was no chewiness and the flavor seeped into it well. For the entrée, we shared the Risotto con Piovra Piccantino which is the spicy risotto with octopus. We could not get enough of the octopus since it was prepared flawlessly. The red sauce was spicy but not overpowering to the other ingredients. It was a subtle but noticeable touch. Finally, we rounded out the meal with coffee and a decadent dessert, which I cannot recall the name of. It was similar to a crème brulee (without the brulee). It was served in a wine glass with raspberry sauce and chocolate shavings. Truly heavenly. As a thank you for dining with them on our anniversary, Valentino gave us two glasses of his Limoncello. Normally, I am not a fan of Limoncello because I often find it to be overly sugary. Again, my expectations were exceeded. The drink was equalized so that the sugar offset the bite of the lemon. It was simply delicious. Once we were finished with our dinner, we had the pleasure of speaking to Valentino for an hour or so. It was such a treat to sit with him and listen to his account of owning a restaurant in Walnut Creek. He runs his business in honor of his father and it shows. I recommend Ottavio to anyone who is interested in authentic, delectable Italian cuisine.

The menu was very italian in the language of it. Glad they had english subtitles next to it. That being said the food was delicious. Started off with boar and duck prosciutto that came with cheese and a sauce of some kind. I ordered the gnocci with duck in a sugo sauce for my entree and the ricotta cheesecake for dessert. Great meal that was obviously put together by a skilled craftsman. His cooking skills were much better than my poor explanation of the food. Spend about $15 on the appetizer with entrees that ranged in price from $20-$30. Cheapest bottle of wine was $40 and desserts of $10 each. Well done Ottavio's. I would reccomend to a friend or family member.

Ottavio is by all measure the finest restaurant in Walnut Creek, and potentially amongst the very best in the entire Bay Area; take it from someone who frequents Gary Danko and Michael Minna. I have lived in Firenze (Florence) Italy, Paris, and other amazing cities. Few times have I experienced authentic and truly refined flavors as offered here at Ottavio. I would highly recommend the cognillio (rabbit) or osso bucco (veal shank) as well as the carpaccio. The most authentic Italian in Northern California, puts nearly every restaurant south of the Dolomites to shame.

Excellent! !! Had Lamb sirloin with eggplant. The best! This was a top 10 meal of my life. Visiting from Chicago and will come back for sure.

Amazing food Great flavors and spices Very cozy Great service

Pork chop is amazing must try!!!!

I enjoyed this French restaurant with a dear friend and found the food to be delicious. The staff was accommodating in allowing us to be at a two top near the front. The ambiance is cozy fine dining. With it's Walnut Creek location it's a bit pricey. We both liked the French onion soup and fresh salad with berries and duck. We felt the duck breast was perfectly prepared and the ratatouille delicious.

I eat out a lot and am a tough grader. This restaurant served the best meal I've had in YEARS. From the delicious calamari to the great sauces on the scallops and asparagus the chef clearly knows what he's doing. Many other things looked great on the menu. I will be back! A special note about the bread dip: I compliment the chef who makes this unusual but delicious dip. I asked for seconds! I wonder why other restaurants just settle for some version of butter or olive oil when a little thing like this could make their place really stand out!

A small French bistro in WC. A lot of couples but it was perfectly fine when we brought our kiddos and extended family. Bread and appetizers were quick but there was a noticeable gap before the entrees came out. It was a busy Saturday night and we weren't in a hurry, so it's ok. Might want to be mindful of that if you have little ones. The food were tasty, would recommend the ribeye, lamb, and crab cakes. The scallops are small (and had only 3!) and tasted only so and so. The pate was mixed with some sort of crème, diluting and altering the flavor. The salmon was ok.

My friend and I went out for lunch to La Sen bistro. We were lucky to sit at a window seat so we could watch all the dogs that walked by on Main Street. We both ordered the French onion soup and split the salad with the pears. Everything tasted great. We had a lovely fun waitress named Melissa Kay although apparently there are two Melissa Kays which we thought was a hoot! It was a bit pricey, but I think that is what people would always say about French restaurants!

Pleasantly surprised hidden gem in downtown Walnut Creek! My aunt had her birthday here and while it's a small restaurant they were able to accommodate everyone- we took up the back room with 2 big tables. Staff was so friendly and helpful, making sure everyone got their orders and everything was good. My favorite was the cream of mushroom soup- it was delicious, everything was. Parking isn't so bad, we found street parking pretty easy and my other relatives also mentioned there was a garage. I'll definitely be back here whenever I'm in the area- i wanna try more dishes off the menu

This restaurant was hopping on a Saturday night, but with a reservation not a problem. The restaurant is quaint and romantically lit, but it appears families are definitely welcome. Service was very slow and someone stepped out of the kitchen to take our orders. He was super friendly and also uncorked a bottle of wine we brought in. He mentioned they were shorthanded, and it seems many restaurants are these days unfortunately. Despite this, the food came at a reasonable pace and made up for the earlier delays. The food is excellent and presentation nothing short of what you'd expect in a French restaurant, beautiful. I had the Vol-au-vant dish and it was divine. Everyone in our party seemed to enjoy the food. We'd definitely go again, but maybe a different day or time of day to avoid the crowd. Lots of parking nearby as well.

We'll be back to try some of their other menu items since we thoroughly enjoyed our food on this our first visit. I started with a bowl of cream of mushroom soup which was silky, flavorful and smooth and my wife had the Roquefort salad and said that it had the best Roquefort cheese pieces that she's ever had! Her Salmon had olive tapenade on top and roasted garlic yogurt sauce! Yummy. My pan roasted duck was cooked perfectly and the added bonus was the crispy skin. Another gem on my plate was the perfectly braised polenta cake! What put us over the top tho was the decadent dessert plates. One flourless chocolate cake and one apples and blueberry rissoles. The cake was rich and creamy and bursting with oh so much chocolate flavor! And the rissoles were packed with a nice sweetened fresh fruit like jam filling which was enhanced by the vanilla bean gelato that it came with. It's a cozy place when it's not crowded and it's a lively place when it's packed! We received top notch service just as we expected and got a parking spot right out front. We'll return again the next time we feel the need for decadent meal!

This is a special place. We found them is Concord about 5 years ago by accident. We were looking for a place open after the movies and they were right across the street. We lived the food so much I asked to go into the Kitchen and compliment the chef. They are now in Walnut Creek The food is exceptional , the service is superb and the ambiance is comfortable. We eat there at least 3-4 times a year. It's perfect for special occasions or just a great meal.

Free bread was very tasty and crispy on the outside. 5/5 The French soup was probably the best I've ever had! It's not overly salty or thick like other French onion soups. 5/5 The escargot appetizer was also on the light side compared to other French Restaurants. 3/5 I ordered the scallops and love it. it was cooked perfectly. 5/5 My husband ordered the beef ribs per recommendation by our waiter, we thought it pop was okay, nothing spectacular. 3/5 This place feels just like a real French bistro in Paris! Very cozy and warm. We will be back to try some duck dishes next time.

4.8/5 I honestly don't know why I would dock 0.2 stars off but this restaurant was such a gem to find! Excellent service and the food was incredible. I ordered the duck breast and it was cooked to perfection. Loved the fried skin attached to the breast meat. This is a must try in Walnut Creek.

Date of Visit: 6/1/2024 After our annual event at Brentwood for cherry picking, we went to Pleasanton for wine tasting and then dinner in Walnut Creek. We decided to visit the traditional French Bistro called La Sen Bistro, located in the heart of the shopping and restaurant street of Walnut Creek. La Sen Bistro was established in 2012, started out as "La Rose" in Berkeley California before relocating to the downtown area of Concord California and changing the name to La Sen Bistro. In 2017, we relocated again to downtown Walnut Creek. I made a reservation right before we left the winery in Pleasanton, and thankfully we had a reservation since the restaurant was packed during dinner hours. Leon Manbach, Pinot Noir D'Alsace 2017 France $16 I got a glass of red wine to pair with dinner. This Pinot Noir from France is an elegant light red wine with typical great cherry fruit, soft structure and nice balance. Beef Steak Tartare $22 For appetizer, we got the beef tartare with hand cut premium beef ribeye, shallots, capers, anchovies, cognac, horseradish aioli, radishes, mustard seeds, parsley, quail egg, Basil Pesto, and toast on the side. Escargot de Bourgogne $16 My favorite dish to get in a French Bistro. The escargot was stuffed with garlic, butter and parsley. Very tasty and great to mix with bread. Soupe à l'oignon $14 Love the traditional French Onion Soup with Croutons and Cheese on top. Côtelettes d'Agneau Grillées $49 For the main course, we got the roasted rack of lamb roasted to medium rare. On the side it was tarragon lamb jus, roasted potatoes, string beans, and cauliflowers. Moules Poulettes $29 The French style sauteed mussels in pastis cream sauce, shallots, fennel and leek. The mussels were not as good as others, which is not fresh enough. It was served with garlic pomme frites on the side. Flourless Chocolate Cake $14 For dinner, we got the soufflé chocolate cake with vanilla gelato on the side, and also a huge strawberry cut into 3D pieces.

Magret de Canard Rôti ($37 as of May 2024). This dish is pan-roasted duck breast, bigarade sauce, polenta cake, & seasonal vegetables. The flavor was good and balanced. I especially really liked the duck breast. The crunchy skin on the duck really reminded me a lot of Chinese style pork roast. It was delicious. And the duck meat underneath was nice and tender and juicy. However, I thought that vegetables were just okay, and I did not really like the polenta cake. Overall, this dish was just, and I would probably stick with the duck confit next time. I am knocking down a couple of stars in this review, because I didn't feel like we got the best service. I thought that our waitress was not friendly at all, especially when I asked if we could get extra bread and she answered very dismissively without looking at us, as though annoyed. I thought it was very not nice. It was such a shame because otherwise we would've had the most wonderful experience.

We arrived about 6pm, no reservations. They were able to seat us as we were the first to arrive for dinner seating. A party of 5 and ordered escargot( French onion soup, mussels, crab cakes, short rib, and lasagna. Everything was served piping hot and stayed warm to the last bite. Impressive plating, we wished they'd served bread more generously, we did ask a couple of times for bread to dip in the soup and garlic butter from the escargot. The service was good and seemed like they did the best they could with two tables of 6 and two servers/table runners. The ambiance was suitable for a romantic dinner or family celebrations. White table cloths so a bit more fancy but we arrived pretty casual in our clothing but the other table of 6 were in dresses and dress shirts.

We went for an early lunch on a rainy Saturday. Service was friendly and the food was great. We both had the French onion soup which was excellent. We also had the roast chicken breast and steak frites. Both were perfect. While in downtown WC, it felt like a cozy neighborhood spot.

Cuzzo and her Hubs wanted to meet for dinner around their hood, and since Hubbers, Big Bro and I are o edient when it comes to our elders, we agreed. (Insert smirk here!) They picked this place and warned us not to drive too fast since it's really small and we will most likely miss it. Since there was extra traffic on Main (granted, 'tis the season on a Saturday night) plus there were three sets of eyes looking, we spotted it immediately. (For the record, It really is a small place. I've dined at Burma 2 next door and didn't even notice this existed until this visit!) We were seated immediately since we arrived a couple of minutes within our reservation time. Cuzzo and Hubs already had a couple of apps on the table to share: BEEF STEAK TARTARE: This is to DIE FOR!!! The presentation alone was a delight to our eyes, but the overall flavor takes the cake! The beef was topped with a raw quail egg meant to mix through. The toast were thin and crispy which held the proteins well. Add a dab of the green and white sauces and *insert chef's kiss here.* PATÉ DE FOIE DE CANARD: DISCLOSURE: If you're not a fan of liver, this isn't for you. But if you feel like an adventure, might wanna start with this. It was rich and packed with flavor and seasoned well. The nuts added texture and the side of pickles and jam helped with any after taste. Once again the toast served its purpose. Delish! ESCARGOT DE BOURGOGNE: I only wanted a taste since I've had my share of this dish. Soft and buttery but nothing out of the ordinary. SOUPE Â L'OIGNON: Always a must-have when I see this on the menu. I was warned the bowl will be hot (it was!) which of course produced the perfectly melted Gruyère. The broth had deep flavors - one can tell it took some time to make this. Good amount of onions and the bread inside added texture. Me likey! SAUMON POÊLÉS: Honestly, I got so full from the apps and soup, I felt I was too full for my main. I decided I would only take a taste and take the rest to go. But who was I kidding. The salmon was cooked and seared well, but sorta plain in flavor. Adding the yogurt sauce, however, elevated it plenty. Vege were fresh, especially with the green beans and its sweetness and crisp. I was extra full, but well worth it. FOOD: 4.5. SERVICE: 5. Our server was amazing! VALUE: 4. Some might think it's in the pricey end, but I felt was better than average. PARKING: Street only. There's a parking structure one block over - we got lucky as it was only $5 for the night. Some fellow Yelpers have great tips for finding freebie parking. But on a Saturday night, it will be a challenge. Plan accordingly. OVERALL: 4.5. Not on my radar then, they are on my radar now. It may be awhile, but I would love to return.

I liked La Sen bistro, and our experience was nice. Good place for a date; well settled, and unpretentious. Simple and expensive. The service was good and we felt attended to. Wines were good and a bit pricey (I must say that quality was forward concerning ingredients and wine at La Sen bistro). The pate was delicious with Crostini, onion jam, and corniches. Crab cakes had a good crisp crust and nice noticeable pieces of lump Dungeness meat. Seasoning on the calamari was really nice and breading was not overdone. I very much enjoyed the simple cook on the vegetables which were presented as nice jewels supporting the proteins in the entrées. Cooking here is erring on the side of traditional, without much accoutrement... for the cost, I need to see greater sauce work and presentation to justify the high price of the dishes.

A wonderful experience! Delicious food and beautiful ambience. We had the Escargot, Steak Tartar, French Onion Soup, Roquefort salad, Pear salad, Roasted Duck Breast and Salmon. Dessert was Profiteroles and Gelato. Everything was amazing! Service was great. Reservations highly recommended.

First off, the food was amazing. I don't know what they season the cauliflower with, but as a side it was fantastic. The bread, wine, and dessert were also all very good. That said, the service was kind of awful? After being seated and having some time to look over the menu, the server just approached and asked "what would you like to order?". There was no greeting, no "have you been here before?", no "do you have any questions about the menu?". I had lots of questions, but was thrown off, so just asked to start with one of the appetizers. We were told "we don't have that", so I asked about any specials and got back a "we don't have any specials". The entire interaction was so cold and off-putting that I debated just getting up and leaving before spending any money. What's worse (or maybe better?) is that all of the other servers seemed to actually be putting in attention to their tables, so I really don't know if it was just a bad night for our server, maybe their first night, or maybe we just put off a bad vibe. I was very much looking forward to this dinner and left incredibly disappointed.

Amazing meal that was for our sister's birthday. Between us we ordered Escargot de Bourgogne, Soup Du Jour (French onion), Pate' de Foie de Canard, Boeuf Bourguignon, Entrecote, Mousles Pulettes, and the mixed Cab were ALL tasted amazing. Not a cheap meal, but we weren't there for low prices, this was a celebration. We'll be back.

Lovely small intimate restaurant with excellent food and service. Early Sunday evening was a perfect time to go. Quiet and great service.

Came here for a birthday dinner and the food was amazing, the place was pretty small but other than that I can't complain . The service was okay little slow but it was a busy night so I understand.

Yep, they pretty much nailed everything. A celebration dinner with friends and so we sampled a lot. Crab salad was my wife's app. Just a delightfully light and flavorful patty of crab cake on mixed greens. Good as that was, however, my own choice - the cream of mushroom soup special was amazing. Rich, full, creamy - perfect. The sprinkling of broiled mushrooms on the top were a scrumptious addition. The other app was a repeat of my choice (but I choose it first!) and fried calamari. Hot and crispy. Oh, and speaking of crispy, the complimentary bread was warm, slightly chewy, and came with a room temp butter/herb spread. Yum. A pear salad was shared by the entire table, and was excellent in its own right, although I'm personally not a fan of pignoli nuts. Dindin - For me, it had to be ratatouille with polenta. And the polenta was HOT! Clearly they put that on the plate and brought it out pronto. Topped with broccolini, it was exceptional. Me at it all up! Wife's salmon was moist on the inside and crisp on the outside - perfectly done. And the duck that both the other had was, according to them, A+. Had to try dessert and went with Strawberry Napoleon. WOW! That was the most flavorful dessert I've had in a very long time. They told us everything is made in-house and it sure tasted it. Probably my favorite part of the entire meal. Lots of parking just a block away and a couple of garages nearby. For those who know the old Ottavio's, this is in the same space but the decor has been updated and lightened quite a bit. Very tasteful and pleasant. Our server, Melissa, was wonderful. Always ready to help and never hovering. We will return!

What a little gem tucked in Walnut Creek! Smoked salmon tartare appetizer was today's special. It's so refreshing and served on mini toasts. Perfect way to start the meal. We also ordered the calamari. Lightly fried and yet tender. Perfectly seasoned. Pear salad -- delicious light honey vinaigrette dressing. Pears were perfectly ripe with a bit of crunch. Kanpachi was the special fish of the day. I didn't order it but looks delicious. My dish was the mussels and came with a plate of fries! Nice cream sauce. Presentation was awesome and great value.

Ok guys, i know that i have already raved about the scrumptious offerings at Le Sen Bistro in Walnut Creek... but I simply can not refrain from posting yet again another marvelous dining encounter at this unique little bistro! Tonight we had a very special celebration and rightfully splurged. As a result, I was able to sample many of their signature classic french dishes, as well as revisit a few of my ABFAVES there. So, fasten your seatbelts! Here we go: We opened with Escargot, Salade de Crabe, French Onion Soup, the Soup du Jour (Cream of Mushroom) and of course their house aïoli (a fluffy light cloud of nirvana into which you dip their delightfully fresh artisan french bread). It was all excellent, and the butter sauce in which the escargot floated gave their to-die-for aïoli a definite run for the money. Entrées included: Boeuf Bourguignon: I have eaten, and cooked myself, many varieties of this French classic... and had yet to meet one that would make Julia Childs proud. My Quest is complete. To say this Boeuf was divine on all fronts from the quality & tenderness of meat to the freshness & perfect doneness of veggies to the deeply richly satisfying incredibly flavorful velvety sauce would be an understatement. Vol-Au-Vent: Le Sen's take on this french classic is a ridiculously luscious crispy & airy puff pastry topped with sautéed shrimp and served on a light mushroom cream sauce. Coq a Vin: Usually not my go-to dish at a French restaurant because it's fairly pedestrian and not often done well.... But tonight I was surprised and delighted to find it supple and layered with flavors, with the chicken thigh cooked to perfection, and not in the least bit stringy (unlike many other offerings I have had in the past.) Entrecòte: The Classic French Steak Dinner... the cut choice varies here, (for example, when I had lunch here, I enjoyed the entrecòte flank steak and tonight it was a grilled ribeye cut.), but the quality of preparation remain the same. This on-menu Entrecòte is normally served with a bordelaise sauce but we requested the traditional Parisian Dijon Peppercorn Pan-sauce instead (as I mentioned in my previous review, this is a sauce you rarely see on a menu this side of the pond, and one that I've never had done better than they do here at Le Sen) Ratatouille: This classic french vegetable mélange was served on a fried polenta cake atop basil pesto and a tomato sauce with goat cheese drizzled with a balsamic reduction... That's how you spell heaven folks! We washed all this down with an icy cold crisp Pinot Grigio, and a supple french Bordeaux. And then... the desserts! Pots du Crème au Chocolat, Apple Blueberry Rissoles, and Strawberry Napòlean Here are some food-porn shots of our gastronomic galaxy at Le Sen Bistro in Walnut Creek (Unfortunately, Yelp only allows 10 photos per review so you'll have to just imagine the Pots au Chocolat and a snap of our birthday girl making her wish.)

Not often do I give a five star review but if given the option, I would give La Sen six stars! My family enjoyed a celebratory dinner and we were impressed with La Sen from beginning to end. Not only was service impeccable, the restaurant was nice given the space and layout. Everything we ordered was excellent. We all had a taste of each other's main course and we were unable to pick a favorite. We enjoyed an order of escargot and calamari frits to start along with a bottle of Miura Pinot Noir. For dinner, we had the house daily special lamb shank, Vol-Au-Vent with shrimp in a lovely cream sauce, Boeuf Bourguignon and duck confit followed with the apple and blueberry Rissoles and Profiteroles for dessert. We would not hesitate to order any of these again but look forward to trying something different for another outstanding experience. Thanks to La Sen for a wonderful evening.

So good! Classic French bistro cuisine in downtown Walnut Creek. Parking is street or you can use the garage under the Library which is nearby. We sampled some staples like steak frites and french onion soup, and they were some of the best versions around! The dining room was lovely, quiet and romantic. Service was excellent. Prices were really good, I was pleasantly surprised at the end of the night.

We eat at La Sen a lot and it just keeps getting better. The food is really French and uses great ingredients. We really appreciate the personal service and the committment to great food that is alway on display.

Tiny, but cozy French Bistro serving classic comforting food, freshly made and right in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek! Skip the trips into the city for fine French cuisine. The starters were all good, from the rich cream of mushroom soup to the perfect crab cake salad. The entrecôte steak was delicious, as was the beef bourguignon. The finale was the crème brûlée, perfectly presented. Oh yes, also really enjoyed the Bordeaux wine, went really well with the meal. Lovely meal in downtown!

Sen was a nice surprise as we have been looking for a decent French bistro to dine at. Our barometer is France having dined in locales such as Bordeaux and Paris. We typically measure by dishes and chose escargot, French onion soup, duck confit, and steak. We ordered one additional item which was a soup of the day, shrimp bisque. I leave the rating of escargot and duck confit to my wife and she very much enjoyed the duck confit. Our favorite place in Paris makes the outside slightly crispy, but overall it met her standards and she finished it all. Kudos to our server who went and checked for additional duck confit as she originally told us that they were out due to a large party earlier in the day! They had one left and it went to my wife. The escargot was good, but she said was smaller than what we get in Paris. On to the soups. We both liked the French onion. She loved the cheese and the soup was packed with onions. The typical bread inside was not really there and that's okay by both of us as we can do without. We both thought the soup had a bit of extra sweetness to it compared to others we've tried. My shrimp bisque was delish. There were some croutons in there that gave it some crunch as well as the corn bits. Have to mention the dip for the bread before moving on to my main. First, I will say, I hate cilantro. If I smell or taste I'm just floored. Compliments to the owner who makes the dip as I could not taste or smell the cilantro ingredient and it tasted great with the bread. We ended up eating 2 plates. My main was a rib eye which was very French style. It's a thinner cut and I ordered med rare. They didn't over cook it! Served with yummy mash potatoes and seasonal veggies, and with a nice reduction, the plate was delish.

Lovely little place. Not that far from the public library. Food was excellent. Great place to go for a date night. Service was excellent too. We had to move from our original table due to some issues with people next to us, so they quickly moved us to the back. I took a few photos of the menu, but wasn't able to get an interior picture. There were lots of paintings and wine bottles on display throughout the restaurant. We would definitely go back here again.

"People who love to eat are always the best people." -- Julia Child For whatever reason, I thought I was booking a Vietnamese restaurant to celebrate a recent business victory, but it turned out to be La Sen Bistro. But what' serendipity! The three of us loved our meal, and the service was friendly and energetic too. Lasagna, Beef Bourgogne, Puffy Pastry entree with mushrooms and seafood, French onion soup, table bread; all wonderful and soulful. I just ate again this week at Bistro Jeanty in Napa and this compares very well too. Corkage is only $20. I had brought a Sonoma sparkler, the only misfire was server did not pour glasses consistently and the glass of burgundy I bought was mediocre. But those little first world annoyances could not take away from our meal. We all enjoyed it so much. Parking pro tip...if you don't want to pay for parking, use the Civic Center parking lot. You are welcome! Highly recommended!

How did I not know this place existed?! Everything was fantastic from the French onion soup (best I've had in a long time), escargot, pear salad, and duck confit. I'm not usually big on cauliflower, but it was infused with Indian spice (perhaps blanched?) and then roasted for a little char on the outside. My partner and I both agreed it was the star veggie. The only regret was no room for dessert!

Nice upscale French restaurant. Food was great across the board. Had the calamari, which was well breaded and had a nice aioli to go with it. The duck pate was unique and came with an assortment of other garnishes; it was very rich and paired well with the bread. The pear salad was also well composed, especially with the pine nuts. My group had three different entrees. The vol-au-vent (salmon dish) had a nice cream sauce, and the salmon was very moist. Duck confit had a rich demi-glace sauce, and was also cooked well. Lastly, the rack of lamb was extremely tender and was accompanied with well-roasted vegetables. Dessert included the creme-brulee, no complaints. Service was great and the interior had very nice decorations. Would definitely come back.

Came on a Wednesday evening for my mother's birthday. Nice ambience; simple, french inspired decor. Cute little gem, that could easily be overlooked from the outside. We had a reservation and were seated immediately. Our server was friendly and attentive. We ordered: - Pate De Foie de Canard: I'm obsessed with duck liver pate and this one was delicious. Very smooth, almost whipped, texture topped with pistachios that gave a nice crunch. The accompaniments were a perfect pairing. - Tomato/Burrata/Peach/Arugula Salad: The peach was a surprising addition, but it makes sense since it's peach season. The tomatoes and peaches played well together and the arugula added good peppery flavor. - Escargot de Bourgogne: delicious buttery, garlicky, herbaceous bites. - Mushroom soup: rich, savory, creamy, flavorsome soup with nice chucks of mushroom throughout. - Gateau de Crabe: very well made crab cake. Crispy outside, delicious amount of Dungeness crab on the inside. The tater sauce was creamy and balanced. The roasted veggies were good, the carrots being my favorite. I would've liked a bit more balsamic reduction drizzled over the veggies and not just on the plate, but the dish was good nonetheless. - Lasagnes au Boeuf: very hearty beef lasagna. The bechamel sauce was silky, buttery and creamy. - Moules Mariniers: perfectly cooked mussels in a pastis cream sauce that tasted of the ocean. A touch salty but not terribly so. The garlic fries were delicious and paired well with the sauce. - Apple Blueberry Puff Pastry: love this!! Buttery puff pastry and delicious compote filling with a side of vanilla gelato! I regret sharing it with the others at my table. I could've eaten all myself. - Pots de Creme au Chocolat: they put a candle in this for my mom which was really sweet of them. I prefer dark chocolate mousse with a thicker consistency. This mousse was not particularly dark and had a more whipped/lighter consistency. My family enjoyed it though! Overall, this place was good and we definitely will be back.

This is my second time visiting La Sen and it's even better the second time around. French cuisine is definitely growing on me as I expand my taste and experiences more and more. It's still hard to pronounce some of the names of their items on the menu, but I can assure you that each and every one of them is on point. We got the beef steak tartare (delicious!), escargot (scrumptious and creamy, I wish escargot was bigger so that the enjoyment can be prolonged!), confit de canard (duck confit) and sautéed mussels. All were amazing! The first time I was here, I had the scallops - which is also a great choice. Anyway, merci beaucoup for reading! And bon appétit!

Went to La Sen with a large group of 12 on a weekday night and had a really pleasant experience. Very friendly staff and the quality of food is in the upper echelon for Walnut Creek restaurants. Started off with Escargot. If you like garlic butter, you'll like Escargot. They give you some pretty interesting tools to eat them with too. A clamp and a tiny fork assist you in your snail eating adventure. Unfortunately, they were out of Duck Confit, so I got the Magret de Canard Roti. Nothing but good things to say about it - perfectly roasted duck breast, tender vegetables, creamy polenta with a nice crust. For dessert, I had the Napoleon, which was basically a tower of ice cream with a little puffed pastry and some berries. It was really, really good. My only other exposure to Napoleons have been in Chinese bakeries and those tend to have pretty greasy pastry and no ice cream. Definitely recommend this place for a fancy night out.

Amazing place! Best French restaurant in the Eastbay reasonably priced!! If you like duck breast, it's the best! Anne

We came here on Valentine's Day. Even we made a reservation, but we still waited for 25 mins to get seated. A table before us waited for 40 mins. Food came out super slow but i guess it is understandable. My favorite course was the entree for sure. We chose the roast duck and bouillabaisse. The duck is soo tender and well seasoned. I enjoyed every bites. All the seafood in bouillabaisse is so fresh and not salty. We would go back sometime and try their other stuffs on the regular menu.

Delicious dinner last night to celebrate our anniversary! Melissa gave us excellent service and the food was ridiculously good. Is it wrong that we ordered another steak tartare for dessert?

My favourite French restaurant in Bay Area. Very friendly team. All food very delicious. Nice French wine

This little French restaurant is a gem in Walnut Creek. It is truly a find amongst the big places in the area. The restaurant is not a very big one it has probably 20 tables and is quieter and romantic at the same time. A good place to celebrate an occasion or just have a romantic date. The food is superb! Very French, very delicious and exquisite. We went there to celebrate my God Daughters birthday and it was lovely. We ordered the ratatouille with fried polenta, the Coq au vin, vol au vent with shrimp and the succulent duck breast which was cooked to perfection. Our plates were clean! The deserts were on another level, we had the pots de crème, the napoleon and apple and blueberry rissoles. The way their puff pastry is so delicate and light was incredible. The Desert plates were licked clean, need we say anything more about the food! Their wine list is good and we had a Riesling and a nice merlot. They do have a good French selection. This place is definitely one to go to on a regular basis. Price point is about $75 to $100 including wine and tip. We were so busy gobbling our food we forgot to take pictures! My apologies.

Came to celebrate my birthday. Had lunch and luckily we did because we laged found LA Sen was closed for dinner for a private party. All entrees were delicious. We also ordered the French onion soup and mushroom soup. Both were exceptional. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a lunch/dinner spot casual gathering or for an intimate one as well. It's cozy for a table for one too! Parking is challenging especially because it's metered. Worth the trip!

This is definitely the place for a very nice lunch or dinner. We had lunch there ... escargot, crab cake salad, mussels and petrale sole ... all were very, very good. The place, with white tablecloths and jazzy French music, might scare off the casual diner but the very friendly waitperson and pleasant, low keyed atmosphere made for a very enjoyable dining experience without being pretentious. It's under appreciated. I'll be back.

Lived in Walnut Creek for years and never stopped at this wonderful restaurant. Great experience, great ambience, great food. Give it a try.

Delicious French cousine. Tried 4 different entrees and all were great. We would definitely return for more. Quite peaceful place, attentive, polite servers. Deserts we will skip next time.

Absolutely delicious! Will definitely go back, food is perfectly cooked and service was outstanding

La Sen Bistro, Walnut Creek: 17 Dec 2021 We started coming here in 2019. Back then, we've had good experiences here. This evening was a special occasion - my father-in-law's 88th birthday celebration - however, things didn't turn out the way it should have. For a start, our server's mask kept slipping off her face. Not the best thing to experience in an eatery during the pandemic. Another thing one of the guests noted was her hovering over our heads. One guy working there had his mask under his nose. Another no-no during this scary time. The food: Everyone 'seemed' to 'like' their food but me. Let me start by saying I didn't taste anyone's food - so I can only judge my orders. Salad: The salad was good - fresh greens and really good dressing. Halibut (pan-seared halibut, saffron fumet, garden pea, parsnip purée): The first thing that hit me was the fishy smell. I poked at it and the top fell from the flesh. It was over-cooked and lacked seasoning. If the parsnip purée was supposed to be served cold, then I was impressed - but the cold purée just didn't seem like it partnered well with the fish. The only thing I enjoyed on my plate was the garden pea - and coming from me, that's a big deal. Overall, I wasn't impressed at all - but ate my mistake because it was an expensive choice. Our guests said I should have returned it. Perhaps I should have. Atmosphere: Good lighting Value for money: Not worth it Location: Situated on one of Walnut Creek's major street Parking: There is parking around the corner but be sure you drop in enough change in the meter. Walnut Creek is known for handing out parking tickets.

We have been here almost weekly since January. The food is consistently delicious. It's hot, tasty and made with skill and care. The service is always on point. EVERYONE on the team, from the owner to the chef to the servers puts their hearts and souls in to the work they do...they are always looking to make our experience the best it can be. They know how to make you feel special. The ambiance is comfortable, not stuffy. In my opinion this is a better value and taste than many of the restaurants even the city. A few of my favorites: Pear salad Chicken breast with fries Ratatouille Vol au Vent Strawberry Napoleon

Great crab cakes and variety. The duck looks great. And nice salads. Service is fast. And great ambiance and seating. Fantastic view of Main Street. I had the ratatouille.