Chez Maman

Reviews 8

PA

Paul Volk

This super cute hole-in-the-wall french diner was exactly what I wanted when I was famished and craving burgers and honestly the burger was the most average part of the meal. We started with the French onion soup which was to die for (a little salty but I love me some salt!). Next we moved on to the beef tartare which was pretty good but it had a bit too much mustard for me, but since it says mustard on the menu, jokes on me. Next we split a burger (the standard one) and fries. It was cooked well, but just an average burger, honestly. Finally we had the garlic, lemon, wine muscles (i think that was the broth) which were excellent! I topped off a meal with their Cab-Franc which was a perfect compliment. Its a nice touch when a wine menu has only one of each type of wine and its actually good, instead of forcing you to wade through a list of junk they got paid to promote. The way the lively and energetic french owner was dumping the wine into the glass (yes, dumping) was so awesome and I felt the urge to high five him every time. Either way, this place embodies that hole-in-the-wall vibe and the owner brings a lot of energy and personality to the experience. Its a bit pricey, but considering all we ordered Id say it was about right. Cant wait to come back.

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TI

Tiffany Duong

Lazing your day away in cafes is one of the best things about Europe that is really hard to replicate in the US. This spot does it perfectly, and transports you to an old world feeling, with hip, fresh, delicious food. Its quaint, small, intimate. The waiters are decidedly French, and whisk you through their menu. Its perfect. My sister and I went for a late lunch last Saturday, and everything hit the spot. We had mimosas, which were a nice mix of champagne and OJ, and definitely not watered down. For lunch I had the savoyard crepe, and it was delicious. The crepe batter was darker - maybe buckwheat or something a little heartier than flour. It was crispy on the outside, but still warm and fluffy after slicing into it. The flavors were on point, and when paired with their special mustard, each bite was heaven. My sis went for the burger, which was perfectly cooked on a "giant crouton" bun, which was way better than any american bread can do. You get your choice of cheese or add on, and everything is wonderful. New fave brunch spot in the city! Cant wait to come back!

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NA

Nalani N

Obviously, the fact that this place is really wonderful is no secret. I adore this restaurant, and it is one of my absolute favorite places to eat in San Francisco. It is on my final meal list. Heres why: this restaurant has it all. Food, service, atmosphere. All of the components of a great restaurant are there. Atmosphere. Its cozy. Tiny-cozy. Cozy-tiny. Really best for 2 people. You can sit at the counter and watch the restaurant work, your server making his way past the cooks, your cooks making your delicious meal. Or you can sit at the table outside, or the nook inside. But really the counter is where its at. Service. I love our server (were usually there for lunch). Hes always perfect. Not too friendly, or un-friendly, just a great server who knows his craft. Weve been for dinner, and while I love the fella at lunch, hes only one notch above the lovely fella at night. Food. Burger, chicken burger, french fries, mussels... everything I have had has been delicious. I have to admit, I rarely stray from the above listed, since they are all so awesome.

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KE

Kevin Lo

Such an itsy bitsy place, so I have no idea how we just sauntered in and got a table for four during prime time dinner time. The French onion soup is awesome. So Awesome. For $6, you get a mini tureen of thick onion essence under a mantle of bubbling cheese. Mop it up with the house bread, and know that only after four refills of this basket should you start feeling any shame. The baked Camembert was a close second-place celebration of cheese and roasted garlic. My friends all got burgers, which they enjoyed, though they commented that the meat was more like kebab meat (so even consistency), rather than the usual crumbly ground beef at diners. I had the mussels, which were a solid portion size and nicely cooked. You get four choices of sauces, and i went with Provencale, which meant bits of tomato (concasse if you wore your fancy pants), basil, garlic, and shreds of bell pepper. The desserts looked amazing (so much Chantilly!), but no room in our collective bellies this time around.

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FR

Fred Posner

Fantastic from beginning to end. This restaurant is the exact reason why San Francisco has a reputation for good food. I started off with a Fettuccine Carbonara which was served perfectly. Egg broken on top of the hot pasta was a fantastic touch. The portion was generous as well as the amount of bacon and garlic. The pasta was cooked al dente and others should learn from this. Complimentary French bread accompanied my meal (refilled) and I opted for an Amstel light instead of one of the wines listed on the wine menu. The photo posted is what was left of my dinner— absolutely nothing. That pasta was too good not to finish. Ended my meal with an espresso and a chocolate mousse. My only complaint was that the chocolate mousse was too large of a portion. Highly recommended. Its a smaller dining room so either call ahead, be patient, or get great service at the bar like I did.

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SO

Sonya Li

I love their burgers because the beef patties are tender, juicy, and herby. All burgers come on a ciabatta roll, which are crusty on the outside and soft and porous inside. Be sure to add an extra or two because they offer goat cheese, Brie, and Roquefort. I know that practically everyone complains about how small this restaurant is, but the wait is worth it to sit at the well-lit counter and watch the chefs flips burgers. However during my last visit, it was the pork chop with brussel sprouts and apple cider mustard sauce that caught my eye. The pork chop was flecked with fine herbs and prepared perfectly. It sat on a bed on boiled and then grilled brussel sprouts in a saucy bath of apple cider mustard sauce. My only complaint is about the brussel sprouts because they were a touch too mushy for my liking. Overall it was a great meal.

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AL

Aldo VILLALTA

Its a bit of Paris in the Potrero area The French Onion Soup was beefy broth smothered with Baked Gruyere cheese The Escargot were over cooked and uneatable but when I indicated this ...to the waiter... He quickly got rid of the nasty plate and brought me the most delish plate of Escargots ever The main course ... Flat Iron Steak with Peppercorn Sauce Cooked to perfection Reminded me of being back in Paris Absolutely Delicious Im mouthwatering as I write this up. Dessert was bypast ... for a cup of coffee to end our night. Inolvidable Superb The Table Service was on point . The Escargots on the bill was .... Compt Free .. He ushered another apology for their indiscretions of those horrid escargots. Pourquoi senvoler à Paris? Quand un délicieux dîner français peut être situé ici à San Francisco.

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A

A Private User

My friends tell me the crepes here are awesome, but I dont think Ive ever had one, because this place has the best burgers in town. Theyre big and juicy, like a burger should be, and especially delicious. Get them with the thin string fries, which are also nice. (Gee, I guess I always finish them first, in fact.) Chez Maman is a tiny neighborhood place on a steep block on Potrero Hills main shopping strip. Inside, the ceilings are high, there are about 14 seats total -- 10 of them at the bar, that looks directly onto the stoves and a kitchen so narrow that the waiter has to step carefully around the working cooks as he comes to take your order. And every time Ive been there its the same French waiter. Outside seats too.

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