Les Amis THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Les Amis

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Les Amis

568 Sacramento St. (Montgomery St.)
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-291-9145
Map
Cuisine: French / Contemporary
Bungalow-like restaurant serving contemporary French cuisine in a starkly elegant atmosphere.
Openings: Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner Mon.-Sat.

Features


THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Les Amis Restaurant Review:


Passing through the looming red doors of this former firehouse, diners are seated in an intimate bungalow-like room with a starkly elegant demeanor. The low-ceilinged space features cream walls, slate floors and tables with white tablecloths paired with banquettes upholstered in a burnt rose brocade and camel ultrasuede seats. Sparse visual stimulus is found on the walls (there is a notable art program) until the food begins to arrive; artful swaths of color are revealed after the amuse-bouches are lifted off their dish, or are painted upon a plate's rim. The menu is contemporary French, nicely executed in the appetizer of sweetbreads nestled in a tangle of greens and citrusy Chilean carica (a type of papaya) and sporting a smoky bacon vinaigrette. The entrée of striped bass with shredded duck cracklings is flavorful and decadent, as is the five-spiced crust on the juicy poussin; the bird's nest of spinach purée exhibits an unusual depth of flavor and yet the accompanying roasted chanterelles are almost flavorless, and greasy. Desserts are uncommon, like a deconstructed cheesecake with a mascarpone-like pillow of chèvre and walnut crumble atop a bed of tomato rose confit. Service is polished, fitting for the clubby atmosphere.