Linda and Mike L. Mc Colgan's culinary journey recently took them to the heart of the San Francisco's financial district. With a goal to go to all 3000 San Francisco restaurants and having been to 500 plus, L'Olivier has been serving French food to the foodies of the Bay area since 1978. It is a charming place that has a joyful feeling the minute you enter the front door.
Price fixed meals are offered for lunch that present great value and a taste of many of their delicate and delicious foods. For lunch and $21.95 per person, you can get a choice of appetizer main course and desert. Dinner includes 3 courses including desert for $33.50 per person. An extensive wine list is offered and nice choice of wines by the glass. There is also a private dining room that is perfect for business dinners and intimate parties.
Our server Francisco and General Manger Claudia Bacauanu were very helpful and started us off with a sample of their very popular appetizers. Salmon tartar, Kobe beef tartar, salad langaise(duck confit and smoked duck breast), roasted red pepper soup, mussels with white wine, shallots parsley and cream, escargots in a shell with garlic sauce and warm brie in phyllo dough. "OOH La La!" What a way to start a lunch. Everything was prepared to perfection and presented in elegant French fashion. The escargot was the best I have ever tasted.
For the entree I ordered the chicken picatta with mashed potatoes that was lightly breaded and very tasty and tender. Linda had the scallop risotto in lobster sauce that was a very impressive presentation and more importantly heavenly to enjoy. Again another "OOH La! La!."
Desserts are also a specialty and Francisco recommended the Tartin Tatin and Strawberry Soup with Brandy and Lemon Sorbet that was a grand finally to an over the top foodie experience. They also offer soufflés, desert of the day and coffee, tea and espresso.
Our extensive restaurant experience has taught us to ask each other the magical question, "would you return?" The answer to this is a double "Qui, Qui."
Yes, we plan on returning soon and highly recommend that you also try this long time foodie establishment that excels with "Passionate Parisian Perfection" in the "Great City By The Bay."
For more information and to make reservations go to:
