Bistro Central Parc

Bistro Central Parc is a hidden jewel. The food is amazing and the service is outstanding.

I recently learned that my friend Gina from high school bought this restaurant a year ago and I wanted to check it out. I met a friend out on a drizzly night. I was so impressed! The ambiance, food, and staff were all top notch. We had a private table by the window and were able to have a conversation at normal voice level. Our appetizer and dinner were amazing –we ordered the Cordon Bleu and the halibut special. I don’t get to go out much these days after becoming a mom. It was such a treat having a great evening out. Thanks Gina, way to go!
Renee

Absolutely delicious! Went here for a friend’s birthday dinner on Saturday and the place was bustling and cheery. Had Petrale Sole and it was my favorite out of all the food that came to our table, yay! I don’t eat pâté but took a little taste off the charcuterie tray and it was so delicious! The whole staff came out and sang Happy Birthday to my friend, it was super sweet. The portions are huge, far bigger than I expected. I had enough leftover for another meal. And I especially love that the entire wait staff seems to actually be French!

The beef tartar here was disappointing at best, despite the ostentatious display. Coupled with unimaginably slow service, the restaurant delivered nothing short of a bewildering spectacle of blandness. The only thing that could have made the experience thus far worse was the frighteningly pedestrian wine selection.
The redeeming factor came with the main course. While my medium steak veered disturbingly close to the well done side, it was still edible, and at times, enjoyable, albeit dry. The risotto was also acceptable. Nothing unique here, but presenting an edible dish deserves an accolade in itself.

Walked by this place so many times as I live down the block. Me and my wife decided to check out the menu, but we walked in and they were not open yet. No problem, They were happy to let us look around and see the menu.
We ran the rest of our errands and showered and got dressed for dinner. We were seated right away and fully taken care of. Kyle was an amazing waiter and helped us to find some wine similar to a wine that my wife wanted, all based on a picture of the bottle. The whole staff was amazing too. I never knew this gem existed right up the street from us. It should be said I and my wife have blue and purple hair, and are covered in tattoos, yet we received the best service we have gotten in years and felt totally welcome. I love the open kitchen, you can see the chefs working on your meal, and looking for reaction when you take your first bite. Everything was excellent. Its like they were reading my mind how I wanted my lamb. The food and service was great!
Thank you guys! We will be back!

My god, this place is amazing… On top of great food, the service was impeccable. Our waiter Kyle was amazing. Helped us out with the right wines for what we were getting… And we chose to get a lot of different things because everything sounded incredible. We got several appetizers starting with the wild mushroom risotto which was fantastic… Then it was topped by this cheese and meat plate that has incredible pâtés on it… And that was topped by the duo de tartare saumon which exploded like an atomic bomb of flavor in my mouth. For the main courses, we got the carré d’agneau with ratatouille (an incredible rack of lamb) and the moules marinieres (succulent mussels) and both were superb. The lamb was cooked perfectly and the ratatouille was delicious. The mussels came in a white wine and cream sauce that we also dipped out pommes frites into. For dessert we got the Napoleon which was an amazing end to one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time. They carefully boxes our leftovers for us, a service that seems all too forgotten and we had great conversation with Kyle and the owner… A fantastic time.

Visited this little gem many times when I still lived in the Bay. One of my favorite French restaurants in SF. I love the scallop risotto! Must get! Superrrr flavorful, cooked just right, I always get this no matter what haha. Doesn’t look very big, but very filling (4 large scallops!) Foods here tend to be pretty heavy, but that’s how French food usually is. Tried the mussels and bouillabaisse before, but still think scallop risotto stands way out.
Service is super friendly. Presentation is great. Reasonably priced. Make reservations since it’s pretty small. Tucked away in a residential area, parking is pretty difficult.
Bottom-​line: Top-​notch no frill French food! Super delicious scallop risotto, make a reservation and go! :)

Decided last minute that I wanted to stop by this place before leaving the city. I made reservations at 5pm on NYE the night before! Somehow they were able to squeeze me in (amazing, right?). Our waiter was great. He made us feel welcomed and explained all the specials and answered all our questions about the menu.
Beef Tartare: I wanted my mom to try this dish because she never has. She ended up really liking it. Loved how it came with a small frisee salad. Great flavor and fresh meat.
French onion soup: I was a little scared that the soup would be really salty, but the soup here was delicious. The sweetness of the onions comes through and cheese adds a great element and balances out the sweet onions. My only issue with the soup was that it was just lukewarm. Would have liked it a bit hotter so that by the time we finished the soup, it would be cold.
Seabass: Fish of the day special. I was really excited about this dish, but I was a little disappointed. The fish seemed over cooked just a little. But i enjoyed the creamy polenta and broccolini it came with.
Filet mignon with foie gras: The star of the night! The filet was cooked to a perfect medium. Nice and pink in the middle. It was tender and juicy; I couldn’t have asked it for any better. The foie gras was amazing! Melt in your mouth amazing. And the sauce/​reduction they used made it all the better. There was no sauce left by the last bite!
Volcano chocolate cake: Cooked perfectly. Sometimes I hesitate to order these because even if it it’s left in the oven for one minute too long, you lose the «lava» part of the cake. But when I picked up my fork and cut into it, the chocolate oozed out of the center. I was surprised (not in a bad way) with a bite of cherry after eating a few bites.
Service was great. They were all very nice and attentive. My mom had mentioned that we were there for my birthday as we were finishing up and they were asking us how our meal was. Boy were we in for a surprise! As our dessert came out they put a candle on the plate and I could see it from afar. Then all of a sudden, the lights went out and it was completely dark inside. As the cake approached the whole staff started to sing Happy Birthday! It was great! Thank you for doing that Bistro Central Parc!

This is a great neighborhood restaurant but we got just terrible service on Christmas Eve. Kept us waiting 45 minutes with a reservation– put us at the heated outdoor tables (42 degrees and wind blowing)
After we were finally seated next to he door another 20 minutes before we were waited on.
Did I mention we had our 95 year old (sprightly) mother with us.
They comped us one glass of wine — kind of Scrooge like :-(
My advice
AVOID THIS PLACE AT THE HOLIDAYS– they can’t handle the crowds
Any other time — it is a really wonderful choice.

Comment dit-​on «Holy prices, Batman!» en français?
Nice place but Valencia pricing won’t fly in the Western Addition. $ 8.5 pommes frites? I’ve had cheaper on Fifth Avenue!

We loved our waiter! He joked around with us and made us feel really at home throughout our entire meal. The food was good, some dishes better than others, but overall, an enjoyable meal. Really, this is a 3.5 star joint.
Highlights included:
Mussels marinière: fresh big mussels cooked in a delicious white wine cream sauce. Get extra bread to sop up the extra sauce!
Baked Brie: this wasn’t a complicated dish by any means but we liked the head of roasted garlic that came with it.
Our escargots were overwhelmed with parsley and needed more butter and garlic.
Everyone enjoyed their mains. However, the fish of the day (halibut) was dry and overcooked. The duck confit skin could also have been crisper.
We enjoyed our meal here as the restaurant has a great casual laid back vibe and friendly service. The food was a bit more hit and miss though. Regardless, this is a great neighborhood restaurant.

Love this place! The staff and owner are so welcoming and remember you every time you come back. Food is awesome, and if you can grab a seat at the bar you get to enjoy a view of the hard working Chef, Brad and his team. If you live in the neighborhood, you are lucky, but it is also a destination spot.

Ugh… Guys… This is why we can’t have nice things.
Came by for brunch as I know it’s a solid spot and we can sit outside. There were plenty of tables open inside and outside, but it was just my gf and I — and the two 2-​person tables outside were directly next to an open window where other diners were sitting (inside) and even awkwardly hanging their arms out the window.
We sat at a 4-​person table away from the window and the waiter balked at us. So we stood up asked for a two person table not next to a window so we could have a shred of privacy. «There’s none open».
I pointed out they had plenty of open seating. Could we just move a table and like magic turn that 4-​person table back into a 2 person? «No! They are set up this way for a reason»
I’m not doing a great job of explaining how rude and uncompromising this guy was. He needed to make it clear that he was in charge and we were not to have any influence on where we get to sit at a restaurant that is 30% occupied.
So, we got up and left. Sorry you hate your job dude– but do long as I see your bald head waiting tables there, we’re not going to return.

Once again, an awesome meal for my birthday celebration. The trout was amazing. Service… over the top. Still my favorite restaurant in SF.
I will return.

I ve been here twice, brunch and dinner .
Their brunch selection is vary. I ordered the egg Benedict and my friend ordered a croque monsieur. They were not bad, but not surprising at all. I m happy that they have the snails, escargot at brunch, which tasted flavorful with the sauce, it went perfectly with the bread. Overall, I enjoyed their food and service, had a good time with my girl friend.
And for the dinner, I think they have different people work for day and night, I m not sure if they are owners or what. The lady helped us was smiley less but helpful.
She explained different dishes to us, since we don’t understand French haha. This time, we ordered duck confit and scallop risotto. I wanted to have duck confit for so long!!! I expected it to be very soft and melted in mouth, but this one came with bit tough. one star deducted from that. But I liked how they pair the duck with lentils and bacon in vinegar sauce. Its refreshing.
After the entrée, we got the apple tart for dessert, its bit too sweet for me, but OK.

Minus one star for service. A waitress hissed at us when we tried to get our waiter’s attention. Okay, bitch. We were very polite to our waiter, as he deserved, so save your attitude. Also, we were barely checked on and overall didn’t get the warmest vibe.
We had beef tartare appetizers. I would have loved to split two different ones, but we didn’t go that route. Oh well. Great start. The risotto with scallops and lobster sauce was excellent. The filet mignon with potato and foie gras was pretty good but didn’t wow me. I had had foie gras twice since it became legal recently, but I ate it in smaller quantities in the past. It’s nice as an underwhelming complement. A big piece isn’t so much my thing, I’ve realized. Presenting the steak cut, as Range does, for example, would have been awesome, but it was tender enough and therefore not too difficult to manage. I would’ve preferred potatoes on the side to a potato base. While the layering is cool conceptually, the functionality is poor. My meal kept sliding. I made an effort throughout to eat the components together, as I figured they were intended.
Loud. Not screaming loud like a sports bar. Still, the noise level was too much for me. I strained to speak and tried hard to listen. Not my ideal ambiance for dinner.
Wine and beer only.

I’ve been here a few times and have always walked away (with my belly) content and enriched.
This restaurant is tucked in NoPa neighborhood and like most of SF — parking sucks but that’s kinda given when you see a restaurant located in popular neighborhoods like this.
We’ve always experienced a warm welcome from the owner, as the restaurant is small with simple modern décor. Waiters can range from super bougie douche to a kind of relaxed bougie douche (such a big difference right?) I wouldn’t expect anything less from a French restaurant, but a sense of bougie douche-​ness altogether.
Regardless of the waiter, the food is what I’m really here for:
(1) Escargot — drowned in a heavy amount of butter and parsley (which is prob the only way I’d eat snails = drowned in butter) were delicious little suckers.
(2) Mussels (Moules Marinieres) — light, succulent, and tasty. Definitely one of my favorites here.
(3) Ratatouille — side dish we got as an appetizer was definitely my least favorite. It was just a little too soggy and mushy for my texture palate.
(4) Kobe Beef Tartare — was pure Amazing! So much I didn’t even get a picture! The first thing to come out for a group of hangry beings, therefore devoured without mercy.
(5) Scallop Risotto (Risotto Aux Coquilles St Jacques) — super rich but creamy heaven. My scallops were cooked perfectly. The lobster sauce and rich risotto came together well.
(6) Profiteroles — puffy deliciously filled with vanilla ice cream, then topped with rich chocolate and almond. I don’t really like sweets, but this was something special.

Fantastic all around.
My friend and I came on a Tuesday night before attending a concert in the neighborhood. The restaurant wasn’t too crowded, and although we made a reservation in advance, we probably didn’t need it. The wait staff was exceptionally friendly to my friend and I when we arrived. One of the owners is actually from the same region in France as my friend. It’s a small world, isn’t it?! They treated us very well over the course of our dinner.
We both ordered the fish of the night: sole with roasted potatoes and green beans. The fish was very good, but the potatoes were a little salty for our taste. My friend previously ordered the duck and thought it was cooked perfectly! Although the fish was good, I may have to order that next time. We also shared an amazing dessert of roasted strawberries with balsamic, black pepper, caramel, and vanilla ice cream. If you read this in advance, order the strawberries! It was very unique and the flavor combination was delicious.
I highly recommend diverting from the usual restaurants on Divisidero and trying Bistro Central Parc. It’s a very nice neighborhood restaurant with exceptionally prepared French food. I have a few friends living in the neighborhood, so you bet we’ll return soon!

Bistro Central Parc is my favorite French restaurant! I am always amazed and wowed by the quality of food here. I don’t really have a go-​to dish because everything is so good. Tonight, my sisters and I ordered the following.
Baked Brie (appetizer)
Baked Brie and diced onions and tomatoes on a toasty crostinis.
Cassoulet:
This mixed meat dish consists of duck confit, lamb, sausage, all on a bed of white fava beans drenched in a delicious, creamy sauce. The duck confit, lamb, and sausage were all succulent, tender, and tasty to perfection. The lamb tasted gamely but it was not overpowering. My sister calls this plate the «Meat lovers dish.» Overall, this dish was not too heavy, but just right.
Filet of sole
Although I was apprehensive of ordering fish for dinner, I was pleasantly surprised by the buttery, grilled taste of the sole. I’d say I tasted perfection! The sole rested on a bed of roasted, crisp green beans. A side of potato wedges completed this delicious, healthy cuisine.
Steak frites (French fries and steak)
My sister claims her steak was grilled to perfection! It was very tender and the fries were crisped to perfection.
We recommend pairing your dinner with a bottle of Pouilly-​Fuisee (2012) from France. It is a white wine that’s good for both wine drinkers and non-​wine drinkers.

⁵⁄₅ stars overall
Service: ⁵⁄₅
Food: ⁵⁄₅
Ambiance: ⁴⁄₅
We came here on a Saturday night for an early dinner (around 5pm) without reservations, and we were directed outside in the tented area. Although I rather be inside, it was nice for them to accommodate us.
I was blown away by this dish: Filet Mignon with Foie Gras and Black Truffle! WOW!!! Must order! The Filet Mignon was SOOO soft! The Foie Gras paired nicely with the filet mignon! Plus. you can’t go wrong with truffle!!! If you only order one thing here, definitely order the Filet Mignon!
Ordered:
1) Filet Mignon with Foie Gras and Black Truffle: ⁶⁄₅
2) Baked Brie w/​roasted garlic, crostini: 4.5÷5 YUM!!! (love the baked Brie and roasted Garlic)
3) Scallop risotto in lobster sauce: ⁴⁄₅ Good, but nothing out of the ordinary
4) Frissee with bacon and croûton, with poached egg: 3.5÷5 good, but I would skip this salad
5)
Overall, for a French restaurant, the price here is fair and you definitely get what you pay for!

This place is so amazing that deigning to write mere words won’t do it justice. So I can only refrain from the usual verbosity and write:
Si sublime étaient suffisamment pour le décrire, la description peut encore bien loin.
Jerome, you are fabulous and deserving of an inordinate amount of thanks for an absolutely lovely establishment.