Chapeau   

1408 Clement St
San Francisco, CA 94118
415-750-9787
www.bistrochapeau.citysearch.com/

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Owner Philippe Gardelle and his waitstaff seem to be best friends with every diner who walks in the door -- yourself included -- making Chaupea! a welcome addition to its outer Richmond District neighborhood. It also doesn't hurt that they serve classy country-French cuisine. Upon entering, you smell savory aromas of cream and saffron. Wall sconces gently illuminate walls covered with French country scenes. A large bouquet of flowers occupies the far corner. Diners joke with each other at small, white-tablecloth covered tables. The three prix fixe menus are the most popular choices -- especially the seafood dishes (perhaps a large, broiled scallop atop a dollop of shallot risotto, in a lobster bisque). A four course vegetarian prix fixe menu is available, as well as a full a la carte menu and an extensive wine list. Arrive early (5PM-6PM) for the early bird menu. Typical dishes include duck rillettes or onion soup, Prince Edward Island mussels or pan seared Atlantic salmon, and vanilla bean creme brulee or profiterolles. Incidentally, the top of the menu explains that in French chapeau means hat, but chapeau! with an exclamation point means wow! To that, we say: Mais oui! -- Doug Konecky