Le Papillon   

410 Saratoga Ave
San Jose, CA 95129
408-296-3730
www.lepapillon.com

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Guaranteed to be mentioned in any discussion of superior French food, Le Papillon is one of a handful of restaurants that defines the culinary landscape of the Bay Area. Le Papillon sets the bar for quality and ambience, with a romantic, candlelit dining room and a menu that carefully walks the line between traditional and innovative. The sweet smell of fresh cut flowers greets you as the staff ushers you into elegantly upholstered chairs, either in the cozy main dining room or in the wine room, where you can view a portion of Le Papillon's extensive offerings. The a la carte menu features dishes like mustard-crusted rabbit with chanterelle mushrooms and duck a l'orange, and the five-course prix-fixe dinner is a good buy, especially when paired with the suggested wines. Clientele includes couples young and old, business executives and people who have been coming here for decades, discerning enough to know a good thing when they taste it. -- Maya Kroth