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Why did we dine here? – Routier is a Hot Frenchish restaurant from the folks at nearby B patisserie. A friend recommended this restaurant, and we’ve been back twice. Highly rated at 4.5 stars on yelp. Belinda Leong and Michel Suas joined forces with JP Carmona, formerly chef de cuisine at Manresa, to lead the kitchen of this elevated neighborhood joint in the former jazz club location. Last visit was in Fall 2024.
The waiter explains that Routier means an informal road side restaurant for truckers and other road travelers in French. A French friend told us all about Routiers. Interesting. A place that is casual, welcoming, where sometimes the plates don’t match, but the food is great.
Insider Tip – They switched to resy
Cuisine – French
Location – San Francisco
Opened – 2021
Service – Routier had solid service, with good waiter recommendations, no worries about water, and good pacing.
Verdict – Routier exceeded our expectations, the food is very good and priced reasonably. We ate at Octavia the week before, paid a ton and did not get this quality. This restaurant is definitely worth a try. 5% Healthy SF Mandate
Next door B Patisserie usually closes before Routier opens, so you want to come early and buy some pastries! Like this spot, also try Monsieur Benjamin
Is this restaurant worth a 5 minute drive? Yes. 30 minute? Yes. 1 Hour? Maybe
Routier Signature Dishes – Dungeness crab pave, Hen of the wood mushroom, chicken liver, braised lamb shoulder, squid.
Routier’s Menu as a reasonable number of classic options, just a few options for vegetarians.
Routier Food Picks:
Midnight Follies ($16) was a good cocktail but filled with way too much ice. At this price?! 8/10
Mocktail ($8) was just fair. 6/10
Crispy Monterey squid with their beurre diable, pickled chilies ($18) was excellent. Lightly battered and fried, the squid was bathed in a fantastic robust sauce. We use the bread from the rillettes to sop up all this sauce. Must get if on the menu. 10/10
Fennel Salad ($16) with curry vinaigrette, dates, and feta is solid but overshadowed by the other appetizers. 8/10
Hen of the woods Mushrooms “au poivre”, crushed potato ($19) is almost as good as the squid. Beautiful sauce. Again, get some bread. 9/10
Eggplant Tempura ($15) had several pieces of egg less battered tempura piping hot. Nicely done. 8.5/10
Baguette Beurre Diable ($4.50) is fair, bread is from Thorough Bread & Pastry. 7/10
Gluten Free crackers ($3) are great for those who need this. 7/10
Duck Rillettes, pickled cherries and onions, bitter greens ($14) was not really our type of dish, but better than average. How about some Foie? 8/10
Green Garlic Risotto ($29) with fava leaf pesto, mushrooms, aged parmesan is a great vegetarian dish. You can make it vegan by omitting the cheese, making it a top notch vegan gluten free entree. 9/10 – In fall 2023 it changed:
Corn risotto ($34) with chanterelles, smoked Fiscalini cheddar, which was even better! Bewarned this is a very rich risotto 9/10
Seared Scallops with caramelized sunchokes and creamy leeks, red wine sauce ($37) were added on our visit in early 2023. 4 medium sized scallops cooked just right. In Fall 2023 it changed to 3.5 scallops and fresh bean and mushroom stew. 8.5/10
Black Cod, creamy lobster sauce, caramelized sunchokes with tarragon ($28) was simply a must get. The fish is cut up and comes in a perfect sauce to accentuate the flavors. Cooked just right, and seasoned to perfection. Not a huge portion size, but just enough. This dish could easily cost $45 elsewhere. 9.5/10
Halibut ($39) was the fish in fall 2024 and still top notch. Steamed perfectly with peppers, potatoes and zuchini. 9.5/10
Shortrib confit, ($37) celeriac-chestnut puree, braised cabbage, whole grain mustard jus was very tender and reasonable size. Not as good as the lamb, but close. 8.5/10
Braised Lamb shoulder, navy beans in roasted pepper pistou, carmelized eggplant and pine nut marmalade ($36) is also a an excellent dish. Super Tender braised lamb with no hint of gaminess, on a bed of small beans. Good portion size. One of their most popular dishes. In Fall 2023 the arrangement changed and we feel the dish slipped a little. 8.5/10
Charred broccolini, furikake ($13) is a nice vegetable side dish. 8/10
Panna cotta with tangerine, passionfruit, and poppyseed crumble ($13) is also worthwhile. Fruity, crunchy textured bits, Rich custard on the bottom. Wow 10/10
OK: (Order if you like this dish)
None
Pans: (We would not reorder these dishes)
None
Do you agree with our review? Have you found other similar restaurants that are better?
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2 Comments
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