09/12/09

Good Enough for This Frenchman

by MichelPierre

What can I say ? I am French, and I am most critical of American's that profess to serve French Food. I was very depressed to have been sent on business to San Jose. Hoping that I may partake of the exquisite food of

in San Francisco. It was not meant to be. I asked the

concierge of my hotel if there was any decent food within walking distance, and he recommended Emile's Restaurant. It was a brisk walk through a colorful neighborhood. When I arrived, I was greeted with great flourish by the Maitre'D and escorted to a quiet candlelit table. What can I say? I have not seen a dining room as beautiful and elegant in quite some time. It has a patina of another time. Perhaps Paris or Zurich in the 50's. When I was a child my Papa would take me to the finest restaurants throughout Europe and Emile's is of that class. It was a pleasure to just sit and sip my wine and allow wonderful memories to flow over me.

For my starter, I had the Prawns over a Lobster Cake. I could have easily made a feast of the garlic sauce and Fresh French Banquette. Upon the Maitre'D's advice I had their house Mimosa salad. Butter leaves dressed beautifully with coarse chopped egg on top. Elegant in its simplicity. For my entree, I chose the Duck. Typically, American's fall flat when preparing Duck. It is always either too dry, or overly sauced or worse,..both. These little duck breasts were prepared perfectly. The Grand Marnier Sauce was carefully drizzled over not sloshed on. The vegetables were like candy. The Mashed Sweet Potatoes were as smooth as silk. For dessert, i chose the Apple Tarte. One could not have expected better in any Parisian shop. The tarte came with a dollop of Fresh Pistachio Ice Cream. It was meal memories are made of. I was so saddened that I couldn't share it with my friends.

• Pros: Memories of Old Paris
• Cons: Well.....It is not in Paris!

08/24/09

Rubbish! Awful! Don't Bother!

by slconstable

Drive through an alley then into an area like a mugging scene from a movie. In your finery, walk past all the staff members busy puffing away on their ciggies, knowing that they will be cooking and delivering your meal, yum. Inside is a glass walled room where a private party was on display like a human zoo. "YOU are not special, WE are special. In fact, WE are so special, we'll allow you to see how much better we will be treated than you", it seemed to shout. As there was only the private party and another table in the entire restaurant, service should be no problem. But we beg for attention to order our overpriced choices. After being told that three of our choices were binned by Chef, the waiter came to my husband and announces, "...there is a problem with your sausage, sir." I laughed until I though I'd hurt myself, the waiter was clueless. Seems that Chef thought that the sausages were 'wiffy' and binned them. Now, I am going through the entire scene from Gourmet Night, with Basil Fawlty doing his level best to bring Michelin stars to the "English Riveria". Meal was mediocre at best and not worth the money it costs. Veggies portion was stingy. Ah, the owner. I hope you like her, because she will monopolize your time while your over-priced meal quickly cools. She swans around like she's accepting an Academy Award. The most affected, over dressed, over made up, over perfumed, insincere woman I have ever met. I was looking for Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes to come out in full drag. Very "Too Wong Foo". As she prattled, we all struggled to maintain a straight face at her attempts to be youthful, seductive and alluring, despite her obvious old age and botched plastic surgery. Let's order dessert...but Chef strikes again, as he has chucked more items in the bin. The famous souffle is like pudding mix with egg whites. We pay our over-inflated bill, down the dimly lit alleyway, past the smoking staff, bums and go home to our Tums & Fawlty Towers.

• Pros: Fodder for my British sense of humor
• Cons: It's still open

06/26/09

Awesome Food & Warm Service

by ParisianneSue

I have been to Emile's many times growing up with my parents. This has always been a special occassion place for all of our family celebrations. The old owner, Chef Emile always came to visit our table and made a fuss over us kids. I always loved the Mimosa Salad, the French Onion Soup, and of course the Grand Marnier Souffle. We always hated the mean hostess. Our father use to call her Old Ironsides. I just graduated SJSU and since living on my own couldn't afford Emile's. However, since San Jose did that Dining promotion, my friends and I were able to make a reservation and enjoy Emile's for a 30.00 pre fix menu. The food was awesome, the price was right, but the best part was being taken care of by the new owner Alexandra & her family. As soon as we entered we were greeted by a very friendly and bubbly hostess. We loved our server Michael who was a little slow, but very charming. After dinner Alexandra offered to take us on a field trip (as she called it ) throughout the restaurant. We even got to explore the kitchen and go behind where the chef cooks. We were surprised to see a young girl preparing a dessert plate. Alexandra informed us that it was her daughter training to be a chef! I never knew how big Emile's was. There are banquet rooms and a teaching kitchen. We even got to peek upstairs into the offices and the rooftop deck ! When we got back to our table, our server Michel presented us with the check and Alexandra introduced him......he was her husband. Upon leaving we found out the hostess was Alexandra's other daughter. We were treated like royalty! I totally reccommend Emile's to anyone that wants an awesome meal, friendly and warm service in an elegant atmosphere. Now that I know I can afford to eat there, Emile's will be my new "grown-up" hangout.

• Pros: Charming Family Run Downtown Legend