Frances

Frances is a gem nestled in the heart of San Francisco, offering a delightful experience for those who appreciate seasonal American cuisine and a curated wine selection. As a wine bar specializing in New American dishes, Frances caters to a diverse palate with its unique offerings. With a warm and inviting ambiance, Frances sets the stage for a memorable dining experience.

One of the standout features of Frances is its innovative menu, featuring dishes like Scallop Crudo with watermelon and gazpacho, Salmon with crispy skin and caramelized parsnip, and Gnocchi alla Romana with chanterelle mushrooms and green harissa. The creativity and attention to detail in each dish truly shine through, making every bite a culinary delight.

The desserts at Frances are equally impressive, with options like Lumberjack Cake with fig leaf ice cream and Cardamom Pavlova with candied walnut and chantilly. The sweet treats provide a perfect ending to a flavorful meal, leaving a lasting impression on your taste buds.

As a food reviewer, I can confidently say that Frances is a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in a unique dining experience. The combination of exceptional food, impeccable service, and inviting ambiance makes Frances a standout in the restaurant scene. Whether you're on a date night or enjoying a meal with friends, Frances is sure to exceed your expectations and leave you craving for more.

Frances Menu

Location

Address: 3870 17th St San Francisco, CA 94114
Phone: (415) 621-3870

🕓 Work Hours
MON Closed
TUE 5:15 PM - 9:15 PM
WED 5:15 PM - 9:15 PM
THU 5:15 PM - 9:15 PM
FRI 5:15 PM - 9:15 PM
SAT 5:15 PM - 9:15 PM
SUN Closed

Business info

  • Takes Reservations
    Yes
  • Offers Delivery
    Yes
  • Offers Takeout
    Yes
  • Walk-ins Welcome
    Yes
  • Limited Vegetarian Options
    Yes
  • Accepts Credit Cards
    Yes
  • Accepts Android Pay
    No
  • Accepts Apple Pay
    No
  • Accepts Cryptocurrency
    No
  • Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Classy
    Yes
  • Loud
    Yes
  • Casual Dress
    Yes
  • Good for Dinner
    Yes
  • Street Parking
    Yes
  • Waiter Service
    Yes
  • Best nights on Monday, Friday, Saturday
    Yes
  • Beer & Wine Only
    Yes
  • Women-owned
    Yes
  • Heated Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Covered Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Private Dining
    Yes
  • Gender-neutral restrooms
    Yes
  • Offers Catering
    No
  • Not Good For Groups
    No
  • Not Good For Kids
    No
  • Not Good For Dancing
    No
  • Not Good For Working
    No
  • Wi-Fi
    No
  • Smoking
    No
  • Drive-Thru
    No
  • TV
    No
  • Bike Parking
    Yes
  • Provides reusable tableware
    Yes

Last Reviews

  • Author: Dima K.

    28 July 2024

    I very rarely can be bothered to write a review, but Frances really deserves a 5 star one :). Had the tasting menu last night. It's a total steal at $95, would easily pay $150 for it. Shellfish appetizer: oyster, mussel, prawn. I generally don't love oysters, but this one was fairly drenched in fruit/vinegar so it was actually pretty enjoyable. The prawn seemed a bit plain and not very flavorful. The mussel was not bitter at all :). Would be nice to have some sort of utensil for the oyster, as it was fairly giant and a bit of a stretch to suck in. Scallop crudo: This was where the fun began for me. Such a fun idea to put scallop in a gazpacho. The watermelon really brought out the freshness of it. Didn't love the turnips, and they were cut a bit unevenly. Peaches: I mean yes they were perfectly ripe, but I also appreciate the placement in the menu as a transition from crudo to lettuce. Lettuce: So fresh and leafy and juicy and crunchy! It was with various creamy/crunchy additives but the lettuce was definitely the star here and I loved that it wasn't overpowered. Fettuccine bolognese: A fair bit spicy. Maybe a bit overly drenched in sauce? Could use a spoon. Salmon: soft, tender without being overly moist, flaky crispy skin. Lumberjack cake: Hmm. I mean it was perfectly fine, but not really that memorable. I would've preferred a bit less of cake and a bit more of the cardamom ice cream and grapefruit marmalade to spread on it.

  • Author: Kate O.

    25 July 2024

    Lovely ambiance, we somehow got a last-minute spot last Saturday around 8pm and had a very delicious dinner. The stewed short ribs were to die for. We also got the corn appetizer and the prawn, which were also pretty good.

  • Author: Iris H.

    16 July 2024

    One of my top favs, whether for a date or a small group of friends. I don't think I've had a single dish here that I didn't like. My favorites here are usually the soups. The ingredients and texture are always on point and unique. I'm not super into the meat dishes given how amazing the veggies are. Love their wines as well! Great service and living room like vibe, very relaxing. Highly highly recommend!

  • Author: Melissa W.

    15 July 2024

    Came on a Friday night with reservation at 6 and got seated right away. The tables are definitely close together, but I expected this after seeing some reviews and photos on yelp. Got a gift card from my boss here because it's her favorite restaurant, and the food looked good so I was happy to try it. I had never heard of Frances until then. My boyfriend and I did the chef's tasting menu, $95/person. The only reason I'm giving this place 4 stars is because the cold/raw seafood first course was such a miss for me. The oysters had too much going on, and it didn't taste as fresh as I've had before. The mussel was just ok. The cold shrimp was not very flavorful. However, the scallop crudo tasted super fresh, and I liked the sauce it was in and the shaved turnip gave it a good crunch. The salmon collar we got was also SO good! It had some type of anchovy sauce on top I believe. The second course was a wedge Caesar and fettuccine bolognese (off menu). The Caesar was delicious, and the pasta was so yummy and you could tell it was homemade. The meat in the sauce was so good too. The king Ora salmon entree came with a small side of potatoes, green beans, and salmon roe. It was all delicious. It also came with a side of corn riblets which were yummy too. Since we were celebrating my birthday, they gave us 2 free chocolate cookies with sea salt. So yummy! And the dessert with the tasting menu was a chocolate mochi cake with strawberry ice cream. I loved the ice cream and the cookies more than the mochi cake. But it was still ok. The ambiance between 6-8 was not too loud and not too dark since it was still light outside, but I read some reviews that it does get loud the later it gets. It didn't seem too loud when we were there though. The service is excellent. Everyone is super attentive, super friendly, and super knowledgeable of the menu. The only other thing about dinner that surprised me was when our server asked if we wanted bread, I said yes. She said it was a sourdough levain, which is always a good choice. It was tasty and so soft. And the butter they serve with it has fleur de sel which is always good. However, when the bill came, I realized that it wasn't complimentary. It was $8. Just something to be aware of!

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