French Bistro at Bisou

Date Visited: November 27, 2011
Price: $10.00 for Bottomless Bloody Mary; $10.00 for Bottomless Mimosa; $12.00 for Smoked Salmon Benedict; and $9.00 for Croque Madame.

Bisou, meaning “kiss” in French, is a very fitting name for this hip French-American restaurant. Their interior is trendy – high ceilings decorated with asymmetric hanging lamps and an elongated, curved red couch. Upon entrance into the restaurant, I could already feel a nice vibe, with good music playing in the background and lively customers. The place is compact and reminiscent of the French brunch places that Jason and I visited in Paris and Nice. It seems a bit cramped for waiters to maneuver around, as tables have to be moved for people getting in and out of their seats. Their stylish half bar, half restaurant set-up makes this place perfect for small talk and cozy get-togethers.

If you’re coming here in a group, remember to make reservations ahead of time because this place gets pretty packed for brunch. Also, they only seat the table if everyone in the party is present, so make sure you have no laggers. Located in the Castro area, metered parking is extremely difficult, and each quarter only gives you 8 minutes. Remember to bring coins if you decide to drive.

Bisou Sign

Menu

Bloody Mary and Mimosa

Mimosa

Bisou is popular for their $10/person bottomless mimosas. I am not much of drinker, and definitely did not drink my fill of mimosas, but they were tasty nonetheless and the bartender was very good at consistently refilling our liter. Jason got the Bloody Mary.  I’ve never had a Bloody Mary until I tried it at Bisou. It was different and kind of spicy/salty. Not my type of drink.

Smoked Salmon Benedict – Poached egg and smoked salmon on a toasted brioche, topped with a hollandaise sauce

For my main entrée, I went with the Smoked Salmon Benedict because I personally love salmon and I want to try everything salmon. The poached egg was superb with a runny-yolk consistency in combination with the hollandaise sauce. The slice of salmon was so thin; I wish there was more. Tossed mixed greens and potatoes on the side make this meal perfect for brunch. Whenever any entrée comes with a side of salad, I expected mixed greens and not just iceberg lettuce. Bisou’s salad is pretty good, and I love their dressing. Portions are on the small side, so don’t expect to be full after this meal.

Croque Madame – Ham and cheese grilled sandwich served on a hot pain levain with a sunny side up egg on top

The Croque Madame is an open-faced sandwich, a name I have never heard of until I visited Bisou. A layer of ham and cheese with a sunny-side up egg sits atop a thin slice of bread. Like the Salmon Benedict, there are also sides of mixed greens and potatoes. This entrée is a favorite among Yelpers, so if you’re having trouble deciding what to order, try the Croque Madame. Some even say it tastes just like the ones from Paris.

Just to recap, the portions here are pretty small, but the experience is worth it. I love Bisou for their brunch because it’s so tasty, and the trendy environment supplements the meal. Come here for brunch, and you’re bound to have a great time, whether it’s with friends or just a close buddy. Since you’re already in the Castro area, remember to try out the famous salty caramel ice cream from Bi-Rite Creamery or the Secret Breakfast from Humphrey Slocombe for dessert after your meal. If you’re up for more French food, or more specifically, French patisserie, try the Lemon Tart from Tartine Bakery which is just right down the street from Bi-Rite! Bon appétit!

Tips:
1) Metered parking (~2$/hr).
2) Make reservations for weekend brunch.
3) Order the bottomless mimosas for a good time.

Yelp Review: http://www.yelp.com/biz/bisou-san-francisco
4 out of 5 stars. 530+ reviews.

Address:
(Castro)
2367 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)
Tel: (415) 556-6200

Hours:
Mon-Thu 5:30 pm – 11 pm
Fri 5:30 pm – 1 am
Sat 10 am – 1 am
Sun 10 am – 11 pm