With the sad closure of Monsieur Benjamin last year (rip), there’s a shortage of refined French bistros.
Bon Délire opened last fall and I was initially wary of the restaurant because I felt like there’s no way the food could be more delicious than what I used to get at Monsieur Benjamin. After seeing some positive reviews, I decided to check out the restaurant. Located on the Embarcadero in San Francisco, this quaint yet swanky French bistro was inviting.
Since it was a Saturday night, they only had reservations available at the bar which was completely fine with us. The booths did look comfy though! They have a pretty standard menu of French classics, some with a twist, as well and their daily specials written on the chalk board.
Specials of the Day.
Anchovy Tartine with Ricotta, Confit Piquillo, and Leek Vinaigrette (8-8.5/10).
We started off with the anchovy tartine on a buttery pastry with a mixture of confit piquillo, leeks, and Ricotta cheese. It was simple but the flavors melded together nicely.
Oeufs Mayonnaise (8/10).
This was their take on deviled eggs but with a twist with sweet Dungeness crab meat hiding underneath the eggs and served with a pimenton oil and caviar.
Caesar Salad (6.5/10).
The caesar salad was easily the weakest dish of the night which is such a shame since it’s one of my favorite salads. First it wasn’t nearly dressed enough with that tangy pungent caesar dressing. I’m also tired of this breadcrumbs trend in salads instead of traditional croutons, like give me the damn croutons!
Chicken and Speck Croquettes (8/10).
These croquettes were scrumptious with a rich chicken filling topped with slices of smoky speck.
Petit Croque-Madame (8-8.5/10).
This was their cute mini croque-madame, a fancy ham and cheese sandwich topped with a fried egg. It’s hard not to love it.
Steak Tartare (8/10).
The last appetizer we tried was their classic steak tartare with capers, shallots, and an egg yolk, served with homemade potato chips. It was seasoned nicely and the chips were fresh ad crispy.
While all the dishes we tried so far were snacks or appetizers, you can see that portions are definitely on the smaller side.
Le Burger (7.5-8/10).
The only main dish we ordered was the burger with frisée, Comté cheese, confit tomato, and tarragon dijonnaise on a brioche bun. It was a solid tasty burger but once again, it was small. We also ordered the Parmesan cheese fries served with a black truffle aioli.
Chocolate Pot de Crème with Butterscotch and Crème Chantilly (8/10).
Pot de crème is a classic French dessert and this was silky smooth with a butterscotch layer topped with crème chantilly and chocolate shavings. I would have preferred a thicker layer of butterscotch because I personally love that flavor profile.
Madeleines with Crème Anglaise and Chocolate Sauce (8-8.5/10).
Homemade warm madeleines were pillowy soft served with a duo of sauces. Highly recommend these.
Bon Délire is a great addition to the city showcasing French classics and while the majority of the food we tried was delicious, portions were small and not necessarily cheap so my rating is a 7.5-8/10.