Cafe Jacqueline, San Francisco

very bad service, the 2 waiter is not polite for we have not make reservation just walk in, food is ok but I wont want to go there again.

My favorite restaurant in SF. Brought my gf here for her birthday and it went over extremely well. Yes, the wait is long- they're not microwaving ramen here. If you know of a way for one elderly woman to make souffles faster, be sure to call them. Jacqueline herself can be seen slaving away in the semi-open kitchen, obviously loving her chosen profession. Our waiter was fine, fine dining waiters are supposed to act a bit aloof- it's not Chili's, and he doesn't care who won the game that day. Get some appetizer's and enjoy the wait with your partner because it's about the most romantic spot I've ever been to. Food is outstanding, soups and sald were excellent, dinner souffle was fantastic and the chocolate dessert souffle was pretty much the best thing ever. Don't come here expecting to spend $20 a person and be in and out in under an hour. Relax, open your wallet, and enjoy what a romantic dinner for two should be like.

You simply cannot find a more romantic spot for outstanding, unique fare. We arrived late and without reservations on a busy Saturday night for dessert. We were polite and the waiter reciprocated with a table - no wait - just because they had one. Yes - the waiters act like your typical french restaurant waiters. To those who posted reviews panning their attitude; what do you expect??? It's a French restaurant! Be nice, be charming and just a little patient and you will be happy. We were. The recommendations were helpful and the drinks allowed us to enjoy the wait for a souffle for two. And it was the most incredible strawberry (or other dessert) souffle we have ever tasted. Light, tart and just the right size. We exclaimed over and over that it was the best we've ever had. Price was not inexpensive but we'd pay it any and every time. We'll be back.

I would echo Danielle L's thoughts. The service is just abominable. Let me recount my experience for your reference. My first time to Cafe Jacqueline was about 2 years ago. The decor was less than spectular, but it was a charming little house structure with tall ceilings. Romantic and intimate in an old-fashioned sense. The food that time was good. I remember the souffles were good, but I was not in awe with them. There're lots of great restaurants like La Folie and Gary Danko in the city where they also serve excellent souffles. Of course they also come with different price tags for an entire meal, of course, but cafe Jacqueline is certainly no bargain. I remember walking away feeling pretty good about the place. Not spectular in any sense, but good. This time the experience was different. We arrived early at the restaurant. We had made a reservation at 8:30 pm for desserts, but our dinner ended early at night, so when we got to Cafe Jacqueline, it was about 8:10 pm. What I'm going to tell you about the subsequent experience will be *shocking*. The waiter (most likely the same waiter as Danielle L. spoke about, since this kind of rude service is very hard to find) came to us at the door, and asked for our reservation. We told him we arrived early and he told us there wouldn't be a table available until 8:30 pm, which is completely understandable. He then tried to convince us to cancel our reservation and go elsewhere. Yes! He told us to go elsewhere, because we arrived 20 minutes earlier than our reservation. He didn't ask us to take a walk and come back in 20 minutes (it was freezing cold outside) for our reservation. He told us to cancel the reservation to go elsewhere. He then tried to physically gesture us towards the door. This is unbelievable. We've been to places with excellent service (in the bay area, I would nominate Manresa and Gary Danko to have the best service), but we haven't been to places where the service is so bad they would turn away customers! I have no idea why they would do that. Madame Jacqueline, if you care about your restaurant, please be aware that you have a waiter working there that's turning away business. I would not go back to your restaurant and I will tell all my friends not to go to your restaurant. The bottomline is, while you care so deeply about your souffles, there's someone working in your restaurant that cares deeply about turning away customers. Bottomline, worst service ever. The waiter kicked us out the door simply because we were 20 minutes earlier than our reservation.

ehh...the entree souffles are WAY too salty. cafe jacqueline's is a better bet for dessert. the chocolate souffle was light, fluffly, and deliciously topped with a generous sprinkle of powdered sugar. it was a tad gooey on the inside, which i didn't like as much but otherwise it was great. but not enough to make up for a very plain jane salad and a ridiculously salty entree souffle. definitely not worth the high price tag they attach to their food!

If you ever go to dinner here, be sure to pack a snack. Totally understandable that it takes a long time to prepare a souffle. Not understandable that the waitstaff might also go MIA for the two hours between ordering and eating. Boo.

The most romantic restaurant in San Francisco. Few pretensions and phenomenal food. Some of the waitstaff (especially Jacqueline's sons) are more knowledgeable than others but they are all charming and make for a fantastic experience. DO NOT miss the chocolate souffle.

Cafe Jacqueline only does one thing, souffles, but they do them supremely. From entree souffles to dessert souffles, everything is elegantly pouffed and served. Cafe Jacqueline is very small . . . you must make reservations. Jacqueline herself is in the kitchen with a huge copper bowl and a hand whisk. (I swear, I saw her there, she had a right arm like a linebacker!) Absolutely fabulous souffles, small intimate dining, very romantic, very San Francisco.

I am hesitant to give this away....but this is without a doubt the best romantic gem in the city. Amazing food...right out of a Parisian alley. You have to love soufflets...since that's really all they serve...and don't go too hungry..the wait can be 45min for your food. BUT the slow pace...small intimate space...and shared food, make it THE place to romance your sweetie. The white corn/ginger/garlic soufflet is other-worldly as are just about every dessert soufflet.

The food is so delicious and the ambiance - while slightly dated looking - is charming. This isn't a place to go for a quick meal, though - be prepared to spend most of the evening here (especically if you order a starter course and dessert) and savor the experience. Souffles take time, after all.