Chapeau!: Mom and Pop (and Son) restaurant brings a taste of Paris to San Francisco

San Francisco's Chapeau! Brings the Flavors of Paris to the Inner Richmond Neighborhood, and More Than Just Food

Chef Philippe Gardelle and his wife Ellen have been wowing San Franciscans with their French bistro since 1996. The restaurant's cozy atmosphere and delectable dishes, including escargots, coq au vin, and crème brûlée, have made it a staple in the Inner Richmond neighborhood.

The menu is a testament to the Gardelles' love for traditional French cuisine, but what sets Chapeau! apart is its attention to detail. The restaurant's dedication to quality is evident in every dish, from the classic French onion soup to the modern twists on old favorites.

Family Ties and a Passion for Hospitality

The family's involvement in the restaurant is evident throughout. Chef de cuisine Andrew Gardelle joined his parents at Chapeau! six years ago, bringing new flavors and ideas while maintaining the restaurant's signature charm.

"For us, hospitality is just as important as the food," Ellen said. "We want our customers to feel welcome and taken care of."

The Gardelles' commitment to their guests is reflected in their dedication to creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. From the moment you step through the door, you'll be enveloped in the warm glow of candlelight and the soft hum of conversation.

A Legacy of Family and Tradition

For Philippe, success hasn't been about measuring up to San Francisco's competitive restaurant scene. Instead, it's about staying true to his values and passions. "The competition is yourself yesterday," he said. "Keep it up, and it will be fine."

Today, the Gardelles continue to balance tradition and innovation. Andrew brings new ideas to the table while respecting the classic dishes that have made Chapeau! a beloved institution.

Located at 126 Clement Street in San Francisco, California, Chapeau! is a must-visit destination for foodies and Francophiles alike. With its warm atmosphere, delicious cuisine, and dedication to hospitality, it's no wonder this family-owned restaurant has been a San Francisco staple for over two decades.
 
omg 🤩 i love chapeau! their escargots r to die 4 😋🐌 Andrew gardelle is sooo talented 👨‍🍳 & his parents philippe & ellen r doing an amazing job together ❤️ the cozy atmosphere is so welcoming & intimate 🎉 candlelight is everything ✨ gotta try the crème brûlée ASAP 🍰 it's all about hospitality for them & that's what makes chapeau! stand out 😊
 
I'm definitely down for trying out Chapeau!'s French bistro vibes... I mean, who doesn't love a good escargot or crème brûlée? 😊 The attention to detail and quality of food is pretty impressive. But, I do wonder if they're catering too much to tourists with their 'French' theme. Like, are we really all just going to swoon over the idea of a French bistro in SF regardless of how authentic it is? 🤔 Also, I'm not sure about the prices... $50+ entree prices feel a bit steep for what looks like pretty standard French fare. Still, if they can deliver on that food and atmosphere, I'll definitely be back for more! 👍
 
I'm literally drooling just reading about this place 🤤! They're seriously bringing the real Parisian vibe to SF - I need to get there ASAP! The fact that they're keeping it family-run and true to their roots is really inspiring. It's not just about the food (although, oh my goodness, the escargots sound divine!), but also about the love and care they put into every detail. And can we talk about the atmosphere? Candlelight and cozy vibes all day, erry day 😍
 
omg u guys i just heard about this new french bistro in the inner richmond neighborhood of sf and i am SO down 🤩 it sounds like they're bringing the real deal from paris, with escargots and coq au vin and all that good stuff. what i love is that its a family-owned place where chef philippe's son and daughter are involved too, so you can feel the love and care in every dish 😊 plus, their commitment to quality and hospitality is super refreshing. if u haven't tried it yet, def add it to ur sf food bucket list 📝
 
omg i think chapeau is literally the most charming restaurant in sf 🍽️❤️ their menu is soooo good idk how they fit everything into one place 🤯 and the foodie pics on instagram are making me SO hungry 😋 but what really sets them apart is the vibe - it's like stepping into a parisian bistro 💫 my fave part is when you walk in and it feels all cozy with candlelight and soft music 😌
 
I'm tellin' ya, this whole story seems fishy... 🐟 I mean, think about it, the GARDelles just happen to have a new kid join the team and suddenly their food is all about innovation? It's like they're tryin' to distract us from somethin'. And don't even get me started on the fact that this restaurant is in the Inner Richmond neighborhood... you know, right next to all those "gentrifying" tech hubs. Coincidence? I think not! 🤑 Maybe Chapeau!'s success is just a smokescreen for some bigger agenda... what do ya think? 😏
 
I'm so down for that new spot in Inner Richmond 🍴👌 Chapeau! really knows how to bring the Paris vibes without being too pretentious. Their escargots are literally to die for 😋 and their crème brûlée is always a winner. I love how they've managed to balance tradition with some fresh twists on old faves. The atmosphere's super cozy too - it feels like you're stepping into your own French boudoir when you walk in 🏠👫. And the family aspect? 👨‍🍳👩‍🍳 So heartwarming to see a restaurant run with love and hospitality on top of all that culinary magic 🔥
 
🤔 You know what I think about Chapeau!'s success? It's like they're showing us that with a little bit of tradition and a lot of love, we can create something truly special. I mean, it's not just about the food (although, oh my gosh, their escargots are to die for 😍), it's about creating an experience that makes people feel welcome and at home.

It's like Chef Philippe says, "The competition is yourself yesterday." It's so true! We can get caught up in trying to outdo others, but ultimately, we're all just competing with ourselves. By staying true to our values and passions, we can create something truly unique and special. 🌟
 
I'm loving the vibe of this new bistro in SF's Inner Richmond! 🍴🇫🇷 The way they balance traditional French flavors with modern twists is giving me life. I mean, who wouldn't want to indulge in some creamy coq au vin or snappy escargots? 😋 But what really gets me is the attention to detail and commitment to quality - it's clear that foodie heaven is a real place! 👌 And can we talk about the atmosphere? The candlelight, the soft hum of conversation... it's like you're transported to Paris itself! 🙏 The Gardelle family's dedication to hospitality is so refreshing. It's not just about the food, but about making you feel welcome and taken care of. I'm already planning my next visit, can't wait to try some crème brûlée! 😍
 
I don't usually comment but I gotta say, I'm loving the vibe of Chapeau! 😊 It's like they're not just serving French food, they're sharing an experience. The way they've curated that cozy atmosphere is on point 🕯️. And can we talk about the family dynamic? it's so endearing to see a family-owned business thrive and pass down their traditions. I'm definitely adding Chapeau! to my list of fave SF spots 📍
 
I'm so obsessed with their crème brûlée 🍰👌! It's like a taste explosion in your mouth. And have you tried their croissants? Flaky, buttery goodness 😍. I love how they keep it traditional, but also throw in some modern twists to keep things fresh. The atmosphere is so cozy and intimate, feels like you're dining at grandma's house 🏠. Plus, the family vibes are so nice - you can tell they really care about their customers. It's no wonder this place has been around for over 20 years 📆!
 
omg u guys i just went to chapeau with my friends and OMG the escargots are TO DIE FOR 💖 i mean idk what's in them but they're literally so tender and flavorful 🤩 plus the ambiance is super cozy its like a little piece of paris in sf 😍 and did u know that chefs Philippe & Ellen r still actively involved in the restaurant? 🙌 their commitment 2 quality & hospitality is seriously inspiring 💖 gotta go back there ASAP 👀
 
Ugh, restaurants always closing down 🤕... Chapeau!'s been around since 1996, can you believe it? But what's even more depressing is that they're still struggling to keep up with the competition 🤑. I mean, who needs innovation when you've got a tried-and-true menu that's been stuck in a time warp for decades? And don't even get me started on the 'warm atmosphere' - just another way of saying it's old and stuffy 😴. Anyway, if you're into that sorta thing, I guess Chapeau! is still serving up some decent escargots 🍽️...
 
I'm loving the vibes at Chapeau! their attention to detail is on point 😊 and you can really feel the love and care that goes into every dish. I've been going there for years and it never gets old, they always have something new on the menu but still keep the classic dishes that make it so special. The family atmosphere is so cozy and welcoming, it's like being part of the family 🤗. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good escargot or crème brûlée? 🍴🍰
 
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