Bistro Clement

Bistro Clement
127 Clement St. (between 2nd & 3rd Aves), 415 387-6966
Lunch Wed-Sat 11:30am-2pm, Dinner every day except Tues 5:30-10pm. Prix-Fixe Sun-Thurs 5:30-7:00pm, Sunday Brunch 10am-2pm.

Bistro Clement is a creation of the well-known upscale French restaurant Clementine which is just across the street. It was born of a need for a simpler, less expensive French restaurant. It turns out that Bistro Clement has actually become a major competitor of Clementine in terms of quality and cuisine, but in a smaller and more intimate atmosphere, as a true French Bistro. Prices for appetizers and main courses are two to three dollars lower than in comparable French restaurants, and wine prices are much lower for the same or comparable vintages.

Bistro Clement is elegant, with terra cotta walls filled with interesting French posters, and a matching colored high ceiling. It seats 45, in twos and fours, on tables covered by white tablecloths and glass, and there are cloth napkins. Service is quick and efficient, with some five waiters at dinner-time. Water-glasses are filled without asking. Wine by the glass comes in generous portions. Wine by the bottle is low-priced for the level of the cuisine. I found the portions too large, and the noise-level quite high. As for the latter, it must be said that this is in the tradition of French bistros. Another complaint is that the prix-fixe menu offers one main course only, fish or meat. Most other prix fixes in French restaurants, e.g., Chapeau, Clementine, Metro or Baker St. Bistro, offer two or more choices.

Prix-Fixe, Sun-Thurs, 5:30-7pm. Consists of choice of soup or salad, a given main course, and a choice of desserts from the dessert menu. The starter changes frequently. On a recent dinner the soup was lobster bisque and the salad was summer greens. The main course was a bountiful seafood stew, and the dessert was a choice of some seven French favorites, including tarte and ice cream, and creme brulee. A negative – the main course is not known until one reaches the restaurant, and, as indicated above, only one main course is offered. Portions are very large. For example, the lobster bisque was served in a large soup dish, enough for two.

Dinner Menu

Appetizers include a large portion of soup de jour (e.g., lobster bisque) $5.75, frisee salad with bacon and a poached egg $6.50, smoked salmon with cream and beets $7.00, French charcuterie plate $7.25, steamed mussels in white wine with garlic and parsley $7.50.

Main courses include three traditional dishes at $14.95 – fish bouillabaisse, cassoulet Toulousain (stew like with chicken quarter, two kinds of French sausage and vegetables, almost soup like), veal stew with rice pilaf. Also, steak tartar and French fries $13.00, Alsatian choucroute (sausage and cabbage) $16.50, grilled salmon filet $14.00, lamb brochette with Provence herbs $15.50, baby chicken $13.95, Butcher-cut steak $16.50. All come with large choice of sauces, e.g., Bordelaise, pepper, mushroom, and a large choice of side dishes, e.g., mashed potatoes, French fries, rice pilaf, vegetable, ratatouille.

Desserts include creme brulee, apple tarte with vanilla ice cream, ice cream and sorbet, all $5.75, brie over mixed green salad and candied walnuts $6.00.

Lunch Menu

Choice is much smaller than for dinner, and prices are a dollar or so lower than for the same items offered for dinner.

Sunday Brunch, 10.00am-2:00pm, includes white-beans omelette served with potatoes and mixed greens $7.25, Gruyere Swiss cheese and mushroom omelette, served with potatoes and mixed greens $7.75, croque monsieur served with home fries and mixed greens $8.00, quiche Lorraine (ham and Swiss quiche), served with home fries and mixed greens $8.50, Fresh tuna salad $11.00, hot grilled chicken sandwich with tomato, lettuce, and mayonnaise $8.00, grill of the day with maitre d’hotel butter and French fries $13.50, French toast served with fresh berries $6.95.

Beer and wine – French beer $4.00 bottle, German beer, non-alcoholic, $3.50. Wine by the (well-filled) glass, large choice $5.00-5.50, Piper-Heidseck champagne $6.50. Wine by the bottle -- all well-chosen – French and California whites $21.00 to $29.00, half bottle $14.00, French and California reds $22.00-28.00, half-bottle $15.00. Dessert wines $6.75-8.00 glass, Port $6.75. These are low prices for an upscale French restaurant.

Coffee, tea – $2.00, espresso $2.25, cappuccino or latte $2.50.