Affordable French? in Sausalito?
Written: Mar 05 '01 (Updated Apr 25 '01)
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Pros: Consistently great traditional French cuisine; excellent prices; nice location
Cons: Seats about 30 people total; little menu variety
The Bottom Line: A perfect way to round out a day in the lovely Sausalito, but the calorie-counting kind need not apply.
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| tweetybird's Full Review: Christophe |
As a fine-dining afficionado, I hesitate to recommend Christophe's to too many people.
Don't get me wrong: I absolutely adore this gem of French food and culture. It's just that it seems so pristinely devoid of hype that I do not want to contribute to its popularity. I don't want it to turn into one of those fine SF dining establishments where reservations are required months in advance. I like being able to call up the same day and have the friendly person on the phone confirm my reservation with that sweet French accent. I also like enjoying 4 delicious courses and a nice bottle of wine without putting a sizable dent into my dining budget ($21/person excluding beverages; so about $70 for two with a nice bottle of wine). So if you like Christophe's, please, don't spread the word around too much. :)
A little more detail: located at the end of Sausalito's main drag, Bridgeway, Christophe's is easily accessible from 101. It is quite easy to miss, though, as it lacks the flashy signage of most other restaurants in that area.
As you walk into the 30-person dining room, you will immediately notice its unique atmosphere. If you've ever been to Paris, you will recognize the street signs and the huge metro map. You may also adore the heavy French country-style cupboard and the wrought-iron wine rack tucked in the corner.
As you sit down, notice the Art Deco plates and matching stained-glass windows. Enjoy the freshly-baked bread as you peruse both sides of the menu: the prix fixe (fixed price, around $21 last time I checked) and the a la carte.
The 4-course fixed price dinner consists of a choice of 2-3 appetizers (I like the decently sized portion smoked salmon and the carpaccio), a green salad, a choice of 5+ entrees (mostly on the heavy side: rabbit, veal, steak, fresh fish, all generously portioned), and a delightful dessert (my absolute favorite is the profiteroles filled with vanilla ice cream and covered with warm cholocate sauce; the champagne pear with vanilla ice cream and the espresso mouse cake are equally good).
If you go the a la carte way, you will have selection of any of the above, as well as the daily specials (usually catch of the day).
The wine list is extensive and full of reasonable choices (in the $20-40 range) from France as well as local California wineries.
The only caveat with eating at Christophe's is that the hearty meal tends to be a little heavy. Everything tastes so good that it's difficult to control one's appetite, especially with prices Christophe's is able to offer. In the 2 years since I discovered this restaurant, I have not noticed much change in the menu, so perhaps you'd get bored if you went there every day.
Oh, and I would be remiss if I did not mention the early-bird special: diners arriving between 5 and 6 get the above 4-course delight at around $13!! I recommend checking with the restaurant on restrictions, details, etc.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: No
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Call ahead for reservations; there is a small parking lot in the back and some street parking nearby.
Best Suited For: Romantic Evening
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Epinions.com ID:
tweetybird
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Location: Berkeley, CA
Reviews written: 16
Trusted by: 10 members
About Me:
I enjoy all fine things in life... in bulk!
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