Jacqueline - Reviews

Was it worth a few months for this reservation? I hate to admit it, but yes. Even after you’re seated, get ready to wait an hour for your soufflés to come out. But when they do, you’ll be in heaven. The soufflés were warm, light, fluffy and rich. We tried the salmon & asparagus, mushroom, and chocolate soufflés. All of them were perfectly done and delicious.

I've visited this restaurant several times, and my past dinners have been mostly enjoyable, largely due to the romantic atmosphere. There's a certain special quality to this place, primarily its ambiance. The soufflé with champagne used to be a pretty good experience here. However, the taste of the soufflé itself isn't as exquisite as it once was, as novelty and scarcity previously enhanced the experience. Unfortunately, the atmosphere is no longer enough to compensate for the several instances of rude staff who seemed to take pleasure in making customers feel on edge. I can no longer overlook the drawbacks of this place, especially when I'm determined to have a good time while spending a significant amount of money ($$$$) for marginally better French desserts. You might find yourself in a similar situation and handle the rude service well, but you may want to reconsider before deciding to return.

My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative due to the poor service. I first attempted to make a reservation via phone, but there was no luck and no option to leave a message. When I visited in person to make a reservation, the waiter acted as if I was bothering him and insisted I call instead. I explained I had already called and asked if he could write down the number. He seemed very annoyed but did so, providing the exact same number I had already tried. I found it baffling that he had the time to write down the number but not to take my reservation request, which would have taken the same amount of time. The waiter's bad attitude was palpable, making me feel like an outsider. This was particularly surprising given that the restaurant was nearly empty, with only three tables occupied. It's no wonder they might struggle with business if this is their customer service approach.

My experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to issues with their website and the staff's attitude. If they have a late sitting at 7: 30 PM, it should be clearly mentioned on their website. They were unresponsive when I tried to call, and the staff behaved rudely upon arrival.

My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag, heavily leaning towards negative due to the service. The food was described as fun and tasty, though the reviewer also stated it was just 'fine'. What truly made the place special, according to the reviewer, was its history and the old San Francisco atmosphere. However, the service was a significant letdown. After two weeks of trying to make a reservation via phone on five separate occasions with no success (and noting the lack of online booking in 2025), the reviewer drove 40 minutes from Marin County to make an in-person reservation. Upon arrival, a waitperson rudely dismissed the reviewer's attempt to make a reservation, telling them to 'call and leave a message' and holding up a hand to signal they 'can't help with that' before walking away. This experience led the reviewer to strongly advise against dining here, suggesting patrons take their dollars elsewhere, specifically mentioning Chez Panisse as an alternative.

My experience at this restaurant was marked by wonderful food and wonderful service. It was a highlight to see Jaqueline working in the kitchen. However, diners should be ready for a leisurely pace; expect to spend around 3 hours if you order soup, entree, and dessert.

I absolutely love this restaurant, primarily because Jacqueline is one of the most amazing women on the planet. While the reservation situation can be tough, I highly recommend just keeping calling every now and then and going for it!

My experience at this cafe was a true joy. We indulged in the delicious soufflés, specifically the shiitake garlic basil for the entree and the chocolate one for dessert. While we skipped appetizers, we enjoyed the baguette provided before the meal, and it was a good thing as we could barely finish everything. It's a joy to watch the chef work in the kitchen. This cafe is a San Francisco landmark, so I highly recommend making a reservation for a relaxed, 3-hour meal.

I took a long trip to try this place, arriving at 8: 50 pm only to find it CLOSED. There was a closed sign, but no hours were posted. Online, it stated they close at 10: 00 pm. My phone calls went unanswered. It's a very basic business requirement to update and honor your posted hours.

If you enjoy soufflés, this restaurant should be on your bucket list! It's amazing that Jacqueline is still making every dinner and dessert from scratch, herself! Everything we have tried both times we ate at Jacqueline was top quality and delicious. From the vegetarian French Onion soup, to the salads, wine, champagne, and of course, soufflés!