Bistro And Beyond: Le Marais' Castro Location To Offer Expanded Menu

Bistro And Beyond: Le Marais' Castro Location To Offer Expanded MenuPhoto: Le Marais/Instagram
Carrie Sisto
Published on April 02, 2017

The Castro location of Le Marais, expected to open in the next few weeks, will offer a menu similar to the one at its Chestnut Street bistro, along with several new options and an expanded beverage selection, Hoodline has learned.

The new outpost at 498 Sanchez St. — formerly Samovar Tea — is patterned after the cafés in owner Patrick Ascaso’s hometown outside Paris. The bakery's first Marina location initially focused on bread, patisserie and viennoiseries, but Ascaso expanded to offer bistro fare there, and at a newer space in Ghirardelli Square.

Photo: Le Marais/Instagram

While baked goods are still a focus, the Castro location will offer an expanded menu:

Tartines
SAVOYARDE: viande de grison, raclette, levain
NORVÉGIEN: smoked fish, caviar, dill, crème, levain
FROMAGE FRAIS: house jam, brioche
Plats
GRATIN: cauliflower, gruyère, petite salade
CROQUETTE de saison, aïoli, petite salade
DUCK CONFIT, petite salade  
SHAKSHOUKA: poached eggs, levain   
Rotisserie   
POULET - Mary’s free range     
CÔTE DE BŒUF - prime rib      
LAMB - top round filet            
LEGUMES - lentilles du puy 

“Our bakery-to-restaurant ratio is now really fifty-fifty,” Ascaso told Hoodline. 

The food will all be “comfortable, nicely done, but simple,” he said, adding that he focuses on execution and quality and likes his menu to be farmers’ market-driven. 

Ascaso and his wife, Joanna, are also offering two Fort Point Brewing beers on tap — the Treble Hook Pale Ale and the Villager IPA. The pale ale is “one of the most delicious beers we’ve ever tasted,” and pairs well with European fare, Ascaso said.

There will also be a selection of French wines and some wine cocktails based on old French recipes, such as the Kir Royale — champagne with cassis — and The French Blonde — Lillet blanc with white elderflower and grapefruit.

Photo: Le Marais/Instagram

While the Castro Street location will offer the same nitro coffee and cold brew on tap, it will add two tea options — a nitro chai and a green tea. Coffee and tea will be also available in affogados. The Ascasos foresee offering these as refreshing to-go options for people heading to Dolores Park.

Ascaso initially anticipated opening last fall but faced many setbacks once renovations began, including rotting floors and ceilings and asbestos-lined pipes. The restaurant will be ready for final inspections in about two weeks, Ascaso said. After passing those inspections, the new restaurant should open within a week. 

Its new logo and menu were designed by Arin FishkinNew Bohemia Signs painted the windows and other signs. 

Photo: Le Marais/Instagram

The baked goods, from breads to patisserie, will initially be brought in from the Chestnut Street bakery. Eventually, everything except bread will be produced at a new location on the edge of the Tenderloin at 1083 Sutter St.

The Sanchez Street restaurant will initially be open from 7am to 7pm, similar to the Marina locations.

“But the expanded menu really opens up future options,” Ascaso said. “We will feel out the neighborhood and interest,” and expect there will be enough demand for the location to stay open later to offer dinner, he added. 

You can keep an eye out for the new location’s opening date on Le Marais’ Facebook page