San Francisco's dining scene is seeing a rebirth of classic French charm as the iconic Jeanne d’Arc bistro, once dubbed the "Frenchiest French bistro" by the San Francisco Chronicle, reopens its doors. Nestled in the basement of the Cornell Hotel de France, the bistro has returned to Union Square after a pandemic-induced closure with the same medieval-themed ambiance that made it a city favorite for nearly 50 years.
After the original owners, Claude and Micheline Lambert, decided to retire in 2020, the fate of the eatery hung in the balance until new owner Manoj Chawla of Oceanic Enterprises stepped in. Following his recent overseen refurbishments, Jeanne d’Arc boasts a revamped yet familiarly opulent setting complete with original artworks and newly added sparkly chandeliers, where the likes of the braised rabbit and rack of lamb have diners salivating, and servers are more like narrators in a historic play. They continue to dish out stories as rich as the sauces bedecking classic French entrees.
The comeback of Jeanne d’Arc has been fueled by the return of revered chef Bernard Moutal, who previously helmed the kitchen from 2000 to 2012. "They still ask for the rabbit, the coq au vin, the Grand Marnier soufflé. You know, all the goodies that people still want these days," Moutal told the San Francisco Chronicle. His culinary mastery, paired with a penchant for traditional French cuisine, signals a promising revival for the local and tourist foodies alike.
The restaurant has also relaunched with a soft-opening announcement on its website, inviting patrons to reminisce and create new memories as they dine amidst surroundings that reflect the past, and, as time goes forward, Chawla aims to keep the authenticity of the restaurant's French roots.
