Chez Simone, Oakland, California Restaurant Details

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It was such a wonderful experience definetly will b back i feel like home

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Adorable, awesome, great tasting authentic place.

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Such a gem!! Handwritten menu that constantly changes. This is a tiny, warm and cozy spot tucked away on Piedmont Ave. Simone is alway the one cooking and she will come out and chat with you after your meal. She's wonderful.

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Chef/Owner Simone has run her romantic little bistro for 30 years largely as a one woman operation. She has cooked wonderful food and served full plates inexpensively for the whole time and can often be found working the restaurant by herself, hosting, cooking, serving and washing dishes. Tough as nails she broke her hand and wrist last month and is back at work with the kind of resolve to admire.

Her menu varies from day to day, but consists of the same perfectly simple rustic and provincial cooking she has perfected over these many years. She is health conscious, and tends to under-salt her food assuming the customers will apply salt & pepper as they prefer to individual taste. So don't be shy about doing so to your own taste.

Some favorites; leg of lamb, beef bourguignonne, coquille st. jacques. Her meals are properly portioned, inexpensive ($15 includes the entree and soup or salad) and better than most restaurants and bistro's in France. Her wine list is modest, under $25 and has some very tasty imports and local wines.

While small she seats up to eight in one lovely corner table, parties of six in the middle and has room for several romantic tables for two. During sunny days she has outside tables that cannot be missed when the wisteria is in bloom.

Seriously consider becoming a regular if you've never been, she remembers her customers and treats them very well and can alternatively be abrasive with customers associating French cuisine with "snoot", or "arrogance". Her chocolate mousse, tarte tatin and creme caramel are to die for.

For many years she has requested handicap accessible remodels from the owner of the building as there is a set of stairs to climb and the restrooms are downstairs. Over the years the complex she's in has become a bit worn down, but Simone's little gem remains.

Please go, and go often and don't end up with regret over missing out on one of Piedmont's greatest culinary legacies. There are no other casual, romantic, quiet places you can eat four courses in the area for under $80. Appetizer ($7), main course and soup/salad ($15), desert ($5) and a bottle of wine ($18-$23).

ps. Ask about her cats, it breaks the ice. Don't ask "What's good?" because she'll reply, "Why everything, monsieur/madamme!"

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My wife and I sat on the deck overlooking a small courtyard with trees and vines. It was an extremely refreshing change of pace from the bustle of many good restaurants.

We had the beef burgundy, and it was pretty much perfect. The beef melts in your mouth and the mashed potatoes were a perfect complement.