Last Updated on March 11, 2025
Given my French heritage, I am a stickler for quality French food. As a matter of fact, I seek out those places on my travels that offer the food, service and ambience that makes me feel as though I’m in France. That includes places in my home town.
Parc Bistro Brasserie, located in San Diego’s Banker’s Hill, across from the stunning Balboa Park and mere steps from Little Italy, not only met the bill, but exceeded my husband’s and my expectations when we dined there for lunch. This French restaurant is in a league of its own, providing an exceptional dining experience in a classy, relaxed atmosphere.
Parc Bistro Brasserie offers both indoor and outdoor heated dining along with private event spaces that can accommodate from 10 to 150 guests.
Of no surprise, the restaurant’s décor celebrates The City of Lights with Parisian prints, murals and even a model replica of the famous Eiffel Tower. Tables are covered with classic white table cloths and servers are formally attired, similar to what you’ll find in Parisian eateries.
French Cuisine in San Diego
The award-winning fine dining French restaurant offers lunch, dinner and weekend brunch along with happy hour. Unlike most San Diego area restaurants, Parc Bistro Brasserie features happy hour every day (including weekends) from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
The menu, of course, is French-inspired, thanks to Executive Chef Benjamin Navarro’s expertise in French cooking techniques. Guests will find plenty of seafood-related items such as caviar, oysters, tuna, mussels, Dungeness crab, calamari, shrimp and local fish selections along with other French-inspired selections from the land.
No worries for non-seafood aficionados, as other menu choices include beef, chicken, vegetarian and other healthier options.
Warm French bread with butter and an olive tapenade was such a pleasant way to start our meal. I chose a Fresh Seafood Cobb Salad with fresh crab, shrimp, smoked salmon, avocado, eggs, tomatoes and green beans with a homemade tarragon dressing for my entree. It was fresh, crisp and divine.
My hubby selected the Croque Monsieur prepared with Bayonne ham, Emmental cheese, béchamel, served on sourdough toasted bread. Taking the sound advice of our server, he added a fried egg to the top, which made this dish even more superb.
To accompany our entrees, I selected a French Chablis by Albert Bichot and my husband’s Pinot Noir from Bouchard Aines & Flis French burgundy was ideal with his entrée.
The wine list is impressive and helpful suggestions from the server staff can assist in making the perfect choice to match your food selection.
Decadent Desserts
Desserts are synonymous with French gastronomy. The tradition of serving decadent desserts and buttery pastries dates back to the court of Louis XIV and today, classic French sweets for quenching any lingering cravings are renowned worldwide.
Parc Bistro Brasserie offers a lovely selection of pastries, confectionaries and cakes perfect for finishing off a savory meal. Once again, at the recommendation of our server, we selected a shared Apple Tarte Tatin with caramelized apples, fresh berries and vanilla bean gelato.
Other Special Moments
Every Tuesday, the Brasserie features a “Tuesdays for Two” menu that includes a bottle of wine, two entrees and a shared dessert for $95 per couple creating the setting for a perfect date night.
Additionally, owner and San Diego restaurant veteran Garo Minassian hosts five monthly five-course wine dinners.
Parc Bistro Brasserie has garnished numerous awards to include San Diego’s “Best Modern French Restaurant,” “100 Best Neighborhood Gems in America” and “Top 100 Brunch Spots” for Open Table, along with being named San Diego Reader’s “Best French Restaurant of 2023,” and more.
One dining experience here and it’s easy to see how this delightful French restaurant has impressed customers over the five years since it opened in Banker’s Hill.
French chef and restauranter Auguste Escoffier once said, “Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.”
Perhaps this is the reason Parc Bistro Brasserie is always busy and patrons have big smiles on their faces. We certainly did!
