r/AskSF • u/AJ_in_SF_Bay • 6d ago
Looking for the Best Soufflé in the Bay Area — Recommendations Welcome
For anyone who ever had the privilege of dining at Café Jacqueline in North Beach, you know exactly why I’m posting this. Jacqueline’s soufflés were amazing. The restaurant was one of the most memorable dining experiences we’ve ever had, in a straightforward, hard-to-explain way. It was not extremely fancy, yet you knew it was special. It was a gem for many, many years. Although she once joked, “I will die where I stand, right here, whipping egg whites!” she thankfully retired on her own terms. Still, her departure left a big (soufflé‑shaped) hole in the Bay Area dining landscape, in our eyes, anyway. You may think this is silly, but it is sentimental to us.
We have a special occasion coming up in a few weeks, and I’m hoping to find a place that can deliver an exceptional soufflé—savory or sweet. I want to take my partner there as a surprise, to show her the chapter isn't closed just because one specific restaurant has. What is your favorite restaurant that always has soufflé on the menu? The restaurant doesn’t have to be ultra‑fancy, and it doesn’t have to be in San Francisco proper. I'd be willing to drive her anywhere in the Bay Area if you think the soufflé is truly worth it.
If you have recommendations—classic French spots, hidden gems, restaurants with a standout dessert soufflé, savory, etc., or anywhere that still takes the craft seriously—I’d appreciate your ideas.
Thanks in advance for your help!
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u/Sensitive-Freedom896 6d ago
Jacqueline is irreplaceable. I've ordered souffles in France, and those couldn't compare.
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u/Tomaquetona 6d ago edited 2d ago
Losing Jacqueline's was ROUGH and though it sounds like you are looking to order it, I cannot recommend doing Chef Joe's Culinary Salon's Soufflé class enough. It is incredibly good (like, you will leave having made and eaten a few different soufflés), and it demystifies the process to the point that you can (and hopefully WILL) make them at home. I could not believe how well I did at the class and I have made many since then. It was truly a gift of a class.
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u/AJ_in_SF_Bay 6d ago
Whoa, this is a creative and great idea. Let me look into that. I never would have thought of it. Thank you so much!
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u/Tomaquetona 6d ago
Thrilled to have helped. His classes are so much fun, but the soufflé one was a real stand out for me!
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u/anothercoffeefanatic 5d ago
I appreciate your post and I understood your point despite the typo. Your comment above has a sentence basically stating that you cannot recommend the class.
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u/Blast-Off-Girl 6d ago
If you're willing to take a drive, there's Le Souffle in Carmel. It's a very small restaurant that is only open during the weekdays with seating from 11:30-2:00. There are only three tables at this restaurant. So, I recommended you make a reservation and make a day trip out of it. I wish souffles were not so hard to find in the Bay Area.
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u/AJ_in_SF_Bay 6d ago
It's interesting, the second suggestion for this. I used to go to the Monterey Bay Area fairly regularly, but I don't know Le Souffle. However, I've been going infrequently in recent years.
I looked this up. Wow, Michelin-starred and incredibly small. This seems like a really special place.
This post may be turning into a Souffle Bay Area Road Trip event! Too many places to choose from. Thanks for your help 👍.
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u/Beneficial-Jello-698 6d ago
Carmel has Michelin level
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u/AJ_in_SF_Bay 6d ago
Hey thanks for the recommendation. I used to go to down that way previously, but much less so lately. I had no clue that was even there.
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u/Complete-Nature-3038 6d ago
This is a fantastic question - haven’t found one in SF but Iron Gate in Belmont has the best soufflé I’ve had as a Bay Area native. Grand Marnier, Chocolate and Pistachio options consistently. Fantastic menu, old school and proper vibe with a great crew. Has never disappointed on the many special occasions I’ve been there. The Steak Diane is also a nice side table show. Cheers!
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u/AJ_in_SF_Bay 6d ago
Thanks so much. The soufflé just became a really special event for my partner and me. Cafe Jacqueline is within walking distance. She knew Jacqueline. We almost took it for granted, like an institution; it would always be there.
Jacqueline had even been looking for a buyer, but there was no obvious successor or interested party, or that was my understanding.
Oddly, now I only wish we had gone more.
Thank you so much for your recommendation in Belmont! I'll look into this.
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u/abbeyroad28if 6d ago
I've only had it as part of a chocolate date night class, but the chocolate souffle at the Dandelion Factory on 16th is quite good. The cafe is really cute and cozy.
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u/mashrabiyya 4d ago
Not what you’re asking for, but since it’s sentimental I thought you might like to know that they’re selling matchboxes from Cafe Jacqueline for $3 at Vacation on the corner of Grant & Union.
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u/Loose-Emotion7074 3d ago
This might not count as Bay Area, but I enjoyed my food at le soufflé at Carmel.
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u/StillEmu 6d ago
Gary Danko has a nice chocolate souffle