Papillon

This place is amazing! I have eaten there more than a hundred times in between 1996 and 2005. Friendly, expert staff, full bar with one of the Bay Area's best wine lists. Superb food, especially the cream soups, I highly recommend the chicken ... more

This place is amazing! I have eaten there more than a hundred times in between 1996 and 2005. Friendly, expert staff, full bar with one of the Bay Area's best wine lists. Superb food, especially the cream soups, I highly recommend the chicken cordon bleu, beef wellington, and pepper filet, but there is nothing on the menu that is not excellent. I've taken business clients and dates here, as well as my evil ex wife, and even she liked the food, because there was enough of it to fill the endless maw that is is mouth. But back to the restaurant... <br> You have two choices of where to sit. The front atrium is more modern and cheerful but louder. On Fri and Sat, there is often quiet live music performed by a single musician (I miss the blind acoustic guitarist!). In the back is a larger, more formal room, with stained glass windows, red velvet, and more substantial formal furniture. It's better for large parties or a quiet romantic corner booth. <br> This is by far the best restaurant in Fremont. Mossimo's doesn't hold a candle to Papillon. I moved from Fremont to Palo Alto a couple years ago, and still sometimes drive to Fremont to eat there. It's that good! less

Having been to Paris, this isn't exactly authentic French food. But if you don't go in expecting that the food is good. A bit expensive though. My husband like the beef wellington (not a french dish). The escargots were good, but a bit ric ... more

Having been to Paris, this isn't exactly authentic French food. But if you don't go in expecting that the food is good. A bit expensive though. My husband like the beef wellington (not a french dish). The escargots were good, but a bit rich. I had the duck which was okay. It was good but not enough I think for the price. less

My husband had been wanting to try this restaurant....so we went. I would say that the entree prices are average, but the wine list really is overpriced and does need some work.....Esp. more selection of French wines. The puff pastry was very go ... more

My husband had been wanting to try this restaurant....so we went. I would say that the entree prices are average, but the wine list really is overpriced and does need some work.....Esp. more selection of French wines. The puff pastry was very good, as were the appetizers we ordered. My husband ordered the chicken cordon bleu and I had the special, which was Salmon in a puff pastry. The waiter was not very knowledgable (for an upscale restaurant), but friendly enough. The atmosphere is good and the owner/manager was very pleasant. We spent about $180(including everything but tip. An enjoyable dinner, but probably won't go there again. less

Did I miss something??? I tried this restaurant based on the reviews from this Web site, and was sorely disappointed. The most important thing to me with any restaurant is the food, and Papillon really fell short. While they made a big deal out ... more

Did I miss something??? I tried this restaurant based on the reviews from this Web site, and was sorely disappointed. The most important thing to me with any restaurant is the food, and Papillon really fell short. While they made a big deal out of flambe'ing fillet mignon at diners? tables, the food was BLAND. I went with two other people and we all had different menu selections. We were all disappointed. It wasn't like the food was delicately seasoned, it was like it wasn't seasoned at all. The service was polite but very slow. I was seated in a back room and found the decor horribly depressing -- garish velvet wallpaper, maroon velvet armchairs, a monstrous grotesque piece of indeterminate furniture. The main dining room (which is kind of an atrium/sunroom) is much nicer than the revolting back room. Do yourself a favor, if you need to go out in Fremont, go to Pearl's and skip Papillon altogether. less

This place is one of my favorites, they have wonderful food, the service is good and it's a very comfortable place to come and sit for a while. Great place for a nice date, or a small group of friends. The decore is very nice. The only thing is it ... more

This place is one of my favorites, they have wonderful food, the service is good and it's a very comfortable place to come and sit for a while. Great place for a nice date, or a small group of friends. The decore is very nice. The only thing is it is not cheap, so either be rich, or make it a special occation type thing. :) I'd say you definately have to go their at least once. less

Though the restaurant may seem out of the way to reach for some, it will be well worth the drive. The seating is well-situated, with the feeling that you're the only one in the restaurant, and everyone is there to serve you. For starters, my fiance ... more

Though the restaurant may seem out of the way to reach for some, it will be well worth the drive. The seating is well-situated, with the feeling that you're the only one in the restaurant, and everyone is there to serve you. For starters, my fiancee and I ordered the duck patee, which was VERY GOOD. We then moved on into the entrees, with her ordering the duck, and me ordering the chicken cordon bleu. After sampling each other's meals, we both agreed that we had made some excellent choices. And if I didn't mention, each entree's price includes both soup AND salad. I guarantee you'll walk away from this place with a full stomach and a smile on your face. less