Marche

This place is a gem! Food was excellent, service superb. We didn't have to wait for long between courses,... more

This place is a gem! Food was excellent, service superb. We didn't have to wait for long between courses, and we were absolutely not rushed a... more

This place is a gem! Food was excellent, service superb. We didn't have to wait for long between courses, and we were absolutely not rushed a... more

Marche is the perfect place for your most special occasions and people. It is expensive, but you will get more than your moneys worth. The f... more

A gorgeous experience. Two friends and I were able to make a midweek reservation with less than 2 hours notice and ordered the chef's tasting menu with wine pairing for my birthday dinner celebration - the meal was absolutely amazing. Started with the foie gras starter, which was out of this world, and the meal continued to exceed expectations with every course. The scallops with carrot reduction were outrageously good and the wine pairings were sublime. The service was excellent and friendly and was enhanced by our interactions with the manager (Molly?), who checked on us several times. Ended the meal with the amazing chocolate cake and a lovely port - a most memorable birthday! Will definitely be back. Pros: Amazing food, great service and ambience more

A gorgeous experience. Two friends and I were able to make a midweek reservation with less than 2 hours notice and ordered the chef's tasting menu with wine pairing for my birthday dinner celebration - the meal was absolutely amazing. Started with the foie gras starter, which was out of this world, and the meal continued to exceed expectations with every course. The scallops with carrot reduction were outrageously good and the wine pairings were sublime. The service was excellent and friendly and was enhanced by our interactions with the manager (Molly?), who checked on us several times. Ended the meal with the amazing chocolate cake and a lovely port - a most memorable birthday! Will definitely be back. Pros: Amazing food, great service and ambience more

The introductory lobster bisque given to everyone from the chef was actually quite bad. Everyone at our table could tell it was overcooked, and/or used too much shell.\r \r The set menu, overall, was very good. I thought the potato ravioli with mushrooms and truffle oil was outstanding. The lamb chops were average, but covered in an acrid sauce with flavors of asphault. The desserts were perfect. I tried the gingerbread as well as the orange mascarpone crepes - both very good.\r \r The wine pairings were fine, but nothing worth writing home about, and simply not worth another $50 per head.\r \r The waiter was friendly, but inattentative, and I hate to say, incompetent. He could not answer basic questions about the menu, and seemed flustered the entire time.\r \r The ambience was fine, but nothing notable. The acoustics get pretty bad with a full house.\r \r My big gripe is that we started with cocktails, then ordered our food soon thereafter. The food was brought out at a decent pace, and we ate it as it came. Before we were offered coffee or tea that is part of the prix fixe menu, the Maitre de came over and asked us how our meal was. She then stated that she needed a table for other people waiting. We were a little surprised, and stated that we had not even had coffee or tea. She lost us when she said that you had to ask for it if you wanted it. Obviously that's not how fixed menus work, and we did not have to ask for anything else. Moreover, we were spending at a pace of $150-$200 per hour for the table, so it's not like we were dead weight.\r \r A person at our table said something to general manager, who gave us a $100 ""apology"" gift certificate, but she clearly just wanted us out of there.\r \r I have never had a more insulting experience at a restaurant. Given all of the nice restaurants in Santa Cruz, the Peninsula, SF and Napa with equally good food, superior staff, wine lists and ambience, Marche would be wise to reconsider how it operates. Pros: food Cons: wait staff & management more

The introductory lobster bisque given to everyone from the chef was actually quite bad. Everyone at our table could tell it was overcooked, and/or used too much shell. The set menu, overall, was very good. I thought the potato ravioli with mushrooms and truffle oil was outstanding. The lamb chops were average, but covered in an acrid sauce with flavors of asphault. The desserts were perfect. I tried the gingerbread as well as the orange mascarpone crepes - both very good. The wine pairings were fine, but nothing worth writing home about, and simply not worth another $50 per head. The waiter was friendly, but inattentative, and I hate to say, incompetent. He could not answer basic questions about the menu, and seemed flustered the entire time. The ambience was fine, but nothing notable. The acoustics get pretty bad with a full house. My big gripe is that we started with cocktails, then ordered our food soon thereafter. The food was brought out at a decent pace, and we ate it as it came. Before we were offered coffee or tea that is part of the prix fixe menu, the Maitre de came over and asked us how our meal was. She then stated that she needed a table for other people waiting. We were a little surprised, and stated that we had not even had coffee or tea. She lost us when she said that you had to ask for it if you wanted it. Obviously that's not how fixed menus work, and we did not have to ask for anything else. Moreover, we were spending at a pace of $150-$200 per hour for the table, so it's not like we were dead weight. A person at our table said something to general manager, who gave us a $100 "apology" gift certificate, but she clearly just wanted us out of there. I have never had a more insulting experience at a restaurant. Given all of the nice restaurants in Santa Cruz, the Peninsula, SF and Napa with equally good food, superior staff, wine lists and ambience, Marche would be wise to reconsider how it operates. Pros: food Cons: wait staff & management more

I had read so many accolades (such as the 9.9 by citysearch and the 27 by Zagat's) about this place and was so excited to try it with an out of town relative who is a big foodie and wine lover. As soon as we arrived - the buzz of the restaurant was more of chaos than holiday cheer. We were seated immediately but waited 10 minutes for a waiter. We were never informed of the any specials or even greeted by the waiter - only handed menus. The wine, bread, and appetizer all came out together and the meal shortly thereafter. The lobster bisque sent out by the chef tasted burnt. The lamb chops were dry. Not once did our waiter ask us how our food was or if there was anything else we needed or even speak to us. It seemed more important to turn over tables than serve the ones seated. The staff ran around hurridly often running into each other. It was utter chaos. It was just not the experience I had ever expected. I had to wait 10 minutes to get my coat at the end of it all too. Save your time and money - go to Evvia or Tamarine for a better culinary and customer experience. I am not sure what all the buzz is about for Marche. Pros: Potato Ravioli, Wine List, Parking Cons: Service, service, service, ambience. more

I had read so many accolades (such as the 9.9 by citysearch and the 27 by Zagat's) about this place and was so excited to try it with an out of town relative who is a big foodie and wine lover. As soon as we arrived - the buzz of the restaurant was more of chaos than holiday cheer. We were seated immediately but waited 10 minutes for a waiter. We were never informed of the any specials or even greeted by the waiter - only handed menus. The wine, bread, and appetizer all came out together and the meal shortly thereafter. The lobster bisque sent out by the chef tasted burnt. The lamb chops were dry. Not once did our waiter ask us how our food was or if there was anything else we needed or even speak to us. It seemed more important to turn over tables than serve the ones seated. The staff ran around hurridly often running into each other. It was utter chaos. It was just not the experience I had ever expected. I had to wait 10 minutes to get my coat at the end of it all too. Save your time and money - go to Evvia or Tamarine for a better culinary and customer experience. I am not sure what all the buzz is about for Marche. Pros: Potato Ravioli, Wine List, Parking Cons: Service, service, service, ambience. more

This is the restaurant in Menlo Park where we go when we want something really special. It is French cuisine and the menu changes frequently... more

My husband and I ordered the $65 4-course tasting menu and enjoyed every course tremendously. The waiter was incredibly helpful and friendly, which added a lot to the experience. I replaced my entree and dessert (selected outside of the prix fixe menu). My husband replaced his dessert. The waiter even suggested we order 1/2 glasses of 2 different wine when we can't decide between several choices. Wow! 1st course: Sashimi (tuna, salmon, and white buttery fish) with avocado (perfect texture) and a wasabi sauce. Super fresh and yummy sashimi. 2nd course: 2 big sea scallops (with tiny crunchy browned onion or garlic on top) on mashed potatoes with truffle oil. So delicious... 3rd course: Lamb chops with carrots and mac&cheese. My 3 year old LOVED the mac&cheese. My husband loved the lamb chops and carrots. I don't eat lamb, so I had the Steak with Foie Gras on roasted potatoes. It was a thick slice of foie gras. The sauce was amazing. This came with 2 pieces of asparagus. I think it needed additional veges like carrots to balance this dish. I was only able to eat 1/2 because I wanted room to eat dessert. Dessert: I had the Paris Brest which was a puff pastry cake with 2 kinds of creem (I forgot the terms they used) with chocolate sauce. My 3 year old and I shared this. My husband selected cheese which came with apple slices and nutty bread. We'll be back. Pros: Service, Food Cons: music didn't match the intimate atmosphere more

My husband and I ordered the $65 4-course tasting menu and enjoyed every course tremendously. The waiter was incredibly helpful and friendly, which added a lot to the experience. I replaced my entree and dessert (selected outside of the prix fixe menu). My husband replaced his dessert. The waiter even suggested we order 1/2 glasses of 2 different wine when we can't decide between several choices. Wow! \r \r 1st course: Sashimi (tuna, salmon, and white buttery fish) with avocado (perfect texture) and a wasabi sauce. Super fresh and yummy sashimi.\r 2nd course: 2 big sea scallops (with tiny crunchy browned onion or garlic on top) on mashed potatoes with truffle oil. So delicious...\r 3rd course: Lamb chops with carrots and mac&cheese. My 3 year old LOVED the mac&cheese. My husband loved the lamb chops and carrots. I don't eat lamb, so I had the Steak with Foie Gras on roasted potatoes. It was a thick slice of foie gras. The sauce was amazing. This came with 2 pieces of asparagus. I think it needed additional veges like carrots to balance this dish. I was only able to eat 1/2 because I wanted room to eat dessert.\r Dessert: I had the Paris Brest which was a puff pastry cake with 2 kinds of creem (I forgot the terms they used) with chocolate sauce. My 3 year old and I shared this. My husband selected cheese which came with apple slices and nutty bread. \r \r We'll be back. Pros: Service, Food Cons: music didn't match the intimate atmosphere more

For an elegant evening dining out Marche is a wonderful place to go. I found the service to be excellent and the food fantastic. It is expen... more

We've eaten at Marche several times. Each time has been a treat - good service and good food. But this past Friday, April 14th, we ate there... more

My husband had forgotten to make Valentine reservations and it was February 1. Our usual San Francisco restaurants were either not taking reservations yet or were booked, so we decided to try the Peninsula, searching for French Food and up pops Marche' in Menlo Park. We had more than a wonderful time...tried their tasting menu and it was an extraordinary experience. Food was great, wine was excellent, service was perfect, ambience was classy romantic (quiet, subdued and elegant). We have continued to return and are not ever disappointed. Pros: Excellent Food, Service, Intimate dining Cons: Very pricey, ,but worth it. more

My husband had forgotten to make Valentine reservations and it was February 1. Our usual San Francisco restaurants were either not taking reservations yet or were booked, so we decided to try the Peninsula, searching for French Food and up pops Marche' in Menlo Park. We had more than a wonderful time...tried their tasting menu and it was an extraordinary experience. Food was great, wine was excellent, service was perfect, ambience was classy romantic (quiet, subdued and elegant). We have continued to return and are not ever disappointed. Pros: Excellent Food, Service, Intimate dining Cons: Very pricey, ,but worth it. more

I have been to Marche a number of times and for that the reasons are simple: the food is as good as any restaurant I've been to, the service is prompt, friendly, and efficient without being staunchy, and the ambiance is sublime. The only drawback that i can see is that they have trouble accomodating large (10+) parties. From what I understand however they are in the midst of constructing a private dinning room. I look forward to it. more

I have been to Marche a number of times and for that the reasons are simple: the food is as good as any restaurant I've been to, the service is prompt, friendly, and efficient without being staunchy, and the ambiance is sublime. The only drawback that i can see is that they have trouble accomodating large (10+) parties. From what I understand however they are in the midst of constructing a private dinning room. I look forward to it. more

After a late meeting down the peninsula, I decided to try Marche out. I was very happy with my food and the atmosphere was terrific. Great French food. more