Decadent French food meets up with neighborhood charm at this upscale Outer Richmond bistro.

Diners can't help but feel coddled in a setting that manages to be warm and inviting, despite being packed with neighborhood folks. Maybe it's the fact that the petite dining space is reminiscent of your dining room at home, but likely it's the care and graciousness that goes into not only the cooking, but maintaining the atmosphere as well--you'll often find owners Phillipe and Ellen Gardelle weaving through the tables and chatting up the regulars. The menu features familiar French fare--mussels and fries, cheesy baked onion soup, medium rare salmon, foie gras--complemented by a noteworthy wine list and some truly drool-worthy desserts. The best part? Your bill will arrive in an actual hat (the meaning of ''chapeau'' in French), making it slightly more palatable to pay that hefty tab.