Le Croque-off

[rworange]

A few months ago I started a Croque Monsieur crawl because I wanted to see what made a good one.

A little way through, I switched to the Croque Madame because I thought it would add another layer of interest … how the egg was handled.

Due to the richness of a croque … egg … butter … sauce …cheese … I needed to pace myself or run the risk of croque-ing.

The crawl continues. I figured I’d post once I made it to Bouchon, guessing they would make a good version. Well, yes … but … so far no one has been perfect. I have no favorite yet.

There are components of each that would go into making my perfect croque … the ham from either Post Meridian or Cafe Saint Honore, the egg from Le Garage, the oozy cheese and the nicely browned béchamel from Rendez-vous Café, the bread and lightness from Bouchon.

If I had to choose one, it might be Rendez-vous in Albany of all places. It was the best whole rather than the components … good value, oozy cheese, lots of grilled ham, the béchamel nicely browned and a little salad to make a complete lunch. It wasn’t the fanciest but it was satisfying and nicely made.

Anyway, I haven’t had a croque in SF yet. I’m hoping to get some suggestions for greatness there … or anywhere. I wasn’t going to include Cafe Saint Honore’s but after reading about the sandwich, it qualifies.

Croque monsieur and variations
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/588965#

Here’s what I’ve tried to date in no particular order

Le Croque-off un: Yountville – Bouchon
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/589137

Le Croque-off deux: Sausalito – Le Garage
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/589136

Le Croque-off trios: Albany – Rendezvous Café
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/589134

Le Croque-off quatre: - Post Meridian
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/589133

Cafe Saint Honore
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/5727...

[oaktowngirl]

Lukas Taproom in Oakland has a brunch special of a Croque Madame that I was very happy with. Acme pain de mie, ham, gruyere with bechamel and two eggs on top. (They also have a Reuben Benedict that we are afraid to try.)

[stanbee]

Try the Monsieur at "Just for You". Dogpatch SF.

[rworange]

It has been awhile since I’ve taken up the croque crawl, inadvertently re-starting at La Bedaine. I was looking for financiers. There were only meringues and I wanted to try something new … voila… Le croque

Here’s the current list in one place .

Le Croque-off un: Yountville – Bouchon
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/589137

Le Croque-off deux: Sausalito – Le Garage
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/589136

Le Croque-off trios: Albany – Rendezvous Café
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/589134

Le Croque-off quatre: - Post Meridian
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/589133

Le Croque-off cinq: Santa Rosa – Chloe's French Café … We have a winner
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/592388#

The Butler and the Chef – six (possible change to restaurant due to expansion)
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/600503#4471289

Le Croque-off sept (7) Berkeley - La Bedaine
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/680011

Cafe Saint Honore (closed)
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/5727...

Places where someone in this thread mentioned and recommend the croque. They are on my list to try.

Absinthe, SF
Artisan Bistro in Lafayette
Cafe Claude. SF
Cafe de la Presse, SF
Fleur de Cocoa, Los Gatos
Just for You, Dogpatch, SF
Gamine, SF
La Note, SF
Local Kitchen, SF
South Park Café, SF
Zazie on Cole, SF

[SteveG]

I responded somewhere else, but the Croque at Fleur de Cocoa was on soggy bread with sub-par ham. I think the bechamel was poured over the top and wasn't browned or anything. Probably the worst of around 10 versions I've had in my life.

I really like the version at Arlequin To Go, next to Absinthe on Hayes street. It also has a nice back yard garden if you feel like eating outdoors.

[uhockey]

I just posed the Butler version as one of my 10 favorite tastes of SF in 2009. :-)

[rworange]

I saw that. Glad you did. I meant to put it on mine but forgot. I'm a bit apprehensive though. I guess you may have seen my post with an inquiry that there may be changes at Butler. Their website is under construction with an announcement that they are opening new locations and are looking for investors. That just gives me ... brrrrr. I hope all will be well. Butler has had its ups and downs over the years and I never would have re-tried it and fell in love with it until your post about the croque

[roster]

I'll have to try a few on this list.
The Boulange de Polk, Cole (Bay Bread) people do a decent job I thought.
I have had the one at Tartine, which I did not find as rich and velvety, although I like the pickled carrots they serve with it at Tartine.

[sugartoof]

I looked them up on the web after your first review, and they had the goofy incomplete website even then. It put me off too, but somehow fit the open kitchen. I was actually surprised the place was as finished/refined as it was, considering.

I'm a huge Croque fan but I think I would make the quiche a priority there instead.
My croque was over creamed, to the point of a mushy custard, and the cheese was more like a layer off souffle. I don't normally want to eat a croque with fork and knife, but maybe that's the authentic way. It's a fine trade off from feeling like you're being tricked into eating a ham sandwich.

[uhockey]

Glad to have found it - I haven't had a great croque since I was in San Franciso.

[dhoffman1421]

My SIL had the Crooque Madame at Artisan Bistro in Lafayette. The whole meal was fabulous, everyone enjoyed it.

[pamf]

Just bumping this thread because I sampled a great one at Gamine today.

I didn't even order it, I had their burger, which is great as well.

My generous dining companion had the croque and I was lucky enough to get a bite.

It is my perfect example of what I am lookiing for in a Croque Monsieur. Great bread, creamy bechamel and crispy cheese on top.

I've been disappointed at a few places where the croque was just a grilled cheese. I can't wait to go back for one of my own.

The burger was quite good too. We also shared the warm frissee salad with duck confit (and bacon0. Everything was delicious.

In the middle of lunch the rain started (a downpour) and the staff was nice enough to walk out and find us a cab.

Lovely little bistro. I wish I lived nearby because I would be here all the time,

[cakebaker]

The best croque I've found so far is at Zazie on Cole st. in the City.

-----
Zazie
941 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117

[stanbee]

Had a great one for brunch at Just for You, Dogpatch, SF.

[uhockey]

On my trip to SF I tried the Croque at Bouchon, Boulangerie, and The Butler and the Chef. While all 3 were good, I'd give the nod to the Butler....truly a fantastic representation. I'll be writing reviews of all 3 places eventually, but even without egg (Monsieur at Butler vs. Madame at Bouchon) it was more rich in flavor yet equally light in texture.

[rworange]

I already thanked you for this tip in another thread
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6005...

The croque at the Butler and the Chef just puts all of these to shame. It is in a totally different class. It is going to be hard for anyone to beat this. Best croque ... Butler ... no contest ... absolutely no contest.

[uhockey]

Glad I know SOMETHING about dining. :-)

[peterme]

So, you know, I feel just a little better about myself, I mentioned Butler and The Chef (though not with such a fulsome description) in my comment to this thread on January 24.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/5891...
Just sayin'.

[rworange]

Ah, I knew someone else mentioned it. I have been keeping all the suggestions on my to-try list. Local Kitchen moved lower in the list because the chef left sometime after it was suggested .

[uhockey]

Any new Croque's RWO?

[rworange]

Taking time off for Easter.Too much ham and eggs this month.

[IlanaW]

Hi RW!

You sound as if you have almost reached your goal of "Croque-ing out." May I suggest for your next "trail" "Hachis Parmentier."
(POTATO PUREE , SAUTEED GROUND BEEF AND CHEESE CASSEROLE). They do a nice one at Cafe Bastille (Belden Alley). Basically, it's like a French version of Shepherd's Pie, only with cheese on top (nicely browned and crispy, please). Like your "croques," it is a common and quintessential French dish and found in many places. I will be interested to hear your results. The envelope, please...

IlanaW

[sydthekyd]

Have you tried it at Absinthe in SF?

[rworange]

So far, only what is in the list. I'll keep Absinthe in mind. Thanks. Never have been there.

[ernie in berkeley]

Eccolo has changed their recipe. What was once basically a grilled ham and cheese sandwich is now a true croque monsieur with lots of bechamel and the cheese on top instead of inside. It's quite good, but...twelve bucks.

[rworange]

Another day another croque ... I declare Chloe's the winner to date ... perfect

Le Croque-off cinq: Santa Rosa – Chloe's French Café … We have a winner
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/592388#

[peterme]

I can't say I'm a croque aficionado, but we've got two places in South Park that serve them, the South Park Cafe and Butler and the Chef. I prefer Butler's -- very rich and tasty. It can be a bit much for lunch, so I only eat it occasionally. But always love it when I do.

-----
Butler & the Chef Bistro
155 S Park St, San Francisco, CA 94107

South Park Cafe
108 South Park, San Francisco, CA 94107

[mmerino]

I had one a few months back at Local Kitchen and Wine. It was the best I have ever eaten, even compared to ones I 'et in France. The bread held up without being too crunchy or dry, the cheese was magically fluffy but super rich, the egg, gorgeous. I loved it. The sample menu says Serrano ham but when I had it it was regular. Try it and let me know.

-----
Local Kitchen and Wine Merchant
330 1st Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

[Cicely]

I just had the croque at Local last weekend. It was good, although I don't remember the presence of bechamel. Bread was quite light. The addition of an egg makes it a croque madame, which I didn't do. I'm not sure about the ham... sorry for the lack of detail, but our service was (nice but) atrociously incompetent... one guy at our table had to order coffee three times before it arrived, and about 1/2 hour elapsed between the time the first entree hit the table (roasted crab special) and the arrival of my croque monsieur. So I was really, really hungry! And the CM came without its assigned side of fries, which took another 20 minutes to materialize. It was a weekend lunch, but not crowded at all... plenty of staff floating around. However, I enjoyed a weekend lunch there on another occasion, without the service snafus.

-----
Local Kitchen and Wine Merchant
330 1st Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

[Jeff]

In SF, I recall enjoying the croque at Cafe Claude.

[sugartoof]

Yup, that's probably the best I've had in the city. Went back and it was more like eating a mushy ham sandwich, so I guess there are off days with it. There are a couple other interesting sounding french places within the area, like Cafe Bastille.

Chez Maman, and Chez Papa might be worth a try if you're a fan of their places.

[Glencora]

I assume you're going to La Note?

[Scott M]

SF corque: Cafe de la Presse

[Splendid Wine Snob]

The croque monsieur and madame my partner and I had at Cafe de la Presse this past July were both exceptionally executed.

SWS

[anyhow]

If your crawl gets to Los Gatos, I suggest Fleur de Cocoa.

http://www.fleurdecocoa.com/default.a...

Please keep us updated.

[uhockey]

Very cool idea, will follow along.