About
Welcome to Gentilly, a vibrant culinary oasis located at 4826 Mission St, San Francisco, where the spirited flavors of New American cuisine intertwine with the rich traditions of Cajun and Creole cooking. This charming establishment is not just a dining spot; it's an experience that celebrates Southern hospitality through its warm ambiance and exquisite dishes.
As a food reviewer for Foodjoyy, I am thrilled to share my experiences at Gentilly, a women-owned eatery known for its commitment to providing delicious, hearty meals paired with exceptional service. The moment you step inside, you are greeted by an inviting atmosphere, featuring a lively bar up front and a more intimate dining area at the back, perfect for gatherings with friends or a cozy dinner for two.
Gentilly's allure is reflected in its glowing customer reviews. Guests have praised the fried chicken plate and gumbo for their incredible flavor profiles. Allena C. remarked on the juicy chicken and delightful muffins that perfectly complemented her meal. Meanwhile, Ayush K. appreciated the blue crab and corn fritters, highlighting their crispy texture and savory pairing with paprika aioli.
But it's not just about the food; it's the experience. Customers frequently commend the attentive service and warm atmosphere that makes Gentilly feel like home. While some diners have noted minor critiques about presentation, the overall sentiment is that what matters most is the joy of sharing delicious food in great company.
In a city that endlessly redefines its dining landscape, Gentilly stands out as a beacon for those seeking authentic Southern flavors wrapped in an intimate and welcoming setting. Make sure to visit, whether for a delightful brunch, a casual dinner, or a memorable celebration. Gentilly is where delightful food and heartfelt hospitality meet.
“ We decided to try Gentilly for some southern fried catfish and chicken! Another late dinner at around 9 pm. We were told the kitchen closes at 10, but the bar seems to remain open for a bit longer. We sat along side of lounge/bar up in front. There's also a dining area in back. But at that hour, it's a ghost town. The server was warm and welcoming as with the decor. Real southern hospitality! ***OUR PICKS*** SIDE CAESAR SALAD ~ I think they should have used a plate rather than giving me a paper food tray that's used mainly for fries. It became messy to eat with the parmesan cheese dropping off to the side. Pretty plain salad with lettuce, cheese and dressing. Croutons seemed to be missing. 3/5 FRIED CHICKEN PLATE & SIDE GUMBO AND JALAPEÑO MUFFINS ~ we asked for white and dark meat. Both were very juicy and not at all dry! Gumbo was flavorful with a hint of sweetness. The muffins were both sweet, savory and yummy! It was great with the butter spread. 5/5 FRIED CATFISH BASKET ~ we asked for one fried and one blackened. The server said since the kitchen isn't busy, we were able to try both. And they were done perfectly! Lightly battered on the fried and blacken was a little crispy and melt in your mouth good! 5/5 Besides the side Caesar salad everything was prepared well and tasted great! We know where to go when we're craving southern fare! ”
“ Gentilly offers a unique dining experience, with a vibrant bar area in the front and a more intimate dining room in the back. We dined at Gentilly during SF Restaurant Week. The blue crab and corn fritters were a delightful start to the meal. The crispy exterior gave way to a tender interior, and the paprika aioli added a tangy kick that complemented the seafood perfectly. The Cajun meatloaf was a hearty and satisfying dish. The meatloaf itself was juicy and flavorful, while the mashed potatoes were creamy and comforting. The green beans were well-seasoned, adding a touch of freshness to the plate. The chocolate pudding, however, was a bit of a letdown. While the pudding itself was rich and decadent, the Oreo crumbles were sparse, and the overall sweetness was overwhelming. The service was attentive and friendly, adding to the positive dining experience. Overall, Gentilly offers a solid dining experience with a focus on hearty, flavorful dishes. ”
“ Had a great dinner with friends on a Friday night. Make that reservation. Really enjoyed the brussel sprouts, bam bam shrimp, and wings as starters. I had the fried catfish plate with gumbo and caesar salad. Wrapped up dinner and drinks with delicious dessert - the beignets and brownie with ice cream were so good! Ambiance was ok, small back room with some high and low tables. A bit cramped back there but still had a great time! ”
“ This restaurant has one of the best southern food that I've had in San Francisco. My husband and I each ordered a plate. The plate comes with two sides too! We ordered the fried chicken, ribs, mac & cheese, toast, gumbo, and green beans. Everything was cooked to perfection and had nice texture. If I had to pick a favorite item, it would be hard to choose because they were all so good. The bar area was very neat! The decorations reminded me of Halloween. It makes me wonder if it is Halloween themed year round. ”
“ I wanted to come back and update my second experience. My friends and I came for happy hour and appetizers for my birthday. They even allowed me to bring my own birthday cake in to celebrate with. My only gripe is that they don't keep accurate opening times. When I called to ask about the cake the day of, I found out they actually opened up an entire hour later than I thought. Their online times don't match their website and as I had just done a search in maps, I trusted what was listed. It was a bit stressful trying to replan part of my evening, especially because I my plan was for an early outing - to accommodate my friends as well. Having less time also meant we found ourselves making sure to order drinks before we finished our last to make the most of the only happy hour. I will say though that both times, the service was excellent. The bartenders and servers were on top of it and friendly. Overall I prefer the front room rather than the back room. The front has a much more eclectic and cozy vibe and while the back room is about the same size, maybe a smidge smaller, the brighter lighting and setup doesn't have the same feel or sound absorption. My first time in the back room I found myself whispering at dinner because I felt others could hear us. ”
“ I came here with my friend for restaurant week. We ordered one of each choice which resulted in bam bam shrimp, ribs, gumbo, blackened catfish dinner, and beignets. My favorites were the bam bam shrimp and the blackened catfish; the catfish was very tender and had good flavor, and the shrimp was crispy and tasty. The ribs were not bad, although the flavor was overbearing. The gumbo, on the other hand, was kinda bland, although the shrimp in the gumbo was seasoned nicely. The restaurant was pretty cute on the inside, and service was friendly! ”
“ Came with friends (group of 5) during SF Restaurant Week and ordered 2 sets of the dinner special. Altogether, we got to try the Bam Bam shrimp, Pork BBQ ribs, Southern Catfish dinner, Maw Maw's Gumbo, and classic beignets. This was all just enough to fill us + 2 extra orders of Cajun fries, so you might imagine that the portions are on a smaller size. However, I have to comment that the food was amazing, and I especially loved the Catfish (very tender), the BBQ ribs (which was actually very meaty), and the Cajun fries (the second batch did not come out as crispy as the first batch did). Service was great! Our server checked in often and was very receptive to our needs. I would recommend to come check out the restaurant if you're looking for a classy, high-end restaurant vibe while also being able to enjoy live music entertainment and the bar at the restaurant front! ”