Review: Student run 'Pierre Coste' not too costly
By Liska Koenig CHIEF COPY EDITOR
One of San Francisco’s hidden gems of fine dining is right here at City College — The Pierre Coste Dining Room. Located on the Ocean campus, the PCR offers gourmet food at affordable prices.
It is here, where students of the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management program learn the intricacies of front of the house operations in a fine dining setting.
“There are very few departments where you can be part of somebody’s learning experience and where students are so vulnerable,” said Tannis Reinhert, who teaches the class.
After a fire at its original Smith Hall location, the PCR reopened with a brand new, high-tech kitchen at the Statler Wing in 1985. The decade is easy to tell by the restaurant’s predominantly 80’s styling and the red and blue circular carpet pattern.
Upon entering, the tall, dark brown slate fountain and quiet background music make the restaurant a pleasant and peaceful change from the usual lunch rush at the main cafeteria. Plus, you can admire a replica of the Diego Rivera Pan-American Unity mural while you are eating your lunch.
With its white tablecloths and fresh flowers the PCR is fancy enough to treat that cute girl or guy classmate to lunch, or to amaze your parents when they come to town.
The dining room is open to the general public, including students and faculty.
The only thing it lacks, compared to “real restaurants” are the high prices.
While the menu isn’t as extensive as some downtown restaurants, it still offers enough choices to make your head spin with indecisiveness.
Featured are three main course salads, three sandwiches, five entrees, and daily specials. The beverage list includes specialty drinks, such as European-style lemonade and the non-alcoholic cocktail of the day, created by a student bartender.
The most expensive entree will cost you a whopping $10.25.
All food is made fresh to order from mostly organic and sustainable ingredients. Portions are generous enough to share with a friend or to enjoy leftovers for lunch the following day.
The PCR will also accommodate guests with special diet requests. If you have a gluten allergy or would like the vegan version of the vegetarian entree, don’t hesitate to ask.
Make sure to leave room for dessert — or start with the dessert course -- if you’re in the mood for something sweet and delicious. The daily selection of all pastries and desserts are made by the pastry class and displayed on a dessert cart in the dining room. It frequently includes Creme Brulee, mousse au chocolate, cheese cake, and always fresh cookies and a cheese platter.
“I’ve eaten here numerous times and always had a fabulous experience. It’s a good place to have lunch with your friends or even meet your professor for office hours,” said City College student Avonelle Tomlinson, “The food is great and service has always been impeccable.”
Tomlinson knows what she’s talking about — she’s worked in the restaurant industry as a server for many years.
The only drawback about the PCR is its limited business hours. The dining room is open Mondays through Fridays at 11:15 a.m., but the last seating is at 12:30 p.m. Everything needs to be wrapped and cleaned up by 2 p.m., so the culinary students working at the restaurant can go to their other classes.
Pierre Coste Dining Room, 50 Phelan Avenue, between the main cafeteria and the student union building.
Groups of more than five guests should call (415) 239-3855 or (415) 239-3435 to make a reservation during lunch hours or (415) 239-3435.
