Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

The casual atmosphere of a South of France brasserie during the Belle Époque is defined in the front of the house by French rattan café chairs, copper-topped tables, mosaic checkerboard tile floor, pressed tin ceiling, period art and original Absinthe posters.Lush Art Deco décor swirls gracefully in the bar and dining rooms, while low lighting creates a romantic atmosphere. The romance continues in the menu, which features an array of classic French brasserie dishes, including some of the very best French fries in the city. Executive Chef Jamie Lauren adds just a hint of California style to her dishes, while Pastry Chef Luis Villavelazquez creates iconoclastic desserts. A full bar offers retro cocktails that complete the Old-World dining experience, and menus change daily to take advantage of the best local ingredients.

Growing up in New York City, Jamie Lauren’s affinity for bright and flavorful cuisine originated with family dinners at some of Manhattan’s best neighborhood restaurants. She held this particular type of food in high regard and at Absinthe Lauren is finally able to recreate it with fresh local ingredients in a way she’s been dreaming of since she started cooking professionally.
Assuming the Executive Chef position at Absinthe in July 2007 was a natural progression in Lauren’s culinary career. Best described as American-influenced French and Northern Italian, Absinthe’s menu echoes Lauren’s commitment to organic, locally grown, seasonal ingredients. Her menu highlights a number of unique dishes that are elevated by her cultured background and grounded in her dedication to making each dish memorable. She explains that her cuisine “looks good and tastes good, but it’s not so refined that you find yourself afraid to touch it. It’s accessible, meaning people are excited to try the dishes on the menu. And a lot of love goes into each dish.”
Lauren has received both local and national praise for elevating the cuisine at Absinthe including being named as Restaurant Hospitality’s “Rising Star Chef 2008” and selected as the sole Bay Area "Cheftestant" on season 5 of Bravo's award-winning show "Top Chef" which aired in 2009.