Élyse Restaurant

It was happy hour so we just had a couple of cocktails and a lot of appetizers. Everything was amazing, but the wings and Brussels sprouts deserve special mention.

+6

It has a good cocktails selections, friendly service, and great food. Desert menu is also surprisingly good - an exceptional experience overall.

+2

Nice restaurant with great location, staff, atmosphere, delicious Vietnamese- French meals. I had a great dinner for my birthday, my husband and I really enjoyed the food. Thanks!

We had a lovely time! My husband and I were in town from Monterey for an opera visit (which is a walking distance from the restaurant). Perfect Brussels sprouts, not a big wine selection but both red and white I had were spot on. Very nice ambience and friendly, caring staff. I had the sea bass which was very delicious and a perfect size portion. My husband had lamb which he liked a lot. Highly recommended!

Tasty and services are great. Didn’t know that they also have rooms for corporate event and weddings. Thoroughly enjoyed the Brussels sprouts, mushroom tartlet and the Wagyu steak. The black sesame panna cotta dessert was smooth and just right.

Amazing food quality, great service, and such a unique fusion style! All of the food was delicious, especially the brussel sprouts. Non skip for San Jose <3

Food and prices were great 👍 service and atmosphere were exceptional. We will definitely be back

Love Vietnamese food and wanted to try something that steps up the expectations a bit and they were certainly met at Elyse. My group tried essentially everything on the menu. The appetizers are excellent, especially the mussels which have a nicely seasoned flavor in each bite and come aplenty. Also liked the bite on the garlic noodles, cooked perfectly and which can be served with some chili crisp on the side as well. Shrimps and tartelette were equally good as well! Concerning entrees, the bourguignon is so soft and tender and I liked the added hint of 5 spice in the roux, as well as additions of beets to the plating. The frites it came with were a nice palette cleanser. The sea bass had a nice crust from the searing and soft and fresh. Picanha was succulent and tender... in all, to summarize I was very impressed with the food all around and loved our dining experience. The service is really friendly and not pushy at all, allowing you to enjoy the dining experience. Happy I chose this place for dinner.

I really enjoy my experience every time I visit. The decor/ambiance is top notch (something that IMO is lacking in downtown San Jose). The menu is actually convincing "fusion". The food itself is very high quality, and you can tell that they use quality ingredients. They also offer cocktails, which are good but on the pricey side. I think the restaurant is great for a date or a nice dinner. Oh, and the staff is very friendly, with a sense of humor.

Very casual service, Roni was pleasant and chill, made great recommendations and we enjoyed dinner very much. Not only was the food tasty, but the dining room was spacious and tables weren’t too close to each other giving us a nice relaxing space to chat over a meal. We had really loved when E&O was here back in the day, and it’s wonderful knowing this place is still bringing an Asian vibe cuisine now as Elyse. I ordered the short rib and it was very hearty portion. My brother got the filet dish and we both had some togo. Lots of flavors to enjoy….and thx again to Roni for being so chill and positive.

We went here for our anniversary dinner for the first time. They had a flower centerpiece and champagne ready for us. The atmosphere was very inviting and intimate. The service was excellent. The staff makes you feel special and welcomed. The appetizers, entree and dessert were all very tasty. (Sea Bass and short ribs) We would come back here.

Garlic noodles were amazing. Everything else was very good also. Good service

This is my favourite french restauarant in the bay area! Amazing food, service and environment. I really like the braised short ribs bourguignon and mushroom tartelette.

It was a pleasure to return to Elyse after their recent reopening in Downtown San Jose. The new location is fantastic, and the dining experience was just as delightful as I remembered. The appetizers were a highlight. The brussel sprouts with Dijon dressing and mussels are a must-try, both dishes being flavorful and well-prepared. The ahi tuna salad was decent, providing a fresh and light start to the meal. For the main entrées, I thoroughly enjoyed the lamb ribs, which were served with creamy mashed potatoes and slices of carrots. The glazed sea bass was also cooked to perfection. For steak lovers, the Basses-côtes is a must-try. Desserts were outstanding, with the mint panna cotta and lava cake providing a perfect end to the meal. I look forward to returning to Elyse to try out their specials and enjoy another wonderful dining experience. 😃😌

We had a business luncheon at the patio of the restaurant. Great vibes and service. Really enjoyed and our customers were very satisfied! Highly recommend for lunch or evening event.

Wow. French-Vietnamese already sets high expectations for me. Not only it is rare to find such in the Bay Area but also you know you're putting together two of the tastiest cuisines. From that regards, we walked into Elyse with high hopes and it absolutely delivered. As we all know, Vietnam was under the French influence and you have these wonderful concoctions like the Banh Mi. We were curious to see what a French base cuisine with Vietnamese twist could be. The shrimp skewers were delicious which leaned a bit more Vietnamese spices. They came out a bit cold but the inspiration was felt. The shrimp ceviche on traditional shrimp chips was absolutely genius. The two flavors complement and create magic. The vinegary shrimp ceviche with the fishy thick shrimp chip truly is magical and I had never tasted this combination before but it made so much sense. The Garlic Noodles were top notch. Thick pasta/udon like noodles with soy garlic sauce and plenty of butter. Just delicious. Our wagyu steak was done with perfection, tasty and flavorful and the chef paid attention to all the veggies and potato as well. Every sauce definitely had a French buttery base but spiced with a Vietnamese twists. This is absolutely "fusion" done right. The desserts finally hit it out of the park. The black sesame panna cotta is simply out of this world. Not too sweet, but bland either. Creme brulee was smooth as well, although not mention-worthy. The interior gives a high ceiling, modern vibe, clean and chic - perfect for a date night. Decor includes both French and Vietnamese motifs. All around, I cannot believe such a jewel was sitting right in the heart of downtown San Jose. Elyse is a jewel of San Jose and is worth visiting the city for. It really is that good and has the potential to go up further if the chef perfects a few rough edges. I'm so glad I discovered Elyse and will absolutely be back.

Everything we ordered was amazing. It’s an outstanding Vietnamese French restaurant. Their filet mignon pho was my favorite of all the broth was so smooth and very special taste. The bourguignon & the lamb chop were also very delicious. Definitely one of my fave restaurants to celebrate on special occasions.

Loved the food and atmosphere. Parking across the street $16 flat.

Took my husband here for his birthday dinner. The food was quite good, everything tasted really good. Especially the brussel sprout salad. Really enjoyed the decorations and overall ambiance, but what stood out the most was the service. Very friendly and attentive staff that were focused on making sure you had a nice evening. I highly recommend trying Elyse for any occasion.

Very nice dinner with work colleagues. Decent wine/spirits list. Waitress was very attentive and checked on us regularly. Spring rolls are ok on their own, but are really elevated by the spicy mustard sauce. Mushroom Tartelette was flaky and light - good for a small appetizer. Steak and veggies were nicely done.

Carl Foisy

Very casual service, Roni was pleasant and chill, made great recommendations and we enjoyed dinner very much. Not only was the food tasty, but the dining room was spacious and tables weren’t too close to each other giving us a nice relaxing space to chat over a meal. We had really loved when E&O was here back in the day, and it’s wonderful knowing this place is still bringing an Asian vibe cuisine now as Elyse. I ordered the short rib and it was very hearty portion. My brother got the filet dish and we both had some togo. Lots of flavors to enjoy….and thx again to Roni for being so chill and positive.

Shanda Rickman

We went here for our anniversary dinner for the first time. They had a flower centerpiece and champagne ready for us. The atmosphere was very inviting and intimate. The service was excellent. The staff makes you feel special and welcomed. The appetizers, entree and dessert were all very tasty. (Sea Bass and short ribs) We would come back here.

Thoffy Li

This is my favourite french restauarant in the bay area! Amazing food, service and environment. I really like the braised short ribs bourguignon and mushroom tartelette.

Jonathan Phan

It was a pleasure to return to Elyse after their recent reopening in Downtown San Jose. The new location is fantastic, and the dining experience was just as delightful as I remembered. The appetizers were a highlight. The brussel sprouts with Dijon dressing and mussels are a must-try, both dishes being flavorful and well-prepared. The ahi tuna salad was decent, providing a fresh and light start to the meal. For the main entrées, I thoroughly enjoyed the lamb ribs, which were served with creamy mashed potatoes and slices of carrots. The glazed sea bass was also cooked to perfection. For steak lovers, the Basses-côtes is a must-try. Desserts were outstanding, with the mint panna cotta and lava cake providing a perfect end to the meal. I look forward to returning to Elyse to try out their specials and enjoy another wonderful dining experience. 😃😌

Steve Zamek

Loved the food and atmosphere. Parking across the street $16 flat.

Ivan Nekrasov

We had a business luncheon at the patio of the restaurant. Great vibes and service. Really enjoyed and our customers were very satisfied! Highly recommend for lunch or evening event.

Wook Chung

Wow. French-Vietnamese already sets high expectations for me. Not only it is rare to find such in the Bay Area but also you know you're putting together two of the tastiest cuisines. From that regards, we walked into Elyse with high hopes and it absolutely delivered. As we all know, Vietnam was under the French influence and you have these wonderful concoctions like the Banh Mi. We were curious to see what a French base cuisine with Vietnamese twist could be. The shrimp skewers were delicious which leaned a bit more Vietnamese spices. They came out a bit cold but the inspiration was felt. The shrimp ceviche on traditional shrimp chips was absolutely genius. The two flavors complement and create magic. The vinegary shrimp ceviche with the fishy thick shrimp chip truly is magical and I had never tasted this combination before but it made so much sense. The Garlic Noodles were top notch. Thick pasta/udon like noodles with soy garlic sauce and plenty of butter. Just delicious. Our wagyu steak was done with perfection, tasty and flavorful and the chef paid attention to all the veggies and potato as well. Every sauce definitely had a French buttery base but spiced with a Vietnamese twists. This is absolutely "fusion" done right. The desserts finally hit it out of the park. The black sesame panna cotta is simply out of this world. Not too sweet, but bland either. Creme brulee was smooth as well, although not mention-worthy. The interior gives a high ceiling, modern vibe, clean and chic - perfect for a date night. Decor includes both French and Vietnamese motifs. All around, I cannot believe such a jewel was sitting right in the heart of downtown San Jose. Elyse is a jewel of San Jose and is worth visiting the city for. It really is that good and has the potential to go up further if the chef perfects a few rough edges. I'm so glad I discovered Elyse and will absolutely be back.

Amanda Chang

Everything we ordered was amazing. It’s an outstanding Vietnamese French restaurant. Their filet mignon pho was my favorite of all the broth was so smooth and very special taste. The bourguignon & the lamb chop were also very delicious. Definitely one of my fave restaurants to celebrate on special occasions.

Greer Oliver

Took my husband here for his birthday dinner. The food was quite good, everything tasted really good. Especially the brussel sprout salad. Really enjoyed the decorations and overall ambiance, but what stood out the most was the service. Very friendly and attentive staff that were focused on making sure you had a nice evening. I highly recommend trying Elyse for any occasion.

Lee Carver

Very nice dinner with work colleagues. Decent wine/spirits list. Waitress was very attentive and checked on us regularly. Spring rolls are ok on their own, but are really elevated by the spicy mustard sauce. Mushroom Tartelette was flaky and light - good for a small appetizer. Steak and veggies were nicely done.

BOBEO18

Nice restaurant with great location, staff, atmosphere, delicious Vietnamese- French meals. I had a great dinner for my birthday, my husband and I really enjoyed the food. Thanks!

J Z

It has a good cocktails selections, friendly service, and great food. Desert menu is also surprisingly good - an exceptional experience overall.

Eugene Gershtein

It was happy hour so we just had a couple of cocktails and a lot of appetizers. Everything was amazing, but the wings and Brussels sprouts deserve special mention.

The food here is really good. The salad nicoise and ceviche were good sized portions and quite good. The short rib bourguignon was an interesting fusion of French boeuf bourguignon and Vietnamese bò kho. It was super tender and the fries were nice and crispy. The garlic noodles were tasty, though if you have small kids the flavor may be a bit too garlicky. The ambience was a bit strange because the place was large but not as bustling as you would expect on a Friday night. The tables are also a little high compared to the seat height, which made it difficult for the kids to eat. Overall, a nice meal.

Michael Nguyen

The food here is really good. The salad nicoise and ceviche were good sized portions and quite good. The short rib bourguignon was an interesting fusion of French boeuf bourguignon and Vietnamese bò kho. It was super tender and the fries were nice and crispy. The garlic noodles were tasty, though if you have small kids the flavor may be a bit too garlicky. The ambience was a bit strange because the place was large but not as bustling as you would expect on a Friday night. The tables are also a little high compared to the seat height, which made it difficult for the kids to eat. Overall, a nice meal.

The food was just ok. My mashed potatoes were runny, and the roast was just ok. My friend ordered pho and didn't like it. The others ordered salmon and loved it though.

This place is a French Vietnamese restaurant. An interesting combination that works so well together. My husband and I have been there a couple of times now and both have been great experiences. I highly recommend the short ribs, rib eye, spring rolls, mushroom tartlets, all are outstanding! They have this chocolate dessert called a trianon that is amazing if you're a chocolate lover. They also have a full bar, a nice cocktail menu and a decent wine-by-the-glass selection. The prices are reasonable for the serving size and comparable to other Bay area restaurants. The service is also pretty fantastic. The server remembered us after only being in one other time! It's a nice little romantic spot. Highly recommend!

Great service, 6 star staff. Great food and plating (forgot pic). Menu is limited, but all was very good for five person business dinner.

My friend and I decided to try the new Elyse in downtown San Jose. We were presented with a limited menu vs what’s on the website. For starters we had garlic noodles which were excellent, and the Brussel sprouts. They were very good with a unique flavor. Our entrees were the sea bass which was excellent and served with a piece of bok choy, and the Coq Au Vin chicken which was very tender with a delicious broth/sauce and served with a few vegetables, including a swish of mashed potatoes. The only improvement there would be to increase the sides that the entrees are served with. Dessert was the lava cake. It was good. The restaurant does not have their liquor license yet, but having a reservation, they called us to let us know we could bring in our own in case we wanted wine. For atmosphere, it seems more like cafe than fine dining. No white tablecloths when we were there. But it didn’t hamper the evening and the restaurant filled up with happy people and chatter. A nice experience. I would go back but look forward to these possible tiny improvements.

The food was really good, I'll start with that. 4 stars for the atmosphere. The place looks unfinished and bare. It also took about 10 minutes to be recognized to sit down.

I had high hopes for Elyse, but our experience left much to be desired. Despite being seated before two other parties, we noticed both received their food ahead of us. As a result, my son’s Wagyu arrived overcooked. I hesitate to suggest bias, but as minorities, it was disheartening to see that the table served ahead of us was not. Service was also inconsistent. Our server didn’t write down our order, which led to a billing error—we were charged for a more expensive Chardonnay than the one I ordered. Additionally, a simple request for salt and pepper was never fulfilled. I chose not to escalate these issues at the time, as it seemed the restaurant was understaffed, with one person managing the entire front of house. That said, aside from the overcooked Wagyu, our entrees were absolutely delicious, and the kitchen clearly has talent. I hope management takes this feedback seriously and considers improving staffing levels and training. Elyse has real potential, but the service must rise to meet the quality of the food.

Not too many dishes on the menu though, I really like the lamb and the short ribs, appetizers are also meet my expectations. However, the environment downgraded the total score here. Food, service and the location are really good. If they can change all the cookwares, furniture and lighting here, the experience can be much more better.

Was there for a long private event (dinner) . The starters, specifically the garlic noodles were fantastic! The crab amuse-bouche was also a delicious starter! I had the short ribs and they were flavorful and presented well b it the seabass my friend had was the star! Dessert was a flan and it was fine but I’m rarely blown away by flan from whomever makes it Would definitely visit again

TLDR: A nice restaurant with good food, but really needs to a) lean into the Vietnamese more, and b) provide more vegan options. Atmosphere: Elyse is a very nice restaurant that is quite unassuming from the exterior. I greatly enjoyed the simple, but fine details. Service: Generally good, kind, but seemed a bit bored because we were the only table being served. Food: Due to an unusually long wait time (even though we were literally the only table at the restaurant at 6:00 on a Wednesday), they graciously brought out a free jackfruit salad. This was quite tasty and was a refreshingly good start to the meal. Our table also ordered the crispy brussels which were also very good. I as the vegan was really excited for some vegan Vietnamese food and the menu online noted I multiple options that are no longer available unfortunately. My only entree option was a cassoulet which was good, but nothing mind blowing. Without any form of plant-based protein, it was more a bean stew that really needed a kick of pepper or something to bring it out of averageness. Compared to the apps, it was very boring. The two omni's enjoyed their food as more so. If I was rating this solely on a vegan's perspective, I would probably say the food is around 3-3.5 stars, but with the omni's enjoying their food, I bumped it up to a solid 4: Good, but not great. Overall, I would definitely try Elyse again next time I am in San Jose, but only if there are some actual Vietnamese options on the menu. While I understand that France colonized Vietnam and the cuisine's are intermixed, this feels more like a French restaurant with a tiny dash of Vietnam.

A new dining spot joins the downtown scene. A mix of French and Vietnamese cuisine (leaning mainly towards the former). Decent selection of dishes and flavors were excellent. A little slow on the service, but it could have been an off night. Nice interior, although a few curtains would help soften some of the hard surfaces and lessen the sound bouncing everywhere. Staff were very friendly and courteous. We look forward to dining here again.

The mushroom appetizer was so delicious! My mouth is salivating just thinking about it. The drinks were also very well made and creative. I ordered the short ribs which were cooked perfectly. I thought it was a little bit bland but it might be my own ignorance to what French cuisine is supposed to taste like. My boyfriend got the ribeye with mushroom sauce and, again, the sauce was amazing. So flavorful and delicious!!! The tiramisu was a bit of a disappointment. No lady fingers and perhaps no amaretto??? The service was incredible though and I love the ambiance of the place. Super cute! It's a great date night spot.

L

I had high hopes for Elyse, but our experience left much to be desired. Despite being seated before two other parties, we noticed both received their food ahead of us. As a result, my son’s Wagyu arrived overcooked. I hesitate to suggest bias, but as minorities, it was disheartening to see that the table served ahead of us was not. Service was also inconsistent. Our server didn’t write down our order, which led to a billing error—we were charged for a more expensive Chardonnay than the one I ordered. Additionally, a simple request for salt and pepper was never fulfilled. I chose not to escalate these issues at the time, as it seemed the restaurant was understaffed, with one person managing the entire front of house. That said, aside from the overcooked Wagyu, our entrees were absolutely delicious, and the kitchen clearly has talent. I hope management takes this feedback seriously and considers improving staffing levels and training. Elyse has real potential, but the service must rise to meet the quality of the food.

Alexica Qian

Not too many dishes on the menu though, I really like the lamb and the short ribs, appetizers are also meet my expectations. However, the environment downgraded the total score here. Food, service and the location are really good. If they can change all the cookwares, furniture and lighting here, the experience can be much more better.

Emily Schile

Was there for a long private event (dinner) . The starters, specifically the garlic noodles were fantastic! The crab amuse-bouche was also a delicious starter! I had the short ribs and they were flavorful and presented well b it the seabass my friend had was the star! Dessert was a flan and it was fine but I’m rarely blown away by flan from whomever makes it Would definitely visit again

Revan Kon

TLDR: A nice restaurant with good food, but really needs to a) lean into the Vietnamese more, and b) provide more vegan options. Atmosphere: Elyse is a very nice restaurant that is quite unassuming from the exterior. I greatly enjoyed the simple, but fine details. Service: Generally good, kind, but seemed a bit bored because we were the only table being served. Food: Due to an unusually long wait time (even though we were literally the only table at the restaurant at 6:00 on a Wednesday), they graciously brought out a free jackfruit salad. This was quite tasty and was a refreshingly good start to the meal. Our table also ordered the crispy brussels which were also very good. I as the vegan was really excited for some vegan Vietnamese food and the menu online noted I multiple options that are no longer available unfortunately. My only entree option was a cassoulet which was good, but nothing mind blowing. Without any form of plant-based protein, it was more a bean stew that really needed a kick of pepper or something to bring it out of averageness. Compared to the apps, it was very boring. The two omni's enjoyed their food as more so. If I was rating this solely on a vegan's perspective, I would probably say the food is around 3-3.5 stars, but with the omni's enjoying their food, I bumped it up to a solid 4: Good, but not great. Overall, I would definitely try Elyse again next time I am in San Jose, but only if there are some actual Vietnamese options on the menu. While I understand that France colonized Vietnam and the cuisine's are intermixed, this feels more like a French restaurant with a tiny dash of Vietnam.

Conrad Paz

A new dining spot joins the downtown scene. A mix of French and Vietnamese cuisine (leaning mainly towards the former). Decent selection of dishes and flavors were excellent. A little slow on the service, but it could have been an off night. Nice interior, although a few curtains would help soften some of the hard surfaces and lessen the sound bouncing everywhere. Staff were very friendly and courteous. We look forward to dining here again.

Mary N

The mushroom appetizer was so delicious! My mouth is salivating just thinking about it. The drinks were also very well made and creative. I ordered the short ribs which were cooked perfectly. I thought it was a little bit bland but it might be my own ignorance to what French cuisine is supposed to taste like. My boyfriend got the ribeye with mushroom sauce and, again, the sauce was amazing. So flavorful and delicious!!! The tiramisu was a bit of a disappointment. No lady fingers and perhaps no amaretto??? The service was incredible though and I love the ambiance of the place. Super cute! It's a great date night spot.

Food was delicious and the employees were very nice. Highly recommend the brussel sprouts, coq au vin, the short rib, the pho, and the lava cake was delicious too. I found the space pretty interesting and spacious. Overall pretty great experience would come here again.

New French/Vietnamese fusion restaurant in DTSJ. Ambience is good for a date, but food is mediocre and service needs improvement (like most new restaurants). Kobe pho and spring rolls were alright, but you can probably get the same thing for much cheaper at a Vietnamese restaurant.

+1

French Vietnamese food in downtown San Jose near the improv. A bit expensive for the neighborhood and the decor and service. Good creative cocktails, which we very much enjoyed. Our favorite dish was the shaking beef - not quite Tamarine amazing, but still good We also ordered the halibut, which came out raw the first time and was just ok the second time. For our appetizer we had the whole prawns, which were a bit mushy. Total bill was about $160 for two.

We were excited to try this place but we were disappointed with the flavors. You can get much better Vietnamese food nearby and you can get much better French food nearby. The food wasn’t bad but nothing special either and at their prices we expected more.

The atmosphere is nice. The service is just okay. We received our appetizers at the same time as our meal. They didn't seem to care much.

Service was lacking from our main server. If you're charging upfront tip of 20% you should provide exceptional service. The server didn't have any clue on drinks offerings or suggestions. They also charge for each refill of soda but don't offer any quality mocktails. The menu is limited the food was decent but would not come back. They also were out of pho and redbulll. They also infused the water with rosemary and something else it didn't taste good but didn't offer regular water except for paying for a bottle of sparkling of course!

Wanted to love it but couldn't. Elyse wants to be a nice fancy restaurant but lacks the details of service and food quality to even be considered in that category. Would I come back, most likely not due to mediocre food and overpriced menu. What we ate: Coq Au Vin, Sea bass, Mussels, and Fries (they can't even make the advertised "double fried" fries crispy.

I was really excited to try this French fusion restaurant since it’s the first one I’ve come across. After reading so many 5-star reviews, I had high expectations and was genuinely looking forward to the experience. Unfortunately, it was disappointing from the start. After being seated, it took over 15 minutes just to receive water, and from there, about 45 minutes for our food to arrive. When the plates finally came out, they didn’t live up to the wait. I ordered the Braised Short Ribs Bourguignon, but there were barely any carrots or beets included, which made the dish feel incomplete. The mango ceviche was also unbalanced, it had an overwhelming amount of shallots, serrano chili peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, and green onions, with very little shrimp and mango. The proportions were off, and it didn’t feel worth the price. Overall, I was really hoping for a better experience given the reviews, but sadly it didn’t meet expectations.