A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY…

Le Central opened its doors in November of 1974. Founded by Brothers Pierre and Claude Cappelle from Normandy, France. Le Central was the first brasserie style French Restaurant restaurant in San Francisco. Pierre and Claude went on to open a couple more French restaurants, but Le Central is the only one that has stood the test of time.

In the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s, Le Central was THE PLACE TO BE, a place where all the “Movers and Shakers” of San Francisco came for what we all now refer to as the “Power Lunch”. Politicians, high profile attorneys, and businessmen alike got deals done over “Three martini lunches” at the tables of Le Central.

Made famous by Herb Caen, Willie Brown, and Wilkes Bashford, Le Central took “The Art of Lunch” seriously! Willie Brown still continues to dine here regularly for lunch every Friday, in the front of the “Barside”, at “Table 2” in the window, as he has for nearly 50 years.

Maître d extraordinaire Michel Bonnet who had been there from the beginning, was the Captain of the ship, knowing all the regulars and their favorite tables. Michel was both loved and feared at the door. An old school French maitre’d who took his craft seriously. You wouldn’t even think about wearing your hat inside on his watch.

Colorful and charismatic waiters like Louis Parnell who worked at Le Central from 1974-2017 and Jeff Parrott, served lunches to 200+ customers a day with people lining up at the door just to try and get a seat. Even getting a seat at the bar was difficult, bartenders Stan “The Man’ and long time bar manager Toni Staiano had the bar full with regulars. And who could forget Saly, the long time busboy who always kept customers on their toes with his eclectic wit and quirky charm.

Not even the devastating Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 could slow Le Central down, continuing to serve weary customers that night with the world famous Cassoulet when most restaurants had lost power and closed.

In 1993 When Pierre and Claude decided to retire, long time cooks, brothers Johnny and Paul Tanphanich, along with long time Maître d, Michel Bonnet, who was also a classically trained pâtissier, bought the restaurant, thus ringing in the second era of Le Central. Passed down to long-time employees, the charm and tradition of Le Central continued on. Johnny as Executive Chef would whip up “Something Special” for different regular customers on a whim.

Michel retired in 2002, but Johnny and Paul continued Le Central’s Legacy. Paul who we all affectionately called “Uncle Paul” became the Fixture at the front taking over the role of Maître d. Waiters like Chris and Anthony Saulnier, Jimmy Nadiranto and Scott Farnsworth and bartenders like Heather Saulnier, Ed Debaufre, and David Gabiné Worked alongside long-time veterans like Louis and Toni.

Johnny’s Son Eric worked as a Maître d and server, and Johnny’s daughter Melanie as a server, then manager. Paul’s daughter Alisa also managed the restaurant for a brief period as well. With the whole family joining in to help Le Central continue on, even through a recession that saw a lot of restaurants close. In 2014 Johnny decided it was time to retire and in 2015 his daughter Melanie took over as her Uncle's partner and Le Central continued on.

In March of 2020 Le Central shut its doors and boarded up for the Pandemic, No one knew if or when the restaurant would reopen. 18 long months later in October of 2021, Le central reopened its doors to long time customers relief. Post pandemic has been a struggle as it has for most restaurants, but Le Central continues to push on.

In 2023 “Uncle” Paul decided after over 40 years at Le Central, with 30 of them as Owner, it was time to retire. In the beginning of 2024 He and Melanie sold the restaurant to two long time employees, David Gabiné and Ignacio Colorado, continuing the tradition of passing down the restaurant to long time employees.

Ignacio “Nacho” as all the regulars know him, started as a dishwasher in 2002, working his way up through the kitchen, then as a busboy, where he worked for many years, then finally as a server and bartender.

David started in early 2005 as a bartender and server, eventually taking over as Bar Manager and Director of Wine, then FOH manager, and was recently working as General Manager before taking over the restaurant with Nacho in March, 2024

As Owners, Dave and Nacho ring in the 3rd era of Le Central, an era that will focus on growing the business in a post-pandemic San Francisco. They will focus on the classic French dishes that made Le Central Famous, using quality, in season, and local ingredients. With a dedication to wines from France and “West Coast” USA, Le Central now boasts an impressive and award winning wine list, with a 150+ bottle selection and over 20 wines by the glass, that are constantly changing to keep things fresh and exciting. Their goal is to keep the long-time regulars who have kept Le Central going for so long coming back, while focusing on attracting younger generations of San Franciscans and those new to the Bay Area so they can experience a true Legacy restaurant in San Francisco and enjoy a truly historic experience.…Even though the Dining scene has changed drastically since Pierre and Claude first opened the doors of Le Central in November of 1974, the tradition and charm of Le Central lives on.

We Hope you will join us next month as we celebrate 50 years of Le Central!!!