High class meets affordability

October 3, 2013February 25, 2020 The Guardsman

Student Trixie Luis arranges the order of Pierre Coste Room’s customers on Ocean campus on Tuesday, September 24, 2013. Photo by Lavinia Pisani/The Guardsman

By Samantha Dennis:

All San Franciscans know of hidden gems in the city, but many aren’t aware that there is one on Ocean campus—The Pierre Coste Room.

The Pierre Coste Room is tucked away behind the cafeteria and the Student Union building in the Statler Wing where it offers a fine dining experience within a college student’s price range.

“Our food is not expensive for what you are getting,” Culinary Arts and Hospitality student Esther Cartoon said.

The menu includes four types of salads, nine entrees, a soup of the day and various hot and cold beverages. There are many options to choose from with the most expensive entree, the lamb blanquette stew, ringing in at only $12.25.

The Pierre Coste Room is available to students and faculty as well as to the public.

Student Rachel Maestras takes the lunch order of John Carlos, left, and Lidia Szajko, right, at Pierre Coste Room on Ocean campus, 50 Phelan Avenue, on Tuesday, September 24, 2013. “It is fun, this is the kind of things you want to do, you learn a lot,” Maestras says referring to the Restaurant Operations class. Photo by Lavinia Pisani/The Guardsman

The restaurant focuses on being as sustainable as possible. Pastas and sauces are all made from scratch. There are no frozen vegetables in sight and produce is generally from local farmers.

French style tableside cooking is a feature available allowing guests to see the food cooked first hand.

“[The Pierre Coste Room] has great ambiance,” City College student Eddie Zhang said. “They pay more attention to your food since it is fine dining, which is different from other places on campus.”

As you enter the restaurant, the calming noise of a waterfall fountain sets an elegant ambiance. Tables are dressed with white tablecloths, perfectly folded napkins and sleek centerpieces that all scream fine dining.

“Good food, affordable price and you are supporting local students,” Culinary Arts and Hospitality student Shant Guzelian said. “If people knew the well-cooked items we have and the reasonable prices, they would be more willing to come.”

The Pierre Coste Room also has a diverse group of students to cater to anyone who enters looking for a great meal and a welcoming experience.

Mandarin, French, Tagalog, along with Portuguese and Spanish, are some of the languages the students at the restaurant are fluent in, which is important given the high cultural diversity on campus.

“We are lucky to have access to this resource,” student Scott Pattison said.

Whether you are ending your day of classes or just taking a break in between, The Pierre Coste Room is a nice place to unwind and enjoy a well cooked meal.

The Pierre Coste Room is open Monday through Friday from 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.