The locals of Berkeley – and beyond – will recognize the name for sure. Grégoire has been serving “knockout takeout since 2002” (over 23 years!!)
The Entrepreneur Chef
Originally from Versailles and a rebel at heart, Grégoire began his career at the Hôtel des Neiges in Courchevel. A little too much of a free thinker for the establishment, he heads up to Paris to work with a friend at the Hollywood Savoy, a restaurant that still exists today. With a chef from Pavillon Lenôtre in the back of the house, and Americans singing, dancing, and performing while serving food, Grégoire experienced America – right in the heart of Paris – for the first time.
Curious, he travels to California at the invitation of his colleagues, and never makes it back to France. In San Francisco, he meets fellow French chefs, Roland Passot (La Folie – closed) and Jacky Robert (Amelio’s – closed), and begins working with the latter. Grégoire loves French haute cuisine but quickly becomes more fascinated by the American way of running hospitality businesses. He joins the Four Seasons group as a banquet chef, working between San Francisco, Boston, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.
Grégoire in Berkeley
After seven years at the Four Seasons, he decides to open his own place, aptly named Grégoire, a relaxed spot open all day, serving high-quality products from local farms. To this day, Grégoire has stayed true to this vision: he has worked with the same suppliers for over 20 years, and is now working with the children of his early suppliers. Grégoire emphasizes that human relationships, be they with suppliers, employees, and, of course, customers, are what matter most to him.
The Grégoire Adventure Expands
He expands the adventure with a food truck, which you can track here, that roams around San Francisco (Presidio, Levi’s Plaza, Salesforce Park, and Fort Mason) and sometimes even makes it down to the South Bay (Cupertino).
A franchise in the Sunset District (a neighborhood where Grégoire lived at the very beginning of his American adventure) will open in early 2026. Same concept: takeout dishes perfect for enjoying in Golden Gate Park.
The truck and the Sunset restaurant are the perfect segway to expand and strengthen the Grégoire brand beyond Berkeley.
Grégoire Sunset will open its doors in early 2026. Until then, head to
Berkeley or follow the truck.
SF Rapid Fire
Your favorite dish on Grégoire’s menu: The Fried Chicken Sandwich
Favorite bakery in the Bay: The bread from Altamira. “This bread is made specifically for our restaurant, and I’m 100% happy with it,” Grégoire notes. “We worked hard on the recipe, and it’s the perfect bread for fried chicken or coleslaw.”
What you miss most from France: Smoked cod roe
Favorite restaurant/dish in Berkeley? The bagels from Bageltopia or the pretzels from Squabish
What dish would you miss most if you left the Bay Area? The fruits and vegetables, and the fresh local produce in general.
