The Iron Gate

Old school style, but really good food! Came here in a small group :)
I’m a big fan of their soups. We had the calamari steak, scallops, eggplant as mains — they were all perfectly cooked. Portion sizes are just right.
Their soufflé is perfect; I had the berry one. It was light and fluffy. I would get the chocolate one next time though!
Our waiter was very kind and took great care of us.

The place has a chance to be inviting… they do need a makeover though. Way overpriced. The food does not even seem to taste french. Food is screaming: Help me, I need proper seasoning! We need Gordon!

It’s a great place for a nice intimate yet a friendly restaurant. The food is super delicious! Staffs are friendly and attentive. A must go place to enjoy a very nice dinner on special occasions!

Birthday celebration with fried calamari and escargot; rack of lamb, rib eye steak, and crisp duckling followed with the perfect fruit soufflé. All was cooked perfectly as requested. Service was great and the pace of the meal was perfect.
We will definitely be returning.

It’s Christmas Eve night 5:30 pm. We sat down for our annual pre– Christmas dinner. We encounter poor service and average quality food. There must be some rookie cooks in the kitchen!
Asked for water 6 times
Asked for a bar drink three times
Assistant helper snaps back at us — just wait
French onion soup had lump of cheese floating in the soup. Did not get baked. Warm at best.
Caesar salad had too much garlic that overwhelmed the taste of the remaining dinner.
We enjoyed the rib steaks, scalonni and veal scaloppini.
The soufflé sauce was starchy. Needed to be cooked longer. The ambience was great.
They would not accept gift cards one this holiday. Beware!!!

This is listed as $$$ but it really should be 4, it’s expensive and we’ve been there 3 times, so we already know that. The Steak Diane is the best in the Bay Area, yes, they flame it up and prepare it tableside and it’s a bit of a show, but there is something about their sauce that is better than other steakhouses I’ve been to. That said, 3 of us wanted Steak Diane but we wanted to split 2 orders because we knew that we each couldn’t finish a full order so the captain was very nice about bringing out 3 small pieces of filet and charging us for 2 orders (with a nominal $ 7 split fee which seemed fair) I expected a pricey dinner so I’m not complaining. I normally don’t order dessert, since I took my in-​laws, they wanted the soufflé so we ordered it in advance and it was good — you’ll definitely leave stuffed if you have every course. The only thing that was a little cheeky was the corkage fee, it’s listed as $ 20 on the website but we got charged $ 30; the host said they changed it a while ago, but it’s still wrong on the website.

Omg Carlos. Could you be more charming! Yes we know it is your job… But you make us believe you enjoy it so!!!
The food and «show» if food and service is always on point! A lost art! A time capsule you should not miss!

For special anniversaries, intimate occasions, and
business meetings, they have private rooms for larger groups well worth the price.
Waiters are not learning their way through college, these guys are professionals who earn your respect and tips.
There’s hardly a mediocre item on the menu, everything is excellent, seafood & stakes are prime here.
Probably one of handful of dining rooms in bay area where you can still order soufflé for dessert, plain or chocolate doesn’t matter, both taste heavenly, it will draw you back to this place again.
Excellent wine list to pair with your meals, let your waiter suggest the wine if you’re not sure.

How this place gets good reviews is beyond me. I would sadly give them negative stars if I could. It was like a place out of Kitchen Nightmares, BEFORE Gordon Ramsay comes and fixes it all up. Food itself is like when someone in the 80s tries to do French traditional cooking from a cookbook they checked out in the library and they can’t find all the proper ingredients so they just make it up with stuff they get from Safeway. Service — more on that below.
Went there late on a Sat night. They were having some kind of DJ’ed party in the front room. We asked for a quiet table and they tried to sit us RIGHT next to the DJ party. We asked to move. We were then seated in the back room where the rest of the non-​party patrons were. There were about 5 – 6 staff milling about, but NO ONE gave us a menu until 15 minutes of waiting. Slow on water, taking our order, etc etc. Waiter and hostess having a loud argument at the hostess stand which was visible and audible to us. When staff wanted to go home, they started to come by repeatedly to ask us how we were doing, despite being MIA in the first half of the meal, and despite the restaurant not even being closed yet. I could tell staff wanted to get going since they just started counting tips in front of us and the busboy was bringing rubbermaids of dirty plates in front of us as if we weren’t still eating our overpriced meals. The kicker was when the waiter gave us a little «after dinner chocolats» which I was excited about… and they were ANDES MINTS. Like the kind you get at CVS. And ONE OF THEM WAS OPEN ALREADY, at that. It’s cool if you want to give them to us and I won’t be snobby about it, but then don’t draw attention to it as if you have some master chocolatier in the back whipping something special for us up and please don’t plate us the mints that you served someone else and they didn’t finish eating…
My husband also wants all Unilocalers to know that the men’s bathroom was disgusting. Bill came to $ 150 or so including tip for two appetizers and two entrees (you can bet we skipped dessert by the time we had the choice) and a glass of wine. BIG OLD PASS. Belmont you are getting scammed if you think this place is good.

I have never tried steak diane until my boyfriend took me here, and I’m super glad that I had my first steak diane here to set the high standards! All of the workers are very friendly and attentive, though the service might seem a bit slow. And their soufflé is to die for! Seriously, it melts in your mouth, you HAVE to get it! We’ve been planning for another visit and I look forward to see you soon, Iron Gate!

Oh man, oh man…
My heart was broken when I found out that Bella Vista had closed. I was talking about it somewhere with a total stranger. They mentioned Iron Gate and mentioned all of the similarities between the two restaurants… and were they right!
Bella Vista was easily my favorite restaurant in the area with not even a close second place and Iron Gate fills the void left by that closure. Everything, except for that amazing view anyway.
If you want a very classy, attentive, and classic dining experience, go. If you love food or wine, go. If you’re low on budget right now, budget for it later. It’s worth *every* penny!
The folks running this restaurant pay attention to even the tiniest of details, and this kind of amazing feat makes me an instant and lasting fan.

I have always absolutely loved this place. My family has been dining here for 3 generations (Myself being the third). I always get the same meal because let’s face it — you guys do it right every time! The Veal Moutarde Flambé and the Caesar Salad, Mmmmm! So good! And your Martinis aren’t too shabby either :)
Thank you for your amazing food! I will be back soon.

Went to The Iron Gate for a birthday party on Saturday, Sept. 19^th. It was a fantastic evening.
The person whose birthday we were celebrating is a real gourmet and knows his restaurant.
He had arranged a month in advance for his family to have Duck L’Orange. This is a very French classical dish and rarely seen on the menu. Luckily they had a few extra ducks. I was fortunate to have the experience of having this wonderful dish. It was superb!!!
Tip — If you have a very special event at the Iron Gate and want to have a special dish prepared. Call in advance (at least a month). Talk to the manager there and see if they will prepare it for you.
I am a huge fan of the Iron Gate. The evening was Fantastic!!!

3.5 stars but rounding down since I didn’t feel the food was quite four stars. After driving by The Iron Gate sign and seeing them listed on Opentable for years, I finally had the chance to come for a work dinner. I was able to make reservations for a party of four earlier in the day for a Tuesday night, and our table was ready for our 6:00pm reservation. The restaurant didn’t start getting busy until around 7:00pm, and it was surprisingly full for that night. We tried:
–Caesar Salad For Two (Prepared Tableside, $ 22,
): Solid Caesar salad, but definitely pricey for $ 11/​person. I’m not a big fan of tableside preparation, since it’s basically a waste of time, and this presentation didn’t change my mind.
–Complimentary Palate Cleanser: Sorbet (
): Nice– the sorbet was nice and cold, and very smooth.
–Nightly Special: Grilled Bone-​In Rib Eye Steak (Served w/​Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Sliced Potatoes, Squash, $ 41?,
): Just ok– I ordered my steak medium rare and it came out more medium, and the sear wasn’t that great. I didn’t like that they filleted the steak and wish they left it as a thick cut steak. However, the mashed sweet potatoes were good, although the sliced potatoes and squash could have used more salt.
–New York Steak (Served w/​Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Sliced Potatoes, Squash, $ 25.50): Solid, but only flavored with salt and pepper.
–Steak Au Poivre Flambé (Served w/​Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Sliced Potatoes, Squash, $ 33): My favorite dish out of the three steaks– I loved the pepper brandy sauce, which gave the steak great flavor. My coworker also order his steak medium rare, and his steak was cooked a perfect medium rare– probably because they left it as a thick cut! Highly recommended, even though I’m usually not a fan of New York steaks since they are on the leaner side.
–Seared Slice Abalone: Not very good– they dip the slices of abalone in an egg batter, so all you taste is the egg. The abalone should be chewy, and these pieces were flabby and soft– skip!
–Soufflé Chocolate ($ 11,
): Not so great– the soufflé was grainy, and overcooked. The batter was too egg-​y for me, and it wasn’t as fluffy as I like– skip!
Our server was nice, but a little too overbearing for us. It just seemed like he was trying too hard to be funny/​make a joke, and we just wanted to be left alone to have our own conversation. The food also took a little while to come, but the wait wasn’t too bad. My biggest complaint is with the tableside preparation for some of the dishes, like their appetizers– it’s kind of cool to see a big fan when they do the flambé, but the smell from the food cooking made all of my freshly washed clothes stink. Also, they did a flambé for a table behind ours, and the cart and saucepan were super close to my long hair– if I didn’t turn around to watch the cooking process, my hair could have caught on fire.
Overall, The Iron Gate is a good place to go for really classic French dishes if you want the classic version, and not the modern take. Portions are generous, and there is definitely that neighborhood restaurant feel here. I’m not in any rush to come back here, but it’s a solid place for dinner. Parking was easy since they have their own lot (on the smaller side though) and some limited street parking.

Best Bananas Foster I’ve ever had.
Discreet on the outside you might think this isn’t a restaurant if not for the sign. The inside is quite the opposite with an old school class. A respectable wine list and plenty of daily specials so it’ll be hard to peg my favorite entrée here. I usually try to keep my banter at food only but it’s almost as much of a show as dinner with salads, steaks, and desserts being prepared tableside all around us.
Salmon & mushroom baked in a pastry shell: flaky shell helps it all meld together. A solid choice. Had second thoughts though after seeing the steaks being made around me.
Bananas Foster: See above. Made tableside, there is a generous amount of liquor added but the fire burns most of it off so it’s not overwhelming. I’m also curious about the cherries jubilee but that will have to be next time… soon.

It’s no secret in my family that my beloved Bride, the Jen, and I favor as our #1 Go To Restaurant, is the Iron Gate located along the Kings Royal Highway, aka El Camino, in the Beautiful City of Belmont, CA.
There are three things that contribute to making this our Favorite Restaurant…
#1 of course is the food and selection of same.
#2 is the Professional Waiters that are the exceptional in their service and satisfaction.
#3 is the front section of the Restaurant which includes a Cocktail Lounge, Full Bar, and Dance Floor with Live Bands on Friday and Saturday Night, and all come together for a great experience. The Bar Drinks served up by Bartender Larry are Strong and reasonably priced.
As far as our Most Recent experience; June 2015, we both enjoyed the Linguini and Baby Clams which are cooked to perfection with a hint of Lemon Flavor along with the Wild Salmon Special… As good as it gets.
Their famous Caesar Salad for Two which we LOVE and rate #1 in California. Iron Gate’s Caesar Salad is prepared and tossed Table Side by the Serving Staff which are all long Term employees of the Iron Gate, who prepare the Caesar with Iron Gate’s Long Time Receipe and always pretty equal no matter which server your lucky to get.
This brings me to discuss a TRouBling and unfortunate chain of events that occurred earlier in the last Decade.
Of course there was the tragic events of 911 that began in New York City Twin Towers and the later Economic Set Back of the Stock Markets affecting everyone’s Investments coast to coast and their temporary decline during years 2007 and 2008.
MOST tragic however was in 2009, Unbelievably a Long Time Restaurant, the North Beach Restaurant, located in San Francisco and renowned for their consistent quality of Italian Food and very good Servers made an absolute Bone Head Move; a tragic error in their treatment & handling of one of their own, and recognized by many of their regular customers who ask for him as their BEST Server… lost that Server, Josepi, because the new owner at the time had a personality conflict. We will never know the real reason but Josepi, an American of Italian Decent, was blessed with Old World Good Looks and Italian Charm, was forced to leave that restaurant (could have been the new owner was jealous of Josepi’s good looks)… Well at any rate, things tend to happen for the better and it was North Beach Restaurant’s loss and Iron Gate’s Gain as Josepi, found a new ‘home’ at the upscale Iron Gate. In the aftermath of Josepi’s migration, there has been some long term customers of that North Beach Restaurant that so appreciate the Josepi’s Expertise as a Knowledgeable Server, missed him so, they travel a long distance from the City to visit their favorite Server and experience great dining at ‘Gate’. I’ve got to agree with those customers, Josepi, just sets the standard and raises that bar making all the other Servers he works with even that much better as there Is also a competitive spirit to be the best.
Jen and I enjoy all the Iron Gate Servers; Franc, Miguel, Teddy (Theodor able), Magdi, Tanner, Captain Colin (Prepares the Steak Diane) along with the Boss, (not Bruce Springsteen) but from the Gorgeous Greek Isle, owner… Handsome Dimitri… all working in concert together along with the support staff from those gorgeous hostesses that escort you to your table, to the Senior Bus-​Men, coming together to make eating at the Iron Gate a #1 Experience and a Repeat Satisfied Customer!!! Just be sure to Ask for Water if you want it, due to the drought. Special shout out to Franc, who always remembers that Jen prefers a larger Glass for her Wine consumption.
BONUS: The Iron Gate is also a Magnet for some recognizable TV Personalities and Whos Who… Last week, my wife and I met Local Sportscaster, Rick Quan and his Date. Donna T, a personal trainer my wife recognized through the PJCC in Foster City They too had a delightful dinner and we all met after dinner at the Iron Gate’s Cocktail Lounge and Bar Area and Danced to some wonderful 1970s to 1980s Rock.
By the way, you can save an additional $ 20.00 by buying some Iron Gate Coupons at Costco.
As far as the rest of the food… I’ll let the other Unilocalers do the talking!!!

I went to this restaurant yesterday based on Unilocal reviews and I was not disappointed I ordered the escargot and the rack of lamb the meal in the restaurant were excellent I would recommend anyone who wants a nice French experience.
But be prepared to pay for this service as the meal ranges anywhere from $ 15-​$ 42 most people here use the Iron Gate as a special occasion restaurant highly recommend everyone go

Not what I expected at all.
Disclaimer…this restaurant was not my pick. So sorry to say! It’s in Belmont, so friends that live in Redwood City recommended it since we were first meeting at their house for cocktails. 8 of us. They booked our reservation a month in advance.
I was told it was an old school joint. I looked it up right here on Unilocal,per usual, to get some experienced feedback. The reviews were all across the board, w more than a few of them being only one or two stars. So, I didn’t go in w very high expectations, & I reasoned that it’s not where you are, but who you are with.
Often times the term «old school» can mean dated. And I wondered if the table side service was going to be too kitschy. No & no! The Iron Gate is indeed old school, but in the most honorable way. Traditional. Pomp & circumstance. A service that is ritualistic, instead of showy or contrived.
From the beginning…
Where the heck else can you conceivably get all 3 courses, salad, entrée, & dessert, done flambé at your table?!
We started w the spinach bacon salad flambé for two. Everyone else at our table did the table side Caesar, which they are known for. But I wanted something I truly never see anywhere else. The table side presentation is fabulous. And it was delicious. Spinach has never tasted this good, without being doused & drowned in a rich cream sauce. (hello Izzy’s, which I do love).
Next, I ordered the seared ahi tuna. This tuna steak was unbelievably fresh. And they actually cooked it perfectly…& I mean PERFECTLY. I had initially eyed the Steak Diane flambé, but am so glad I went w the tuna. 5 stars.
My man ordered the Veal Scallopini Marsala. He just devoured it. A friend ordered the Veal Flambé. The table side presentation really adds so much to the meal. It just felt special.
Now the desserts. Any place that has bananas foster, cherries jubilee, & soufflés on the dessert menu is good by me. I opted for the individual sized soufflé, rather than the full size, so that I could try another dessert as well. I had to order the cherries jubilee, since again I know other places do a bananas foster. Seize the rarity when given the opportunity, right?
The soufflé really blew me away. This is one of the best soufflés I’ve ever had. It rivals Café Jacqueline in SF. No joke. Texture on point. Flavor on point. OMG eggy & creamy & velvety…
Perfection.
The cherries jubilee was great; I mean, what’s not to love?
I loved it all. The space is tastefully understated, softly refined. The waiters wear vests & ties.
.ALL.
The 8 of us had a fantastic meal. A unique & memorable dinner.
5 stars.

While the service was good, the food was okay. Was in the area all week for work and came here for dinner with 2 co-​workers on Monday, Nov 17.
I ordered the french onion soup and it was better than most places. The tournedos was okay. The soufflé for dessert, I thought was excellent.
My co-​workers thought their meals were decent. For the price, I would go elsewhere since the foods are not yummy.
We ordered a bottle of french wine and it was okay. My co-​worker is French and she mentioned it’s a good year for that region and the bottle was at the right price point.

I think a place like Iron Gate gets overlooked sometimes because it looks deserted and isn’t as fancy or as savvy looking as other restaurants.
Our server for the night was Miguel. He has the most amazing memory ever. My table consisted of 7 people and even with all the questions and different orders, he never had to write anything down and still got our orders correct (I would have forgotten everything)! So props to you Miguel!
For appetizer, the notable mention was the oyster rocketfellers. They were baked to perfection and I loved the fact that blended spinach was combined in w the oyster mixture.
For my entrée, I selected the Steak Diane flambé. It’s not too often that you get to see your steak cooked in front of you AND plated to eat on the spot! This was very enjoyable. It came with a side of zucchini and broccoli, puréed mashed potatoes (very flavorful) and puréed sweet potatoes (this was just ok).
My brother ordered the lamb chops and for $ 39, you get 7 chops cooked in a delicious sweet wine and mint sauce. So.
. He and I both enjoyed this.
I think I may have found my favorite white wine of all time. Far Niente Chardonnay from Napa Valley. It was so smooth and silky… but $ 20/​glass is quite pricy (I can buy a meal or a bottle of cheap wine with that $!)
I was 100% stuffed at this point but, hey, they are pretty famous for their soufflés here… how can I pass up on that?
Brought out in their baking ramekins and plated in front of you with the sauce, on the spot. I highly suggest you request for the sauce on the side because they are a bit heavy handed with the sauce. My mom isn’t much if a sweets person but she really enjoyed the mixed berries soufflé and my family friend enjoyed the grand mariner (original) soufflé. I had the chocolate one. Yummy yummy in my tummy.
Overall, a 5 star experience. I love being able to eat high quality food in a comfortable casual setting. Also, aside from my brother, I was super embarrassed by the 5 other adults at my table who were constantly taking pictures AND with flash throughout the night. Thank you Taner for being such a good sport about it and being very enthusiastic about it when you were cooking my steak diane and even offering to tell them you’d make the flame bigger and higher and letting them know when you’ll make the flame so that they can be ready to take their pictures…