The transition is striking as you enter Tardif's—an American Brasserie tucked neatly into the Dominion Center. Long velvet curtains shade the Hill Country sun, softening the interior light and inviting you into a calmer, cooler space.
A Parisian landscape fills the wall above the bustling open kitchen, and the large wooden bar is topped with beams covered in vines, a nod to Tardif's extensive wine list. French music plays lightly in the dimly lit dining room.
"The minute you enter, we want you to feel the coziness," French-Mexican chef and owner Jean Tardif says. "To feel like you've been transported to a brasserie in Paris." Servers are outfitted as they would be in France, in a vest, tie, and crisp white shirt. Tardif points out, “Your server will be with you for the whole experience,” just like in the City of Light.
Chef Tardif gets inspiration from his French father and grandparents. “I was in the kitchen from a very young age. My passion has always been cooking.” He honed his skills at Le Cordon Blue in Paris and restaurants in Mexico City before striking out to fill a gap in the San Antonio and Hill Country dining landscape.
Tardif embraces the hallmarks of traditional brasserie style: purple velvet, brown leather, marble and granite, wood and brass. The fare is equally traditional: soupe à l’oignon, seared foie gras, escargot, and Beef Wellington. The rich aromas, personalized service, and casually chic ambiance invite you into a fine dining experience that feels elegant and cozy, just like the City of Love.
"The minute you enter, we want you to feel the coziness; to feel like you've been transported to a brasserie in Paris."
The Elegance of Eating Slow
According to Tardif, the brasserie is not considered fine dining in France. It serves good food but is casual and comfortable, which is the experience Chef Tardif wants to give his patrons. “When you enter a nice ambiance, you’re feeling relaxed. We give you the best, but with a style and service that makes you feel at home. You’re not rushed, and you enjoy it more—a nice bottle of wine with that really good lobster or Chateaubriand. Everything is paced out to enjoy it slow.”
tardifs.com | 210-541-4130 | 23110 W I-10, San Antonio