L'Hirondelle Restaurant — Restaurant in San Juan Capistrano

C'est magnifique!! Ambience, excellent service and food. You have a wonderful view of the Mission across the street ,also great for people watching. Very romantic setting, which was perfect for celebrating our anniversary. Also good for small groups.

Currently, due to COVID, patio dining only. You must wear a mask, menus are disposable and all staff exercises all protocols. Tables are spaced 6-8 feet apart.

A reservation is recommended, as patio seated is limited. There is street parking, or use the parking lot behind restaurant, which is a little past the street entrance. Go past the entrance to lot, then there is a walkway to reach check in and patio.

This is an upscale restaurant with casual vibe. Although indoor dining is currently closed, the decor and vibe is definitely French, including lighting, art and collection of sculpture lining the shelves of the walls. It is intimate setting that is quite Parisian.

Extensive wine list, sold by glass, split or bottles. California, French, American, Australia and New Zealand vineyards of sparkling wine, champagne, burgundy, bordeaux, merlot, Malbec, cabernets including Tattinger, Piper Sonoma, Pouilly-Fuisse, JFJ and others. Corkage fee $20, and vintages can change due to availability.

Starters include pate, brie and fruit, escargot baked in garlic sauce, stuffed mushrooms, frog legs in wine sauce and french onion soup. We chose escargot and Mushroom Farci. Escargot was very tender, and garlic not overpowering. The mushroom had an excellent flavour, shrimp was succulent.

For entrees, you have choice of petite plate or full dinner of chicken, steak, lamb, fish, shrimp or salmon. The difference is for petit plate either/or potatoes or vegetable medley, full entree has both. The petit dinner is great for small appetite, but if you're hungry get the full entree!

Recommended are Beef Bourguigon and Petite Atlantic Salmon. Bourguigon is full of flavour, with slight hint of red wine sauce. My husband was quite pleased at his melt in your mouth goodness. Vegetable medley of yellow squash, carrot and asparagus paired very well with salmon. Just right amount of dill, it was magnificent.

Make sure you leave room for dessert. Because it was our anniversary, we received a complimentary chocolate ice cream with strawberries (topped with candle), but we also enjoyed cherries jubilee. Note about jubilee -- due to health regulations, they do not prepare the dish at table, it is brought to table after it is prepared in kitchen. One order will feed two!

I recommend this for the ambiance, service and patio experience. It is centrally located, and as mentioned, wonderful for romantic dinner or people watching at lunch. We will visit again when COVID protocols allow indoor experience. There are other items on men we want to try!...

Well, from 1 to 10, this place should get a 4. 1- Prices have increased tremendously. Time to update the dollar signs to three "$$$". 2- These prices don't match the uncomfortable plastic chairs and unbalanced tables outside. Inside is too dingy to sit in. 3- It seemed as if the female waitress was doing us a favor!! Lots of attitude poured out of her every action. Then, she forgot my beer and later another item. I had to ask the male waiter for those items. He had a better attitude. 4- Walking out, I looked at the female owner and nodded my head as to say Good bye. She just looked at me for a sec and looked away!!! (Well, F U too madame!)

My persian brother (owner), get better chairs and tables for outside. Make sure your employees have at least decent attitude, specially your partner. Re-evaluate your prices again. These prices are not for spontaneous visits, only special occasions. Also, for these prices, employees need to dress better. They were dressed wayyyy too casual.

I only gave a second star because you were going around and talking to people with a "good attitude" and the food...

Like the swallows for which it is named, this country French bistro serving haute Parisian cuisine is certain to delight even the most discerning convive. The family-run gem serving meticulously prepared dishes from original French recipes delivers heavenly flavors from its modest kitchen. From the peppercorn béarnaise on the expertly prepared filet to the red wine reduction on the bourguignon, and from the cherry glacé on the duck to the dill béchamel on the salmon, each sauce pairs perfectly with its protein. The delightfully creamy mashed potato and thoughtfully varied garden vegetable accompaniments carry forward each flavor without distracting from the main course. Start with the hot bacon salad and end with the berry custard or cherries jubilee flambé. Don't hesitate to sample the intentionally curated wine list, expertly paired upon request. While the food alone is motivation enough to return, the personal service is the icing on the cake. The ambiance of dining in a friend's garden creates a relaxed setting. Unlike the swallows, one is advised to make more than an...