Nancy Oakes

Prior to opening Boulevard in 1993, Chef Oakes earned high praise at her restaurant, L'Avenue,
a 50-seat San Francisco neighborhood bistro where she created and sustained a wonderful loyalty
and intimacy with her diners. This relationship continues at the 145-seat Boulevard.
Before L'Avenue, Oakes and a friend created a popular waterfront restaurant called Barnacle.

During her years of study at the San Francisco Art Institute, Oakes was also known in San Francisco
for her down-to-earth yet elegant service and hospitality while working at such places as Alexis on Nob Hill.
As a self-taught chef, Oakes enhanced her philosophy with the knowledge she gained
from great teachers under whom she served informally. From Girard Boyer and
Taillevent to Guy Savoy and Joel Robuchon, Oakes learned to cherish all aspects of food from
searching for the freshest ingredients to perfect service.