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Sunset views along the Delta at Stocktons French 25
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The French 25 mezzanine offers one of the most spectacular dining views in the 209, especially during the early evenings. - photo by Photo Contributed

IF YOU GO

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French 25 is located at 110 N. El Dorado Street and will be open from 4-10 p.m. on Valentine’s.

Nothing says I love you more than Chicken-N-Waffles?

That’s a California Creole Classic item at the French 25 cuisine, which was inspired by the dishes made popular at the French Quarters in New Orleans.

The restaurant opened nine months ago at the historic Stockton Hotel, making it one of the most romantic spots in the 209.

What makes this downtown venue so romantic?

Try the views, with sunsets overlooking DeCarli Plaza and the Deep Water Channel. An even more spectacular view is from atop the mezzanine, which is currently open for special events.

Greg May, general partner of French 25, is hoping to have the upstairs part of the restaurant open on a regular basis. He has been working with the City of Stockton on trying to make this happen.

“This is an historical building so there are certain steps (with the City) that we’d have to follow,” he said. “We want to do it, but we want to do it right.”

French 25 also wants to do it right for couples come Friday, Valentine’s Day.

May is urging reservations for that day.

“We want to make this entire experience special,” he said. “That’s the reason we space out the reservations.”

French 25’s mission is just that: Enrich the lives of guests, employees and owners. The restaurant looks to accomplish this goal with superior quality food and beverages, legendary customer service, sales growth, cost controls and treating employees like family.

For over 28 years, Greg May has been in the restaurant business. He moved to Stockton in 1997 and later became general manager at Le Bistro.

He gained inspiration for a New Orleans-themed cuisine by taking a trip down to the Big Easy for culinary classes while picking the brains of the locals.

May noted French 25’s downtown location is reminiscent of the French Quarters.

No changes are expected for the Valentine’s Day menu.

Happy Hours – appetizers along with all beer, liquor and wine by the glass are half off the regular price – will be from 4 to 7 p.m.

Specialty items include BBQ Shrimp & Grits, French 25 Jambalaya, Cajun Chicken Tortellini, and Smoked Baby Back Ribs.

A portion of those three items are available via ‘The F25 Sampler.’

French 25, in addition, features gumbo, oysters, po’ boys, fish (trout, salmon or catfish), chicken and dumplings, and pot roast.

For reservations, call 209-451-0617.

French 25 is located at 110 N. El Dorado Street and will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. on Valentine’s Day.

Validated parking is available at the Stewart-Eberhardt Parking Garage on Center and El Dorado streets just south of Weber Avenue.

More information can be obtained by logging on to www.french-25.com.