Will be in SF this weekend and am trying to figure out where to eat. Chez Panisse I believe you have to book a month in advance, and don’t really want to go to Mina… Any suggestions? We’re considering:
Gary Danko
Masa’s
Fleur De Lys
Coi
Thoughts?
Big fan of incanto and quince. Fro
your list danko. Not sure chez panisse is 1 month. I would check w them. What are u expecting. I may have some other recs
From your list I would go to Danko . . .
agree with the danko recommendations. we had a memorable meal there a couple of years back. masa’s was also very good, but a notch below, imho.
Thanks all. Open to other places as well, and we’re looking for a nice multi course tasting menu. I’m pretty unfamiliar with any hidden gems up there but I know many who have thought Danko was very good.
If you want to come to the east bay check out Commis. Awesome. If you can hit Manresa in lo gatos GO. Otherwise take my suggestion for incanto. Get the venison heart tartars. Wow
Go to Danko and see newly minted Rudd Cup Advanced Somm, Michael Englemann. He’ll hook you up with some great wines.
Danko
JD
I have been to Gary Danko, Masa’s and Fleur De Lys. I think Danko is great but was unimpressed with the other two (though Masa was several years ago).
At Chez Panisse, you don’t need reservations to go upstairs which has more variety in their menu. It’s an icon of food in America and it’s still very good, but it’s really not in the same league with Danko.
Ken - agree with your assessment of Chez Panisse. I love going to the Cafe upstairs to get the more varied menu.
That being said, there are all kinds of Chez alums now around the East Bay opening places - like Camino, Oliveto, Pizzaiolo in Oakland. Quince in SF and more.
Pizzaiolo and Camino are terrific. Quince is awesome as well.
I agree with Tony, Quince and Incanto are great and if you can get out of the city then Manresa would be the place to go. I also like Spruce, Clementines (phillipe from chapeau! - inexpensive), The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton (highly recommend) , and La Folie to name just a few.
Coi can be totally amazing but it is a bit of an unusual dining experience and a bit of a hit and miss. I would not go there if it’s your only meal but highly recommend it.
Masa’s - I think masas has made a bit of a comeback in the last two years after reeling from losing siegel. It was amazing of course before masa was murdered but made a big comeback when ron siegel (french laundry, daniel, ritz carlton, iron chef winner [lobster]) took the reigns but then he split in 03/04…
oddly, i have never eaten at Fleur De Lys…
I have eaten at Danko half a dozen times and have always been unimpressed with the food. The chicken with Moroccan spices is a medicinal tasting nightmare that should be put down. They always get big props from people for the cheese cart but really, a cheese cart does not a great chef make. I think I am just spoiled by the large number of great neighborhood places san franciso. That said, danko is very very popular so ymmv.
Those are all good choices. And, as much as I love Danko, I ate at Fleur De Lys two weeks ago and they are running on all cylinders. So, if you are in the mood for formal French dining, Fleur De Lys is easy to recommend. At the opposite end of the spectrum – and just a few feet away from Fleur De Lys – I can highly recommend Canteen. It is a teensy, tiny place, but the food is always outstanding and the prices are reasonable (particularly if you just ate at Danko or Fleur De Lys).
Best,
Andrew
Thanks for all the thoughts… Looks like Danko is out as they’re booked solid for the next 5 days. I was flip flopping between Masa’s and Fleur De Lys, but actually booked a rezzo at La Folie. The menu looked very nice and diverse and the 5-course price isn’t too bad. We both love classic style French fare.
I’ve heard great things about Siegel at the Ritz and thought about that but it was pricier than the rest and looked to be mostly fish (love seafood but drinking Burg/ Rhones and would prefer something like a 50-50 fish/ beef ratio). M. Mina also crossed my mind but looking at the menu I’ve had similar dishes at XIV here in LA and I know it’s not a fair comparison but I wasn’t too impressed.
Looks like La Folie for now, unless you all think Masa’s/ Fleur De Lys are far superior…
I plan to swing by Flannery HQ over the weekend as well…
The food at La Folie was very good, however I’m not sure I’d say the restaurant (mostly service) is deserving of a Michelin star… Upon arrival we were seated in the back room, which was fairly stuffy with nothing but a loud box fan propped up on the side. Far too long passed between the time we were seated and when they actually decided to serve any bread/ water and open the bottle I brought (97 Faiveley CdBeze). Numerous times I would hear the waiter cursing under his breath… Not sure what he was so unhappy about. The food was excellent although IMO the portions were too big and we felt like we were waddling out of there. The only misses were the frog legs and a dessert that was well executed but boring and outdated. Highlights were:
Seared Foie w/ Peach and spiced peach consomme (might be best I’ve had)
Duck confit (Amazing)
Quail/ Squab
Sweet corn soup w/ crab, sweetbread, summer truffle
While the food was good I will never eat there again because of some bizarre billing practices that are apparently the norm there. They initially charged my card about 5 times the correct amount, then offered no real solution and mentioned that they’ve had many customers complain about this issue over the past few months. I raised the issue if this was a common problem they might want to change whatever they’re doing when billing, to which their response was “It always works out.” I’m sure it does but when I’m on vacation and have 5 times the correct sum taken out of my account via multiple charges it doesn’t make me too thrilled. We dined Friday and the “pending” charge was just cleared up this morning. Never had an issue like this at any restaurant.
Nobody likes Zuni anymore?