Does anyone have any reccomendations for a 4 star restaurant in San Francisco?

Question

I mean, I want top of the line, 2-3 hour meal, price no object. Preferably with a chef's tasting menu. I won't have a car, so I can't drive out as far as the French Laundry. Bonus if the restaurant is romantic, but good quality food is most important.

Answer 1

Aqua*, Fifth Floor*, Gary Danko's, Boulevard, Farallon

* Has a tasting menu. Not sure about others

Aqua
252 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Aqua writes...
Offering Contemporary Seafood in a sophisticated setting, Aqua has been one of San Francisco's most acclaimed and popular landmark restaurants for over 11 years. Using mostly European techniques, the four-star, award-winning restaurant serves delicate fish in a way that has traditionally been reserved for meats, offering unique menu selections of the freshest local and imported seafood.

Dining Style: Fine Dining
Cuisine: Seafood
Neighborhood: SF - Financial Dist/Embarc
Cross Street: Front St. & Battery St.
Price: $51 and over
Menu: View menu on restaurant's website
Website: aqua-sf.com
Phone: [phone]

Boulevard
1 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94105

Boulevard writes...
Since its opening in 1993, Boulevard restaurant has been hailed as one of the best restaurants in San Francisco. Created in partnership with designer Pat Kuleto, the elegant, yet warm and welcoming interior of Boulevard is the essence of the Belle Époque style. It is a glorious setting for Chef Nancy Oakes hearty, flavorful, beautiful cuisine. American regional flavors, French influenced style, enthralling design, form the entire experience at Boulevard. Located in the heart of the San Francisco's revived waterfront area, the historic Audiffred Building is the ideal home for Boulevard. In the Zagat Guide for the year 2000, Boulevard restaurant was rated #1 in the Bay Area for the 3rd year in a row.

Dining Style: Fine Dining
Cuisine: American
Neighborhood: SF - Financial Dist/Embarc
Cross Street: Steuart St.
Price: $31 to $50
Menu: View menu on restaurant's website
Website: www.boulevardrestaurant.com
Phone: [phone]

Farallon
450 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Farallon writes...
At Farallon, Chef Mark Franz serves coastal cuisine with French influence. The menu changes daily depending on what's fresh. Expect exciting combinations and show-stopping execution.

Dining Style: Fine Dining
Cuisine: Seafood, French, California
Neighborhood: SF - Downtown/Union Sq
Cross Street: Powell and Mason
Price: $51 and over
Menu: View menu on restaurant's website
Website: www.farallonrestaurant.com
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

Fifth Floor
12 Fourth St.
San Francisco, CA 94103

Fifth Floor writes...
Located on the fifth floor of SF's luxurious Hotel Palomar, Fifth Floor’s stellar female team is led by acclaimed chef Melissa Perello and seasoned sommelier Emily Wines. Perello's seasonally inspired, ingredient-driven California cuisine is complemented by Fifth Floor's Wine Spectator magazine Grand-Award winning wine program. Directed by Wines, our wine list features 1400 bins and over twenty by-the-glass selections. Created by Cheryl Rowley design of Beverly Hills, Fifth Floor's intimate and engaging 75-seat dining room features a collection of Art Deco-inspired chairs and a collection of original contemporary art. **The Fifth Floor will call you two days before your reservation. Please make sure to call by noon the day of your reservation to confirm or your reservation will be cancelled.

Dining Style: Fine Dining
Cuisine: California, Contemporary American
Neighborhood: SF - Downtown/Union Sq
Cross Street: Market St.
Price: $51 and over
Menu: View menu on restaurant's website
Website: www.fifthfloorrestaurant.com
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

Answer 2

Okay, if you are truly looking for the best dining experience of your life, it might be worth it to rent a car to drive to the French Laundry. I ate there in November and can't remember when I've enjoyed a meal more thoroughly. (*smile*)

That being said, to answer the question that you asked, the best meal I've ever had in San Francisco in terms of a nexus of amazing service, quality food, and romantic atmosphere was at Plumpjack Cafe (3127 Fillmore Street). There are sample menus on their website. Just to give you a sample of what I am talking about, when my husband and I ate there, we were torn between two different appetizers and asked the waiter his opinion on which he thought was better. His response, "I'll have the chef make you a half order of each." How perfect! And again, when my husband was having trouble deciding on a wine to go with his entree, the waiter brought him tastes of three or four different wines that he thought might go so that my husband could make an informed decision.

A very close second for me is Rubicon (558 Sacramento Street). They always have a tasting menu for dinner and they even have them on Wednesdays for lunch. They are always superb. The pastry chef there is particularly amazing. Don't pass up a chance to try her rose sorbet. My toes curl just thinking about how delicious it is!

An honorable mention goes to Ame (689 Mission Street, at Third). Although not as high on the romance as the other two, the food is some of the most creative I've seen in a long time. It's sort of a fusion of Japanese, French, Italian, and some other world flavors. Some of the things on the menu might sound crazy, but they work! We did the tasting menu there for my birthday last year, and it sort alternated between Japanese and French-Italian foods with each course, and amazingly, it wasn't jarring. It really helped highlight the similarities and the differences of these vary disparate cuisines. If you a looking for somewhere to propose, it wouldn't be my first choice, but if you are a foodie just looking to have your socks knocked off, I would give this one my highest recommendation.

Another honorable mention goes to Palio d'Asti (640 Sacramento Street). This is just really great, creative Italian food. If you like La Cucina Italiana magazine, you'll like this restaurant. (No spaghetti and meatballs to be found here).

I've put the URLs for all of my recommendations below so that you can check out the menus.

Bon appetit!

Answer 3

Michael Mina's is the closest you'll get to French Laundry, especially if price is no object. I try to get out there at least every menu change and it is close to $400 a meal for two including drinks.

If you want a more exclusive dining arrangement, call the Rubicon and request the private dining room and a customized menu. It'll cost you closer to $2000 for the privilege.

I've tried every top restaurant in San Francisco, including Gary Danko, Boulevard, Farralon, Town Hall, Aqua...However, there is nothing like French Laundry.

Answer 4

Gary Danko is a really great place to go. I've ALWAYS had a great meal there. However, IF you could have a car, and IF you could get reservations, the French Laundry would be A+.

If you don't get any other great suggestions from here, the Michelin guide to the San Francisco Bay Area just came out a few months ago, so I highly suggest picking up a copy.

Answer 5

Chapeau! restaurant on Clement Street, one and one-half blocks west of Park Presidio Avenue. It is in the Richmond District and easily accessible by public transportation. You will need advance reservations, as this restaurant is almost always full to capacity.

The food is authentic French. The owner, Phillipe Gardeau, is the chef. I have been going there for years, and the food and service have always been consistently superb. It has a bistro atmosphere, and tables are close together, but it somehow manages to have a romantic and intimate aura nonetheless.

They never rush you, and generally the whole dining experience takes about 2-3 hours. It is one of my top favorite restaurants in San Francisco. It is definitely worth a visit.

Answer 6

Restaurant Gary Danko--hands down best food probably five star, and romantic. Check our their website. Tasting menu has options of 3, 4, or 5 courses (with wine pairing if you like). Plus staff is not stuffy. I think it is lots better than Boulevard or Aqua. Fifth floor a little too stuffy

Answer 7

i went to Bix on my birthday and it was AWESOME very quiet, romantic, 30-40's decor. Full bar....great food, 2-3 course menu 56 Gold St


you could try Ruths Chris Steakhouse if you're up for that..that's deffinitely a long meal, everything is a-la-carte, yummy! near Powell and Market I beleive


i just read above and will agree whole heartedly with Bouevard at Stuart St near Embarcaderro...AWESOME food

Answer 8

the carnelian room
is located at the top of the bank of america building in san francisco. bofa building is a 52 story building and the reataurant is one of san franciscos best and most romantic spots.

415.433.7500
San Francisco's best panoramic view can be witnessed from the Carnelian room located atop the Bank of America Building. The restaurant serves American-continental cuisine and is open to the public for dinner or for private business meetings in the Bankers Club for lunch and dinner.

Answer 9

Boulevard.....it's incredible....good food not as great as the french laundry but it's in the city...down near embarcadero...
or maybe Jardinare(definately not spelled right) but it's a great restaurant in the city..
and there's always Harris Steak House...great steak's
right on Van Ness

Answer 10

Aqua has been my favorite for many years.
Allow me to also suggest Gary Dankos and The Fifth Floor
You cannot go wrong with any of these