Marc Veyrat's Profile
Real FOODIES Coming to Napa & Need Recommendations
Colleagues from east Coast coing to Napa. They have excellent taste and refined palates. Real foodies. Any recommendations for lunch and dinner? Specific recommended dishes a plus. Also hotels....
5A5 Steak House Review
I am told the place becomes a "club" at 10 pm every night. If true, that's disastrous for a resto that wants to be taken seriously for the quality of its cuisine. Especially if the velvet track suit crowd dominates, as you say.
5A5 Steak House Review
I had an opportunity to try 5A5 Steak House, which has been operating out of the old Frisson space in Jackson Square for about 8 months. The meal was mixed in both quality and presentation. I started with the iceberg wedge. It was uninspired. The bacon slices were cut thick, but they were rubbery and cold. The blue cheese dressing was too light and watery. Although I appreciated the selection of beef -- ranging from Australian F1, Japanese Wagyo and American cuts -- I thought the pricing was high. I understand that the resto prides itself on having the finest cuts around and that, to get those cuts, you have to pay more for them. But $120 for a 8 ounce Wagyo steak is a bit much in these hard economic times, isn't it? I had an American bone-in filet cut for about $30. It was okay. Part of the filet was tender and sweet. The rest was fatty and hard to cut. Seems like a lot for $30. The sides were not much better. I had potatoes and mushroom sides. Neither stood out in taste or presentation. I'm going to go back and give it enough shot because I like steak. Next time I'll try a different cut of steak and the fries. But if the resto doesn't markedly improve, I will not come back. Frankly, I have concerns about its viability. That's a hard space to make work and the place was largely empty when I went there.
RN74: What Did I Miss?
With all the recent hooplah over Mina's RN74, I figured I'd give it time to season before trying it out myself. Maybe people are just desperate for any new resto in these challenging economic times. But I didn't get it. Initially, I thought the Euro train station sign with changing "last bottles" of selected wines was nifty, if not a little kitchy (every time the last bottle gets snapped up, another new bottle takes its place on the board), but I came for the food after all. It was just okay. I had a sardine app, tempura mushrooms and prime rib slices. It was decent but not the kind of inspired fare I'm used to from Mina. The space is a little akward. Sure, it's hip enough, but the bar is sandwiched into the front and separated from the dining space by nothing more that the hostess station. This means dining can be noisy, as it was our night. I felt like the Woody Allen character in Stardust Memories, sitting in a staid train coach while watching a full blown party in a neighboring train. Did anyone have a good meal there? Should I try it again?
Must eat places!
If you're coming in from a culinary desert and looking at only 3 limited chances to sip from horn of plenty, I'd take off your list: Aqua (for the reasons Robert Lauriston raised); Koo (which is lovely -- I was just there -- but is just a B+ and is a bit of a trek to get to; La Folie (too much of an expensive Cirque de Soleil experience); and Canteen. I like Chez Panisse, but have always been put off by the schlep to Berkeley (I'm a city guy), and find that it's not quite the same as it used to be. Stick with Ame, Coi and Danko. You seriously cannot miss with any of them. But make your reservations now.
So-So Dinner at Delfina
In past postings, I have gone back and forth with some of my fellow Chowhounders (including Robert Lauriston, who I believe has impeccable taste) about Delfina. I was there when it opened. I've been there a million times. I've enjoyed it for years. Recently, however, I just didn't get it. Candidly, if I was looking for a nice Italian dinner in town, I was reluctant to fight the reservations gaunlet at Delfina for what I perceived to be a good, but not divine, meal. So I found other outlets for my Italian hankering, including Farina and A16, both of which (as Mr. Lauriston noted once) are far easier to get into than Delfina. With all this as background, I have to tell you that I recently ate at Delfina. Our group had the sardines and the three crostini apps; the gnocchi and spaghetti for our primi piatti; and nearly all of the offered entrees for our secondi piatti. We had a mid-priced Barbaresco. It was a nice meal, but not a memorable one. I will definitely return, but I will not make a special effort to do so. Forgive me one and all, but -- dare I say it? -- I prefer Farina over Delfina. I know one isn't supposed to say that. But when Farina is "en fuego" (and admittedly it's not always there), and you order the prosciutto with bufala and olive oil; their version of a country pizza; and the branzino, man o' man, look out. Farina's service and wine list can be spotty, but like a quirky new work colleague, I'm learning how to successfully maneuver my way around both. I'm tempted to say that I like A16 better than Delfina as well (based on, if nothing else, it's singularly unique wine list), but I've had some dinners there that were just so-so and I want to wait and see how recent shakeups will affect the place.
Is this just a matter of personal taste? Or am I losing my mind? Does anyone else feel the same way? Would love to hear from you...
Best Place to Buy a Barolo?
I wasn't suggesting that one go to, or buy from, A16. I said that the poster should call the sommelier to get ideas on where to buy. His knowledge of all Italian wine (including Barolo) and where to buy it here is exceptional.
Is Ton Kiang still good for dim sum in San Francisco?
I ate there recently and, must confess, that the experience was less than satisfying. Like you, I long believed that Ton Kiang served the best dim sum in San Francisco. It's still likely one of the better places, but it definitely has gone down in quality. Everything is spotty and hit-and-miss. For a city with such wonderful food, it's amazing to me that there really isn't a standout dim sum place here. Most of the good ones have popped up south of the airport (see prior Chowhound posts on where).
Best Place to Buy a Barolo?
Believe it or not, I would call the sommelier, Andrew Mosblech, at A16 and get his thoughts. He's always been very helpful.
Once a year splurge
Just ate at Danko and loved it. However, you might have to adjust the monetary parameters of your search because it's going to be tough anywhere to get out for $200 (excluding wine).
Bill Niman and Nicolette Hahn Niman: Experts in Residence!
Bill and Nicolette:
Just wanted to give you three cheers for your courageous fight against the less benign aspects of corporate agri-business. Thank you for your continuing efforts. Please note that Bill was featured in an article on the blog site Apesphere, http://www.apesphere.com/blogchannel/Case_in_Point/page/2.
San Francisco Experience
Wasn't it wonderful? The chef did the same for us as well. I think it's part of his schtick for Americans who travel all that way to eat there. BTW, Alfonso Icarinno, the owner is opening a Don Alfonso at the newly renovated La Mammounia in Marrakech, along with a few other highly rated European celeb chefs.
BTW, we were there for our honeymoon as well. Stayed at La Sireneuse.
Enjoy the City. Can't go wrong at any of these places. Let the 'Hounds know how your dinner turned out!
San Francisco Experience
It's truly a thrill to meet someone who appreciates Don Alfonso as much as I do. Our tastes are very much akin.
I disagree with Daveena and her post. You will have a hard time finding a better meal in SF than Gary Danko. I just ate there and had the seasonal menu and paired wines. Fantastic. Of course, you're not likely to get in at this late hour.
Please do try to make reservations for The Slanted Door. It is unique to SF (think: River Cafe meets the old Vong in NYC) and, noise aside, is a wonderful spot. It's at the Ferry Building with views of the shipping lanes and Bay Bridge.
Coi and Quince are good, but take a far second or even third place to the foregoing. he Ritz also is very good but who the hell wants to eat at a hotel dining room? I get what you're after -- something special to San Francisco. Skip the rest. Beg for a table at Danko or Slated Door. And follow me on Twitter at ConnaSir!
NY hound in SF for 1 night only - HELP
All true, mon ami, Robert. Slanted Door is noisy and crowded. However, one can retreat to the quiet solitude of the water that is just steps away (with the wind sweeping across the shipping lanes and under the bridge). Its location and unique tastes really are quite striking. On the other hand, with Geary Boulevard, whatdya got for ambience? It's a gritty urban Siberia. With a long, long schlep on the 38 bus. (You really want to entrust one of our foodie visitors to MUNI?) Decent Moroccan but certainly no better than she can get in NYC.
A16 Recommendations?
They frequently have in stock (but not listed on the carte du vin) a very lush red wine from Sicily. You have to ask them if they have any available. I had a private party there in the back room and every guest kept asking what we were drinking. Dee-lish. Can't recall the name offhand.
Postrio closes -- chowhounds yawn?
Well, I for one, am going to miss the ol' girl. And it's not just because I hadn't yet used the Postrio dinner-for-two certificate my realtor gave me years ago as a thank you after I bought my house at the height of the market. No, it's more sentimental than anything else. I was there when it opened and have followed its downward trajectory ever since. I used to love going there on Sunday mornings for a superb breakfast. There was time when all the old time San Franciscans went there, either for weekend breakfasts or the occasional dinner. Everyone bounded from table to table, socializing and catching up. Of course, I haven't eaten there in years...
NY hound in SF for 1 night only - HELP
I can't say I agree with this recommendation. Good lord. We have so many stellar examples of unique California dining and we cannot do any better for this young lady than Aziza?
No, my dear, you most certainly are NOT going to Aziza. It is waaaay out in hell-and-gone; you practically have to bring a day pack and a Sherpa to get there and back from Union Square. And, unlike NYC, good luck getting a cab on the way back to the hotel. Let PBS broadcast about the food. It's average and certainly NOT what you're looking for...
Here are my selections for you (in no particular order):
Slanted Door ($$$)
Michael Nina ($$$$)
Gary Danko ($$$$)
Chez Panisse (dinner not cafe) ($$$)
Coi ($$$$)
If you're going for one restaurant only, and a radical departure from the "norm," I would suggest the Slanted Door, Charles Phan's interpretation of Asian cuisine. It is stylish, noisy, and swinging, but it's also unique -- both with respect to the tastes and the view (of the Bay Bridge and water). Think: River Cafe meets the old Vong in NYC. Very different.
Best SF restaurant for 25th anniversary dinner
I'm going to have to differ with you on that one. Boulevard is fine if (1) you're a businessperson on an expense account from yesteryear; (2) in town for a little weekend jaunt; or (3) a local who hasn't eaten there in a while. But it's far too noisy and, eh, dare I say, commercial, for a 25th wedding anniversary. Spouses who make it to that exalted pinnacle, either by virtue of God's grace or excellent scotch (or both), often are looking for a soaring dining experience (albeit a quiet and romantic one). Boulevard ain't that. Not by a long shot. And Coi? I had a fine meal there, to be sure. But I find dinner there to be a fussy and overdone production, like those at the old Elizabeth Daniel. There's also nothing that says 25th anniversary better than the strip club next door. No, for my money, I'll take a pre-dinner ride on the Hyde Street cable car as the sun sets (the extraordinary view of the Bay laid out before me) and a flawless dinner at Gary Danko. Ah.
Zuni report June 2009
For me, eating a Zuni is a little like flying to Europe during the Winter. You know you're going to encounter turbulence and lousy service on the flight, but you always end up in a pretty great place. It certainly helps that there's nothing quite like the roasted chicken, bread stuffing and shoestrings, or the broad (and sometimes offbeat) wine selection. I have discovered that some of the pain can be ameliorated by slipping a few discreet shekels to the young lads and lasses working the front of the house reception, if only to get seated sooner (rather than being shunted off to the side for an interminable wait).
Best SF restaurant for 25th anniversary dinner
Simple answer. Gary Danko. There is NO SUBSTITUTE. Period. Especially if you're a fan of Guy Savoy. Beautiful quiet room. Elegant presentation, but not fussy. Responsive service, but not invasive. Great cheese cart. Knowledgeable sommelier. Make your reservations now.
Transport to/from The French Laundry from/to San Francisco
Amen, Robert.
I've been reading your entries and couldn't agree with you more, across the board.
