Paul H's Profile
Wine Bar/Wine Stores?
Robert's lists here are spot on and should be regarded as definitive. (Though I'd be happy with just Terroir, and Arelquin).
Foie Gras countdown...
I believe I saw that Sonoma Foie Gras has announced they are moving to Oregon. The law says that traditionally produced foie gras may not be sold in California. This seems to leave open mail order of same from out of state.
Here is a link to the text of the law for anyone who is interested.
ORIGINAL JOES..North Beach!
I had brunch here today. They are opening at 10:30 Fri-Sun. Closing time isn't set yet, but 11:00 seems like a good guess for now. I can't really report on the food: I had an avocado, bacon, cheddar cheese omelet and it was fine. The space and furnishing and fixtures are first class. It goes well with the tuxedos and ties on all of the servers. Didn't see any blonde servers, though. Rats.
Original Joe's coming soon website.
The Chronicle's Inside Scoop says tomorrow is the day...
http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2012/01/25/original-joes-returns-to-san-francisco-at-long-last/
I walk by there every Saturday. I'm planning on stopping for lunch if they are open.
Am in SF now - First Impressions
Second the recommendation for Red Blossom Tea Company. It's the best tea purveyor in the city. And if you are still downtown, it's walking distance.
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Red Blossom Tea Company
831 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108
Foie Gras countdown...
Eleven Madison Park also has a shaved frozen foie gras dish (with brioche and uni). This is a pretty standard technique for high end modern places.
Winter openings and closings
I think it is fairly significant that The Moss Room closed New Year's Day.
Restaurants in SF with Locally Sourced, Seasonal Tasting Menu?
Though on the upper end of the $$$ scale, you should also check out Coi. They are serious local and seasonal, with some ingredients coming from the Chef's back yard.
Lazy Bear res for January?
I've had two dinners at Lazy Bear events. The food is both creative and delicious. You can get a good idea of what the experience is like by reading the chef's blog: http://www.eatfoo.com/ . Go for the food, not the atmosphere. Venues are "unfinished" and service is at communal tables. I'd recommend a Lazy Bear dinner to anyone (except those with strong aversions or allergies - the menu is Prix Fixe only).
Help me fill in the blank: Fleur de Lys, Incanto, ________?
Did you call Benu and La Foile directly? If not, I'd call and ask to be put on a waiting list. cancellations are not unknown.
Izakaya Yuzuki -- my favorite new Japanese restauarant in SF
I prefer Kiraku to Ippuku. Better food and better service.
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Kiraku
2566B Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Which Bay Area restaurants offer a table side cheese course?
SF Chronicle on Cheese courses around the bay...
http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-02-07/living/17847912_1_goat-cheese-san-francisco-bay-area
San Francisco institutions...
fish. and Le Garage in Sausalito
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Fish
350 Harbor Dr, Sausalito, CA 94965
Le Garage
85 Liberty Ship Way Ste 109, Sausalito, CA
Which Bay Area restaurants offer a table side cheese course?
Gary Danko is known for their cheese program and cheese cart. Atelier Crenn also has a cart.
Recommendations for Restaurants Near Ritz Carlton and Palace Hotel with Great Wine Lists
Boulevard has a well-selected and imaginative list and is easy walking distance from the Palace Hotel.
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Boulevard Restaurant
1 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94105
Dungeness crab prices for '11
I put it in live and had no problem with bag punctures. Those oven bags are pretty tough, and anyway, I can't image a small hole or two would make any difference. It's not a pressure cooker. And if your are worried about over-rambunctious crustaceans, stick them in the freezer for 15 minutes before micro-waving (or steaming). (This is also a good tip for lobster).
Foie Gras countdown...
For the next six months you can buy some foie gras and play with it yourself. As Thomas Keller says, it's like Play Dough, and great fun; plus, it tastes a lot better than Play Dough. My favorite supplier is Polarica.
Dungeness crab prices for '11
Another tip - although it sounds weird, microwaving crabs is a GREAT, tasty, and easy method... http://articles.sfgate.com/2004-02-04/food/17411561_1_microwaved-steamed-crab-1
Does SF have good midrange neighborhood restaurants that are not loud/overcrowded?
I agree that South Park Cafe and Zuppa fit the requirements, and would also add Fringale in the same neighborhood.
Suggestions or restaurants to avoid?
A solid color shirt, blazer/sports coat and slacks will do. You don't need a suit. Especially if it is black (funeralesque) :-)
Suggestions or restaurants to avoid?
John's Grill may be one of the worst restaurants in the city, while Acquerello may be one of the best.
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John's Grill
63 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
1 Night in SF - Restaurant that can't be missed? Looking for a different experience... Any $$$
Coi and Atelier Crenn are the two best bets for providing an "experience" dinner. Everything else will seem vaguely or overly familiar. Coi and Atelier Crenn have the capacity to surprise.
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Coi
373 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133
Atelier Crenn
3127 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123
SF Michelin Stars 2012
Michelin is more impressed by cooking than by shopping. Thus, places like Chez Panisse and Camino are never going to get any Michelin cred.
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Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709
Happy 100th! Roberts Corned Meats (San Francisco)
I picked up a spicy center cut corned beef brisket this morning. Price was $4/lb. Cooking to follow.
SF Michelin Stars 2012
Chef Crenn has announced that Atelier Crenn has received one Michelin star.
EDIT: And Josh Skenes reports that Saison has been promoted to two stars.
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Saison
2124 Folsom St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Atelier Crenn
3127 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Favorite restuarants?
Fringale, Perbacco, Bocadillos, Cafe Claude.
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Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Cafe Claude
7 Claude Lane, San Francisco, CA 94108
Fringale Restaurant
570 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Bocadillos
710 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Best place to eat in Hayes Valley, pre-symphony
"Cheap" and "pre-Symphony eating" are rarely found in the same paragraph.
One night in wine country - where would you eat?
The top three dining destinations in wine country are The French Laundry, The Restaurant at Meadowood, and Cyrus. Other places that receive good reports include Redd, Bouchon, The Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant, Terra, and Auberge du Soleil.
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The French Laundry
6640 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599
Terra Restaurant
1345 Railroad Ave., St. Helena, CA 94574
Farmhouse Inn
7871 River Rd, Forestville, CA 95436
Cyrus Restaurant
29 North St, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Auberge Du Soleil
180 Rutherford Hill Rd., Rutherford, CA 94573
Redd
6480 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Bouchon
6534 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599
