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Upstairs is the only really good place to dig straight jazz music... The Barry Harris Trio are playing a few nights over Jazzfest and there's a Dexter Gordon Tribute by a pretty solid combo too. Better to eat nearby first though; there's plenty of options.

It's not really near the Segal Center at all and there are much better restaurants... why do you want to take her to Tavern on the Square?

Casual is not a problem for me, I'm more interested in extraordinary flavors and presentation with creative, inventive, seasonal ingredients.

That said, I've been to Ame before and it was fantastic but not on par with the others referenced. Keiko, I believe, is French-influenced fusion with elements of Japanese cusine, no? I really really insist that we avoid anything French, because it's literally all we'll be eating for 2 weeks when returning to Montreal, and I want it to feel fresh and exciting when back home! If you don't feel that Keiko's fusion is outwardly French however, it would be a contender as it's been on my list for a very long time. Does it feel and more importantly taste, particularly French and are the ingredients primarily of Asian origin or the type of terroir based menu with sauces/roux/velouté etc. that are typically found in "nouveau" French cuisine?

Does AQ fit the criteria?

None of the big ** names are open on Sunday night -- I wanted to do either Saison, Benu or Coi but they're Tuesday through Saturday.

The one rule is NO French as I'll be back in Quebec a week later, eating nothing but!

It has to be a really special meal. Something equal or better to any of the big Michelin four that get tossed around so often. Willing to drive up to 30 mins. max if that helps but prefer something within the city.

Any cuisine other than French please!

Any suggestions?

I haven't but thanks for the tip - I'll add it to the "to try" list!

I was trying to avoid long distance charges on my cel, but I just called the restaurant and worked it out... I still don't understand the online cc policy. I wasn't asked for any payment info over the phone.

It indicates that reservations may be subject to a deposit or cancellation at the discretion fo the restaurant... whatever that means... and then it goes on to specify that cancellations can be made up until a certain date, however may be subject to cancellations charges depending on the policy of the restaurant... again what the hell does that mean?

I want to make reservations for a party of 7 and was wondering if anyone knows of their credit card policy?

I just went to make the res online and it asked for payment details... I don't mind offering it but don't want a deposit for 7 people psoted on my card. Has anyone experienced this with LCF before and can anyone tell me if they actually put a deposit against the reservation or just keep the information on file?

Lastly, is 11am a safe bet or should we book earlier (10:30-45?) - does the kitchen ever run out of menu items?

Thanks!

Indeed!

I haven't missed the point; I just don't think the view is worth putting up with all the strikes against the place. To me a high window in a pretty place does not justify a visit if everything else about the place is so obnoxious, but that's just my opinion. I wanted to love The Mark, I've been twice on two separate ocassions, the last of which we just shook our heads and walked away. Just pick up a focaccia and take the elevator to the top of Coit Tower... or if you're visiting from out of town and want an unbeatable view, go for a Gold Floor Room at The Fiarmont next door. To me a restaurant and/or bar should offer a) inviting ambiance b) good food/drinks c) reasonable value - The Mark misses and strikes out on all three, so I chose to avoid it altogether.

Thanks Cary,

Speaking purely of sushi for the moment, is Sakae comparable to the others mentioned (Aka Tombo/Ino) or is it another level entirely?

I definitely want to try it soon!

I just meant the environment and room itself. I agree that the chef at Aka Tombo is more personable and fun. I've been to Ino many times and so he is quite friendly with me, but you don't get the full treatment there. I mostly frequent it because I think the sushi's great and I like the "coziness" of the room. I don't think either are world-class sushi destinations however, but they're the best I've had in San Francisco proper.

It has no view but it's got plenty of atmosphere to spare! The "old world" ambiance paying tribute to the building (former grand Victorian mansion of CP railroad baron) and neighborhood's past is filled with opulent antique furnishings and old photographs of the 1890's Central Pacific Railroad and Gold Rush days. Picture low lighting and dark wood panelled walls with green leather upholstery surrounding a long oak bar that's lined with glasses of single-malts, and an ancient cat propped up on a piano stool in the foyer tappin' out sleepy standards like Stardust, while the kitchen dishes out carnivorous cuts of black and blue game meats. It's wonderful, nothing's changed here!

I'll take that over a boring charmless room with a view anyday; especially one which charges a door cover and hires lame cruise ship bands to entertain drunk tourists.

Huntington has history, class plus great food and cocktails at reasonable price. Top of the Mark offers none of that; just a room that happens to be in a picturesque spot with lots of windows. It could be great, but the ownership and management are clueless and I see no reason to ever go back. That's my 2 cents anyway.

PS - Skip The Mark!

Overpriced, door fee, crappy live music, douchey crowds, tourist overload, ugly bright-lit room with zero ambiance and you're lucky if you can even get a table with a view if you're there at peak hours. Not worth it even once imo; way overrated and there are much better views to be had in the city! The Big 4 has way better atmosphere and drinks without the cover or obnoxious crowds! The live background music (piano standards) is also much more appealing and better suited to a classy night out.

The Big 4 at The Huntington Hotel!

Restaurant + Cocktail Bar in one... and best dining room/ambiance in the city! Great food! Great cocktails!

Wouldn't you agree that B.R. is to TexMex or Southern BBQ what Chang's is to Chinese though?

PF Chang's is also "decent for what it is"... I'd just have no particular desire to go for whatever that is.

I personally think their ribs are terrible. If you ordered a rack without that goopy sweet sauce, I bet you wouldn't be able to swallow a mouthful! It's my sister's and step dad's favorite go-to Sunday night place btw, so I've been dragged along many a night, and tried just about everything on the menu - I always find it really really bad.

How does Sakae compare to a place like Wakuriya versus restaurants like Ino or Aka Tombo?

Sakae has been number one on my "to try" list for many months, but I haven't made the trek out to Burlingame yet. Is it a completely different kaiseki experience to Wakuriya?

You say it's more 'California kaiseki' - is that to imply that it's more of a fusion experience? There are more contemporary/modern kaiseki experiences throughout Tokyo, like Saito, Araki, Yoshitake, etc. Is this a similar experience?

Would you say that Sakae is more akin to the experience you find in a traditional Ryokan in Japan? Is it considerably better than AKA Tombo or Ino?

Thanks!

I've been to Aka Tombo before and had a lovely meal, but didn't think it was anything special and not any better or worse than Ino, which for the same cost I still prefer if not for the atmosphere alone. I didn't order anything a la carte and just asked the chef to feed me. It was very good for but not especially memorable and I've had much better elsewhere.

Thanks!

Thanks wienermobile!

What about a place for the special Monday night dinner... any cusine works and it's really important that it be in a beautiful setting. I was thinking somewhere with an outdoor patio or gardens would be nice, but it's not a requisite. Hopefully something where the food matches the ambiance.

And one sushi recommendation too please! :)

Thank you again!

Re. my mom being a vegetarian - she could find something to eat anywhere, so this should not be a factor in suggesting any restaurants.

As for my sister's gluten intollerance... surely any capable and well regarded kitchen could accommodate her, so again not a deal breaker but still something to keep in mind.

Thanks again!

Hey everyone,

I live in San Francisco and spend a lot of time in and around West Hollywood, Downtown LA, etc. and usually when I'm in town with my wife and/or friends, we stick to the old mid century time warps and restaurants from the Hollywood Glamour era. From M&F and Taylor's to Original Micelli's, Pacific Dining Car, Clifton's, Pann's, Phillipe and on and on...

This time however, my family (from Montreal!) are flying down to spend time with us and we're staying in Beverly Hills!

I'm completely unfamiliar with anything current on LA's food scene and would appreciate some suggestions.

I need one very special restaurant for a Monday night dinner for 6 people. Perhaps somewhere with outdoor garden seating or in a beautiful inviting space with excellent food! I'm open to any and all suggestions. It's for a special birthday and marriage celebration, so it should be somewhere really nice and with great food!

Other than that, do you have any recommendations for at least 1-2 other days for excellent dinner and lunch options?

We'll all have cars and I plan on sneaking off to some of our "Old Hollywood" favorites for at least a handful of nights, but for my mom, stepdad, grandmother and two sisters, I'd greatly appreciate some really good restaurant options that are not Michelin-starred pricing (nothing too stuffy/formal) but really delicious and seasonal. My mom is a vegetarian and one of my sisters has a gluten intollerance/allergy. Everyone else are carnivores and will eat just about anything, but don't necessarily have the most refined palette so without scratching off any of the "foodie-friendly" options, I just want to take into consideration the fact that my younger sister is a bit of a picky eater and nobody is especially interested in very unique or unfamiliar sounding menus.

That said, I'm not asking for "family-friendly" suggestions either! We're all adults and everyone enjoys eating well.

Of the recommendations, I would greatly appreciate if one could be sushi - preferably a place where I could enjoy a really fantastic kaiseki experience while others order a la carte; if such a thing exists in LA!

The best sushi in the Bay Area is undoubtedly Wakuriya in San Mateo and I would like something that rivals or betters this - since I've long heard that LA has some of the best sushi restaurants on the West Coast!

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Modern Seasonal California Cuisine is a safe bet... but I'd also like some "not-to-miss" places that you might recommend any visitor to try in the great Hollywood, Downtown and Beverly Hills areas.

Thanks so much for any help offered!

Thanks so much for all the tips; I'm really looking forward to our meal! I've been wanting to try Wakuriya since I've moved to the Bay Area last year and we're in the process of booking our honeymoon to Japan for next fall, so this is timely.

I have reservations at Wakuriya next month (finally!) and am really looking forward to it! Could you give me an idea of what to expect cost-wise for 2 people?

What do you like at Kappou Gomi?

Their menu is pretty extensive and I'd love some recommendations on what they do best or what you've tried that's really good. I'd like to go for dinner next weekend.

Thanks!!

I had dinner at that newish Southern place right off Union Square a couple of weeks ago -Hops & Homminy. Anyway, I wasn't too impressed and wouldn't go back but their mac and cheese was surprisingly great. It's MOR food so could be an option for unadventurous. I like Shanghai Bund too. I order delivery from them every once in a while.

Sam's Grill is my favorite.

The food is second to the atmosphere, but worthwhile if only for a martini and louie or salisbury steak. Their charbroiled fish isn't the best in the city, but not bad either. It's a classic fish and redmeat place so you can't really go wrong.

I knew that he sold his chocolates through Fouvrac, but I didn't know about his chocolate bar. I'll make sure to try it when I'm in town next month! Montreal has some really great chocolate shops and that's one thing that I do miss!

williej, to answer your question if you haven't already figured it out, his chocolates are sold through Frouvac, as mentioned, but you can contact him directly by email to place custom orders as I'm pretty sure there are only assorted boxes of varying quantity that he selles through retail. Some of his flavor infusions are really interesting. I like Chloé a lot too, but they aren't on the same level as Gendron imo.

The best chocolate in the whole of Quebec as far as I'm concerned is Gendron Confiseur Choclatier. The man is a genius!

I ordered a custom box of the following flavors, 1 piece of each, as a surprise for my wife (then girlfriend!) when she came to visit last year, and I still dream about it to this day!

We sampled one of each and there was not a single strike in the box:

abricot
canneberge
citron
figue
lime
mandarine bergamote
pamplemousse
cerise Griotinne a l'alcool
thé vert Matcha de Mariage Frères
Gyokuro de Betjeman and Barton
Sencha de Betjeman and Barton
Kaüai d’Hawaïï
Café Népal
amande
noisette
pistache
tonka
anis étoilé
genévrier
gingembre
menthe
romarin
thym
vanille bourbon
verveine
lavande
mimosa
caramel
caramel bergamote
caramel diamant de sel
morille
truffes d’Alba
épinette noire
Cohiba
porto
pure malte
roquefort Carles

They also came, hand delivered by Daniel, as uniquely and thoughtfully packaged as their flavors. They were utterly delectable! I think the box cost me roughly just under $100.