Hello food types,

Friends are coming over tomorrow for dinner, they just got engaged. I want to make a special dinner for them. But I don't want it to be so fancy that I'm a stressed out chef/hostess.

Here's what I'm thinking. Start with kir royals to drink, and red bosc pears with roquefort (appetizer). Maybe with some toased hazelnuts.

For dessert, something really rich with chocolate and/or caramel. Caramel seems thematically appropriate, the sweetness of the best times in life.

What should I make for a main course? Creamy mushroom something? Baked fish with rice? Cheesy potatoes and something? Any ideas? Traditions?

Thanks a lot!

Hi, just a quick note--we just ate here and everything was good/very good. BUT the portions were very chintzy--chicken in the pho was very skimpy, just a few bites, the rice crepe was less than half the average size, and the fresh vegetarian imperial rolls were two TINY rolls, like small egg rolls. I'm not used to this at pho places in the Richmond, usually it's the opposite. But we did find the food VERY tasty.

I was excited about trying Aziza, but they're closed tuesdays, bummer. I don't want to go to Chapeau, Clementine, Burma Superstar, or the Richmond. We'll probably end up at 'be my guest', which is cool because I'm kind of in love with that restaurant, but do you have any other ideas? I wanted to go somewhere maybe a tad fancy (but then the obvious fancy places don't appeal to me for various reasons). Thanks for any thoughts.

I can't think of one. Would prefer Mission side of things. Any thougts? thanks, Saucy

cafe maritime. taste of the himalaya.

This weekend we went to Liverpool Lil's on a double date. It was really lovely. Excellent service, good ambiance, able to park within reason. Perfect vodka martinis. Really nice waiter. Prompt, correct execution.

The food--everything was good. French onion soup was overkill, with a full inch of melted cheese and tons of bread and onions. Overkill in a delicious way. Caesar salad was great. Pork was great. Fries were good, skinny and medium-hard. Fish and cihps were great, heavy and greasy of course. Not many vegetarian options. For dessert we shared fudge cake and creme brulee. CB was very nice, basic. Fudge cake was so-so, too sweet and not chocolatey enough for my taste.

Overall a very fun place--my only complaint is the prices. It was basically above-average pub fare, but with fancy joint prices. The desserts were 8 bucks, and should have been 6. Many entrees and specials were $20, should have been more toward 15. Still, if I'm feeling rich and want the british pub in the presidio vibe, I'll go back. Next time I'll get the burger.

me and boyfriend went last night. Had the sardines (good, but don't need to do that again, it was a bit of a novelty), shared a perfect salad with gruyere, dates (the best I've ever had, like caramel), oranges. I had the black cod, he had the lamb. The fish was the best I've ever had (I like mild, unfishy fish). Eating this fish was like breathing. Also the drinks were good (we had 'old cubans', I love how they have inspired specialty cocktails). Boyfriend didn't offer me any lamb but said it was amazing, on a bed of white beans. Cauliflower gratin side was the highlight. White and creamy with a breadcrumb topping. I can't explain why it was so good, it was just perfect, very basic. Dessert was excellent. Pot de creme not too black, not too milky. Apple crostada just perfect, rusty, buttery, delicious, like you wish mom made, delicious vanilla ice cream, slightly egg noggish, perhaps a dash of nutmeg in there. Service was good. ONly possible things to complain about (and I'm digging here) are that are entrees took a while to come out (our server apologized, we didn't even care), and the host's greeting upon entrance was kind of distracted, but really, everyone was really nice and the whole experience was delightful and well worth the bucks. Oh, and it's a little loud, but not like some places, I would say 'medium loud', you can totally hear your companions but you also hear the other tables, and there's a kind of general din.

the liberties, at 22nd/guerrero, an otherwise hit-or-miss joint, has my favorite burgers. Although my favorite fries are at Luna Park.

went there last night, on xmas eve. Split moules frites and the fries were some of the best I've had in my life. Small but not 'shoestring', golden and crunchy, very potatoey. The moules were excellent, a little nontraditional with ginger in the sauce, really exquisite. I had a cobb salad, which was fine, and partner had mac and cheese and a side of green beans, both fair. service was fair. Pretty loud but totally bearable, and they were packed. could definitely still converse. Desserts looked really fun, but couldn't think of it with all the holiday crap I've been eating. Can't wait to go back for a burger and fries! and fries! and fries! OK I know fry tastes are very touchy and subjective but for me, these are a keeper.

I'm still mad at chowhound for deleting my negative post about tartine, but I'm trying to get over it.

I know you all don't overwhelmingly love the Italian places in North Beach, but I'll ask anyway--

favorite cheap Italian (especially pasta) places?

If you don't answer me I'm going to Pasta Pomodoro.