Birthday Dinner San Francisco

[irv]

I know I am jumping the gun because our trip is not until August next year, however three days into our stay it is my wife's birthday. I am looking for recommendations of where we can go to celebrate, seafood would be good, but not a tourist trap, some where a local would go to celebrate such an occasion.

I look forward to your recommendations

 

[KitKat]

What's the budget?
Was there in Feb this year over Valentines.
Went to Atelier Crenn, Saison, Cotogna, Quince, Coquetta

Atelier Crenn
fully recommend, bout 250pp

Saison
v v good but $$$ about 500pp excluding tips!

Cotogna and Quince v similar.
Ok but I am spoilt
about 200pp

Coquetta
like Movida. Seating similar in stools. V nice vibe by the bay
Nice casual

 

[irv]

What's the budget?
Was there in Feb this year over Valentines.
Went to Atelier Crenn, Saison, Cotogna, Quince, Coquetta

Atelier Crenn
fully recommend, bout 250pp

Saison
v v good but $$$ about 500pp excluding tips!

Cotogna and Quince v similar.
Ok but I am spoilt
about 200pp

Coquetta
like Movida. Seating similar in stools. V nice vibe by the bay
Nice casual

Won't be spending that but interested to know from a food perspective what do you get spending $250- 500 pp that you wouldn't get spending $100 pp, please don't tell me the experience

 

[Ewing]

For seafood, I'd look at Waterbar

It's one of my favourite SF restaurants. Make sure you sit near a window - I'd also recommend the outdoor deck if it's a nice day!

 

[KitKat]

The $250-$500 pp is similar to Quay, Sydney
$100 pp is like Movida just to give a comparison

The ingredients at the pricey places are really fresh, but at times a little more processed - like molecular like stuff, and pricey ingredients like truffles, sea urchin, abalone, caviar etc
I probably would not go back to Saison - yes, the food and dessert (OMG!!!) was amazing, so was the price! Don't think it was worth the price especially including tips which they again presented the bill to you with the standard tips and any other discretionary tips you would like to add!



PS I eat anything from street food in Bangkok to Narisawa, this trip was just a crazy indulgence trip!

 

[irv]

Fair enough,

My most enjoyable meal was calling into a lobster shack in Nova Scotia in 2011, pulled out live, cooked in front of you, cracked, served with butter, pepper, a bib and a roll of kitchen paper, $10 each. Will be back there in August 2015 to do it again.

 

[irv]

The $250-$500 pp is similar to Quay, Sydney
$100 pp is like Movida just to give a comparison

The ingredients at the pricey places are really fresh, but at times a little more processed - like molecular like stuff, and pricey ingredients like truffles, sea urchin, abalone, caviar etc
I probably would not go back to Saison - yes, the food and dessert (OMG!!!) was amazing, so was the price! Don't think it was worth the price especially including tips which they again presented the bill to you with the standard tips and any other discretionary tips you would like to add!



PS I eat anything from street food in Bangkok to Narisawa, this trip was just a crazy indulgence trip!

From my perspective I expect my food to be fresh at any where I eat, no premium. Good on you if you are happy at paying for a experience which you perceive to be value for money, I would expect a private Cabaret show for that much

 

[TheRealTMA]

I know I am jumping the gun because our trip is not until August next year, however three days into our stay it is my wife's birthday. I am looking for recommendations of where we can go to celebrate, seafood would be good, but not a tourist trap, some where a local would go to celebrate such an occasion.

I look forward to your recommendations

Luce at the intercontinental last year was quite exceptional. Better than french laundry if you ask me and far less wankingly pretentious. Very good chef, if he's still there. A one star Michelin.

Compton Palace was also high on our list.

Both had excellent wine lists