Spruce

Spruce
Category: New California
Neighborhood: Laurel Heights

Price Range: $$$

I usually wait until I've visited a restaurant at least 3 times before I hand out such a high score. Went opening night on August 3rd for my Girl, J's birthday and it was truly a great dining experience. And that's pretty amazing for an opening night. I mean, sure they need to work out some new restaurant kinks, but believe you me, these kinks were minute. Very Impressive.

We walked into this extraordinary, warm and beautifully defined space and were greeted warmly by the staff. We had to wait about 30 minutes until we were sat, but the Restaurant Manager and the Hostess checked in with us periodically to let us know how much time it would be. Until then, we enjoyed our Cocktails and were appeased.

Once we sat down, we found the Wine List to be extensive and a bit overwhelming, so we summoned for the Sommelier to help us choose a Bottle of Wine and ended up with a nice Viognier. Big Fan of Viogners lately. Light & Refreshing.
One odd thing about the experience was that the Sommelier asked if I wanted to go back with him to the Wine Cellar to choose a bottle of Vino. It wasn't in a downstairs dungeon or anything, but in the back of the restaurant in these beautiful glass-doored rooms. It was Huge! In retrospect, I would have gone, it was just unexpected as I've never been asked to do that before. I mean, is this something that I just am not aware of? Ah well...

For our Appetizers, we shared a Salad of Heirloom Watermelon & Sardines. I know, it sounds like a strange combination, but I am seeing this in many other restaurants of this calibre/genre. It was not a fave of the Ladies, but I liked it ok. We also had a Crudo of Arctic Char, which we all liked a lot.

For Our Mains, I had the the Pan-Roasted Duck Breast topped with Buttery Foie Gras. Loved it... Duck + Duck = How can you go wrong?JZ had the Short Ribs which were fantastic, although I like the one from Range a little bit more. J had the Ribeye, which was good, but she's a 'No Blood' kinda gal, so I can't really give it my true opinion as I like my Meat medium rare...Unfortunately, I cannot remember what Mills had. I think she had a Chicken Dish...

For Dessert, we had the Semolina Cake which was a hit with the Girls and no, not 'my Girls', I meant My Ladies... (see our Photos above)

I think I am learning that I am of the Light & Refreshing Dessert category. I thought Service was pretty good for Opening Night.

I am sure that I will be back to do it again...

Gary Danko

Gary Danko
Category: French, American (New)
Neighborhood: Fisherman's Wharf
Price Range: $$$$

Coming Soon...

I've been to Gary Danko about 4 years ago and am in need of a Raptor Revisit before I blog it...

Universal Cafe

Universal Cafe
Category: New American/Brunch/Organic
Neighborhood: The Mission

Price Range: $$

WOW! This place is Fantastic! Went there for Lunch and boy were my socks knocked off! Not to mention that the service was super friendly, and the moment we walked in were greeted and felt right at home.
And then came the Food...
I mean, I literally had a 'Moment' with my Food and for those that know me, that does not happen very often with me, but when it does, it's huge. I could barely contain myself! My dining companion told me he was getting turned on by my excitement alone... uh huh... yeah, it was just that Good...

So what did we have?
Mind you, I can barely do the Food justice with mere words, you will just have to go and try it....really.
I had a perfectly Grilled Wild King Salmon on Foccacia with Early Girl Heirloom Tomatoes, Arugula and a delicious Basil Aioli, which essentially made the dish for me. Don't know what it was, but that dish just had me at 'Hello'... *sigh*
My companion had the Grilled Flatbread with Summer Squash, Sun Gold Tomatoes, Fresh Oregano and Goat Cheese, which was really delicious.

And then came time for Dessert...
Yes, Dessert is generally not my thang usually, 'cause I'm more a Savory Girl rather than Sweet, but we went all out and had the Heirloom Plum-Apricot Crisp with Vanilla Gelato... Wow!... SO F-in' Good!

Overall, I had a great Food Experience there and I absolutely cannot wait to go back!
People, I think I have a new Favorite...

Update: 6/30/07 the next day...
Couldn't stop thinkin' about how good the Food was at Universal Cafe, so when friends that were heading into the city the following morning, asked me where to go for Brunch, I instantly suggested Universal Cafe. Needless to say, they were extremely impressed.

Overall, all of the Dishes were really great and truly knocked it out of the park...
The two dishes that stood out the most were the Grilled Flatbread with Wild Mushrooms, Spinach, Spicy Pepper Feta and Fresh Oregano (Fantastic!) and the Charcoal-Grilled Niman Ranch Lamb Burger on Brioche with Radicchio, Carmelized Onions, Goat Cheese & Aioli. My friend said that the Lamb Burger was The Best Lamb Burger that he has ever had in his life! Had a taste myself and I had to agree.

Props to the great Staff as well. Cathy & Adam are friendly & very personable. Kudos!
Tip: There can be quite a wait for this place, but trust me, it's well worth it...

Range

Range
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: The Mission

Price Range: $$$

I went here at the prodding of my friends on a Thursday night and I hafta say that I had a really great experience. Although this review may have a slight bias, 'cause my friends happened to know Carlos Yturria, the restaurant manager that night and we really got the royal treatment (and that is no exaggeration by any means).
The Drinks were truly an experience in itself, and Dominic Villegas, the bartender, or more appropriately, Mixologist extraordinaire, really showed us his skills in the form of true Mixology. His 'signature cocktail' of the day was truly something to write home about, 'cause I had 3 of those badboys. Carlos introduced us to a number of different wines to go with each of our dishes, whereby he took us on a world tour, from Spain and Italy, France and California, with the different variations of wines from each region. We had so many that I cannot name them all, but the one that stood out was the Petalos from the Bierzo region of Spain. It was definitely my favorite.

Now let's talk Food..
We had the Salad with the yummy lil' salty bits of Deep Fried Capers. Deep Fried Capers, who knew? We also had the Asparagus with the Egg and crispy Bread Crumbs, which truly blew all of us away. I mean, rarely does a Veggie dish warrant that kind of props, but that Asparagus dish was the friggin bomb and that's no joke.
For Apps, we also had the Clams in Green Garlic Sauce which was delicious, the Mushroom Ravioli in Brown Butter Sauce, as well as the Arctic Char Crudo with Meyer Lemon and Maldon Salt. All delicious.
What knocked my socks off, as well as those of my dinner companions, was the Coffee-Rubbed Pork Shoulder! Can you say 'YUM'? That Pork Goodness was braised for 14 hours and it just straight melted in your mouth. The flavors were right on. Needless to say, we licked that plate clean.
A perfect finish to the Meal was the Crepes with Huckleberries paired with Pecan Praline Ice Cream. Talk about your 'happy ending'...I'm getting warm and fuzzy just thinkin bout it..

Now, what have we learned?
Must-try's:
Asparagus with Crispy Bread Bits
The Salad with Deep Fried Capers
The Coffee Rubbed Pork Shoulder...
The Petalos..
and the Crepes with Huckleberries and Pecan Praline Ice Cream = HAPPY-Ness

This is a great place for New American Cuisine in the Mission. Two thumbs up...
I will be goin back for more...

Frisson

Frisson

Category: American (New)/Lounge

Neighborhood: Financial District/Jackson Square

Price Range: $$$

Frisson is an Ultra Chic and Over the top Place with Uber-trendy Decor and Designer Cocktails.. Coming from Philly, this place appeals to me as it is one of restaurant/lounge atmospheres that are totally reminiscent of the Stephen Starr restaurant dining experience.. Think Morimoto's, Washington Square and The Continentals.

The food was New (American) and quite good, but the real star of the show for me just might be the Concept. Ultra-Modern Designer destination for the SAM (Stand And Model) crowd.

If I am in need of a Cocktail after work, this is definitely one of the places that I frequent...

Great Happy Hour specials -> 5 Drinks + 5 Apps at $5 each from 5-7pm.

Click here to connect to Frisson...

Pacific's Edge

Pacific's Edge
Category: American (New)/French
Neighborhood: Carmel, CA
Price Range: $$$$

This is where I went for another one of my Birthday Dinners in 2005. It's a very fancy & upscale Restaurant in Carmel. This place had the most stunningly beautiful Views, and is perched on a Cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean with massive floor-to-ceiling Windows that made the View the star of the show.

I hafta say, though, that the meal we had was secondary as compared to the gorgeous view.
Now, don't get me wrong, because the Service and the Meal were top-rate, but Food-wise, we had a Fantastic Meal at Passionfish in Pacific Grove the following night which knocked our socks off...
I think this is when I started to realize that my favorite Style of Food was more of the Rustic style.
Y'know, Restaurants like Quince, Zuni and Terra for example.
I mean, who knew? This proclaimed 'City Girl' has a little bit of Country in her after all!

Overall, it was a truly Romantic, Elegant and Beautifully Stunning Dining Experience!
Fancy Dining with Impressive Views...
And a Fantastic Meal that is sure to put a little dent in the ol' wallet..

Link to Pacific's Edge here.

Michael Mina

Michael Mina

Category: American (New)

Neighborhood: Union Square

Price Range: $$$$$ (Yes. It was actually over $200 per person)

Michael Mina did not fail to disappoint in creativity and flair in regards to Food...And the Service was absolutely impeccable...
I went for one of my Birthday Dinners in 2006 and did the 7-course Seasonal Tasting Menu with the Wine Pairings. Every dish was in 'Trio' style.
I had told the restaurant that it was my birthday when we made the reservation and let me tell you, not only did they have thoughtful handwritten birthday card signed by Michael Mina (I'm sure he just signed the card, but hey, it was the thought that counts, right?), but they also gave us extra courses as well as extra glasses of wine & champagne. Needless to say, I was pretty plastered by the end of the night.
Note To Self: Wine Pairings on a 7 or more course meal is a very bad idea...

So anyway, because there was so much to the meal, I honestly couldn't even tell you about what I had. It was a Gastronomical Overload.
Because of this very fact, I would say that Michael Mina's was memorable, more so for the Experience. Don't get me wrong, the Food was great, but I probably would not do the 7-course meal were I to go again.

At the end of the nite, they had written a personalized 'Happy Birthday Rose!' in chocolate on my Trio of Dessert Dish...
It was truly a memorable experience! As was the bill at the end of the nite! Fortunately, with all of the wine and extra champagne, we were inebriated enough to numb the initial shock of receiving that bill...

All in all, I am sure Bacchus looked down at us and laughed his ass off...



Click here for to connect to Michael Mina.