Celebrated birthday last Saturday at La Folie. I must say, it is less formal than most restaurants in its price range ($75 3 courses, $85 4 courses, $95 5 courses, plus supplements, etc). Casual elegant attire, non "French" service. The food, though, is better than at just about any * Michelin I've been to. And better than at some ** I've been to. The more relaxed service is perfect if you aren't in the mood for "proper" formal French service. And the ambience is very comfortable. I loved their ability to remain a Provencal restaurant whil relying heavily on local fresh ingredients. The meal included the best risotto I've ever had (lobster and chanterelle) ans well as the second best lamb rack I've ever had (second to one of the more well regarded ** Michelins in London -- and only by a slight amount). Really first rate.

But even more impressive in some ways was my second time with Perbacco. I always knew I loved their food, but I got so caught up in the regional Italian craze I forgot that an *awesome* generic Northern Italian sits right downtown. And, wow. It just blew me away. The riccota gnocchi with wild mushrooms might be both the best mushroom and the best "pasta" dish I've ever had in the U.S. It really was that good. The service was at a level of professionalism and sophisitcation, married to relaxed, laid back, friendliness, that you almost never find. The wine list also had some gems at 50% over retail or even less.

So... I'f you're looking for a new place to try, I just had awesome experiences atboth places...

Winetarelli - have you been to Fleur de Lys and if so, how does it compare? They have a similar prix fixe menu.

Just curious ... I may be in SF in mid-August and trying to figure out which restaurants to try while out there.

quote:

Originally posted by DoubleD:
Winetarelli - have you been to Fleur de Lys and if so, how does it compare? They have a similar prix fixe menu.

Just curious ... I may be in SF in mid-August and trying to figure out which restaurants to try while out there.

I have been to Fleur de Lys.

FdL *WAS* La Folie's equal in terms of food. The Food at FdL is Alsatian, whereas the food at La Folie is Provencal. Both restaurants strive to use seasonal ingredients but you can tell this is something that is more important at La Folie than at Fleur de Lys.

FdL is SF-level formal (Jackets requested, but not demanded, of gentlemen; no tie required. Realistically all gentlemen walk in with jackets but a couple might put them on the backs of their chairs, more than 50% of men are wearing ties.) Whereas La Folie is less formal (casual but elegant -- maybe 70% of gentlemen are wearing jackets, very few are wearing ties). This translates into the entire experience. FdL has a beautiful tented dining room whereas La Folie has a less ornate, more modern yet still warm and inviting dining room. The service at FdL is very French with one person taking your order, others delivering all plates at exactly the same time to each member of your party, and the manager coming over to carefully explain what each item on your table is. La Folie, everyone gets served at the same time, but by the same person -- so two plates down, runs back, the other two plates down. The server (the same person who took your order) explains what each item is. FdL is one of the very most romantic restaurants in SF, whereas, while still romantic, when I was at La Folie I saw a table of four middle-aged men, maybe college friends, having a good time -- not something you are likely to see at FdL.

Here is the thing, while for some purposes, I would rate the food at Fleur de Lys slightly higher than La Folie, I haven't been there in 4 years, and the "word on the street" from people whom I trust is that since Hubert Keller opened Fleur de Lys in Vegas, the one in SF has suffered and that it is not as good as it was the last time I was there. This is a pretty consistent comment I've been hearing the past few years, so I'm inclined to believe it.

I would take either of these restaurants over Gary Danko, however.

If you are looking for a very fancy restaurant but are willing just to do 3 courses, or else a longer set-with-no-options menu, The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton is also worthy of consideration.

For a nearly meatless 11 course cutting edge menu, Coi is worthy of consideration. I think it is $125/p though, so deffinitely getting up there in price.

Thanks for the great feedback! I'm going with a girlfriend. So the romance factor (i.e., tented dining room) is definitely in consideration. If just considering food alone, La Folie and Ritz Dining Room sound like a no-brainer.