During the month of August, American Express cardholders can purchase a special $20.01 prix fixe lunch at a number of great San Francisco restaurants. The promotion benefits “Project Open Hand” which, with the help of American Express, hopes to raise $10,000 to support their Meals with Love program. Simply make a reservation and tell the host/ess that you want to participate in the “Let’s Do Lunch” program.

Here is a small sampling of restaurants, where $20.01 is a bargain for lunch. I’ve dined at each and can recommend each restaurant:

Bix
415-433-6300

Farallon
415-956-6969

Grand Café
415-292-0101

One Market Restaurant
415-777-5577

Silks
415-986-2020

Stars
415-861-7827

The Waterfront
415-391-2697

XYZ
415-817-7836

There are considerably more restaurants participating, check out www.letsdolunchsf.com (http://www.letsdolunchsf.com) for details

Is there any way of knowing what the prix fixe lunch consists of at each restaurant? I am not good with surprises.

I would contact the restaurant that you were interested in to find out what the courses are, perhaps ask them to fax you a menu.

In Manhattan, they run a similar promotion each year where in the winter and summer, a large number of restaurants participate in a promotion where for $20.01, you may dine on a wonderful 3-course dinner. Both in 1999 & 2000, I was able to participate in the New York promotion and discovered a number of new restaurants that I had never tried before. The menu for the 3 courses is significant, not just a few choices, but several. It’s a great way to discover new restaurants that normally charge considerably more than $20.01 for lunch.

Raffy,

Thanks for this post. I won't be making it to SF this August, but I've e-mailed this info to friends there.

Project Open Hand is a great organization and I also see most of my favorite luncheon restaurants on the list so count me in!