Benu & Saison: two new places worth the money?
Jan 8, 2012, 2:25 pm
#1
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Benu & Saison: two new places worth the money?
Benu and Saison are relatively new and highly regarded. However, they are both very expensive (Saison is $198/person) and Benu's tasting menu is $180/person. This is quite expensive, even relative to some great places in the city which are closer to $100/person (Masa's, Fleur de Lys, La Folie, Quince, Acqurello, etc). Has anybody been to Benu or Saison, and are they worth the premium over other great places in the city?
Last edited by SFflyer123; Jan 8, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Jan 8, 2012, 6:55 pm
#2
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Benu and Saison are relatively new and highly regarded. However, they are both very expensive (Saison is $198/person) and Benu's tasting menu is $180/person. This is quite expensive, even relative to some great places in the city which are closer to $100/person (Masa's, Fleur de Lys, La Folie, Quince, Acqurello, etc). Has anybody been to Benu or Saison, and are they worth the premium over other great places in the city?
Saison was about $160 when I went, but I also thought it was one of my best meals ever. I'm also not a fan of Quince, so I'd say both are better there, too.
Jan 10, 2012, 12:28 am
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It sounds like we are getting a flood of molecular gastronomy places -- heck, there is even one on a secondary business street in Palo Alto (called Baume, I think) that got two Michelin stars.
I wonder how many $300 per person dinner places (including wine pairings, tip, and tax) the market will support.
I wonder how many $300 per person dinner places (including wine pairings, tip, and tax) the market will support.
Jan 10, 2012, 2:00 pm
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It sounds like we are getting a flood of molecular gastronomy places -- heck, there is even one on a secondary business street in Palo Alto (called Baume, I think) that got two Michelin stars.
I wonder how many $300 per person dinner places (including wine pairings, tip, and tax) the market will support.
I wonder how many $300 per person dinner places (including wine pairings, tip, and tax) the market will support.
Jan 11, 2012, 4:19 pm
#6
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My coworker has been to Baume in Palo Alto and thought it was excellent both times. However, she was shocked the second time since the prices had gone up and they had gone to an pricey tasting menu only for dinner. Lunch looks like a better option since there is the a la carte option.
Haven't ever gone, I just typically look at their menu when having an occasional lunch at Cho's Pot Stickers next door -- Cho's would sort of be the "anti-Baume" alternative!
Jan 12, 2012, 10:49 am
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Last time I checked their menu posting, they served lunch only on Friday and the only choice was a slightly lessened version of the dinner menu at a slightly lessened cost.
Haven't ever gone, I just typically look at their menu when having an occasional lunch at Cho's Pot Stickers next door -- Cho's would sort of be the "anti-Baume" alternative!
Haven't ever gone, I just typically look at their menu when having an occasional lunch at Cho's Pot Stickers next door -- Cho's would sort of be the "anti-Baume" alternative!
I haven't gone to Manresa - so that's where I should go first now that they remodeled.
Jan 13, 2012, 4:11 pm
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Jan 17, 2012, 8:45 pm
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Do you like the dining room at the ritz still? I hear that it has declined dramatically, and it's no longer what it once was.
Jan 17, 2012, 9:32 pm
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Not only did you hear correctly about the decline in quality, but the Ritz Dining Room closed last year for renovations. I haven't heard that it has reopened.
Jan 17, 2012, 10:23 pm
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Jan 20, 2012, 3:03 pm
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Feb 14, 2012, 2:38 am
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I was incredibly disappointed with Saison. At that kind of price point, I expect a good majority of dishes to be memorable and the service impeccable. Most of the dishes have since been forgotten and the service left a lot to be desired. A LOT. And don't get me started on the sommelier. I've read they retooled the place and took out seats, which hopefully has helped the service issues. But I'm not clamoring to come back. A shame, because I really wanted to like Saison.