Michael Mina is also my thought.

Comments on Chez TJ
 

After not having eaten at Chez TJ in quite a few years, ms. jmd001 and I finally returned back in January of this year (during the last weeks of the old chef). Went again last night (new chef) with two other couples.

Both times we were definitely underwhelmed by the food. Excellent service and certainly not bad food, plus several little extras ("mini-courses") included with the four-course Menu Gastronomique ($85 "base price"). But just nothing remarkable in any of the courses. Plus when ms. jmd001 asked about a vegetarian substitution for one of the courses, she was told they had none. :( And the portions are certainly small; reminds one of the commercial about making reservations way in advance for a fancy restaurant and then being served "elf food" ... and pigging out something more substantial later (which we did).

Also, after last night's dinner, the six of us went next door the Tied House Brewery and in the course of drinking some beer and other less sophisticated beverages over the next hour or so, not one of the six of us made any comments one way or the other about the food we had just eaten. That is, no one was impressed enough either positively or negatively to volunteer comments.

YMMV.

My husband and I checked out Range on a recent weekend trip and very much enjoyed it. It was recently awarded one Michelin star, and is located the very young and hip Mission District. While it's not an all-out luxury experience as is the FL and some other restaurants mentioned here, if you're looking for a more casual fine dining experience in SF, it can't be beat. We each had a starter and an entree, shared a dessert, and enjoyed a reasonably priced wine, and the bill after tax and before tip was about $130 IIRC.

I have never had a bad meal at Range. It is a great example of what I think San Francisco excels in - great mid-range dining.

Is Range closing? I see this on its website:

range will be closed monday july 6, 2009

It's unclear as to whether it means that day only or from that day forward.

Their online reservation service (OpenTable) shows that while they are not accepting reservations on that day, there ARE reservations available for random days after that day. So it would appear to be that day only.

I almost jumped out of my seat!

Probably just an extended July 4th holiday?

Thanks for the recommendation. Im in town for a few days, I will go check it out.

Michael Mina has a great "pre-theatre" deal if you are seated before 6 PM. Prix fixe of three courses for $55. The courses are smaller than those on the regular menu (which runs about $110 for a three-course prix fixe), but Mrs. nnn and I left completely stuffed anyway.

The biggest downside to Michael Mina is the atmosphere. It is basically open air into a hotel lobby, so it can be somewhat noisy. The food and service are great, though.

We also love Gary Danko.

So Thomas - where did you end up eating? I'm looking for a place for my one year anniversary and would love to hear some recent experiences. We may head South to Manresa or North to Cyrus but it would be nice to not have to get a hotel room and just stay in town.

Has Gary Danko maintained quality? Any updates on Michael Minna, Coi or The Dining Room at the Ritz?

I think the Dining Room at the Ritz is a great place to spend about 3 1/2 hours, close to home, and have an enjoyable quiet time, with excellent food. If you want more energy for your anniversary dinner, this would not be the right place.

We're not looking for energy; we're looking for a unique and hopefully mind blowing food experience. I've eaten at the Ritz but it was 10 years ago (back when law firms still did recruiting dinners there) and I don't really remember the food. Have you been there recently?

I was there a week ago and I can say without a doubt that nothing's changed. Still my favorite.

I tend to avoid SF proper. Manresa in Los Gatos really is one my favorite restaurants. They have a Chef's Tasting menu (like an omikase meal at a Japanese restaurant) -- everytime we go, we get that. So I can't actually comment on their standard menu.

Speaking of Japanese omikase meals, there's a place in Menlo Park, Kaygetsu, that does a proper omikase dinner. It's outstanding. The decor is somewhat underwhelming, but the food more than makes up for it.

Mmm. Now I'm hungry. :p

Kaygetsu also does outstanding sushi. The decor is less surprising when you realize that the location was previously a Great Western bank branch before the restaurant moved in.

Bob