I am looking for a fine dining place, something like the French Laundry. Any proposals? Thanks a lot! Thomas

Highly recommend the chef's tasting menus at The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton, Coi, and if you are willing to make a drive, Manresa in Los Gatos.

Are you looking to stay inside the city or venturing out? If venturing out, and you will have a car, I would second the recommendation for Manresa. I would also highly recommend Cyrus up in Healdsburg. Over all, I have enjoyed my experiences at Cyrus more than The French Laundry.

As to SF itself, I personally think the city does far better with "mid-range" options than upscale/fine dining.

I think Manresa is in Los Gatos rather than Los Altos. There's always the Original Pancake House in Los Altos though -- joking!

There is Chez TJ in Mountain View too, although I haven't tried it in years and years. Michelin liked it, but what do they know?

Gary Danko's is, IMHO, the closest to the French Laundry in SF both in terms of food and "style". Small, very attentive but not intrusive service, etc. I like the FL better, but for $400-500 per couple instead of $1,000 Gary Danko ends up looking like a (relative) bargain.

Bob

OOPS! I always mixup Los Gatos and Altos.

Chez TJ has gone through many chef changes. Michelin liked the chef who left for Meadowood. The current chef is obviously capable with a hefty resume, but I haven't tried his food yet.

erm... You're entitled to your opinion of course, but while Gary Danko has good food, at a "value" price (for the fine dining arena) with exemplary service, their food and style is not close at all to French Laundry's, IMO.

Wasn't trying to say it compared to the French Laundry, just that its the closest you're likely to find in San Francisco. Most of the other top restaurants in the City feel larger to me, although there are still a number of other very good options, of course. Part of what I really like about French Laundry is the size and small feel of it, and Danko comes closest to that IMHO.

Bob

I've been to the French Laundry, and IME there's nothing comparable in SF. But in what comes to fine dining, my top favorites are, in this order:
- Michael Mina
- Fleur de Lys
- Fifth Floor (good food, but portions way to small, think "amuse bouche" size)

I would second the recommendation of Michael Mina in the St Francis. While I have not eaten at the French Laundry or Gary Danko, I have eaten at Masa, Aqua, and a number of other well known places and Michael Mina was the best restaurant meal I have ever had. The room is not small or particularly quiet, but the food was truly amazing.

Also, for a non-Financial District locale and some outstanding French food, check out La Folie.

Neighborhood joint, fine dining.

Thanks a lot to all of you!

Masa's and Aqua are OK. service not great and I found Aqua very noisy.
French Laundry was very good. i thought the service was a little intrusive with too many people serving my table. the chocolates at the end, served on a slab of cold marble were awesome.
Gary Danko is not as innovative as French Laundry but the food is classic french with arguably the best foie gras in the US.
Service is friendly but reserved and not overbearing. The rooms are larger but I never find it noisy.
For larger groups they have a separate room that sits 8-10.
The price at Gary Danko is affordable while French Laundry at 400+ per person (when you include tax, tip, wine,drinks and the gas to get there from San Fran) is steep.

I have been told that the slanted door is very good, asian/vietnamese.

Slanted Door can be hit or miss, IMO. That said, it's quite casual and not at all what I would consider "fine dining."

Agreed on both points. My last few Slanted Door visits have been misses, unfortunately.