Gary Danko Revisited

Curiosity and uncertainty usually drive me a little nuts. This is why I don't like knowing about surprises coming my way, because then I'll undoubtedly be thinking 24/7 trying to figure out what it is. I'm the kind of person who shakes gifts under the Christmas tree to guess the contents inside - maybe that's why no one gets me fragile items? The kind of person who loves knowing exactly what songs will be on the next episode of Glee, and will have listened to them several times prior to the episode airing. And the kind of person who always wants clues about where her surprise birthday dinner will be.

This, of course, has caused my boyfriend to get sneakier about his clues over the years. So even after a lot of pestering, I had no idea where we would end up this year. I was beyond excited when it turned out to be Gary Danko (or what I prefer to call GOD), where we went for my birthday two years ago. It was amazing then, it was amazing again, and I'm fully confident that it will be amazing the next time. In fact, after trying some new dishes in addition to some of the ones we ordered last time, I already have a rough menu in mind for our next visit.

Lobster Salad with Melons, Cucumbers, Roasted Eggplant and Thai Mango Dressing 

Striped Bass with Arugula Pesto, Basil Gnocchi, Tomato and Cucumbers

 Herb Crusted Lamb Loin with Tian of Summer Vegetables and Polenta

 Lemon Pepper Duck Breast with Duck Hash, Bacon Braised Endive and Port Glazed Figs

 All good things: Silver Oak cabernet, petit desserts, and a nearly-empty chocolate souffle cup

And my awesome boyfriend also got me an iPad which I now use to edit photos on the go. All the photos in this post were tweaked using Snapseed, which is surprisingly good for a mobile app. Pretty soon I'll be too lazy to use Photoshop on my desktop!

Again, the meal was so good that all food tasted pretty bland for the next week or so. But that's what happens when you taste perfection!

Gary Danko
800 North Point Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
www.garydanko.com

Napa Trip Part 2: Redd

Continuing with the Napa goodness ... photos from dinner at Redd, run by chef Richard Reddington, who has credentials from Masa's, Jardiniere, and Auberge du Soleil under his belt. The boyfriend and I each got the $80 five-course tasting menu, and were delighted that the chef gave us each a different dish per course, so we basically tried 10 different dishes! 

With the fairly reasonable prices and delicious, contemporary food, this place has landed a spot on my list of fave restaurants in the Napa area!

Our wine for the night -- Jarvis 2007 Merlot

Yellowfin tuna tartare, asian pear, avocado, chili oil, fried rice crackers

 Caramelized scallop, cauliflower puree, golden raisins

Hamachi sashimi, edamame, sticky rice, lime ginger sauce

Sole and clams in frothy broth

Glazed pork belly

Roasted chicken with polenta

Hangar steak

 Duck breast, bean cassoulet, bread crumbs

 Raspberry sorbet and peach shortcake

 Chocolate beignet, caramel ice cream, caramelized banana

Complimentary fruit snacks to finish!

Redd

6480 Washington Street

Yountville, CA 94599

www.reddnapavalley.com

Dine About Town 2011: Level III

Been MIA for awhile ... took a few quick trips and moved to a new job over in Walnut Creek (good-bye SF lunches!), so I've been pretty busy. The new gig demands quite a bit more time, so I actually considered stopping this little food blog project. But I'll keep at it for now! (I don't like quitting. It's been ingrained in me since childhood.) Maybe less text and more photos? Or shorter posts? 

Anyway, some belated photos from my Dine About Town dinner this year at Level III, which is part of the JW Marriott in the Union Square area. Loved the chic decor with all the color-coordinated touches. The quality and presentation of the food was surprisingly good. Sad that there weren't more people eating there, but I guess there are just so many options in downtown that folks might not want to go to a hotel restaurant. But it's worth a visit, especially since their daily three-course prix fixe dinner is only $39.

Ahi Tuna Tataki | avocado wasabi creme fraiche, wonton crisps

Pan Seared Boat Scallops | royal trumpet mushrooms, chorizo, fresh basil

I would go back for this dish alone! So perfect!

 

Pan Seared Halibut | artichoke hearts, fingerling potatoes, salsa verde

Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon | brandy jus, broccolini

Portabello Mushroom Ravioli | petit vegetables, roasted tomatoes, Napa verjus cream

Californian Artisan Cheese Selection

Dark Chocolate Pate With Strawberries

Level III

500 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

www.levelthreesf.com

Michael Mina

After a mind-blowing experience at Gary Danko for my birthday earlier this year, I decided to take the boyfriend to try another iconic chef for his birthday last weekend. Michael Mina, with his 40+ years of experience, has long been heralded as one of the pinnacles of fine dining in San Francisco, right alongside Danko. His food is interesting and often adventurous, infused with Japanese, French, and Mediterranean sensibilities. And the new space on California Street is gorgeous.

But let me just jump the gun and say it -- I was slightly underwhelmed. I was expecting cuisine that could give Danko a run for his money, but it was nowhere near the same level. If I had never been to Danko, I think I would've enjoyed Mina a lot more. But hey, being in the A-/B+ class is still pretty good!

Amuse bouche - cheese/prosciutto sandwich and lentil soup
The cutest little sandwich!

I know this little cup of spread doesn't look too impressive, but it was so. damn. good! Lush, softened ricotta cheese with a dash of honey - talk about getting spoiled! I usually pass on pre-dinner carbs to save space in my tummy, but I was pretty much dunking the bread in this spread and inhaling it. Mmm.

Crispy Wolfe Ranch Quail

Our favorite dish of the night. The sauce reduction was on the sweet side with just a hint of heat (the menu said harissa, which is a Tunisian chili sauce, so that would probably explain it). The plate's yogurt garnish was a hats off to Mediterranean flavors, while the medley of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers reminded me of Italy. Excellent dish all around!

Pork Belly and Geoduck Clam Salad

The boyfriend's appetizer, which wasn't as great as we'd expected. Personally I think the dish was trying to do too much (like some of the contestants on Chopped) with two flavorful "delicacies" plus a funky curry sauce and random greenery for the "salad." The pork belly itself was not tender enough ... not sure if it's because it was in a cold dish or because it was slightly undercooked. Loved the presentation though.

Braised Pork Short Ribs

For my entree, our hostess first put a plate before me with just the quince, polenta, and greens, sans short ribs. She then pulled out a small saucepot with the short ribs inside and spooned the steaming meat onto the center of my plate. Necessary? Not at all. But really cool? Yeah! The short ribs were well cooked, and the sauce (hock jus) was rich and savory. The quince and polenta were good accompaniments, and I even had a few of the fried pig ears (those cute little triangles in the photo).

Prather Ranch Lamb Chop

Solid and well-seasoned, although I think they should have used a sauce that could cut the gamey taste a bit more. You could very well find a better lamb chop elsewhere for about the same price, though.

And finally -- dessert. Those of you who personally know me or who read this blog enough know that dessert is my favorite part of a meal. Unfortunately, the desserts at Michael Mina were the least impressive course. They do a dessert tasting for $15 per person at the restaurant, so you do get to try a lot for the money, but nothing really floored me. Unlike the creme brulee and chocolate souffle and passionfruit mousse at Danko. (Yes, I can still taste them ... and that makes me a little hungry. And sad. But mostly just hungry.)

Overall though, I think Mina is definitely worth visiting if you're a foodie. I just wouldn't go there with any recent memories of Danko. And the service at Mina is definitely stellar -- they make you feel welcome, always check in, explain everything served on your plate, and even leave you with handwritten birthday cards from the manager!

Happy holidays! Be safe and eat well!

Michael Mina
252 California St
San Francisco, CA 94111
www.michaelmina.net

Gary Danko

I've been alternately lazy and busy the past few months, but now that I have some downtime and more scrumptious food photos, I am tending to this neglected little blog. I celebrated my birthday a few weeks ago, and what better way to enter a new year of life than dinner at...

That's right - Gary Danko! Restaurants like this are similar to a summer blockbuster movie or a pricey French wine - even if you've never experienced it, you should nod your head enthusiastically and muse, "Oh yes, I've heard that was good..." Needless to say, I was stoked to finally be able to try a restaurant that has long been considered an epitome of fine dining.

Amuse Bouche: Fennel, Prosciutto, and Blue Cheese
A taste of good things to come...

The wine for the night - Silver Oak 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. One of my fave cabs, full-bodied with bold cherry and blackberry flavors, a velvety texture, and a smooth finish. Yum!

Don't mind the bear. He was just tagging along!

Decanting...

Seared Foie Gras with Caramelized Onions and Peaches

One of the best foie gras I've ever had! It was seared to perfection, sinfully rich and enhanced by the sweetness of the onions and peaches. I don't know what they did to the onions, but I certainly can't get mine to caramelize like this!

Risotto with Lobster, Rock Shrimp, Shimeji Mushrooms, Roasted Tomatoes, Corn and Peas

Amazing risotto - not too thick or watery, just spoonfuls of creaminess packed with sweet seafood and veggies. As a testament to how good the food is here, my boyfriend who normally can't wait to flick mushrooms off his plate ended up devouring every bite of this dish!

Seared Sea Scallops with Zucchini-Basil Paste, Tomato Fondue, Red Peppers, Haricot Verts and Shimeji Mushrooms

Cheese Assortment - Delish with the wine!

Roasted Pork Belly and Tenderloin with Frisee Salad, Bacon, Pickled Jalapenos and Maple Glaze

I don't even know how to begin describing the flavor of this pork belly. Let's just say that if I had to have my last meal tomorrow, I'd want this on my plate. Juicy, savory, indulgently fatty meat laced with smoky and maple-y flavors ... just orgasmic! The tenderloin was also good, but of course it was overshadowed by the belly.

Braised Lamb Shoulder

Creme Brulee Trio

Thanks to the generous portion sizes, I was starting to feel full after the main courses. But as the desserts started rolling out, I immediately pushed away all feelings of satiation. There's always a separate stomach for dessert, right? My trio of creme brulee made me feel like I was eating three desserts for the price of one! My favorite - chocolate (on left). But it couldn't compare to what my boyfriend ordered...

Chocolate Souffle

It was like "eating a chocolate cloud," complete with two decadent syrupy sauces swirled right in! Mmm. However, my favorite dessert of the night ended up being the cute little passionfruit mousse they gave us for my birthday. I have never tasted mousse this good. The silky texture was not quite solid nor liquid, just some fluffy, heavenly state in between, packed with a surprisingly tart and tangy punch.

And the verdict for Gary Danko?

I think this expression pretty much says it all.

A little takeaway treat for breakfast the next morning - banana bread cake!

Overall, it was easy to see (or actually, to taste) why this restaurant is so famous and why Gary Danko is such a renowned chef. The flavor and presentation of the food was impeccable, balancing French and American elements in an elegant but accessible way. The seating area was beautiful. And the servers were upbeat and down to earth. They knew the menu items like the back of their hand, didn't make us feel silly for ogling over the food and taking so many damn pictures, and made sure our wine glasses were never empty.

The only downside to this restaurant? I couldn't really eat for the entire week after this meal because nothing tasted right! Guess that just means I'll have to go back again soon!

A super extra thanks to a wonderful boyfriend for this fantastic meal (and some of these photos)! Cheers!

Gary Danko
800 North Point Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
www.garydanko.com

Latest Bites

Long time no post, but just a few quick words on what I've been enjoying in the past month...

Filet mignon at Ruth's Chris for Dine About Town 2010. I figure I should just go here for DAT every year from now on, since almost every time I try a new, supposedly great restaurant, I'm left feeling underwhelmed. Ruth's has never disappointed me yet, even on a regular night.

In the noodle world, I finally went to Santa Ramen in San Mateo again...

...and also rediscovered my love for Turtle Tower in San Francisco.

For our sixth month anniversary, the boyfriend and I hit up Chapeau again. The food was wonderful as usual, especially this silky-soft black cod prepared to perfection.

And some new things I've discovered?

Some damn good pork belly at Oyaji -- sweet, savory, and fatty. Who could ask for more?

And finally, thanks to a fellow co-worker, I have fallen in love with the seared ahi tuna wrap at Cafe La Taza. Something about the combination of fish, mushrooms, cucumber, and sweet sesame dressing just makes any work day a little better.

Headed for Vegas this weekend! Ready to hit up slot machines, buffets, and Bouchon!