Ed H. wrote in message ... >And, if you had the choice, would you pick the Hayes StGrill or the Zuni >Cafe? Or is there something better? >Ed H. wrote in message ... >>I will be in SF in 2 weeks and have tickets to an opera that starts at 7. >>That, of course, means a very early dinner. My two cents - Zuni Cafe has a rather limited menu and is sort of living on its reputation - though it is still an "in" spot and a fun place to go. If you really want something special, try Jardiniere, but you will need reservations. Traci DesJardins, former chef at Rubicon, is getting rave reviews there and the setting/design is a feast for the eyes. But it is rather pricey. Somewhat less expensive is Absinthe, a relatively new French Bistro with a California twist. Reviews have been mixed, but it is worth a look. Both these places are pretty new, and would not be written up in the national guidebooks as of yet. Never been to Hayes St Grill, but that would be my last choice unless you prefer fish dishes prepared simply.
San Francisco, CA
Pre-Opera Dinner
I liked Absinthe - but limited menu - for wonderful Italian try Vivande at Opera Plaza - On 14 Oct 1998 01:55:27 GMT, "Ed Hymes" wrote: >I will be in SF in 2 weeks and have tickets to an opera that starts at 7. >That, of course, means a very early dinner. Does anyone have an idea where >one can have a good, quick meal at about 5, somewhere in the area of the >Opera? > Thanx, in advance for the help again. > > Mardi - **remove* in front to reply
Robert L. wrote in message ... >"Living on its reputation" suggests that the quality has dropped, which >in my experience isn't true at all. I don't think Zuni's changed in any >significant way in over ten years. Why mess with perfection? > >Most restaurants where the chef comes up with a new menu every day based >on what ingredients are the best have menus no longer than Zuni's. I didn't visit the place five or even ten years ago. I have been twice in the past year, and I found that while the atmosphere is nice, the food is nothing special. Maybe I didn't order the right items, but as I said the menu does not vary much. I had the highly touted hamburger for lunch one day as I wanted to try what was supposedly one of the best burgers in the Bay Area. All I can say to that is I should have gone further down Market to Chow. If Zuni is "perfection", then someone must have lowered the standards.