Per Se

Overview

Per Se shares the same blue doors as its relative, Thomas Keller's French Laundry, and boasts upscale touches like nine salt varieties and renowned "oysters and pearls" dish. While The French Laundry has a country charm, Per Se at the Time Warner Center is cosmopolitan and ambitious. Nevertheless, Per Se remains faithful to Keller's indulgent fine-dining philosophy, with a feast focused on freshest ingredients. 

Cuisine

• Indulge in some of chef-owner Thomas Keller's most famous dishes, such as the legendary "oysters and pearls" which combines Island Creek oysters and Sterling white sturgeon caviar in a sabayon of pearl tapioca.

• With daily changing dishes like fried green tomatoes with ricotta and smoked onion puree or English cucumber sorbet with compressed strawberries, it's always a flavorful surprise to try the Vegetarian tasting menu. 

• Per Se's desserts are equally exquisite as their savory counterparts, but their signature "coffee and doughnuts" creation is a true standout. An elevated take on a classic New York pairing, it features semifreddo coffee topped with milk foam and a cinnamon sugar doughnut.

Notes & Good to Know

• Per Se uses fresh, seasonal ingredients and changes its two nine-course tasting menus daily, ensuring a unique and boundary pushing culinary experience each time.

• The modern dining room is two-tiered and only has 16 tables, offering a picturesque views of Central Park, so it's advisable to dress to impress and make reservations far in advance. 

• For a more casual experience, walk-ins can visit the salon and order from the à la carte menu. The restaurant's popular prix fixe tasting menus, which utilize French techniques and deliver intricate and delicious dishes, are $325 per person, the cost includes service but not wine or tax.

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Gary Danko

Overview

The gastronomical adventure blends Californian, French, and Mediterranean culinary traditions into a harmonious fusion. To further enhance the indulgence, tableside services including tea, caviar, cheese, and flambéed desserts are available. The ambience of the dining experience is theatrical, with grand paintings, subtle lighting, and a lavishly designed restroom that evokes a spa-like atmosphere.

Cuisine

• Gary Danko offers a culinary experience that seamlessly blends classic French cuisine with global influences. From the fines herbes and bisques that pay homage to traditional French cooking to the harissa aioli and rosemary panisse that add a touch of exotic flavor, there's something for everyone at this restaurant.

• Guests can choose between a prix-fixe menu, which features three to five courses, or a chef's tasting menu, which offers an immersive culinary experience. No matter what you choose, you're sure to be impressed by the exquisite flavors and expertly prepared dishes.

• But the food isn't the only highlight at Gary Danko. The tea selection is carefully brewed using rare, high-quality leaves, and the cheese selection is diverse, featuring a range of styles, animals, and origins. And for those with a sweet tooth, the chocolate soufflé with vanilla bean crème anglaise is a classic and unforgettable finish to any meal.

• The extensive wine list is also a standout feature of Gary Danko, and the servers are friendly and knowledgeable, offering expert guidance in navigating the selection. While the restaurant may not be considered avant-garde fine dining, its remarkable wine list and seamless service deliver an experience of traditional luxury that is truly exceptional.

Notes & Good to Know

• An establishment that holds the distinguished Relais & Châteaux accreditation adheres to strict criteria in evaluating their member restaurants. These include cuisine, service, wine selection, decor, and ambiance. To attain this status, restaurants must use local and seasonal ingredients to produce high-quality cuisine, offer exceptional hospitality, and curate an extensive wine list. Moreover, the decor and ambiance should reflect the establishment's character, providing guests with a refined and authentic culinary experience that is both unique and memorable.

• Reservations for dinner can be made up to two months in advance, with priority given to phone bookings. Unfortunately, valet parking is currently unavailable, but there are public parking garages located at 655 Beach Street and at Ghirardelli Square on Larkin Street between N. Point and Beach Streets or on Beach Street between Larkin and Polk Streets.

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Gabriel Kreuther

Overview

Enter a culinary sanctuary that showcases culinary expertise and heritage, with an emphasis on haute French cuisine and the unique flavors of the Alsace region. Despite the restaurant's offering of prix fixe menus and luxurious decor, it maintains a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.

Cuisine

• You have the option of choosing a three or four-course meal, or indulging in the Chef's Alsatian tasting menu. Some of the standout dishes that you shouldn't miss are the foie gras terrine and country pâté, hay-smoked duck breast that has been aged for two weeks, and the Périgord black truffle "carbonara."

• The chefs at this restaurant are devoted to presenting their dishes with a creative touch. Their pastries are presented on a beautiful glass sculpture, the fresh wasabi is grated at your table by the waiter, and they serve the cheese course on exquisite antique china. To truly savor a memorable culinary adventure, you can book one of the eight seats at The Kitchen Table for a close-up view of the expert chefs in action.

• If you have a fondness for desserts, you can choose from a variety of delightful options, including the hen of the woods tarte flambée, red apple consommé, and decadent chocolate truffles. After your meal, consider visiting the Kreuther Handcrafted Chocolate store located adjacent to the restaurant. The store was founded by Kreuther and Marc Aumon, the pastry chef at the restaurant, and offers a selection of sweet treats that you can take home with you.

Notes & Good to Know

• At the polished stainless-steel bar and lounge, you have the option to enjoy walk-in seating and partake in a variety of à la carte menu items, sip on a glass of wine from an extensive selection, or try out one of their unique cocktails. Its proximity to Bryant Park, situated just across the street, makes this restaurant a perfect destination to end your day spent in the lush greenery with a refreshing beverage.

• The restaurant's staff has mastered the art of providing attentive service without being overbearing. The dining room's design has a retro vibe without appearing outdated, featuring thoughtful accents such as amber glass lampshades and white leather stools at the bar, plush banquettes in the lounge, and a striking contrast between the ornate, hand-painted wallpaper and minimalist artwork.

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Quince

Overview

Acclaimed as one of San Francisco's most sophisticated culinary destinations, Chef Michael Tusk is the esteemed recipient of the 2011 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Pacific, recognized for his dedication to a farm-to-table approach that sets the standard for contemporary Italian cuisine. 

Chef Michael Tusk's unwavering commitment to utilizing locally-sourced, fresh ingredients comes as no surprise, given his previous tenure at the illustrious Chez Panisse, where Alice Waters was at the forefront of the farm-to-table movement.

Cuisine

• Tusk's handcrafted pastas have received high praise, as has the extensive wine list, which showcases numerous varieties from small Northern Italian vineyards.

• Tusk maintains his dedication to this ethos, foraging for locally-sourced ingredients from venerable farmers, ranchers, fishmongers, and creameries - some of whom he's been acquainted with for over two decades. In fact, he often personally procures the freshest meat, produce, and eggs, frequently embarking on a journey to nearby Marin County.

• Each evening, the menu undergoes a transformation, informed by the freshest, most seasonal ingredients at hand, ensuring that no two dining experiences will ever be identical.

Notes & Good to Know

• Exhibiting an unparalleled level of hospitality, the restaurant stands out for its impeccable service. The staff possesses an extraordinary ability to anticipate and cater to guests' every need, without ever encroaching on their privacy.

• Nestled on a tranquil, tree-lined street in the charming Jackson Square district, Quince can be found at 470 Pacific Avenue, situated at the intersection of Montgomery Street. 

• Reservations for dining at Quince are highly recommended and should be made several weeks in advance. Operating hours for dinner service are from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm, every Monday through Thursday, while on Friday and Saturday, they extend their service from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.

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