Need a recommendation for a good SF or Berkeley restaurant

[Claude Kolm]

originally posted by Scott Kraft:

Frances is worth checking out.

Really? Menu on the website looks pretty uninspired.

 

[Jim Hanlon]

originally posted by Claude Kolm:

originally posted by Scott Kraft:

Frances is worth checking out.

Really? Menu on the website looks pretty uninspired.

No offense, but if you're going to recommend Lalimes and Chez Panisse (both of which I like, BTW), its hard to knock Frances as "uninspired." All the same idiom.

 

[Jim Hanlon]

Yes. After the fact. I was with someone who felt the need to not have them know who she was and what she thought. Otherwise, I would have said something when they bussed the one-bite-taken plates from us at the counter.

BTW - I'm not commenting on the "creativity" of the work. Just purely taste. It was gag-inducing. Creatively, I wasn't thrilled either. Fucking pretentious bullshit made by a wannabe.

Scott, as someone with an interest in a restaurant, I'd have thought you wouldn't make categorical (i.e., snap) judgments of a new place based on one visit. You could say, "I went there once and didn't like it." But, "it sucks ass" seems a little over the top for someone who'd probably want a second chance if a diner had a bad experience at his place.

 

[Scott Kraft]

originally posted by Claude Kolm:

originally posted by Scott Kraft:

Frances is worth checking out.

Really? Menu on the website looks pretty uninspired.

I went briefly and had some Pepiere and bacon beignets. Didn't suck ass.

 

[Scott Kraft]

originally posted by Jim Hanlon:

Yes. After the fact. I was with someone who felt the need to not have them know who she was and what she thought. Otherwise, I would have said something when they bussed the one-bite-taken plates from us at the counter.

BTW - I'm not commenting on the "creativity" of the work. Just purely taste. It was gag-inducing. Creatively, I wasn't thrilled either. Fucking pretentious bullshit made by a wannabe.

Scott, as someone with an interest in a restaurant, I'd have thought you wouldn't make categorical (i.e., snap) judgments of a new place based on one visit. You could say, "I went there once and didn't like it." But, "it sucks ass" seems a little over the top for someone who'd probably want a second chance if a diner had a bad experience at his place.

Then you don't know me. Because you have an interest in a restaurant, you think I should be easier on a place? It sucks ass, to my taste. Every course was repulsive. I mean really foul. I should give a second chance to what? Vomiting? WTF?

 

[Claude Kolm]

originally posted by Jim Hanlon:

originally posted by Claude Kolm:

originally posted by Scott Kraft:

Frances is worth checking out.

Really? Menu on the website looks pretty uninspired.

No offense, but if you're going to recommend Lalimes and Chez Panisse (both of which I like, BTW), its hard to knock Frances as "uninspired." All the same idiom.

Sorry, I have to disagree, Jim. With CPC and Lalime's, I can see some little extra twist that they put in things that makes a big difference; I didn't see that on the Frances menu on the website.

BTW, one more recco: Perbacco.

 

[maureen]

I ditto Perbacco based on my one meal there with claude :) - also in berkeley, try cesar (disclosure - my pal dennis an owner and the wine buyer - and he's got great taste!) - cesar is next door to chez panisse http://barcesar.com/

 

[Jim Hanlon]

Then you don't know me. Because you have an interest in a restaurant, you think I should be easier on a place? It sucks ass, to my taste. Every course was repulsive. I mean really foul. I should give a second chance to what? Vomiting? WTF?

Of course I don't know you. I was referring to you having an interest in a place, not me (I don't). Okay, so you're a guy who makes categorical judgments of restaurants based on one visit, despite positive reviews from, say, Eric Asimov. More power to you, I guess.

 

[Jim Hanlon]

Sorry, I have to disagree, Jim. With CPC and Lalime's, I can see some little extra twist that they put in things that makes a big difference; I didn't see that on the Frances menu on the website.

BTW, one more recco: Perbacco.

Eye of the beholder, I guess. But some of those "extra twists," to the extent they exist, would be seen only on the plate, not on the menu.

I agree, Perbacco is another good place.

 

[Steve Edmunds]

the Bay Wolf in Oakland is still doing it right.

 

[Christian Miller (CMM)]

originally posted by Florida Jim:
I like Cafe Rouge as well as upstairs (non pre-fixe) at Chez Panisse, both in Berkeley.
I don't know SF well but A-16 is nice and, although it is anything but cozy, Slanted Door.
Best, Jim

If Berkeley, Cafe Rouge is good but very much in the bistro mainstream. Chez Panisse is good if you really have to "make the pilgramage", but although the ingredients are impeccable the recipes or execution can be occasionally boring, certainly no risk of more than a tad adventuresome. Lalime's is good for Cal-Mediterranean as is Zatar. For foodie visitors, we really like to recommend Ochame on 4th street. Serene ambience, fine fresh ingredients, truly Cal-Japanese fusion cooking of exceptional lightness without being bland or too austere. Not necessarily the best restaurant, but I think it's very Californian and haven't run across any equivalent anywhere else.