Christmas Dinner: out, tasty, romantic--where?!
My boyfriend and I are unfortunately unable to return home to join our families this Christmas. We're looking to treat ourselves right in lieu of a home-cooked dinner that would only seem pitiful in comparison to the feasts our respective parents have.
Where can we go that would serve us an excellent holiday meal in a warm, romantic setting that might not break our budgets (say about $100 max including wine). Anywhere in the Bay Area is an option.
Note: we tried to do this same thing in Portland for Thanksgiving, with great success, at the Heathman Hotel, if anyone is familiar with that lovely establishment. Our meal was excellent and we had a cozy window table looking out on the rainy Oregon night. We want something like that, but I am at a loss being somewhat new to the SF restaurant scene.
Help!
By melissa
on Dec 17, 2001 07:55 PM
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Here are some Christmas dinner listings. You can also check the listing on sfgate.com
Link: http://bayarea.citysearch.com/roundup...
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Manka's in Inverness is very romantic and serves a wonderful Christmas dinner. It may be too late to get a reservation but it's definitely worth a try.
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While I haven't been there myself, I can vouch for the romance of Manka's. I know two different couples who got engaged there on Christmas eve and New year's eve, respectively.
So, if you're hoping to get a ring on your finger before the end of the year, Manka's would be the place! ;-)
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in case anyone else out there is wondering, the menu for Manka's Christmas dinner looks pretty incredible. it's $94 but does not include wine. the reservationist informed me that the wine list was "very expensive." this was after i asked about the dress code... we're still trying to decide what's right for us, but I will report back .
see link to manka's menu below.
Link: http://www.mankas.com/seasonalmenu_2.htm
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Ask what their corkage is and take your own bottle. If you are feeling uncertain, print out their menu and go to your wine shop and have them help you pick something. If you don't have a wine shop/person you trust, may I suggest Amphora at 384A Hayes or D&M on Fillmore? Both are trustworthy and helpful.
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Was at the Pebble Roy's last winter and it was, uh, underwhelming. Nice room, decent service but the food was a confused mish mash of unauthentic Asian on Asian fusion. Soggy noodles, overcooked fish and a fundamental "they don't get it-ness" were what I remember. Won't go back.
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You've confirmed what I've been hearing from my other friends about the Spanish Bay location. Too bad, as I loved my dinner at Roy's @ Poipu a few years ago.
OTOH, one friend has been to every Roy's location (multiple times to the ones in the islands) and says that the San Francisco restaurant has been trashed unfairly by the local critics.
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No, not unfairly. I had several awful, wildly overpriced meals at Roy's in SF. I would never send anyone to a Roy's anywhere but Hawaii.
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Thanks, that's all I needed to hear.
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From the link provided by dixieday I would recommend:
Cliff House for the crashing water view.
Ritz Carlton in SF for the service and food
From personal experience
Ritz Carlton at half moon bay. Has the view of the water. go at sunset. Great food and service.
http://www.starchefs.com/news/newnaviochef.html
Roy's in Pebble Beach at the Inn at Spanish Bay - also water and you can also check out 17 mile drive and the cypress tree. Hawaiian-American fusion cuisine.
http://www.sallys-place.com/food/dining_directory/north_america/sf/sf46.htm
the restaurant at Post Ranch Inn. The hotel is incredibly expensive but the restaurant has floor to ceiling view of the ocean and good food.
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Archives/Show_Article/0,1275,3365,00.html
In St. Helena,
The restaurant at Meadowood. View of green grass but warm fireplace at entry and good food and service.
http://www.sallys-place.com/travel/n_...
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Do you remember what you had at Roy's at Spanish Bay? I've been avoiding it because several friends have said it's the poor performer of the chain and inconsistent. Maybe you hit on the right thing to order.
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I always get the spinach with maui onion salad. Yum!
appetizer: ribs
Main course: don't remember. but probably fish. Salmon, mahi mahi or opaka opaka.
dessert: the chocolate souffle cake. yum!
I think Roy's Spanish Bay is better than the one in SF. Though the one in SF may be improving. The first time I went, I was disappointed. The second time, was better.
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Still looking for a Christmas dinner restaurant in Napa or Sonoma that is very nice but not at the highest (Auberge du Soleil, Meadowood) end
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It's hard to tell whether the Manka report of $94 for Xmas dinner means per person or for 2. I think the original poster meant $100 max for 2 people.
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not only that, but it is a very old thread (and Manka's isn't doing Christmas dinner this year; it doesn't really exist, other than as an Inn...)
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