21225 Thu Sep 05 20:30:01 -0700 2002 5 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 75786 Melanie, i owe you this post since you helped me decide between either fifth floor or Masa's and since we chose fifth floor and i ended up responding to the post from a few days ago with my review, i wanted to share the link with you. Have a good one, Jupiter Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/21188#75463 Thu Sep 05 20:30:01 -0700 2002 0 Jupiter 1 75839 Wow, now I want to go there. I have reservations for Masa's in October, three woman on the town, expense account. Is Fifth Floor a better choice for our group? Two extreme chowhounds and chefs, and one never been to SF from East Coast. The choice is mine to make. Please tell me what was the deciding factors. Fri Sep 06 14:46:50 -0700 2002 75786 0 Ginger wolf 2 75849 A party of three women might want to read the thread I've linked below. I don't know what your looking for, but if I were taking a extreme chowhound/chef from New York who had never been to California before I wouldn't go to Masa's or Fifth Floor -- they may be great restaurants, but they're not necessarily any different (or better) than upscale restaurants in NY. Why not go somewhere more distinctively Northern Californian (isn't Chez Panisse the obvious choice)? Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/20934#73787 Fri Sep 06 15:59:47 -0700 2002 75839 0 Ruth Lafler 3 76164 Dear Ruth, Thank you for your thoughts about both Masa's and Fifth floor. I have read the thread previously and usually take it all into consideration. Us two chowhounds are both fairly accomplished chefs, and Chez Panisse is pretty much our style of cooking. I do love the idea of the rather relaxed eating atmosphere in the house in Berkeley, but I'm thinking our friend, who could care less about food, from the East Coast would prefer to stay in the City and take it all in. I chose these two for their challenge to us chowpuppies as diners and cooks. Taste sensations so to speak. I hope this makes sense, but it's still a ways off, next month. Thank you again. Wed Sep 11 15:24:20 -0700 2002 75849 0 Ginger Wolf 2 75857 Ginger, I have never been to Masa's but i chose fifth floor for a few different reasons, one, i had threee different people i work with eat there on multiple occasions and say they loved it. two, it had a better reputation, and 3, the menu looked better. Also, i have not known anyone to have eaten at Masa's since Ron siegel took over, except for one firend and she hated it. she said the whole expereince was awful from service to food, but she is also incredibly picky so i take everything she says with a grain of salt. also, she only went that once, so she could have just gotten unlucky.... I would have to also say though, that Chez Panisse is a wonderful experience, but i would recommend dining in the cafe, that way you can go a la carte and choose your food. Have a great trip and i am sure whatever you eat will be great Fri Sep 06 20:13:48 -0700 2002 75839 0 Jupiter 3 76161 Thank you for your kind reply. Sorry this is so tardy. I would love Chez Panisse, will have a car, and will consider the cafe also. My chowhound friend would love it, the other would have something to take home to Connecticut. I am really thinking strongly about fifth floor. Hummmmmm. I will post the results. Wed Sep 11 15:12:56 -0700 2002 75857 0 Ginger Wolf