259912 Fri Feb 09 01:26:30 -0800 2001 6 26 International 0 1373834 In case you missed it, see link below for more responses to your San Francisco quiery. I will reiterate: our local food section is embarrassingly self-satisfied, but the info provides a snapshot that may interest you, and anyone else who yearns for San Francisco chow. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/16477#45891 Fri Feb 09 01:26:30 -0800 2001 0 Anne Emry 1 1373836 Great link. Many Many thanks. Wish I was on a book tour then it would not be coming out of my pocket. This time it is a lads road trip involving LA, the Hamed fight in Las Vegas ( proceeded by a trip to JG's Prime ) and a driving holiday inc SF, and PCH and Lunch at The French Laundry As for smug, I am british so all others are pure amateurs on the smug scale:-) except perhaps Howler. Fri Feb 09 04:24:44 -0800 2001 1373834 0 Simon Majumdar 2 1373837 Wow, Si, the French Laundry! My Mom and I ate there last August. Have the tasting menu - 'cause 10 different things, all wonderful, is more than worth it. The sommelier was very helpful recommending wines for so many dishes. We started with a Schramsberg sparkler that was perfect with the tiny smoked salmon "cones" that were offered as little starters and the cauliflower pannacotta with oestra (sp?) caviar that followed. A half bottle of a wonderful chardonnay got us through the next few courses. Then the "house" Dalla Valle cabernet sauvignon (wow!) was more than perfect with the heavier mains and cheese. Each course was perfect, no lows at all. Service was exceptional, too. NOTE - a second mortgage on the house is advised to pay the bill - but well worth it. You might also want try Tre Vigne. This is much more relaxed (and CHEAPER) place than the French Laundry with a wine bar in the front building (worth many hours stay) and terrific inventive foods in the main restaurant. Service was friendly and helpful and the wines were outstanding. We had an Acorn Old Vines Zinfandel that is worth looking for. Awaiting your report with interest. The Bucks Belly Fri Feb 09 05:19:31 -0800 2001 1373836 0 paswines 3 1373838 This all sounds great. Thanks for the tips. Bizarrely, although I am really looking forward to this, the meal I am really keen to try is Jean George's Prime. We will be staying at Bellaggio's and have a window seat so we can watch the fountains in all their cheesy glory. I have found every JG experience in NY to be very disappointing, so want to see if this place lives up to the hype and reviews. Fri Feb 09 05:30:51 -0800 2001 1373837 0 Simon Majumdar 4 1373851 If you are unimpressed by Jean-Georges, Prime is just going to leave you cold. A pretty good steakhouse with a few Vongerichten touches, but almost no ambition. I love the Manhattan restaurant, so maybe there are different points of view at work here. Fri Feb 09 16:05:19 -0800 2001 1373838 0 Pepper 2 1373852 Don't know if you're planning more than one meal in Napa, but if so you might find this recent thread on Cafe Lucy inspiring. Sounds like a find. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/16456#45484 Fri Feb 09 17:02:16 -0800 2001 1373836 0 Caitlin McGrath 1 1373855 I checked to see if that article mentioned Viognier, the restaurant on the 2nd floor of the very large Draegher's gourmet supermarket, and it didn't. I had an incredibly good meal there with my brother last summer. It's in San Mateo. This whole thread really should be in the San Francisco board, but I thought I'd mention that great restaurant. Sat Feb 10 00:51:03 -0800 2001 1373834 0 Michael