30284 Thu Jul 15 18:35:23 -0700 2004 27 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 130002 I must turn to the experts to help me here. I am a LA hound who is trying to assist my Philly hound father in putting together a dinner next week. Don't ask me why his group waited so long, but I need help right away. They are going to Masa's already. Planning one other night - Criteria: Location - convenient to Union Square preferred Price range - open (read: expense account) Food - flexible Atmosphere - not looking for anything overly formal but definitely not casual Service - very important given group will be 10 or so I suggested Boulevard, Fifth Floor and Aqua- none could accommodate (I knew we'd have no chance at Michael Mina and Gary Danko). I know nothing about Rubicon, Hawthorne Lane, and Farallon, but from the posts I have read, it sounds like the food has fallen off and their best days are behind them. I was thinking of suggesting Cortez - is that too casual? (I also suggested La Folie and Quince but my dad thought that was not close enough). What other places would fit the bill? Thank you so much. Thu Jul 15 18:35:23 -0700 2004 0 Megan 1 130006 Not surprising they could get into Masa's, the chef just moved to another restaurant and almost the entire staff went with him or went elsewhere. The food at Rubicon's good. If the group's into wine, they'd have a great time there--great, great list. How about Jeanty @ Jack's? I'd call Cortez casual. It's small plates, creative fusion food, and a cocktail-bar atmosphere. Thu Jul 15 18:48:06 -0700 2004 130002 0 Robert Lauriston 2 130009 Wow - I had no idea about Masa's. Thanks for the heads up. Does not sound like a great idea anymore. Oh, and my dad loves wine. Got into it late in life, but jumped in with both feet. :) Thu Jul 15 19:10:51 -0700 2004 130006 0 Megan 3 130011 Oh if he's really into wine, then you should definately consider First Crush in the heart of Union Square Thu Jul 15 19:15:06 -0700 2004 130009 0 JS 4 130018 I am not familiar with that - can you describe your experience there? Thu Jul 15 19:41:31 -0700 2004 130011 0 Megan 5 130020 food's sucky, not so hot wines. Thu Jul 15 19:45:01 -0700 2004 130018 0 ikay 6 130041 I've had an okay dinner there, but what really turned me off was the space. It felt like a cavernous basement. Thu Jul 15 21:16:26 -0700 2004 130020 0 amalia 4 130042 I've never personally been to first crush, but comments from friends have been medium to good -- not quite awesome. However, they also didn't have an expense account to spend. :) If Ikay claims that it's not worth it, I'd defer to his opinion. Thu Jul 15 21:17:28 -0700 2004 130011 0 JS 3 130012 FYI here's Rubicon's wine list. Link: http://www.sfrubicon.com/wine.html Thu Jul 15 19:17:13 -0700 2004 130009 0 Robert Lauriston 4 130118 Rubicon recently put a new executive chef in place. He is Stuart Brioza and his partner Nicole Krasinski is the pastry chef. They previously headed the kitchen at Tapawingo in northern Michigan where he was named by Food and Wine magazine as one of 2003 Best American Chefs. Their food is fantastic. Fri Jul 16 19:01:24 -0700 2004 130012 0 chewypep 3 130014 I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Masa's. The new chef Richard Reddington (he's the man who brought Auberge du Soliel up to speed) is quite good. I know I'm looking forward to seeing what he'll do there. Thu Jul 15 19:23:34 -0700 2004 130009 0 augiespal 4 130015 Masa's interim chef might be good, but he stepped into a vacuum just last week. Thu Jul 15 19:34:28 -0700 2004 130014 0 Robert Lauriston 1 130007 The Grand Cafe on Geary might be a good option. Take a look at the link... Link: http://grandcafe-sf.com/? Thu Jul 15 18:51:25 -0700 2004 130002 0 Ralph 1 130010 Cortez might be a bit small for 10+ ppl if they want to all sit together. You might want to try some of the French or Spanish places in Belden Place(http://www.beldenplace.citysearch.com/) Their food is decent and since price isn't an issue.... Thu Jul 15 19:13:59 -0700 2004 130002 0 JS 2 130021 I know that Cafe 52 would not only be able to accomodate 10, but rarely gets as packed as the "scene" places in Belden b/c it doesn't cater to the "scene" crowds. I also know that Setrac (chef/owner) makes some of the BEST hummus, dolmas and lollipop lamb chops I have EVER had. The food ranges from Californian to Mediterranean, seafood, mussels, lamb, chicken etc. They are also very ammenable to changing the sides/veggies. They are the original restaurant in Belden Place BTW. Enjoy! RR Link: http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/35815950/ Thu Jul 15 19:46:31 -0700 2004 130010 0 Richie Richmond 2 130025 The Belden places are all pretty informal, aren't they? Thu Jul 15 19:59:12 -0700 2004 130010 0 Robert Lauriston 3 130040 Belden's probably wouldn't be classified casual. It's sort of chic-casual but I wouldn't feel out of place bringing my parents there for a nice dinner or holding a birthday party there. Some of the restaurants also ahve private party rooms. I've personally been to B-52 and Plouf. I'd give the edge to Plouf but they're both very good. Thu Jul 15 21:14:06 -0700 2004 130025 0 JS 4 130298 I think it is B-44 and there is another restaurant called Cafe 52. Mon Jul 19 15:27:59 -0700 2004 130040 0 Richie Richmond 1 130016 I know little about wine. But based on this list what about Charles Nob Hill? Campton Place? Postrio? Quince might be tight, the room is fairly small. Thu Jul 15 19:36:25 -0700 2004 130002 0 sailorbuoys 2 130019 I went to Postrio 2 yrs ago and did not love it. But I have no opinion re (and have never been to) Campton Place or Charles Nob Hill - the names came up in some posts I read but those had no specifics. Do tell... Thu Jul 15 19:43:43 -0700 2004 130016 0 Megan 3 130024 I thought of Campton Place and Charles Nob Hill because of the plush factor. Comfy, fancy, langid. Thu Jul 15 19:54:02 -0700 2004 130019 0 sailorbuoys 4 130028 Charles Nob Hill is really small and difficult to get reservations. They barely have a dozen people eating there at one time. Thu Jul 15 20:09:46 -0700 2004 130024 0 Danny Noonan 1 130026 mebbe try searching opentable for availability and neighborhood for the group size and date, then ask which of them 'hounds recommend. Link: http://www.opentable.com/start_restlist.asp?id=4 Thu Jul 15 20:01:25 -0700 2004 130002 0 ikay 1 130029 Palio d'Asti is quite good (northern Italian). I know they have a back room--when I was a lawyer I worked next door and we had several law firm dinners there. They are serious about wine. Thu Jul 15 20:16:11 -0700 2004 130002 0 Morgan 1 130030 Some thoughts are Piperade, Town Hall, or Kokkari. Town Hall is not formal, and it's a louder, more lively setting. Thu Jul 15 20:18:49 -0700 2004 130002 0 rln 1 130044 I think you should rethink Farallon. Also, Jeanty at Jack's would be a great choice if the Financial district is not too far away for their purposes. Thu Jul 15 21:45:45 -0700 2004 130002 0 Jeremy Newel 1 130105 Farallon is still good and has an excellent wine list and outstanding wine steward. Fri Jul 16 16:59:30 -0700 2004 130002 0 Bay Gelldawg 1 130115 Since the whole crew went from Masa's to The Dining Room at the Ritz Carleton, maybe you should see if you can get reservations there instead. I think it's a much nicer room than Masa's, anyway. Have you thought about doing something completely different for the other night? Maybe an upscale Chinese banquet at a place like Louie's or R&G. Fri Jul 16 18:23:17 -0700 2004 130002 0 Ruth Lafler