The Mandarin - RIP

[rworange]

Catching up with my reading, it seems The Mandarin is closed. Even though it wasn't my favorite place in the world, I feel a little sad as it was a backup for so many Waiter on Wheels meals and for some reason their soup was often what I craved when I had a cold.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article...

Lots of stuff in the above link to the Chron's Inside Scoop
- the Marshall Store has been sold
- the Olema Inn & Restaurant is up for sale
- new chef at Postrio
- NOPA is now taking advanced reservations
- other future opening stuff

[Chipotle]

I have a friend from Florida who seemed to think of the Mandarin as the 'gold standard' in Chinese food, but I think that's as much from its past reputation as anything else. I ate there once in January of this year and, particularly in retrospect, I'm glad I did -- but again, mostly for the history. It was a good meal but nothing extraordinary.

But, here's a question. The Mandarin's star faded over the last decade or so, but is there another restaurant in the Bay Area that metaphorically inherited its standing? Basically, I mean gourmet "high end" Chinese cuisine served in elegant surroundings.

[Chandavkl]

Tommy Toy's?

[Chandavkl]

Thanks for the update. On a recent trip to S.F. I poked my head inside the Mandarin and thought about eating there, but the Chowhound in me stopped me. In retrospect maybe I should have eaten there.