2 business dinners in SF - help!

[Treece]

I've done a bunch of searches and can't seem to find exactly what I need, so I'm hoping you SF hounds can help me out. I'll be in SF soon for business and need to plan two dinners with colleagues.

The first one should be not too crazy - I was thinking maybe Slanted Door or Zuni, though I have been to both before and if anyone has any other suggestions, I'd certainly take them. Would Boulevard be good?

I'd like something more upscale for the second one. I tried Gary Danko, but can't get in until 9 p.m., which is probably too late since it will be midnight for us NY'ers. One of my colleagues has been to Mina, so that's out. What else would be fabulous?

Thanks in advance!

[gordon wing]

I haven't been in quite awhile but the dining room at Silks is quite nice in a quiet, mature sort of way. If you want to get some business done you can hold a conversation easily without shouting. The food generally has been of a high level .... the service is excellent here.

[OldTimer]

Scott Howard sounds perfect for you.

[susancinsf]

Scott Howard is also very noisy, though I liked the food.

[susancinsf]

I agree with the Myth recommendation: very nice private room. For more upscale, look into the Dining Room at the Ritz.

[Treece]

Thanks very much for the responses - I'm now thinking A16 and Jardiniere.

[Robert Lauriston]

A16's quite noisy. Unless you're seated in the glassed-off patio room, it can be hard to have a conversation at a table for four. Food's great but it's not at all an expense-account feeling place.

How big a group are you talking about?

[Calvinist]

Dining Room at the Ritz & Boulevard would both be very good choices.

You might also consider Perbacco.

All three of these are closer to the Financial District than Jardiniere.

[foodiegrl]

I second Perbacco for a business setting with much-better-than-average food.

[Lori SF]

Myth is great, good food, good wine list, lovely room.

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Cafe Myth
490 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

[daveena]

Boulevard's probably perfect. Also if you're coming in July, consider One Market - I haven't been there in a while, so hopefully someone who's been more recently can chime in, but the last time I went, I thought the food was very good - nothing innovative, but perfectly cooked. In July, wine by the bottle is half-off - their wine list is heavy on the Californian wines, so while I wouldn't rave about the food separately from the wine, and I'm not usually a fan of big Californian cabernets, my best big Californian cab experiences have been at One Market... they go really well with the simple, straightforward meat entrees (I have especially good memories of the short ribs). Also lots of good, buttery veggie side dishes. I've also read good things about Jardiniere but haven't been. Good reports on TWO, as well.

For the second night dinner - maybe Ame or Coi? (Haven't been personally, but lots of reports on both, mostly positive).

[Paul H]

These are great suggestions, Boulevard is excellent for a business dinner being a bit more formal than either Zuni or Slanted Door, and a good deal less noisy than Slanted Door.

Coi is fabulous. Ame is very very good and both are quite Californian, and would be interesting to visitors from NYC.