Dine About Town Cheat Sheets

[rworange]

Thought I’d share the notes I have about this year’s DAT menus

They seem better this year, for the most part in terms of selection, although there still are quite a few restaurants with the standard DAT menu:
First course – soup or salad
Second course – fish (usually salmon), chicken, pasta
Third Course – crème brulee, ice cream, bread pudding

For most restaurants the DAT menu is a selection of items off the regular menu rather than scaled down special DAT dishes. There are fewer restaurants serving dishes that are off-menu … which is good.

Best values (in terms of price, if not quality)

Aziza (dinner) – The 3-course DAT menu is $12 less expensive than the regular 4 course prix-fixe. Dropping a course might average out price-wise. However, the DAT menu allows selection any item on the menu for each course.
Big 4 Restaurant (dinner) – save about $14
Blowfish Sushi (lunch) – depending on selection, a $16 saving is possible
Campton Place Restaurant (lunch) – almost half price
Hornblower Cruises – with dinner cruises running from $50 - $99, this is a major bargain
Rose Pistola (lunch) – cured fish / sand dab selection is half the price of ordering a la carte. The DAT menu has some other interesting items..
Rubicon (dinner) – almost half price
Scoma’s (dinner) – the higher end options are a real value
Sutro's at Cliff House (lunch) – Almost half the a la carte price

In the DAT Hall of Shame … where ordering the DAT menu is more expensive than ordering the same items a la carte

Colibri Mexican Bistro – The DAT menu costs $6 more than ordering a la carte
EOS Restaurant & Wine Bar – The DAT menu costs $7 more than a la carte
Nectar Wine Lounge – The DAT menu costs $8 more than a la carte

It was interesting to look at restaurants that I’m always reading about, but never looked at the menus. There were some interesting non-DAT discoveries:

Café Maritime has a late night special on oysters – one dozen $13
EOS has $1 oysters and $5 wine and sake cocktails (Sun-Tues .5:30 – 7)
Paragon makes their own Cracker Jack.
Rubicon has a regular Wednesday $25 prix-fixe lunch
Circolo serves arepas and has an eclectic menu
Tablespoon has soft serve ice cream in interesting flavors

Also there are many restaurants that have year-round prix-fixe menus that are a bargain, many times less than DAT.

Many restaurants did not list their DAT menus so if interested in those places, it’s probably best to call and ask what is available.

Of course, the menus listed on opentable are sometimes different in reality. A few are better than what is listed. A few are bait and switch. They list a yummy DAT menu, but when you get there it is cream of turnip soup, spaghetti and sorbet. Some restaurants change menu items daily or weekly and will update the opentable site.

Last year Forbes Island had one of the best DAT offers. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be offered this year.

Say what you will (and I did) about the food at Forbes Island, it had one of the best ideas. Each course was a selection of some of the regular items off the menu. The savings were substantial, nearly half the regular prices … AND … most brilliant of all, if you wanted ANY other item on the menu, there was a five dollar supplement. So to add lobster to the DAT menu, there was only an extra $5 charge.

There are three more detailed posts:

DAT Cheat Sheet – Lunch and dinner
DAT Cheat Sheet – Lunch
DAT Cheat Sheet – Dinner

The value of the DAT meals will have the a la cart costs with the most expensive choices first followed by the least expensive choices. For the most part, the DAT savings equal a free dessert. Some restaurants offer matching wine flights.

All of this is offered as is. They were just quick notes I jotted down. There was no error checking on the numbers. However, it should give a feel for this year's program.

[rworange]

These restaurants offer DAT for lunch and dinner

Ana Mandara

Value of DAT lunch: $22 w/o dessert
Average dinner: $33 w/o dessert
Notes: Dessert thrown in for free - lunch standard sorbet (semifreddo) . Mousse or rum cake for dinner. Only one off-menu entree

Bacar

Average lunch: Regular $21.95 prix-fixe
Value of DAT lunch: same
Value of DAT dinner: $43 - $39
Notes: Lunch has the pasta/salmon /sorbet. Dessert is free for dinner. Only one off-menu entree

Bistro Boudin

Notes: No online menu available. Who would eat here anyway? Dinner has better selections than lunch which is the classic soup/salad & chicken/pasta selection. Dessert is bread pudding or cobbler.

Bix

Average lunch: Regular $21.95 prix-fixe
Value of DAT lunch: same
Value of DAT dinner: $41.25 - $34.75
Notes: Standard crème brulee / bread pudding dessert. For dinner, I would have trouble passing up some of the normal entrees for chicken hash or tuna with mushrooms. One appetizer and one dessert not on regular menu.

Blowfish Sushi To Die For.

Notes: This MIGHT be an extraordinary value, depending on what you choose. It was hard to figure. Dessert is not listed online, but one option would cost as much as $38 before dessert. Lunch dessert isn’t much (mochi ice cream), but the dinner desserts look excellent.

Butterfly

Value of DAT lunch: $29 - $23
Value of DAT brunch: $26 - $22
Value of DAT dinner: $35 - $30
Notes: Nice selection form menu and only one off-menu item. However, the savings are not that great, in some cases not enough to cover dessert.

Castagnola

Notes: No online menu available. The lunch menu is DAT classic: soup, fish or chicken, crème brulee. Dinner has a FEW more options, including cracked Dungeness crab. Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant, FWIW

Citizen Cake

Notes: No DAT sample menu available

The Cosmopolitan Restaurant.Bar.Piano Lounge

Notes: No DAT sample menu available

Destino

Average dinner: Regular $31.95 prix-fixe
Value of DAT dinner: same
Notes: Destino offers lunch and dinner, but there is no lunch info on the site. It seems that the DAT menu is the regular dinner prix-fixe. On DAT they list these same items for lunch. If they are offered at the DAT lunch price, it could be a bargain.

Emporio Rulli Gran Caffè & Restaurant\

Notes: With the exception of desserts, the other items did not match the sample online website menu. Only one option for each course.

Faz

Notes: No DAT sample menu available

Fior d' Italia

Value of DAT lunch: $23.50 - $29.50 w/o dessert
Value of DAT dinner: $26.50 - $38 w/o dessert
Notes: There is only one menu online. It doesn’t list dessert, so the value of the DAT meals doesn’t include the price of dessert. Given that, the higher end selections seem to offer significant savings. It was too hard to figure average prices here as soup/ pasta would be about $20 while the most expensive appetizer/entrée would be $47.50.

Foreign Cinema

Notes: No DAT sample menu available

Fournou's Ovens

Notes: No online menu on website. Lunch is the DAT special of salad with salmon or pasta. Better entrees for dinner.

Fringale

Notes: Didn’t have the right version of flash software to view the site. Don’t care enough to upgrade.

HOWEVER .. they have an excellent selection of entrees which even includes rib eye steak at dinner and some interesting apps.

Hornblower Cruises & Events

Notes: This has always been the DAT absolute bargain. With lunch/dinner cruises starting at about $50, even if the food isn’t outstanding, lots of posters took advatange of and enjoyed the cruise last year.

Le Charm

Average lunch: $21
Value of DAT lunch: Appetizer and Entrée not on regular menu
Average dinner: Regular $28 prix-fixe menu
Value of DAT dinner: Just order the $28 dollar menu
Notes: There isn’t any DAT advantage for Le Charm other than making people aware of their regular lesser-priced prix-fixe dinner menu.

Le Zinc

Notes: No DAT sample menu available. Le Zinc does have a regular $35 prix-fixe dinner.

The Mandarin

Value of DAT lunch: $34.50 - $23 w/o dessert
Value of DAT dinner: $34.50 - $23 w/o dessert

Notes: Dessert prices not on website so they are not included in value of DAT meals. They are just ice cream or pudding. The lunch and dinner menu are the same, so it would seem that lunch is the big DAT value here. This has one of the few vegetarian options available which oddly was the most expensive price. Also, an ablone dish is available for a $5 supplement.

Market Street Grill

Note: No online menu available on the website. This is a Ramada Hotel restaurant.

McCormick & Kuleto's

Note: Prices are not really listed on the menu (sort of suggested). It’s the soup/salad, fish DAT menu. Do you really want to eat at a chain anyway?

MoMo's

Notes: No DAT sample menu available.

Moose’s

Average lunch: Regular $16.95 prix-fixe
Average dinner: Regular $29.95 prix-fixe available until 7:30 pm

The Oakroom at the Westin St. Francis Hotel

Note: No online menu available on the website

One Market

Notes: Online menu and DAT menu dishes were different. One Market does have a regular 2 course business lunch for $18.95

Paragon Restaurant & Bar

Value of DAT lunch: $33 - $21
Value of DAT dinner: $31.50 - $29.50
Notes: Never knew that Paragon was a chain. Also, although it is not on the DAT menu, they have house-made Cracker Jacks, nice touch for a place next to the ball park. Dinner is a lot more reasonable than I expected. DAT is really no value here and could cost more depending on selection. Best value is ceasar salad / salmon at lunch. Everything else is less expensive a la carte.

Restaurant LuLu,

Notes: No DAT sample menu available.

Rose Pistola

Value of DAT lunch: $43 - $27
Value of DAT dinner: $31 - $30

Notes: If lunch matches the online menu, Rose Pistola has one of the most interesting DAT menus. Oddly, lunch is the better value with the mixed cured fishes and sand dabs being the real steal. Not sure if desserts are regular desserts or scaled down versions.

Roy's

Note: Roy’s offers a regular prix-fixe dinner for $33. They don’t list prices other than that on the website. This is a chain that hasn’t had favorable mentions on Chowhound and since you can eat there any time for about the DAT price …

Scoma’s

Average lunch: Regular $21.95 prix-fix
Value of DAT lunch: same
Value of DAT dinner: $46 - $29.50 w/o dessert
Notes: Desserts not listed on online menu, so value of DAT dinner doesn’t include the price. While lunch is no different than the regular lunch, dinner can be a real value. Scoma has super fresh fish and only serves wild and not fish and naturally raised meats.

Sinbad's

Value of DAT lunch: $22.50
Value of DAT dinner: $37.50 - $27
Notes: Not much of a savings from ordering the same dishes a la carte, and sometimes it costs more.

Soluna Cafe and Lounge

Notes: No online menu available

Sutro's at Cliff House

Value of DAT lunch: $42
Value of DAT dinner: $42
Notes: The lunch and dinner menus are almost identical. Lunch is the better value here.

The Terrace at The Ritz-Carlton

Value of DAT lunch: $32 - $21 w/o dessert
Value of DAT dinner: $32 - $21 w/o dessert
Notes: Regular $24.95 prix-fixe. Menu appears to be the same for lunch and dinner. Desserts are not listed on online menu so value of DAT lunch does not include price of dessert. Ordering a la cart would average $33 w/o dessert. Dinner is really not worth it since DAT is more than the prix-fixe and ordering a la carte. Opens for regular prix-fixe are better than the lowest DAT lunch.

Tommy Toy's Cuisine Chinoise,

Average lunch: Regular $22.50 prix-fixe
Value of DAT lunch: same
Average dinner: Regular $37.50 prix-fixe
Value of DAT dinner: see notes
Notes: It looks like the DAT dinner is the regular prix-fixe without dessert which brings the price to about the same value. No savings here.

Washington Square Bar & Grill

Value of DAT lunch: $21.50 - $19.25 w/o dessert
Value of DAT dinner: $30 – $27.50 w/o dessert
Notes: Desserts are not listed on the online menu so value of DAT meals doesn’t include price of dessert. Pretty much dessert is free with DAT

The Waterfront Restaurant

Value of DAT lunch: $33.50 - $30.50
Value of DAT dinner: $37 - $34
Notes: There was a Chowhound report that The Waterfront has a prix-fixe lunch, but it is not listed on the online menu. The choices are really limited. It seems silly that dessert is limited to one option when they charge the same price for all desserts on the regular menu.

XYZ

Notes: Items from DAT menu are not listed on restaurant online menu

Link: http://www.sfdineabouttown.com/

[pandora]

Actually the mandarin's dinner looks rather attractive - they allow you to pick three of the 5? options listed if you have a party of two...and it looks like they might toss in fried rice as well. It looks like lunch is just one entree per person, and probably served family style.

[Melanie Wong]

The dinner at the Mandarin is pretty close to the $35 per person selection on the regular menu.

Link: http://www.themandarin.com/family_din...

[rworange]

Just curious if any of the experts have tried the xlb at the Mandarin.

To Pandora, having eaten a good bit of the Mandarins menu courtesy of Waiter on Wheels, it is overpriced and average. It is a pretty place ... although I haven't been at the actual restaurant since they remodeled a few years back.

Link: http://www.themandarin.com/appetizer.htm

[matcha mochi]

Just went to Blowfish sushi last night...

The choices for the nigiri are:
bincyo, maguro, hamachi, salmon, sockeye salmon, saba, ebi and unagi

Your choice for rolls are:
blowfish maki, california maki, maui maki, spicy tuna maki, rock 'n' roll, and the super dynamite roll

Every thing was great, and over all ended up saving around $5/dinner. Not the greatest savings ever, but a good excuse to have dinner there. The desserts were pretty great. We had the Angjor Wat, and though the thai tea ice cream wasn't as flavorful as we anticipated, our complaints are still minimal.

Excellent service, a great waitstaff who very rarely left my water glass needing a refill. I highly recommend it!

[matcha mochi]

Just went to Blowfish sushi last night...

The choices for the nigiri are:
bincyo, maguro, hamachi, salmon, sockeye salmon, saba, ebi and unagi

Your choice for rolls are:
blowfish maki, california maki, maui maki, spicy tuna maki, rock 'n' roll, and the super dynamite roll

Every thing was great, and over all ended up saving around $5 per dinner. Not the greatest savings ever, but a good excuse to have dinner there. The desserts were pretty great. We had the Angjor Wat, and though the thai tea ice cream wasn't as flavorful as we anticipated, our complaints are still minimal.

Excellent service, a great waitstaff who very rarely left my water glass needing a refill. I highly recommend it!

[Candycakes]

Just ate at Restaurant Lulu. DAT menu supposedly changes, but tonight's as best I can remember:

Appetizer: Spinach salad with grilled lamb or Tomato soup with bread and parmesan

Entree: Housemade fettucine with mussels and mushroom cream sauce or Chicken cassoulet with sausage and some kind of beans

Dessert: Vanilla creme brulee or Assortment of sorbets

My friend got the DAT, while I chose some of the more inexpensive items from the regular menu for almost the same price (a salad of baby lettuces and roasted pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes and also the creme brulee). We noticed that the portions for DAT were smaller than items I ordered from the regular menu, even if the DAT portions were definitely sufficient. The difference was especially noticeable because we got two different sized dishes of creme brulee! Mine was larger if more shallow, and my friend's was smaller but deeper - still, mine definitely had more creme brulee in it. We were shocked that if they knew we had the same thing that they wouldn't give us the same size.

[rworange]

These restaurants offer DAT for dinner only

Alfred's Steakhouse

Notes: No DAT menu available. Regular $30 prix-fixe dinner available

Andalu

Notes: No DAT menu available.

Anzu

Value of DAT dinner: $51
Notes: No choices. Entrée not on online menu – estimated at $25

ASIA SF

Average dinner: Regular $38 prix fixe
Notes: $6 off the regular prix-fixe

Azie

Value of DAT dinner: $36 - $25 w/o dessert
Notes: Desserts not on online menu so value of DAT dinner does not include price of dessert. Pay attention to prices of selections or ordering a la carte could be cheaper than DAT.

aziza

Notes: Experience Aziza for even less. Instead of the regular 4 course $45 prix-fixe, DAT is 3 courses with a choice of any item from the menu in each category

Baraka

Notes: No DAT menu available. Regular early bird (5:30 – 6:30) $29.95 prix-fixe dinner

Big 4 Restaurant

Value of DAT dinner: $46 - $44

C & L Steak

Average dinner: Regular $35 prix-fixe dinner (6:30 – 10 Tues-Fri)
Value of DAT dinner: $50
Notes: DAT menu has more selections than regular prix-fixe

Cafe Maritime

Notes: No DAT menu available.

Regular late night specials including a dozen oysters for $13 (11 pm – 1 am)

Catch Restaurant

Value of DAT dinner: $31 w/o dessert
Notes: Desserts not listed on website so value of DAT dinner does not include price of dessert. Only one option for first and second course and a really, really annoying website.

Chenery Park

Notes: No DAT menu available.

Circolo

Value of DAT dinner: No prices available
Notes: Really odd regular menu. Arepas are available (not on DAT)

Colibri Mexican Bistro

Value of DAT dinner: $24
Notes: IF DAT IS $32 (rounded up a nicke) IT COSTS SIX DOLLARS MORE TO ORDER THRU DAT >>> AND VERLY LITTLE CHOICE !!!

Cortez Restaurant

Notes: No DAT menu available.

Côte Sud Restaurant

Notes: No DAT menu available. Regular $25 prix-fixe dinner available.

Cozmo's Corner Grill

Notes: No DAT menu available. Regular early bird (5:30 – 6:45) $20 prix-fixe dinner

Crustacean Restaurant

Notes: Website unavailable

Daily Grill

Value of DAT dinner: $35
Notes: Maor chain and the menu looks it. Yuck

EOS Restaurant & Wine Bar

Value of DAT dinner: $29 - $25
Notes: It is as much as $7 less expensive to order a la carte than to order the limited DAT menu

Note to self:
Sunday through Tuesday from 5:30-7:30
$1 oysters
$5 wines and saké cocktails

First Crush Restaurant, Wine Bar & Lounge

Notes: Website was down

Forbes Island

Average dinner: Regular $37 prix-fixe dinner
Value of DAT dinner: $36 w/o dessert
Notes: Dessert menu not online so value of DAT dinner does not include the price of dessert. It seems that there is a new chef from last year. Also, the menu has been scaled back and an prix-fixe dinner was added.

Frisson

Notes: DAT menu is different from online restaurant menu

Hyde Street Bistro

Notes: No DAT menu available.

Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana

Notes: No DAT menu available.

Julius' Castle

Value of DAT dinner: $49
Notes: Items not on regular menu, so the value of the DAT menu is the average menu price

La Suite

Value of DAT dinner: $36

Le Colonial

Value of DAT dinner: $40
Notes: Only choice of one entrée - chicken

Mangarosa

Value of DAT dinner: No online menu
Notes: Italian dining with a Brazilian twist?

Maya

Notes: No DAT menu available. Two regular prix-fixe dinners ($29.95 – selected items / $35.50 – any item)

Medjool Café

Notes: No DAT menu available.

Nectar Wine Lounge

Value of DAT dinner: $24
Notes: No choice and it is $8 more dollars to order the DAT menu instead of a la carte

Palio d'Asti

Value of DAT dinner: $43 - $38
Notes: Interesting selections.

Park Grill at Park Hyatt

Notes: No DAT menu available.

Ponzu Restaurant

Notes: No DAT menu available.

Restaurant Jeanne D'Arc at Cornell Hotel

Notes: Regular 4 course $29.95 prix-fixe with a very nice selection

RNM Restaurant

Average dinner: Regular Early Birder $25 prix-fixe (5:30 – 7 Tues-Sat)
Value of DAT dinner: $38
Notes: No choices, only one selection for each course

Rubicon

Value of DAT dinner: $56
Notes: None of the DAT items were on the online menu, so value of DAT dinner is an estimate.

Everyday Wednesday, Rubicon offers a three-course lunch - $25.00

Rue Saint Jacques

Notes: No DAT menu available.

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Notes: No DAT menu available.

Seasons at Four Seasons Hotel

Notes: No online menu. I went last year. While the food was not the most outstanding, I was very happy with the dinner. The service was excellent and the hotel is very pretty. Excellent cocktail lounge.

Tablespoon

Value of DAT dinner: $38
Notes: Not on DAT, but soft-serve ice cream in interesting flavors for dessert

The Public Resto-Lounge

Notes: No DAT menu available.

Universal Café

Notes: No DAT menu available.

Vintner's Grilll

Value of DAT dinner: No online menu
Notes: Wow, two warning bells … a Hilton Hotel restaurant AT Fisherman’s Wharf.

Zingari Ristorante

Notes: No DAT menu available. Regular $32.95 prix-fixe dinner menu

Zuppa

Notes: No DAT menu available

Link: http://www.sfdineabouttown.com/

[lauren]

Just called Rubicon to make a reservation and asked what the DAT was. Not suiting my taste buds right now, not sure now whether I will keep the res.

1st: Calamari Salad, or Chestnut Soup

2nd: Some kind of Pork Belly, or some kind of hawaiian tuna (couldn't quite understand her)

3rd: Chocolate Mouse, some kind of fruit gaspacho (still couldn't understand her).

Minimal as we should expect. Does anyone know if their main courses are large enough to just go in and have that and possibly share a few app's?

[Maya]

I have areservation there too. Do you happen to know if it's going to remain the same DAT menu all month?

[mise en place]

you're a nut...

[Ruth Lafler]

I'm sure you mean that in a good way!

[rworange]

Either way, I have lots of good company on the board ... and my DAT reservations ... and it made for some pleasant breaks during a dreary work project.

It's really funny though looking at those menus. Places I never would have thought of trying have some really delicious sounding food. That lobster roll at Cafe Maritime is calling my name ... and it is open late. Even though it is a chain, I'm sorry I never tried Paragon when I lived in the neighborhood, the prices are very good and there is that cracker jacks.

Also, a few places that I've always wanted to go, I no longer care about. A16 for lunch is one that got crossed off my list because I never realized how limited the menu was.

Bigger than finding the best DAT value ... was to make sure to check out the restaurant website menu for any restaurant I might be interested in.

[JojoA]

...but in a good way, IMHO :)

Great research, and thanks for sharing that with us!

[LB]

Has anyone been to Public? Was thinking that since they are a newer restaurant, they may be more inclined to have a great DAT menu. Couldn't pull one up on their website. Is there food typically good?

[LB]

Not sure if I am allowed to answer my own question, but I just called the Public and their entree options are from their regular menu: Braised Short Ribs (in red wine I assume), Braised Duck in white wine, or Squash and Asparagus Rissotto. 2 different salad options to start, and typical chocolate mousse and something else for dessert.

[Morton the Mousse]

I had an awful experience at the Public a few months ago. The food ranged from mediocre to inedible. My report contrasts with another poster who loved it. Both are posted below.

Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[Eugene Park]

Sorry to hear of your bad experience at the Public. I've eaten there twice, and both times the food has been excellent (on its own as well as value-wise).

Disclaimer - the braised short ribs were so good the first time, I ordered it again the second time. Was not disappointed at all. Everyone else in my party on both occasions who had the short ribs agreed they were outstanding. So hearing that the short ribs are on the DAT menu there is a good thing IMO.

[Melanie Wong]

Tonight's (Thursday) DAT menu at Azie was more interesting than what was posted on the website. Some of us ordered the menu, other's ala carte (the naan plate and the wilted spinach and romaine salad). The starters and desserts were very good. The entrees were good, but not quite as special and the preparation seemed a little sloppier. E.g., the pan roasted monkfish tasted much better than it looked.

Corkage is $20 per bottle.

Link: http://flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/sets/1770441/show/

Image: http://static.flickr.com/37/82853388_...

[wallace chane]

ruth's chris DAT menu

1/2 steak salad -or- some other salad

12oz rib eye -or- 8oz petit fillet

1/2 side, potatos au gratin, creamed spinich, etc.

key lime pie -or- bread pudding

thanks for putting this together, i'm quite impressed.

[rworange]

These restaurants offer DAT for lunch only.

A16

Value of DAT lunch: $28.50
Notes: Only on item for each course

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

Notes: No DAT menu Available

Acme Chophouse

Value of DAT lunch: $27 - $25
Notes: Choice of pasta or chicken salad for entrée. No choice of dessert or appetizer

Asia de Cuba

Value of DAT lunch:
Notes: Website is down, no prices available:

Bob's Steak & Chop House

Value of DAT lunch:
Notes: Website is down, no prices available:

Campton Place Restaurant

Average lunch: Regular $39 three course prix-fixe
Value of DAT lunch: Lunch prices only by 2, 3, or 4 course selection.
Notes: This is almost half the regular three course lunch menu, however selection is limited.

Chez Papa

Value of DAT lunch: $19 - $12 w/o dessert
Notes: Dessert prices not on online menu. However, given the least expensive appetizer/entrée combo is $12, DAT might me more expensive than ordering a la carte.

Farallon

Notes: No DAT menu available. Regular $30 prix-fixe lunch available, so DAT is a bargain. However, I ate a DAT lunch here a few years ago and it was so paired down and disappointing.

Grand Cafe

Notes: No DAT menu available. Regular $24 prix-fixe lunch available

Jack Falstaff

Value of DAT lunch: $26 - $24 w/o dessert
Notes: Dessert items not listed on online menu so value of DAT lunch doesn’t include dessert price.

O'Reilly's Holy Grail

Notes: No DAT menu available.

Ozumo

Notes: No DAT menu available.

PlumpJack Cafe

Value of DAT lunch: $32.50

Link: http://www.sfdineabouttown.com/

[matcha mochi]

just went to asia de cuba yesterday for lunch. for the DAT lunch, they are serving their bento box (normally $25.95 or $26.95..something like that)
choices were:
appetizer: marinated sirloin steak (they will substitute with a vegetarain option if you don't eat meat)

main course: grilled salmon with a wasabi cream sauce and a fried risotto ball

side: choice of either somen noodles w/a peanut sauce, fried rice with plantains and wok fride vegetables

dessert: chocolate coffee creme torte with a caramel sauce on the side

the food and the service were both excellent. i loved the fried rice with plantains. i would definitely go back again.

the advantage of having their regular bento box is that you can choose your appetizers and sides directly from the menu, but it's well worth going just to check it out.

[Ruth Lafler]

Thanks for sharing all your research!

Re: Citizen Cake -- when I ate there a while back all the entrees were $24 at dinner, so if the DAT dinner menu is any good, it's a good deal.

[charlotte owens]

Four of us dined about town at the Cosmopolitan located downtown in part of the old Post Office and the experience was lovely.

Just enough dark wood ambiance with a piano playing in the upstairs bar most of the evening. We were greeted by friendly waitstaff. One even found another bar stool for us at the second bar without our asking. We looked over the menu while finishing our before dinner drinks at our table located by a window looking out onto the City at night.

Our meals were great! The lobster trio from the main menu was an impressive appetizer offering. Our main courses ranged from lamb, to steak to Hawaiian ono....all equally tasty. The desserts were chocolate creme brulee, trio of sorbets and , best of all, a trio of citrus desserts-chef's choice. This inclued a parfait in a mini champagne glass, a creamy cheesecake and a lemon tart.

We would go back again.