Michael Mina

[rworange]

Yeah ... you read that right ... Michael Mina ... over a dozen restuarants in over a half dozen states and Mexico. Sounds like a chain to me.
http://michaelmina.net/restaurants.html

Anyone have enough experience to know if these restaurants are all the same or are different for each loacation?

Unlike other San Franciscans, I liked Michael Mina on my vist a few years ago. However, that was when there was one and only one restaurant and Mina was in the kitchen.

I was thinking of re-visiting, but somehow the thought of throwing bucks at what is a cookie-cutter formula restaurant makes it seem less appealing ... two Michelan stars be darned.

[ejs1492]

We tried Bourbon Steak in Scottsdale, AZ (where I live) and thought it was excellent. Gratis fries (fried in duck fat), great steaks (from Prime to A5 Wagyu) and amazing steak tartare and donuts for dessert.

I was skeptical - as I am of most "celebrity chefs" but thought the food really was great.

[prettyruby]

Glad to have answered your question. We are not going to Atlantic City this weekend, and I am sad because typing that yesterday made me crave that salad (alright and the lobster pot pie)!

[prettyruby]

I have only been to one location. Seablue, in Atlantic City. I have been twice, and had two totally different experiences. The first was on opening night, and it was horrible. Horrible service, poorly prepared main courses (Salad was excellent). Overall, I left saying that I would never go back.
That changed when my best friend said that is where she wanted to go for her birthday dinner. I thought I would give it another try, and I am so glad that I did.
Service-amazing. Food-amazing.
I don't remember exactly what i had (it was last year)-i believe it was salmon prepared three ways-but I do remember one of our other dinner companions who got the lobster pot-pie. It really was to die for good! My favorite part of the meal was again the salad. It was a build your own salad menu, so I did just that with all of my favorite things, and it was perfection! I think about that salad all the time, so much so that I may have to go there this weekend if we head up to AC.
I would certainly try another Michael Mina restaurant, and I would so with high expectations.

[rworange]

Ah, you answered my question. I've had the lobster pot pie at the SF location. It is good. I'm thinking though that MM is fine for locals, but not a place to recommend to visitors who live in one of the cities near a MM since they can get the same stuff at home.