One Night (in SF) Only--Can you help?

[rick c]

OK--here's one that's got me stymied.

Labor Day weekend I have four "traveled" friends coming in for an art weekend. They want to have a fabulous (their words) dinner--not too over the top price wise (No Gary Danko, Fleur de Lys or Aqua)--and NOT TOO LOUD (So we can talk to each other). In San Francisco.

Ideas..suggestions...opinions.

Thanks.

[rworange]

1550 Hyde or Aziza

[grantham]

La Folie. Great French food. Quiet. Good value for the price.

[whiner]

La Folie is the exact same price as Danko and Fleur de Lys, which was already ruled out as too expensive.

[grantham]

Although it might be in the same price range, I think you may find a greater value. Have you been there?

[whiner]

Yep. Once. Loved it. But I didn't love it any more than FdL which you realize is, to the penny, the *exact same price*. Preferred it to Danko, though.

[grantham]

I didn't do those calculations; haven't been to Danko. Would you recommend it, knowing I think so highly of La Folie?

On a different spectrum, have you been to Caffe Sport in North Beach?

[whiner]

The reason I keep harping on the *exact same* is when I went to both, FdL was $88 fixed price for 5 courses, La Folie was also $88, iirc. And both were $70 (or maybe $68) for the fixed vegetarian menu. Now, both are still within $3 of one another whether you get the 3 course, 4 course, 5 course or 5 course vegetarian option. (And yes, both menus are set up with those 4 options, though as a matter of practice, I don't know anyone who goes and only gets 3 courses.)

As to Danko, it is more modern cooking than La Folie. I prefer La Folie. It is more formal, but I'd reccomend the Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton, however.

[whiner]

A16, Slanted Door, Aziza, La Ciccia (by reputation)...

More expensive, but less expensive than the restaurants you listed: Boulevard, Ame, Quince...