aqua or michael mina?

[lotta_cox]

if you could only choose one, which do you prefer and why?

i love both michael mina and Nob Hill in las vegas....torn.

[Paul H]

Of those two, I would pick Aqua. I regard the style of preparation at Michael Mina as "formula fine dining" e.g. beef 3-ways, lamb 3-ways, lobster 3-ways, caviar 3-ways, and so on and so on. The food at Aqua is more refined and elegant.

[whiner]

I have to say, if I was visiting SF, neither would be on my top 5.

But Aqua is more business-y and Mina, just as elegant, but less formal in that sense.

Honestly, though, staying downtown, I'd spend slightly less and go to Ame or Boulevard or I'd go to The Dining Room at the Ritz if I didn't mind a more formal setting.

[lotta_cox]

actually, someone on another website rec'd boulevard, and we have a reservation for there for the same weekend! yay! thanks for the comment

[codywhitney]

I used to love Aqua when Mina was there so it naturally follows that I vote Michael Mina.I've eaten there and it's top notch!

[rworange]

While I'm not a fan of Aqua ... more for the service ... I would choose it over micael mina if I was a visitor. Why eat at a chain that has restaurants across the country with a similar menu.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/539369

That being said, I think Mina does a better job of these chain fine dining restaurants than most celeb chefs like Tower, Puck or Ogden ... gosh, I am sooo disappointed in the Ogden expansion. I loved when he was in the kitchen at Campton Place and the first restaurant he opened on his own. After that ... all downhill

The bottom line ... if I was a vistor to SF, I wouldn't choose either There's better like the Dining Room at the Ritz.