569515 Mon Nov 03 18:51:32 -0800 2008 2 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 4147782 I have friends in town and they want superb..so which one? Mon Nov 03 18:51:32 -0800 2008 52212 Lori SF 1 4147927 My choice would be Coi if you can get in for the tasting menu. One caveat is that his cooking is very delicate and experimental. There are usually only a few bites of meat, and sometimes he'll make something that is intensely weird. Once the amuse was a shotglass of jerusalem artichoke soup that tasted exactly like dirt. Another time, he made a blue cheese flan that was so blue cheesy it was a total turnoff for me. But then he makes something so amazing, like a grilled matsutake mushroom with a pine needle puree that was the essence of fall. Or a salad of seaweed and abalone that is so evocative, you want to take a walk along Ocean Beach after your meal. I've been to French Laundry and while I thought it was absolutely perfect, I don't think about the dishes I had there as much as I think about the dishes at Coi. Coi was more hit and miss, but good or bad, every dish is memorable. However, if your guests like a lot of meat or aren't very adventurous, Coi might not be a good place for them. Ame is also good--more Japanese ingredients with a French spin. Another alternative is Quince. Michael Tusk's pasta is amazing. Mon Nov 03 20:23:28 -0800 2008 4147782 237172 sfbing 2 4150134 Nothing available at Coi I wanted too long. I think Quince is an excellent idea. Thanks Tue Nov 04 18:04:08 -0800 2008 4147927 52212 Lori SF