Intimate, reasonably priced, excellent food

[boktay]

Hi. I am taking my wife to SF for a bday weekend. For one of our meals, I'd like a low key, intimate dining experience. Excellent food (we tend to like organic, locally grown, seafoods, etc). Not a wallet buster. Not fussy (no towers, deconstructed foods, or foams). And not a power/glamour scene. I have made reservations at Spork, Pesce, Range, and Town Hall (Delfina and Slanted Door were booked). Given my needs, what do you think about my four options?

[Civil Bear]

I’d like to suggest Clementine on Clement. Unpretentious French in an intimate setting.

[tomatoaday]

Not on your list but I would recomment Perbacco. We recently had a meal there that was a pleasure from start to finish. Excellent service, great food and a beautiful room. We sat downstairs and I was amazed that 4 starters, 2 mains, a beer and a cocktail (there were 3 of us) was only $97 before tax and tip. The blue fin tuna tartar I ordered as an entree was fabulous, but everything I ate I would order again. (cured meat selection, vitello tonnato, fritto misto, pappardelle and gnocchi)

[ceekskat]

Perbacco is great except I think it is loud. We were lucky to be seated at an corner booth/table so it was somewhat cozy. Perhaps you can make such a request???

[plainfood]

i'd like to suggest L'Ardoise near the Castro. It's a charming small traditional French restaurant with friendly French staff (!), varied menu, intimate romantic atmosphere, a short but interesting wine list, and daily specials on the chalkboard (the "ardoise"). It can be booked on Opentable. They close Mondays. You'll really have an enjoyable meal there--I'm dying to go back!

[eldub]

Only been to Town Hall. It's lovely, with brick and high ceilings, and the food is very good. Normally I'm not that big on rich Southern food, and I don't eat meat, but they make it work without being heavy. On the wallet question, well it's not exactly mid-range but it's not quite fine-dining pricing either.

[Ruth Lafler]

I woudn't consider it "intimate" though -- as you pointed out, it's brick with high ceilings, which means it's very noisy and not very cozy.

[Mari]

Range is really loud too. Bar Tartine might work too. I was there a few Saturdays ago and the salads are among the best I've had (yes, the salads).