New Year's in San Francisco
I'm having second thoughts! Help!
We're staying at the Marriot downtown.
I made a reservation through Open Table at Belden Taverna, but looking again at the neighborhood and the menu, I'm not feeling it.
Searching through Open Table, the Marina District looks better.
Can anyone either tell me Belden will be great, or:
1. Alegrias
2. Ristorante Capannina
3. Emporio Rulli
4. La Terrasse
5. Absinthe
I'll be bringing a bottle of Champagne, either Camille Saves 2000 Grand Cru Brut or Marcel Moineaux 2002 Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut (another conundrum). We aren't looking to drop a bundle on this dinner, but would like something special.
By vickib
on Dec 22, 2008 05:18 PM
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I haven't been to that particular restaurant but I love Belden Place/alley. Have you been there before? It's a one block long alley that's all (or mostly all) restaurants. I don't know if they have their outdoor seating in the winter or not. But I love the vibe. Good luck. I know you'll have a wonderful dinner wherever you wind up.
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Yes! go to Belden Place- it is very charming and you can easily walk to Union Square for the midnight countdown
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I have a feeling that any place in Belden Alley will be very festive. Not to mention that it's an easy walk from your hotel. Have fun!
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What exactly are you not feeling? What seems to be appealing about the Marina District to you?
The action at midnight is near the Ferry Building where there are fireworks. My experience has been that is followed by Union Square and then North Beach.
While La Terrasse has a set back view of the waterfront, I don't know whether the fireworks are visible from there. That is quite a bus ride from the Marriott ... snagging a cab on New Year's eve won't be easy. Unless you are driving, it still is a shlep to the Marina District from the Marriott.
Emporio Rulli supposedly has a very good chef, but the service can really be uneven. I frankly wouldn't pick it for NYE.
Absinthe is not in the Marina but in the Civic Center. It would require transportation or a walk through some neighborhoods I personally wouldn't walk late at night.
I'd stick with Belden Taverna. It is a quick walk from your hotel and the street should be lively. Or check out the menus from some of the other restuarants in Belden or nearby such as Cafe Claude, Brindisi. Look through the list of other Union Sqaure restaurants and see if any of those menus please you.
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THanks, rworange. It seems from all the comments that my first arrangements were the best. Belden place, it is!
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Cool. Hope you report back on how it went ... good or bad. It will help others next year and if you need help in the future ... give an idea of what you like ... or don't. I think you'll be happy ... Happy New Year.
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Yes, Belden Taverna is a very good choice. Owned by the same owner of Campanina, Brindisi, and Tiramisu. All are good. If you go to Belden Taveran, consider the short ribs. Tell Franz, the Mnager, that Tom Anderson recommended them. Have fun!
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Thanks, Tom! I will.
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We had a great time. Did the Prix Fixe, which was $70 per person.
Antipasti:
Me - 1/2 doz oysters
She - salad with greens, beets, and feta
Secondi:
Me - Linguini with cream sauce, chanterelles, black truffles
She - Lasagne sheets with short rib beef ragu
Main:
Me & She - Lamb chops (5!!!!) with moussaka
Dessert:
Me - bergamot creme brulee with rosemary gelato
She - molten chocolate cake.
The Marcel Moineaux 2002, was brilliant. I thought the high point pairings were with the oysters and the linguini. I ordered a very nice little nebbiolo to drink with the chops. We were very happy with the evening. Thank you for all your input.
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Happy 2009. Thanks for reporting back. I'm assuming the area was festive and lively?
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Belden Taverna
52 Belden Place, San Francisco, CA 94104
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Our reservations were at 7pm. When we got there, it was still very quiet on the street, and servers at all the restaurants were trying to get us to come in. I don't know if that's usual there, but it reminded me of the barkers in front of strip clubs in the French Quarter of New Orleans. I wondered if this was going to be another recession story. However, by the time we finished dinner, about 9:30, it was getting crowded, and there was a fun vibe. The crowd was friendly, not too young or rowdy. Balloons were everywhere. Pretty festive.
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So glad to hear you had a good time. As far as the "barkering," they've been doing that for a while...
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