Danko: Not Quite Downhill, but Disappointing

[goingoutagain]

Gary Danko has long been one of my favorite restaurants. I took my BF there for his birthday last night, and while we had a fine meal, I think they have lost a step in the food. I love the service and setting and find those both as special as ever.

We each had the glazed oysters, I had roast lobster and he had tuna, then we each had the guinea hen breast (mainly to get the black truffle gnocchi), then the cardamon apple/chestnut crepe dessert. Everything was flawless, but nothing was remarkable. (The dessert was probably a dumb-tourist-choice, prepared tableside for extra money, it was fun to watch but not very interesting to eat.) Two nights earlier we had been at Sociale -- a much less ambitious restaurant -- and had several memorable dishes.

And the wine list was just irritating. My BF know a lot about wine, and even with restaurants that mark up as high as GD, he can generally find a discovery or two where we feel we are getting a decent deal. Not on that list.

GD has long been my go-to restaurant for special occasions. Maybe it's the economy, maybe I am jaded, but I am not sure I would choose it now.

[a_and_w]

This was my impression, too, based on a visit a little less than a year ago. Except for the cheese plate, I can't even remember what I ate.

[baron45]

So what wine did you end uo choosing?

[goingoutagain]

He chose a Radio-Couteau Pinot Noir but I don't remember the year/vineyard, just the markup (over 2X).

[rworange]

My visit a while back left me feeling like you. Good, but ... i don't know ... maybe too much hype ... maybe expectations set too high. i'm starting to think more kindly of Gary Danko these days ... a single chef kitchen that isn't trying to open as many upscale chain restaurants as possible. Yes, i know he has a new restaurant coming to Ghiradelli ... but that for all purposes is practically like extending his restaurant with a casual cafe.

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Gary Danko
800 N Point St, San Francisco, CA 94109

[HoosierFoodie]

My wife and I have been there 3 times. The first time was fantastic the second a disaster (though they had just re-opened after a kitchen remodel) and this past summer as good as I've had in SF. We'll gladly return. That said, a restaurant at this level shouldn't be inconsistent.

[goingoutagain]

Have you heard when the Ghiradelli bistro is opening? The sign for months said Fall 2008. I am hoping it is still happening, my BF lives up the street.

[rworange]

When I was there it now says opening in Spring