Romantic dining in SF

[Splah]

Any suggestions for a romantic restaurant, perhaps with a tasting menu, in SF proper? California cuisine/new american/ asian or French influences would all be great. Basically I'm interested in SF's answer to Gramercy Tavern. Any ideas?

Thanks much.

[Ruth Lafler]

Hmmm ... who is doing Cal-Cuisine/New American with a tasting menu in SF proper? La Folie and Fleur de Lys, as you might expect, are not just "French-influenced" but French. Acquerello and Quince are Italian, with some French influences. Coi is on the experimental side. After looking at the menu on the Gramercy Tavern site, I think Fifth Floor is the closest food and price-wise.

[Scott M]

How "romantic" is Fifth Floor? I have not been.

[Calvinist]

What about The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton? Would you call that French or French-influenced?

[Ruth Lafler]

French-influenced, although it seems to have a lot of Japanese influences as well. I was thinking mostly of the Gramercy Tavern comparison, and The Dining Room is both more expensive and more formal than Gramercy Tavern.

As for romantic, that's really subjective. To me, romantic -- or potentially romantic -- means decently spaced tables, good lighting, service that's warm but formal (not overly casual or obtrusively friendly) and quiet enough to hold an intimate conversation, and Fifth Floor qualifies (as do most of the other places mentioned) IMHO. From a woman's perspective, I should say that I consider rich gooey desserts to be almost mandatory for a romantic meal, and that a menu that's more sensual than intellectual is usually preferable. I should say that I'm not particularly advocating Fifth Floor, as there haven't been enough reports about the food under the current kitchen regime to give it an unqualified recommendation. Only that as I said, the type of food and price range seem closest to the example the OP gave.

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Fifth Floor Restaurant
12 Fourth St., San Francisco, CA 94103

[Scott M]

I would have to add Acquerello and Fleur De Lys as options. Though the food is better at Acquerello.

[Jeni Bean]

I agree about Acquerello. We went maybe 4 years ago now, and I still remember it quite fondly. It is the all around best tasting menu w/ wine pairings I've ever had. It has NO view, however, so there is that caveat. And the area it is in is a little random. The waitstaff are knowledgable about both the food AND the wine, and are very sweet and unobstrusive. I think the type of cuisine they do there would also complement May in San Francisco as well.

Have a wonderful evening.

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Acquerello Restaurant
1722 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA 94109

[pauliface]

I recently ate at Acquarello for the first time and thought it was absolutely fantastic. I'd also recommend it heartily (though I still prefer La Folie)..

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La Folie
2316 Polk St., San Francisco, CA 94109

[ysaw]

My favorite romantic dinner is the tasting menu at La Folie. Small restaurant, amazing french food.

[pauliface]

Agreed, La Folie is my favorite.

Though I have not done the tasting menu,. I usually order the 3, 4, or 5 courses from the regular menu.

[Engineering]

Adding some map links.

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La Folie
2316 Polk St., San Francisco, CA 94109

Acquerello Restaurant
1722 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA 94109

Fleur De Lys
777 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94109

The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94108