Looking for THAT restaurant in San Francisco and question about Healdsburg

[honkman]

My wife and I will travel for 2.5 weeks to San Francisco/Healdsburg/Yountville end of November/beginning of December and the journey will of course also include many good restaurants covering a wide array (e.g. multicourse high-end, more "neighborhood" like restaurants etc.). Currently we are trying to come up with our list of restaurants which include six restaurants for San Francisco. So far we have five places on our list but we can't really decide on the sixth one. We are looking for some kind of creative, relaxed restaurant (no high end multi-course since we have already a few on our trip, slow, relaxed service is important for us because even without a tasting menu we like to have long, relaxed (2-3 hours) dinners). Somehow we are not really sure what we are looking for ("hidden gem", "classical" SF restaurant) but open to every suggestion (Below is a list of the restaurants we are planning to visit to give a better idea.)

The second question is about restaurants in Healdsburg. We are looking for three restaurants (again no multi course high-end) and based on previous visits, CH posts, blogs we have a list of several restaurants but would like to get feedback which are the current board favorites.

Restaurants (in random order):

Coi
Chez Panisse
Aziza
Ritz-Carlton
Incanto
?
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Barndiva/Bistro Ralph/Scopa
Bistro 29/Mirepoix/Zazu
Syrah/Willy's
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Ad Hoc
French Laundry
Redd
Ubuntu
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Manresa

[Paolorichard]

Sons and Daugthers is that restaurant. They do an amazing 4 course dinner. The portion size is just perfect, never huge. It was one of my favorites from our trip 2 SF last week.

Incanto and Delfina are also our regular stop. You really cant go wrong with either one. Delfina Pizzeria is also tops......

When in Napa area, if your tired of the $200 lunch, check out Red Rock Cafe/Back Door BBQ. Its a small local spot...yummmmmmyyyyyyyyyyy

[tzigrrl]

For Healdsburg -- definitely Barndiva. It is a must on our list of Sonoma restaurants.

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Barndiva
231 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

[jean8298]

For a casual Italian place in SF, I love Bar Bambino. Great menu, great service, knowledgable waitstaff, have never felt rushed there.

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Bar Bambino
2931 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

[Calvinist]

I liked the one meal I had at Bar Bambino. But we sat at one of the little tables in front. If I went again I'd make sure to get a seat in the back.

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Bar Bambino
2931 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

[Fats Burgundy]

Re: La Folie.... I dined there about a year ago and while the food is very good the restaurant is somewhat dated and I had a dismal experience w/ billing (I paid half cash but they billed the full amount to my card). The duck confit there was probably the best I've had.

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

[honkman]

Many helpful ideas and suggestions and we are still looking through many blogs and posts on CH. One name which pops up quite often and also serves food from a region which is not that easily available in SD (or LA) is Piperade. Any opinions or recent reports ?

[mariacarmen]

Been a few years but have always liked Piperade, and owner/chef is usually walking the floor talking to customers for that personal touch. Food is excellent, different, satisfying - and you can definitely sit there for hours.

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Piperade
1015 Battery St., San Francisco, CA 94111

[Calvinist]

I see you have Incanto -- but you might consider La Ciccia -- small, casual, excellent Sardinian. While they do get busy I have never felt rushed there.

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La Ciccia
291 30th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

[honkman]

Since we both like Italian food a lot (and there are not really good options in San Diego) we were looking among other things into filling our last dinner spot with an Italian restaurant (Incanto seems to be more Italian influences). There seem to be many good options like La Ciccia, A16, Delfina, Aquarello. What would be the best options in terms of quality and authenticity ?

[JasmineG]

I'd vote for La Ciccia. I always have wonderful meals there, and everyone I've sent there has gone back repeatedly. Great and interesting food, in a cozy and warm environment.

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La Ciccia
291 30th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

[Ruth Lafler]

La Ciccia was going to be my suggestion as well, for just the reasons you listed.

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La Ciccia
291 30th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

[sfgirl22]

If you're looking for a leisurely dining experience I'd skip A-16 - the last time I was there we felt horribly rushed - the hostess asked us 3 times if we were sure our guest would be there soon (this was at 5:55 for a 6 pm reservation). She was. This was followed by a waitress coming by every two minutes to get our order after our wine arrived (I think we'd been at the table about 10 minutes as this point) until after the 3rd or 4th attempt I let her know I'd give her a nod when we were ready. The whole evening felt like they were simply waiting to turn our table (worked in restaurants for years so I know it when I see it). The topper - it was a Monday night.

[Calvinist]

I have been to La Ciccia, Delfina, and Aquarello. I like them all.

La Ciccia is my favorite for all the reasons the other posters have mentioned - and it's the closest to my house :-). And really, you don't get Sardinian just anywhere.

Delfina starts with good modern Italian roots and a lot of California influences. It would also be the busiest of the three.

Aquarello is small (but not as small as the other two) , a bit more formal, -- and would be (I think) the most leasurely of the three. Lovely Northern Italian in its orientation.

Really, I'd be happy to eat at any of these again.

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La Ciccia
291 30th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

Delfina Restaurant
3621 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

[mariacarmen]

2nd La Ciccia. Delicious interesting food, cozy environment.

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La Ciccia
291 30th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

[grayelf]

La Ciccia is a great way to spend an evening -- as visitors we've closed it down twice. As close to dining in someone's home as I've experienced in a restaurant.

[tom246]

Barndiva is turning out some excellent food in Healdsburg. Chef is ex French Laundry and Per Se and it shows. You won't be disappointed.
We head out to Sonoma County every few months and Bardiva is a "must" for us each time.

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Barndiva
231 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

[Kaypel]

In SF, perhaps La Folie, Frascati or Kokkari?

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

Frascati Restaurant
1901 Hyde Street, San Francisco, CA 94109

[honkman]

We have looked at La Folie but we a little bit afraid when we heard numerous time that they have very large portions.

What do people think about Zuni Cafe ? Are there other "classical" San Francisco places we shouldn't miss ?

[honkman]

I looked more into La Folie. Their webpage is not really updated for a few years. It looks like they have 3-7 course tasting menu/prix fixe. Does anybody knwo their current prices ?

[johnw188]

At La Folie they basically have a big list of dishes and you build your menu. Three courses is $75, five is $95 (I believe, can't quite remember).

I would recommend going with a four course meal, including dessert (so three savory courses). They really do have large portions, but I almost can't fault it because everything is so amazingly good. The lobster appetizer contained pretty much an entire lobster tail and was the most succulent lobster I'd ever had. The seared foie was excellent as well (I wasn't such a fan of the torchon, but I've never really been a fan of cold foie dishes so that might be personal bias seeping through).

The menu on their website isn't exactly what's being served there now, but it gives a decent idea - it's all classic high end french cuisine.

I went a few weeks ago and had a great time, highly recommended.

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

[celeryroot]

Mosiac
Scopa
Diavola
Spoonbar
Dry Creek Kitchen
Madrona Manor
Healdsburg Bar and Grill
in no specific order

All in Healdsburg area
Hope you have a great time

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Dry Creek Kitchen
317 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Diavola
21021 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville, CA 95441

Scopa
109 Plaza St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Madrona Manor
1001 Westside Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448

[Kathleen M]

My husband ate at Mosaic and reported it was great (I had to work that night) but it's in Forestville, which is not too far from Healdsburg, but it would be a bit of a drive after eating and drinking. One place I really like in Healdsburg that I haven't seen mentioned is Ravenous. It's casual and low key, but the service is great and the food is spot on.

For the OP: how far from Healdsburg did you want to venture? I noticed you listed Zazu, in Santa Rosa; and Mirepoix, in Windsor. Also, Chez Panisse is in Berkeley, not San Francisco. Will you have a car? How much driving were you thinking of doing?

[honkman]

Yes ,we a have car and are willing to drive a bit for good food.

[Robert Lauriston]

How about Mochica (Peruvian), Maykadeh (Persian), or Jai Yun (Shanghai)?

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Jai Yun
680 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Maykadeh Persian Cuisine
470 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133

Mochica
937 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

[syrahgirl]

Willi's Wine Bar in Santa Rosa is excellent! They have a sister restaurant in Healdsburg called Willi's Seafood and Raw Bar, I would try to get to both if possible. Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg is also very good, located in the Hotel Healdsburg. :)

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Willi's Wine Bar
4404 Old Redwood Hwy, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Dry Creek Kitchen
317 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Hotel Healdsburg
25 Matheson St, Healdsburg, CA

[honkman]

We went to Willi's Seafood and Raw Bar two years ago and it was good. How different is the menu between the two places in Santa Rosa and Healdsburg ? (online menus are not always accurate)

[Paul H]

The menus for the two Willi's are substantially different, and may share no dishes at all (though this is from memory). In any event, both are good, though I prefer the Seafood and Raw Bar.

[honkman]

Jai Yun sounds interesting. What's the current starting price for their prix-fixe menu (dinner)? I read somewhere it starts now at $80/person if you go with two people. Is this correct and is the food really worth this price ?

Any asian inspired/ asian fusion restaurants which are worth a visit ?

[Robert Lauriston]

Might start at $55 a person now? To me it's a bargain given the level of cooking, the number of dishes you get, and no corkage.

http://menuscan.com/jaiyun/message.html

[honkman]

Anybody ?