Enough rustic italian!

[olletagesson]

Have now stayed in the Bay for about a month. Moving here for the restaurant and food only. Maybe for a slightly wamer climate than freezing Sweden also...

Been eating out a fair bit, CP cafe, Delfina, Incanto, Cotogna, Camino, Zuni, A Cote, Locanda etc.

Now, this is the kind of food i prefer cooking, but am by some reason craving a fine-dining experience.

I want to go to Aziza, Coi, TFL etc eventually, but would like something new (and affordable). Any new restaurants i should check out to ease my unexpected crave?

I dine alone most of the time.

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Zuni Cafe
1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

A Cote
5478 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

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

Cotogna
490 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Locanda
557 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

[farmersdaughter]

Good suggestions in this thread. Definitely check out Quince. Their four course menu is $95 and definitely not rustic. The pastas are amazing.

[DavidT]

For less rustic Italian, you should try Perbacco. For "fine dining" Italian, Acquerello is worth a visit. Price-wise, I would place it in the splurge category and I think you would enjoy it more if you did not dine there alone.

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Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

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

[Frosty Melon]

Take a look at Boxing Room in Hayes Valley (Cajun/comfort food). Attached is the fried chicken I had on Saturday night. Overall I was really impressed with the food, room & service.

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Boxing Room
399 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102

[Rapini]

Piperade is Basque influenced, and very good. Similar price point to the places you've been trying.

I've heard good things about, but have not personally tried, L'Ardoise--classically French.

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Piperade
1015 Battery St., San Francisco, CA 94111

[bdl]

L'ardoise is a nice, cozy place but I never understood the accolades. The food is solid unimaginative French with hit or miss execution. Most entrees come with the same accompaniments. I also find it odd to find "tiger prawns" and "angus beef" advertised on the menu.Reads kind of like a chain or a restaurant from the 80's. NIce for the neighborhood but not worth a trip IMO.

[Robert Lauriston]

"Fine-dining experience" and affordable is sort of an oxymoron. Maybe Plum? Commis? Commonwealth?

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Commis
3859 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611

Plum
2214 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

Commonwealth
2224 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

[olletagesson]

Been to Plum last year, on their 2nd night. Yes would like to visit both Commis & Commonwealth. Might be my medicine!

By affordable i didn't mean cheap, but maybe not $200+ for food alone. =)

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Commis
3859 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611

[Robert Lauriston]

Aziza's tasting menu is $75 and you can eat for less a la carte.

La Folie is $70 / 80 / 90 for 3 / 4 / 5 courses.

The brand-new AQ has some creative and decidedly non-rustic dishes at very reasonable prices.

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

[olletagesson]

Think i might try to get a table at Aziza soon. And AQ seems nice! MIght try to get in there this week. Thanks

[rubadubgdub]

I think you will really enjoy Commis. Quite different food experience from the restaurants you've listed but so reasonable for the quality: tasting menu of 6-7 courses WITH wine pairing is $110. Plus they make you feel special.

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Commis
3859 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611