Chef's Table Dining

[sugarmania]

I'm looking for a great place in San Francisco for a Chef's Table meal. Many of the places I've looked into have a table for 8, 10 or 12 (or more), but I'm looking for something where 2 people can sit in or near the kitchen and have an experience that's different from what regular diners get.. I went to Lafitte last year, and while I wasn't impressed with the meal, I did notice they had a great chef's table (more accurately, a chef's counter) where 2-4 people got special attention and a multi-course meal. Any thoughts/ideas?? I'm looking to get a gift card for a special boss on his retirement and envision him going out for a chef's table meal with his wife. Please enlighten me!

[plaidbowtie]

Commonwealth does an extended tasting menu at their counter as well

[letsindulge]

I believe that Alexander's in Cupertino has a Chefs table. Would be $$$$.

[CarrieWas218]

Unfortunately, it isn't a San Francisco thing the way it is in other cities.

I'd recommend Boulette's Larder for a great chef's table that is on the more affordable side (although Saison would be amazing if you care to spend that kind of moolah).

[Robert Lauriston]

Last I heard, Boulette's doesn't serve dinner except for private parties, and it's $185 a person without wine plus $10 per person "per varietal" corkage and with a $2,000 / $2,500 minimum before 20% service charge and tax.

[CarrieWas218]

According to their site, there ARE special, themed dinners that can be bought into at $175 a person, inclusive of wine:

http://bouletteslarder.com/events.html

[Robert Lauriston]

The only event listed on that page happened two years ago.

[CarrieWas218]

Shame on me for not paying better attention to such things...

[sugarmania]

So disappointing that this isn't a more prevalent practice in San Francisco....Saison is probably out of price range....seriously, $1K for 2 people? I'm actually trying to find a retirement gift and think I'll have about $500 to spend. Maybe I should just do Gary Danko or French Laundry and be done with it and forget about the chef's table experience since I'm unlikely to find it. Any other suggestions for special occasion places?

[Robert Lauriston]

Opentable lists Perbacco, Credo, One Market, Parallel 37, Baker & Banker, RN74, Fifth Floor, Alexander's Steakhouse, Kokkari, Cotogna, Luce, Epic Roasthouse, La Mar, Chez Papa Resto, and Moss Room as having chef's tables, but in some of those cases I'm pretty sure they're actually bars / counters with a view of the kitchen. You could call and ask.

[estnet]

La folie - they are so accommodating and have such wonderful food. If you want to arrange a special meal (that is more special than their normal menu which is pretty spectacular) I'm sure you could with a phone call.
and it won't cost you 1k! or even anything near that ;)

[PorkyBelly]

I would do the Chef's Counter at Saison. It's a counter for four in the middle of the kitchen and you get served 20+ courses.