chaud-froid

This certainly shows that people go to restaurants expecting different things. I believe exactly the opposite. You can always get another waiter, but a new genuis Chef? That is a problem. I'll always give a restaurant another chance if the food is good.

Well it isn't San Francisco, but it does have a great waterfront view, it claims to specialize in California cuisine and seafood, and it used to be very romantic. Has anyone be to "The Caprice" in Tiburon lately? Website link: The Caprice in Tiburon

Weird report. I rarely buy milk, but decided to look at the prices while visiting Whole Foods on 4th Street in San Francisco this evening. A gallon of whole milk was $3.39 to $3.79 depending on brand. The specialty milks were more, but NOTHING was $4.71 per gallon (unless you bought in in pint sizes). I think the report is bogus.

I got it, and as can be seen from my nom de plume, I too, sometimes have trouble making up my mind.

I've tried both. Chapeau! is better. It's a bit more crowded, but the food is better and more fairly priced.

This is the type of food you get at Aqua currently (Chef Laurent Manrique). I call it Seafood for People Who Hate Seafood.

I've eaten at The FL twice, and have never felt gluttonous. Satiated, yes, but not gluttonous. Still if you must think about these things isn't Mr. Creosote from Monty Python's The Meaning of Life the correct image?

There are no good Thai places on Market near a Safeway. I daresay there are no good Thai places on Market. Perhaps the friend said there was a good Thai place near the "Safeway on Market"? That would make more sense. A few places that are worth going to are: Thep Phanom - 400 Waller Street (fairly close to the Safeway on Market). Jitlada - 1826 Buchanan Thai House - 150 Noe St. (probably closest to the Safeway on Market). Basil Thai - 1175 Folsom

You could probably do this at Piperade, Bizou, or Fringale. I've been meaning to try Tonno Rosso -- it is also in this price range but I can't vouch for the quality. A step above pricewise would be Zuni or Jeanty at Jacks.

Another topic on Masa's here.

I really dislike giving an additional tip over above a manditory gratuity, if they are going to force me to pay a tip, then screw them I say. I was referring to the additional tax and tip on wine, not a tip beyond the 18%. It seems to me that a $90 tip on a dinner for two (tasting menu, foie gras option, and a single bottle of wine at $110) is sufficient.

Last year the tasting menu was $135. It will be interesting to see if there is a point where the increasing price causes demand for reservations to fall. We don't appear to be there yet at $150 (plus $20 foie gras suppliment plus tax plus 18% = $215 PLUS wine [and tax and tip]).

I am not certain that Ziebold has actually left yet. He was there four weeks ago. Does anyone know the current status?

Does the Shanghai Dumpling Shop sell frozen XLBs for take-out and hoarding?

??? what is this ???

I thought you might rate the food higher than B, but the value lower than B.

While I agree that you can get more mussles more ways at Plouf than any other place I know of in the city, I don't think that Zuni is the best place to go for oysters. Have you been to the Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building?

Here is a list of places where there is either a bar or counter where eating alone is the norm: Original Joe's - Old time steak and spagetti place / counter looking on kitchen Tadich Grill - SF atmosphere and seafood A16 - New southern italian pizza place in the Marina (pizza bar) bacar - 100 wines by the glass and flights along with solid food Fringale - Basque/French, high quality, reasonable prices Piperade - more great Basque/French, few seats at the bar and very popular Gary Danko - one of the best in the city (very expensive) Masa's - only four seats, but the do serve at the bar and the food is outstanding (extremely expensive) Boulevard - great food and great atmosphere for solo dining (counter overlooking kitchen) expensive Pesce - excellent Venetian chichetteria. Small seafood plates, great bar, good prices

Thank you for the interesting report. I understand that Masa's stopped serving the Kaiseki menu after last Saturday (May 12th), so your report is likely the last one on this interesting culinary experiment that we shall have. I get the feeling that if you were to grade the experience on 1) absolute quality of food, and 2) value for the money, that you might grade differently than you did overall. Possible?

Mostly, there are no cheap oysters in San Francisco. Be prepared to pay about $2.25 EACH for places with a reasonable reputation and selection. The only bargain I know of is Monday evening Happy Hour at the Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building where oysters are $1 each.

The French Laundry is supposed to reopen May 11th, far in advance of August.

I don't know what chocolate he uses, but when I have a chocolate craving it's XOX Truffles for me. I have tasted nothing better anywhere.

The Inn at Victorian Gardens in Manchester on the Mendocino coast is supposed to be very special and also a significant culinary destination.

I think you'll be delighted with Kappa. Be sure to post about your experience.

I actually think you will do better on oysters at the Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building. They are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (?) seven days a week.