Last Meal (for awhile) in SF

[Sue Flay]

We're moving away in the middle of September and have funds for one more snazzy meal in the Bay Area. Where should we go? We've been to Chez Panisse, Manka's, Quince, various other places--but we're looking for a last hurrah. What's the one place we shouldn't miss?

[MsMelkor]

I'll beat everyone else to the punch and recommend Manresa in Los Gatos. Expensive but well worth it.

[jenny scibelli]

I agree with Manresa, although I did have a nice dinner at Gary Danko's...very expensive but fun...

[ScorchedPalate]

Depends on where you are going. I'd go to the place that best embodies what you won't be able to find in your new home.

~A

... who left SF for 3 years, and finally made it back home.

[Sue Flay]

We're moving to Seattle, so there will certainly be good food there.

[annachan]

Here are a few favorites of mine:

Jardiniere

Boulevard

La Toque (Rutherford, Napa Valley)

And I few places I wouldn't mind trying:

Michael Mina

Fleur de Lys

Gary Danko

French Laundry

[ScorchedPalate]

We're moving to Seattle, so there will certainly be good food there.

←

That's where we moved to. And now from.

Edited to add...

There is certainly good food there, but there are many things that you can get here that you won't find done terribly well there (and, to a limited extent, vice-versa). Most of the things that pop to mind are ethnic -- thai, mexican, dim sum -- and not necessarily the kind of top-tier "last supper" that I think you're looking for.

I'd avoid any place that specializes in seafood or small plates (as just two examples) since you will not lack for great examples of either in your new home.

~A

Edited August 19, 2005 by ScorchedPalate (log)

[Jason Perlow]

Manresa for a blowout meal -- you can get 22 course tasting menus there if you want, and sit and eat for 5 hours straight. I liked Danko, but there is no comparison.

[hshiau]

Besides Manresa, I'd say La Folie.

[Brithack]

I'm interested as to why those of you in the know wouldn't suggest Zuni Cafe? I've never been to San Francisco so I don't know about any of the others (apart from the French Laundry, natch)...

[hshiau]

I'm interested as to why those of you in the know wouldn't suggest Zuni Cafe? I've never been to San Francisco so I don't know about any of the others (apart from the French Laundry, natch)...

←

Zuni's a great place for a meal...but I wouldn't consider it a "last meal" kind of place.

[raxelita]

Second La Folie.

[Curlz]

Don't know if it qualifies for "last meal" status, but I still think about the dinner I had at Aziza earlier this year...and wish I could find a place like it out here!

[ingridsf]

La Folie by all means.

The quail stuffed with foie gras, if you eat foie gras, is not to be missed.

[highflyingbird]

la folie is pretty rich, if you like that kind of thing. high quality though, and a nice room.

maybe do a tour of north beach:

enrico's smoked salmon with cucumber jam

osteria del forno's thin crust pizza

michaelangelo's pasta with clams

dessert at moose's or monkey bar

in seattle: don't miss lampreia and wild ginger (excellent!!!)

[malachi]

French Laundry.

Seriously.