Night out in SF

[eastbayguy]

Need some help.

 

One of my best friends here in AZ is moving to the Bay Area, in to SF. He's already seeing someone there. Friday is the new boyfriend's birthday. My friend wants to craft a special night out.

 

Am open to suggestions. My thought was a quiet, romantic dinner followed by some sort of only in San Francisco moment. Having not made any grand, romantic gestures in the Bay Area for a few years, my pool of ideas is a bit low.

 

I'm thinking Fleur de Lys/Hubert Keller is a bit to special. Both are a bit on the younger side, so trendy but quiet would be good.

 

Suggestions, thoughts and ideas welcomed and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

--EBG

[1sf]

In San Francisco restaurants, trendy and quiet generally are mutually exclusive traits. Quite San Franciscan and certainly trendy, the Zuni Cafe, though not quiet, is the one I'd recommend. Or in the east bay, and indeed quieter, Chez Panisse.

[Trixie]

Oh! Oh! If you're going to travel to the East Bay, I'd recommend Mezze, in Oakland.

Fantastic food, and much less "I'm SUCH a famous chef!" ambience than Ms. Waters' boit in Berkeley.

Much more downscale, but perhaps the finest meal you'll ever have, the Breads of India can't be beat. The most delicious Indian food I've ever tasted, served at very reasonable prices, in an unpretentious storefront on Sacramento St.

in "lower" Berkeley. If it weren't for the total lack of ambience, this would be one of the most popular restaurants in the Bay Area. They have over 600 recipes,but since they only offer five options per nght, chances are slim that you'll ever be offered the same options twice. Reservations are not accepted, so expect to wait a while.

 

La Trix