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Court a client at Charles Nob Hill (1250 Jones St., 415/771-5400), where the cozy velvet banquettes and stiff white linens lend the room the rich elegance of a European salon, and its location—a few blocks from Union Square's gaggle of restaurants—gives it the exclusive air of existing solely for those in the know. Impress clients with your insider knowledge and the exquisite light French cuisine. Dinner is about $80.
Negotiate a deal at the elegant and discreet Pacific (500 Post St., 415/929-2087) in the Pan Pacific Hotel, where the staff will go out of their way to meet any request and will never rush a table through a meal. For all-day negotiations, book the Terrace Room or Boardroom, two upstairs conference rooms with city views. Dinner is about $60.
Celebrate a deal at Ana Mandara (891 Beach St., 415/771-6800), where Nash Bridges detective duo Don Johnson and Cheech Marin have created a stunning, movie set–like refuge in which to dine on some of the best Vietnamese food in the city. Contribute to the energy of the well-dressed crowd in the warehouse-size space decorated in a colonial Vietnamese theme, or enjoy chef Khai Duong's creations from the private room, which seats up to 35, for a more intimate celebration. Dinner is about $40.
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Restaurants
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Trendy
Fifth Floor (Union Square/South of Market)
Elite enclave with star chef
Fifth Floor is the newest of San Francisco's hipper-than-thou restaurants that cater to the digerati and new-money sophisticates. That doesn't mean we don't like it. In fact, the Fifth Floor, tucked away on its namesake floor, is one of the hottest reservations. George Morrone, the original chef at Aqua, mans the kitchen with his usual flair, creating lush luxuries such as his signature tuna foie gras. The out-of-the-way location and the quiet atmosphere make it a good choice when discretion is key. Dinner is about $65. 12 Fourth St., inside the Palomar Hotel, (415) 348-1555
Gary Danko (Fisherman's Wharf)
Foodie haven
Inside this minimalist, two-room space, diners will find light wood chairs with black leather seats that complement crisp white tablecloths and banquettes in muted shades of black and gray. Recessed lighting and lots of mirrors give the restaurant a sophisticated yet understated feel that fits well with the black-clad clientele conversing at the steel bar. Danko is a superstar chef in a city of celebrity gourmets, and one taste of his food will convince you he deserves accolades. A 600-bottle wine list ensures the proper libation can be found to complement any meal—or impress any client. Dinner is about $75. 800 North Point, (415) 749-2060
The Slanted Door (The Mission)
Vietnamese that's worth the trek for social dining
A few miles from downtown in the Mission District, the Slanted Door is one of the hottest dining spots in town. The nouveau Vietnamese food is out-of-this-world good. The stylish two-level dining room is stark, simple, and instantly likable, despite the noise level exacerbated by the high ceilings. Great for a social dinner, but the setup doesn't work well for business. Dinner is about $35. 584 Valencia St., near 17th St., (415) 861-8032
Old Favorites
Aqua (Financial District)
Favorite of Financial District deal-makers
Aqua serves more than just a meal—it offers an elegant dining experience. The grand room, with elegant tables spaciously spread among towering floral arrangements and tall mirrors, is formal without being stuffy. The menu changes seasonally, always focusing on seafood prepared in a French-California fashion. While the atmosphere at Aqua is lively and lush, it's really chef Michael Mina's attention to detail and exceptional skill that keeps the reservation book full. Dinner is about $70. 252 California St., near Battery St., (415) 956-9662
Hawthorne Lane (South of Market)
Power tie haven
A sophisticated spot for clients unused to San Francisco's casual, free-for-all style. That's not to say it's not a fun place—many young multimedia execs drop by for Ann and David Gingrass's menu, a mix of Asian and Mediterranean cuisines focusing on the freshest ingredients and innovative combinations. Ask to sit in the quieter front room, or near the windows. Solo diners can enjoy the entire menu at the bar. Dinner is about $60. 22 Hawthorne St., off Howard St., (415) 777-9779
Expensive
Boulevard (Embarcadero)
Welcoming charm and delicious fare
As much as for the excellent food, Boulevard draws a loyal following for its charming art nouveau room and graceful view of the bay. The New American cuisine focuses on old favorites with a modern twist. The portions are generous and the service friendly and professional. At lunchtime it's filled with a Financial District crowd. Counter seating is available for solo diners, but even this can require a wait. Dinner is about $55. 1 Mission St., at Steuart St., (415) 543-6084
Jardinière (Civic Center)
'40s-style supper club in performing arts area
Ensconced in an old brick building, this restaurant is a plush rendition of a '40s supper club filled with autumn colors and rich velvets. Chef Traci des Jardins, formerly of Rubicon, is newly famous for her French-California cuisine, incorporating hearty dishes such as a foie gras terrine and a sweet onion tart with gravlax. A pretheater menu is served from 5:30, a late night menu until midnight. Dinner is about $60. 300 Grove St., at Franklin St., (415) 861-5555
Good Deals
Fringale (South of Market)
A classic French bistro
Not far from Moscone Center, Fringale draws a local crowd, everyone from businesspeople in suits to body-pierced production assistants. Specializing in Southern French fare, chef/owner Gerald Hirigoyen offers dishes like a roasted rack of lamb and a subtly flavored bouillabaisse. The desserts are not to be missed either—Hirigoyen was once a pastry chef. The small room is very noisy, however, and the paper-topped tables are close together. Dinner is about $40. 570 Fourth St., near Brannan St., (415) 543-0573
After Hours and Power Breakfast
For after-hours dining try Globe (290 Pacific Ave., Financial District, 415/391-4132), where San Francisco chefs enjoy American food until 1 am. At
Enrico's Sidewalk Cafe (504 Broadway, North Beach, 415/982-6223), a historic restaurant/club, live music and a cozy patio add to the charm; a menu of tapas is served until 11 pm, until 1 am on weekends. There are few options for very late dining in the downtown area, but the '50s-style Lori's Diner (336 Mason St., Union Square, 415/392-8646) is good for a basic no-fuss meal 24 hours a day.
Breakfast at Campton Place (340 Stockton St., in Campton Place Hotel, Union Square, 415/781-5555) is the ultimate in luxury and popular with the city's power players. Breakfast service starts at 7 am (Saturday at 8, Sunday at 10). For a stylish and relaxed breakfast, try Grand Café (501 Geary St., Union Square, 415/292-0101), where diners are invited to linger. They open weekdays at 7 am, weekends at 8. Inside the plush Mandarin Oriental hotel, Silks (222 Sansome St., Financial District, 415/986-2020) is a popular place for quiet, unhurried breakfast meetings. Service begins at 6:30 am weekdays, 7 am weekends.
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Business Events
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Moscone Convention Center, Jan. 9 to 12
Macworld Conference and Expo
Annual IT event for West Coast
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Entertainment
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Theater
ontheroad.com's Best Bets: In Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding, the crazy antics of a wedding party become personal as the public is invited to attend the wedding party of Italian stud Tony and his seemingly well-bred bride Tina. The fun begins when the proceedings turn into an interactive jumble mixing the weirdness of a Seinfeld episode with the darkness of The Godfather. The comedy continues at the Cable Car Theatre. David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize–winning play Glengarry Glen Ross, applauded by the New York Times as a "ferocious comedy and drama," reveals the dark side of the American dream, where fortunes are made at the expense of others. The production is currently running at the Geary Theater.
Classical
Davies Symphony Hall, Jan. 11 to 13
San Francisco Symphony Chorus
John Adams premiere
Opera
War Memorial Opera House, Jan. 11 and 13
San Francisco Opera
Donizetti's L'Elisir D'Amore
War Memorial Opera House, Jan. 9, 10, 12, and 14
San Francisco Opera
Mozart's The Magic Flute
Dance
Marines Memorial Theatre, Jan. 9 to 14
Stomp
International percussion sensation
Special
John Adams is one of the most highly acclaimed living American composers, the creative mind behind such operatic works as Nixon in China and the brand-new choral piece El Nino (A Nativity Oratorio). Adams gives a lecture Jan. 10 at Herbst Theatre. Celebrate the Chinese New Year with Amy Tan as she reads her children's story The Chinese Siamese Cat accompanied by illustrations projected on a large screen and music by the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. The fun takes place Jan. 14 at Davies Symphony Hall.
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Museums & Galleries
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Asian Art Museum, closing Jan. 14
Between the Thunder and the Rain
Chinese paintings from the Opium War to the Cultural Revolution
Braunstein/Quay Gallery
Arthur Okamura
Local landscape artist
Legion of Honor, closing Jan. 10
Old Master Prints from the Berolzheimer Collection
15th-, 16th-, and 17th-century art
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Celebrating Modern Art: The Anderson Collection
Major exhibition of more than 300 influential pieces
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Sports
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Hockey fans can check out some serious sports action at the San Jose Arena, where the San Jose Sharks face off against the Buffalo Sabres Jan. 9, the St. Louis Blues Jan. 11, and the Nashville Predators Jan. 13.
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12/19/00 14:18:00
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