As I mentioned in my previous SF post, the highlight of our San Francisco trip was the dinner at Gary Danko, a Michelin rated restaurant, which just happened to be a block away from our hotel. Our reservation was at a different place, Michael Mina, which was a small drive away. When I called up Gary Danko for reservation (they were completely booked on both nights we were there), they had told me about the walk-in bar, so we decided to just give it a try, before driving to Michael Mina. Lucky that we are, a couple was getting ready to move to their table from the bar. The bar had only about 10 seating, and the whole restaurant was packed! We were really lucky to find a seat. For a Sunday night, that too at 9 in the night, I couldn’t believe the crowd! Most Seattle restaurants are pretty dead by that time on Sundays, if they are even open.

The Gary Danko Bar
 

The bar was fabulous, they even give you proper place settings if you decide to dine at the bar. The menu is slightly confusing, divided into five sections - Appetizers, Fish and Seafood, Meat and Game Birds, Cheese and Dessert. The 3 Course menu is prized at $65, 4 course at $81, and 5 courses at $91. In addition there are two different prices next to each of the individual items, which is what really confused us. But anyway, after a small discussion with the way too helpful waiter, we both decided to go for a three course meal each, and then split one dessert. We weren’t too hungry, so we thought three course will be plenty. We also went for the wine pairing, which was $45 additional per person, for a three course meal. It will be $55 and $65 each for the 4 course and 5 course meals.

While we were trying to decide the courses, this fabulous Amuse Bouche appeared. A Thai coconut soup with chicken and portabello and drizzled with cilantro oil. It was simply superb, what a great way to start the dinner!

My first course of course was Seared Foie Gras with Caramelized Red Onions, Seckel Pear and Huckleberries. This was paired beautifully with a really sweet wine from Hungary - Kiralyudvar Tokaji Cuvee Ilona. Perfect compliment for the acidity of the fruits. I absolutely loved my dish… Foie gras seldom disappoints me anyway.

Siv went for the Lobster salad with Persimmon, Chestnut Mousse and Pomegranate seeds. His dish was paired with an Austrian white wine - Weingut Stadt Krems Wachtberg Gruner Veltiner. The only reason I remember the wine pairings were because I took a picture of the bottles. (Pics down below) I never pay attention to wines, I just know if they taste good or not. Siv loved the pairing, I didn’t taste his wine. I can speak for the lobster salad though, it was just superb! We just had to make sure that we get a small piece of all the accompaniments with each bite. The persimmon and the pom seeds along with the chestnut mousse created the perfect backdrop for the lobster.

Our next course was from the Fish and Seafood section. I had the Pancetta Wrapped Frog Legs with Sunchoke Puree, Potato and Green Lentils. It was paired with a wine that was very similar to a Pinot Grigio, but I think was from Germany. I unfortunately didn’t take a picture of the bottles for this course. The pancetta was a little too salty, and while the dish was fine, I thought I would’ve been happy with just two frog legs. I wasn’t much impressed with the overall flavor combination in this dish, and thought it was a tad too big.

Siv got the Pan Steamed Shellfish with Thai Red Curry and Jasmine Rice. He absolutely loved this dish. The Thai curry had real subtle spicy flavor, and his wine pairing was a nice German Riesling. He too thought his dish was a little too big for a course in a three course dinner.

After the first two courses, we were kind of stuffed. But the third course from the Meat and Game Birds section wass supposedly the main course. After seeing the sizes of the previous portions, we knew we were going to get a humongous portion, but hoped for something small anyway. Well, the main course followed the theme, and this was the biggest plate of all.

My Quail stuffed with Porcini and Foie Gras with Sweet Potato, Brussel Sprouts and Pomegranate Gastrique was really a scrumptious creation. I just wish I was a little more hungry, I could’ve enjoyed it more. This was paired with a Red Burgundy. Even though I wasn’t too hungry, I managed to finish off most of my quail. If I had just had this one dish, I would have been really happy I think.

Unfortunately, it was a different story with Siv’s main course. He had ordered the Moroccan Spiced Squab with Chermoula and Orange Cumin Carrots. I am not a big fan of Squab, since the meat is too gamy for my taste. Also, they never cook Squab beyond medium in any fine restaurants, it is normally done rare, or best case medium. I can only have lamb/beef that way, all other meats I tend to go for medium well. So anyway, he took the chance, and was thoroughly disappointed. He didn’t like the dish at all, not just because he was stuffed by then, but the squab was just not up to his expectations. Also, the dish was huge! His wine pairing also was a full bodied red wine from France.

Wine pairings for the 1st and 3rd courses:
  

Our initial plan was to split a dessert. But at this point, we were so stuffed, it was unimaginable. We canceled the dessert plan, but they brought out this complimentary tray of mini treats. There were so many varieties, and were perfect ending for the meal.

In addition to this, they gave us a lovely parting gift to take home. Two beautifully wrapped pumpkin cream filled cakes for next day breakfast! Now, that is what I call a fine restaurant. These were absolutely delicious, and I devoured it the next morning.

All in all, it was a fantastic meal, other than the two disappointments we had. I wish they would reduce the portion sizes to make the meal more enjoyable, otherwise even a three course meal is just too filling! Also, we thought they were skimping on the quantity of the wine. We have been to restaurants where they give you refills on wine pairing. At Gary Danko, they gave us very little wine to start with and no refills at all. I was totally fine, three 2.5 oz portions was exactly what I needed to enjoy my meal,  but Siv could’ve definitely used some more.  

I loved sitting at the bar, it really made the evening so casual. Our main entertainment was this guy sitting next to us, eating alone, who was enjoying his food way too much! With each course, he’d first poke and probe the food for about five minutes, closely examining it from all the angles. Then he’d slowly cut the food into really tiny portions, taking his own sweet time enjoying each and every bite. Sometimes he even closed his eyes! If he had a camera, I’d have definitely thought - Food Blogger! Or the way he was enjoying the food, I am sure he will be able to describe the food so well, he wouldn’t need pictures. But me, I need my pictures to remember what I ate even a day after…

www.garydanko.com

Restaurant Gary Danko in San Francisco


Comments

23 Responses to “Restaurant Gary Danko - San Francisco”

  1. Passionate Eater on November 12th, 2007 10:19 pm

    Wow! What a privilege to eat at Gary Danko! I ate there once, long before I started my food blog, and I don’t remember that heavy of an Asian influence. I DO remember the food portions being rather large and two take-home packets of baked goods. Frog legs and quail are very adventurous selections. Thank you for sharing your lovely (and expensive) meal with us.

    Thanks for dropping by passionate eater! Actually, if I remember correctly, the Steamed shellfish in the thai curry sauce was the only asian influenced item in the menu. The take home goodies is really a nice touch don’t you think? :)

  2. sra on November 12th, 2007 11:35 pm

    Frogs’ legs, wow! What’s the texture like, Sig?

    It is a very light meat Sra, kind of like chicken, but lighter than that, I’d say something between chicken and fish… If you ever go to Kerala, find a toddy shop, they have the best spicy frog legs in the world! :)

  3. sea on November 13th, 2007 12:01 am

    Even though I live in Mountain View, Ca we haven’t taken advantage of all the amazing restaurants in the area… You are inspiring me to do so! I think I would love the Pan Steamed Shellfish with Thai Red Curry and Jasmine Rice… as my entire meal! So strange that they serve big portions. Thank you for sharing your experience. I had to smile at the description of the other diner… I can think of some meals like that where I wanted to savor each delicate bite. :)

    -Sea

    Sea, You totally should and write about the places too…. Then next time when I go to the bay area, I can just refer to your blog for inspiration…
    Any dish from the second /third course could’ve been made into a full meal actually … I was really surprized by the portion sizes…

  4. Kaykat on November 13th, 2007 12:20 am

    That does sound like a lot of food! It sounds like a really cool dining experience, we’ll definitely check it out the next time we’re in San Francisco - a trip is long overdue anyway :)

    oh you are going there soon… I envy you :) … There are so many nice restaurants, you should check out the Michelin list. Though this was quite good, I’ve had better, and I am sure SF has much nicer places.

  5. Mansi on November 13th, 2007 12:45 am

    Sig! you are talking about SF, and that’s supposed to be roaring at night girl!! I’ll put this on our SF to-check-hotel list:)

    -Mansi

    Lol, I know that… didn’t expect an overflowing restaurant, that too an upscale place so crowded on Sunday after 9 pm…

  6. Rachna on November 13th, 2007 2:10 am

    haaa loved the bit about the entertaining guy sitting next to you :) heeee

    :) he was very entertaining

  7. Shantanu on November 13th, 2007 2:21 am

    Great post. And helpful; now I know I have to miss breakfast and lunch to do justice to the 5-course. :grin:

    And I like that description of the guy next to you. Heh!

    BTW, what were those two prices against each item about? Did you figure that out?

    You know, 5 and 4 course menus the portion sizes are smaller… So regardless of the number of courses, the quanity kind of remains the same… you just get more variety… But judging from how much food we had for 3 courses, you are better off skipping lunch anyway ;).

    The prices are for a la carte single or to-share orders.

  8. Nags on November 13th, 2007 3:42 am

    must have cost you a bomb!

    the one restaurant i really enjoyed at SF was bucce de beppo. they had amazing pizzas there, but its not a fine restaurant. more like a casual friends hangout kind of a place. do try it if you can though.

    We have bucca de beppo in Seattle too… and you are right, it is a fun place… but better with a bigger group than a couple

  9. Rajitha on November 13th, 2007 4:11 am

    closing the eye and eating..boy..they have no life…i do not remember names and yrs of wine too..not a great fan of them… glad u had a great time..when u visit places with repu..it is nice that they hold up to it :)

    You know, this guy wasn’t pretentious… He was genuinely enjoying his food , without any care in the world :) That is different…

  10. Raaga on November 13th, 2007 5:20 am

    Hmmm… you make me drool even with your restaurant pics.

    :) Thanks Raags..

  11. Asha on November 13th, 2007 5:55 am

    That is great array of good food. We have one or two here which makes great dishes Rest of them are just waste of money!! Enjoy:))

    You know, that is why I love Seattle, so many nice restaurants here… but the number is nothing compared to SF though!

  12. sandeepa on November 13th, 2007 7:37 am

    I want to go to a Michelin Star restaurant right now :cry: But the “gaon” i live in has only Zagat rated ones, don’t know of any Michelin ones yet.

    But then does this make you a “gourmand” :grin:

    They have only rated very few cities in the US - NY, LA, SF and Las Vegas I think… May be Chicago too, not sure. Zagat is pretty good standard…

    Oh, this does not make me a gourmand, I don’t hate regular food… I love all foods with the same passion :)

  13. richa on November 13th, 2007 9:46 am

    Seared Foie Gras with Caramelized Red Onions, Seckel Pear and Huckleberries…foodie OR gourmet?? :sealed:

    Somebody didn’t pay attention in the class. :mad: Foodies are all inclusive, they like gourmet food too … The gourmets only like gourmet food… Now repeat that 10 times till it gets in :D

  14. richa on November 13th, 2007 9:49 am

    hey, why did the emoticon not pop up???
    anyway here is the 2nd attempt :sealed:

    :D fixed it… It needs a space on both ends… Not my prob, it is the wordpress code :)

  15. Happy Cook on November 13th, 2007 10:10 am

    Sig now i understand you blog name Live to eat.
    Every time i read one of your post like this i say tomyself that girl does know how to enjoy her food.
    I make frog legs here at home for my hubby but i never touch them it makes me reminds me of small baby thighs :-)
    My hubby had few concets and after that we wer einvited for dinner so went to 2 fantastic places, when they brought the food i was saying i should take pic and put in my blog but then i am not good with words like you, so didn’t do :sad:

    You make it at home??? Wow… I always see the frog legs in the Chinese market, but never bought it! You are too funny, baby things :D

    Hey, you should take pics and just start writing… I am not a wordsmith either!! :)

  16. musy on November 13th, 2007 12:33 pm

    Glad you enjoyed the dinner! Looks like they know how to entertain their guests, what with the lovely presents :) Hey, i meant to ask you, have you been to Caffe’ Greco there? Do go there on your next trip, if you haven’t already :) Its a great place and almost everything there is good (atleast to my palate!) :-D

    Now you are telling me :mad: … Duly noted for next trip :)

  17. sheela on November 13th, 2007 3:53 pm

    Wish I had your sense of adventure and spirit when it comes to food, Sig! And, am always amazed at the lovely pictures you manage to get of restaurant food - usually, lighting is pretty poor and the setting is pretty cramped that my measly few turn out pretty much useless to share…

    I used to try and take the pics without flash, to be less intrusive… but the pics used to turn bad… So now I use the flash… I don’t know when someone is going to kick me out :) And sometimes the pics turn out disastrous too, even with the flash, especially after a few drinks… those restaurants never got reviewed :)

  18. Cynthia on November 13th, 2007 5:25 pm

    I do enjoy your reviews and envy you :smile:

    :) Thanks Cyn…

  19. Karthika on November 13th, 2007 7:12 pm

    Try Banana Leaf in Milptas….it was just awesome. Just went there last weekend….

  20. Susan from Food Blogga on November 14th, 2007 5:36 pm

    Gary Danko? Aw, now you’re just rubbing it in, Sig. ;)

  21. Revathi on November 23rd, 2007 12:31 pm

    Wowwww… I guess I missed you coz I work right in downtown… Did you go to the Westfield shopping center ??

    It will be fun to meet ( if ur interested ) when you are in town again, so I can absorb a little bit of food appreciation from you !!

    Have a lovely vacation in Spain !

    Sure, would love to get together with you next time :) Didnt go to westfield, it was in my list, but never finished all the wonderful shops in Union Square :)

  22. in soo yoo on March 12th, 2008 6:30 am

    wow…see you main dish good
    I,m korean. main dishphoto downroad

  23. Michael Mina, Bellagio - Las Vegas : Live To Eat on June 16th, 2008 12:26 am

    […] wish list. Michael Mina was right up there on top of the list, as we missed the opportunity in San Francisco last year.  Michael Mina’s SF restaurant has got two Michelin stars and the Vegas restaurant has one star […]

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