 The restaurant’s duality---chef Seiji Wakabayashi fuses French and Japanese flavors---is manifest even in the small room’s elegant, rustic-modern décor: an intimate first floor is dominated by a striking, 16-seat communal table split lengthwise into contrasting halves of wood and glass. Around it stand a few white-topped tables, and above, a petite mezzanine screened with frosted glass provides elevated dining for a private few. Combinations on heavy, geometric plates can be elaborate, and---as with the prices that range from $6-$20 for appetizers---somewhat confusing. Memorable dishes include seared foie gras in a pot de crème folded with kabocha squash the color of fresh egg yolk, crumbled lightly with crushed pistachio and chervil. Dramatic color also marks the carpaccio of golden beets crisscrossed with roasted paprika coulis, touches of mizuna and Himalayan truffle tapenade. Disparate elements overpower a too-spicy grilled day boat scallop main, served over saffron potato chowder and topped with a puff “popover”; and black cod dabbed with large shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano over uninspired porcini risotto. Meats are good: medallions of Wagyu périgourdine with shiitakes, and wild boar sausage with house-made choucroute. The menu of old- and new-world wines as well as good sakés by the (wine) glass provides some real treats. Specially-filtered, ph-balanced water is a house feature. |
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Set the mood for love by reserving a table at one of the Best Romantic Restaurants in San Francisco, or view our list of Valentines Restaurants to find out which restaurants are offering unique menus just for February 14. Also, see who sets the standard for seductive dining across the country with our Top 10 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S. list.
