THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Cortez Restaurant Review
Hotel Adagio
550 Geary St. (Jones St.) 
Send to Phone
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-292-6360
Cuisine
Open
Dinner nightlyFeatures
- Full bar
- Reservations suggested
- Valet parking & parking lot
- Casual dressy
Wine
Great Wine List* Click here for rating key
 Known as fertile ground for young talent (Quinn and Karen Hatfield, Louis Maldonado, Seth Bowden), Cortez has found another winning chef in Jenn Puccio, whose beautiful seasonal plates easily match---and occasionally surpass---those of her predecessors. Under new ownership (Ron Silberstein of Thirsty Bear), the sexy slip of a dining room and bar remains happily unchanged but for a refreshed positivity in service. Designed by Michael Brennan and ensconced in the Hotel Adagio, the narrow room features a stylish, urban vibe, drawing local sophisticates for upmarket dates and small group dining. A letterbox window onto the exhibition kitchen creates a subtle stage. Regulars delight in the menu’s traditions: the farm-fresh soup shots, for example. Inspired small plates feature bright, well chosen ingredients, and in Puccio’s hands a slow-roasted baby beet salad with burrata and herbs becomes a miniature Chihuly garden of color and form. The slow-cooked Jidori egg of past dishes now rests in a lovely, compressed “nest” of Parmesan, risotto and truffle. Compositions are artful and balanced, and playful with texture and temperature. Larger plates include tender pan-seared Pekin duck breast, swiped with a precise calligraphy of dusky reduction, chanterelles, leeks and wild arugula; Alaskan halibut is seared and met with just-warm heirloom tomato gazpacho, poured tableside. Good cocktails and an extensive international wine list provide fine complement. Seasonal desserts are less consistent but innovative: try the pistachio crusted french toast with maple-glazed huckleberries and pancetta ice cream.
|
- Subscribe to Receive the 2012 Edition of our Annual Restaurant Issue, and Check Out the Winners from our Current Restaurant Awards!
- Find the Best Restaurants for Celebrating Valentine's Day
- WOW HER THIS VALENTINE'S. Don't Settle for Less. Save up to 30% with 1800Flowers.com. No promotion codes needed!
What's Hot
RESTAURANT AWARDS
Subscribe to receive the 2012 edition of our annual restaurant issue, and check out our current Top 40 U.S. Restaurant selections, and more!
DINING ON A BUDGET
Splurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area. Also, check out our picks for the Top 40 Cheap Eats in the U.S.
