THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Pilar

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Pilar Restaurant Review:

Chef Maria del Pilar Sanchez built an impressive culinary pedigree with stints at Wine Cask, San Francisco's Clift hotel, and in Paris at Café del Sol, a French-Mex restaurant that stood the city on its head. Sanchez also spent time at The Restaurant at Meadowood and then worked as executive chef at The Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant. With her husband, Didier Lenders, she has created a sensation with Pilar, dishing out polished world-view cuisine. Try the sweet white corn soup with chunky hubcaps of Maine crab---the best “corn-sommé” one could hope to find. Other dishes include the grilled Monterey sardines, the hanger steak and a properly seasoned rare venison flank. Sanchez is responsible for the wonderful desserts; try the delicate carnaroli rice pudding or white peach and blueberry financier with vanilla gelato. The wine list complements California varietals with old-world cousins. Though Pilar's celery green walls and artwork are uninspiring, and the meager lighting could use a boost by day, diners will feel quite urbane once the sun goes down. The creative, organic and consistent food make Pilar a superior dining experience.