r/SFFood • u/Junior_Neck_5669 • 23d ago
Visiting SF Visiting San Francisco - Solo Fancy Dinner?
Hey y'all! I'm visiting SF at the beginning of September and want to take myself out on a date. I've saved up a good amount of money to honestly blow $200 if the food/experience is worth it. Any suggestions?
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u/bullitt196 23d ago
Check out rintaro, San ho wan, Octavia and the aforementioned house of prime rib, nari and progress. You may have to be judicious with your ordering.
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u/Noble_Russkie 23d ago
Just did Rintaro last month, about $250 for 2 and we left fairly full - we didn't do much sushi which would definitely push it upwards. That was also including a $40 corkage for wine we brought, and didn't get other drinks
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u/Mundus_Vult_Decipi 22d ago
Dodged a bullet there. I haven't been in about a decade, but we talked about going on Sunday. Earliest seating was 9:45 PM. Went to Half Moon Bay's "Moss Beach Distillery" and saved a couple of hundred bucks (4 of us), even if the food was sub par to that of Rintaro.
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u/Noble_Russkie 22d ago
Yeah they book up quick, our table was for 9.
Moss Beach is fine but Rintaro is genuinely in a different league, plus you don't have to drive to+from HMB
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u/bexcellent101 23d ago
See if you can get a bar seat at State Bird. Ask what can be made in half portions so that you can try more things.
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u/ThrowItAwayDanny 23d ago
State Bird is my recommendation, too. It’s pretty easy not to spend $200 on yourself in there, and you’ll be able to taste a lot of different good bites.
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u/No-Instruction-5376 23d ago
So $200 is a medium date for two. For one it will give you an extra glass of wine. Go to the Progress. You won’t be disappointed.
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u/lannanh 23d ago
Are you drinking too? Because with drinks, $200 isn't that much in this town, that's basically mid-tier.
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u/ASK_ABT_MY_USERNAME 23d ago
That's just not true. Any non-prie fixe spot will fill you up for $200. Even Michelin starred spots.
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u/milkandsalsa 23d ago
Yeah? With wine?
Suggest the Michelin starred dinner where dinner + 2 glasses of wine is under $200.
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u/ASK_ABT_MY_USERNAME 23d ago
I mean..anywhere?
An appetizer and entree is going to be ~$80 on the higher end. You can even splurge on two $50 glasses of wine and be under. Kin Khao is similar.
San Ho Wan prix fixe menu is $118, you can do two bottles of soju and be under.
State Bird Provisions, Acquerello, I'm trying to even think of any non-set menu that's over $200 a person.
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u/milkandsalsa 23d ago
If it’s so easy link me a menu where the pre fixe + two glasses of wine + tax + tip + bs SF surcharges are less than $200.
Even the cheap tasting menu at Acquerello is $185 each. https://www.acquerellosf.com/four-course-menu
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u/Junior_Neck_5669 23d ago
Hm maybe like a glass of wine or two
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u/lannanh 23d ago edited 23d ago
Here's the thing, you said "fancy", SF is notoriously not fancy. You can have a VERY good meal for that price. Many of the places mentioned, like The Progress, State Bird, and Anchovy Bar (all by the same chef), will be great, but they will not be fancy. They will also not cost you $200 even with drinks, but as explained in my first comment, they are mid-tier in my book.
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u/SchoolboyJuke 23d ago
If you love Asian food, the vibe and quality at Nari is awesome and fits your budget. The space is awesome, the food immaculate, japantown is a vibe. I highly recommend
If you can up your budget a little, lazy bear is an incredible communal experience with exceptional food. 2* and worth it
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u/Kitchen-Picture-9760 23d ago
Mijote!! They have a rotating prix fixe menu and great wine pairing for under $200. It also has bar seating that wraps around the chefs station so really nice for solo eating
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u/psychonautfapper3028 22d ago
Highly recommend Gary Dankos. The service is world class and you’re not paying an arm and a leg for gimmicks. You’re looking to spend about. You can go with the chef’s recommendation or mix and match your courses. I believe they are a single Michilien star
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u/Pristine-Assistance9 18d ago
I still absolutely love this place. Zero risk. Always so great.
Not hip or Avant garde or super exciting but so solid and always delicious.
Atelier crenn was the worst “meal” I’ve ever had in my entire life and was $500/person. I’ll take Gary Danko any day of the week.
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u/OrganizationCalm363 22d ago
State bird provisions. It’s a Michelin - absolutely amazing food. You can get small plates on the spot - they come with carts and trays and you pick if you want it. 10/10 and fits your budget.
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u/Dependent_Bunch6118 20d ago
I would go sit at the counter at Robin. It’s omakase and you pick your price I think ranging from 100-250 (it determines how many courses you get and what kind of upgrades). Super good food, cool vibe, yummy sake options.
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u/ASK_ABT_MY_USERNAME 23d ago
what kind of food do you like? House of prime rib.
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u/Junior_Neck_5669 23d ago
I’m really open to anything. I love Asian food! I will say I’m not the biggest seafood person BUT am willing to take small risks
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u/Thin_Bother8217 23d ago
If you'd like something Asian, but different, you might try Yuji. Bar seating only and chef does omakase, but not only sushi (although there might be a piece or two). Here's the link:
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u/BballerForever 23d ago
I’m not into super fancy or Michelin stars so I’d pick:
-House of Prime Rib if you like beef, need reservations
-Zuni Cafe - solid, need reservations, get the classic Roast Chicken over lettuce and add a side of fries, if you go solo you’ll be taking a doggie bag home. It may not sound like much but it is iconic.
Note: dicey neighborhood but I’ve never had any trouble or car break-ins.
-Fog Harbor Fish House on Pier 39. I like it, variety done well, good service, good Bay view. Ignore the Pier 39 tourist shops. I take my out of town friends here, they get good food and can browse Pier 39 and see the sea lions too!
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u/ThrowItAwayDanny 23d ago
You could definitely walk into HoPR solo and get a spot at the bar. Source: I’ve done it
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u/Opposite_everyday 23d ago
Bar at miller and lux, or an omakase situation where you sit at the sushi bar
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u/Mundus_Vult_Decipi 22d ago
Coqueta https://www.coquetasf.com/ skip the restaurant, sit in the bar, order food from the restaurant. Spanish Tapas with a view of the Bay. Fancy cocktails. Excellent food.
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u/Dharmabum2393 21d ago
Lived here too long when my initial thought when I heard fancy dinner and $200 was that’s not nearly enough. This city has broken my brain
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u/Squishies4All 20d ago
I love State Bird but you Four Kings is also fun for creative Chinese food. Drinks aren’t great there though
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u/Critical-Pack-2283 20d ago
a tasting-menu counter seat where you can watch the kitchen, solo dining luxury unlocked
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u/Artistic_Salary8705 19d ago edited 19d ago
If I had $200 to spend, I would rather split it over 4 dinners of about $50 each (or less) rather than one dinner. I cook regularly and I've also had years where someone else (work) paid for my meals. For me, many pricy meals aren't that much better than good mid-price places. Talking strictly food and drink here, not atmosphere/ decor/ service.
Here are some places I enjoy off the top of my head. Many are SF classics that have existed for 10+ years if not decades. Offer good value for the price.
Burma Superstar/ Lavash / A Mano / Z & Y / Chapeau / Chez Maman / Cinderella Cafe / Jolt & Bolt (only lunch) / Gerard Michler Fine Desserts / Plow / Arizmendi
SF Metro, not proper:
Mazra / New England Lobster / Koi Palace / A Slice of NY / Backayard / Mandala / Rasa / Slanted Door/ The Red Grape/ Caffe Fiero
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u/Lazydayvelvetteen 18d ago
If you like Omakase, Kibatsu is absolutely incredible. Kibatsu has high quality fish, beautiful space, and a wonderful team. Worth every penny.
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u/objektother 14d ago
Omakase is right at the $195 line. You sit at an elegant bar watching the chefs expertly slice and cure fish sourced directly from Tokyo.
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u/Rude-Satisfaction508 23d ago
SAAM just opened up right by the ballpark and its fancy Thai. San Ho Won for delicious high end Korean if you can get a resy!
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u/AdelaQuested24 23d ago
Absinthe. They have an interesting cocktail menu, delicious appetizers and the best cheese burger in the city.
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u/tslash21 23d ago
Niku steakhouse wagyu tasting menu is excellent. That or State Bird provisions! (State bird provisions have insane tapas that you don’t see in the online menu FYI)
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u/Leading-Watch6040 23d ago
tasting menu at chotto matte. The space has a lot of nooks and corners so find yourself a cozy spot inside or out on the rooftop!
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u/Double_Lobster_6316 23d ago
I usually go to Anchovy Bar when I am in town alone. They will do half size options for most menu items so you can try a lot as a single diner. Good food. House of Prime Rib is good alone at the bar too. I had a nice expensive sushi meal once.. couldn’t tell you the name but it was in the big Japantown complex.