apseals

I am bringing a group of eight women(nine including myself) to San Francisco for a few days in March. We have tickets to see The Producers on a Tuesday night. I would love some restaurant suggestions for a before-the-theater meal. It will be our last night in SF so we are looking for a memorable place that accepts reservations, with great food, and reliable service. This is a "splurge" meal but are trying to keep the cost around $75 each or less if possible. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Patrick

Wow. This is interesting. Who's doing The Producers in San Francisco in March? I had no idea it was opening there. Any idea who the stars are and where is it playing? Location would help so we'd know restaurants, but I'd think about Farallon assuming it is that area. Or well within the budget would be Kuleto's and they do a great job with service for pre theatre schedules.

apseals

Patrick,
The Producers is opening the week before we are there. Sometime during the first week in March. It is the National Touring Company. http://www.producersontour.com/flash.html
Mar 05, 2003 to Apr 27, 2003 at the Orpheum Theater
Now knowing the theater, do you have any further restaurant recommendations. I had thought about Kuleto's but wanted to give them more than one choice before deciding where to make reservations. Hope this helps.

apseals

We are staying in the Financial District. How about Rubicon?

Patrick

OK, I checked out and found the information also. I didn't know the tour was going out so soon.
Anyway Kuleto's is a good location for the Orpheum. Farallon is more upscale and frankly I think wonderful although there have been a few negative comments about it. It might price out of your budget as well.

Another thought is Palomino, which has a great view of the Bay Bridge lit up at night, and I think really wonderful food and atmosphere for the price. It is more "trendy" in feeling and appearance than "elegant", though. Not sure what you're looking for. I'd personally opt for a place close to the theatre, so you don't have to worry about transportation after dinner to the show. Kuleto's still being my number one choice, hopefully others will offer some other suggestions in the area.

apseals

Thanks for the suggestions. It really doesnt' matter if it is more trendy or upscale. We are just looking for a great dinner from start to finish.
Hopefully others will weigh in with an opinion too.

Susan

How do you intend to get to theatre? Why is this a relevant question, because if you intend to take cabs, Kuleto's, Rubicon or Palamino's are all fine (provided you have the restuarants order cabs to arrive at a certain time). If you intend to drive, you will have to park in the Civic Center, probably at the Civic Center Garage and therefore you will be better off at a restuarant around the Civic Center. My personal favorite would be Jardinere, other recommendations around Civic Center are: Hayes Street Grill, Absinthe, or even Stars--all of them are used to pre-performance diners.

apseals

We are talking cabs. I love Hayes Street Grill and you can always count on them getting you out in time for the performance. I haven't been there in about five years though. What have you heard about Rubicon? I have not been there but has been on my list everytime I visit. I just never seem to get there.
Thanks!

mo

another vote for kuletos

Patrick

OK, am I confused? I was thinking that the Orpheum is a big theatre down near UnionSquare. Some of the posts above make it sound like it's out on Van Ness or near the Opera and Civic Center. Which is it? If there, I agree Hayes Street Grill is a great choice. And haven't been to Stars in years, but loved it. Is it even still there? I just believe in eating within walking distance of the theatre instead of being nervous about cabs or being stuck in traffic at the last minute.

apseals

The Orpheum is on Market and Hyde So I think it would not be too far a walk from Van Ness or Hayes Steet Grill. Maybe five blocks or so. We are taking cabs from the hotel to the restaurant and will allow plenty of time to arrive before the 8PM curtain but I understand the worry about traffic etc. Hopefully on a Tuesday night it won't be too bad. Thanks to everyone that posted. Any other suggestions appreciated...

Susan

I have never had dinner at Rubicon, had lunch there a number of times since I work in financial district. It is not a place that I think of for dinner for some reason. It might be that it has never left much of an impression on me or the fact that I don't usually go downtown when I go out for dinner. The reason I recommend dining around Civic Center is that the restaurants are used to curtain times and you won't have to have dinner reservations for 5:30 in order to have enough time to get cabs and get to theatre.

apseals

Thanks to everyone for the information.