We're celebrating my husband's 30th B-day with 6 friends. Can anyone recommend a trendy restaurant with good food? Thanks.

Where should I start on this one. There are so many of them.

The absolute IN place right now is Asia De Cuba. I don't know about the food though cuz I have not been there yet.

Other places include:

Boulavard
5th Floor
Jardinere
Hawthorne Lane
Aqua
Postrio
etc etc etc

I'd definitely recommend Asia de Cuba. the food was amazing. Don't be put off by the prices -- the food is meant to share. It's divided into "shooters" (around $6 - appetizers for one person), "Appetizers" (definitely enough to share around $15-$20) and the Entrees, which were between $25 and $35, but HUGE portions. The food is all very inventive and delicious. We loved the tuna appetizer and entree and I also had an amazing vegetarian entree with Quinoa.

It's located in the new Ian Schraeger hotel, The Clift, which is also amazing to look at inside!

Mr. Ian Schraeger seems to have a problem hiring people of color to work at his hotels, even doesn't want them parking cars. He's so hung up on creating the right "atmosphere" that he's managed to exclude, rather than include many of the residents of San Francisco. I'm sure Asia de Cuba is amazing, pricey and exclusive, but you won't find me there.

Julie is right, there are a ton of great and trendy restaurants. Do you have a particular cuisine or neighborhood where you are interested?

You may wish to avoid Hawthorne Lane ... quite expensive, very so-so food, and management which assumes people will tolerate anything, including abyssmal service, and keep coming. I regret it cost me almost $500 and what should have been a splendid occasion to discover HL has an attitude none interested in a fair, good meal will relish. SF has so many other good places to have to endure what HL is serving to the public. I called the management - they in effect told me to get lost. Ciao

I really enjoyed Zax on Taylor/Columbus, very energetic. The food and service were impeccable. Prices were reasonable, I'd go back again and again.

I'd vote for Absinthe.

Susan,

This is a travel website NOT a political forum. Keep your opinions to yourself!! If Mr. Schraeger does not want to hire Blacks, that is his business and not for you to judge him, although I do not condone discrimination of any kind.