Will be traveling to Bay area in January and will have Sunday in SF. One of the three couples we are traveling with is celebratiing a big anniversary. He is French and very food oriented . He is considering Boulevard and Chez Panisse. But i know my Fodorite friends know what is best/ current and not closed on Monday nights. Suggestions? Many thanks in advance.

Both restaurants are open on Mondays and either would be a very good choice.

I would suggest going to dine at the upstairs cafe at Chez Panisse. We always eat there on our trips to SF. I suggest upstairs, because the menu downstairs is set and there are no choices. We like being able to choose our various courses.

You can book 30 days in advance online at opentable or by calling them. Sometimes opentable doesn't show availability, when calling them does.

To clarify, we will be in SF on Monday. Sunday night is Healdsburg & Dry Creek Kitchen. So, I am trying to focus us for the Monday evening in SF. Thanks.

Well, I'm not sure what was unclear about that, but you are aware Chez Panisse is in Berkeley, not San Francisco?

For some reason, I can't get excited about the Boulevard menu. Personally, I think she has "dumbed down" the menu since her days at l'Avenue.

If your French friend want's a "French type" dinner, I suggest Gary Danko or La Folie. Perhaps Aziza if he would like a Michelin 1 star that is Moroccan, but bordering on French/Calif cuisine.

We dine at around 30 restaurants in France each year. I would not take a French person to a "French type" or "Calif cuisine" restaurant in The City. Do something "ethnic", like Slanted Door (if he prefers a "touristy place") or Aziza. I would choose Aziza.

Stu Dudley

Nancy Oakes had a great restaurant in L'Avenue, prior to Boulevard. I know the quality of food is very good at Boulevard, but I have to agree with Stu Dudley. It's not what one would call 'inspired'.

La Folie has still managed to maintain its freshness, despite its age.

Chapeau might be a very very good alternative.

However, I've worked with French folks from Bordeaux, and they won't be impressed by any place you take them.

I was at dinner once with a group of them in Western France, and the 'leader' sent the red wine back to be chilled 3 more degrees Centigrade. Blew me away.

We dine at Chapeau quite a bit. But compared to the restaurants we've dined at in France, I would give Chapeau about a "C+".

We returned from 6 weeks in France about a month ago. We dined at some fabulous Michelin 1 star restaurants in the Pays Basque region. Upon our return home, the first restaurant we dined at was Thanh Long - a Vietnamese place way out on Judah & 46th Ave. Had to have their shaken beef & garlic noodles. Others had their famous Dungeness crab. These are dishes we "miss" while in France. IMO, San Francisco's strength is its Ethnic food. Also, French guests might not like the noise level in San Francisco restaurants - especially if there are 8 of you, and you want to engage in a conversation.

Stu Dudley

I think you should go wherever the anniversary boy wants to go, but if he is looking for suggestions here are a couple more. Both open Mondays, both offer a chef's tasting menu, both highly rated, both very expensive.

Michael Mina - http://michaelmina.net/restaurants/locations/mmsf.php
If you remember the restaurant as being in the St Francis Hotel, well it's not now. It moved a while back to the old Aqua space on California in the Financial District. Ron Siegel was just appointed executive chef last week.

Quince - http://quincerestaurant.com/
If your remember the restaurant as being in Pacific Heights, well it's not now. It moved quite a while ago to a cool old brick building in historic Jackson Square. Modern take on French & Italian. Reservations hard to get, accepted two months prior.

I actually agree about the menu at Boulevard, but the food is good and the place is very nice.

Quince - best meal we've had in SF in the past 3 years.

Stu Dudley

My daughter and friends highly recommend BENU which has earned Michelin star status. They have been several times for special occasion dinners. The chef owner was formerly at French Laundry.

Aack. Benu is closed on Mondays. Sorry.

Thanks folks. My friend also asked me to inquire about La Folie, but I believe it is closed on Mondays. Is that so? BTW I agree about ethic food in SF. Great noodles in Chinatown, had a memorable meal in Japan Town and that shaken beef and garlic noodles sounds wonderful. But I concur with bluestar that the anniversary folks get veto power and well made food is what is key. Perhaps a bit more insight on the other half of the couple. She is Lebanese and loves capers, eggplant and all manner of vegetable. Will not eat beef, lamb or veal. Chicken is her "meat" of choice. I add that in case that makes the choices clearer.