SF Dining - Looking for WOW
 

Husband and I are looking to maximize our pre-baby freedom with a quick trip to SF for the weekend. We used to live in SF so we know a lot of familiar places, but a LOT has changed in the 7 years (omg!) we've been there.

I'm looking for "WOW" restaruant recommendations- budget isn't particularly a concern. Only thing I can't go to is Sushi (because I will cry and sob over how much I miss sushi right now!)- so no sushi recco's this time. But we're looking to have a few really special meals.

Places we've enjoyed previously: Gary Danko, Slanted Door, Boulevard, Perbacco, One Market (plus a few I can't remember the names of off the top of my head)

Help!

chowhound.com is your friend for current, upscale, SF recs.

Best meal we've had in the City in the last 2-3 years has been at Quince.

Stu Dudley

Spruce, Fifth Floor, Frances, and though it isn't in SF, Chez Panisse.

Check this trip report - http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-francisco.cfm She always finds great places to eat.

Lee Ann

Forbes restaurant (it's almost an island off pier 39 :) )

http://www.forbesisland.com/

NO NO don't go to Forbes! The experience is fun but the food is REALLY REALLY mediocre! Please!

re: trip report - the only place that would have the WOW factor the OP is seeking is Incanto, which is amazing but not so much for decor and all round experience.

I second Spruce and also suggest Boulevard
http://www.boulevardrestaurant.com/main.html

I also recommend Spruce. We had a great meal there in March. Here is what I wrote about it:
Spruce (http://www.sprucesf.com/) 3640 Sacramento St SF Spruce was the restaurant I was unsure of. I didn’t see much written about it and when we were seated at a tiny deuce near the front door was dismayed. I am so glad we kept the reservation because the meal was fabulous!! I started with a glass of Cremant d’Alsace which I had to order because it was from Domaine Gresser which is my maiden name. They brought two gougeres which were big crisp and warm. We could have eaten a bunch of these. I adore sweetbreads and order them pretty much where ever they appear. The seared sweetbread with foraged mushrooms and tagliarini was the best sweetbreads dish I have ever had. YUM. We also had the agnolotti with nettles and green garlic and a mint nage. For entrees we chose the squab a l’orange which had a bitter orange sauce rather than a sweet and the oxtail crepinette with foie gras. Desserts were a pineapple cake and a panna cotta with blood orange sauce. We had fun with the sommelier and ordered two half bottles of California reds. As usual Tomas had an Armagnac and a cappucino. Dinner was $132 for two. Drinks and wines were more but there were wines by the glass.