xscientist
(223) reviews
1/23/2007
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “
This place is a bit overwhelming. Service is exceptional and a notable part of the evening. All courses and selections come in 3 different preparations, so there is much to taste. Sashimi was excellent and paired with very unique sauces and pickles, kobe steak, duck, scallops, snapper and lamb (all unsurprising offerings at a restaurant of this caliber) are visited with absolutely exquisite preparations, novel flavor pairings and flawless and beautiful presentations. It seems that their kitchen is unmatched in the volume of quality preparations they need to turn out in one evening, even just for our party of 8. Even though the portions seem appropriately sized, and even though I arrived quite hungry, I found myself begging for mercy by the end of the evening. It was all a bit too much. ”
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LISAD
(109) reviews
12/8/2006
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “
All I can say is service, service, service. From the moment we arrived, everything was perfect. I called MM about 3 hours before our reservation, to see if they could squeeze in another person to out party. They did not hesitate to say yes.
We had the six course tasting menu, with the wine pairing and everything was great. I asked if I could substitute the first course, as I do not like sushi and again I was told no problem. At the end of the meal , they brought out a lovely plate that had Happy Birthday written on it and it was filled with a bunch of desserts for the birthday guy.
The restaurant is a bit loud, but I like the fact that it is not stuffy. If you are looking for a place to celebrate something special or if you just want an amazing meal, then I would say go to Michael Mina.
Reservation our tough, so you must plan ahead!!
”
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jpierson
(412) reviews
11/11/2006
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ If you're the kind who is going to eat at Mina and complain about the price, you probably also go swimming and complain later that you got wet. You can spend a month's pay dining pret a porter. Add wine & supplements, and you will go 'kuidaore' for real. Mina is a bourgeois shake down by every measure, but there is absolutely nothing deceptive about what you're in for and the opportunities to turn left and land instead at the Cheesecake Factory are as limitless as time is infinite. We did the seasonal tasting menu, which side-stepped his greatest hits. We also went for the recommended wine pairing. I was pleased they took the no-reds for the migraine prone wife in stride, but a little disappointed all they could come up with to sub were oaky Chards. No matter, all the trios were stunning, with the glaring exception of the ravioli, the sauce for which tasted of out of the tube tomato paste, and little else. That looks to be off the menu now, so the seasonal should be an excellent pick. ”
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wyld4yoo
(212) reviews
9/4/2006
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ Very impressive. I was pleased with each and every course that came to the table. The great thing about the food here is you can taste every ingredient. I believe that is what makes cooking an art, not just the presentation. Service is almost perfect and they past every one of my tests. A very elegant dining room, although my only criticism is the entry to the restaurant. The hostess stand is right in the middle of the dining area and it is also used by the servers for storing water. I believe the reception area should be more towards the front, with some massive artwork blocking the busy lobby area.
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kate
(33) reviews
5/25/2006
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ Definitley the most expensive dinner I've ever had, but it was worth every penny. The service is excellent, the food is exciting and the drinks are great. If you have $500 to drop on dinner for 2, PLEASE go here. Absolutely amazing.
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yo
(16) reviews
4/30/2006
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ Have had several pleasurable dining experiences here. A bit pricey but food has been excellent. Love the interesting pairings of sauces.
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tenortom
(138) reviews
10/3/2005
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ Food As Theater, Michael Mina's restaurant is a culinary delight and the food won me over. Halfway through the tasting menu with one dazzling course after another, even the stuffy ambience took on a softer twilight, with waitstaff dressed as ninjas swooping back and forth in perfect coordination. Our 8 courses included delectable Osetra Caviar, a spectacular Ahi tuna tartare with sesame oil, raw quail egg and hot peppers, a Black Mussel souffle with a "to die for" succulent Saffron Essence, Michael Mina's signature lobster pot pie, a marvelous Chilean sea bass followed by roast poussin with mac & cheese sauce, a steak rossini with foie gras and terminating with a divine chocolate cake, peanutbutter milkshake and fabulous espresso strawberry bonbons, an irresistible unforgettable experience totale. Tiny lapses in service didn't detract from Michael Mina's being one of the City's few potential comparable Michelin Three-Star equivalents. Can't wait for my next special occasion here. ”
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FoodSnob
(13) reviews
7/21/2005
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ eh... our dinner for 4 was seven hundred bucks (Not even with a "Happy Ending"!). OK, Mr.M. does make the most rockin' tuna tartare EVER, but you can still get it at Aqua for half the price and twice the portion (you have to request the "old" tartare- it's not on Aqua's menu anymore, but they'll do it). I was fairly completely underwhelmed. I could have gone to dinner (for 4) twice at Boulevard (which I would recommend) and had as good or better meal for the same amount of money. I have no desire whatsoever to go back, but I'll stop short of saying it was bad. It wasn't, but it sure didn't titilate. Really the only dish I remember was the tartare, which I was already familiar with. Nothing else stood out. Bummer. I had high hopes... ”
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PhoodiePham
(30) reviews
7/4/2005
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ Excellent food and service. What you'd expect from a restaurant of this caliber. It's a little weird to have to walk through the hotel, but the restaurant space is great. Tasting menus can often be a let down, but each course was tasty and left me wanting more. Can't wait to go back. ”
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AiYahh
(9) reviews
6/3/2005
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ I celebrated my friend's graduation from UCSF here. We had a choice of a three course menu or a 5 course tasting menu. Our group of five decided on the tasting menu because that way we can order whatever we wanted to. We had reservations and our table was over an hour late. The service was absolutely FABULOUS! We were having drinks outside waiting, when we were given a light snack and kept up to date about our table. I cannot say enough good things about the service! We had brought our own bottle of Dom Perignon and was told later that our corkage fee was waived! I had some concerns because I have food allergies and was extremely pleased to see that those concerns were laid to rest. My dishes were modified to accommodate my allergies. The service was impeccable and I highly recommend this restaurant. ”
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aujon
(5) reviews
5/2/2005
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ Besides his signature dishes from his prior restaurants (eg. Aqua), Michael Mina introduces a new idea of trio dishes in this new addition in Union Square. He would use the same main ingredient and create 3 dishes out of it. Even though the main ingredient is cooked in the same way, the different sauces, condiments and presentation make the whole dining experience FUN. I can see how much thinking he has put into designing the menu. There is excitement from course to course. However, the creativity is compromised by the consistency in food. Some mini dishes are exceptional but then some are only so-so. Probably due to the extensive work to prepare for each dish, the dishes are not "delicate" enough. Just a mere personal opinion. The service is not consistent: attentive during my 1st visit but not during my 2nd visit. Since the restaurant is located in the lobby, the environment is a little more casual than other restaurants in the same class but that also means a little noisier too. ”
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cyberdoggie
(49) reviews
4/22/2005
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ Look out Gary Danko
There's a new challenger in town! It's about time that someone took a serious run at Gary's long standing position as best SF restaurant. The service was incredible. There are really only two options available for the diner. Three courses at $78 and 7 courses at $120. Either one is worth it. You're presented with three versions of an entree and three versions of a side. All in specialty plates designed by rosenthol. Get the Kobe beef. it's to die for. ”
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tiaramiss
(34) reviews
4/20/2005
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ Great atmosphere! I loved the 3way serving style ...not very much food for the $$$. Wonderful service ...they couldn't have been more attentive. Purrrrfect for expense account dining. ”
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KG
(12) reviews
4/3/2005
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ A true dining experience! The food, prepared in "trios" was one taste sensation, after another. You might think that having each item prepared 3 ways, would be an overload of flavors... not at all. The various preparations were in fact complementary to each other. We selected the 3 course option, due to time... which took approximately 2 hours. Given more time, I'd certainly recommend the 7 course selection. The staff was courteous, helpful and patient (I'm not the most decisive) in guiding both wine and course selections. The lobster pot pie, which was a signature dish of MMs while at Aqua, is fabulous... highly recommend it! The bass and scallops fabulous as well. Nothing that I wouldn't enjoy ordering again, though looking forward to new things on my next visit. A true must-go in SF... Enjoy!
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lafontaine
(50) reviews
3/7/2005
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ this is a nice restaurant for a one time food fashion show. Mini tastes and maxi checks. The service staff is quick and attentive but won't leave you alone to enjoy the food. Too trendy and too starchy. We couldn't feel comfortable, hard to describe. Shall not be returning! ”
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kushnir
(405) reviews
2/26/2005
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “
I liked the location when it was the Compass Rose, why because it was honest and natural! You could order a martini & caviar, but nooooo they had to change it to a food museum. This is not a restaurant where one can enjoy a meal, this is a place that one comes to be entertained by the exhibitions of how a piece of food can be transformed into something that maybe just shouldn’t be. For me, food and the taste are in the quality and preparation and presentation. Here are MM the food is secondary to the presentation and pomp!
In my opinion this is about as far away from dining as one can go, this is a show! This is food overdone and over presented. Little plates,little cups, little tastes or this and that, sorry this was not a dinner experiences but a dinner show. You come here instead of going to the Geary Theater; the prices are about the same or more. The food here is unnatural, this is not something you can do or ever want to do at home. Try it, YOU may be impressed. Not me!
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stella
(9) reviews
2/4/2005
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ The perfect restaurant for those who love to eat and want to try everything. The "trios" tantalizes your taste buds with three different flavors, textures, and preparation style of one item. It was a fun experience. Most restaurants of this caliber have a more serious atmosphere, but the staff was friendly and happy, which made for an extrememly pleasant and enjoyable evening. I'll be returning soon. ”
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VeggieJen
(58) reviews
1/18/2005
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ An amazing marathon meal. I tried the vegetarian tasting menu soon after the restaurant opened in 2004 and spent 4 hours eating delicious, inventive, beautiful food. Each dish was better than the last. Compared to most restaurants in SF, the staff is mature and professional which adds to your dining experience. The space is beautiful although the tables are a bit too close together. We felt as if we were on dates with our closest neighbors. ”
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calforever
(151) reviews
1/11/2005
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ A must-go dining experience. The service was impeccable. You are attended to at all times by the staff. The menu itself is akin to going to a gastronomic museum, where your taste buds are being tested and challenged to try new combinations of flavors. The only gripe I have is that the bathroom is pretty far away from the restaruant...ie, on the second floor of the main lobby of the hotel. ”
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wjboring
(180) reviews
12/18/2004
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ A dining sensation of "trios", you choose the entree, he'll prepare it three ways with a perfect harmony of flavors, textures and artful presentation. A comfortable, relatively quiet dining room features warm earthtones and very comfy seating...good thing too, you'll need it for the casual 2-3 hour dining experience. Trios is also how he likes to do the desserts - try the peanut butter....yes, the peanut butter. a fantastic experience, will be putting M.M. on my favorites list. ”
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punks
(110) reviews
11/6/2004
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Cuisine:
American (New)
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Downtown |
| “ My third time there was better than the first two times. I went with a friend of mine and we got some free stuff, so of course, it was better! We drank some Qupe Syrah which was outstanding. Had every type of scallop that they make. Did the dish with the chef's bouche amuse which was tasty and had the tuna tartare which is exactly the same as Aqua's classic tartare, which Michael and George perfected together. We sat at one of the little round bar tables and I have to say, it's refreshing to sit there instead of the bar. However, we were sadly neglected and had an empty wine glass for 15 minutes and had to hail a server down to assist us. The check took equally as long so that was uncomfortable. Nothing like sitting at an empty table with empty glasses and a faraway look for 15 minutes in a place that is supposed to be top in service. Overall, the food was better this time around, the free stuff helped and the tuna tartare is really good like it was at Aqua. ”
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