GREAT EATS HAWAII: GARY DANKO

Sunday, May 5, 2013

GARY DANKO - SAN FRANCISCO

GARY DANKO

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

GARY DANKO

800 N. POINT STRETT

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109

415-749-2060

HOURS: Monday thru Sunday 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM

www.garydanko.com

Oops I did it again would be a good way to start this post. Once again I went for the high dollar restaurant because it was expensive and difficult to get a reservation. I have tried numerous times over the past three years to get a reservation at Gary Danko when visiting San Francisco. Each time there was nothing available. I called a few weeks in advance of my trip and got a recording. I left a message with the dates that I would be in San Francisco. The same day I received a call back from a very nice and polite lady from the restaurant. She confirmed my dates and said that she could get me in on a Wednesday at 9:30 PM. That is past my bedtime I told her. She laughed but said that was all that was available. I booked the 9:30 time and requested an earlier time if available. We dined at 9:30. Arrived to find the place packed. Every seat in the restaurant and bar were filled with diners and drinkers. I approached the busy bar and got the attention of the bartender. To my surprise, she smiled and said just one second and then came around the bar to my side and asked me what I would like to drink. How is that for service. The bartender leaves the back of the bar and walks in front to serve me. This was first class. The hostess was all business. Not really cracking a smile for us but hugging and smiling for all the people that she seemed to know. We enjoyed a glass of wine at the bar and then were seated in one of the dining rooms across from the bar. The couple next to us was celebrating an anniversary and we ended up talking with them because our tables almost touched. Not much privacy here. The waiter arrived and presented us with the menus while water and bread were served promptly. We went for the Chef's Tasting Menu with wine for $180 per person. Yes.....I am an idiot, but this is a once in a lifetime dinner I rationalized to myself. Since we were going first class, I ordered one ounce of Black Sea Caviar at $95. The Caviar was served on some great tasting toast that was soaking in butter. We were brought a plate with a small piece of beef as an appetizer. It was good. Next came an incredible Risotto with Crab. This was probably the best thing we ate here all night. Rich and creamy with large pieces of crab. Perfecto! The salmon and beef dishes were o.k. but if you figure what you are paying for these small entrees, I don't think they were worth it. The cheeses were o.k. at best. Nothing special. Same for the dessert. This was really a disappointment for the price. Service was exceptional until we made a joke about Ricky Boobie to our French waiter. He wanted to kick us out. My take on Gary Danko is go there if someone else is picking up the tab.