It's the toughest restaurant reservation in the city, at least one weekend and especially after perennial-favored 2-star Michelin Quince moved from its cozy perch in Pacific Heights to a cutting edge address in Jackson Square. Located near new outposts of Kartell and other edgy design shops, the manicured brick building contains a deco-revival dining room with frosted-white Murano chandeliers and elegant drinking bar spaced in 10 quite comfortable leather barstools. A spacious lounge at the entrance of the dining room is conducive to an after dinner drinking crowd with modern club chairs and cushy couches that beckon a bit of lingering.
The Food
The modern Italian menu helmed by chef Michael Tusk has already dazzled the likes of Thomas Keller that come in search of Tortelloni de Castelmagno with honeyed walnuts and medley of black truffle raviolis each filled with six different variations. The pasta appetizers are small, in size and sometimes flavor, but prepare the palette well for larger entrees. The sformato, a moist souffle-like starter blanketed in bechamel-like fonduta, drizzles any cheese-lover in culinary happiness. Entrees consist of hearty French-fused recipes like the Duck, prepared three ways with a savory wince sauce. The fillet, though paired with a miraculous base, lacked the flavor of the other entrees. The wine list was a true surprise, larger than most S.F. eating institutions, in terms of quality and value. Desserts are made in-house an included a divine raspberry tarte and a pretty coconut cake on a neighboring table.
Last Word
A more-casual alternative to Saison and equally hard-to-book Benu.
