There are restaurants, Restaurants, RESTAURANTS, and RESTAURANTS. Restaurant Gary Danko is a RESTAURANT. Last night, my wife and I enjoyed a superb dinner there.
Restaurant Gary Danko (RGD) is located at 800 North Point St. at the intersection with Hyde St. It is a short distance from Fisherman's Wharf. RGD only takes reservations by phone. The phone nr. is 415-749-2060. Reservations should be made long in advance. The restaurant was full the whole time we were there, and we saw diners arriving at least as late as 10:30.
We arrived at the restaurant at 9:10 - 20 minutes before our reeservation time. However, we were seated within 3-4 minutes.
Our server, Darrin, was terrific. He was efficient, friendly, and extremely knowedgeable about the cuisine. I was very impressed when I heard him spend several minutes describing in great detail to diners at the next table the many offerings on the cheese cart.
RGD only offers prix-fixe menus. The three-course menu is $69, the four-course menu is $87, and the five-course menu is $102. There is also a five-course tasting menu for $102 and wine pairing for $60.
The menu at RGD is superbly creative. I had a very difficult time choosing. The menu can be seen at http://www.garydanko.com/flash/GaryDanko.html.
We both decided to do the three-course prix-fixe meal.
We started with an amuse bouche, a gift from the chef. It was an incredibly delicious tomato-fennel soup with roasted red pepper, diced onion, leeks, garlic, and basil.
The bread were were served throughout the meal was wonderful. I agreed with my wife's view that we could have made a meal of a bowl of the amuse bouche soup, the bread, and wine.
Our first course was an appetizer:
My wife had Risotto with Lobster, Rock Shrimp, Shimeji Mushrooms, Peas, Corn and Roasted Tomatoes. It was fantastic.
I had Lobster Salad with Asian Pear, Mango, Avocado, Cashews and Lime Cilantro Rémoulade. It was also superb.
Our second course was an entrée:
My wife had Herb Crusted Lamb Loin with Tian of Summer Vegetables and Polenta. It was delicious.
I had a wonderful Juniper Crusted Bison with King Trumpet Mushrooms, Glazed Cipollini Onions and Herb Spaetzle.
Our third course was dessert:
My wife had Roasted Fig Tart with Almond Frangipane and Raspberry Ice Cream. It was nice, but not what she expected. She thought the figs would be incorporated into the tart. Instead, three figs and several raspberries were on top of the almond frangipane.
I had the Crème Fraiche Cheesecake with Caramelized Pecans, Summer Berries and Strawberry Sorbet. It was mouth watering.
Our wine was a southern Rhône red - 2007 Perrin & Fils "Les Christins," made from 80% grenache and 20% syrah for $60. It was very nice.
Our wine sommelier was, Deanna, who was very knowledgeable and charming. She has been a sommelier for 9 years.
The restaurant says that its wine list contains over 1,200 selections from 15 countries, with vintages spanning three centuries. The wine list is available at http://www.garydanko.com/site/winelist.html. It has earned aWine Spectator Grand Award.
As an anniversary present, Darrin served us:
- A lemon icebox cake - sorbet with cream
- nine fantastic little artisinal sweets
Finally, Darrin brought us a parting gift of two wrapped Gary Danko breakfast cakes. We had the breakfast cakes as a snack this afternoon. They were very tasty - like a banana bread.
The service was impeccable except for one small hiccup. It took a while for our dessert to arrive. However, a member of the staff advised us immediately after our entree plates were cleared that the dessert would be slow to arrive.
It was interesting to observe how the staff worked with one another as an efficient and professional team.
The restaurant had a cab waiting for us as we walked out the front door. (Darrin had asked us earlier if we had driven or come by cab.)
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