A Great Dinner in August - Benu San Francisco - Buy Reservations
Getting a Reservation at Benu San Francisco for Today or Tomorrow is Easy!
Buy a verified reservation at Benu San Francisco from someone who doesn't need theirs anymore.
If there is nothing that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
We only list verified Reservations!
All listed Reservations are reviewed by our team before appearing in the calendar or being allowed to answer a bid you place. That's why AppointmentTrader comes with a included Money Back Guarantee for each transaction.
San Francisco's Best Prepaid Restaurants that are most frequently booked by customers of Benu San Francisco
😍 5/5 - A Great Dinner in August
By 👻 @The_Loup_Garou, 05/22/2020 3:00 am
|
A Great Dinner in August
We were back in San Francisco in August, for several meetings for my wife. Historically, we have been in San Francisco, at least once a month, for the last 15 years, but that is coming to an end, as her corporate offices have moved to Chicago, so the frequent trips to SF are coming to an end. We have embarked on our “swan song” restaurant tour, revisiting the best of the best, that we have found, over all of those years. That included every Michelin 2 & 3 “star” restaurant in California (one, or two had gone up, or down a star, since we had last dined there), and most 1-star restaurants, as well - and that is just in California. Benu was one of the top dining experiences in San Francisco (and far beyond), so it was fitting that we dine there once more, though 3 years and a month, since we were last there.
We were able to make our reservations, and arrived at Benu, at 22 Hawthorne St in San Francisco’s SoMa Neighborhood (South of Market), for our early reservation. Nothing had changed in the entry way courtyard, and those fond memories were flooding back. The window to the kitchen was still there, and it was what had attracted my wife, while on her way to her office, some years before. That had intrigued her, so she wrote down the name, and found out that I had been researching Benu, at the same time - within a year, we were dining there.
We were promptly seated, and in a smaller, front dining room this time. We had been in the larger dining room, just beyond this one, previously. The décor is the same, with a very strong Asian influence, that is nicely understated. In some ways, the interior reminds me of some of the top spas in Tokyo - soothing - relaxing - comfortable - minimalist - just right. Corey Lee has done a great job, in creating this wonderful restaurant.
This time, our table was smaller, than the one we had on the first visit, and I was a bit concerned that we had enough real estate, for our wine glasses. As it turned out, there was no problem.
We opted for the Tasting Menu + Beverage Pairings. I say “Beverage Pairings,” as we had one Ale, and two Sakes, along with 6 wines. Each was an excellent accompaniment to the dish/dishes. As for the dishes, there were 17, which I counted, and a few come together, so I could have lost count. Portion sizes were usually quite small, allowing only a taste, or two, but with the total number, there was a lot of food - almost too much. Fortunately, we had spent most of the day at airports, or on a plane, so almost nothing but wine, or Champagne, since early morning.
The interior is cozy, and generally somewhat dim, but, as before, our table had great task lighting, allowing us to appreciate each dish, its plating and preparation. The evening started with a hammered stainless steel charger. That became a stage for a procession on dishes, most on/in small dark plates or bowls. This worked nicely, and created a very pleasing effect. Unlike some restaurants, the presentation was subdued, with no fireworks, cryogenic fog banks, and very little slight of hand - everything pretty much was, what it appeared. While we do appreciate the design and unique plating, or say Chefs Grant Achatz, José Andrés and Monique Crenn, we also enjoy a simple, beautiful and tasty dish, as well. Benu falls into that latter category - beautiful in its simplicity, and so many wonderful flavors.
The charger was removed, and each dish had a unique plating, plus the portion sizes increased just a bit too. The beverage pairings continued, with an explanation of each given by the Sommelier. Throughout the evening, the stemware for the beverages was excellent, as well.
The pacing was excellent, with no pauses at any point, but also nothing, and I mean nothing being rushed. As we like to save our wines, to try with other dishes, we did come close to filling up the table at times, but there was never an issue - only empty glasses were silently removed. The same for the attractive silverware/utensils - it just came, and went, and we hardly took any notice. Service was stellar, with the staff sort of floating in, and making a subtle presentation, and empty dishes were removed, almost as if by magic - just perfect!
The Asian influences were in evidence with most of the dishes, but in very subtle ways for most. Some of those influences were more in the presentation, with a few dishes, that the preparations.
The noise level was low, even as the restaurant filled up, and nothing above the hum of quiet conversation was heard. I think that there might have been background music, but I cannot recall actually hearing it.
About 3 hours after it began, the meal wound down. Due to the number of courses, Benu is not a restaurant to dine in, if one is pressed for time. It requires, and deserves the entire evening.
As our business travels to San Francisco are ending, I am not sure when we will get to return, but Benu is the type of restaurant, that we would make an exception for, and travel, just to dine there. Of all of the great restaurants, at which we have dined in San Francisco, it is one of maybe our top 3, so worth a flight over from Phoenix.
0 Replys
0 Comments |
Be the first to Reply |