Gary Danko

4/6/2015

Ready to part with some serious cash but in exchange have an incredibly delicious crafted meal in a beautiful atmosphere?  Make a reservation for Gary Danko's.  The mood, lighting and ambiance was the perfect place to celebrate my latest birthday.  Service was genuine, warm and gracious.  

Like Marcel's in DC, we love restaurants that offer multiple course meals with great variety for each category.  We decided to go with a three course and a four course, splitting the dessert (almost regret that now).  I also opted for the wine pairing.  We both ordered the same first course, a crab avocado salad with citrus, bulgar and tarragon vinaigrette.  I wasn't sure how the bulgar was going to fit in, but in the end, I actually wanted more.  The little nuggets were a perfect addition, and all the ingredients interplayed with one another creating a lovely, light and fresh bite.

The bronzino with fennel puree, olives and saffron orange emulsions was dream worthy.  I wanted to savor each piece so I slowly consumed this dish and marveled at the beautifully crisped skin.  My husband fell silent as well as he enjoyed his seared sea scallops with sun choke puree, leek fondue and salsify.  I knew we were dining at a great place when all the accompaniments were as good as the protein.

The only hiccup came with my next course, the roasted Maine lobster with potato puree, chanterelles, edemame and tarragon.  I did not care for the pairing of the potato with the lobster.  It just didn't do anything to highlight or elevate the seafood.  On the other hand, my husband's coconut Thai curry shrimp with calamari, lobster, scallops, scallions, and shiitake mushrooms was one of the best dishes I have ever tried.  I almost cried with envy after having several bites from his bowl.  But alas, dessert appeared in all of its glory, and quickly all was forgotten.  The creme fraiche cheesecake with citrus spiced pecans and blood orange sorbet was the crowning glory of our marvelous meal.  I have never tasted anything so creamy and light that it literally danced on my tongue.  Paired with the crunchy nuts and the slightly acidic sorbet, this was a match made in heaven.  When we return for another visit to the beautiful city of San Francisco, Gary Danko's will definitely be on our radar.

4/8/2015

Dined here last night. I'm a visitor to this city. I made a reservation at GD based on the yelp reviews and SF Chronicle review... My pedigree to name a few, Le Bernadin, Guy Savoy, August, Del Posto...to name a few...The list goes on, not my first time to the rodeo if you know what I mean!? Lol

GD was just ok. The service was good but so is the service at House of Prime Rib. I was in no means blown away by anyone knowledge of anything!
The concept is ridiculous. When you're cranking out the same menu of dishes over and over night after night, the food and presentation begins to turn into what I call "High End Wedding Food".,, the flavors were good but again, nothing blew me away. Just average.
And Why are they still garnishing the plates with parsley and micro greens??!! It's 2015 for Christ's sake.
Worst of all, almost every dish is served with a purée or a fingerling potato or a purée of fingerling potato!!!
I would not go back -money has nothing to do with it.
This is mass produced fine dining - no innovation whatsoever!
(I guess that's why I've never heard of chef Danko prior to my SF yelp research).

4/6/2015

I came here for my 30th birthday and the service was excellent! I got the 4 course dinner menu along with a glass of wine and I couldn't ask for a better night of food and service. There is only valet parking here though - so do try to come a little early since the location is near Lombard street and you have to get through all the tourists.

I tried:
Risotto with Rock Shrimp, Dungeness Crab, Simeji Mushrooms and Squash (awesome!!!!)
Pan Seared Bass
Roasted Pork Tenderloin
Trio of Creme Brulee (creme brulee heaven!!!!)

I would definitely come here again for a special occasion/ date night

4/6/2015

One of my favorite restaurants not only for quality of food but for the excellent service. You feel like every waiter is paying attention to your table and for large parties, be prepared for 5 or more waiters to come out with all dishes at once and place them all at once - how it should be. The value is pretty good too, with a 5 course meal coming in at around $110 these days. I even think that's too much food, 4 courses is just fine.

For appetizers, get the glazed oysters with Osetra Caviar. It will probably look nothing like what you expect and the taste will blow you away, one of the best dishes I've ever had. All the seafood dishes are top notch and the cheese course can keep you busy for days.

For desserts, the trio of sorbets is huge, I'm not joking. It's three softball sized portions so you should split it or better yet, don't order it and get something else.

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  Hen breast with goat cheese tomatoes

  Hen breast with goat cheese tomatoes
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  Glazed oysters with Osetra caviar, zucchini pearls and lettuce cream

  Glazed oysters with Osetra caviar, zucchini pearls and lettuce cream

4/3/2015

Why 5 stars? Because it's worth the hype.

  ---   ---   ---

Gary Danko was probably #1 on my foodie bucket list for quite some time. When I was able to pretty easily convince my family and a friend to join me here, I jumped on the chance to grab a reservation well in advance.

When it's all said and done, I'll say this - Gary Danko is not the best meal I've ever had. But it's unequivocally the best service I've ever had at any restaurant in my life.

The service at Gary Danko is almost like a production more than just a guy bringing you your food. I can't even explain how perfect the staff's timing was. It's like they had our table bugged with microphones, and a producer in the backroom directing every employee of the restaurant over a headset.

"Table 47 just decided on their drinks: GO, GO, GO, and don't forget to be impeccably charming!"

"Table 11 is chewing their last bite: I need a busboy STAT, and be sure to compliment the lady's dress, she seems to be self-conscious about it this evening!"

I'm only half-joking. It's freaky how incredibly prompt and unbelievably charming every member of the staff was. This is a world-class group. As for the food, I ordered most things from the review highlights, and was not disappointed:

-Glazed Oysters
-Risotto
-Roasted Maine Lobster
-Seared Filet of Beer

I also tried a bunch of different things from other people's plates. It was all really amazing, especially the lobster. It's tough to complain about anything, outside of the bill. And I wouldn't say that I'm necessarily complaining about the bill, but it just prevents me from really being able to visit GD on a regular basis.

For a party of 5, we ordered:

- (1) 5-Course Tasting
- (2) 4-Course Tastings
- (2) 3-Course Tastings
- 5 Cocktails
- 1 Club Soda

Total before tip: $560. We tipped $140 and walked away with a cool $700 AMEX swipe.

That's a lot of points at least :)

3/17/2015

Ever since some of my college friends and I moved up to the Bay Area couple years ago, we had always been wanting to find some occasions for celebration at Gary Danko. Well, we tried a couple times and we could never get a reservation unless it's like a 6-month out type of thing. But anyway, we got lucky this time and we could make one 2 weeks in advance! It's at 8:45pm, but it's a Friday so we can't really complain much.

We made a reservations for 11 people, eventually 9 people showed up but it was perfect since the room we were given could barely fit 10. Our main server was very professional in explaining the menu with a friendly manner, and with constructive advice too when asked whether dish A or dish B is better.

(Side note: It was my friend's birthday so I brought a cake there, and was told there's a $20/person cake-cutting fee. Yup, $20/person...! But we were planning to go clubbing after and we couldn't really bring a cake to the club.... so yea)

Regarding the menu, basically you can choose 3-course, 4-course or 5-course set, with different prices of course, but the thing is that you can mix and match appetizers, main course and dessert. So one may choose 5 main dishes and the other may choose 5 desserts and the two prices would be the same. Shouldn't you go with 5 main courses then to make the best out of it? Well, the decision is yours, but some of their appetizers were really good.

Carrot Soup: A-.
This was actually complimentary before the dishes came. It's a small bowl, but the taste was rich, not too carrot-ish, just about right.

Risotto (with lobster, crab, mushroom and squash): A.
Very impressive. It looked very creamy but actually wasn't; strong seafood flavor from lobster and crab. The addition of mushroom and squash was smart and the proportion of those was just about right not to cover the seafood taste. Everyone who had Risotto that night agreed it was the best dish of the night.

Maine Lobster: A-.
Pretty fresh. The lobster had some sweet taste to it. The mashed potato absorbed the lobster sauce completely and a delight to eat along with the lobster meat.

Scallops: A.
Very well-prepared and presented. The size of each scallop was big, but it was warm even to the middle part of it; it was slightly fried on the outside which added a bit crispy texture to it. Shiitake mushroom as a side was a nice touch.

Duck Breast: B+.
Not very impressive but not too bad. Have definitely tried better in a lot other places. It was still pretty juicy and tender.

Loin of Lamb: B.
It was my last dish but the worst dish comparing with others earlier. I mean, it wasn't bad, but I just had duck breast and I found the lamb tasted about the same. Lack of originality there. One other problem was that there was too much sauce. Drier lamb meat would make it a better dish.

Another side note: although I didn't try, but a couple of my friends got Bison and they all had bad comments about that dish. Not sure the details though.

To conclude, the service was definitely A+. All waiters and waitresses were extremely professional and we really felt like VIPs. Risotto was hands down everyone's favorite of the night. All seafood dishes were all exceptional, but all other red and white meat dishes were only so-so. As such, I give it a 4-star this time.

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  Loin of Lamb

  Loin of Lamb
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  Duck breast

  Duck breast
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  Scallops

  Scallops
• See all photos from Simon C. for Gary Danko

3/10/2015

So I don't want to be the odd one out here but I just wasn't overly impressed with Gary Danko. I'm giving GD a 3.5. I'm not used to dining in such fine establishments, so please don't think I'm a food snob or anything. I've been to another 1 Michelin star restaurant, and that was in NY (Gramercy Tavern). Even though they don't give full meals, my dinning experience was far better there.

My fiance made reservations a month in advance to celebrate our engagement. I was really excited to try GD b/c of all the raved reviews and accolades that the restaurant has received.

Once I got to GD I was a bit underwhelmed. Don't get me wrong, the decor was beautiful, one room was themed with flowers, the other butterflies. Decoration was spot on. I was disappointed most with the waiting area. Basically there is no waiting area. My fiance and I arrive 20 mins early and all they had for their waiting area was a bar that was crowded and servers stepping over people at the bar to get around. I was not expecting this for such a high class establishment. Another thing that annoyed me about check in was that we had a reservation at 8:30 PM, I was there early which I understand meant standing around, but they didn't seat us until around 8:50 PM, that's 20 mins after our reservation. Again, something I would not expect out of a high class restaurant.

Once I got seated, you are given the option to choose 3 courses, 4 courses, or 5 courses, for different prices. The plus is that you are allowed to choose your tasting menu. Essentially, you can order 5 courses of dessert if you want. Since my fiance and I were celebrating our engagement, we decided to splurge and get the 5 courses. Disclaimer: GD is known for serving full size meals. I ate myself into a coma because of how much food I ate. Trust me when I say, I wish I ordered only 3.

On to the food:

Course 1: Seared Foie Gras with Caramelized Onions, Glazed Apples and Moscato
Probably the best thing I ate all night. I'm so glad they got rid of the stupid foie gras ban, just so I could eat this. If you've never eaten foie gras, you'll be amazed. It's like butter melting in your mouth.

Course 2: Seared Sea Scallops with Sunchoke Purée, Leek Fondue and Salsify - Another good dish, perfectly good scallops.

Course 3: Roast Maine Lobster with Potato Purée, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Edamame and Tarragon
This is where my meal went sour. This dish was highlighted in everyone's reviews, so I had to try it. Once I did, i found it very bland and not worth the hype. Very underwhelming

Course 4: Herb Crusted Loin of Lamb with Farrotto, Medjool Dates, Rainbow Carrots and Green Chermoula
You are told that the lamb will be cooked medium rare, when I got my dish it was leaning towards rare. I'm not used to eating my meat that way so I only got through 1 slice and had to put the dish aside. Very disappointing.

Course 5: Strawberry Soufflé with Strawberry Sauce and Strawberry Sorbet
Good, but too many added sauces. I wish It was just the souffle and fruit. I thought the added sauces made the taste of the souffle too sweet.

Service: Slow and very pretentious

Conclusion: I would recommend that everyone come to try it, but only once. For the price, I would have preferred a stellar meal and better service.

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  Roast Maine Lobster with Potato Purée, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Edamame and Tarragon

  Roast Maine Lobster with Potato Purée, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Edamame and Tarragon
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  Scallops

  Scallops
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  Seared Filet of Beef with Swiss Chard, Potatoes, Shallot Marmalade and Bordelaise Butter

  Seared Filet of Beef with Swiss Chard, Potatoes, Shallot Marmalade and Bordelaise Butter
• See all photos from Stacey L. for Gary Danko

2/25/2015

I feel like people enjoy eating here because it's famous, pricey, and makes for a really good instagram photo...#sojelly

My mom talked about eating here for a while so my sister got us reservations for mother's bday.

Location: parked 2 blocks away down a hill. If you're taking a girl here,  you'll definitely want to get valet up front.  No chance she's gonna walk blocks up hill in heels and we both know you don't want to fight over that.

Ambiance: classy. Like "Great Gatsby" classy where I have to refer to all men as "old sport" and finish all of my sentences with the phrase "you see" (pronounced" "you sehhhh" like "I want my steak medium,  not well, medium done, you see"). It's dark, really dark, I don't think their dining area is even wired for electricity. Candles light your way and you may want to bring your own oil lantern.

Crowd: Fine dining. Guys at the bar looking like they just finished their photo shoot for GQ. Not a good idea to wear the tank top, shorts, rainbow flip flops and backwards Von Dutch trucker hat tonight. Minimum of a nice button up shirt and slacks will do.

Service: best I've ever had in my life. So good it was borderline creepy. I feel as though my waiter had a 6th sense for when I was about to finish a dish because moments after I finished the last bite, I turn my head and my plate was miraculously gone and replaced before I knew what happened.  Either that or the guy straight up watched me eat for 2 hours. Only way for service to be any better was to get a free back massage from the waiter while Michael Buble sang live table side.

Food: good, like really good and some of the best food I've ever had. It's very difficult to jusitfy the meal for the price. One person's meal is easily the equivalent to a months worth of groceries so it better be the best thing I've ever eaten in my life.

For me, this is a once in a lifetime meal experience for an important occasion and not some place I frequent for a football game or a quick bite when a friend visits from out of town. I'm a simpleton so I'll stick to some good bbq or a hole in the wall Chinese restaurant as my favorite places to eat.

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  My moms FREE birthday cake. Thanks Gary Danko, she felt like a queen that day.

  My moms FREE birthday cake. Thanks Gary Danko, she felt like a queen that day.

2/19/2015

My bf brought me for my birthday & I was so happy ... Best meal ever.

I got 3 courses, he had 4. & since it was my birthday they brought out some treats ... We couldn't finish it all although we tried really hard

I got ::
1. Ahi - perfectly seared. Came with avocado, nori and enoki mushrooms in a yummy lemon soy sauce
2. Scallops - perfectly seared with a nice caramelization on the edges on a delightful sunchoke purée with leek fondue
3. Seared filet of beef - I get in medium well, it was cooked perfectly & has some potatoes & Swiss chard on the side with a shallot marmalade & bordelaise butter . I had half left over so I took it for work the next day and it was just as good

He got ::
1. Roast Maine lobster with potato purée, chanterelle mushrooms & edamame - I had a piece and this was also cooked to perfection
2.  Lemon pepper duck breast with duck hash, bacon endive and huckleberry bordelaise - this is his favorite thing he's ever had . I don't eat duck so I don't have a personal opinion
3. I can't remember the third one
4. Creme brûlée trio - yummmm . Each one got better, they were all superb

the sommelier recommended a lovely Chardonnay - Matthiasso from Napa... We really enjoyed it!

& the birthday dessert was like a flourless chocolate piece of heaven.

The food was amazing, but it's more than good food ... It's an experience. The service is impeccable  many many compliments to the chef & staff, we can't wait to go back!

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  Seared ahi

  Seared ahi
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  Seared scallops

  Seared scallops
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  Roast main lobster

  Roast main lobster
• See all photos from danielle a. for Gary Danko

2/17/2015

We came here for our anniversary dinner excited to try this place during our weekend getaway in SF.  We were quite surprised to see it on the bottom floor of some residences.  I was really expecting a more elaborate restaurant building with some grand red carpet, maybe a fiery torch here and there, some Vegas-lit entranceway, and a nice sweeping driveway where the Valet guys greet you.  Nope.  It was located at some dark corner and you stop in the street hoping no one rear ends you while you get out and walk up to a small podium to be seated.  0 curb appeal.

Service is highly attentive as you would expect so no disappointment there.  We opted for the 4 course dinner which for me was the:

Appetizer--Glazed oyster w/ caviar
Main--Seared sea scallops
        --Pan seared bass with couscous
Dessert--Creme Fraiche cheesecake w/ cranberry compote.

Food was good, but far from amazing.  Portions are Costco sample sized.  I left feeling hungry still but then again I wasn't expecting that Hometown Buffet feeling either.  You definitely come here for the service.  It's a 3 1/2 star place, but I rounded up to 4 stars because they pack you a nice goodie bag to go.  The $12 valet fee is added to your bill.

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  Creme fraiche cheesecake w/ cranberry compote.

  Creme fraiche cheesecake w/ cranberry compote.
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  Pan seared bass w/ couscous

  Pan seared bass w/ couscous
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  Seared sea scallops

  Seared sea scallops
• See all photos from Alex L. for Gary Danko

2/17/2015 Updated review

Since we were off yesterday, we only had to wait an additional 1 1/2 months vs. 2 months for our rescheduled Gary Danko's dinner and I can finally write my review on the dining experience vs. our lackluster reservation experience.  

Service:  It is first class as one would expect from Gary Danko where everyone at the table will be served each course simultaneously.  Although we did not do the wine pairing, the sommelier formerly of SPQR is very knowledgeable and passionate about his work and it shows with his ability to customize a wine pairing based on both your individual plates and your overall choices.  

Prices:  $81 for a 3, $99 for the 4, and $117 for the 5 course choose your way any way or the Chef's pick tasting menu if you are indecisive.  Wine pairings are $85.  

Portion Size:  If you compare it to French Laundry where it is literally a taste or a bite and a half if you are lucky for each dish, Gary Danko dishes are generous in comparison.  Think of the dishes as more of an appetizer size with your last dish almost a light entrée size.  Dishes are served in the order of the menu so your fish and shellfish dishes will precede your meat and game dishes.  The portion size will increase with each dish so a 3 course will have a slightly larger portion size than a 5 course which makes perfect sense since the average price per course decreases with each additional course.  So if you absolutely know you love the branzini for example and it would come out first like my husband's, you may want to order 2 courses of it since the first will be a small appetizer size portion.  

Food:  My favorite, the food itself.  I did the 3 course since I have a lighter appetite  while hubby did the 4 course which I have listed below.  I won't go into full detail of each one but only for my top 3.  

Seared Foie Gras Appetizer with Caramelized Onions, Glazed Apples and Moscato - My second favorite dish of the night that just melts in your mouth and complements wonderfully with the caramelized onions.  Flavors are just so buttery and rich that I could not help quickly swiping a bite of my leftover piece of bread through the plate to pick up every bit left.  

Roast Maine Lobster with Potato Puree, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Edamame and Tarragon - Beautifully presented on a half shell and cooked to utter perfection.  It was my absolute favorite dish of the night that for once I am glad hubby has a shellfish allergy so I could have every morsel of this dish all to myself.  

Branzini with Fennel Puree, Nicoise Olives and Saffron-Orange Emulsion - I am normally not a fennel fan due to its licorice flavor but the puree was absolutely delightful without any hint of licorice and thought it was originally edamame.  

Herb Crusted Loin of Lamb with Farrotto, Medjool Dates, Rainbow Carrots and Green Chermoula - Did not taste any medjool dates in this dish so not sure if it got inadvertently left off.  

Roasted Quail Stuffed with Mushroom Ragout, Leeks, Quinoa and Foie Gras with Potatoes and Porcini Cream - My third favorite dish as the juice of the quail mixed in with the quinoa and mushroom ragout just makes every bite flavorful.

Juniper Crusted Bison with Sptzle - cooked rare but not so rare where you feel like it is about to walk off your plate at any time.  

Flambeed Pineapple with Mascarpone Filled Crepes, Graham Cracker-Macadamia Nut Streusel and Vanilla Ice Cream - Prepared tableside so be prepared for a "hot" show.  

Overall, the foie gras and the lobster were phenomenal while the bison and branzini was just okay for me.  

Update on the reservations aspect:  Never did get any feedback or explanation from the reservationist re: my missing reservation I made back in November.  When I spoke with our server right before leaving, he ended up being more apologetic and helpful with ideas and explanation.  Apparently they have been in the process of either moving or updating their reservation system which may have been the reason for the missing and/or incorrect reservation date that had occurred for myself and at least one other patron that I am aware of.  I am very forgiving when it comes to human or computer errors as long as the mistake is handled correctly.  

If they had just explained that it MAY be due to a change in the reservation system where it might've gotten lost or dates entered in incorrectly, apologize for it, and put me as a priority for the wait list to accommodate me for upcoming weekends in case someone cancels, I would've been okay with it.  Instead, I was just told they were sold out for all the weekends and to call back in a few days if I wanted the next available weekend reservation.  No mention about wait list, no mention about why it was lost.  

So the dining experience has definitely helped, but the continued lackluster reservation experience keeps it from being a 5 star overall.

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  Flambeed pineapple crepe prepared tableside

  Flambeed pineapple crepe prepared tableside
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  Banana muffin parting gift for the ladies

  Banana muffin parting gift for the ladies
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  Dessert sweets

  Dessert sweets
• See all photos from Joyce Z. for Gary Danko

1/26/2015

I was spoiled rotten by my boyfriend during my birthday weekend with a fun weekend in the city with endless tasty meals! My actual birthday dinner was at Gary Danko's and it was probably my favorite meal of the weekend. We had just done a fancy 3+ hour dinner the night before so getting our entrees in a timely manner made the experience so much better! We had a reservation right before closing time and we arrived a bit early so we spent a little time at the bar before being seated.

Everything on the menu looked delicious! We weren't hungry enough for the tasting menu, so the boyfriend and I ended up doing a 4-course ($94) and 3-course ($76) respectively. Basically with the menu if you have the choice between 3, 4 or 5 courses. You can pick anything you want from the courses (including 3 desserts if that's what you'd like!) I haven't seen a menu like that before and I really liked having the options like that. We ordered (without the fancy terminology):
Glazed oysters and caviar - the boyfriends favorite
Seared Scallops - I loved this one!
Lobster over mashed potatoes - boyfriend really enjoyed this
Beef with potato medallions - probably the only dish that was just okay (but it's only because we had fancy kobe the night before)
Curry flavored duck with mashed potatoes - so delicious!
Strawberry Souffle  - THE BEST SOUFFLE I'VE EVER HAD!

The meal itself came with an amuse bouche which I think was a carrot soup that I really enjoyed. I also got a chocolate baked good as a birthday treat and a plate of dessert goodies. I was waay too stuffed to make it past the souffle, but man was this a tasty meal!

TL;DR: Absolutely loved my experience at Gary Danko's. Some really amazingly delicious food, great service, and just everything about it was great! Can't wait for my next visit here! (And woohoo my 200th review!)

• 

  Really cute to-go packaging

  Really cute to-go packaging
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  Even more goodies! A pumpkin morning pastry

  Even more goodies! A pumpkin morning pastry
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  Tasty treats!

  Tasty treats!
• See all photos from Angel K. for Gary Danko

3/14/2015

I've only been to this PRISTINE EXPENSIVE restaurant once in my entire life. It was several years back, on my birthday. My brother had made reservations a few weeks prior to December 13th, because this place is very high in demand, despite the fact that it is VERY PRICEY up the ARSE!

You literally get what you pay for, and my brother paid for it, so I was just a happy go lucky gal. It was just my mum, my bro, and myself. HOLY CRAP! As Peter Boyle, the late actor would always say on Everybody Loves Raymond. This stuff was HOLY... GREAT.... CRAP!... the great type of CRAP! It's like fare that's been blessed by some HOLY MOLY force that just melts and oozes in your mouth.

Choose anything, blind folded or nose closed up, and your taste buds are all you need to feel like you're entering some heaven of unctuous medley of perfectly cooked fare. The ambiance is just killer. I feel like I'm in some palace of great walls of China, or a place that's part of the 7 wonders of the world type of vibe.

The service of course is just timed neatly and precisely, like some choreographed dance that's been practiced to utter perfection. Even if it's fake, it's just nice, because the price is so expensive, that if the service missed a beat, they'll probably receive a silent beating at the end! :P

It's my birthday, and this time I don't need to cry. I'm well taken care of, and I'm not the one to pay the bill! SWELL!

The audience at this joint are indeed the upper class creme de le creme... I see grannies and grandpa's who look like they belong on the red carpet, with their huge gems and sparkly bracelets. Everyone looks like they're going to pose for the Hollywood lights and cameras, and they speak with such: 'Oh me oh my, this is just heavenly... Oh yes, we're going to the Hamptons this spring, and yes my son from Princeton will be joining us... Oh yes, England is on our list too! Ha ha ha!... Oh that's just divine! Where on earth did you buy such pearls!...' You know, conversations that you just don't hear everyday, unless you're always surrounded with such wealth. It's not that I don't appreciate the opportunity to eat at such pristine places, with plates filled with delicious artwork, it's just another world of the many worlds that exist today.

I see and feel all the worlds out there, and it's just strangely amazing how one place, this circle we all live in, has such crazy disparities and similarities... as long as I keep focus on what truly matters, it gets easier for me to remain rooted within the one that matters the most. I suppose, I want and need to experience them all, to find what I'm truly seeking.

All and all, I'm grateful that my brother made reservations at Gary Danko, because his intention was good... 'I love my sister, and I want her to see and eat and feel PRECIOUS.' So, even when dressed in my comfy sporty sweats, I got to eat and dine at one of the best! Go to Gary Danko at least once in your life, if you haven't yet!

1/5/2015

You can't go wrong with the 5 courses $114 selection, there are just soooo many to choose from! I love how you can mix and match everything on the menu. If you want 5 desserts, you can order 5 desserts! So awesome.

Came with with a party of 11 and got the private room which was perfect because my group of people are rowdy and they will get extra rowdy when there is alcohol involved.

1) Lobster Salad with Chestnut Mousse, Persimmon, Pomegranate and Honey-Vanilla Vinaigrette - This is so good. I can't believe how big the portion was. I was expecting just a bite of lobster but I got a whole tail and a claw. Very fresh, almost everyone at the table ordered this to start with.

2) Glazed Oysters with Osetra Caviar, Zucchini Pearls and Lettuce Cream - For oyster lovers, get this! Its not a lot to eat, but the oysters and caviar went so well together in this creamy broth stuff, I wanted a whole lot more.

3) Seared Sea Scallops with Zucchini-Basil Purée, Beech Mushrooms, Melted Leeks and Sauce Maréchal - 2 large pieces of scallop pan-fried to perfection. What more can I say? If you're a seafood lover like I am, this is pretty damn good.

4) Guinea Hen Breast with Roasted Baby Beets, Goat Cheese Mousse and Champagne Braised Savoy Cabbage - I needed some heavy protein for the night so I went with the guinea hen. Good stuff, very large portions and filled me up. The meat was moist and came with beets and cheese on a tiny little pie crust on the side. So cute!

5) Strawberry Soufflé with Strawberry Sauce and Strawberry Sorbet - NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I HAD SUCH DELICIOUS SOUFFLE!!!! OH MY GOD, YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH ORDERING A SOUFFLE AT GARY DANKO FOR DESSERT! Whether it be the chocolate souffle or the strawberry one, you have to order either one! I have never had strawberry souffle before so I went with something I have never tried. It was damn good with warm strawberry sauce poured into the middle with an ooey gooey center, and topped with strawberry sorbet. My favorite part of this entire meal.

The service was extraordinary. All our meals came out all at the same time with 4 waiters serving us so nobody had to wait awkwardly for their friend's plate to arrive. They cleaned us up well after each plate and refilled drinks whenever necessary. I loved it.

Whole meal came with a complimentary pastry wrapped in gold foil and ribbon for breakfast tomorrow! What!!!! Oh Gary Danko, you're so thoughtful and sweet!

• 

  Complimentary breakfast pastry!

  Complimentary breakfast pastry!
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  Complimentary desserts

  Complimentary desserts
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  Strawberry Soufflé with Strawberry Sauce and Strawberry Sorbet

  Strawberry Soufflé with Strawberry Sauce and Strawberry Sorbet
• See all photos from Janny S. for Gary Danko

3/12/2015

First off, I am NOT impressed with exclusivity or hype. For example, I find that the majority of Ruth's Chris to be the "McDonald's of steakhouses" and I really cannot understand the adoration some have for places merely based on location, decor, advertisement, press or cost. IMO, a great dining experience is based on service, food quality, value and the general feeling of well-being that follows a fantastic night out while appreciating (not simply "enjoying" - there is a difference) truly excellent food preparation.

To me, Restaurant Gary Danko was gorgeousness and gorgeousity made flesh. My wife and I were fortunate enough to get a last minute dinner spot. Our service was truly professional and our food was impeccable. I can honestly rate our dinner here as one of the top three I have ever had at a restaurant.

The seared fois gras was flawless. I'm a huge fan of fois gras and this was superb.
My wife loved her sea scallops with sunchoke puree. I had some piperade with anchovy and then a seared bison course that was exquisite. Our desserts were similarly excellent. Make no mistake, this place is expensive, but well worth it. Obviously, I can only speak to our experience, but we both felt this to be among our very favorite dinners and will look forward to going again.

3/16/2015

I've had the pleasure of dinning at Gary Danko 4 or 5 times, and they never fail to impress. First went in 2010 (yes, this review is much overdue), and have been going back ever since. Danko is well deserving of his coveted Michelin star - the food, service, and atmosphere are always on point.

Michelin defines a 1 star restaurant as "A good place to stop on your journey, indicating a very good restaurant in its category, offering cuisine prepared to a consistently high standard." I think that's an excellent way to describe dining at Gary Danko's - Consistently prepared, high quality food.

At Gary Danko, you choose from three courses - often, the hardest part is narrowing down what to get, because there's always about 10 dishes I'd like to try.

Now, a run down of all the dishes I've had at Danko's, will a 1-10 rating of each and a little description.

Golden Osetra Caviar - 10/10
Not really a "dish" per se, but worth a mention. Golden Osetra is excellent caviar, with medium-big pearls and a slightly briny, nutty finish. Excellent caviar and served up well at Danko's.

Seared Ahi Tuna - 9/10

Excellent rendition, almost like deconstructed sushi. Any time you have tuna, avocado, and enoki mushrooms, you know it's going to be a good dish.

Glazed Oysters - 10/10

A must. This is the best single dish on the menu in my opinion. Oysters, topped with caviar and in a salsify and lettuce cream. This dish is hard to describe - but you must get it. The oysters are NOT fishy, you can never go wrong topping anything with caviar, and the salsify and lettuce cream is a great finish.

Crispy Farm Egg - 8/10

Grits, Royal Trumpet Mushrooms, Frisée and Pancetta - very good, and very rich. A little too rich for me, but anything with a runny egg on it is pretty great.

Coconut Thai Curry - 8/10

A nice seafood medley, with all the usual flavors of thai curry.

Seared Sea Scallops - 9/10

Perfectly seared, tender scallops with a mushrooms, salsify, and parsnip (which I'm a huge fan of - creamier and sweeter than potatoes). Another nice dish

Juniper Crusted Bison - 9/10

My favorite meat entre. I love bison, and the juniper crust works perfectly with the leaner, slightly gamier bison.

Guinea Hen Breast - 6/10

A good rendition, but just too salty. One of the few items I've had here that I'd pass on.

Cheese selection - 7/10

Very good cheeses, but since you only get 3 course choices, it's really between the cheese and dessert. If you're a dessert junkie like me, pass up the cheese plate - it's good, but dessert is the way to go.

Strawberry Soufflé - 9/10

I was hesitant to get this - I usually only get grand marnier soufflés - but it was surprisingly excellent. Nice, light, and hot, just like a good soufflé should be, and with a clean and refreshing strawberry sorbet. I was a fan.

Chocolate Praline Parfait - 9/10

I love chocolate. I could eat anything chocolate all day, every day, and when you add sea salt caramel ice cream, it only gets better. Definitely more rich than the soufflé, but a great dessert.

Gary Danko is a restaurant to go to. Consistent, excellent food. Great service. A cozy, intimate atmosphere. They rightly earn their Michelin star, and deserve all the accolades they continue to receive.

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  Strawberry Soufflé

  Strawberry Soufflé
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• 

  Hen

  Hen
• See all photos from Alex C. for Gary Danko

3/3/2015 Updated review

FOOD: 5
SERVICE: 5
AMBIANCE: 5
VALUE: 5

I've been coming here for years, since 1999, and I must say everything since my first visit has been excellent. Every dish has been served beautifully and the flavor has always been "spot on". You can really tell from the flavors how fresh all the ingredients are.

The service, from the main dining room to the bar counter has always been "5 star" worthy. Today, it just seemed they even turned that up a notch; I just don't know how they can get any better.

Since 1999, many more "fine dine" restaurants have opened up in the City, and many "celebrity chef" chains have sprung up around the country. Case in point, Michael Mina, another local superstar chef who has gone on to bigger and "better" things; his local restaurants have definitely gone down a notch in both quality and service.

Not here at Gary Danko, he still comes to his restaurant daily and oversee every aspect relating to customer satisfaction, and it shows in the quality of the food and the service. Michelin be damned! Gary Danko is and always will be 5-STARS to me!

12/10/2014 Updated review

4.5 stars

It's been 3 years since my first time dining at GD. 3 years later, this restaurant still maintains the highest accolades and standards. What's different? The menu prices but the slight increase does not faze me. It's totally worth it! The earliest reservation time we could get was 9pm on a Tuesday. The bar was overflowing with people who quite possibly be walk ins since all of them were eating at the bar. Note: don't even think about becoming a walk in if you can't get there at 5PM. Anyway,we got seated at 8:50 PM.

Service - Excellent! 5 or 6 people waited on us and all had smiles on their face (except the bread lady but she did an excellent job at refilling our plate with bread). When either one of us got up to use the restroom, our napkin was always folded when we came back like magic.  

4 Courses x 2

Mines:

Pan Seared Bass with Israeli Couscous, Pumpkin, Preserved Meyer Lemon and Sage - Best fish I ever had. All the flavors meshed well together and very light.

Juniper Crusted Bison with King Trumpet Mushrooms, Cipollini Onions and Wild Nettle Spätzle. - Both my boyfriend and I agree this was the best dish of the night. This Bison does not taste anything like the Roam Burger Bison. It's was cooked and prepared delicately and very tender.

Seared Filet of Beef with Potato Gratin, Swiss Chard, Cassis Glazed Shallots and Stilton Butter - Delicious at medium rare. By the third dish, I was stuffed.

Trio of Creme Brulee - a little too sweet for my liking but maybe becuase I'm not a sweets person.

His:

Seared Sea Scallops with Mushroom Ragout, Roasted Salsify, Parsnip and Sauce Maréchal - Honestly, scallops tasted the same anywhere I go so nothing special here but it was still yummy.

Herb Crusted Loin of Lamb with Farro, Medjool Dates, Rainbow Carrots and Green Chermoula - so smooth and tasty. Not gamey at all. Delicious combination of flavors.

Veal - This was really good. Memorable.. GOOD.

Lemon Souffl Cake with Crème Fraîche Panna Cotta and Raspberry Sorbet - I WANT MORE MORE MORE!!!!

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  Lemon souffle vs trio of creme brulee

  Lemon souffle vs trio of creme brulee
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  Bison. Pictures didn't do it justice

  Bison. Pictures didn't do it justice

12/1/2014

Gary Danko has always been super high on my "must try" food places, but I was never inspired nor did I have a reason to actually come here. Well, my buddy told me that it was "the best dining experience [he] ever had," so that pretty much piqued my interest even more. And it just so happened that one of my long-time friends was turning 30, so the reason to come was taken care of. All I needed was a reservation on short notice...oh yes, I will CERTAINLY take a reservation at Sunday 10 PM on 2 weeks notice!

First thing I noticed was how well-lit the interior was. Yeah I know ambiance is important, but I've been to enough fancy restaurants where I can barely see across the table to my dining partner. Well-lit enough, but not so bright as to take away from the atmosphere. Combined with the decor, I have to say it was the best ambiance of any restaurant I've been to (thus far, anyways). That said, I'm not quite sure about sitting on the same side as the person I'm with. Kinda weird to be staring at the tables in the middle, I feel like I'm spying on someone else's dining experience. :X

Either way, menu is straightforward. 3/4/5-course menu, and you can choose any combination of appetizer/entree/cheese/dessert that you want (I wonder if anyone has actually done the 5-course dessert...if so, mad props to them!). Instead of doing the usual laundry list line-by-line, I'll do something different this time around. As usual, my standard rule applies...only get something you can't generally get somewhere else!

ABSOLUTE MUST HAVES:
Risotto with Gulf Shrimp, Dungeness Crab, Shimeji Mushrooms and Roasted Butternut Squash - Ok yeah, you can get risotto anywhere else. But risotto THIS good? Unquestionably the best risotto I've ever had in my life. Flavorful, yet super light. When I come here again, I'm getting this even though I already tried it...it is THAT good.
Pan Seared Bass with Israeli Couscous, Pumpkin, Preserved Meyer Lemon and Sage - If you cannot decide what to get, start with this as it was inquestionably the best dish I had all night. Super flaky yet crispy with perfect texture, absolutely cooked to perfection. I'm still having dreams about how good it was. My only regret is that I didn't get two of these.

PRETTY GOOD:
Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Pork Belly, Eggplant-Pepper Marmalade, Pea Tendrils and Soy Mustard Glaze / Lemon Pepper Duck Breast with Duck Hash, Bacon Braised Endive and Cherries - I'll write on both of these at the same time. Pretty good, but not super memorable like the prior two dishes. Didn't help that these came out after the prior two dishes either. Honestly started to taste the same after a while, which probably wasn't good.
Chocolate Mousse Cake - Hey it was a solid birthday cake, I can't complain about it.

SHOULD'VE GOTTEN SOUFFLÉ:
Flambéed Cherries with Mascarpone Filled Crèpes, Graham Cracker-Pecan Streusel and Port Ice Cream - Although it was cool to see the crepes being cooked in front of us, it was ok at best. Really wishing I had gotten the strawberry soufflé.

What puts Gary Danko over the top is the top-level service. They know their stuff, are very friendly and accommodating, and and extremely knowledgeable about the menu, which helps when you have absolutely no idea what to get. And of course, thanks for that free pumpkin bread in the morning!

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  Chocolate Mousse Cake

  Chocolate Mousse Cake
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  Flambéed Bananas with Mascarpone Filled Crèpes, Graham Cracker-Macadamia Nut Streusel and Vanilla Ice Cream

  Flambéed Bananas with Mascarpone Filled Crèpes, Graham Cracker-Macadamia Nut Streusel and Vanilla Ice Cream
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  Lemon Pepper Duck Breast with Duck Hash, Bacon Braised Endive and Cherries

  Lemon Pepper Duck Breast with Duck Hash, Bacon Braised Endive and Cherries
• See all photos from Alexander Y. for Gary Danko

11/22/2014

Well-executed old school American fine dining. The menu seems dated and not particularly exciting or hipster compared the other new establishments out there, but that's cool. Gary Danko is an establishment that has been around for a while and it's not going anywhere, and the food is exceptionally tried-and-true solid.

RECOMMENDED:

Crispy Farm Egg (I like eggs and mushrooms, so this is definitely a winner)
Risotto (my bf thought it was too creamy and mushy, but I thought it was perfect)
Herb Crusted Loin of Lamb (tender, tender, tender)
Lemon Pepper Duck Breast (also very tender and buttery)

GOOD:

Guinea Hen Breast
Cheese
Strawberry Souffle

HMM...

Seared Sea Scallops (scallops were overdone and rubbery)
Roast Maine Lobster (not particulary memorable for me)
Seared Filet of Beef (it's not bad or anything, it's just not wow)

Ridiculously large portions. The five course dinner is probably enough food for one person for the entire day, including snacks.

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  Risotto

  Risotto
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  Crispy farm egg

  Crispy farm egg

2/9/2015

What can I say that others haven't? Amazing service and great food. This is the place you take the exceptional people in your life to celebrate those special occasions. One of the best meals I've experienced and pleasantly surprised at their take on classic food. You'd be surprised what how amazing a simple clam chowder can taste when done right.

There is a little known secret about dining at Gary Danko without reservations. The bar is open to first come first serve and there's about 9 to 11 seats available. Mon- Wednesday there's plenty of availability to grab a seat during dinner time. Thursday - Sunday you'll find a line before the restaurant opens which is 5:00PM. Wait for time for an open seat varies from 45min to an hour.

I read a few reviews expressing food was too expensive.... Big freaking DUH!  This is Gary Danko but if you're on the cheap scale of things, In-n-out is right around the corner.

2/7/2015

I knew I would love this place even before I stepped foot through the door.

I've been stalking Gary Danko's menu for years. Creepy, I know. Theres just something about reading elaborate dishes that really fascinates me. I knew what I would order many years prior to even coming. Needless to say, I finally came and fell in love.

The ambiance is whimsical and intimate. The place is filled with mostly small tables. I think the regular reservation limit is 6 people, 7+ requires special reservation. The host was super nice and welcoming, in fact, I was impressed by the service of all the servers as well. There was a moment where I watched a line of servers come out and synchronously place the dishes on the table. It was awe inspiring.

Anyways, onto the food. We had a pretty late reservation so my bf and I opted for the 3 course each. He had the seared ahi, horseradish crusted salmon, and the lamb while I had the seared scallops, duck breast with duck hash and the strawberry souffle with strawberry sorbet. All of the dishes were superb, well balanced and perfectly sized but the ones that stood out to me was the lamb and duck. I'm usually indifferent about my feelings towards lamb but this lamb was sooo well flavored and cooked. It was juicy, tender and rich with that lamby taste. The highlight of the duck dish was actually the duck hash. It was jampacked with flavor and nicely seared into a little cake. I guess I should also mention my other two dishes because I guess they're pretty memorable as well. I'm a sucker for scallops and these scallops hit thee spot. Perfectly seared, nice and moist with super flavorful sauce. Ugh. And the souffle, nice and airy with that super light sorbet.

After dinner, we were served the petit fours, which we had absolutely no room for. The server was so nice to offer to package them for us to take home. They also gave me a banana cream cheese coffee cake, which we ate for breakfast the next morning, deeeelish.

All in all, great experience. 1000x would come back again, especially now that foie gras is no longer illegal, I really want to try it here.

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  Banana coffee cake the next day

  Banana coffee cake the next day
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  Banana cream cheese coffee cake to take home

  Banana cream cheese coffee cake to take home
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  Complimentary dessert

  Complimentary dessert
• See all photos from Becky M. for Gary Danko

3/1/2015

I have been here three times and have never been disappointed.  The food is sophisticated, the service is impeccable and the atmosphere is delightful.  If you love caviar, go for the caviar service, the buckwheat blinis are to die for.  The amuse-bouche are always packed full of flavor.  All the entrees are finely prepared with in depth essence.  I LOVE the cheese course and will forgo the desserts. There are always the mini sweet treats and take home breakfast cake to fulfill the sweet tooth.

Can't wait to go back in May!  Happy Belly, Happy Me!

11/26/2014

As good as the food is, the highlight here is the extraordinarily accommodating service. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

We loved the flexibility of assembly as many courses as you like in any order to create your own tasting menu. Four starters, cheese, and no dessert? No problem. That's just the way we roll.

The caviar course we began with was served the what they called blinis, but were actually buckwheat pancakes from heaven. I want to go here for breakfast!

The wine list is extensive, and I particularly appreciated the large selection of half bottles, which allowed us to assemble our own custom wine pairings to accompany our meal.

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  Interior

  Interior
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  Interior

  Interior

4/9/2015

Called a week ago for a reservation, only to find out today the reservationist put us down for the wrong date and made no accommodations for their error, besides coming in 4 hours later at 10pm. I understand that mistakes happen, but if I convey day of the week along with the date, it's not that hard to cross reference both and make sure you mark down the correct date. Was really looking forward to dining here, but we all know there are plenty of other solid restaurants in this city and the lack of professionalism before even sitting at the dining table leaves much to be desired.

1/31/2015

This review will cover the following dishes:
 
Appetizers:

1) Risotto with Gulf Shrimp and Lobster
2) Lobster Salad with Chestnut Moose

Fish and Seafood:

3) Coconut Thai Curry with Seafood
4) Roast Maine Lobster with Potato Purée

Desserts:

5) Chocolate Soufflé
6) Roasted Pears with Gingerbread and Nutmeg Ice Cream

"There's only one Gary Danko"

Considered by many to be the best restaurant in San Francisco, Gary Danko delivers an elevated dining experience suited for the more discerning diner. You can choose either 3, 4, or 5 courses for your meal with three courses costing $79 and 5 courses costing $114. In my opinion this is quite affordable for the quality. Next I'll discuss the food, but at the end of my review I'll give you vital tip to help you if you want to eat here. Now for the food:

Appetizers:

1) Risotto w/ Shrimp & Lobster - 10 of 10

What else could you want from a lobster and shrimp risotto? Perfectly cooked lobster and shrimp, fresh tasting, not too overpowering on the flavors. This is as good as risotto gets. Certainly you can find different risotto, but hard to find better.

2) Lobster Salad w/ Chestnut Moose 9 out of 10

So fresh! Tastes super clean. Here's the twist. The chestnut moose is sweet. Has almost a strawberry dessert. Certainly expected a savory moose, but the sweetness made the rest of the salad much more interesting.

3) Coconut Thai Curry w/ Seafood 8 out of 10

Ok, so this is not the type of dish I was expecting at Gary Danko, but honestly it was very well done. The seafood was cooked absolutely perfectly. The curry was mild but still very flavorful. A tasty dish, but if you want curry, go to a thai restaurant. Gary Danko has so many more unique things to try.

4) Roast Maine Lobster w/ Potato Purée - 9 out of 10

Perfectly cooked Lobster. Very fresh, as were the other items I tried. Very light flavor. If you love heavy flavor then this won't be a 10 for you (hence the 9 I gave it), but if you're not a stickler for flavor that punches you square in the face, and you like more subtle, fresh, and elegant flavors, you'll probably rate this a 10.

Desserts:

5) Chocolate Soufflé - 10 out of 10

The soufflé was lighter than air. Enough said.

6) Roasted Pears with Gingerbread and Nutmeg Ice Cream - 8 out of 10

A nice dessert if you like fruit in the mix. I prefer rich, decadent, sinful desserts lost of the time, so I'd try something else next time. Still, it's very good!

Overall, if you're lucky enough to get a reservation here, go! You won't be disappointed and Gary Danko might very well become your new favorite restaurant.

So here's the tip I promised you!

Reservations are very hard to come by. Here's a little tip, when speaking with the reservationist, ask to be put on the wait list. When there's a cancellation, they will call you and if you're free that evening, you're in!

• 

  Full Menu

  Full Menu
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  Tasting Menu

  Tasting Menu
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  Gary Danko's Bar

  Gary Danko's Bar
• See all photos from Thomas M. for Gary Danko

11/5/2014

It's unclear how this happened, but it took me almost 4 years to get here. But, it happened. And it was glorious. My husband made a reservation early, which conveniently was a week after I finished cutting weight for my weightlifting competition.

By now you've read about the decor, the stunning flower arrangements in and around the restaurant, the amazing service, the little freebies you get after you're done with dinner, and the glorious food. So much food. Gary Danko's menu is absolutely a "choose your own destiny" adventure, and so for that night, my husband had the 3 course option whereas I selected the 4 course.  #YOLO

So. Like SportsCenter, let's do a recap of the Top 5 Plays of the Night by Gary Danko:

5. The Strawberry Souffle with Strawberry Sauce and Strawberry Sorbet: Easily on of the more elegant and lighter desserts I've had in awhile. After 3 courses, I was ready for something that wasn't overly rich and this fit the bill.

4. My second course was the Scallops, recommended to me by one of my good friends who said they were not to be missed.  So, from one friend to the other, don't miss out on these, they're absolutely delicious and I loved the mushrooms that came with it.

3. Crispy eggs are one of my favorites, and Gary Danko nailed this one. The egg was fried beautifully, and like the scallops, came with absolutely beautiful mushrooms. The pancetta was a great addition and added a lot of texture with the crispiness of the egg.

2. DUCK. Don't wimp out and get beef like I almost did. Thankfully, I checked Yelp before going, and this was highly recommended.  The duck was cooked beautifully, and the portion size was perfect for my appetite (and knowing that I had dessert coming!).

1. And of course. The cheese selection. It would be shameful to not rate this as the highlight of the night. Early on in our relationship, my husband would continually remind me that GD's cheese service was the best of all time. And, well, he was right. The cheeses we had were absolutely amazing. DO NOT miss this.

The last thing I'll say about this is that GD is one of the more reasonably priced prix fixe menus I've experienced so far in SF.  It's no surprise that reservations are hard to come by, and everything that night was completely on point, save the tourist who was wearing cargo shorts and the girl that was dressed for Hakkasan Las Vegas at the table across from us. Come on guys, it's Gary Danko, have some respect for the dress code and for your fellow diners.  I would absolutely love to have the privilege of coming back here, if not just for that cheese course.

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  Strawberry Soufflé

  Strawberry Soufflé
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  Cheese selection

  Cheese selection
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  Juniper Crusted Bison

  Juniper Crusted Bison
• See all photos from Lisa I. for Gary Danko

2/3/2015

A summary:  Food is delicious, service is welcoming, a nice special occasion place.

We arrived early and were greeted and treated nicely at the bar.  Overall the service was polite and respectable.

One of the only tiniest gripes I had of the experience was that I was really overwhelmed by the selection of dishes.  You have so many options with the choose your own (course amount, order, mix and match) My husband enjoyed it, but I couldn't focus. Solution: Chef's menu, and I went with that.

We both started with a complimentary red bell pepper soup that was refreshing and flavorful.  I had oysters - which I normally prefer raw, but these were cooked to perfection.  My husband had a lobster salad that was excellent.  The server pointed out it was a favorite.  Then came steak in (I believe it was) a wine sauce and scallops (soft and lovely).  I enjoyed picking selections from the cheese cart, but had a hard time finishing all of it.  Chocolate soufflé and lemon soufflé cake with raspberry sorbet.  Omg the lemon soufflé was surprisingly my favorite (usually I'm a chocolate person).  It was just the right amount of tart and sweet and I love a raspberry  and lemon combo.   They added another chocolate dessert for our anniversary (at this point I'm painfully stuffed).  

I happily took home a pumpkin coffee cake for the next day that they offered to the ladies (great way to make breakfast awesome).  

I also want to mention a worker followed us out to help us take a picture, and patiently took a few to get it right...then offered to help another couple out who walked by.  I hope he wasn't out there all night being photographer!

Bottom line, the food was satisfying and delicious.  It's pricey, but worth it, especially for a celebration.

3/29/2015

So I finally got to try Gary Danko!  It was an amazing dining experience with impeccable service.  The decor was truly beautiful with a very zen theme however I felt the tables were a bit too close together.

My foodie partner and I decided to both get 5 courses and basically share everything.

Glazed Oysters with Osetra Caviar - WOW, best thing we had all night long.  The sauce is just outstanding.  It tasted like a condensed seafood chowder.  I seriously wanted to lick all the sauce off the bowl.  But I was classic, so I used the bread.  

Dungeness Crab Salad -  The most unimpressive dish of the night.  Just didn't do it for me.

Seared Foie Gras - Another excellent dish.  A very generous portion of foie gras.  I'm glad CA lifted the ban.

Seared Sea Scallops - Pretty good dish.  The scallops were cooked perfectly however, it didn't wow me.

Roast Maine Lobster - Probably my second favorite dish of the night.  Lobster was cooked perfectly.  It tasted buttery and oceany at the same time, if that makes any sense.

Branzini - Perfectly cooked piece of fish.  Crispy on the outside and soft and flaky on the inside.  Love this dish.

Lemon Pepper Duck Breast with Duck Hash - Duck Breast was good but the Duck Hash was the star of the dish.  So flavorful.

Roasted Quail - It was a good dish but I think it didn't get a fair shake since it was the last course before dessert and we were both stuffed by then.

Cheese Dish - Original ordered it but I was so full that the waiter allowed me to opted out of it.

Flambéed Pineapple - Finally dessert, table presentation was cool but I wished we tried another dessert.

Overall, it was amazing.  The waiter overheard I was going on a trip so he brought out a chocolate mousse cake that said bon vonage.  Nice ending to the night.

2/10/2015

Man, I hate to be the dissenter here...but I'm gonna.

My fiancee went to the trouble of making a reservation here for my b-day dinner, and it was something on our radar for a while anyway, so it was as good a time as any to go finally check it out.

You get your choice here of 3, 4 or 5 courses at fixed prices, and you can double up on certain courses if you like as opposed to only picking one thing from each section of the menu.  The flexibility is nice and appreciated.

That said, to us, the food itself was mostly just okay.  One dish did blow my mind, which was the crispy egg appetizer.  Branzino, foie gras and desserts were good, but everything else was just ho-hum.  As some others have noted, the portions are certainly more than fair for this level of food.

I will say the service was spectacular.  Perfectly in line with the service I'd expect at any fine restaurant.  No qualms whatsoever there...very polite, courteous, and attentive.

For a romantic dinner or date night, the ambience and service here are great, and most other people seem to love the food, so overall this is probably a good bet...it just wasn't as good as we'd thought or hoped for us.  But I'd encourage you to try it for yourselves anyway - perhaps you'll have a better experience, since it seems most reviewers love this place.

2/23/2015

3.5 review.

Gary Danko is a long-timer restaurant in San Francisco that's often touted as being a classic American go-to. Maybe that's exactly the reason why it's not getting a raving review from me? Don't get me wrong, I think the ingredients are fresh and everything was executed very well. But in a city like San Francisco with amazing, innovative food and restaurant scene, I just don't think Gary Danko measures up, at all.

I chose the 3-course meal for $95. First of all, I don't think this is a good deal at all. There are so may tasting menus and delicious options in San Francisco for much better deals. The Progress for one offers $65/6 courses, while more expensive options like Coi or Benu (while it will run you for more money) offers 12-15 courses! I don't think it's worth paying $95 for butter poached lobster or a great piece of steak.

I personally didn't feel that any of the food stood out in any way, and again, while everything tasted good, Gary Danko isn't a place I would recommend or come back to, unfortunately. I think for what it is, classic American, it's great. And like the classic American vibe, the service is very warm and pleasant.

Gary Danko's atmosphere is pleasant, and if you enjoy the older, New York style ambiance, it's definitely more of your scene.

10/28/2014

Loved everything about this restaurant! Its beautiful fresh flower arrangements, classy ambiance, excellent service, and delicious food were all top notch.  What a treat it was for me, a visitor from Hawaii, to dine at this Michelin-Star Rated restaurant.

Gary Danko came highly recommended to us and is also my bf's fave restaurant in San Francisco. We called a month ahead and got 5:30 reservations. I was so excited to finally dine here......And it didn't disappoint!

From the moment we pulled up and stepped out of the car, they treated us like royalty. The hostess was very friendly as we entered and took care of our coats. Our waiter was very informative and patient, and his staff was very attentive to our needs. Thank you for the excellent service.

Gary Danko does have a pre-set 5-course tasting menu for $111, wine pairing for $76. They also give you the option of creating your own menu. They offer a 3-course ($77), 4-course ($94) or 5-course ($111) meal option where you pick your courses. Compared to other high-end restaurants, I thought their prices were so reasonable for what you receive.

They have an extensive menu of Appetizers/Salads, Fish/Seafood, Meat/Chicken, Cheeses and Desserts. If you're opting for a 3-course dinner, you can choose any three dishes.....Whether it be three meat dishes or three salads, or one salad, seafood, meat. You decide the combination. I loved that we had these choices bc I wanted to try everything on the menu!

So my party of four all chose the "customized" 3-course option. Here's Our Dinner selections:

-Glazed Oysters With Osetra Caviar
-Roasted Maine Lobster With Potato Purée
-Coconut Thai Curry With Shrimp, Scallops, Calamari, Lobster
-Risotto With Gulf Shrimp, Dungeness Crab, Mushrooms, Buttermilk Squash
-Horseradish Crusted Salmon Medallion With Dilled Cucmbers
-Seared Scallops With Zucchini Basil Purée
-Lemon Peppered Duck With Duck Hash
-Herb Crusted Loin of Lamb

All were delicious but my faves were the roasted lobster, risotto with shrimp, and the Thai curry. All had excellent flavors and weren't too rich. My table mates loved the duck and couldn't stop raving about the duck hash. My Mom also loved the lamb. All portions were generous and filling.

Oh, and you don't have to order dessert. They offer a nice array of sweet treats at the end of dinner!

So, I think I found my new fave restaurant in San Francisco! I love this city.....and now I love Gary Danko! Can't wait to return......

• 

  Classy Gary Danko....

  Classy Gary Danko....
• 

  Sweet Treats

  Sweet Treats
• 

  The fresh flower arrangements were breathtaking!!

  The fresh flower arrangements were breathtaking!!
• See all photos from Kanoe I. for Gary Danko

3/20/2015

An amazing dining experience for Valentine's day. I wish they were large enough to accommodate anyone who wants to come and enjoy a fantastic meal with great ambiance and service.

First thing you must do is get a reservation. They take reservations exactly two months in advance. I suggest you begin dialing about 3 minutes before and continuously dial until you get a connected call. Unfortunately this is the only way unless you have a large party. Then I'm if you call during dinner hours, you'd be able to speak to them about your arrangements.

The best part about Gary Danko is your price is based on the amount of dishes you would like to eat instead of having a price for each menu. Therefore you're able to choose all entrees if you'd like.

What we ended up doing is sharing every plate and choosing as many dishes as we liked as possible. There are so many to choose from and they all sound so great that you'll go crazy just trying to figure out which dish is best.

Luckily there are a few options. One is you can choose the chefs menu is pre selected of the chef's favorite dishes. Only thing I don't like about the chef's menu is that it costs more than choosing those dishes yourself...

Another source would be your lovely server who can answer any questions you may have about any of the dishes.

Favorite Dish - Golden Osetra Caviar

3/12/2015

My girlfriends and I went to Gary Danko last night to celebrate my birthday. I've been wanting to go because I've heard such good things about the place and my girlfriends and I love going to different restaurants each month.

Everything was going well. The food was very tasty but not mind blowing. The service was ok. The wait staff only checked in when they were delivering the food but we were together, taking pictures, and catching up and we were having a great time!

The check came. We were in the middle of a conversation so we were not planning to pay right away. It was 9:20pm, the restaurant closes at 10pm, we felt we had time and were going to sit for a while. The restaurant's maître d' (I think that's who he was) came by and offered us a tour of the kitchen. He said we could meet the chef and was being pretty obsequious with his compliments so we agreed even though we were ambivalent about it. He rushed us to pay, kept telling us we needed to hurry because "there was a lull in the kitchen so it was a good time to go". He told us, "not all the customers get this tour". We planned to leave our gift bags at the table while we did a quick tour but he told us to take our stuff. That's when I realized we were being kicked out and what I took as being obsequious was actually a kind of nervous energy while he tried to usher us out.

After the 2-min tour was over, and the chef begrudgingly turned away from his work to smile and greet us,  we were in the lobby collecting our coats. I turned to my friend and said, I think we just got kicked out and they both agreed. I saw a couple being seated at the table we just vacated and I realized they pushed us out, 30 min to closing, just to seat one more couple. I was embarrassed and humiliated. I've never been at an upscale restaurant that acted so greedy. I felt like we were judged as being disposable customers (even though we paid like everyone else and my two girlfriends were returning guests).

An establishment like Gary Danko should show more class, more respect, and know they can't judge who looks like they have money here in the Bay Area. I'm disappointed in the treatment we received and I don't plan to go back. My girlfriends said writing this review would be pointless because I would not sway people from eating here. That's not my intention. I just think this experience is worth sharing.

11/8/2014

Did you get the Dank?  Did you get the Dank?...  yeah, I got Dank, you got gas in the tank?..

~Snoop Dogg
*******************

Yeaaaahhhhhaaa...  Yeaaaaaahhhhhhh...  Yeaaaahhhhhh.

Oh Yeahhhhh.

This is what you want, every single time.

After this, I can die happily.

They treat you like a V.I.P. from walking in from the sidewalk, to getting up to use the rest room, to exiting...  You feel like a Super-Star the entire time.

The service is simply impeccable.  Best Service I have ever had.  Mesmerizing.

I wish I could have recorded part(s) of the segments the waiters were spouting off.  It was like they were auditioning for a Hollywood Movie.  Simply amazing.

Top 3 Best Restaurants in the Entire U.S. Nation.

Worth every penny.

11/21/2014

I called two months in advance but was not able to secure a dinner reservation on a Sunday (that's how popular this place is!) but was able to select an alternative weekday since I was in SF for a few days.

Definitely the BEST meal of my SF trip. Initially I was a little disappointed as they put us (party of three) at a horizontal table (meant for two people) and added a chair. I asked to change and they had no problem with that.  

Service was excellent. Every staff was professional and polite.

Needless to say, the food was beyond words. The menu is extensive (love the wide range of main...from game meat to various kind of seafood).

My favorite 3 course meal is the risotto with shrimp/ crab, i would highly recommend that !

If you have a special occasion to celebrate or a visit to SF, definitely stop by, it will be a meal to remember :)

• 

  Baked Chocolate Soufflé with Two Sauces

  Baked Chocolate Soufflé with Two Sauces
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  Warm Louisiana Butter Cake with Apples, Huckleberry Compote and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

  Warm Louisiana Butter Cake with Apples, Huckleberry Compote and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
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  French Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches with Three Sauces

  French Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches with Three Sauces
• See all photos from Grace S. for Gary Danko

2/9/2015

It's hard to make a reservation but it's worth. I'm happy enough to sit at the bar. Food is really fantastic, wine and cheese collection are terrific, service is world class. I would love to come back here again.

• 

  The best Robert Mondavi wine

  The best Robert Mondavi wine
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  Me with flower pink gown

  Me with flower pink gown
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  Creme brûlée

  Creme brûlée
• See all photos from Lisa I. for Gary Danko

10/9/2014

Gary Danko is without a doubt one of the best restaurants in San Francisco, and they won me over just one course into my meal. My boyfriend brought me on my birthday and it's the ideal place for a celebratory meal.

The meal began with an amuse bouche, which was a tomato gazpacho with a drizzle of olive oil on top. The cool, light soup was exactly what wakes up your palate and prepares your stomach for the rest of the meal. The bread that they constantly refill your plate with also ends up being a great tool to sop up whatever leftover sauce you have on your plate that's too good to go to waste.

We went with the four-course option, so I chose the risotto as my appetizer. I have never had such amazing risotto before, with generous chunks of dungeness crab and gulf shrimp tossed throughout. The shimeji mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, and corn added an earthy flavor that cut the creaminess of the dish. I could've eaten a giant bowl of this risotto and been happy.

To maximize my dollar, I went with two entrees. The first was the roasted Maine lobster with chanterelles and corn on top of a potato puree. First of all, the potato puree was smoother than mashed potatoes, but full of pure potato flavor rather than the creaminess of mashed potatoes. The lobster couldn't have been cooked more perfectly, and everything was seasoned just right. The addition of the corn and chanterelles once again added the earthy flavor that cut the decadence of the dish.

My second entree was the pan seared bass with arugula pesto. The fish had a great crisp on the outside, while still staying flaky on the outside. I loved that the pesto still allowed the arugula taste to come through, and the herbed gnocchi literally melted in my mouth.

Dessert at Gary Danko is the most indulgent part of the meal. In addition to whichever dessert you may order, they include a sampling platter of mini desserts. It includes a lemon bar, coconut macaron, brownie, and pecan bar among others. But whatever you do, do not miss out on the warm Louisiana butter cake. The sheer size of it is enough to blow your mind, but the cake itself is any sweet tooth's dream. The cake is dense, with a cakey interior but a slightly sticky and almost streusel-like top. It's covered with peaches and then served with a huckleberry compote that adds the slight sourness to cut the sweetness of the cake. If you were to eat the entire cake in one sitting, it may be a little overly sweet, but somehow taking a bite of that melting vanilla bean ice cream is the solution that cures the heaviness.

Before you leave, they present you with a pineapple breakfast cake to take home. At this point, you don't want to think about food anymore, but it's amazing to still be able to relive the memory of the Gary Danko experience the next morning. I have nothing negative to say about Gary Danko, and everyone needs to try it at some point in their lives.

• 

  Complimentary dessert sampler

  Complimentary dessert sampler
• 

  Chocolate mousse cake

  Chocolate mousse cake
• 

  Warm Louisiana butter cake

  Warm Louisiana butter cake
• See all photos from Ashley T. for Gary Danko

1/25/2015 Updated review

8 years later and this place is exactly like my first experience there...and I love GD for that!  Husband and I can have a more casual drinks and dinner at the bar or have a nice not stuffy dinner at the tables.  The cheese cart always pleases and seriously I could eat the glazed oysters everyday.  

P.S. foie is back on their menu!

3/18/2015

I made it right as the fois gras ban was lifted on California, so a big win for me!  I had the 5 course dinner and while amazing, i was quite full to remember what i had for dessert.  
My friend and I had dinner here on a crowded Friday night...they assumed we were a couple so sat us next to each other to "people watch" the restaurant, which turned out to be awesome (more on that later).  The bread, the wine, the servers, the sommelier and the FOOD!  all amazing and i can't think of a bad thing to say.  What made this experience even better for me was when a 4 top was sat next to us.  A gentleman in his 50's with 3 Asian women in their 20's - 30's.  The dynamics of a Sugar Daddy out with his "chitlin" was just hilarious and made my night so much better.  I will definitely be back to try the other items on the menu.