Leaving Frisco in style

... with an absolutely delicious dinner at Michael Mina's restaurant in San Francisco (Mina wikilink), located just in the lobby of the Westin St. Francis hotel, Union Square.

My 3-menu choice (with accompanying yummy pictures that I couldn't help taking; the light was rather dim however; hence, ultimately, the photo quality is not what it could have been...):

• Dungeness Crab ~ Local and Seasonal
  • Endive, Poached Claw, Aïoli
  • Butter Roasted, Whole Leg, Espelette
  • Cioppino, Backfin Meat, Tinkerbell Peppers.

I paired the starter with a glass of fantastic Bernard Morey Chassagne Montrachet "Embrazées" 1er Cru 2006. Definitely worth its price :-).

• Liberty Valley Duck ~ Foie Gras
  • Breast, Parsnip Purée, Star Anise Jus
  • Seared Foie Gras, Pink Lady Apples, Laird Brandy Gastrique
  • Leg Rillettes, Apple Butter, Wild Man Mixed Greens
  
  
  

I assorted the entrée with an intriguing glass of Whetstone Pinot Noir "Jon Boat", Sonoma Coast 2006.

• Cheeses ~Goat, Sheep, Cow
  • Pata de Cabra, Sylvetta, Tomato Compote
  • Vermont Shepherd, Pear Purée, Clove
  • Persille du Beaujolais, Soft Caramel, Citron

As dessert wine I had to try a glass of Chauteau Guiraud, Sauternes, 2003: turned out to be a close-to-ideal company to the Persille du Beaujolais.

Read here more, in case you will happen to pass by San Francisco and decide not to miss Mina's culinary delights: the starter+entrée dinner menu, the dessert menu, the great (this label does not cover the prices, unfortunately...) wine menus--reds, whites. The 6-course seasonal tasting menu with wine pairings looked also extremely tempting.

The economist in me: (truly deserved) Michelin 2-star dinner (see also here), for 245 dollars, gratuity included (and wine accounting for half the bill). One of the best restaurant deals I've ever made.

And to call it a night, wrapped it all up with two cocktails in the Clock Bar (also featured in a recent NYTimes list of best cocktail places in San Francisco), just oposite Mina's restaurant (the Clock Bar is Mina's first bar concept!), also in the lobby of the Westin St. Francis. The "Last Word" was very interesting (my first trial); the "Mojito" was exceptional. My third was going to be a "Boulevardier" (expected-to-be perfect at the Clock Bar...), but I would have had to drink it alone; next time, for sure there will be a next time! :-)