Anniversary Getaway to The Bay: Part 2

So where did I leave off? Oh yeah, we were getting ready for the anniversary dinner. Starved from only having pastries and lattes for lunch, we looked forward to a good meal. We even got dressed up. Alas we didn't take pictures. (We need to work on that documentation thing.) But David wore a tie and I wore a dress.

I'd made dinner reservations weeks in advance for Restaurant Gary Danko, a 15-year old Bay Area establishment that has earned multiple awards and stars including several James Beard Foundation awards. It fills months in advance so we could only get a 5:30pm reservation but that was fine. We were hungry and curious.

We sat against the window at the back right.

This place is more of a theatrical experience in some ways than your standard upscale restaurant. The service is kind and attentive without being overbearing. It was definitely not pretentious. They didn't rush us...ever... and had the table waiting thing well choreographed.

The menu is prix fixe with options for 3-, 4-, or 5-courses. There is also a tasting menu with wine pairings. We both chose the 3-course option and picked a starter, entree and dessert.

David started with the Lobster Salad with Avocado, Citrus, Shaved Fennel and Mustard-Tarragon Vinaigrette and I had the Treviso and Romaine Salad with Olives, Anchovies, Banyuls Vinaigrette and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Treviso is a form of radicchio. I loved the anchovy vinaigrette but stuffed olives with curled anchovies around them were a creative twist on a garnish we didn't expect.

There were lots of conversations about the proper wine of course and the staff was really well informed. According to the website they have ".....over two thousand selections with a focus on half bottles and wines from the classic regions of California and Burgundy." That explains the enormous list they brought to the table. And if you can't find something you want, it's your own fault - the list has half bottle prices that range from $24 to $1700.

David started with a _____ and I waited to have the recommended 2012 Failla, Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast with my entree.

For the main course I ordered the Horseradish Crusted Salmon Medallion with Dilled Cucumber and Mustard Sauce. I'd never seen anything quite like it and wonder still what the preparation was for the crust. It was like a topper (see picture at left below) and I could discern some texture of horseradish but not the spice. It was quite good and surprisingly filling. I couldn't finish my two medallion portion. (Plus I wanted to save room for dessert.)

David had the Coriander, Black Pepper and Rosemary Crusted Tuna with Spinach, Piperade and Anchovy-Garlic Essence. It had more of those little anchovy wrapped olives. He had the _______ with this.


And then there was dessert. Not one to pass up anything close to a french apple type of dessert I had the Warm Louisiana Butter Cake with Apples, Huckleberry Compote and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (YUM). The picture below doesn't begin to tell you how delicious the crusty gooey cake was with the apples baked in. Honestly, best part of the meal. 

David had the Chocolate Praline Parfait with Bourbon Sauce and Salted Caramel Ice Cream. Their tea list was a page long and they served a wonderful selection from Rishi. Then, they brought us a chocolate mousse with a sparkler for our anniversary. The chocolate was divine, but we were stuffed!

We may not go back soon. We realize that as much as fine dining is a part of the food world to experience, we missed easy informal meals at the bar without all the attention. I am very glad we gave it a spin for our special day. Maybe next time it will be dinner at the bar.