This Week's Restaurant Review: Michael Mina in SF

Every once in a while I have a dining experience that makes me happy just to be alive and in possession of taste buds that are in good working order. Food can be a miraculous thing if it’s prepared and presented with passion and this restaurant is so passionate about what they do that you can taste it in every bite. The name of the restaurant is Michael Mina in San Francisco – and once you’ve been there you won’t soon forget it.

One of the hottest young chefs in the country, Michael Mina, has fashioned a restaurant that is universally praised for its original concepts in American cuisine -- featuring elegantly prepared and artfully presented dishes that emphasize distinct tastes and bold flavors. This guy knows what he’s doing and isn’t afraid to take chances and create dishes that few chefs have even dreamed of creating. Other chefs go to Michael Mina to steal his ideas, I’m told. And I believe it!

If you want the very best San Francisco has to offer, Michael Mina is no doubt right up there at the very top of the list. No one else does it the way Mina does, featuring a mixture of the exotic with the basic; combining comfort food and fine dining in such a way that others have tried to imitate it over and over again, but without success.

Some of the signature entrees that we tried recently during our visit to Michael Mina included lobster pot pie, tuna tartare and fried chicken for two. Everything was spectacular and went way beyond already sky high expectations. They also feature a caviar cart, dessert bar and over 2,200 wines.

A warm and welcoming atmosphere, created by well-known California designer Barbara Barry, made us feel pampered, while the conscientious staff spoiled us from the instant we walked through the door. You don’t know what attentive service is until you’ve eaten at Michael Mina.

The best thing about Michael Mina is the very affordable price-fixe menu. It allows normal working stiffs like us to eat there without taking out a small business loan. The options range from the $98 price-fixe menu (3-course) to the $135 price-fixe menu (6-course). If you have the money, I would recommend the 6-course menu. I mean, how many times in your life are you going to be able to eat a meal that you’ll remember for the rest of your life?

Michael Mina is in the Westin St. Francis at 335 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. You basically can’t get into a place like this without reservations, so call them at (415) 397-9222. Hours: (Mon-Sat) 5:30 pm-10:00 pm; (Sun) 5:30 pm-9:30 pm.

The only thing I regretted when I left Michael Mina was that I didn’t have a couple of extra stomachs. It’s the only time in my life that I wanted to be a cow.