During our recent Bay Area sojourn, I contemplated many dining options, especially that one dinner that pulled out all the stops; Atelier Crenn, Saison, Benu, Qunice, Michael Mina, Gary Danko. However in the end I selected La Folie. I loved their 3, 4 or 5 course options and all for a reasonable price given the notoriety of the restaurant - perpetually in the Chronicle's Top 100 restaurant list, 1 Michellin star, 4 star Chronicle rating for food, etc. Plus it didn'r hurt that the Pigs Feet, Sweetbread and Lobster Terrine piqued my interest.
They offered an excellent wine selection and since there were four of us (with 2 serious winos) I decided on half bottle selections. We started the evening with NV Monmarthe Secret de Famille grower-producer Champagne. Rich on the palate with loads of Pinot character and a perfect start to the meal.
We were served two amuse bouche including a carrot mousse and a fennel carrot soup served in an egg shell complete with egg yolk to mix into the soup. A great way to start the meal!
K selected the Seared Diver Scallops on Carrot & Pea Ragout with Chanterelle & Bacon Broth
The Mrs opted for the Hudson Valley Foie Gras Torchon with Smoked Apple BBQ Glazed Squab & Fig Chutney
D and yours truly (we normally try to order different courses but this one looked so good) ordered the Triple T Ranch Tempura Duck Egg on Sweetbreads Pancake, Wild Mushroom Salad and Truffle Vinaigrette
The next wine was a 2008 Michel Premier Cru Chablis Montmains with loads of mineral & citrus and perfect with the seafood dishes.
The girls sat this course out (we all ordered 4 course meals but they had dessert so their next course was delayed to catch up with the boys (D & I were still on appetizers).
I then selected a 2007 Esmonin Mazy-Chambertin Grand Cru which had a balanced nose of earth, red fruit and a touch of dried herb with a pleasing palate flow.
D chose the "Tasting of Passot Roe" which included Sea of Cortez Diver Scallop Ceviche, Hiramasa Yellowtail Sashimi and Kusshi Oyster
While I had the Pigs Feet, Sweetbread & Lobster Terrine on Lentil Salad with Bacon & Hazelnut Vinaigrette. As rich as the fattiest ribeye steak but with slightly bitter greens and mustard to cleanse the palate between bites. And devine with the Esmonin Mazy-Chambertin.
K (and I) ordered the Lobster & Mushroom Risotto with Leeks & Lobster Broth (my dish also added the fresh black truffle supplement)
The Mrs ordered the same Diver Scallop dish that K was served as her first course while D sampled the Butter Poached Lobster (my favorite lobster cooking application) with English Pea Ravioli and Truffle Beurre Fondue (along with the fresh black truffle supplement)
The final bottle was a 2008 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot with loads of cherry, spice and a touch of mocha and a long finish.
K's final savory dish was the "La Boeuf" which included a Beef Tenderloin, Short Rib & Burger Rossini with Sauce Bordelaise.
The Mrs went with rabbit again and selected the Trio of Rabbit with Loin, Rack and Braised Leg with Roasted Garlic & Natural Jus
D had the Roti of Quail & Squab Stuffed with Mushrooms and Wrapped in Crispy Potato Strings with Truffled Jus
I ended the meal with Liberty Farms Duck Breast with Smoked Duck Tongue and Calvados, Apple Pomegranate Sauce (before making faces re: the duck tongue, it tasted a little like Chinese stuffed duck with the consistency of a cooked Shimeji mushroom)
The girls finished their meals with the Huckleberry Baked Alaska
And the Vanilla Creme Brulee Brownie with Raspberry Caviar & Blackberry Ice Cream
Several Petit Four were served at the conclusion of the meal which included a gellee, a raspberry filled madeleine, a macaroon and chocolate but I was stuffed to the eyebrows at this point.
La Folie does fire on all pistons. The food is excellent, the service great and the atmosphere refined but relaxed. They also offer a good wine list including half bottles and by-the-glass options. La Folie is still on my short list of "fancier" dining options while in The City and I do plan on revisiting at some point... that is, after sampling Atelier Crenn, Saison and Benu.
La Folie
2316 Polk St
San Francisco, CA 94109
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 776-5577
Monday - Saturday: 5:30pm - 10:30pm
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