Where to Splurge in San Francisco and the Bay Area

San Francisco fine dining institution Gary Danko transports you into another dimension once you step into its doors. Their choose-your-own adventure tasting menu gives you the choice to pick three, four, or five courses from any section of the menu. Go for the five — the more, the merrier here.

You can always pop into the café upstairs at the legendary California farm-to-table pioneer that is Chez Panisse, but for a truly exceptional and splurge-worthy celebratory experience, book a table downstairs. The four-course set menu changes every week depending on what’s best and fresh at the market and costs $175 per person, with an optional $95 wine pairing.

Pro Tip: if you book a table on Monday night, the meal is only $135. It’s still a splurge, and it’s also a deal.

Here’s the move at Little Shucker, the new wave oyster bar on Fillmore from chef Adrian Garcia and the team behind the Snug: Come with your bestie, and order the Big Shucker ($135), with caviar service ($110). What you’ll get is a dozen oysters, four chilled and dressed mussels, tuna tartare, four prawns, a chilled main lobster, and 1oz of golden Osetra caviar with dip and chips. Or if you really want to splurge, forget your friend and take it all down solo.

The Fillmore Street hotspot from chef Srijith “Sri” Gopinathan and Ayesha Thapar is a thrilling dining experience. The buzzing room is complemented by the innovative coastal Indian fare from Gopinathan, who was last seen in San Francisco earning two Michelin stars at Campton Place, and now gets to celebrate his home state of Kerala.

There are many delicious reasons to go the Morris, whether it’s for the iconic smoked duck or the secret off-menu Wednesday-only burger. But if you sign up for their newsletter, you’d know to keep an eye out for their legendary Legends Dinner series. The focus is typically on single varieties or special regions featuring incredible selections from somm-owner Paul Einbund’s collection. Side-by-side verticals of Raveneau and Dauvissat? Yes, please. The dinners vary in theme and almost always sell out, so keep an eye out in your inbox.

Get dim sum and much more at HK Lounge Bistro when you order their special chefs tasting menu. For $298, you and up to four of your friends will get a multi-course affair that starts with dumplings, leads into minced chicken and basil lettuce cups before you get crispy black pepper jumbo prawns, half an imperial Peking duck, stir-fried diced prime rib Hong Kong style, and more.  You won’t leave hungry.

Sure, you could go a la carte at Flour+Water, but for a truly special splurge, go with the $139 pasta tasting menu, which features a carb-centric menu of different handmade pastas along with small bites to start and dessert to finish. For an extra bonus, consider adding a pizza supplement to the meal—you’ll be rolling home, but it’ll be worth it. Definitely get the wine pairings.

Who doesn’t love a good omakase? There are fewer better places to do it than at the intimate seven-seat counter at KEN. A meal here is an experience and will run you $225 per person. Expect traditional Edomae-style here with pristine product, because chef Ken Ngia sources fish directly from Toyosu Market in Japan.

For a more modern omakase experience, Robin’s colorful dining room fits the bill. Here you can set the price of your experience. Prices range from $109-$209, based on how much more food and more luxe ingredients you get. Caviar. Shaved truffles. A5 and foie. The whole nine yards. This is a splurge-worthy sushi at its best.

The best way to experience the fiery Thai fare at Nari is to go big by going with the Chef’s Pick menu. It’s $125 per person, and gives a portioned and paced, balanced experience of the entire menu. Grab a couple of cocktails and/or a bottle of Riesling to really do it right.

Chef Kristina Liedags Compton best showcases her fine-dining experience (Range, Atelier Crenn, Avery) in a fun five-course Chef’s Adventure menu — it’s just a joy of a meal in a vibrant, colorful space, and so much more than just brunch for dinner. But if you really want to go for it, consider the rolled omelet add it on, cooked with bonito butter and topped with seven grams of caviar.

We love 7 Adams for its affordable and accessible fine dining, but if you want to go big and see chef David Fisher at his best, go with the nightly 2.5-hour chef’s counter menu. Here he’ll bust out eight to 10 courses that will really showcase his technique and talent. Unlike the regular menu, there are no choices here—you’re in chefs’ hands, and that’s a good thing. There’s only one seating per night at 6:30pm.

With its cozy dining room and innovative cooking, SPQR remains one of the most unique dining experiences in San Francisco — and never skip the pasta tasting menu when it’s available.

While you may not necessarily have to splurge on the food at Heirloom Café, you can cellar dive deep into Heirloom Café’s extensive wine list. Let head somm Stephen Hallenbeck be your wine guide and show you the way.