I like to plan things out far in advance.

In 2004, I get a birthday. A REAL BIRTHDAY! Yay (I'm a leap year brat). So on 2/29, I was planning on getting a reservation to The French Laundry... then I read it will be closed for the first few months next year for a new kitchen, plus Keller will be openingup a new restaurant in Manhattan in the meantime.

Alas, I'm out of luck for The Laundry. So I'm now looking at San Francisco.

Out of the following choices, which would you recommend?

Masa's
Fleur de Lys
Gary Danko's

Or if you have any other ideas, drop 'em in! I definatly want to get out of Napa / Sonoma for my birthday though (yes I know, Laundry is in the valley).

It's my 6th birthday comin up... I plan on goin out in style.

You'll be a mighty old six-year old.

There are a couple of threads with links to other things to check out. Jones has some opinions at SF Help Gfleener posted a link to more info on the WS site.

Also check out his restaurant reviews in the Oenophile.

I think the first question which must be asked is what do you like to eat? There are a myriad of restaurants in the bay area and their specialties can be quite different.

Jones and other Bay area dudes will be a big help to you here, DJHombre. Fluer de Lys was great when we were there last. I've wanted to go to Gary Danko's ever since I've heard/read about it. And IIRC, Jones and others do dig Masa's too.

Decisions, decisions...

Really you couldn't go wrong with any of your choices. My question is how many people will you be dining with. If there are just two or four oftyou my choice might be different than it would if there were a dozen of you.

Also the BYO policies (if you plan BYO) can be different at different places. For instance we know that Masa's is very strict at two bottles per table and will not bend of that policy. The other's BYO policy can be flexible. If "eh" last time I was there.

AlsoLOOK HERE.

Teri and I went to Fleur de Lys at the end of July - first time we had been there since the remodel, and the place is beautiful. The food and service were impeccable, they are still on the top of their game imo.

Have heard terrific things about the other two, but have not had the pleasure of visiting yet - soon I hope. Next stop for us on the fine dining trail is Charles Nob Hill in Nov.

Style of food doesn't quite matter to me. I know that whichever place I go I'll get insane food. Which is great, cuz that's what I want.

Fleur de Lys has been a place I've been wanting to go check out for a long time... but lately Masas and Gary Danko have also garnered my interest.

Cost really is no object, otherwise I would have settled for Zuni Cafe. Nothing wrong with Zuni, but I want a more upscale / posh / chic type dining experience.

watch out! we have another cost is no object kinda guy.

AI...

LOL!

When it comes to birthdays (mine, especially), cost is never an object.

Right now I'm looking at a party of 4, but it might end up being a deuce (me and whomever I'm seeing at the time).

Geez... WINE. That's another thing. Anybody know the corkage for Masa, Fleur or Danko?

I've yet to BYO to a restaurant... I assume that the wine list will more often than nought have something that I'd want to drink... just at 100-150% of the cost.

Corkage at Masa's is $30/bottle with only two bottles allowed per table. I'm not sure about Danko or Fleur.

Corkage at Fleur de Lys is $35.00 per bottle - you are better off ordering wine off the menu imo, there are some relativly good deals available.

The one thing that some of these destination/upper end restaurants have on their wine lists is hard to find/unusual stuff. For these destination type places, sometimes it's almost necessary to go get a bottle you know you will never see any other way.