MWM headed to SF on 12/7 in search of companionship 12/8 and/or 12/9. Friends first, but then, who knows! Must enjoy food and wine. Couples OK. Open to all possibilities. Casual, formal, BYO. Whatever. All replies will be considered. No picture necessary. But a spreadsheet of your wine inventory would be a plus.

Looks like the 9th works for me.

I'm not sure if the 9th works for me but the 8th I know will work. Have to check the calendar.

I'm probably free either day. Prefer BYO (better wines that way), but flexible.

Btw, I can't do a spreadsheet of the wine inventory, but I do have a website with it. Thewebsite is a bit outdated but I'm busy updating it over the next week or so and it should be done by the time you arrive in SF.

The 8th is doable but would prefer 9th. Any restaurant suggestions?

Geez Skwid, you got enough Montelena and Phelps?

Yeah, I have a bit of it. I've got alot of other stuff that isn't in the database yet. I'm hoping to enter it over the next week or two as I reinventory the cellar.

I might have something going on already on the 9th but I'm not sure. I know the 8th is free.

Restaurant suggestions.... What about Fleur de Lys? I haven't been since the remodel. I'm also dying to go to Charles Nob Hill. Don't know how BYO friendly either of these places is.

Charles is $25 or $30 a bottle for corkage. Fleur is $30 iirc.

Jones, do they limit the number of bottles you can bring per table?

how about The Dining Room?

I might be able to make it.

The Dining Room definitely limits you to two bottles/table. I've also been there a couple of times. While it is very nice I would like to go somewhere else.

I don't remember a limit like they have at Masa's and Gary Danko.

Cheaper spots that still have plenty of San Francisco character and could be fun are Delfina in the Mission, Andalu in the Mission, Luna Park (although the purple hair and nose rings may be unwelcome) in the Mission, Incanto in Noe Valley (Italian wine list is exceptionable), The Last Supper Club in the Mission, Chez Papa Bistro in the Mission, Chez Spencer in the Mission, Foreign Cinema in the Mission, Chapeau in the Richmond (very reasonably priced wine list and Phillipe is back behind the stove), Chez Nous on Fillmore (don't take reservations), 1550 Hyde in Russian Hill, Antica Trattoria in Russian Hill, Frascati in Russian Hill, Tallulah in the Castro (no corkage but food is not very wine friendly and sometimes amputation is required - still love the place though), Julia in Japantown, Cafe Kati in Japantown, Plumpjack Cafe in Cow Hollow, Merenda in Cow Hollow, Town Hall in SOMA, or Acquerello in Polk Gulch.

For many of the best places we need to get a count soon for reservations.

I'm new to town and haven't been to most of these places, but I really enjoyed Plumpjack Cafe. If they have a BYO limit, their wine list is varied and exceptionally well priced (example, 1999 Ode to Picasso for $65).

If I'm going to Plumpjack I wouldn't be bringing wine as they have a very nice selection at reasonable prices. The last time I went to The Dining Room at the Ritz they only allowed us to bring in two bottles. I remember because the 1988 Krug Clos du Mesnil didn't get drunk that evening because of this (we had it the next night at home). I put forth Charles and Fleur because I figured we might as well show our guest the best SF has to offer. Where we go will somewhat depend upon what we want to eat and who will take us.

Personally, I think that a BYO friendly place in SOMA or the Mission would be ideal. This almost guarantees a casual, conversation-friendly dinner, where one can guffaw without reservation, and ensures that the wine will flow freely and be excellent in both quality and price.

Having said that, I'll admit to complete ignorance in selecting a place in those neighborhoods. So I'll defer to the experts. Whatever you choose will work just fine.

And as for the places that limit BYO per table, what will they do if we ask them to push 3 four-tops together??

i might be able to make either one of these nights.

Picking up on JimmyV's comments, Andalu is a lot of fun, you can be loud and there is no problem, they have valet parking eventhough they are in the Mission, wine list is very good, and I am friends with Calvin the owner and can probably get some relief from some of the corkage. Andalu serves new wave tapas.

That said, Charles is pretty special, they have a three course daily menu that is less than $50, and on the top of Nob Hill it is very San Franciscan. Melissa Perello, the head chef, is something like 28 years old and already displays considerable talent. Not a place to get loud however unless we have enough people to take over the small front room. Charles was near to perfection in October when I was there last.

Town Hall in Soma recently opened. Skwid and I just dined there (I went with a group a few days later and it was better). Corkage is $15 a bottle.

550 Jackson is opening right around this time in the old Cypress Club space. I can probably get a group of us in if people want to risk trying the latest.