Janine and I came here for lunch the other day with our financial planners Gene & Thu. Cuz, brutha, we need adult supervision managing the Benjamin's. We are spenders. Anyway, been wanting to come here since this place opened a little while ago, in the bottom of the chi-chi St. Regis Hotel, next to SF MOMA. Biggest question answered? It is pronounced like Amé (see the accent mark?) Ahh-MAY. Not AIM, as it is spelled. There ya go. They needed to hire a proofreader before they made that nice sign and printed all those fancy menus.
Anyhoo, this place has quite the pedigree, was named "Best New Restaurant" in the 2007 Zagat Guide, and the proprietors also run Terra in Sonoma.
Let's get down to business:
- Atmosphere: Very nice, indeed. Kinda shwank, slightly sterile. Sticking with the upscale cal-Asian fusion ambiance.
- Service: Very efficient. Very polite.
- Food: Very well done. All super-fresh ingredients, which I dig. I had the Tartare of Lightly Smoked Tasmania Ocean Trout - with Wasabi Panna Cotta and Sturgeon Caviar. With little toast thingys to scoop it onto. Very good, nice balance of flavors. Followed with the Miso Black Cod (yeah, THEY were paying the tab:) I loooove Miso Black Cod. And this did not disappoint. Tender cod, perfectly done and that miso glaze just rocks my world. Janine refrained from pigging out and had just one course - the Pan Fried Wild Salmon with Truffles. I of course stole a bite. Janine liked it better than me, although it was good, it tasted too buttery. Like I took a bite out of a stick of butter. Can't remember what Gene and Thu had, they seemed pleased.
Bottom line - The food is super fresh and very solid, with a fairly imaginative menu. The service is very efficient. The atmosphere is...professional. But, my VinDiviners, bring your own doggy-bag of fun when you come here. I wouldn't necessarily call Ame cold, but I think everyone is so busy being efficient that personality took a back seat. I give it a 7 outta 10.
Ame Restaurant
689 Mission Street
San Fancisco, CA
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