Michael Mina
Row 1
It seems you can blink and chef Michael Mina will have opened another restaurant. At last count, the Egyptian-born Mina owned 23 restaurants and bars in California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Wyoming, and Florida. But he recently refocused on this, his San Francisco flagship, a restaurant that represents the reimagination of the upscale seafood restaurant (AQUA) that he helped design in 1991 at age 22, and is perhaps most famous for.
Once able to fit 144 tables, the revamped dining room at Michael Mina now features just 78, although it has a separate 25-seat private dining room. With the addition of noise reduction panels, a return to white tablecloths (they were abandoned in 2010), and a move to a prix-fixe-only menu for dinner ($95 for four courses, $165 for nine), the restaurant has taken a more intimate turn, with a more traditional fine dining feel (you can still order à la carte during lunch and from a pared down à la carte menu at the bar for dinner). Indeed, the chef has said he wants it “to be a four-star restaurant.”
Executive chef Ron Siegel's menu features a Japanese- and French-inspired take on the best American ingredients, which may mean you start off your meal with caviar, followed by Morro Bay abalone with braised pork, wasabi gel, and dashi; Stonington sea scallops with sugar snap peas; and black truffle risotto with Maine lobster, Meyer lemon, and Parmigiano-Reggiano foam. No matter what, you’re going to want to sample Mina’s most famous dishes: the lobster pot pie and ahi tuna tartare.
— Arthur Bovino, 101 Best Restaurants, April 1, 2015
Foursquare Tips
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The herb roasted lamb is de-lici-ous! -
I was welcomed with Grilled Cheese and Soup.. I think that should be something that every restaurant should do! -
Best most amazing Tiiiiiiny pot of buttered honey cheese spread evvvvaaaa! -
Recommend The Tartare of Ahi Tuna, a Michael Mina classic. -
Save room for dessert. The dessert tasting menu is a must! -
This place is it. Great trios and right in Union Square. -Stephen Hopcraft, Top Chef -
Although it's still a fine-dining experience with fancy, discreet waiters, the emphasis is on reimagined American favorites like salt-baked prime rib, Japanese burgers, and foie gras PB&J. -
Lobster pot pie will change your life! -
Try the Ricotta And Corn Gnudi With Braised Pork Belly -
Try the chef's Ketto menu ($160) paired with wine ($99). Ketto is Japanese for dueling. So if there are two of you, each person gets a different dish on the 9-plus course menu. -
Lobster pot pie. -
This is one of the best restaurants I have EVER eaten in. If you come to SF you have to make this part of your itinerary. The food, wine and service is to die for. 4 out of 4 stars. -
Great place! Say hello to Eric, the General Manager. Whatever he chooses for you, go with it! -
Great service! 9 course menu for 2 is amazing !! 18 courses of wow. Plus oh so naughty bread with honey and cheese -
Fantastic restaurant! Definitely great place for all the foodies. Tuna tartar for a starter, dorade for a main and red velvet cake as a desert were excellent!! Tip top service and marvellous wine list -
Lobster pot pie = heaven on earth. -
Recommend the Chef's special tasting menu with wine pairing -
Bar manager Carlo Splendorini's subtle work with cordials and floral flavors is nearly alchemical.
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Amazing food. I think this is Michael Mina's best restaurant. Great service, great atmosphere and everything is cooked well. Not the cheapest, but lunch deal is not bad. -
One Michelin star.