Cafe Majestic

I went to Cafe Majestic last week and had a great tasting menu by the young rising star chef Louis Maldonado. Having worked with Chef de Cuisine Corey Lee at French Laundry, I'm sure he will go places.

For apps, the Japanese octopus with marble potatoes, green curry, cardoons, and cilantro was absolutely awesome. It was prepared to perfection. We also liked the chestnut mousse baked in feuille de brik with endive, charred fuyu persimmon and black truffle. The rich truffle was a good contrast to the fruit.

My date had the caramelized sea scallops, which were well done. It was a tad bit too salty for me, but it was very tasty. I had the lamb prepared three ways (grilled Colorado leg of lamb, belly, and glazed ribettes). It's a warm and hearty dish for a freezing SF winter. I'd go back for more.

For dessert, I got the Squash and Chicory - a 'confit' of butternut squash, chicory financier, cranberries, young ginger, and creme fraiche sherbet. I loved the sherbet. It paired nicely with the dense financier cake and cherries. We also got the Gateau de l'huile d'Olive - a confection made of vanilla-olive oil genoise cake, valrhona alpaco and abinao chocolates, grapefruit sorbet, and star anise. I love desserts with olive oil, as it lends it a rich and fruity foundation to the dish.

Do take advantage of the three-course $38 prix fixe dinner (menu changes weekly); get there on Tuesday-Saturday, between 5:30pm-7pm. They're also doing a $48 Christmas Eve Prix Fixe and a $65 New Year's Eve Supper. Not bad for fancy holiday wining and dining!

Cafe Majestic
1500 Sutter St. @ Gough
(415) 441-1280
www.cafemajesticsf.com