 |
| View of Jardiniere from across the street |
Whenever I travel I make it a point to eat out a lot. There is so much you can learn from a city by eating your way around it. The dining trends, where people like to hang out, and visit all the different neighborhoods by visiting different restaurants. With a visit to each city I always splurge on one big-named restaurant. A restaurant that I don't mind paying upwards of over $150 for myself, as I know it will be worth it and remain a memory worth having.
In the case of San Francisco this restaurant was
Jardiniere. Owned and operated by Chef Traci Des Jardins, Jardiniere has remained one of the top restaurants in the Bay Area for the last 15 years. Recently just finishing a solid run on Top Chef Masters, Traci has won numerous awards through her career including "Rising Star Chef", "Best New Chef", "Best Chef Pacific Region", and "Best New Restaurant" after Jardiniere opened. With so many accolades under her apron it was no surprise I made it a point to dine here.
 |
| The spectacular ceiling of twinkling lights |
Located just across San Francisco's City Hall, the corner building with exposed brick walls is where Chef Des Jardins makes her home. Walking through the glass door entrance you are transported to a room designed after an inverted cocktail glass filled with champagne. On the ceiling is a spectacular glass dome with twinkling lights evoking the feeling of effervescent bubbles. The decor continues downward to a champagne-colored staircase connecting the ground floor. The ground level has marble floors sweeping throughout, laying home to a large, circular mahogany bar and the entrance to the main kitchen. Exposed brick walls on the inside of the restaurant give a more rustic feel and counteract the elegance of the tablecloth covered dining room.
