{"id":6365,"date":"2015-12-24T15:19:26","date_gmt":"2015-12-24T23:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/?p=6365"},"modified":"2016-05-30T15:14:59","modified_gmt":"2016-05-30T23:14:59","slug":"luce-san-francisco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/luce-san-francisco\/","title":{"rendered":"LUCE, San Francisco &#8211; A Michelin Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>My dining experience at Luce went\u00a0beyond\u00a0my expectation! When many have questioned the credibility of Michelin Guide, my first time eating at a\u00a0Michelin restaurant in America was a memorable triumph. \u00a0And it was merely a lunch &#8211; I could only\u00a0imagine how fabulous their dinner dishes must\u00a0be. It was 30 minutes before \u00a0their lunch service was over on Christmas Eve, and they could only seat us in the lounge but not their elegant dining room. While 3 of us &#8211; my mom, my cousin Ken, and myself were sitting there hungry and slightly grumpy, all those fine\u00a0looking plates of food finally arrived at our table. And everything just tasted bloody amazing!\u00a0I was very impressed by the level of quality of\u00a0the food.<\/p>\n<p>I started the meal with a glass of Tremin 2013 Pinot Grigio ($13) from Alto Adige region of Northern Italy, an excellent wine to refresh my palate before the meal. Luce does have a great wine list that has garnered Wine Specator&#8217;s Award of Excellence for the recent years.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6372\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6372\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-63.jpeg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6372\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-6372 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-63.jpeg\" alt=\"Pinot Gris\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-63.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-63-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-63-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-63-174x131.jpeg 174w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-63-70x53.jpeg 70w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6372\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pinot Gris<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Veloute of Butternut Squash ($12), with touches of pepitas and mascarpon, was beautifully presented. The velvety texture was so luscious, and sweetness of squash was subtle and comforting.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6371\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6371\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-62.jpeg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6371\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-6371 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-62.jpeg\" alt=\"Veloute of Butternut Squash\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-62.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-62-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-62-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-62-174x131.jpeg 174w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-62-70x53.jpeg 70w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6371\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Veloute of Butternut Squash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The next dish was a winner of contrasting textures of Yellow Fin Tuna, Red Quinoa, and Avocado Mousse ($16). Tuna was almost completely rare with the thinnest touch of sear, and it was so silky but felt even more delicate with the contrast from quinoa.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6369\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6369\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-60.jpeg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6369\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-6369 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-60.jpeg\" alt=\"Yellowfin Tuna, Seared Rare, Red Quinoa, Cilantro, Avocado &amp;amp; Spring Onion\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-60.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-60-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-60-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-60-174x131.jpeg 174w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-60-70x53.jpeg 70w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6369\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yellowfin Tuna, Seared Rare, Red Quinoa, Cilantro, Avocado &amp; Spring Onion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After the couple of light fresh starters, our first main dish was quite rich, hearty, and full of flavours. Here we have a Red Wine  Braised Short Rib Cavatappi ($21), with some delicious local mushrooms, and generous shavings of Grana Padano. The pasta itself might be a bit too al dente for my liking, but they definitely nailed the luxurious flavour combination.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6368\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6368\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-59.jpeg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6368\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-6368 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-59.jpeg\" alt=\"Red Wine Braised Short Rib Cavatappi, Local Mushrooms, Grana Padano\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-59.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-59-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-59-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-59-174x131.jpeg 174w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-59-70x53.jpeg 70w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6368\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Red Wine Braised Short Rib Cavatappi, Local Mushrooms, Grana Padano<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>And this is what I call a real medium rare Gourmet Burger! I was impressed by the LUCE Burger with Certified Angus Beef, Cave Aged Cheddar, and Grilled Red Onion ($17). It just reminded me of that flawless Rob Feenie burger that I had over 10 years ago in Vancouver.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6366\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6366\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-57.jpeg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6366\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-6366 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-57.jpeg\" alt=\"LUCE Burger, Certified Angus Beef, Cave Aged Cheddar, Grilled Red Onion\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-57.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-57-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-57-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-57-174x131.jpeg 174w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-57-70x53.jpeg 70w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6366\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">LUCE Burger, Certified Angus Beef, Cave Aged Cheddar, Grilled Red Onion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Last but not least, Pacific King Salmon ($26), served with fall squash, Brussels sprouts, and pomegranate, a dish executed with precision and and plated with finesse. And the perfectly seared fish skin was simply the best part\u00a0for me on this plate.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6367\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6367\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-58.jpeg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6367\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-6367 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-58.jpeg\" alt=\"Pacific King Salmon,Fall Squash, Brussels Sprouts, Pomegranate\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-58.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-58-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-58-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-58-174x131.jpeg 174w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-58-70x53.jpeg 70w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6367\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pacific King Salmon,Fall Squash, Brussels Sprouts, Pomegranate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Although I did not get to sit at the legendary dinner table at The French Laundry during this trip, I was still able to get a sense of what level of culinary refinement is required for achieving a Michelin star&#8230; Well even without spending hundreds of dollars. While this meal, despite being merely a casual lunch, has easily topped any of my farm-to-table dining experiences in Vancouver, and Luce is not even the most popular restaurant in San Francisco! Innovations are always exciting. However while the young talented chefs are going nuts on their creativity, they need to refine their craftsmanship as well.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6373\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6373\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-64.jpeg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6373\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-6373 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-64.jpeg\" alt=\"LUCE, SOMA\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-64.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-64-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-64-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-64-174x131.jpeg 174w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-64-70x53.jpeg 70w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6373\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">LUCE, SOMA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6374\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6374\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-65.jpeg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6374\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-6374 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-65.jpeg\" alt=\"LUCE, SOMA\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-65.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-65-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-65-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-65-174x131.jpeg 174w, https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-65-70x53.jpeg 70w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6374\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">LUCE, SOMA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Website:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.lucewinerestaurant.com\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/www.lucewinerestaurant.com\/index.php<\/a><br \/>\nLocation and more reviews:<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"View Menu, Reviews, Photos &amp; Information about Luce, SOMA and other Restaurants in San Francisco\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zomato.com\/san-francisco\/luce-soma\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border: none; width: 200px; height: 146px; padding: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zomato.com\/logo\/16853190\/ibiglink\" alt=\"Luce Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>My dining experience at Luce went\u00a0beyond\u00a0my expectation! When many have questioned the credibility of Michelin Guide, my first time eating at a\u00a0Michelin restaurant in America was a memorable triumph. \u00a0And it was merely a lunch &#8211; I could only\u00a0imagine how fabulous their dinner dishes must\u00a0be. It was 30 minutes before [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6367,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[233,193,211,203,234,46,209,97,232,148,171],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/image-58.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6365"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6365"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6365\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7911,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6365\/revisions\/7911"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6365"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6365"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickydiners.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6365"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}