Michael Mina - San Francisco, California

Address: 335 Powell St (inside Westin St. Francis), San Francisco, CA 94102

Items Ordered:

• Ahi tuna tartare appetizer (not pictured)
  
• Sonoma County duck trio: duck breast, seared foie gras, leg confit
  
• Brandt Farm beef trio: filet mignon, grilled ribeye, braised oxtail
• Cheese trio (not pictured)
  
• Catherine Schimenti's dessert trio: panna cotta, raspberry chiboust, chocolate mousse cake
  

While the concept of trio plates and presentation of dishes was extremely exciting, the same can't really be said regarding the food at Michael Mina. Some noteable dishes were the ahi tuna tartare, which was a generous portion of well-seasoned tuna and the panna cotta, which was light and creamy at the same time. On the other hand, not much can be said about the entrees. I might have had more succulent duck meat at Chinese restaurants and the foie gras was too oily/fatty for my taste (although that might not be the restaurant's fault). As far as the beef trio, my roommate concluded that it was really just unremarkable. Overall, the ambiance and great service at the restaurant still made it a good experience, and that's why there are plans to visit another Michael Mina restaurant, XIV in Los Angeles, sometime soon.

Bing Crosby's - San Diego, California

Address: 7007 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108

Items Ordered:

• Crab & shrimp stuffed loch duart salmon w/ sweet corn succotash & potatoes
  
• Grilled NY steak w/ Dianne sauce & garlic mashed potatoes
• Chocolate decadence
• Grand marnier creme brulee
  

How do you get to eat at some of the nicest restaurants in any city for free? You just have to sell your soul and attend a drug talk sponsored by a pharmaceutical company. Since Bing Crosby's was known for good food and atmosphere, I decided that 2 hours of nodding and feigning interest was worth it this time. We were seated in a private room so I didn't get to see people dancing outside or hear as much of the music as I would have liked, but the atmosphere was very lively when we ventured outside. The stuffed salmon was crispy on the outside and the crab tasted fresh inside. I really liked the concept of stuffed seafood. The steak was only okay as I found the Dianne sauce a little too salty. The chocolate decadence was kind of dry, but the creme brulee made up for it, and the meal ended on a positive note overall. As for the drug that was presented, I can't remember a darn thing about it.

--y