Few restaurants have such a storied history as Masa's, a tale that involves the mysterious murder of the namesake chef. He's been replaced by a succession of other top chefs such as Julian Serrano and Ron Siegel. Now Gregory Short, who spent seven years at the French Laundry, wears the top toque. Short changes the menu nightly, but it might include squab with hearts of palms, Fresno chiles, crispy shallots and a squab consomme; or fava bean agnolotti with black trumpet mushrooms and a madras curry emulsion. It's refined food that goes with the soft, elegant setting crafted by famed designer Orlando Diaz-Azcuy.
Specialties: Nine-course tasting menu.
Dinner 5:30-9:30 pm Tues.-Sat.
From four-star spots to cozy neighborhood joints, these are Michael Bauer's picks for the best in Bay Area dining.