I consider myself a fairly well-acquainted diner within SF so I was really keen to check out Ame as I had heard fairly good comments from a couple of friends. The St. Regis is, of course, well-heeled and caters to a fairly well-to-do crowd, however, the restaurant interior seemed a total afterthought. More of a stark, sterile, lobby-like feeling - definitely lacking any warmth whatsoever. The sake options were extremely pricey (starting in the $85/range and moving quickly upwards). In terms of the food, the presentation was eye-catching but the flavors definitely underwhelmed. The crudo dishes were admittedly fresh but the overall taste seemed to miss the mark. The service was attentive (as one would expect at a such a venue) but, when questioned, seemed to lack any real familiarity in terms of specific recommendations. Overall, my experience left me wondering how I managed to part with so much money and yet so little reward? My suggestion would be for the chef to shift the focus from presentation to taste - in which case, I think the food, at least, could merit the price.
Pros: Artful presentation, Adventurous menu
Cons: Stiff interior, Overpriced
more