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Laurent Manrique

01/25/0910:35 am

Superstar Chef Bromance

(article)

Two famous chefs share a passion for fine dining, techno music and oysters at Zuni.

Two famous chefs share a passion for fine dining, techno music and oysters at Zuni.


Courtesy of Fifth Floor Restaurant;
Nice guy chef Eric Ripert (otherwise known as best friends with Laurent Manrique).

Chef Eric Ripert of NYC’s Le Bernardin was in town last week to promote his excellent new cookbook, On The Line (Artisan). Co-authored by Christine Muhlke, it’s a look behind the scenes (danger, drama!) at one of the country’s most revered fine-dining restaurants. Twenty years into it, Ripert has a lot to say.

05/14/085:03 pm

The Best of Eat + Drink 2008

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Absinthe lollipops, malted milkshakes, celery cocktails, crab noodles and piping-hot soup dumplings.  You’ve got a full plate in SF. Prepare to indulge.

Absinthe lollipops, malted milkshakes, celery cocktails, crab noodles and piping-hot soup dumplings.  You’ve got a full plate in SF. Prepare to indulge.

Best Carnitas Taco

08/23/06 9:00 pm

Fifth Floor

(restaurant)
Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=fifth+floor,+sf&sll=37.808428,-122.408638&sspn=0.051808,0.107632&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=37.803545,-122.422714&spn=0.051812,0.107632&z=13&iwloc=A

Now under the watchful eye of Laurent Manrique (together with chef de cuisine Jennie Lorenzo), this fine-dining restaurant on the fifth floor of the Hotel Palomar has undergone a complete makeover—gone are the aubergine drapes and zebra-print carpet of yore, replaced with moderne club chairs and large-format photographs of Manrique’s native Gascony. The quiet, understated room is perfect for a romantic night out.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Historically, Fifth Floor served high-end California cuisine, but with Manrique’s arrival the focus has shifted to include flavors from his native southwestern France. Duck, foie gras and Armagnac figure heavily on the menu but are showcased in modern, refined preparations, including an inspired take on garbure, which is a traditional Gascon dish similar to cassoulet, and a glorious version of the region’s stalwart dessert, cannelés, served with Armagnac-prune ice cream. The tableside bread and cheese carts are exceptional.</p>
07/31/06 3:27 pm

Aqua

(restaurant)
Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Aqua+,+sf&sll=37.784961,-122.415934&sspn=0.025912,0.053816&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=37.832294,-122.433701&spn=0.097346,0.215263&z=12&iwloc=A

2008 & 2007 EAT + DRINK AWARDS: Best Business Lunch

Business bigwigs and starry-eyed couples out for a special occasion are met with equal graciousness at this Financial District institution. Grandiose floral arrangements and warm lighting offset the conventional tan-and-white decor.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Chef Laurent Manrique’s sumptuous Cal-French cuisine highlights complex flavor combinations with a distinct emphasis on the sea. Re-envisioned surf-and-turf, as in the yellowfin tuna with bordelaise sauce or the sturgeon and veal cheek “Bourguignon” are classic with a (very successful) twist. Aqua’s signature wine—a 2003 Pinot Noir crafted by Manrique and former sommelier Sean Crowley—is exceptional, and desserts, such as a milk-chocolate mousse bar, nearly steal the show.</p>