For a very interesting and enjoyable dining experience, I highly recommend at least one visit to the San Francisco Culinary Academy.
The 18 month, $45,000 program graduates professionally trained chef's every three weeks and as part of their program and as part of graduation, they provide a dining experience to the public. The food and pastry specialties are great and presented as you find on a cruise ship with as much as you ask for. I believe reservations are required if memory serves me correctly and there are only two seatings per evening. The experience is similar to a cruise ship dining experience but with heavy emphasis on the food & deserts.
Their classes are held at several downtown S.F. locations and the students are clearly visable running here and there in their white 'chef' outfits.... The area isn't all that attractive at all during the night and especially after 10 pm or so, but prior to that when the public is out running around, its perfectly safe. The students really put on a good show. And they obviously work very hard to earn their training. Some look tired and one of them told me the program was very demanding as well as expensive.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. PRICES TOTALLY REASONABLE. GREAT FOR THAT 'SOMETHING DIFFERENT' NIGHT OUT.
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