With an interior patterned after La Coupole in Paris, Grand Cafe really is a grand scene. It's housed in what used to be a hotel ballroom, and you can still see the impressive columns that used to define the space. Under new chef Paul Arenstam, who used to own the now closed Belon, the food soars.
Cuisine: French Specialities: Raw bar; warm wild mushroom tart with black truffles; sauteed skate wing with caper brown-butter sauce; banana cream pie. Seats: 160 Prices: $17-$28 Parking: Valet $10 Vitals: 501 Geary St. (at Taylor), San Francisco; (415) 292-0101. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
