Hey r/FineDining,
Just got back from SingleThread and honestly… I felt let down. I've seen tons of glowing reviews, but it didn't hit for me, especially for the price point.
The presentation felt way over the topābordering on excessiveāfor what is supposed to be a foundationally Japanese (kaiseki) meal. I didn't get the clarity in the theme; a lot of dishes were things like foams and mousses that felt very modernist, and I missed the traditional elements I've had at every other kaiseki (no soup course, no grilled fish).
At that very high price, not a single dish stood out as truly memorable. The dessert course was jarringly chocolate-heavy and felt completely out of place with the rest of the meal.
And regarding the $500 wine pairing, while the selections were fine, I felt they didn't quite elevate the food as much as they should have, and I expected bottles that were a bit higher end for that cost. It felt like a mismatch in value.
Overall, it was a beautiful experience, but substance-wise, I'd take Benu any day. Benu had multiple standout dishes and less fuss on the presentation for a cheaper price.
Did anyone else feel this way about SingleThread? Or did I just catch them on an off night?
by forshakuras
23 Comments
Never been, but i’ve seen other people on this sub say the same. Sorry!
100% agreed. Greatest service Iāve ever had though.
Nice experience but unlikely to repeat.
Thatās the problem with expectations
I thought the same as Iāve said in the past. Agree with all of your points.
Havenāt been to singlethread yet, but surprised to hear the comment about liking Benu.
Ive see Benu mentioned in multiple āworst Michelin restaurants everā posts here and I had a pretty lackluster experience myself.
What was included in the wine pairing? I’d expect a $500 pairing to have a few special things, so that’s crazy that it didn’t.
Have you been to other, similar level places? What do you compare the experience to?
Agreed. Top notch service but the food was just missing some form of excitement. There was nothing wrong but it just never felt special.
I have loved Single Thread when Iāve been in spring and summer but fall and winterā¦ something is just missing.
Connaughton worked for Bras in Hokkaido and did R&D for The Fat Duck, it would be rather disappointing if he did some sort of uber-traditional (California?) kaiseki now.
It didnāt quite hit the mark for us either. We dined at Lazy Bear the night before and that meal was more memorable.
‘for what is supposed to be a foundationally Japanese (kaiseki) meal.’
In terms of flavours, as far as I’ve heard; the presentation at Singlethread looks anything but simple.
I had the same opinion when we went for my birthday a couple of years ago. Nothing was bad, but very little was execptional, and for “the most expensive meal we have ever had” (as my husband still calls it), I just wanted to be blown away.
The service was fairly robotic too. The servers were great at coming up and telling you things and leaving, but whenever I tried to engage someone and talk about something, they all got a panicked look and were ready to flee.
I’m glad I went because I would still be wondering to this day what it was like, but no repeat visit is necessary. Sadly, I have felt underwhelmed by most of the two- and three-star places in the bay area that I have visited.
I didnāt think it was that great. I was seated at the bench facing the kitchen and it was such a distraction. Didnāt feel personal at all.
Weāve been to Benu three times over the years, twice when they had a 2 star and once after they got their third star. We felt like it was not as good after getting their third star, the dishes didnāt wow us as much. Service still exceptional though! š¤·š»āāļøĀ
Loved my meal at Singlethread, summer 2023. Food, service, ambiance were all top notch.
Did not feel overhyped to me, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
I havenāt been but I do think this is a good reminder to not go TOO hard in the paint with your research beforeā¦.anything really. The key (although admittedly not only) thing that drives the āoverratedā feelings is hype and too much information.
That said, I get it. I feel like I enjoy 1-2 stars so much more than 3s, too.
Absolutely not intended to be in any way kaiseki. More like japanese california modern. I think its a gorgeous restaurant making beautiful but mildly uninteresting food.Ā
And that seems to be a consistent consensus.Ā
Food is okay at single thread but the overall experience is where they try to shine. I can see it being disappointing if expectations were too high. I think the food at Saison or Benu is usually better.
Went a year after they opened. It was good, presentation was over the top, but none of us can remember any of the dishes we had. Haven’t been back.
Had the same feeling, and feel the same about Benu. We did stay at the inn as well, and the in room breakfast was the best thing we had there.
FWIW I’ve been there four times — twice for dinner and twice for lunch — and haven’t experienced an off night. Both the food and the service have been excellent.
Agreed as well. It was fine for what it was and at least somewhat agreed on the 3-stars, but the crying kid behind me and the fact they ushered us out of our seat to go upstairs and have a drink at the end made it awkward for us. Bright side to the experience was I discovered an amazing Chardonnay there that Iām still in love with (Ceritas Peter Martin Ray).