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San Francisco is indisputably the nation's top destination for fine dining. Saison, Benu, Atelier Crenn, Coi ... the list goes on and on. So it can be tempting to want to try them all out, but not all of us are raking in that techie money. Or even if you are, it can still be hard to part with so much of a paycheck for one meal. Instead, consider trying these five fine dining restaurants, which all offer ways to experience the magic for less. (And if the allure of fine dining on the cheap doesn't appeal, here are some of San Francisco's Essential Cheap Eats that won't drain the ol' bank account.)
Saison Salon
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The Saison salon offers a way to experience the state's most expensive restaurant for way, way less. The area, which has six bar seats and a few tables, has its own menu with a la carte options that are often pulled straight from the tasting menu and range between $18 and $50. (The regular $398 tasting menu is available there, too, should you want to go all the way.) You can make a reservation specifically for that area, noting online that you'd like to sit in the salon, after which the restaurant will call to confirm there's space, or you can just bite the bullet and (gasp!) call to make a reservation yourself.
178 Townsend St., San Francisco
Image credit: Bill Addison