A sophisticated, sparkling locale for high-end, well-crafted Cal-French cuisine.

Warm yet cosmopolitan, this brick powerhouse draws a moneyed crowd to its plush two levels. Given its location, Jardiniere is a popular pre- and post-symphony hangout. Since 1997, Jardiniere has offered superb Cal-French fare highlighting seasonal ingredients. Though owner Traci Des Jardins no longer mans the stoves, the menu hews to her vision. Creamy butternut squash soup with a whisper of ginger is an autumnal delight, as is the lightly balanced Dungeness crab, avocado and orange appetizer. Hearty roast lamb loin with flageolet beans and kale wards off winter chill, as do tender braised short ribs. Fresh steelhead salmon or swordfish are lighter and equally satisfying. For dessert, the bonne bouche platter is filled with whimsies like house-made truffles and chocolate petit fours.