ACQUERELLO

It almost goes without saying: Every time a restaurant receives a Michelin star, prices rise. Yet three years after being awarded a second star, chef Suzette Gresham and wine master Giancarlo Paterlini have continued to offer a fixed-price menu that’s a bargain for the quality. It’s the only restaurant of this caliber where you can get a tasting menu for under $100. Three courses are $95, and diners can add courses as desired. Over 27 years, this white-tablecloth Italian restaurant has remained unwaveringly consistent. The owners continue to upgrade the interior with an eye to tradition: There are flowers on every table and a tie on every waiter. Gresham balances tradition and innovation, with appetizers like carrot sformato (custard) with fermented shallots, prosciutto and Marcona almonds, or squid ink risotto with charred octopus, Meyer lemon and Calabrian chiles. Main courses might include guinea hen with butter beans, fennel, grapes and burnt orange glaze, or salmon with red wine spiced apples, dates, Brussels sprouts and duck crisps.

Cuisine Italian | Specialties Parmesan budino; ridged pasta with foie gras, Marsala and black truffles; truffled pheasant terrine; bourbon caramel semifreddo; coconut panna cotta. | Seats 45; private rooms for 6-8 and 10-20 | Prices $95-$195 (fixed price) | Noise rating | Parking Street, nearby garage

Vitals 1722 Sacramento St., San Francisco. (415) 567-5432. www.acquerello.com Dinner Monday-Saturday. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.

Carrot budino, roasted chicken spuma, cured egg yolk and chickweed at Acquerello.