San Franscisco evening out suggestions

My friend is hoping to come up with some sort of package gift for her sister's wedding (sister lives in Oakland). Another sister got married last year (lives in Chicago), so my friend got her a gift certificate to one of Rick Bayless' restaurants and theater tickets. It was a huge hit, and the Chicago sister says it was the best present of them all.

San Francisco sister doesn't seem to be into theater, but the husband to be is apparently a really great cook, and they do brew their own beer. I'm looking for ideas for maybe a place to have a really wonderful culinary experience?? Or a nice restaurant and maybe comedy tickets (doesn't San Fran have a Groundlings type thing - or am I making that up?). I haven't seen the sister in question in about a dozen years, but I know she's not a frilly/fancy girl -- but loves a good time/laughs.

[Tenacious_D]

Not San Fran but close enough... French laundry though the gift certificate would have to be at least 800 to cover food and drink.... I think a reservation alone would bs a great gift

what's the next level down from the French Laundry? I was trying to remember. This is a particularly frugal friend (I remember being floored that she'd done the other gift). My guess is she spent about $300/$400 on the Chicago package.

[alison]

Bouchon? That's in Yountville, too.

You could do Slanted Door. That's Vietnamese in the Ferry Building. Yummy!!!

[scrub-jay]

Alice Waters' restaurant in Berkeley - Chez Panisse. Or CIA in Napa - Greystone.

[Cumberland]

Beach Blanket Babylon?
Teatro Zinzanni

[oceanchild]

DH just got back from SF, and apparently there's a Rick Bayless restaurant there too, if you want to go that route. He liked it a lot.

[MissCrabette]

I've never been to San Francisco and I'm a newb when it comes to fancy restaurants, but doesn't Masaharu Morimoto have a restaurant there? http://morimotonapa.com/

[Tenacious_D]

I would second chez panisse. Very cute atmosphere and great organic food.