San Francisco Recommendations?

Just wondering if anyone had any particular places I should check out in the area. Any suggestions would be appreciated.


thanks,
hans

I haven't been there for about 15 years, but I would suggest a stroll up the hill through Chinatown for starters....

Very lively and somewhat touristy but there are really neat things to partake of if your not afraid of walking into a place with ducks hanging in the window!

A must try in China Town was Yang King. We had already spent most of the day in China Town, had already eaten lunch earlier in the day and were simply looking for a late afternoon snack and pick me up before back home for the evening when we ducked in. Before we knew it, the owner was by the table saying, "I know what you what, I'll order for you." We wound up with a tableful of food that was so utterly fantastic we devoured it all! We weren't even that hungry when we popped in. It was an amazing meal that all of us raved about.

In Chinatown I really like R&G Lounge. Everytime I go the place is packed with Chinese businessmen, which I take as a good sign. the food is sublime.

Zuni Cafe. This is an odd little restaurant that is very San Francisco. Judy Rogers is a disciple of the slow food movement. The oysters, the burger and the roast chicken with bread salad are out of this world.

Chez Panisse. It is what it is, and still impresses more than thirty years later.

Alioto's or Tadich Grill for sand dabs. Touristy yes, but where else you gonna get sand dabs?

Swan Oyster Depot. again, rather touristy, but this place packs them in for a reason. Great oysters. Hog Island Oyster Company is another good choice.

A16 This is a cool Italian restaurant.

The Slanted Door always holds the number one slot as 'the most booked restaurant for the week' on OpenTable's website. When I was there in August '07, I could definitely see that it was THE place to be. They are located in the Financial District which is home to a host of other hip restaurants. Check out the top ten on http://www.opentable.com and if you're in the mood for a particular cuisine, you can categorize that way on the website and see who has availablity for the timeframe that you're going. I hope this helps!

One of our favorite goto spots when we lived there was a little mexican restaurant in the Mission called Puerto Allegro. They're just a local yummy spot among many in that area. Do it for lunch and margaritas but they're closed on Tuesdays. Also, the Zeitgeist bar is the place for the best jukebox and the beers come in mason jars. Especially if you are interested in any sort of motorcycles. I used to work at Globe on Pacific Ave, and chef Joeseph Manzare was a Wolfgang prodigy when they started in LA. They serve until 1am and tend to be where the musicians and local chefs go to get the best tuna tartar and macaroni and cheese. You can spend a little or a lot in there. Alice Waters, Sharon Stone, Don Johnson, that cute fella from beverly hills 90210 are all regulars there.
Also, the sand dabs and atmosphere at Taddich Grill are really truly old school SF. Mario's in North Beach after you wander around China Town.....oh you've got me missing all the great places to go! Walk up Hayes Valley and try Absinthe for a singapore sling and some oysters. I'll quit now. I'm lost in foodie memories.
Tell us where you went!

A16 Is a fantastic choice...modern itialian with a focus on Campanian style cusine...one of the only places in the country with Taurasi on the by the glass list...

Also- if you head to the mission at all, Foriegn Cinema is one of the most world class meals I've had anywhere. The wine list is staggeringly well done, and the food was truly remarkable. website: http://www.foreigncinema.com/

Oh, I second the vote on the slanted door! LOVE that place. the best vietnamese food ever. EVER!

I used to go to San Francisco every month or so for business. I loved eating my way through that city. Chinatown is a must. Honestly, I've eaten at so many different restaurants, often popping in just on a whim and I've never had a bad meal even if I'd never seen/heard of that particular eatery before.

most important is to stay far, far away from fisherman's wharf. way too touristy and all the restaurants reflect that. not worth your bother. it is fun to see in a kitschy way, but not a good place to eat. Well, except for A. Sabella's. That's a pretty yummy spot but the only one I know of in that area of town.

A bit of a drive, but a gorgeous one, will get you to the Cliff House, but the food is VERY mediocre. It's only worth a stop for a cocktail and to watch the sunset at Point Lobos. We saw whales out in the distance one time we were there, so that alone was worth the price of an average-quality lunch.

Rose Pistola is a long-time favorite of mine, too. Comfortable setting, very good food, relaxed atmosphere.

I love Aqua. Great seafood and wonderful setting. Or just a fun stop for appetizers and drinks. Betelnut is good for Asian-inspired food. I used to eat lunch there all the time during my trips. Convenient to lots of good boutique shopping, too. There's also Michael Mina, which always gets lots of attention in the press.

San Francisco is one of those cities where you can pop in almost anywhere and find something good on the menu. The bad places go out of biz.

Oooh, another favorite - afternoon tea at the St. FrancisHotel! That was always fun and relaxing after a flight into town.

I don't usually recommend hotel restaurants, but the restaurant at the Campton Place Hotel is wonderful. I always relied on them when I was working late and wanted to dine solo without feeling uncomfortable.

I was there this past Novermber. Kuleto's downtown across from Union Square..... fresh pasta....Great ! Also Larkspur Steakhouse on the top floor of the mall downtown on Market. Fantastic !

I highly recommend Tartine Bakery in the Mission District. It's divine, especially if you like pastries. (They get a lot of hype but they deserve it.) They have a very extensive selection of breakfast and lunch items, but you will likely have to put up with a bit of a wait.

And if you like ice cream, check out Mitchell's, also in the Mission District. I became a fan of their avacado ice cream on my visit to SF a couple of years ago.

One of our favorite goto spots when we lived there was a little mexican restaurant in the Mission called Puerto Allegro. They're just a local yummy spot among many in that area. Do it for lunch and margaritas but they're closed on Tuesdays. Also, the Zeitgeist bar is the place for the best jukebox and the beers come in mason jars. Especially if you are interested in any sort of motorcycles. I used to work at Globe on Pacific Ave, and chef Joeseph Manzare was a Wolfgang prodigy when they started in LA. They serve until 1am and tend to be where the musicians and local chefs go to get the best tuna tartar and macaroni and cheese. You can spend a little or a lot in there. Alice Waters, Sharon Stone, Don Johnson, that cute fella from beverly hills 90210 are all regulars there.
Also, the sand dabs and atmosphere at Taddich Grill are really truly old school SF. Mario's in North Beach after you wander around China Town.....oh you've got me missing all the great places to go! Walk up Hayes Valley and try Absinthe for a singapore sling and some oysters. I'll quit now. I'm lost in foodie memories.
Tell us where you went!

Ahh Yes!! Zeitgeist....(Warm Beer.....Cold Women) Love it! Little Joes is always fun for a little slice of Italian anarchy (rain or shine there's always a line..), and there are also numerous places with good eats in SOMA (used to be a back-water but has since changed), though I can't think of a single one as it's been well over ten years......( Be sure to top off your visit with the best Irish Coffee on the planet at Brennan's in Berkeley, but ignore the cafeteria food eh...)

Taylor Street Coffee Shop. (375 Taylor Street) I found this place two years ago, and now I have to return every time I'm in town. From the outside it's not much to look at: a little hole-in-the-wall place, maybe four four-tops and five two-tops, with retro photos of past icons like Marilyn M and Jimmy D. BUT the breakfasts are something else. And very reasonable! I'm especially fond of one of their specials called the "Southern Scramble" which comes with hash browns and fruit. Last fall that was $8.95. Sure beats breakfast at the huge Hilton that is just down the street. Bonus: in case you sleep in, they do breakfast all day or until they close at three?/four? I think their breakfasts are as good or better than our own Toast/Lynn's/Wild Eggs/ or North End!

I have a client who lives in the area and is very big on French Laundry. I understand it is world class and hard to get into.

The Tadich Grill, on California St....city's oldest continually operating restaurant (1849)....great atmosphere and menu.

If you get a chance, check out Le Colonial for great upscale Vietnamese food. It is located near Union Sq. Kind of spendy, but definatly one of my "best" total restaurant experiences. If you go early in the day, you can eat off their Vietnamese Street Food menu in their lounge. http://www.lecolonialsf.com
Bon Appetite