My girlfriend and I are attending a wedding in San Francisco next weekend, and will have Friday evening and Saturday afternoon available to find some good food. Can anyone recommend particular restaurants in the area that we might want to try? All types of cuisine welcome, although not someplace that exclusively serves seafood. And while price is a consideration, it’s not the primary criterion. Burger joints, upscale places, what have you…as long as it’s really tasty.
Castro (gay district) has some of the best dining in the entire city. 2223 is one of my favourite restaurants in the entire world. Lots of well-made comfort food, good prices, great drinks and desserts. Very filling. Try the macaroni and cheese, you won’t be sorry (unless you’re lactose intolerant. Even then, stock up on Lactese).
The Tadich Grill (the city’s oldest restaurant) is cute and bustling with great comfort food, but only go if you can secure a booth.
Oola is really cute with French owners and nice design. Fusion cuisine, small dishes, good cocktails.
I highly recommend The Stinking Rose. My wife and I ate there with my parents this past weekend, and it was unbelievably good. We had it for lunch, but ended up having a small (and late) dinner because it was so filling.
LilShieste
The Buckhorn Grill in the Metreon makes tri-tip steak sandwiches that are the absolute best I’ve ever had. I never hit SF without going by there at least once.
If you’re in the Castro, then Tangerine is very nice for Saturday brunch.
I’ll second The Stinking Rose if you’re near North Beach, though you have to like garlic.
If you’re downtown and want something a bit more upscale, Fifth Floor is fantastic, elegant, and atmospheric.
If you’re in Chinatown, Sam Wo’s is the stuff of legend, though you’ll have to be OK with a long wait.
For some modest-but-good fare near Japantown, I like Vivande Porta Via, though there are plenty of simple, quality Japanese restaurants in the Kinokuniya building.
A wait at Sam Wo’s?? I’ve been there dozens of times (weekends, weekdays) and never had to wait. Maybe I’m just lucky. I just love their rude waitress, she never fails to make me laugh.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city is “Firefly”, which is located in Upper Noe Valley on 24th Street. It’s medium pricey, but definitly worth it.
I’ve always liked Tadich’s as well. But (and this may just be weird) I usually preferred sitting at the counter, where there was less of a wait and I could interact with the locals. YMMV - I was usually there by myself while traveling on business. They don’t do reservations, even for the mayor.
My wife and I went for the first time last month and we enjoyed the Hornblower Dinner Cruise. The food was good, but the view of the city at night (with drinks and dancing) made for a good evening.
Those are great in the spring and the fall, but beware of the summer in SF. You might luck out and get good weather, but you’re more likely to be stuck in the fog towards evening.
I usually go to San Francisco at least once per year. I’d think with such a great restaurant city such as San Francisco, there would be some great Mexican restaurants. I haven’t found any. Any suggestions?
Might I recomend…damn, now I can’t remember the name. But a sleazy dive bar at the top of the Haight. Right by the park. Don’t know if they do it anymore but when I was there they had Shishi Sunday. Where they had great beer, a sushi chef on hand, a alt rockbands playing to the the beer. It was practically paradise.
After that take a turn around the park, then check out the the nearby movie theater which has couches and “homemade” popcorn.
And then buy some drugs and have a lot of gay sex.