# San Francisco Restaurant Recommendations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 22, 2007, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000 "2007-06-22T14:28:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/1 "2007-06-22T14:28:33Z")
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. Thanks! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/2 "2007-06-22T14:46:23Z")
Castro (gay district) has some of the best dining in the entire city. [2223](http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/01/28/DDG8QB0T2H1.DTL&type=food) 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](http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/892427/san_francisco_ca/tadich_grill.html) (the city’s oldest restaurant) is cute and bustling with great comfort food, but only go if you can secure a booth. [Oola](http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/41429988) is really cute with French owners and nice design. Fusion cuisine, small dishes, good cocktails. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/3 "2007-06-22T15:48:56Z")
Thanks! Any lunch recommendations? ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/4 "2007-06-22T16:19:22Z")
[Previous thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=327770) on this subject might offer some suggestions you’d like. Have Fun! ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/5 "2007-06-22T16:26:15Z")
Nice. Looks perfect! ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/6 "2007-06-22T16:32:45Z")
I love perusing the shops in the ferry building, and I think Taylor’s makes one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. [Ferry Building](http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/) [Taylor’s](http://www.taylorsrefresher.com/) ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/7 "2007-06-22T18:53:24Z")
Bambinos, italian mostly, Cole and Parnassus, just off the Haight ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/8 "2007-06-22T20:24:59Z")
I highly recommend [The Stinking Rose](http://www.thestinkingrose.com/garlic.htm). 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 ---
**Author:** ![Dunawake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dunawake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunawake)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/9 "2007-06-22T20:37:39Z")
The [Buckhorn Grill](http://www.buckhornsteakhouse.com/item.asp?id=4) 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. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/10 "2007-06-22T20:46:28Z")
[QUOTE=Gadarene] Thanks! Any lunch recommendations? [/QUOTE] If you’re in the Castro, then [Tangerine](http://www.tangerinesf.com/index.html) 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](http://www.fifthfloorrestaurant.com/) is fantastic, elegant, and atmospheric. If you’re in Chinatown, [Sam Wo](http://www.inetours.com/Pages/Dining_Archive/Sam_Wo.html)’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](http://www.vivande.com/), though there are plenty of simple, quality Japanese restaurants in the [Kinokuniya building](http://www.sfjapantown.org/rs_02.html). ---
**Author:** ![rostfrei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7bcc69/32.png) [@rostfrei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rostfrei)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/11 "2007-06-22T23:01:47Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] If you’re in the Castro, then [Tangerine](http://www.tangerinesf.com/index.html) 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](http://www.fifthfloorrestaurant.com/) is fantastic, elegant, and atmospheric. If you’re in Chinatown, [Sam Wo](http://www.inetours.com/Pages/Dining_Archive/Sam_Wo.html)’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](http://www.vivande.com/), though there are plenty of simple, quality Japanese restaurants in the [Kinokuniya building](http://www.sfjapantown.org/rs_02.html). [/QUOTE] 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. ---
**Author:** ![lobstermobster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobstermobster/32/10033_2.png) [@lobstermobster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobstermobster)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/12 "2007-06-22T23:12:34Z")
I’m such a bad San Franciscan! I haven’t been to any of these places. I’ve lived here less than a year though. I’ll get to work on it. ---
**Author:** ![Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilvert_s_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/13 "2007-06-22T23:46:46Z")
[QUOTE=Cat Fight] [The Tadich Grill](http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/892427/san_francisco_ca/tadich_grill.html) (the city’s oldest restaurant) is cute and bustling with great comfort food, but only go if you can secure a booth. [/QUOTE] 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. ---
**Author:** ![JCorre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3da27b/32.png) [@JCorre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JCorre)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/14 "2007-06-23T07:15:50Z")
[Boulevard](http://www.boulevardrestaurant.com/info.html) ---
**Author:** ![shimmery](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@shimmery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shimmery)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/15 "2007-06-23T09:51:51Z")
[Baraka](http://www.barakasf.net/01_home.html) in Potrero Hill - upscale, delicious! (ETA: I didn’t pay when I went, but I just perused the menu and it’s on the pricey side) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/16 "2007-06-23T11:24:06Z")
Moving thread from IMHO to Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/17 "2007-06-23T15:46:25Z")
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. [LINK](http://www.hornblower.com/port.asp?port=sf) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/18 "2007-06-23T21:46:41Z")
[QUOTE=middleman] 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. [LINK](http://www.hornblower.com/port.asp?port=sf) [/QUOTE] 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. For the OP: Check out [Union street.](http://www.unionstreetsf.com/diningPG2.html) ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/19 "2007-06-23T22:12:45Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000/20 "2007-06-23T22:51:07Z")
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. Ok the the last part was optionail. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-francisco-restaurant-recommendations/409000.md?page=2)