Thank you, everyone. I’ve been to Boulevard and the Fog City Diner several times…Ukulele Lady is pushing for Chez Panisse, as she’s never had a meal there (I did a lunch there once on a business trip). We might stop by The Stinking Rose, as it’s close to the City Lights Bookstore, and Pianola’s RL name is Rose, so she might want to pick up a souvenir tee-shirt.
I’ll let you know what we do.
(No recommendations for Capp’s Corner? Damn, that’s my favorite SF restaurant.)
– Ukulele (saying “Frisco” and the hell with them, I’m from NYC) Ike
If you like dim sum, my favorite is Yank Sing at the Rincon Center, near Embarcadero BART. Their parking garage is one of the worst ones I’ve ever had the misfortune to stumble into, but the food is quite excellent, and also quite expensive. If you eat a lot (dim sum is priced per little plate of stuff if you don’t know), you can easily spend $100 per person. If you want good dim sum for a lot cheaper, look up Meriwa (sometimes spelled Meriwah and a couple other ways for some reason) in Chinatown.
Well, you’ll never make it to dinner if you intend on calling San Francisco that vile name. If you do make it to dinner, and call it that, you’re gauranteeing yourself crappy service and crappy food. I’d recommend The Stinking Rose, if you like garlic. It’s in North Beach.
Cha Cha Cha has great Tapas and Sangria, with entrees that include things like plantains and black beans. I think it’s down by Haight-Ashbury, but it’s been a while.
And my favorite for breakfast/lunch is Mama’s at Washington Square. Small, cash only, with excellent food. They’re only open from 8 AM to 3 PM, and it’s best to get there early or late, because there’s usually a line.
A lot of people have mentioned Stinking Rose, but the few times I’ve been there it’s struck me as a gimmick restaurant rather than a food restaurant. The entrees are fairly good, and I do like the garlic clove appetizer, but I think that there are other places that do better in terms of food and atmosphere, especially in San Francisco, which is one of the best restaurant towns in the U.S. But then, * chacun a son gout*.
I got a very strong reco from my folks, who were told by a friend to go to the Swan Oyster Depot. Seems it’s fairly famous, but a very low key place. Plus it’s close to the See’s Candy Factory. Downside is that it’s only open for lunch. The crab cocktail was extra highly recommended.