Let’s not forget that San Francisco has one of the better swiss restaurants on the West Coast. You almost expect a yodeler to come strolling by your table, or to see a group of four grizzled old cowherds smoking cigars and playing jass at the table next to yours.
Matterhorn Restaurant
2323 Van Ness
After re-reading the thread I admit the idea of the Tadich Grill also intrigues me. I’ve never been there but it sounds like a nice place and easy to get to.
I personally prefer Saturday afternoons to the evening, as there are fewer crowds, but I could swing a Saturday night if it’s better for others.
Alright, it’s shaping up to be Tadich Grill (seafood? :() on Saturday night (with much sorrow that Kyla probably won’t be able to make it). Who’s in?
I’m in.
I commend your courage for trying the Tadich. Owned by the Buich brothers it is a landmark in the City. A tip to the wise:
Do not wait hours for a table. If you have less than four in your party, merely stand, drink in hand, behind a similar sized party eating at the counter (down the right side of the restaurant) and await their departure. Sure it’s weird hanging like vultures over people who are still eating, but any regular knows why it’s happening and doesn’t mind (they do it themselves).
Once seated, you will have the best service in the house, bar none. Your waiter will pass your seat every fifteen seconds and if you run out of anything it will be refreshed instantaneously. Do not be shy and order a steak if you feel so inclined. I still recommend the swordfish and bring some extra dough because it ain’t cheap (but totally worth it). They no longer serve the freshwater baby salmon (sigh), which was my perennial favorite. It’s hard to go wrong no matter what you order, but be sure to slurp down a Bloody Mary for me while you’re at it. Make sure to ask Snooooopy just how annoying I am in real life.
I’m in…though I didn’t realise that the Tadich Grill was seafood. Will I be able to get just veggies or something? Do we have a time in mind?
And is it just me, or did something really bizarre happen with highjack’s post in this thread? It seems he was banned but was somehow able to change his sig to a manifesto after the fact?
I’m sure you’ll be able to get just veggies. We’ll walk out if they won’t. Dopers gotta stick together, ya know.
Unless the steaks look really good!
[sub]Kidding.[/sub]
As for a time and place, I guess I should defer to the opinions of BADs. What makes the most sense in terms of getting a table? I’m not timid about finding places, so I don’t mind meeting at the Grill, but I don’t know if it makes more sense to go for 7:00 PM or try for a later “seating.”
As for hijack’s post, I hadn’t noticed until you mentioned it. Weird! Perhaps revoking posting privledges doesn’t prevent someone from changing their profile.
Zenster’s right – counter service is the best, here and at any restaurant, in my opinion.
They don’t serve just fish there; they’ve got a very large menu. Here is an online version of it, so you can get your tastebuds going:
http://www.kerrymenu.com/Tadich-Grill.htm
Wish I was going! It’s a bit far and a bit late for the old girl. Have some fried shrimp and a gin and tonic for me.
pugluvr, would you be interested in meeting a bit earlier for drinks? (Thanks for the link to the menu, btw.)
By the time most BADs read this, I’ll be soaring through the air to SFIA, so I’d like to propose that we meet at 7:00 PM in front of the Tadich Grill on Saturday. (Where’s Col. Mustard when you need him?)
Unless, of course, I’m mis-understanding the “a bit far” part of pugluvr’s post, in which case we can meet earlier.
Snooooopy and voguevixen are in. Anybody else? slackergirl seemed open to the idea last week. I’ll check back when I get to the hotel this evening.
voguevixen, I tend to overdo it when I visit the City, and the one hour plus drive back to my home in EIEIO gets perilous. Mr. Pug is no social butterfly, so he won’t come along as designated driver. Thank you for thinking of me, though. If BADs have a future daytime get-together, that will be more my speed.
BTW, they have a bartender at Tadich who’s a dead ringer for the holographic doctor in ST Voyager. It’s kind of cool having a Star Trek character shake up a martini for you. Also, for those of you who like to barhop, the restaurant Aqua immediately next door is a hip and happening eatery and is a lot of fun for people-watching.
I always visit The Stinking Rose when I’m in SF, I must get my garlic fix. Any restaurant you can smell two blocks away is my kinda place. And of course, they have a web site. http://www.thestinkingrose.com/ We season our garlic with food!
40 Clove Garlic Chicken, with garlic ice cream for desert, yum.
I might be going camping Saturday, depending on the weather and a few other things. So count me as a maybe.
I’ve never been to the Tadich Grill and would kinda like to see it, although their description-free “vegetarian plate” typically means “whatever side vegetables we scraped off the bottom of the bowl the night before.”
I don’t think it’s really a serious contender, but i’d recommend against Zeitgeist if you’re looking for a place that’s “not too loud.” It’s a big hangout for bike messengers who seem to like lound punk rock. Needless to say, i go there all the time. 
Guess I’ll have to get my rain dance going.
Look for me in my garish new gold and crimson Harry Potter scarf. (It was free, and makes a great landmark for anyone who doesn’t know what I look like. Now all I have to do is remember to wear it. Heh.)
Z, I was thinking the same thing about the “vegegarian” plate description. “Garnish” doesn’t really sell it, huh? I’ve gotten pretty good with piecing side dishes together though, so I think I’ll come up with something.
I will try to remember to wear one of my excellent peach shirts. It is a MANLY shade of peach, keep in mind. Very MANLY.
Well, I’m here and made it through my first day unscathed. I have to say that SF hasn’t changed substationally in the last 16 months, but I’m glad to be back. 
Are we still saying 7:00PM in front of Tadich Grill on Saturday night?
I think that’s what we’re still saying.
So, what do you look like and/or will you be wearing?
Can’t miss me… 5’10", fat, beard, black sweatshirt with red and gold on the front, jeans and brown top-siders (I’m a real fashion plate, lemme tell ya).
I’ll be watching for the peach shirt and the Harry Potter scarf.
Well, looks like i’ll be going, seeing as how the weather is looking. So now you’ll all get to put up with my bitching and moaning about the food, or lack thereof.
Well, at least i won’t be bitching and moaning about how we never go to a real SF restaurant.