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San Francisco, At Last

I’m going to San Francisco (finally, at last, it’s taken me thirty years, good grief!) in a few weeks and I need you, dear readers, to answer some important questions for me.

Is Chez Panisse worth a visit? How about Zuni Cafe? Are there holes-in-the-wall I must know about? A dim sum restaurant that haunts your dreams? Which neighborhoods should I commit myself to discovering on foot?

Tell me everything: your favorite shops, your special haunts, your cannot-miss-ohmigod-I-luuurve-this-place obsessions.

I can’t wait.

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102 responses to “San Francisco, At Last”

  1. Evan Avatar
    Evan

    Hi!
    Read my blogpost about Zuni. I was there the other day and it was amazing as usual!
    http://muffinsmuffins.blogspot.com/2008/09/foodbuzz-went-to-zuni.html
    My other picks for you are Citizen Cake for dessert. Isa has some really inventive small plates. 1300 Fillmore has SF jazz vibe and history plus some amaaaazing shrimp and grits. Rose’s Cafe on Union St has a great brunch, try the breakfast pizza. Eat outside at Foreign Cinema and get drinks at Laszlo next door
    Have fun! We love it here in San Francisco.
    Oh, and don’t go to Fisherman’s Wharf. It is cheesy and those who live here avoid it.

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  2. Erika Avatar
    Erika

    Great suggestions so far! I now live in Oakland and have to say that I rarely have to travel across the bridge to get amazing food – the East Bay is happening.
    So, on that note (aside from definitely hitting up 18th street, Dolores Park and the many other amazing places in the city) here are a few of my East Bay favorites at the moment:
    Cesar on Piedmont in Oakland. We take all guests there and have never been disappointed – it’s a CP spawn of sorts. Do it.
    The Grand Lake Saturday Farmers’s Market is fantastic and the neighborhood is incredible on Saturday mornings. Yes to Berkeley Bowl. Wear your elbow pads and dive into the madness! It is almost always crazy but worth it.
    Dona Tomas on Telegraph and 51st – amazing, truly authentic Mexican cooking. It’s the sister restaurant to Tacubaya on Fourth Street in Berkeley that someone mentioned. Perfect margaritas. I’m a bit obsessed with all things Mexico and I cannot get enough of this place. (It’s in in the same block as Bakesale Betty, Pizzaiolo)
    Bakesale Betty – on the corner of Telegraph and 51st. Fried chicken sandwiches with jalapeno coleslaw, pot pies, the best scones, strawberry shortcake, etc.etc. Also quirky with no sign and ironing boards on the street to act as tables. You get a good feel of a neighborhood that is just starting to develop (yes, gentrify) here.
    Agree that you must head up to Marin and Pt. Reyes National Seashore. Pt. Reyes Station is the home of Cowgirl creamery. Watch some cheese being made and a have a snack. Then head up to Hog Island Oyster Company on Tomales Bay and eat fresh, amazing oysters. Drive through the adorable town of Inverness on your way out to Drake’s Beach. It cannot be missed.
    Enjoy your time in this very special place!

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  3. kristin Avatar
    kristin

    You gotta try The Buena Vista for Irish Coffee!!!

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  4. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Just came back from a ten day trip, so here are my recommendations:
    – The Slanted Door (one of the best meals I had there.)
    – Taylor’s Automatic Refresher at the Ferry Building – one of the best burgers I ever had, and my husband had an amazing, 100% fresh Chinese Chicken Salad that I was wishing I’d had instead of the burger because it was so good.
    – Kara’s Cupcakes in Ghiradelli Square
    If you make it to Napa/Sonoma at all, try these:
    – Go Fish – excellent.
    – Market in St. Helena – probably the best prepared piece of halibut I had on the entire trip, and I had halibut three or four times.
    – Tra Vigne Pizzeria – fabulous.
    Enjoy!

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  5. Danielle Avatar
    Danielle

    Yes to what everyone else said! Zachary’s in Berkeley has a yummy gooey deep dish pizza…
    But in SF, the one restaurant my fiance and I can’t stop telling stories about is Espestus Churrascaria. They had FANTASTIC food AND service.
    Also, while shopping in Union Square, I usually make it a habit to stop in Lefty O’Douls–not fancy by any means, but they make a fabulous roast beef sandwich, old-school-cafeteria-comfort-food style.

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  6. janelle Avatar
    janelle

    Well, here I am eavesdropping, since I am going to SAN FRAN in OCTOBER!!!! Tell us all about it:)))

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  7. justcorbly Avatar
    justcorbly

    I’ll second the Screamin’ Mimi’s recommendation. Yum. (There’s a parking lot behind the shop.)
    Weather this time of year can be rather nice. Best bet is to check the forecast as late as possible before you pack.
    While it’s possible to spend all your time wining and dining your way through the city, don’t forget the other attractions. It’s a beautiful location.

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  8. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    It stuns me that people have less than praise for Chez Panisse. I went about 2 months ago for a “happy graduation” dinner and it was AMAZING!! I loved how they let you in the kitchen (and let you take as many pictures as you want!!) The cafe is okay, but downstairs is a magical experience.
    Since Berkeley was my home for 4 years, I know the East Bay much better: Pizzaiolo will knock your socks off, as will Cheeseboard. For brunch, a little Rick & Ann’s action. I don’t think Monterey Market has been mentioned yet…incredibly inexpensive produce. And lemons as big as your head!

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  9. EB Avatar
    EB

    Yay! Welcome to our part of the world!!
    Bar Tartine… fries… in duck fat… ’nuff said.
    Zuni yes, if only for the chicken.
    Swan Oyster Depot for a very local seafood experience
    Fatted Calf at the Ferry Plaza
    Grab a taco in the Mission… at any of 300 taquerias.
    Delfina Pizzeria
    If you are up for a little outer-hood jaunt… Shanghai Dumpling King for soup dumplings.
    Oh there are so so many more.

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  10. DanGarion Avatar
    DanGarion

    Wow lots of recommendations. I can only work off of what my wife and I experienced a couple months back.
    If you are anywhere near Union Square at night hit up the Gold Dust for your libations, the place has been around forever and really is great, it’s pure lounge dive bar.
    As for food my only suggestion would be Sodin’s Green Valley in Little Italy. Their is also an amazing record store across the street in case you are looking for some music.
    Here is a link to a recap from our vacation there in April.
    http://www.dangarion.com/general-news/2008-vacation-recap/

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  11. Kasey Avatar
    Kasey

    Luisa,
    Enjoy our wonderful foodie haven! Check out L’Ardoise for French, Beretta, La Ciccia for Sardinian food, Bi-Rite Creamery, and Eiji Sushi. Koo is also great, as one reader noted. Check out my blog about Eating Through SF, while you’re at it: http://www.eatingthroughsf.blogspot.com. Have fun! 🙂

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  12. Kasey Avatar
    Kasey

    I almost forgot–my most favorite restaurant in SF: Aziza in the Outer Richmond. Amazing, fresh, modern take on Moroccan food. Gotta try it!

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  13. Heidi from SavoryTv Avatar
    Heidi from SavoryTv

    Sorry this is a bit vague, but there is an amazing dim sum restaurant near Green Apple Books (which is a wonderful used book store). I had a travel assignment in SF for 3 months and don’t live there currently so I apologize for not knowing the name! But find Green Apple Bookstore and you will discover it!

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  14. Stephanie Abbott Avatar
    Stephanie Abbott

    Zuni for sure and Sushi Ran is great. Chez Panisse was a disappointment to me. Little Italy has great food. Dim Sum is in abundance…. You’ll have a blast just walking and exploring the city. The Farmers Market is a must.. Oh, the fun you’re going to have. Enjoy your time there.

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  15. infancy Avatar
    infancy

    ZAZIE is a must for brunch or lunch
    Rosamunde sausage shop merguez
    i had a really memorable pasta and duck sauce somewhere in north beach
    Best burritos are la taqueria on mission, but hit el taco truck too.

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  16. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    Hi, Luisa!
    Oh my gosh — this is so much fun! I just called one of my favorite restaurants to make sure that they still had their butterscotch creme brulee on the menu (which they do!). If you make it to Buckeye Roadhouse, out in Marin County, save room for one of the best creme brulees around.
    It looks like you’ve been getting the full scoop — Greens, Chez Panisse, and Zuni Cafe are musts. The Slanted Door, Foreign Cinema and Citizen Cake should be on the short list too.
    Sushi Rain, in Sausalito, serves amazing
    sushi. ( I often go there immediately when I get into SF.) Also, if you make it to Marin, Woodlands Market has the best take-out caesar salad and other outstandingly fresh take-out goodies — perfect for a picnic while hiking.
    If you can’t make it to the Taylor’s Refresher in St. Helena, go to the one in the Ferry Building. You might try the Ahi Tuna Burger. The ginger wasabi slaw is divine, and the shakes and fries are some of the best on the planet.
    Beetlenut in Cow Hollow is a scene with fun Pan-Asian….EOS Restaurant and Wine Bar in Cole Valley is a fantastic, cozy, neighborhood place…Cha Cha Cha in The Haight….Rulli’s for Italian coffee and pastries in the late afternoon….the list goes on and on and on….
    Enjoy!

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  17. Demetra Lambros Avatar
    Demetra Lambros

    I love your blog. I live in Greece and I’m cooking like crazy over here. Learning about the ingredients and the food and the lifestyle constantly. I appreciate your connection to the foods and the culture of Italy and loved the description of your trip there this summer…
    Have a great trip to San Fran!!! I lived in the Bay Area for six years and absolutely loved it.
    Look forward to hearing about your travels and of course the food!
    Demetra

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  18. Doris Avatar
    Doris

    http://www.chowhound.com for reviews
    http://www.opentable.com to make reservations
    I prefer Chez Pannise Cafe (upstairs) – more choices on the menu instead of a fixed price meal.

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  19. june2 Avatar
    june2

    If I were going I’d try ubuntu and the bar food at Hanger One, based upon what I’ve read.
    I have the Millenium and Greens cookbooks so I’d definitly go there too.
    And Incanto is the new resto started by blogger, In Praise of Sardines.

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  20. yvette Avatar
    yvette

    if you can make it to Half Moon Bay, just outside of S.F., you must try Sam’s Chowder House! You can’t beat the view nor the food. Comfy, kick-back place with outside firepits on the beach. Of course Cetrella is just up the road…a definite must go to place. If you are here the weekend of 10/18, it’s the annual HMB Pumpkin Festival!

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  21. anne spice Avatar
    anne spice

    Oh my. SF. Be prepared for sensory overload. SF is not only a foodie city, it’s also a tourist’s city (despite the alarming number of panhandlers – brace yourself). I used to live there (working for Williams-Sonoma Corporate, no less) and have visited countless times, so I definitely my opinions about where a person ought to be strolling/feasting in all the very walkable microcosmic neighborhoods of its 7X7 miles.
    First, if you’re a boutique lover of any sort, Polk Street (for more unique shops), or Fillmore Street (more mainstream), are both charming stretches, and if you feel like exploring a less beaten path, head to Hayes Valley for another set of darling shops as well as Citizen Cake if you’re so-inclined.
    Golden Gate Park with its many monuments, pristine air, and recreational musicians is a fantastic and immensely green place to wander… I’m particularly fond of the Japanese Tea Garden.
    North Beach is another great little café-dotted neighborhood – a LOT of Italian restaurants of varying quality, but plenty of history, and of course, the City Lights bookstore.
    If you have time, Sausalito is a nice half-day excursion. It’s a charming little community, and the boat ride in the Bay makes the journey there and back well worth the effort.
    In terms of food… yes, of course, visit the Ferry Building & Farmer’s Market… it’s beautiful… looks like it was styled for a W-S catalogue.
    The east coast’s Mexican food offerings are really wanting, so don’t miss your chance to go to the (rather hip) Mission. I’m personally partial to Pancho Villa’s burritos.
    As a lifelong vegetarian, yes, Green’s is all well and good. The location right by the ocean and the views of the Bay don’t do a disservice to the food at all, and I certainly have never turned up my nose at a meal there, but I find it to be not so dissimilar from every other ‘upscale’ vegetarian restaurant I’ve ever been – nor from the sort of concoctions I throw together in my kitchen all the time. So if you’re inclined to go veggie while in SF, please dedicate that one meal to Millennium. Truly. As a vegetarian, it was the first time I walked away feeling like someone had actually done something interesting… had thought about what a veggie might not make themselves at home. It is intriguing, bold and deeply satisfying.
    If you like cocktails and views and historic landmarks, go to Top of the Mark… there’s something like 100+ libations on the list and is where WWII soldiers used to gather before shipping off.
    If you like cocktails and a crowd and luxurious stylized interiors, go to the Redwood Room in the Clift hotel… the beautiful bar, moving portraits, and oversized chair in the lobby are all very photogenic.
    Finally, and I will get serious flack for this, but since you asked, I can’t help it… I truly miss this one weird and off-the-wall venue in SF: The Tonga Room. Located in the basement of the (very serious, very upscale) Fairmont Hotel is the most bizarre holdover from the 40’s post-WWII tiki phase. I’ve never eaten there (I’ve heard bad things) and the fruity drinks are nothing to shout about beyond the fact that they come in ceramic coconuts and voodoo mask flagons that look at least 40 years old. But what really makes this place is that Wed – Sun there’s a cheesy cover band that floats on a barge in the basement pool that still looks like a pool – complete with the depth demarcations. And then, periodically, while the bands is singing, and you’re swilling your Bora Bora Horror, and you’re not quite sure, but you think that little guy from Fantasy Island might pop out to refill your drink order, suddenly it starts to thunder and lighting and rain – into the pool. And then you know, as you surrender to the beat of some forgotten disco song, that this will be a night you will remember, and that they just don’t make authentic ridiculousness quite like this anymore.
    I live in London now, and have been to the city’s own attempt at Polynesian kitsch via a club called Mahiki where shiny people are happy to queue since the royals are always making scenes there … by my oh my… I just yawn. There seriously is no place else on earth quite like the Tonga Room.

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  22. Leah Avatar
    Leah

    I commented earlier but I was thinking about some of my favorite places and realized that I forgot to mention one, Clementine on Clement street in SF. It was recently bought by the chef of one of my favorite French restaurants, Chapeau! and he is cooking full time at Clementine now.

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  23. vicky Avatar
    vicky

    UMI, an unpretentious, lovely little japanese restaurant on 18th st.

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  24. vicky Avatar
    vicky

    I went to zazie and it did not live up to the hype…I’d suggest La Note in it’s place if you are going to be in Berkeley for brunch..then head to cheeseboard!

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  25. The Hungry Roach Avatar
    The Hungry Roach

    The market at the ferry building on Saturdays is a MUST! No need for breakfast – amazing samples and products to choose from!

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  26. raphaelle Avatar
    raphaelle

    TARTINE, for sure.

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  27. Lydia Avatar
    Lydia

    I moved to SF almost a year ago, so your post (and the suggestions) are super helpful. If you’re in the mood for tapas, I just went to Zarzuela in Russian Hill, and they were great. Was instantly transported to Spain.

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  28. kristina Avatar
    kristina

    Hey, there’s a new website about to launch called Behind the Burner: it features exclusive tips on products and cooking techniques, as well as video demonstrations with New York City’s best chefs! Be sure to check out the website, http://www.behindtheburner.com, where you can sign up for email updates and more info.

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  29. Jesse Kelly-Landes Avatar
    Jesse Kelly-Landes

    I just returned from an extended stay in SF and ate multiple times (both took my breath away) at Chez Panisse. When I went to Zuni I had the same thing I ate at CP to compare and it was a big disappointment.
    All of the bread in San Francisco is amazing. Try as much of it as you can. Tartine is AMAZING of course. You must buy the rancho gordo beans at the Ferry building. Best. Beans. Ever. And the real reason I bothered to comment is to second the Bar Cesar recommendation. It was such a fantastic surprise.

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  30. Banana Avatar
    Banana

    tartine
    bi-rite creamery
    greens
    ferry building farmers market. this is by no means my favorite farmers market to actually buy produce from in the city, but it is somewhere you MUST go if you love food.
    burrito in the mission. I recommend el farolito for authentic sf-style. but, papalote has the best salsa in the world, so why not try both?
    walk down clement street for dim sum.
    you absolutely MUST MUST MUST go to berkeley bowl- hands down the best grocery store I’ve ever been to.
    as for exploring on foot, walk around the mission, particularly valencia street. head over to 18th street where you’ll find bi-rite creamy, bi-rite market, delfina/delfina pizzeria. you can pick up a picnic to go at bi-rite or some ice cream at the creamery (orange cardamom is heavenly) and relax at dolores park. If it’s a clear day, you’ll have fantastic views at the top of the park. have fun!!

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  31. Arlew Avatar
    Arlew

    Check out this link for the best restaurant blog on San Francsico’s restaurants: http://www.tablehopper.com/main.html

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  32. Denise Avatar
    Denise

    ooh, my first post on your blog..I enjoy your lovely food/heart stories..thank you
    I just returned to the east coast after living in SF for 22 years…you received many spot on food suggestions…also, check out Bay Breads French patisseries with 4 different locations throughout the city(Cole Valley- Cole St.,Pacific Heights-Pine St,Polk Street..gee, there’s another one..)there are also restaurants associated with these bakeries..worth checking out too.
    After spending your day eating your way through the Mission District,
    may I strongly suggest that if you like to dance to fresh international beats you will receive a super treat to walk your dancing shoes on over to hear Cheb i Sabbah(internationally known and traveled) at the Bollywood Cafe spin his stuff. For over 12 years he use to spin at Nickies BBQ on Haight and Fillmore…he’s now moved to Thursday evenings on 3372 19th St. in the Mission. Check out his website…and plan to go!
    Have a super time!

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  33. Laura Kelley Avatar
    Laura Kelley

    Oh, congratulations Luisa!
    SF and its satellite cities are great towns!
    I know it seems a bit low brow compared to other suggestions, but a trip to Fenton’s Creamery in Oakland would be well worth it for you and a friend or two.
    It is a decades old, family-owned (once again) institution that makes the best American-style ice-cream sundaes in the country. They are delicious, but very large and two or more people can easily split one.
    Bottom-line is, its a great old-fashioned ice-cream parlor and those are rare these days even in NYC.
    Chez Panisse is 20+ years past its prime, but Zuni is adequate.
    Enjoy!

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  34. Irene Avatar
    Irene

    You must go to Chez Panisse!! and not just the cafe upstairs, but the actual restaurant, believe the hype!

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  35. glenda Avatar
    glenda

    One of my favorites is Quince. Former Chez Panisse alum is the chef. Fantastic food and great dining experience.
    Zuni for sure.
    Chez Panisse, yes! if you can get a reservation.
    Cheeseboard in Berkeley for pizza.
    Anything from Tartine, the eclairs are divine.
    Cowgirl Creamery at the Ferry building.
    Bi-Rite for ice cream.
    Foreign Cinema for dinner or brunch.
    A drink at the roof bar of Medjool in the Mission.
    Piperade for outstanding Cal influenced Basque food. Never disappoints.
    I also love Pizetta 211 in the Richmond.
    Enjoy SF, and don’t forget to bring a scarf.
    Enjoy your trip!

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  36. lisa Avatar
    lisa

    How much fun is San Francisco? Tons! You will be absolutely blown away by the diversity of the people, culture and food in this lovely city.
    Here are some stops not to be missed:
    Balompie-Salvadorian breakfast.
    Tartine-Excellent bread pudding and gorgeous baked goods
    Pizzeria Delfina- amazing thin crust pizza
    Arinells- the best quickie slice of pizza in SF
    Moki’s- great sushi
    The Slanted Door-vietnamese
    Pomello- for brunch
    Kokkari-Greek
    Mitchells Ice Cream- amazing tropical flavors like buko, macapuno, jackfruit, ube and sometimes avocado
    If you like coffee be sure to stop by Philz on 24th and Folsom. The coffee is superb and is definitely a San Francisco experience.
    I love your blog and look forward to reading more.
    Cheers!

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  37. Laura Kelley Avatar
    Laura Kelley

    I just remembered that I went to Venezia in Berkeley some years back and thought it very nice. The environment attempts to recreate a piazza with frescoed walls an fountain and the food was nice and solidly good and very well presented.
    It is co-owned by Cindy Deetz, who if looks don’t lie, is the daughter of Jim and the sister of Geoffrey. I was a friend of her father, and was treated to an entire summer of Geoffrey’s cooking in the wilds of tidewater Virgina. If she cooks anything like her brother did – she is a talented chef. If you are in Berkeley, it might be worth a look.

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  38. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    Gold Mountain on Broadway for Dim Sum – you’ll be the only white person in there. Once you’re fat and happy and strolling through China Town, don’t miss the fortune cookie factory (hole-in-wall) I’ve never matured enough to stop laughing over their dirty fortune cookies

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  39. Tina Avatar
    Tina

    Greens!!! Location and the best vegetarian food I’ve ever had.

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  40. Lindsey Avatar
    Lindsey

    I would have to agree with Greens, amazing. Also Delphina, Park Chow, Scala’s, & Town Hall. I’m jealous, now that I’m living in Hawaii!

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  41. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    I hope you enjoy our city! I was born here and recently moved back. I agree with most of the posts here – some places you just have to try if you’re here. Whenever I’m in NYC, I try to find food unlike SF so here are some options I feel are unlike NYC:
    Pauline’s Pizza – they grow the veggies/herbs in a garden in the East Bay and make “Calif-style” pizza. Yummy & fun.
    Chow or Park Chow – if only for one of the best desserts in the city – the ginger cake with pumpkin ice cream & caramel sauce.
    Brother’s on 6th/Geary for Korean BBQ. I know there is plenty of BBQ in NYC, but I’ve never had any as good as Brother’s.
    It’s been mentioned, but Arizmendi in the Inner Sunset makes the corn cherry scones (you made them & thought they were just so-so). The retail version is 1000x better, I promise! Also their pizza is excellent.
    Just to weigh in, my favorite burrito is at Tacqueria Cancun 19th & Mission. They grill the tortilla & add fresh slices of avocado. YUM!
    Have a great trip and enjoy our city!

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  42. Bobbie Avatar
    Bobbie

    I’m jealous. I agree that Chez Panisse is a must-have experience, and I also agree that the cafe will probably do it. Haven’t spent enough time in SF in recent years to be up on the current food scene.
    Walk, walk, walk in SF — it’s the best way to experience it, and it’ll help you work off a few of those many calories you’ll be consuming. I especially like the Telegraph Hill area; the WPA murals in Coit Tower are fantastic.
    Have fun!

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  43. ann Avatar
    ann

    The meal I still cannot stop thinking about from our trip over a year ago was a little Guatemalan restaurant in the Mission called Palacio Latino: http://www.yelp.com/biz/palacio-latino-san-francisco (the Yelpers like it too).
    It was such a fascinating, and tasty, mix of South American and Middle European flavors. Its probably not anyone’s first stop but mine, but I’d go back in a heartbeat. Have fun Luisa!

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  44. pam Avatar
    pam

    I just recently came back from my first trip to San Francisco and asked every foodie I knew for suggestions. The absolute best meal that I had was my first night, a Tuesday, and if you’re there on a Tuesday, go to Canteen. That’s when they do their Prix Fixe menu and it’s just to die for. Around $39 for three amazing courses. The restaurant is tiny though, near Union Square, definitely call for reservations.
    Here are my notes from the night I went, menu changes weekly.
    Amuse Bouche was a tasty nibble of goat cheese, capers and plump golden raisins…incredible mix of salty, sweet and creamy.
    First course was Sockeye Salmon Gravlax with smoked salmon, fennel and tomato. I wasn’t excited about this when I read the menu because I don’t love gravlax….but this was phenomenal. The bits of smoked salmon had been marinated in citrus and the flavor was wonderful.
    Second course was over the top delicious. Pork tenderloin that was pink and juicy and served with a savory fig glaze, alba mushrooms, cannelini beans and crunchy little croutons that were crispy bits of pork belly…and the portion was generous.
    Dessert was a blueberry clafoutis, which reminded me of an elegant blueberry pancake as it was topped with a bitter almond Bavarian cream that was fluffy and fragrant.

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  45. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    As a Berkeleyan, I definitely suggest a side trip to the East Bay if you have the time. Skip Chez Panisse, though. With your skills, you can better spend your money and time gathering beautiful things at the farmer’s markets and Berkeley Bowl and make yourself something just as delicious.
    If it hasn’t already been mentioned, you must grab a little something at lunchtime from Boulette’s Larder in the Ferry Building. Amazing.
    And instead of Pizzaiolo in Temescal (Oakland), try Dona Tomas next door. I don’t think you can get Mexican like this in NY, while you can get good pizza a plenty. Just a few doors down, Bakesale Betty serves up legendary fried chicken sandwiches and homey baked goods.
    Have a great time!

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  46. lisa Avatar
    lisa

    So lotsof comments from people either no longer living here, live near by and lots of repeats–
    So as a former New Yorker and now 15 year San Franciscan, I can assure you that by far, the BEST restaurant in SF, and it flies under the radar intentionally, is Woodward’s Garden–sort of like a Prune meets Il Buco and better.
    Theyhave been at it for over 14 years and it is some of the most innovative, fresh food around.

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  47. Jame Avatar
    Jame

    I vote for going to the out the door in the Bloomies (Westfield Mall). It is sit down and will give you the Slanted Door experience at a bargain price.
    I also recommend Dosa in the Mission. Super cheap, cool atmosphere and yummy.
    2nd on the recommendation of Ici, that is the best ice cream ever.
    I had brunch at greens and it was really yummy: the coffee cake was a winner.
    While at the ferry building, be sure to try a peach….if there or any left or a pear from frog hollow. These are YUMMY!
    And great mexican style tapas: Tamarindo Anoteca (i know i spelled that wrong) in downtown Oakland is great! And for nice mexican try Dona tomas in Oakland or Maya in SOMA in SF. Those are also great.
    I like Thirsty Bear for Spanish and Beer (it is a brewery) good beer, pretty good food and good portions. They have $1 mini tastes of beer as well.
    The Tacos: i liked Mijita better than Tacubaya, but liked the tacqueria in the Epicurious Garden in Berkeley even better. It is just down the street from Chez Panisse.
    Have fun and happy eating!

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  48. Mary Kate Avatar
    Mary Kate

    Slanted Door is a very good idea, and Boulevard. I might give Zuni a pass. It’s lovely, but very expensive, and really not all that worth that much for chicken. Yes, it’s lovely chicken, but “I can make that for you at home, dear,” as my mother-in-law would say. Michael Mina is another good bet (not at all expensive – yeah right!!). I wouldn’t recommend Andalou.
    Do go to the Ferry Building. Don’t miss the view from Broadway and Lyon streets. It’s one of the best!

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  49. Mary Kate Avatar
    Mary Kate

    If you can manage the time to go up north, try French Laundry or Cyrus.

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  50. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Previous comments pretty much cover the major stuff. Just to ensure your visit:
    Ferry Building Farmer’s Market
    Cheeseboard in Berkeley
    More importantly though less specifically:
    It’s been 10 years since i lived in SF but one of my great street food joys there was the existance of all the old school, mom and pop style doughnut shops. There used to be one around the corner of Market and Fifth, but they’re kinda scattered around town. These were hole-in-the-wall type places, and by that I don’t mean “boutique”. They were the haunts of cops, club kids, and homeless people (and me, none of the above). So, perhaps you may not want to spend the time seeking one out, but keep ’em in mind as you walk about town. You may stumble upon a jewel (and by jewel I mean a huge, powdered, freshly made jelly doughnut, for like a dollar). Enjoy!

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