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Went here with a friend for brunch, walked right in and sat at the bar. Mimosa was great, blood orange juice and bubbly, hit the spot! Had the scrabble with ham and fresh pea shoots, it was a savory breakfast delight with fresh baked biscuits on the side. Service was a bit slow and not so friendly however I would recommend based on the food quality and price point. Enjoy!
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Ella's Restaurant
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Presidio Heights |
1/11/2009
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Top notch French Bistro on the town square of Sonoma. The art work depicting voluptuous women, vegetables and landscapes by Julie Higgins sets the culinary stage for something “of the earth” and natural yet maybe a little mystical. Farm fresh produce that tasted like it was picked that morning. I had the special salad of greens, mild chilies loaded with antioxidants topped with savory pork belly. The mussels were good but not the best I've had. The matchstick frites were very good, in my top three. The service was thoughtful and knowledgeable. I enjoyed my visit and would go back in a heartbeat. Enjoy!
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the girl & the fig
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Sonoma |
9/14/2008
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Custom Burger is a modern red and white burger joint serving high quality meats and gourmet trimmings. Don't miss the Sweet Potato Fries! I had them with an Angus Burger on a lovely Brioche bun with Apple Smoked Bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. I would have liked to have the option of choosing a sauce with my fries, Belgian style. I enjoyed my meal and thought that the price was justified given the quality, about $15 for burger, sweet potato fries and a coke. I could have easily split it with a friend, as the portions are large and I could only finish half. Not affordable or healthy for an everyday lunch spot but certainly perfect every once and a while. Enjoy!
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Custom Burger
Cuisine: Hamburgers
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SoMa |
8/28/2008
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In the South barbecue is a way of life, an all day affair or a quick solution to the daily question “What's for supper?” Men fight over the honor of their barbecue in some places, never insult a man's barbecue. I miss southern barbecue. I stumbled upon Da Pit, formerly Brother-in-Law's BBQ, found a parking spot right in front at half past noon. A girls gotta eat lunch, right? A nice gentleman says, as he is chopping brisket, “ I don't have the Mac and cheese today but I got green beans and potato salad.” I ordered the brisket to go with potato salad, as I saw an industrial size can of corn in the kitchen, I assumed the green beans where also caned. I was offered a choice of mild, medium or spicy bbq sauce and went with the medium, perfect balance of smoky, sweet and spicy. The brisket was stellar in between a slice of white bread, oh yeah! The potato salad was the sweet version, which I don't care for generally. Enjoyed my lunch and had enough left over for supper!
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Da Pit
Cuisine: BBQ Barbecue
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Western Addition |
7/27/2008
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Starved and dehydrated from exploring the SF MOMA we got in the cue hoping for refreshment. We had an assortment of fresh salads and sandwiches, ice teas and coffees all at amusement park prices. Lot's of other options in the Westfield food court for the same money but if your p**ped and ready for fuel give it a go.
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Caffe Museo at SF MOMA
Cuisine: Californian
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Downtown |
7/27/2008
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This is a popular neighborhood spot; lots of regulars that seem to all know each other. Cozy exterior, with booth lined walls and a few tables in between. Service was accommodating and friendly. I had the Panini with mozzarella, Gorgonzola, goat and grana cheeses with arugula and Sicilian olives, all atop grilled country bread ($8). More of a European grilled cheese that a Panini, they grilled the bread with butter stove top rather than with the Italian sandwich press. This sandwich was delightful, filled with ingredients I enjoy, however would have never thought Gorgonzola and mozzarella would be a good match, it works. I added a small salad ($3), which made for a rich and memorable lunch. Recommended. Enjoy!
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Aperto
Cuisine: Italian
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Potrero Hill |
6/28/2008
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I popped in here to pick up some lunch on the go. I'd seen this place a million times; it's located just before the freeway on ramp. It's at the SF flower Market and I like flowers, so why not? The space is huge, one large dinning room, one covered outdoor dinning area and one small "to-go" espresso cafe. I ordered a mushroom, sun dried tomatoes and goat cheese sandwich, what I got was a terribly misguided experiment that should have never left the kitchen. I was really hungry and I could not eat this sandwich, I ate the pickle, the garnish and the rest went into the trash. What a waste. I ordered sliced sour dough and got a very soft French roll, piled with raw mushrooms that had seen about 3 seconds of heat, a cup and a half of very dry (not marinated) sun dried tomatoes and a smidge of goat cheese. I cannot recommend.
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Bechelli's Flower Market Cafe
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners Italian
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SoMa |
6/27/2008
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Walking into La Bergerie is like walking on to the set of Three's Company. Dinning at the French “Regal Beagle” is fun , like a place time forgot, I suspect it has not changed much over the years. The food is classic French, it is what Julia taught all those American housewives to cook up in the late 1960's, everything with more butter and cream yum! I've been a few times and every dish is a winner, perfectly executed and a tremendous value. “Fancy” French lamb, lobster, filet mignon and escargot with soup, salad, dessert and coffee for about $23, it's hard to beat. Go in expecting traditional French comforting food not cutting edge splashy French and you'll be happy. Enjoy!
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La Bergerie Restaurant
Cuisine: French
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Inner Richmond |
6/22/2008
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I was excited to try the Hard Knox cafe; I'm from the south and love southern style soul food. It's tricky to compete with the experiences of my childhood, which set the bar high for this type of food. We were started off with corn bread muffins, a bit sweet with a crunchy baked top and a moist corn cake inside, nice. I had the country fried steak with corn and mac‘n cheese, I really wanted the green beans but they were out. The mac'n cheese was rich and satisfying. The corn was overcooked and very sweet. The country-fried steak was tender, flavorful and juicy. I was disappointed with the brown gravy; I really prefer the white country gravy. This is a restaurant that will get a steady stream of regulars from the neighborhood, if they start to offer white country gravy I maybe one of them. Entrees with two sides and corn muffins runs about $12, which makes Hard Knox an option any night of the week. Enjoy!
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Hard Knox Cafe
Cuisine: Southern Soul Food
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Outer Richmond |
6/22/2008
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I met some of my foodie girlfriends here for a catch-up dinner. We stopped at the bar first and had a fantastic bubbly toast. We ordered “social plates” to share. Portobello Mushroom Fires ($10) were crisp on the outside and perfectly yummy mushrooms on the inside, unique and a winner! The Lobster Sliders ($12) were innovative with a generous portion of lobster in each little one. The tomato Bisque with White Truffle Grilled Cheese Toast Sticks ($10) was again a generous portion of an old favorite made new, loved it. Unfortunately the entrees did not stand up to the “social plates”, our large party had just about every main and none really stood out. I wish the space was a bit more intimate, the tables felt extra large, with my friends on the other side seeming miles away. I love the innovative comfort food “social plates” and the wine list is great, so I would gladly return for drinks and nibbles but skip the mains next time. Enjoy!
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Sauce
Cuisine: Comfort Food
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Hayes Valley |
6/4/2008
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Slow club has been on my radar for a while now and I finally jumped at the chance to pop in for lunch while in the area. Clean simple industrial space is warmed by friendly staff and the chit-chat of dinners enjoying the food and the company. As you enter you'll see the lunch menu written on the window behind you and the open kitchen to your right, tables spot the long concrete corridor, ending in a bar area. The layout would be perfect for a private party. After watching the lunch plates leave the open kitchen, while we waited for a table to be cleared, I decided I had to try the fries. I settled on the roasted turkey sandwich served on herb foccacia bread with a goat cheese and olive spread, pickled red onions and greens. Yes, I'll take fries with that. This place uses top quality meats and produce, which you can taste. I will defiantly return. Enjoy!
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Slow Club
Cuisine: American (New)
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Potrero Hill |
6/2/2008
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Couleur Café offers a large selection of mussels, one of my favorite traditional French bistro offerings. There is nothing like a huge bowl of fresh mussels in a savory broth with a crust of bread for dipping, yum! So I was thrilled to see 5-6 styles of mussels on the lunch menu. I settled on the Couleur house mussels served in a cream broth with bacon and herbs. The rich broth was perfect with the warm baguette that was brought to the table. Couleur also boasts outdoor, dog friendly seating, a small free parking lot and charming helpful French wait staff. Good wine list. An area for improvement would be the outdoor space, especially since we will have a few nice days to sit outside soon, I would like to see Couleur beef up their landscaping. I was sitting next to a terribly deprived brown half-dead shrub, then when I looked around most of the plants on the patio were in need of some attention or replacing. I'm sure to return for the mussels and hope to see an upgraded garden patio.
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Couleur Cafe
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Potrero Hill |
5/18/2008
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Darla's is a family friendly restaurant, boasting a “kids eat free” night on Tuesday, (two kids meals free with one adult entrée and drink). We were starving, we choose another place in the area but they were closed. We drove around a little; Wayne found a parking spot and Darla's “Possibly the Best Burger Around” sign caught his eye. I had the Salmon Burger; I thought it would be a nice piece of fish grilled on a bun. Instead it was a ground Salmon patty with onions and who knows what else. It was kind of strange and I did not really care for it but ate about half because I was starved. The fries were okay and the onion rings were good. I love the mini brownie that comes with the check. Not sure I'd return with so many other options in the area.
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Darla's
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Coffee Shops/Diners
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Inner Sunset |
5/10/2008
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Wayne and I did a taco tasting in the mission, we sampled 3 different restaurants and started with La Taqueria, we could have just stayed here IMO. I got the dorado (crispy) beef quesadilla (w/corn tortilla) $5. This was the closest I've had to the famous crispy tacos I make for my friends. The beef was flavorful and of higher quality than most other taquerias. The pico de gallo was fresh and finely chopped and the green salsa on the tables was a perfect balance of heat and acidity. Extremely casual open-air decor with large tables inside and a few small ones outside. I grabbed a spot at the counter window outside, which I think was the best seat in the house. I looked on as the cooks chopped, melted, fried and assembled little mounds of meat, cheese, pico de gillo, sour cream and guacamole, swaddled inside a corn tortilla. Best taco I've had besides the ones I make at home, I would return in a heartbeat. Enjoy!
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La Taqueria
Cuisine: Mexican
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Mission |
4/29/2008
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Festive casual interior, a jukebox playing surrounded by brightly painted walls with long communal tables so you can see what your neighbor is eating. I got a Mexican coke and a super beef taco. The super taco comes with a healthy portion of meat, melted cheese, sour cream, salsa and freshly scooped avocado. Pretty impossible to eat with your hands, I still gave it a go and was happy I had a stack of napkins at hand. You get a small dish of chips and salsa with your order, however the chips are not house made and not that great, the green salsa is very good though. It looks like a favorite is the wet burrito as many of my neighbors were chowing down on those babies covered in red sauce, cheese and chopped onions. While I enjoyed my visit here, I would not make a special trip to the Mission for this one.
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Taqueria Cancun
Cuisine: Mexican
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Mission |
4/27/2008
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I have had my eye on this restaurant for a while and tried to go once for lunch but discovered they are only open for dinner. The place just under went a face-lift and is much nicer than your average neighborhood sushi joint. I had the miso soup and a generous sea weed salad to start, both solid. I also ordered the Double Star roll and the JB roll, again larger portions than I'm used to at a sushi restaurant, as I could not finish what I ordered. I noted a few things I'd like to try next time. Good tea and the service aims to please. I enjoyed my visit and will return.
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Chin Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
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Inner Richmond |
4/26/2008
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Nostalgic. Tony's is one of those places that takes you back to a simple time. Also there are not a whole lot of options in the area, so if you're in the hood give them a try. The burgers and onion rings are hot and ready fast. The malted milk shakes are creamy and made with soft serve ice cream. The restaurant is spotless! The cleanest fast food joint ever. I might stop in again for a malted milk shake, it was good! Enjoy.
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Tony's Cable Car Restaurant
Cuisine: Hamburgers
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Inner Richmond |
4/6/2008
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New Pho spot in the Outer Richmond with a dinning room a cut above the average clement pho shop. I picked up some soup and the Bun Cha Gio Thit Nuong, which is grilled pork on a bed of rice noodles with fresh mint leaf, lettuce, peanuts, bean sprouts and egg rolls ($6.95). The soup, Bun Bo Hue ($7.95), was a little too spicy for me but perfect for Wayne. I had the noodle dish and it was light, fresh and tasty. Reminded me of a value version of the caramelized pork rice noodle dish at Out the Door. I enjoyed it and will return.
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Pho Garden
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Outer Richmond |
4/6/2008
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I'd seen this place for a while and one night Wayne and I gave it a go. It's a small casual neighborhood spot that offers Japanese food. I was in the mood for sushi, I had the spicy yellow tail and a Godzilla roll. Neither were anything note worthy, not bad just not special. I noticed after we ordered, that everyone else in the place was eating shabu-shabu, which would have been a clue to order the shabu-shabu rather than the sushi. I might consider returning to try the shabu-shabu as it seemed the overwhelmingly popular choice of diners more “in the know” than myself.
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Kufu Ya
Cuisine: Japanese
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Outer Richmond |
4/6/2008
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I was so happy when I found out about this new organic Vietnamese restaurant that focuses on Pho. Chef Khai Duong, has traveled far and wide sampling Pho. He uses Kobe beef bones in the broth, makes the noodles in house and uses absolutely no MSG. We started with the Cha Cuon Tom Thit, which is crispy rolls filled with organic shrimp, pork, onion, mushrooms and monk bean noodle. You wrap these little treats in lettuce and mint leafs, Chef uses butter lettuce which I think is an elevated touch. We had the braised organic pork with coconut juice, quail eggs, pickled bean sprouts and rice. The pork was tender and very enjoyable. We also got the Pho, which is the house specialty. I have to say I was under-whelmed. I found the pho very bland. I hope that Chef Khai Duong can offer some less traditional, more inspired pho in the future. I'd love to taste a modern take on pho.
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Pot de Pho
Cuisine: Organic Vietnamese
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Inner Richmond |
4/3/2008
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Yummy! I had the Caramelized Pork on a bed of rice noodles, mint, carrots and lettuce ($10). The pork was of high quality, perfectly sweet and smoky. I also had the pea shoots with shallots ($8). Light, hot and fresh! Could have just had one of the above and been full. It's really a great lunch at a reasonable price. Now if they were just not located in a mall I'd be a regular. It won't be long until Out the Door comes to a neighborhood near you, at least I hope so. Enjoy!
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Out the Door (Westfield)
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Downtown |
3/22/2008
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Disappointing. We ordered lots of dishes for take out and nothing was passable, the leftovers went uneaten. All the dishes had extra heat, which seemed to hide the inferior quality of the meat and veggies. They don't offer one of my favorites red duck curry. Cannot recommend.
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Tawan's Thai Food
Cuisine: Thai
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Inner Richmond |
3/22/2008
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Be prepared to wait to be seated for dinner. We waited outside in the cold for about 15 minutes on a Sunday about 7:45pm. I see why it's a popular place, organic quality ingredients at a reasonable price. I found a little secret to help with the wait; it's the “No Wait Call List” call up to 1 hour ahead and move up on the list without shivering in the cold. I had the drunken Mussels ($6.95) and the small Iceberg Wedge salad.($5.75) I'm not sure how they keep their cost down to keep the prices really affordable but I'm not going to complain. The mussels were superb, not a drop of the broth was left as I could not resist sopping it up with my bread. The salad was simple and exactly what I wanted. I love that one has the (S/M/L) size options on the salads. Most of the entrees are under $14 so it's a place you can visit often and still pay the rent. Enjoy!
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Park Chow
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Inner Sunset |
2/19/2008
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Industrial chic cafe with a warm fireplace to cozy up to on cold rainy days and a great patio to enjoy on those rare sunny days. Lovely staff that runs your orders out to your table after you order at the register. I had the Tomato Soup with Crème Fresh served with a selection of crostini ($5) and a warm Roasted Turkey Sandwich with bacon and currants ($8). The soup was the stand out. It had a slight hint of chili and was hearty enough be lunch on it's own. The sandwich was okay but not something I'd rush back for. It was too heavy, the bread was grilled with butter, spread with mayo and layered with warm turkey and bacon. I would have liked a few veggies thrown inside there for balance. I did like the side of steamed green beans that came with the sandwich. They also offer dinner and the choices are priced to draw in the locals, Rib Eye Steak for $17 and Rack of Lamb for $16. I liked the space and the food. I recommend and will return! Enjoy!
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Axis Cafe
Cuisine: American (New)
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Potrero Hill |
1/21/2008
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Shopping on an empty stomach is a bad idea, I get cranky. I've been trying different spots and have not found anything really satisfying. I took a young friend here for lunch after a little Christmas returning. The space is huge with dark wood and a vintage feel. The menu was extensive, however I found it difficult to find anything I really wanted. My friend had the Hamburger ($10) and I had the Lime Chicken Salad ($15.50). My salad was lacking some of the ingredients that was listed on the menu. Instead of asparagus I got zucchini and instead of fennel I got celery and jicama. So it turned out to be a very different salad than what I thought I ordered, it was huge but nothing special. My friend asked for a well-done burger and she got a super charred burger. The service was spotty, sweet and friendly but forgot some of our requests and left us hanging. Next time I'll pass on the Daily Grill and continue my search for something satisfying in Union Square that won't break the bank.
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Daily Grill
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Hamburgers
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Downtown |
12/31/2007
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I went down to Union Square late in the evening to avoid the Christmas crowds, got there and realized I needed to fuel up. I heard mixed reviews about Sears but figured I could get a sandwich and be safe. Well they don't serve any hot sandwiches for dinner, actually it seemed like they were trying to revamp the dinner menu and offered some modern California entrees. I settled on the fish and sweet potato chips ($17). The servers were supper friendly; I was solo and sat at the bar. The bartender gave me the remote control for the TV and I was set. My fish arrived and it looked great but after a few bites it was really greasy, likely it was fried on a low temp. The sweet potato fries were good. Over all I like the space, dark wood, vintage appliances and memorabilia. Again the service was really friendly and kept me company at the bar. I would not wait in line to eat there but I would go back for lunch while shopping in Union Square.
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Sears Fine Foods
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Downtown |
12/31/2007
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This is a great place to take teens! I mentor a young lady and she will only eat “American” food, which means hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries and chicken fingers. We poked around the ferry building and then got into the line at Taylor's, it went fast. We ordered a hamburger, chicken strips, onion rings, drinks and a chicken club ($30). My teenaged friend loved the hamburger and the chicken strips. I was not that happy with the chicken club; it was small and nothing special. The onion rings were good, beer batter and all. I was really impressed that they use all compostable utensils, plates and cups. It made me think about all the Starbucks and McDonalds packaging that goes right to the landfill, if only all fast casual restaurants/coffee shops used compostable wears we would be set. Good choice Taylor's, thanks for thinking of the planet and making your business green! Enjoy!
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Taylor's Automatic Refresher
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Hamburgers
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Embarcadero |
12/29/2007
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“$12 Tuesday” lured us in on a cold weeknight for dinner. “$12 Tuesday” is a special menu consisting of $12 entrees and $6 starters. The restaurant was packed with a short wait. We sat in the high bar tables with a nice view of the dinning room and bar, both of which were hopping with social energy. It seemed like a lot of neighborhood regulars that know each other; it created a nice warm friendly vibe. I had the tomato soup and the Southern Fried Chicken salad. The soup was perfect, complex flavor with a hint of chili topped with fresh warm crotons, yum! The Southern Fried Chicken Salad had juicy strips of breast meat with a spicy crispy outside on a bed of salad greens, beets and blue cheese. The service was a little spotty, didn't come back for or ask if we wanted wine with dinner after our cocktails were dry. I liked the space, the food and the company. I recommend and will return (even on a non-Tuesday). Enjoy!
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2223 Restaurant
Cuisine: American (New)
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Castro |
12/28/2007
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Pho is relatively new on the culinary scene; it first showed up in North Vietnam in 1910. In the 1950's it spread to the South when the Northern communist government closed most private Pho restaurants and opened government run restaurants. Some say that Pho was a French influence and others say the origins are likely from China. Pho made it's way to the West by way of anti-communist Vietnamese immigrants. When Pho is good it's the ultimate comfort food. I really wanted some hot tasty Pho on a cold windy day when I was out and about in the mission. I passed Sunflower and it looked crowded, so grabbed a seat. The Pho was bland and didn't stand up to my previous experiences. The portion size was generous for the price but the flavor was just not there. I might go back and try something else but not the Pho.
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Sunflower Authentic Vietnamese
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Mission |
12/28/2007
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If you are looking for a healthy option in Potrero Hill this is your place. They offer healthy daily entree specials that are low fat, low carb and high flavor! On Fridays it's steak and chicken Kabobs with salad, rice and a special mango salsa. It's a great value as the special entrée is only $10 and most everything else is under $8. They are located in the World Gym but you don't feel like you're in a gym, it has it's own entrance. They also serve organic coffee and smoothies. The owner, Pedro is very passionate about his business. He knows the fat and calorie content in everything on his menu, go ahead quiz him ;) He is very open to feedback, as he wants to please his customers. BTW Pedro please bring back the Diet Dr.Pepper it blows Diet Coke out of the water! I come here often as I hate to cook “healthy” and most places don't serve anything healthy that I'd want to eat. I love Café do Mundo and my thighs do too! Enjoy!
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Cafe do Mundo
Cuisine: American Bistro
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Potrero Hill |
12/17/2007
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This is such a cute warm and fuzzy restaurant. It reminds me of the Secret Garden. It's the kind of place you take your Mom, meet some girlfriends for brunch or have a romantic night out with your sweetie. I went for brunch and had the Bowl of Mussels w/ house cut fries ($17). The mussels were of good quality and the sauce was tasty with a crust of bread. The fries were nice too, served in a cone holder on the side. My friends had an omelet and Eggs Beni, which they both enjoyed. The service was gracious and “Johnny on the spot”. I really enjoyed this hidden gem, I recommend it and I will return. Enjoy!
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Magic Flute Garden Ristorante
Cuisine: Italian
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Presidio Heights |
12/15/2007
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Perhaps it was an off night or a new cook but I was pretty disappointed with our dinner. We ordered the Tangerine Beef, Egg Rolls, and String Beans with Pork. Everything was bland even the dishes that were labeled “spicy”. The beef was fried with very little sauce but I did like the fried slices of tangerine. The pork was tender but again very little flavor. Green beans were fresh and not overcooked. The egg rolls were acceptable. I really wanted to like this place as the prices are good, the portions are generous and they deliver but I can't really see myself returning.
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Melisa's Chinese Cuisine
Cuisine: Chinese
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Inner Richmond |
12/15/2007
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The hip younger sister restaurant delivering inventive (wild & sustainable) seafood creations and unique pizzas from a wood burning oven in Berkeley. We started with the Dukkah Spiced Flatbread, light and flavorful. I enjoyed the black mussels also prepared in the wood-burning oven with an unique harrissa vinaigrette. For my main, I choose the Petrale Sole and I'm glad I did. A perfectly pan fried generous piece of fish a top roasted and puree cauliflower, topped with a sea-bean grape salad and drizzled with brown butter. Oh my, this was good. The sweet and roasted flavors danced around the delicate fish. We ordered one of each of the 3 desserts, of course Mark's Mothers coconut cream pie, a pear tart topped with vanilla ice cream and a dark chocolate cappuccino mousse. It was the perfect end to a delightful meal. I recommend and will return. Enjoy!
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Maritime East
Cuisine: Seafood
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Berkeley |
12/5/2007
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Average French bistro with all the classics one would expect. I choose the large Mussels Provencale with herbs, cherry tomatoes and nicoise olives ($14) for my lunch. The mussels were on the small side and quite a few were closed, however the flavor of the broth was perfect. I thought that the portion size was small and should have come with frites or a salad for the price. My friend got the small mussels ($8) and another small plate; her mussels were almost the identical portions size as mine for almost half the price. The service was accommodating, friendly and on the ball. FYI: they offer an early bird menu (5:30-6pm) 3-courses for $25, which seems like a good option for the area. I would not rush back when there are so many great French bistros in the city.
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Chez Papa Bistro
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Potrero Hill |
11/30/2007
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This used to be one of the few options for lunch in this area and thus was popular. I have eaten here about 4 times and have never had anything note worthy. Yesterday I had an Asian inspired salad with grilled chicken ($8). The portion size was generous but the product mediocre. The salad had huge chunks of raw broccoli, cauliflower and carrot (not stated on the menu that these were included), which really were not complementary to the sesame dressing which was nice. The chicken breast was over cooked and lacked any flavor. It stated on the menu that the chicken was marinated, which I find hard to believe based on the bland flavor. The staff and cooks were friendly but the food was lack luster. I doubt I will return.
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Sally's Restaurant and Deli
Cuisine: American Bistro
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Potrero Hill |
11/29/2007
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Chapeau rises above the typical neighborhood restaurant. Chef Gardelle and his lovely wife treat you as honored guests. It's a relativity small place and more formal than I expected. You have a choice of a 3 or 4-course menu; you get an appetizer, entrée and dessert for the 3 courses and add a fish course for the 4th. They offer an early bird (excluding Friday and Saturday) menu, 3 courses for ($25.50) before 6pm. Chef Gardelle also offers palate cleansers between courses ($4) We had the prime rib for two with 4 sauces and bone marrow which came with generous portions of potato a gratin and green beans. I also ordered the Warm Chocolate Banana Flambee cake with Rum Raisin Ice Cream early because it takes about 30 minutes to make, it was divine. I enjoyed my meal and will return. Enjoy!
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Chapeau!
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Inner Richmond |
11/6/2007
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Frisee, a healthy and delish new concept developed by the adorable Niebergall brothers just opened in the Castro. I had the pleasure of attending a test run dinner. I was impressed with the atmosphere and the salad-centric entrees. I had the Tartar, which is a mixture of salmon, ahi, and avocado with house made potato chips and mixed greens on the side. ($12.50) I got to taste the Roasted Portobello Sandwich which I'd have to say is the best veggie sandwich ever. ($8.25) A delectable mixture of thyme, garlic roasted portobellos, tomatoes, roasted onions, pepper jack, jalapeno-shallot aioli inside fresh artisan bread. Yummy, healthy and affordable. This is the perfect lunch destination. It's “fast casual”, so you cue-up and order then sit in the modern lounge-ish dinning room and enjoy your eats! The brother's are toying with a more full service set up for evenings, so stay tuned. I really enjoyed the food and the space, I will be back! Enjoy!
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Frisee
Cuisine: Organic Californian
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Castro |
10/25/2007
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Great option for inexpensive sushi in the Richmond. I had the lunch combo, which had tempura, sushi, soup and salad for $6.95- a great deal for sure. The service is attentive and the food is good quality and fair portions for the price. We sat next to a large group of mature dinners, they said they have been coming here for years and "it's always good and clean." I think we will return often, maybe today! Enjoy!
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Sake House
Cuisine: Japanese
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Inner Richmond |
10/19/2007
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I was excited to try Walzerk; it's East German comfort food. We went with a large party and reserved the back room. They do a family style meal that includes all the appetizers and 3 family size entrees of your choice and desert for $22.50. I'm leery of “family style” options because I've had dinners where they brought one of everything on the menu for 20 people but there are only 10 items and everyone is fighting over the last lamb kabob. This is NOT the case at Walzwerk: huge mounds of potatoes, mashed, roasted and fried, large servings of cabbage salads, large platters of pork and brats...basically tons of food. The quality of the food is high (organic/free range), however the dishes in general are a bit bland. I agree with CVDave, a bit expensive for basic meat and lots of potatoes... it ended up being $40 per person with beer, tax and tip. If you're looking for authentic German food and want to be stuffed, this is the place for you.Enjoy!
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Walzwerk
Cuisine: German
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Mission |
10/19/2007
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If you know Wayne, you know he is crazy about pizza. Finally I got him over there for lunch, noonish - no waiting. The tiny little place has the feel of a secret portal to a small town in Italy. Serve yourself glass and flatware and tell the lovely lady behind the bar what you want and she'll bring it. I can see how this could be seen as rude to customers who are accustomed to being served, what might be helpful is for the restaurant to post some directions or write something charming on the menu to describe “how things work.” I did not find the service rude at all, just a different set up. The pizza is very close to the pizza I had in Italy, thin crust, light on the toppings and personal size. I had the cheese salad ($8.75) and a Bismark pizza ($13.75), which is a pizza with an egg on top, along with the egg were peppers, lamb sausage and cheese, yum! Portions were bigger than expected, I could not finish what I ordered. It's charming and I would like to return often. Enjoy!
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Pizzetta 211
Cuisine: Pizza
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Outer Richmond |
10/8/2007
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Another Clement Street find! Rainy day got me craving some hot steaming noodles and I dropped into Pho Clement. The atmosphere is “rustic sf hole in the wall" and the Pho with BBQ Pork ($8) is perfect for a rainy day! Lots of fresh basil and trimmings. Will return. Enjoy.
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Pho Hoa Clement
Cuisine: Vietnamese Chinese
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Inner Richmond |
9/22/2007
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Great pizza! We have had this place deliver 3x and it's been a home run all 3x. Ask for the thin crust, they do it right. The crust is not soggy, like many other thin crust pizza that have more than one topping. Give Bella a try! Enjoy!
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Bella Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza Italian
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Inner Richmond |
9/15/2007
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Cute little place with the “off the beaten path” feel in San Anselmo. Half of the space is a modern organic deli/market with all your summer picnic needs. Pre-made salads and entrees to-go and every kind of drink imaginable. On the restaurant side, patrons are seated close together in a bright light and airy space. I treated a young friend of mine, whom just moved to the area, to brunch. We both wanted the French toast but wanted to be “good' and have a salad. So we both ordered a salad and shared the French toast, compromise is yummy! She had the small Chinese Chicken salad, which was huge for a small. I had the grilled salmon salad, a small piece of grilled salmon on a bed of greens with heirloom tomatoes and yellow beets. Very healthy and fresh but not that exciting. The Pecan-Crusted Cinnamon Challah French Toast stuffed with cream cheese, covered with pure maple syrup and fresh cut strawberries is where it's at! Yum! Loved it and will return! Enjoy!
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Comforts Restaurant and Deli
Cuisine: Californian
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San Anselmo |
9/1/2007
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Small, modern sushi restaurant serving up fresh lunch specials. Wayne took me here after a long morning walk, sushi salvation! I had the sushi lunch special, which includes 3 pieces of sushi, 3 spicy tuna rolls, 3 salmon skin rolls, tempura and miso soup. Everything was fresh, tasty and the service was friendly and prompt. There was a table next to us with a few little old ladies that ooed and awed everything and kept describing the food as “delightful” and “lovely” I would have to concur. The prices are a bit higher than most places of comparable quality for the portion size, I would like to see the portions size a notch larger to warrant the price. Enjoy!
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Tanuki Restaurant
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
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Inner Richmond |
9/1/2007
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Yes Betelnut, yes. Small portions of top notch Asian “street” food, if you frequent the Clement and Chinatown value restaurants just look away and tasty the quality don't fixate on the price. Yes, “marina crowd” present but didn't seem overwhelming @ 1pm on a Thursday or maybe I'm just “marina” tolerant. We had the firecracker shrimp, hot crispy and right ON! Also the Korean pork was stellar, full of texture and heat. More water over here PLEASE! I enjoyed my lunch here and would return. Enjoy!
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Betelnut Pejiu Wu
Cuisine: Pan-Asian
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Cow Hollow |
8/31/2007
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New ownership. Two brothers took the place over and have changed the menu to Moroccan cuisine. The space includes a large bar area as you enter with a display of Moroccan knick-knacks. The dinning room is lined with booths and spotted with small square seats, all of which is centered around the bandstand. After you are seated you get cleaned up with some lovely rose water, hold out your hands and they'll do the pouring, smells great! The menu is divided into appetizers, small plates and entrees. We had the Pasha sampler which we realized was for 2 people and we intended it for 4, a note on the menu would be nice as to the portions for the dishes as most ended up being much smaller that we anticipated. The shrimp on the sampler was divine, beautiful flavor. For my main I had the grilled lamb, hearty portions of lamb with Moroccan mashed potatoes ($30). This is the perfect place for a birthday or anniversary party as the entertainment (live music & belly dancers) is included. Enjoy!
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Pasha's
Cuisine: Moroccan Middle Eastern Mediterranean
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Polk St./Van Ness |
8/23/2007
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I guess the prices are slightly higher than other casual sushi spots but the quality is well worth it and actually seems like a value when you consider the quality to price ratio. I got the bento box lunch with salmon and tempura. Tempura was crisp and yummy! The salmon was perfectly cooked and the sauce was sweet but not overly so. I also got a spicy yellow tail roll, which was fresh, spicy and delish! Great place for a quick casual lunch. Recommended.
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Nagano Sushi
Cuisine: Sushi
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Inner Richmond |
7/19/2007
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When you get tons of food for about $11 but can't eat it due to the poor quality that's not cheap or a value, it's a waste. We stopped in here for lunch and got the bento box. The tempura was not crisp and was very greasy due to not being fried at the right temperature, uneatable. The miso was average. They brought lots of extra little salads and veggie dishes that were not appealing and I could not eat them. The service was very fast and friendly. I would not return and cannot recommend.
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Ichiraku Japanese Restaurant
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
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Inner Richmond |
7/19/2007
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Yummy lunch at a low price. I had the beef teriyaki and tempura lunch combo at just under $7. The beef was tender and perfectly cooked. The tempura was light and crisp. The salad was simple, shredded iceberg with a slice of tomato, the dressing was a Japanese version of thousand island, which I really enjoyed. The miso soup was nice with plenty of tofu and green onions. I also ordered a salmon/tuna roll that was not good, poorly rolled, falling apart and the flavor was off. The decor could use a make over but at theses prices I would not complain and just get it to go next time. Over all it was a good experience and I will return for that wonderfully tender beef!
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Miyoshi Sushi & Grill
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
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Inner Richmond |
7/19/2007
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Memories flooding back, summertime, riding my bike with my pals to the Lakewood Pharmacy for lunch billed to the family “account”. Mounting myself on the swivel stool at the counter and ordering a club and a malted shake, extra malt please! A sweet and simple time in my childhood growing up in Texas, I had it good. Bless the St. Francis Fountain shop, a place where we can be transported to a simple time. This is not a theme diner; it's the real deal. I had the 49er sandwich, egg salad, crisp bacon on toasted bread accompanied by fresh cut fries. YUM!! I really wanted a milk shake but I was just too full to really enjoy it. Service was accommodating and friendly. The crowd was a mixed bag of young local hipsters and little old ladies, which most likely have been regulars for longer than I've been alive. I love this place and wish it were closer to home. I even briefly considered moving to the hood. Highly recommended!
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St. Francis Fountain
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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Mission |
7/12/2007
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Dad says, “I want seafood for dinner” I pulled that Tadich card out with glee. Oops! The entrees were barely passable. The halibut was terribly overcooked and had no flavor, the saffron sauce was in reality a bland broth. The service was un-nerving, we couldn't tell if he was trying to be funny or rude. My Mother asked if they had flavored tea, waiter said, “Yes, tea” (pause, Mother looks confused and inquires again) waiter, “Tea” long pause, “Our tea is TEA flavored” More comments like this followed, as if he had been asked the same questions over and over and had a flip answer for all of them and we were simple country folk that didn't understand his big city humor (demeaning, not so funny). Don't mess with my Mama. He was more upbeat and kind toward the end of the meal, not sure why. Not really interested in returning, soured on Tadich.
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Tadich Grill
Cuisine: Seafood American (Traditional)
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Downtown |
6/25/2007
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I've become a food snob, a San Francisco Foodist, our city offers such a wide variety of cuisines and has such a condensed pool of talented restaurateurs and chefs; it's difficult for smaller cities to compete for my pallet. Chef Hugene's menu stands up to the progressive SF restaurants while pleasing the local loyal San Carlos regulars. The decor is elegant and modern with an Italian feel. I started my meal with the Iron Skillet Mussels, the skillet comes out sizzling and shells are charred and crumbly. A winner! Next I had the Crab Fennel Avocado and Grapefruit salad; it could have used more grapefruit and less dressing, however I like the concept and the flavor combination. Next Prawns with Lemon Risotto toped with Frizzled Lemons and Leeks, zesty and creamy risotto toped with perfectly cooked prawns, yum! Lastly I choose Pastry Chef Sharon's take on the traditional Italian Zabaione,using Muscat wine and a top the mound of fresh berries sits a Lavender Madeleine. Enjoy!
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Piacere Restaurant
Cuisine: California Italian
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San Carlos |
6/16/2007
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I have heard this theory that people always love the burrito place that is closest to them, you become familiar with the place, they begin to know you and know how you like it. It's so easy to walk into your neighborhood place and say, “the regular.” One forgets how hard it was to get to that point, how many times you ordered it wrong, they got it wrong, or both. I was reminded of this when I was staring up at the menu at El Burrito Express, they do it different. A “Super” is really a “Regular”, no cheese. The one I decided would be closest to what I get at my regular hood burrito place was the El Bronco Burrito, cheese, avocado, meat, pot beans, and salsa. When I got home I realized that the Bronco does not come with rice, oops. Regardless I was happy with what I got, large chunks of avocado (not an extra, standard) and nicely seasoned meat. Also they give chips and salsa with every order (no extra charge). CASH ONLY, so bring some. Enjoy!
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El Burrito Express
Cuisine: Mexican
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Outer Sunset |
6/11/2007
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Exceptional exotic fish flown in from Japan several times a week. I had the Shima Aji (Yellow Jack), which is now my favorite. It's so light and tastes like the ocean (in a good way), very fresh. We also had Blue fin tuna and the Moon dog Roll. This is in the top 3 sushi experiences of my life!! On the way home I kept reflecting on the fabulous fish and would randomly say, “dame that was some good sushi!” The fish was so outstanding I didn't use any soy sauce, which for me is unheard of when enjoying sushi. The owner Jin, formally head sushi chef at Ebisu, opened his small restaurant 8 years ago and I can't believe that I have not heard about it before, somebody has been holding out on us! If you know and appreciate great fish you must give Ariake a try, have a seat at the bar and ask for the “Chef's Special, the good stuff” tell Jin “Angela from Tastyr sent me”, prepare to be dazzled. Enjoy!
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Ariake
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
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Outer Richmond |
6/5/2007
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Ai (heart) Sushi is where the party is. The walls are covered with photo evidence of the night you had too much sake and danced on the table or when you went out with the gang and serenaded your secret crush karaoke style (of course again after too much sake) The place has that young fun party vibe, Salt ‘n Peppa's “Push it” song playing in the back ground, the place makes you want to dance or something. The décor is funky hipster thrift store with some traditional Japanese staples. The owners and servers couldn't be sweeter. While I didn't try the sushi, I did have the BBQ spare ribs that were great, thin cuts of spare ribs, grilled and covered in a yummy sauce. The miso was a stand out, rich broth and lots of seaweed. They offer a private Karaoke dinning room upstairs; you must reserve it in advance, however there is no extra fee for the room as long as everybody eats. If you are ready to party this is the place for you.
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Ai Sushi
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
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Outer Richmond |
6/5/2007
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Unlike Wayne, I enjoyed the funky decor and the break from the traditional Japanese thing. Bob Marley playing in the back ground, plates flying to glitter enhanced custom painted/decorated tables, the hip young crowd with funny T-shirts, saying things like, “Fat kids are harder to kidnap.” Yes it was loud and not so intimate, I would not recommend for a date that you actually want to have a deep conversation with, I would recommend to a small group of friends that want to have some creative fresh rolls and some hot/cold sake. I hear that cold sake is higher quality and hot is served that way to hide its inferior nature. At any rate they offer both, hot and cold. I had the Spicy Tuna Roll, the Baby Lobster hand roll and the Red Roll. I enjoyed them all, fresh and well rolled ;) Portions were good for the price. Make a reservation!
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Sushi Bistro
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
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Inner Richmond |
6/3/2007
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After serving jury duty I was ready for some lunch. I've heard so much about Osha and I love Thai, that it was an obvious choice. Not much to look at from the outside, inside minimalist modern black tables and chairs, a TV and a shrine. I sat down parched from the walk and immediately was served water, it's a small thing but one I appreciate, I'm a thirsty girl. I ordered a Thai Iced Tea, Tom Ka Soup and the Red Duck Curry. The iced tea was huge but too sweet and over creamed, I'm picky about my tea. The soup was good, could have used a bit more lemon grass and I like it with tomatoes and fresh cilantro but it was enjoyable. The duck was very nice, big chucks of pineapple and tomatoes, duck was tender and flavorful yet not so plentiful. Service was spot on, really friendly and on top of refilling my water, YES! Total was $27 including tip, which was enough food for three meals.
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Osha Thai Noodle Cafe
Cuisine: Thai Noodle Shops
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Tenderloin |
6/3/2007
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Went in for lunch and had the crispy duck salad. Service was adequate. I agree with Kushnir that the décor is a generic “island” theme, resembling what I'd imagine the Best Western in Hawaii would look like. The food was okay but not worth the price. I did not have a drink, which may have improved my evaluation. I enjoyed checking out the bar with all the Buddha Belly glasses and the Bamboo shot glasses. I would be up for going back for cocktails and some small plates but would not return for a real meal.
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Trader Vic's
Cuisine: Polynesian
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Civic Center |
6/3/2007
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Similar to their sister restaurant in the Outer Sunset, Kitaro serves up cheap sushi and big portions. Again with the “grilled chicken rolls”, this item on the menu is a huge cue, it shouts “SUSHI for the MASSES.” This is not an outstanding culinary experience however you can get 3 yummy rolls for about $14, which I found out is way too much for one person. I got it to go, and yes the service was void of any personality or warmth, which is okay because I took my rolls and got the heck outa there. This is a go to place when you have a sushi craving and you just can't bring yourself to buy sushi at Albertson's. I enjoyed my Godzilla roll and I'm not ashamed of it. I will be back for more.
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Kitaro Restaurant
Cuisine: sushi japanese
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Outer Richmond |
5/29/2007
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On the morning walk, which turned into a very long hike, I found myself with low blood sugar and totally dehydrated, yikes! Wayne suggested we get lunch and I nodded, as I had already lost my speech from the dehydration or was it the low blood sugar? At any rate I get a little loopy when I don't eat and drink, go figure ;) We stopped in Sanmi, which we had passed a million times on Geary. We decided to get Bento Boxes; I had the beef, tempura and sashimi. You get all three plus, rice, salad, soup and hot tea for about $11. Deal! The tempura was among the best I've had, light batter and very flavorful sauce with raw radish. The wasbi seemed of better quality, maybe fresh rather than paste? The sashimi was passable. The service was kind and friendly. I enjoyed my visit and I will return. Enjoy!
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Sanmi Restaurant
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
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Inner Richmond |
5/29/2007
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I've heard so many negative reviews of this place that I had low expectation, I was not overly impressed with the food and felt the quality was good to fair, prices are high for what you get food wise. Complementary popovers are nice. With that said the view couldn't be beat, pelicans, seals and WHALES! There she blows! The world class view more than makes up for paying $17 for a Crab and Avocado Omelet, great place for family brunch. Friendly, happy service. Make a reservation or prepare to wait 45min or more to be seated. We walked here this morning from home, a good hike and a great way to spend the morning. Recommended for brunch. Enjoy!
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Cliff House Bistro
Cuisine: Californian
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Outer Richmond |
5/27/2007
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Finally got over here for the true Italian deli experience! Today was so sunny and beautiful that some girlfriends and I decided to have a picnic in the Washington Square park. I'm ashamed to admit that I neglected North Beach for the first few years I lived here, not sure why but there it is. I recently took Grace Ann Walden's famous North Beach walking tour and fell in love with the area. So we wanted a real Italian deli, I searched and found Molinari and LOVED it! I felt like I was back in Italy. I ordered a huge prosciutto, mozzarella, and sun dried tomato on a toasted rosemary focaccia bun. WOW, the prosciutto was piled on, must have been $10 of prosciutto on my sandwich! I also indulged my cheese obsession and bought a variety of cheeses to take home. I druled over the olives and decided to save those for next time, which is a good reason to come back. We found a bit of shade in the park and ate our Italian picnic, it was a good day! I will return often. Enjoy!
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Molinari Delicatessen
Cuisine: Italian Deli
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North Beach |
5/8/2007
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Stopped in here to pick up desert for our "it's sunny" picnic in North Beach. We got some Italian Pignoli (pine nut) Cookies, these are the best!! They look dry and crunchy but a chewy almond surprise awaits. They are made with almond paste, flour, sugar, eggs and rolled in pine nuts then baked. They are so good but are not the most attractive cookie around. We also got a Black and White slice of cake, chocolate and white cake stacked with whipped cream in between topped with a thin layer of thick chocolate frosting. Yum!
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Stella Pastry
Cuisine: Italian Pastry Coffee
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North Beach |
5/8/2007
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We took a group of reviewers here for the "No corkage fee" Tuesday extravaganza! Wine tasting anyone?? Thanks everyone for bring the killer wine! Zazie is my new go to casual French place, I loved it! The food was affordable and of the highest quality, I had the steamed mussel's, WILD salmon and a creme de pot all for $22 bucks. How do they do it? The very best thing about Zazie is the warm and friendly owner and staff. The place has loads of heart and I'm smitten. I really am head over heels and scratching my head wondering when and where the second location can get cooking! They have got a winning formula and expansion should be on the horizon. The place has been around just shy of 20 years, the current owner worked her way up and then bought the place. The location originally was a school house that was chopped into smaller retail spaces, one of which houses my new restaurant crush. Do your self a favor and make a reservation. Enjoy!
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Zazie
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
5/7/2007
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Looking for a new lunch spot after a visit to the zoo, yes I'm a kid at heart, we stumbled on this little tiny one man show of a restaurant. Small sparse tiny dining room. The menu was mostly Thai and veggie friendly. I opted for the special Seared Duck Breast with Avocado and Papaya salad $13.95 and a Thai Ice Tea. Yum, duck was perfectly cooked and seasoned, crisp skin and moist inside, cut and fanned out on the plate. The salad was light, fresh and just what I had in mind. Portions were reasonable for the price but not for the more is better crowd. The Thai Iced Tea was okay, too sweet for my taste, however good ratio of tea to cream (just a splash of cream is the best IMO)I'm picky about my Thai Tea, it's such a treat when I order it, if it's not perfect then I'm disregulated because I just wasted 5 thousand calories on a drink that's going to give me a glucose deficit in about 70 minutes and I didn't even enjoy it. Aside from the Iced Tea, I really liked David's and I will return.
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David's Kitchen
Cuisine: Asian Fusion
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Outer Sunset |
5/7/2007
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We visited the new San Rafael location and had the privilege of dinning with Gaspare and his lovely wife Robin. Gaspare is originally from Sicily and jumped ship over 20 years ago when he fell in love with Robin, a San Francisco native. Gaspare always dreamed of opening his own Pizzeria using the Sicilian pizza making techniques he grew up with in Italy. Over 2 decades later, their children help run the show, Danny manages the new location and their youngest daughter is the hostess. The new location serves food until midnight and boasts a full bar which has already become a local hang out. I started with a Pomegranate Martini; it was refreshing and perfectly icy, so much so I had to have another! The Calamari Fritti was next, perfectly tender fried calamari accompanied by two dipping sauces. For my main I had the Veal Parmigiana, which was so tender I could cut it with a fork. The thin crust pizza, which we ordered for the table, defiantly stands up to the Geary location. Enjoy!
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Gaspare's Pizzeria
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
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San Rafael |
4/30/2007
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I love Chef Kirk's adventurous creativity, I'm delighted when a Chef can surprise me. Started with the Mango Spring rolls, light, refreshing, perfect for spring. Ceviche Mini Tacos, YUM! I would go back just for those tacos! I also had the Halibut baked with herbs in parchment paper with fingerling potatoes. The presentation was creative; the parchment paper was formed into a little basket, beautiful. The flavors were delicate and refined, I ate every bite. Desserts, Berry Creme Brule and a hot Berry Crisp topped with ice cream. Oh Chef Kirk, you devil, if there is anything besides dark chocolate that will tame me, its fruit and cream! Area for improvement would be to think through the menu in a more “big picture” way. While all the dishes could stand on their own, I felt the menu was too disjointed with no common thread to string the experience together. With that said, I will return to be surprised and delighted!
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Cafe Kati
Cuisine: Asian Californian Fusion
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Japantown |
4/23/2007
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The key word is value. This is a place to take young people on a budget, lots of families and take out. It's the first sushi place I've seen grilled chicken “sushi” rolls, not sure how they can call that sushi but I'm sure plenty of people suffering from Ichtyophobia (fear of fish) order it. I had a few different rolls. Godzilla roll was nice; it had a wasabi sauce that was unique and mildly spicy. Service was friendly and quick. This is a place to go when you can't spend a lot but you are carving sushi, skip the Safeway prepackaged plates and come here. Best quality for the price in my opinion. Dinner for two, ordering 3 rolls each was $30 tip and tax included. Enjoy!
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Kiki's Japanese Restaurant
Cuisine: Japanese Asian Sushi
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Inner Sunset |
4/23/2007
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Shimo has been a neighborhood favorite for many years for a reason! The fish is fresh and the chefs are talented and friendly. When you order something spicy, it actually comes out spicy. They have original rolls and familiar favorites. Good miso. They are open late and aim to please. Recommended. Enjoy!
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Shimo
Cuisine: sushi japanese
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Outer Richmond |
4/23/2007
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1911 was a big year for bakeries in this city, both Schubert's and Liguria were founded in that year as well as one other I can't recall. Maybe there was a sale on ovens, or maybe the city was just ready for some sweetness after the long recovery from the big earthquake. Walking into Schubert's always brings a smile to my face. You can buy by the slice or the whole dame cake. My favorite is the Swedish Princess Cake, a white layer cake with raspberry, custard and whipped cream filling all under a green marzipan icing. The runner up is the currant cheesecake, which is much lighter than traditional cheesecake. The mousse cake was light and not too sweet but not worth repeating when the Swedish Princess cake is an option! All the cakes are ornately decorated almost to much so, they are all very impressive to bring to a party and you can have a custom message written on all in about 2 minutes. All the cakes are a great value for what you get ranging from $15-$39 depending on size.Enjoy!
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Schubert's Bakery
Cuisine: Desserts Bakery
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Inner Richmond |
4/22/2007
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Modern California Chinese food in a unique setting for a fair price. I love the hand blown glass sculptures and the ornate Asian statues. We started with the combination plate, which includes: egg rolls, crab ragoon, pot stickers, drums of heaven accompanied by various sauces. Wayne asked for an extra order of pot stickers, he doesn't like to share. I'm not a fan of pot stickers, however these were outstanding and huge! The crab ragoon was perfect; you can't go wrong with crab and cream cheese. The egg rolls were perfectly fried and stuffed with fresh veggies, yum! By far the best app was the Drums of Heaven, crisp, juicy, spicy and delish! The mango beef was my favorite main, beautifully presented with orchid bloom, star fruit and berries on a black plate. The beef was tender and of good quality and the spicy peppers contrasted the sweet mango perfectly. Sweet and spicy, my favorite combination! The sunflower seed chicken was spicy and everyone at the table raved about it. The service
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Eliza's
Cuisine: Chinese
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Pacific Heights |
4/21/2007
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In 1911, three brothers opened a bakery on a corner across the street from a park in North Beach. Today their decedents arrive early, mix the dough and fire it in the same original oven. Liguria is a northwestern region of Italy on the coast famous for focaccia bread, of which this bakery is named after. They serve plain, green onion, mushroom, pizza, rosemary, rosemary garlic and raisin. When they sell out, usually mid afternoon, they close and that's it for the day; forgettaboutit. I love this place; I was introduced to it by Grace Ann Walden on her North Beach walking tour, which I highly recommend. I just picked up a green onion a few days ago and decided its destiny was that of a hamburger bun! Wayne fired up the grill and smoked some burgers, I sliced the focaccia and spread it with mayo, salt and pepper, some sprouts and sliced cherry tomatoes. It was fantastic! The focaccia is a 12' square for about $3.50; I'd pay twice the price. Enjoy!
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Liguria Bakery
Cuisine: Italian Bakeries
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North Beach |
4/21/2007
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Tom Colicchio's west cost incarnation of his east coast sandwich shop, which claims to blend fine dining and top notch ingredients into a handheld meal for the average Joe. I was so excited to try this place, like Jill, I had read about it and watched Top Chef, so I had high expectations. The design of the shop is high-end modern minimalist cafeteria. I asked for a recommendation and they simply said “Everything's good.” I ordered the goat cheese sandwich and the soup of the day. It turned out that the soup was cheddar potato, which ended up being way too much cheese in one sitting. The soup was basic but good. The sandwich was disappointing, I imagined the bread would be toasted or grilled to stand up to the goat cheese. It was not, in fact the bread was soggy and wet on the bottom slice, gross and uneatable. I would like to see some pairings on the menu, between the soups, sandwiches and salads. If I'm in the area I might give them another try, but wouldn't go out of my way again.
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wichcraft
Cuisine: American Bistro Deli
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Downtown |
4/21/2007
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I was so proud of myself, parking right in front and no line at Mama's, I had found the best time and day to avoid the lines and finally try the breakfast everyone has been buzzing about. My mouth was watering, as I approached I saw that Mama had won again, darn you Mama and your famous breakfast. CLOSED on MONDAYS!!!! Totally deflated we walked across the street to see if we could score some focaccia bread at Liguria. We asked where to go for breakfast as they wrapped up our bread, they suggested Cafe Divine. We walked to the end of the block and had a seat. I had the waffle's with walnuts, bananas and whipped cream and my Mama had the biscuits and gravy. While the ingredients and flavors were top notch, both dishes came out barely warm, not hot. They fixed the problem, we enjoyed the coffee, our breakfast and the really cute North Beach Firemen that came in right after us. All and all I came out a winner. Mama we will meet again and I will prevail!!
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Cafe Divine
Cuisine: Pizza Sandwiches Salads
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North Beach |
4/21/2007
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What a find! I've been stopping by here once a week for the last few weeks and picking up some bbq pork spring rolls ($3) and my new favorite lemon grass tofu triangles($3.50). I cut up the tofu and stir fry it with some brocclini, it's pretty healthy and delish. The first time I made it, Wayne the Tofu-phobic, said "wow that was so much better than I thought it would be... (girlfriend's face sours)... uh I mean that was fantastic sweetie!" So this is the kind of place you park in front, run in and grab it to go, in 4 minutes flat your on your way. Perfect to pick up to have a quick picnic lunch in the park. They also offer sandwiches with grilled chicken or pork or veggies ($3.50) which I have not tried yet. It's a great value and the perfect go to place for healthy eats on the run. Enjoy!
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Little Vietnam Cafe
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Inner Richmond |
4/17/2007
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Impressive atmosphere compared to most Vietnamese restaurants, casual but defiantly higher end than the average hole in the wall. The prices are slightly higher but the atmosphere is worth a few extra bucks IMO. We stopped in here for lunch and were not disappointed. I had the BBQ pork rice plate $8. The pork was perfectly cooked and seasoned; portion size could have been more generous. The service was quick and friendly. We will return and try the Pho among other items that seemed interesting. Recommended! Enjoy.
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Pho Tu Do
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Inner Richmond |
4/3/2007
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I stopped in here for a quick bite and was pleased for the most part. I had the Tom Kai, coconut milk soup with chicken and mushrooms. It was hot and tasty, lot's of lemon grass and mushrooms, totally satisfying. I also had a Thai Iced Tea, which ended up being an area for improvement. The tea was way, WAY TOO SWEET, was 2/3 cream and ultimately undrinkable. I like a mildly sweet tea with just a splash of cream, this was a glass of cream with a splash of tea. The service was fast and super friendly! I like the open kitchen and didn't notice any residual food smell, like other reviewers mentioned...however it was late afternoon and not too crowded so not as much cooking going on. I will return and am delighted to try other dishes from this location. Fast, clean, tasty and very reasonably priced. Recommended.
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King of Thai
Cuisine: Thai
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Outer Sunset |
3/26/2007
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After my group passed on Wraps Delight, which is a popular, dingy, convenience store that serves Vietnamese sandwiches, pressed for time we tried Phu Huong aka Pink Flamingo a few doors down. Located 50 ft from the Federal Building, it's a quick, cheap, relatively tasty lunch spot. It's nothing special in the décor department but the soup was fresh and light. I enjoyed my Heo xao dau ho lan, which is pork sautéed with snow peas and mushrooms. ($5) If I was in the hood and was pressed for time I'd return. I have to say I was taken back by the Wraps Delight place, it was not at all what I anticipated based on the reviews I've read, I'm sure the sandwiches are delightful how ever the rawness of the ambiance is an appetite killer. Pink Flamingo...yes, Wraps Delight...no.
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Phu Huong
Cuisine: Vietnamese Chinese
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Civic Center |
3/17/2007
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Average American pizza experience, perfectly executed for what it is. Thicker crust than I care fore unless it's a deep dish from Little Star, hmmmm Little Star Pizza. In the age of the San Francisco Pizza Renaissance, average pizza parlors need to elevate their game in order to compete with the likes of Pizzetta 211, Zachary's, Pizzeria Delfina and Little Star. I would compare Giorgio's quality to that of Seniore's Pizza in the outer Sunset, except Seniore's charges about $10 less per pie than Giorgio's. I found the ingredients of average quality, bland and really nothing special. It's the kind of pizza you eat in college, a notch above the Hut and Domino's. With that said, they seems to have a loyal following and have been around for a while so they must be doing something right, I guess it's just not my kind of place.
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Giorgio's Pizzeria
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
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Inner Richmond |
3/17/2007
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Maybe Dim Sum is just not for me. I have only really enjoyed it at a location that's not really known for Dim Sum (Shanghi 1930... also Mayflower is good) . Do most places use lots of preservatives or something? I seem to get a little sick feeling after I eat Dim Sum, except for the place I mentioned. Like Wayne said we stumbled in here on our morning walk and had an early brunch. Started with the shrimp dumplings, which were very sticky but flavorful and the shrimp was fresh. Pot stickers were huge, Wayne seemed to like them but I'm not a fan in general of pot stickers. The stuffed mushrooms were good and the sauce was rich and flavorful, winner! We also ordered the Orange Beef, which was very disappointing, no orange peel or zest in the sauce, it was a red syrup sauce which was way too sweet and tasted like it was out of a jar. The service was very friendly and the prices low, $17 for two. I can't recommend as I do not wish to return.
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Happy Garden
Cuisine: Chinese Sea Food Dim Sum
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Inner Richmond |
3/10/2007
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One of my favorite people in the world had her birthday brunch here with friends and family. We were a large party (15 people) and I was dreading a very long wait and being sandwiched in by diners on either side. This was NOT the reality, we had a reservation and they set up a long table out back to accommodate us. The menu was extensive and the portions were large for the price. I had my mind set on biscuits and gravy. The biscuits were nice and fluffy; the gravy was made with bacon instead of sausage. I prefer the spicy sausage gravy my mom makes but my Mom is a 4-hour drive away, so I'll settle for the pork store. I was very curious about the chicken fried steak (next time), as I have not found a good one in California. Everyone was happy and it was a wonderful afternoon, we were not rushed out. Good place for groups as apposed to the tiny Haight location. I enjoyed it and will return.
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Pork Store
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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Mission |
2/6/2007
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I was walking by on my way to do some shopping and noticed NO LINE at the Beard Papa counter. I thought I'd better get it while I can without the wait. I have read about people waiting for 20+ minutes to get their puff fix. I ordered a Vanilla with vanilla bean filling. They served it in a wrapper rather than a plate, which when held, all the filling slides to the down end. Nevertheless I ventured forward into my puff experience, slightly crisp then soft creamy vanilla custard, very nice. I was not expecting the thick custard as I'm used to the lighter European puff. I enjoyed it and will visit again when in the hood, might even pick up a dozen for a party sometime.
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Beard Papa
Cuisine: Japanese Bakeries
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Downtown |
1/23/2007
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Got a extra-large pie to bring home to the boys, we live near by so it was still fresh but I think it would have been better if we had it there. It's an old school family style pizza joint that's been around forever, (I'd love to know more about the history, if anyone is in the know) they have the little pizza stands on every table and the staff is hopping fast. The pizza is ultra thin and much more delicate than the competition in their price range, $19 for an extra large. Pick-up only, no delivery. I enjoyed it and will return often!
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Gaspare's Pizza House
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
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Outer Richmond |
12/9/2006
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It's fast, cheap and filling. Much better that the chain pizza farms, and you know who you are. At 9pm you can stop in pick up an extra-large pie for about $15 and feed the hungry waiting at home. I can think of many other places I prefer, (little star and Gaspare's come to mind) but none as convenient late at night for that low low price. It's also rather entertaining, the later it is, the more great people watching opportunity's arise. The people that work there are very friendly considering the element they deal with late at night. Enjoy!
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Seniore's Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
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Outer Sunset |
12/9/2006
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Maybe this restaurant has improved given the previous reviews, my experience was a positive one. It was cold and rainy and all my companions really wanted something fast, hot and soupy. We stumbled upon this place and decided to give it a go. I had the Hu Tieu Dai Ba Nam Sa Dec (try and say that 3 times fast :) which is a noodle soup with seafood, quail egg, sliced pork, spare rib, and ground pork. I was happy with my extra large bowl of steaming noodles and meat, yes I agree the broth is a little bland but the other ingredients were of good quality for the price ($6.75). The service was fine. Overall a good low cost lunch. Enjoy!
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Pho Vietnam
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Tenderloin |
12/9/2006
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A huge slice and a salad for $5 makes a great quick lunch. Seems like a family run biz, which is always a plus. If I was in the area I would stop by again.
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Victor's Pizzeria
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
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Polk St./Van Ness |
12/9/2006
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Old school beachfront dinner, serving up the best country potatoes and omelets I've had in the city. The décor is a time capsule, traditional dinner set up, booths and counter. The owner must be a movie buff; original classic movie stills line the walls as well as vintage San Francisco photos. I've heard this is one of the oldest restaurant spaces in the city, originally owned by the San Francisco Zoo founder Herbert Fleishhacker a philanthropist and president of the SF Parks Commission back in 1929. Okay back to the food, try the El Paso omelet and ask for some avocado in the mix. The omelets are fluffy, chalked full of fresh high quality goodies and have a unique crispy edge. Service couldn't be better, very friendly and accommodating. I highly recommend for a casual breakfast! Enjoy!
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John's Ocean Beach Cafe
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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Outer Sunset |
12/4/2006
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Café Majestic is back with a vengeance! Some may remember the historic Pac Heights restaurant that was considered among the most elegant dinning rooms in SF, then the boom turned to bust and the room, like so many digital dreams, went dark. Four years later, the fair maiden has had a mega make over and is back in business. Chef Shawn-Paul is at the helm, turning out truly inspired American (with a French influence) cuisine. What this man can do with Lamb will make any foodie weak in the knees. The Foie Gras is the absolute best I've had anywhere, a must try! Our server Josh, didn't miss a beat, truly a professional. Stop by the bar before dinner and try a Majestic Martini, shaken by the master bar keep Mike and enjoy the amazing butterfly collection (BTW the largest private collection in Nor Cal) Don't forget dessert! I've tried bites of almost every single one and they all are worth the extra time on the treadmill, house made chocolate truffles…need I say more? Majestic indeed! Enjoy
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Cafe Majestic
Cuisine: American (New)
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Pacific Heights |
11/8/2006
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Really good steak, one of the top 10 in my extensive steak eating experience. My family owned a cattle ranch in Texas and my Dad is the BBQ KING so really great steak was a staple thought my childhood. Wayne makes a mean smoked steak too (the bbq prince)! So the bar was very high for a place that claims to have “The Steak”. I started with the Iron-Skillet Mussels ($14) tiny minuscule mussels w/ a savory garlic butter dipping sauce...not worth the trouble. I had the Bone-in Filet Mignon ($38) med rare, thick tender juicy well seasoned big 'ol hunk of aged beef, yummy! Highly recommend the Basil Martini for the c***tail crowd. The Brussels Sprouts ($7) were soggy and uneatable. Onion rings were crisp and enjoyable. Over all everything was over salted and it's seems like they could throw in the sides when you are paying almost $40 for the steak. For the two of us it was about $180 including tip. Great service, weird decor, great steak and c***tails…sides and apps need some work. Enjoy!
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Boboquivari's
Cuisine: Steakhouse Crab Seafood
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Marina |
11/5/2006
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Fantastic traditional old world bakery with methods and recipes brought from the home land, Sicily. The faces have changed but the taste and quality remains. They even still use the original almost 100 year old brick oven. The Amaretti ai Pignoli (Pine Nut Cookie) is a little bite of heaven, buttery, not too sweet, chewy and crunchy...simply lovely. The cakes are unique and of the highest quality. They have some young cute Italian guys working the counter which is a plus in my book, however they lack experience and need to be properly trained. They were backed up with people waiting to pay and pick up their orders, you'd think they had 100 customers but the reality it was only about 4. They'll improve and it's worth the wait for those little pine nut delights. Order a batch for your next party. I will. Enjoy!
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Victoria Pastry Co
Cuisine: Bakeries
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North Beach |
9/25/2006
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The draw to Market Bar is the vast available outside dinning. On a rare sunny day in San Francisco the patio is the perfect place to be. Great bartenders serving up perfect cocktails with a smile. Servers are on the ball, very friendly and helpful. The menu could use some reworking; the descriptions don't really adequately set diners expectations. For example, the “Tuna Bruschetta, cherry tomato salad, De Padova coratina olive oil” I thought it would be high grade raw tuna, like a tartar with an Italian twist. It turned out to be a mayo (canned) tuna salad with cherry tomatoes, which just didn't work. The Tuna Daube (stew) was a mismatch; I think lamb would have been a better pairing. The stew portion was fantastic; the tuna was over cooked and dry, again I think lamb would have complemented the flavors in the stew instead. Stick with the basics, like the Heirloom Tomato Salad and the Roasted Salmon, both perfectly prepared. Enjoy!
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MarketBar
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Seafood Italian
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Embarcadero |
9/18/2006
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Given the reputation, I was ready to be delighted. I started, as any celebratory meal should, with a Bellini. The Champagne was nice but was lacking the fresh white peach flavor that makes a Bellini heavenly, disappointing. I choose the Tuna Tartare as a starter, perfectly delicate tuna diced with cucumber and capers, assaulted by a burly French Onion Dip and potato chips? The onion dip on top overpowered the tuna, disappointing. Okay time for a new cocktail, one Blood Orange Martini please. Bitter more like pink grapefruit than the slightly sweet perfume of the blood orange. The waiter suggested I pair the tuna with the Crispy Prawns, so I did. The entrée seemed more like a starter to me, a dish to be shared before the real food got there. The shrimp was perfectly fried and of high quality. I enjoyed the air-cured pork “hairs” but still nothing outstanding. The only thing worth repeating from this meal was the dark chocolate truffle that we finished with, they were perfection.
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BOULEVARD
Cuisine: American (New)
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Embarcadero |
8/29/2006
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This is the kind of magical meal you replay in your mind for days after, like a secret crush that pops into your head and makes you smile in a quite moment. This is modern Moroccan cuisine, so enjoy it with an open mind. They offer a generous seasonal 5 course-tasting menu for $42 per person, the catch is the entire party must order it. You get your choice of soup, entrée, dessert and basteeya, and then the chef chooses apps for the table. I started with the Green Lentil soup with a lemon/tomato broth, lovely. Then we had the Three Spreads, which I highly recommend! The Basteeya is shared; it's like a spicy ground chicken pastry with powdered sugar on top. For my main I had the Stewed Lamb & Charred Eggplant, a rich savory dish, dreamy! For dessert the Dark Cocoa Tartlet, truly decadent. Inspired c***tails list, I tried the Fez Fizz, champagne with pomegranate puree, light and perfectly balanced. Service was top notch, with extensive wine expertise. Thanks for the wine pairings Max!
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Aziza
Cuisine: Moroccan
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Outer Richmond |
8/22/2006
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Canteen is lucky to have, what must be one of the hardest working chefs in SF. Canteen is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with Chef Dennis Leary preparing every dish before your very eyes in the open kitchen. With only 20 seats available, it's worth the wait. The décor is best described as hipster diner and features a few yard sale finds. It's really about the food. We visited for lunch; I had the #1 Tuna; raw tuna with eggplant puree, cherry tomatoes w/ basil and a lovely savory sauce. I choose to fully indulge and paired it with the Rose Sparkling Wine, together with the tuna it was perfection! I see a great future for Chef Leary and a much larger venue to share his great talent. I can't wait to try dinner. Try it once and you'll be hooked. Enjoy!
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Canteen
Cuisine: Californian
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Tenderloin |
8/21/2006
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Just ordered delivery from this place and was very pleased. They got it here in about 30 minutes. I ordered the Red Curry with Duck, Pad Thai and went with the recommendation of Riffgurl and tried the Stuffed Chicken Wings. The curry had generous portions of perfectly cooked and flavor filled duck, lovely. I asked for spicy and got what I'd consider light to medium spicy, next time I'll ask them to really bring the heat. The pad Thai was on par with most that I've had but could have used a few more shrimp. The stuffed chicken wings were a total risk; I have never had them so all I knew was there would be chicken wings stuffed with something. I enjoyed the fried wings stuffed with silver noodles and veggies with a spicy sweet sauce. I wasn't quite sure if these were finger food or utensil material and still am not sure. I will order again as this was one of the better Thai delivery options in the area. Improvement: always include a menu with delivery orders. Enjoy!
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Chiang Mai Thai Cuisine
Cuisine: Thai
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Outer Richmond |
8/16/2006
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Looking for good Chinese? Hidden in a non-commercial niche neighborhood in the South Mission stands the Wild Pepper. A casual Chinese restaurant serving up spicy (mostly) Szechwan cuisine in a clean unpretentious dining room. The service is friendly, the food is tasty and the prices are affordable. Go for the Chef's Specials, we did and were not disappointed. The Minced Chicken Lettuce Cups (a must try) were the best I've had anywhere and the Szechwan Crispy Beef was cooked perfectly but could have used a little more spicy red pepper, next time I'll ask for extra spicy. We also tried the Lemon Fish, which is breaded and fried flounder fillet in a sweet lemon sauce, very nice. They serve lunch, dinner and even offer free delivery. If they were closer to my home I'm sure I'd be there every week. Enjoy!
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Wild Pepper
Cuisine: Chinese
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Mission |
8/9/2006
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Classic SF lunch spot, 92 years in business serving generation after generation of hungry San Franciscans. During the day it's got that country club vibe, retired couples fresh off the golf course. Fathers treating their daughters to a late lunch. Businessmen grabbing a bite, a group of ladies that lunch enjoying a few bottles of choice wine. The very colorful bartender entertaining the regulars at the bar. Then at night a complete turn around, no longer a family restaurant but a jam-packed Mariana social hub. So if you are interested in dining come early. The lunch menu is traditional American fair; I had the crab cakes with a spicy jalapeno sauce, lots of fresh crab. I got to taste the pulled pork sandwich, a very generous serving of pork however I found the sauce way too sweet, the house made chip were a nice touch but the fresh cut fries were the best thing on the table, a must try. Area for improvement, offer a few alternative salad dressings, not everybody likes vinaigrette.
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Balboa Cafe
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Hamburgers Brunch
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Cow Hollow |
7/31/2006
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I really enjoyed my visit to this unpretentious Marina gem. The services was outstanding, knowledgeable and efficient. I had a difficult time deciding, everything sounded so tempting. The waitress helped me settle on the Arroz con Mariscos, which is paella flavored with a cilantro rather than saffron. I love cilantro so I gave it a try, however when cilantro is cooked it loses much of its flavor. I was impressed with the quantity and quality of the seafood, but the overall flavor of the dish was bland in comparison to the other savory dishes we ordered. I loved the Aquadito de Mariscos, which is a spicy creamy chowder loaded with fresh shrimp, perfect for dipping with bread. We also enjoyed the Gambas con jamon, grilled shrimp wrapped in bacon, you can't go wrong with anything wrapped in bacon. I can't wait to go back and try the garlic chicken everyone is writing about. I wish they offered half orders so I could try more items in one visit. I highly recommend and will return often!
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Mi Lindo Peru
Cuisine: Peruvian Spanish Tapas
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Marina |
7/31/2006
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I avoid places with lines of hungry people waiting to get a table because sometimes when a restaurant becomes too popular the quality of everything drops. If the crowds' keep coming, even though the décor is run down and the food is sub par, why should the restaurant spend the extra money and effort? This is the difference between a Restaurateur and a businessperson, a restaurateur is a businessperson but a businessperson is not always a restaurateur. Sunday night, Wayne wants dim sum, no line so why not experience what so many people have enjoyed. Dim Sum didn't seem fresh and the Ton Kiang Orange Spare Ribs where uneatable. Maybe Ton Kiang is riding on its previous reputation, maybe it used to be high quality but that was not the case on my visit. I will not return and I cannot recommend.
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Ton Kiang
Cuisine: Dim Sum Chinese
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Outer Richmond |
7/31/2006
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Very affordable motel coffee shop near the beach with a little Greek menu as well. We had an early lunch here on the way to Golden Gate Park. I had a Gyro that was huge and tasty. Lot's of tourist, hey it's a motel! Nice view of the water and low low prices, $14 for two of us. It's very convenient if you are out that way as there are very few options in the area for a quick bite. Enjoy!
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Seal Rock Inn Restaurant
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners Greek
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Outer Richmond |
7/10/2006
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This place serves family size portions @ family friendly prices in a casual environment. The Spare Ribs were tender and flavorful. The Dim Sum was fresh and tasty. Did you know that Dim Sum chefs are much like French pastry chefs in that they only make Dim Sum and nothing else? I'm just learning to appreciate Dim Sum as an adult, as a child I had an unfortunate first experience with Dim Sum in Chinatown that scared me. I'm working through the Dim Sum trauma and expect a full recovery. My treatment includes regular visits to the Mayflower for Dim Sum Desensitization. I love therapy! Wish me luck ;) Enjoy!
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Mayflower
Cuisine: Chinese Seafood
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Outer Richmond |
5/31/2006
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I have avoided Foreign Cinema; something about the concept troubled me. I thought, “is this another style over substance restaurant? Is this a complementary culinary concept or a cheesy gimmick?” May 2006, several friends coming to the BIG city to celebrate a special Birthday. My mission (as the city mouse), to find the perfect celebratory restaurant that could accommodate a large party, offer something for everyone and have an artistic urban feel that the country mice couldn't find at home. Bullseye! The concept that I feared might be over the top cheese was in fact charming and did not distract from the company, food and wine. The winning “feature” aka entrée was by far the Lavender Scented Pork Chop, simply lovely. I was impressed by the industrial elegant décor, service and food. Improvements? Desserts could use some work, we ordered everything, none of which were memorable. cocktails, surprisingly below average, stick with the extensive wine list and you'll be better off. Enjoy!
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Foreign Cinema
Cuisine: Californian Mediterranean
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Mission |
5/26/2006
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It's not often SF Foodies are lured outside the culinary Mecca that is San Francisco. In SF we hear stories of far off places (like San Mateo;) and wonder to ourselves is it really so unique? Is it really worth the journey? Well my food snob friends I have found such a restaurant, a place that you must experience for yourself. Lure offers a seasonal, all seafood all the time menu, with raw and vegetarian options in a sleek and sexy modern space right in the heart of San Mateo. I started with the Big Eye Tuna (raw), three generous slices of high quality tuna dressed with the Serrano Chile Vinaigrette, outstanding! The Mussels in a Green Curry Cream were large in size and very fresh. I was lucky enough to taste the Confetti Salad, which should not be missed. My main was the dreamy Almond Crusted Pan Fried Sole with Artichokes, Candied Tomatoes in Tangelo Vinaigrette, stellar! Chef May is a genius in the kitchen and her lovely sister Yvette gracefully runs the front of the house. Enjoy!
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Lure
Cuisine: Seafood
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San Mateo |
4/30/2006
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I love Thai food and after reading the previous glowing reviews here I knew I had to give Benjarong a try and I was not disappointed. I took some friends to lunch and we enjoyed the food, service and décor. The prices are slightly higher than other Thai restaurants, however the quality is well worth it. Many Thai restaurants are stingy with the seafood; I found the seafood portions generous at Benjarong. Tom Kha was excellent. Green curry was full of perfectly cooked seafood and was spicy but not overly so. We ordered the Pad Prik King sans any meat and were pleased with the fresh green beans and the over all flavor. Service was friendly and helpful. Decor was modern and fresh. Enjoy!
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BenjarongThai Cusine
Cuisine: Thai
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Marina |
4/30/2006
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I'm spoiled and forever ruined; I will no longer be satisfied with my local Chinese take-out after enjoying an elegant adventure with Shanghai cuisine. It's not just a meal, it's an experience and we were savvy enough to leave the ordering to the experts. We started with the Yangtze River Lite Fry; flash fried river kelp anchored by a small piece of fish accompanied by savory trimmings. Beautiful unique presentation, the river grass stands on end about 10 inches high due to the flash frying. I would come back just for this dish. We enjoyed several mains, the star of the show was the “Fish on a Vine”, this dish is unique to Shanghai and was cutting edge fusion in the 1930's. What makes it is the red wine verjus-soya reduction sauce, the use of red wine in cooking was introduced by the French to Shanghai in that time period and now this dish is considered traditional Shanghai fair. It was perfection. I couldn't have been more pleased with our meal and service, we will return. Enjoy!
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Shanghai 1930 Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
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Embarcadero |
4/20/2006
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Unpretentious, affordable family owned and operated Italian restaurant with some Greek influences. Get a window seat if you can because the location is perfect for people watching and in North Beach there is plenty to see. The specialty here is the pizza, making the crust is a process that spans several days. They do have a wide delivery area so if you don't feel like fighting the traffic in NB you don't have to. Enjoy!
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Viva Restaurant
Cuisine: Pizza Italian Seafood
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North Beach |
3/6/2006
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Sangria and entradas made for a lovely retreat from holiday shopping. I like the sangria here; it’s sweet but not overly so with crisp diced apple. We shared the Choros al Vapor, steamed mussels with chorizo and garlic crostini; the Cangrechoclo, crab cakes and Tequenos, which is a wonton stuffed with crab, shrimp, and cream cheese. Everything was very tasty, however the mussels were served practically cold like they had been sitting out for too long after being cooked. I sent them back and they simply re heated the plate. The flavor was good but I would have preferred them fresh and hot. The crab cakes were delightfully crab filled, not too much filling. The Tequenos were heavenly, very rich with slightly sweet Peruvian Aji dipping sauce. I could eat that sauce on just about anything and enjoy it. Overall a good experience at a fair price and I would return.
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Fresca
Cuisine: Peruvian
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Upper Fillmore |
12/28/2005
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I had high hopes for the Empress; I saw all the beautiful glamour photos and read the reviews. The old girl just doesnt measure up in person. The first clue is when you walk in the entry way there are celebrity pictures from the late 1960 early 1970, all the hot tickets of that era (see Eric Estrada with unidentified blond). It seems that was the time when the Empress reign supreme and she has been riding the 1970s wave of popularity ever since. I kind of like that camp type feel and would go back if the food had been better. They do table side service, which is nice, but the food is not worth the trouble, very mediocre. She does offer a great view and in all fairness she must look better at night, when all the imperfections are hidden (my visit was daytime). Go for the atmosphere, views and service not the food.
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Empress of China
Cuisine: Chinese
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Chinatown |
12/27/2005
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Range offers a limited yet creative seasonal menu selection, so limited on our visit a few in our party had a hard time finding something that sounded appealing, however everything I ordered was dreamy! I really enjoyed my goat cheese and sorrel stuffed pasta with lime butter and chives appetizer, very rich and delicious. I also had the pork rack, which was accompanied by marinated prunes, pecans and creamy hominy, this dish was fantastic! Unfortunately the short ribs came up short, they were very dry and not tender at all. Service at the bar was stellar, very warm, friendly and efficient, however the warm fuzzies ended at the bar. Maybe the stress of the holiday season got to the dinner staff; no one was friendly or even cracked a smile. Over all I enjoyed Range and would be ready and more than willing to give them another shot, everyone has a bad day now and then.
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Range
Cuisine: American (New)
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Mission |
12/26/2005
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I visited recently with a large group of young teens and they loved it! They had a ball with all the unusual photography on the walls. The service was outstanding, considering the size and spirit of our group. I went in with low expectations for the food but was plesently surprised. We ordered three large pasta dishes and two very large pizzas, it was all served family style and was plenty of food for our large party. The cheese pizza was nice, ultra thin crust with a chunky tomatoe sauce. I would not take Michel Bauer or any self-respecting foodie, but for a group of hungry kids it was the perfect choice. Enjoy!
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Buca di Beppo
Cuisine: Italian
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SoMa |
12/17/2005
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Value is the number one draw here; you can get the rice tafel for $9 per person, which includes 4 appetizers, 5 small entrees and a fried banana desert. It's very filling and a tremendous value. This is a very casual little spot to have an inexpensive meal. I thought the two beef dishes were good and the meat skewers where nice, however the peanut sauce was not so good, it had a strange grainy texture and little flavor. If you're in the area, hungry and on a budget give it a try.
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Java Restaurant
Cuisine: Indonesian
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Inner Richmond |
12/17/2005
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Charming French bistro just off Union Square with outdoor seating on Claude Lane and live music on weekends. I started with the Brochette, perfectly grilled prawns skewered with a rosemary twig served on a bed of lightly dressed baby greens. For my main course I had the Agneau, roasted lamb, emergo beans with bacon accompanied by a roasted roman tomato. The lamb was very tender and the sauce gave it the perfect flavor, very nice. I ended with the Moelleux Au Chocolat, flowerless warm chocolate cake served with crème anglaise, OMG this was rich and sinfully decadent, I loved every bite! (Thanks for the recommendation guys!) This would be a great place to meet for Happy Hour, they offer many small plates perfect for sharing and have $4 Infused cocktails 4-7pm everyday! Enjoy!
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Cafe Claude
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Downtown |
11/20/2005
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This review was saved from being a negative by two factors, one the outside dining area rests beside an absolutely beautiful court yard filled with priceless modern sculptures, it just felt really good to be there, high design architecture accompanied by lovely grounds. The other saving grace of the café was the staff, we had a very disappointing below average lunch, however the staff made up for it by replacing everything that was not right and really trying to please us. So really the staff and décor get a great big positive from me, all the trouble is in the kitchen. The dishes read well on the menu and look fantastic but that is it! We ordered several dishes all were very bland, think hospital cafeteria food. Both entrees came out cold and over cooked. Hopefully the kitchen will re-think the recipes and learn how to get the food out hot and prepared properly. Great staff, priceless location, long wait, and kitchen needs a lot of work. I will be back to re-evaluate.
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de Young Cafe
Cuisine: American Bistro
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Inner Richmond |
11/19/2005
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Nice remodeled space, crisp white modern decor. We went for a late lunch and tried the Afternoon Delight. You get soup, coconut rice, fruit, salad and your choice of appetizer and one a la carte entrée, all for about 8 bucks. I choose the crispy tofu w/ peanut sauce and the red curry chicken. Both were tasty and beautifully presented. I also tried the Son Tom salad, a lovely mix of crisp veggies and perfectly grilled prawns with a delicate balance of heat and sweet all plated in a purple cabbage leaf with a generous cashew garnish, very nice. I ended with the fried banana with honey and chocolate with two scoops of coconut ice cream, yummy and perfect for sharing with someone sweet. I can’t wait to go back and try the dinner menu. This is the perfect venue for a large party. Enjoy!
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Be My Guest Thai Bistro
Cuisine: Thai
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Inner Richmond |
11/6/2005
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We tried Anh Hong Saigon with a group of 10 hungry people. A few of the group that had been many times before were appointed to order for the whole bunch and I must say they made excellent choices! I cant tell you the proper names for all the dishes but everything was tasty and fresh. I especially enjoyed the pork with the rice noodle cakes. It’s a clean place that is more about enjoying the food and the company, than about the atmosphere. The service was fast and accommodating. Next time I want to try the 7 course beef. This is a perfect place to take a large group on a budget.
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Anh Hong Saigon
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Tenderloin |
11/1/2005
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Located in the historic Presidio Officers Club, this casual café serves up some hearty portions that wont leave you hungry or broke. I had the Snowe, which is an open-faced roasted turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry chutney all plied high on a large home made biscuit with purple slaw on the side. This is a great cold rainy day, stick to your ribs, day after Thanksgiving kind of meal. The turkey was moist and tender, nice thick slices. The mashers and mushroom gravy was tasty. The cranberry chutney seemed to be freshly made, as did the biscuits. The portions are huge; I couldnt even finish half of it. Note: they do serve beer, wine and organic, free trade coffee and tea, which is nice. The service was warm and friendly. They also offer everything to go, so you can have a picnic in the beautiful Presidio Park. Only open till 3pm
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White Star Cafe
Cuisine: American Bistro Coffee House
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Marina |
10/31/2005
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Good things come in small packages and SUMI is a prime example. The décor is Asian influenced, intimate and sexy. The menu is diverse offering something for everyone. SUMI is celebrating their 20th Anniversary and offering a special 3-course pre fix for $20 before 7pm, an incredible deal for a fresh and creative meal. The steamed mussels served in a unique sake and coconut-curry are a must try for the mussel lovers. The Ahi Tuna Tartare was beautifully presented and was a relatively large portion for the price. For my main I had the Pan-Roasted Salmon, the salmon was perfectly cooked and the baby bok choy was a nice accompaniment. For desert I had the Sumi Sundae, very rich warm gooey chocolate goodness, I recommend sharing. Perfect place for a date, however be sure to make reservations it’s a small popular restaurant. Enjoy!
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SUMI
Cuisine: Fusion
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Castro |
9/11/2005
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The exterior is quite mysterious and gives little indication as to what lies inside. The décor is sleek and urban yet warm and inviting. RNM offers a comfy loft for private parties, complete with two sitting areas, flat screen TV and a large dining table. The loft accommodates 20 for a sit down dinner and 30 for casual drinks and small plates. The menu is inventive, offering many unique yet well thought out combinations. I started with the Brentwood corn soup w/ lobster mushrooms, the texture and balance of flavors was perfect. I also tasted the grilled hearts of romaine, which was outstanding. I would come back just for that salad! For my main I had the grilled pork chop w/ a riff on the traditional potatoes au gratin, very nice. The flavor of the sauce was right on; unfortunately the pork chop was a bit over cooked. Over all it was a positive dinning experience and I would return.
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RNM
Cuisine: American (New)
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Lower Haight |
8/30/2005
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This is a good old-fashioned Italian family style restaurant; they have been in business for 50 years so they must be doing something right. The service was charming and very attentive; they treated us as if we were regulars, if not family. You will not leave hungry, they are running an anniversary special offering one antipasti, plus soup or salad, one entrée, one dessert and a glass of wine for $20!! The calamari fritti was tender and yummy. The Cesare was more traditional than what most restaurants serve (w/anchovies) however the croutons did not seem house made. The star of the show was the Saltimbocca, which is veal stuffed w/prosciutto and mozzarella sautéed with mushrooms and garlic, simply the best I’ve had. I will be back for the Saltimbocca!
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Villa Romana
Cuisine: Italian
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Inner Sunset |
8/29/2005
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I had a special 3-course prix fixe lunch for $20; I started with the butter lettuce and blue cheese salad, simple and yummy. Then I had the grilled chicken and rice, the chicken was slightly over cooked and rather plain. I ended with a strawberry and vanilla bean yogurt type dessert also lacking something. I got the feeling that these were not the best dishes Town Hall has to offer based on the other reviews here. After looking over the regular lunch menu I found some choices that I think would have been much more interesting than what was offered for the prix fixe lunch. When a restaurant offers a special prix fixe, the goal is to attract new repeat customers, so why not offer some of the signature dishes on the special menu and get the new folks hooked and turn them into repeats? My suggestion is to re think the offerings for the special lunch menu, all the dishes had high quality ingredients however nothing I tried wooed me into a repeat visit any time soon.
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Town Hall
Cuisine: American (New)
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SoMa |
8/26/2005
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Usually dinner clubs have only one thing going for them, the food OR the entertainment, but at AsiaSF both are good. You will not go hungry or want for anything very long, I was overwhelmed with the generous hospitality and playful energy of our hosts/hostesses, thanks! The show was great fun, I brought my parents here as a surprise and they loved every min. We all had the 3-course prix fixe and shared, everything we had was good, the standouts were: The steamed mussels with grilled sour dough bread on the side, very spicy! The sansho spiced filet mignon, perfectly cooked medium rare and the sauce was heavenly. THE RIBS are a must try, tender, juicy and seasoned just right. The chocolate lava cake was a lovely finish, warm cake with hot fudge filling served with a scoop of ice cream. If you have not been you must give it a try, enjoy!
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AsiaSF
Cuisine: Californian Asian
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SoMa |
8/16/2005
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I have found, in my limited experience with Indian food, that heat dominates many dishes and burns out many of the other flavors fighting for my taste buds attention. Here the default spice level is mild, this is not to say they don’t know how to “bring the heat” you just have to ask for it. The décor is modern, light and playful as are the menu descriptions. The Chicken Tikka Masala was good. The Lamb Karahi was perfectly cooked. The Raita was very nice and cooled down some of the extra spicy dishes that Wayne ordered. Share a Mango Lassi, it’s yogurt and mangoes blended, it’s sweet but not overly so and is very filling. They deliver so if you don’t feel like making the trip you don’t have too. Enjoy!
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Rotee
Cuisine: Indian Pakistani
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Lower Haight |
8/15/2005
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The décor is a whimsical mix of industrial Sesame Street and Pee Wee’s playhouse, creative, fun and casual... your inner child will love it. I had the wild salmon sandwich w/ lime aioli and garlic fries, yummy. American comfort food with a twist at a reasonable price. Seems kid friendly, they serve mac and cheese and tots! I liked it and look forward to trying dinner here. Today’s review was brought to you by the letter Q.
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Q Restaurant
Cuisine: American (New)
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Inner Richmond |
8/13/2005
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From the first sip of sangria to the last bite of dessert the whole table was delighted, happy faces passing small dishes around for everyone to try. We ate just about everything on the menu and we all had our favorites, these are mine. Seared Tuna with Bleu des Basque Sauce, the tuna was very fresh, tender and seared to perfection. Everyone loved the Duck w/ Caramelized Apples, perfectly cooked. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the Scallops, usually they are not my favorite but these were a cut above the rest, very fresh and tender and the avocado complemented them very nicely. The Piperade, Paella, the Spanish Tortilla and the Chocolate Mousse were all fantastic. I recommend bringing a large group, order a carafe of the mango peach White Sangria(a must try) to start and share as many dishes as your appetite permits. It’s like a trip to Basque country without the jet lag. Enjoy!
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Iluna Basque
Cuisine: French Spanish
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North Beach |
8/5/2005
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Comfort food has been in vogue in SF for a few years now, how about some comfort food that does not include mac and cheese… how about comfort food that hails from the South East region of France, sound good? (Well it is) La Provence is family owned and operated; every element warms the spirit, from the gracious service to the hearty yet relatively healthy cuisine. No detail is over looked in the décor, which has a running theme, the mighty Cigale, which is a cricket like critter that symbolizes summer and prosperity in this part of the world. I started my meal with the Salade de Chevre (a lovely warm goat cheese salad), which was beautifully plated and quite tasty. Then I enjoyed the Magret de Canard (seared duck breast), which was served with peaches that complemented the duck very nicely. I ended with the Chocolate Mousse, it had dark chocolate shavings mixed in and topped with fresh raspberries (one of the best I’ve had) I highly recommend you try it for yourself. Enjoy!
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La Provence
Cuisine: French
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Mission |
7/31/2005
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Popped in here for a quick brunch stop before a meeting, it was one of the only places that didn’t have a wait on a Sunday afternoon on Fillmore. I liked the look of vintage booths, very private but not so comfortable. I had the Cesar salad with spicy prawns, not really authentic Cajun fair but pretty good, not great. My friend had the crab cake eggs benedict with potatoes, which looked good. My experience here was pretty neutral not bad but nothing outstanding.
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Elite Cafe
Cuisine: Creole Cajun
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Upper Fillmore |
7/30/2005
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This is one of those little neighborhood restaurants that turns out fresh tasty food at an affordable price. The food is the draw here not the décor. The staff is very sweet and friendly however not overly attentive. I enjoyed the Five Spice Chicken, the flavor was right on but the chicken was slightly over cooked. The stand out was the Salt and Pepper Prawns, perfectly cooked and seasoned. We also tried the Pan Fried Rice Cake, which I had never had before but was very tasty especially the dipping sauce. If you’re in the area check it out.
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Yummy Yummy
Cuisine: Vietnamese Asian
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Inner Sunset |
7/30/2005
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I’ve been on the hunt for a Cantonese dish called Steak Kew for my Dad. You would think this dish was his great white whale, he has not had it in over 20 years but we hear stories of it every time he visits SF. I thought we might have a shot at recapturing this great-lost dish at R&G. We came very close with the Steak Cubes with XO sauce, tender high quality beef with a spicy brown sauce. It was not the same as Steak Kew but it was just as tasty according to the expert. All of the other dishes we tried were very good and worth the cost. Complaint: our entrees did not come out together and our rice dish didn’t show up until after we were totally done eating our entrees, so we ate our whole meal with no rice! TIP: Don’t let them seat you downstairs, try and get a table at street level or up stairs. I gave myself the full tour and discovered all the tourist sitting in the cramped downstairs area. FYI the locals sit up stairs in the more posh roomy dining area. Enjoy!
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R & G Lounge
Cuisine: Chinese
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Chinatown |
7/15/2005
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I had high hopes for this place I’m a fan of the Union Square Kuleto’s and hoped this one would live up to my experiences there but I was sorely disappointed. The space is beautiful, high ceilings and a world-class view. The service was friendly and competentant. The food was below average, low quality ingredients carelessly thrown together. I had the Cream Pesto Penne with Salmon, it was very bland and the Salmon didn’t taste fresh, however it was wild salmon, which is a plus. The one saving grace is the view; otherwise this one would be in the red.
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McCormick & Kuleto's
Cuisine: Seafood
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Fishermans Wharf |
7/15/2005
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They have a very elaborate waiting system. First you wait in line to speak to the “gate keeper” just to put your name down and get a beeper. You are instructed to stay in the restaurant because the beepers work better on this floor, so no shopping while you wait. (Macy’s is missing a huge opportunity here, they should break down and upgrade to the long distance beepers so tourist can spend the wait time shopping.) So you get your beeper and you wait and wait and wait and finally you get the beep and rush back to the “gatekeeper” and they tell you to wait by the column till they call your name. What???!!! The food is not worth the long wait, huge portions of mediocre fair. I did like the outdoor seating, the waiters were very nice and the prices were very affordable. From what I understand this is the most profitable restaurant in San Francisco, so they must be doing something right.
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Cheesecake Factory, The
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Dessert
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Downtown |
7/14/2005
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I have only had their sourdough until this morning. We popped in for a quick snack before the Gay Pride Parade. The blueberry and cheese danish was very enjoyable and everything else looked very tempting. (Chocolate Chip Dipped Cookie next visit) Very friendly staff, will visit again.
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Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe
Cuisine: Bakeries
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Downtown |
6/26/2005
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The pizza here is thin crust, square and comes with pretty much any topping you can think of. We tried the Thai Chicken and the Goat Cheese, Tomatoes, Basil and Walnuts. The Thai Chicken was good however had a bit too much peanut sauce. The Goat Cheese was the stand out. I’ve never had nuts on my pizza but it works. This is a very casual atmosphere, with a very unique decor that would be great for families, large groups or anyone on a budget. I will be back for happy hour.
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Pizza Inferno Restaurant & Bar
Cuisine: Pizza Italian
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Upper Fillmore |
6/25/2005
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What a great place. I like that you can customize your meal just the way you want it. This is a great option for the low-carb crowd because you can order your skewer with a salad instead of a starch. The prices are such that you can enjoy it often if you are on a budget, you can get out the door for about $10 and be very full. This location has a patio in the rear, so if it’s nice you can sit outside. You order at the counter and then the friendly staff brings your food out to your table. I’m glad I found it and I will be back soon.
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Asqew Grill
Cuisine: Californian
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Castro |
6/24/2005
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I really enjoyed this little place. I popped in with a friend on a Sunday afternoon and it was not crowded at all. While the service was not overly friendly she did keep our glasses filled and checked on us regularly. I had the Steamed Mussels with Spanish Chorizo, Chili Flakes and garlic. The Chorizo was a nice addition to the sauce and the mussels were fresh and plentiful ($9 a fair portion size for the money). I also had the Roasted Baby Beets with Yellow Wax Beans and Goat Cheese ($8). The veggies had a tangy garlic sauce that played off the rich creamy goat cheese. Yes the portions sizes are small but that’s their gig…small plates that range from $8-12 each. Enjoy!
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Chez Nous
Cuisine: Mediterranean Small Plates
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Pacific Heights |
6/21/2005
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This was my first noodle shop experience and I just don’t get it. You get these cold noodles and you dip them into this sauce that has very little flavor besides the wasabi. Maybe I did it wrong or just ordered wrong. I feel like I’m missing out on something good but I just don’t get it. The tempura that came on the side was okay but again the sauce was very bland. The service seemed really unhappy, maybe they don’t get it either. If you read this and have any noodle words of wisdom send me a message.
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Mifune
Cuisine: Japanese Noodle Shops
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Japantown |
6/19/2005
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The lunch special will not leave you hungry, you get 2 spring rolls, 2 sweet fried yams, soup and the lunch entrée of the day for $7.95 The soup was a simple fresh veggie soup with clear broth, which was brought out before I even ordered, the yams and spring rolls where just average but the sauce that came with them was sweet and tasty. The special lunch entrée of the day was green curry, which was disappointing. The chicken was overcooked and the whole dish was rather bland. The service was excellent and the space was large and seemed able to accommodate large parties. Maybe worth another try.
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Lalita's Distinctive Thai
Cuisine: Thai
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Civic Center |
5/25/2005
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We just stopped in for a quick snack, we shared an order of egg rolls and ate them on the move. They had fast and friendly service. It seemed primarily to be a takeout/delivery restaurant.
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Andy's Excellent Chinese Cuisine
Cuisine: Chinese
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Polk St./Van Ness |
5/21/2005
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Chic bar for the TL, that offers really good drinks, small plates and of course lots of olives. We shared the calamari, baked Brie with roasted garlic, garlic cilantro fries and pizza. The calamari was tender, the Brie was tasty, the cilantro fries were good but the red pepper aioli that they came with is a must. The pizza had an ultra thin crust and was crisp. This is not a sit down dinner type restaurant; it's more of a bar that serves up good bar snacks. What really stands out are the drinks, you must try the Watermelon martini. It's icy and refreshing without being too sweet, plus a wedge of watermelon as a garnish. I would go back just for that drink! They offer happy hour Monday-Wednesday 5-7:30pm, $5 cocktails and $7 pizzas. Enjoy!
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Olive Bar & Restaurant
Cuisine: Californian
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Tenderloin |
5/21/2005
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Time warp dinner with average hamburgers, we just had to try it because it looks like one of those hidden gems and the sign says their the "best" ;) but I was pretty disapointed in the quality of the burgers. The service was fast and very friendly.
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Hamburger Haven
Cuisine: Hamburgers American (Traditional)
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Inner Richmond |
5/13/2005
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Great neighborhood burger joint, they offer so many options (toppings) that it’s hard to choose. If you love a good burger you should try this place.
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Flippers Gourmet Burgers
Cuisine: Hamburgers American (Traditional)
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Hayes Valley |
5/13/2005
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Southern fried chicken, BBQ ribs, salmon croquettes, hushpuppies and fried okra…Amen! This truly is food for the soul, it takes me back to my childhood growing up in the south… everything that tastes good has to be baked, BBQ or fried ;) The décor and the location have changed but the soul of Powell’s Place remains the same. You’ll get southern hospitality and two fresh from the oven corn muffins on the side. The fried chicken and the beef ribs really stand out, the rib meet is so tender it just falls off the bone and the fried chicken is light, crisp and perfect! The new main dinning room may accommodate large parties and the side café serves up orders to go…they also now deliver! They still have the daily specials and a great jukebox!
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Powell's Place
Cuisine: Southern Soul Food
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Western Addition |
5/8/2005
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Very affordable and great for groups! The service was seamless, water glasses always filled and plenty of steamed rice for everyone. Décor features a talented local artist, whose work I really enjoy. They have an extensive menu (including a large vegetarian selection), almost too much so, as I had difficulty deciding. I settled on the Salmon Ka Prow, salmon sautéed in a spicy garlic chili sauce with onions, red peppers, basil and bamboo shoots. I thought it was a bit on the bland side and the salmon was slightly over cooked; however veggies were fresh. I tried many of the other dishes my dining companions ordered and they were all good, my choice was the only sub par entrée on the table. I will return and will recommend it. Tip: If you like your Thai spicy make sure you ask them to turn up the heat but if you prefer the mild side it should be just right.
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Neecha Thai Cuisine
Cuisine: Thai
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Upper Fillmore |
5/7/2005
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Wayne and I were lucky enough to enjoy a tasting of the skillet seared Sea bass with a blueberry balsamic glaze. The berry glaze is just enough to be unique, however does not dominate, and allows the quality of the fish to speak for itself. The décor is modern and features local artists work through out. Also they have a lovely garden/patio in the back that would be the ideal setting for brunch. One more thing, you must and I mean MUST check out the restroom, it's a time warp back to the 1970's…its disco baby!
UPDATE: We went for the full dinner experience this time and were not disappointed! I started with the Fried Artichoke Salad, lovely mix of flavors and textures. For my main I had the Leg of Lamb, it was perfectly cooked and a very LARGE portion, so large I could not finish it. Everyone at the table shared and it was decided that my lamb was the top entrée of the evening. Next time I really want to try the Warm Chocolate Molten Cake, I was too stuffed this visit. Enjoy!
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Triptych
Cuisine: Fusion
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SoMa |
5/1/2005
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What a find! I kept reading about this restaurant on sfSurvey and had it at the top of my “must visit” list, so when an old friend and I decided to meet for a casual dinner Mandalay was the place. This is one of those hidden gems that have exotic high quality food at reasonable prices. The staff was sweet and welcoming. We started with the Samusa and Lap Pat Dok (Tea Leaf Salad) both were good, however the Lap Pat Dok really stood out. It’s prepared at the table and includes; Burmese tea leaves, toasted lentil seed, peanuts, ground shrimp, fried garlic, green pepper, sesame seeds and a lovely light dressing. It’s a traditional dish and a new favorite for me! We also enjoyed the Burmese curry lamb and dry pan-fried string beans w/ ginger and chili sauce. YUM! I saw many other dishes I really want to try so I’ll be back soon. The parking was a breeze (maybe I was lucky) and the location easy to find, a green restaurant that says BURMESE FOOD on all sides. Enjoy!
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Mandalay Restaurant
Cuisine: Burmese Chinese
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Inner Richmond |
4/27/2005
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This is a fabulous lunch date idea! The café offers fresh daily specials served cafeteria style, which is inside the museum. I usually get the homemade soup and one of the salad specials. Who wants to explore art on an empty stomach? We eat first then check out the current exhibits and visit our old favorites, then we usually get some fresh air and hike/play on the grounds. The Legion of Honor/Landsend offers one of San Francisco’s best views as well as a few nice hiking options. Wayne takes me every so often and we usually make an afternoon of it. We opted for a membership to the museum ($70 a year) because we live near by and enjoy going regularly, with the membership you and a guest can go as often as you like. Regular adult admission is $8 per person. Enjoy!
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Legion Cafe
Cuisine: californian
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Outer Richmond |
4/25/2005
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The shrimp and scalps Mongolian style was enjoyable. The sauce was tasty and the sea food fresh. Unfortunately the Szechwan beef was lacking flavor and quality beef. The Egg Flower soup was just okay, it was the thin broth style (I prefer the thicker version) however the veggies were fresh. Over all the portion size was generous for the price. My dining companion had been here before and really enjoyed it, I think we missed the boat on our choices or the regular chef was out this night. The service was adequate. Worth another try.
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Ocean Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
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Inner Richmond |
4/19/2005
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Tangerine is a unique dining experience that you can afford to go back to. A beautiful meal and a great value. The service was very friendly and made very good suggestions. I started out with the Tangerine Yam Cakes with Parmesan cheese and a pesto sauce. It was a perfect balance of sweet and savory. For my entrée I had the Salmon with Mango Salad, large salmon steak covered with a lovely mango salsa type “salad” and 6-8 veggie rolls on the side. The presentation was flawless, usually when you have an artful presentation the portion size suffers; this is NOT the case at Tangerine…you will leave full and satisfied. The Cuisine is described as Pacific Rim; I call it creative and delishes. Next time I want to try their brunch.
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Tangerine
Cuisine: Pacific Rim
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Castro |
3/19/2005
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Good Thai food at affordable prices. Atmosphere is... well covered in some sort of bamboo, they usually have fresh flowers on the table which is a nice touch. I've been more than once and have always enjoyed it and had left overs to take home.
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Marnee Thai
Cuisine: Thai
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Outer Sunset |
3/2/2005
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I have only had their take out, so I can't speak for the decor or service. The Szechuan Shrimp was full of fresh shrimp, red, yellow, and green bell peppers. I thought it was one of the better versions I've had. You never quite know what your getting because every restaurant does it different, but that's part of the fun. We also got the Mongolian Beef, it was good however a bit too spicy for my taste (too much black pepper), the shrimp was a tad too spicy as well. We ate both without rice, I think if we had rice the heat would have been balanced. The hot and sour soup was perfect! We will order from them again, Wayne loved it.
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Family Fortune Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese Beijing Style Szechuan Hunan
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Outer Richmond |
2/27/2005
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I had the smoked turkey with provolone cheese, coleslaw and fresh-cut fries. Now what makes this special is that it's all in one sandwich, they pile it all on and it works! The best, best thing was the cut to order fries, next time I think I'll order a side of those babies. This is a meal in Northbeach that won't break the bank about $6.75 for the All-In-One Sandwich.
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Giordano Brothers
Cuisine: Deli Cheese Steaks
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North Beach |
2/26/2005
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What a find! It's a romantic and warm setting reminiscent of far away exotic places. The service was flawless, very friendly and accommodating. They left a pitcher of cucumber water for the table which is a huge plus, it's simple but very few restaurants do it. I started with the Fattoush salad. It's a unique blend of familiar and unknown flavors such as feta, olives, mint, cilantro and sumag. Next I had the Tiger Prawns in a mint, rose water and cilantro sause...Oh my this dish was a delight, so good I didn't want to share but I did.
For my entree I had the Crab Island, crab and wild mushrooms wrapped in phyllo atop a creamy saffron sauce. When this one hit the table my dinning companions all "ooooed" I did too! I didn't think it could get any better and then desert came. Chocolate cake with a warm chocolate center with saffron ice cream on the side. Yummy! If you enjoy creative exotic food, you'll love Saha.
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Saha
Cuisine: Middle Eastern Mediterranean Moroccan Fusion
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Downtown |
2/24/2005
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I've eaten here more than any other restaurant in San Francisco! 2 reasons: 1) Great food 2) they were 2 blocks from my house. They have super tacos with your choice of fresh ingredient's. They always have huge pots boiling and meat on the grill. I like when casual restaurants allow you to view the food prep area, it gives me peas of mind ;) If you are in the Noe Valley hood check them out!
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Casa Mexicana
Cuisine: Mexican
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Noe Valley |
2/21/2005
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Free wine while you wait for a table, what a great idea! I wish other places in the city offered it. It tells me that they are glad to have me there and want me to be happy while I wait. The service is good and the food is basic fresh seafood, I agree with Chowdawg, take your parents or the unadventurous diner...the food is a bit ordinary for my taste, good but ordinary.
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Pacific Cafe
Cuisine: Seafood
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Outer Richmond |
2/5/2005
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Just had a lovely lunch at Soluna. I had the Mediterranean Chicken Salad which had a nice blend of flavors: feta, pine nuts, and kalamata olives tossed together with romaine yum! I really like the seating here, very comfy booths with pillows. I think this would be a place I'd like to come back and have drinks and dinner later. UPDATE:
Had a stellar dinner here, wow…I was so impressed! Soluna now offers a $32 pre-fix that is a tremendous deal, considering the high quality and presentation of each dish. I started with the CRAB DUO, while on the small side it should not be missed by the crab lovers, unique flavors and simply scrumptious. I also tried the SCALLOPS; they were so good I ordered another for the table…orange butter OMG! The RACK of LAMB was the best I've had ever. Service was Jonny on the spot, we wanted for nothing. This was the kind of meal I thought about for several days after, yes it was that good! I can't wait to go back for round 2. Enjoy!
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Soluna Cafe and Lounge
Cuisine: Californian
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Civic Center |
2/4/2005
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Desperate times call for desperate food. We stopped in here after a long day of shopping, we tried a few other places but the wait was too long so we settled for Lori's. Lori's is the typical diner. If your starving and can eat fried food then this is the place for you. We were so hungry that everything we ordered tasted great. The service was very nice and accommodating. I kinda felt like I was in Happy Day's which was fun. I agree with the other reviewers but my hunger level at the time pushed Lori's up from a neutral to a positive ;)
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Lori's Diner
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Coffee Shops/Diners
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Downtown |
2/2/2005
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The Grand Cafe offers two dining options, one is the formal dining room and the other is the Petit Cafe which is more casual. You can have drinks and order a wide assortment of small plates, I have done this many times and have always been happy. The Petit Cafe is near the entrance so there is a lot of foot traffic and great people watching.
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Grand Cafe (Petit Cafe)
Cuisine: French (New)
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Downtown |
1/27/2005
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Al Masri has great potential, good food, unique atmosphere, free valet parking and belly dancing. The lack of good service pushed this one to the negative side for me. We were in a party of 12 and were encouraged to eat family style, you pay the same price as the 6 course "individual" but only get a fraction of the food. The service needs much more training; basic dinning needs were NOT met...like making sure we had plates, flatware and water. When serving a large party the waiter should spend more time at the table than hanging out at the bar socializing. Good service is so much more than just bring the food to the table. I went home still hungry and thirsty :(
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Al Masri Egyptian Restaurant
Cuisine: Egyptian Middle Eastern
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Outer Richmond |
1/18/2005
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Showing my Mama and Cousin around the Haight, we stopped in for a bite. What a gem. I had the beef skewer with salad. The service was friendly and cute in their "grill coveralls" I like this place and will visit again, you should too!
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Asqew Grill
Cuisine: Californian
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Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
1/17/2005
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Not a typical chain restaurant, Houston’s makes everything in-house, they buy local fresh produce, they butcher their own meats, and they even make their own ketchup! How many “chain” restaurants do that? How many privately owned restaurants do that? Don’t let your own bias cheat you out of a good meal. Casually elegant atmosphere and service is at the top of their game. We sat at the bar, had some spinach dip and drinks while we waited for our table. I had the seared tuna salad...divine, think sushi salad. My guest had the BIGGEST pork chop ever, this baby was a good 3-4 inches thick! I stole a bite and it was perfectly cooked and seasoned.
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Houston's Restaurant
Cuisine: American
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Embarcadero |
1/13/2005
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We were warmly greeted with just a foot in the door, the service is so friendly it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. I had the cezar salad and added the herb prawns, very basic cezar salad and the prawns were tasty however not very prawn like, they were little micro prawns, not what I was expecting. Seems like a good place for groups as they have a diverse menu and prices that fit anyones budget.
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Chow
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Upper Market/Church Street |
1/13/2005
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The espresso is great and they serve Mighty Leaf Tea, one of my favorites! I had the Oregon Blue Cheese Salad with chicken, if you LOVE blue cheese this is the salad for you. Mass quanties of blue cheese :)
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BrainWash Cafe and Laundromat
Cuisine: Coffee Shop American Bistro
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SoMa |
1/11/2005
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You pay a little more for the updated atmosphere, the ballroom dancing and karaoke upstairs. This can be a night of dining and entertainment. It's a bit more formal than most Chinese restaurants in the area but the food is comparable. Fresh and tasty. Good for large parties.
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Yet Wah
Cuisine: Chinese Dim Sum
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Outer Richmond |
12/28/2004
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The wonderful smell lured me to the door, I thought, "I really don't want to cook tonight" I ordered 2 entrees and soup for two to go for $20, good value. The food was good quality and filled our tummies nicely. This place is primarily a take out/delivery gem; the decor could use an update. All and all I was pleased and I'm sure I will find myself in their doorway again!
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Tsing Tao Restaurant
Cuisine: Asian Chinese Mandarin Szechuan
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Outer Richmond |
12/28/2004
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Lovely casual atmosphere. Very unique flavors. Wonderful presentation. Service was attentive and friendly, portion size was fair for the price. If you have never had Peruvian food this is a great place to start! Over all I would recommend it and I will be going back for more.
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Fresca
Cuisine: peruvian
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West Portal |
12/13/2004
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I love their soups, the tortilla is my favorite. I also like the BBQ Chop Chicken Salad. The Thai chicken pizza is good too. As chains go, this one is pretty good.
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California Pizza Kitchen
Cuisine: Californian Pizza
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Civic Center |
12/13/2004
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Fresh crisp veggies and unique flavors are sure to make this place a local gem. I have only had their take-out and it was hot, fresh and yummy! I'll surly order from them again. Very good value! $15 for 2 entrees and soup for two...wow what a deal, plus they deliver.
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Mao Zedong Village Cuisine Chinese Harvest Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
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Outer Richmond |
12/11/2004
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Garlic Fries and Cold Beer, sinfully good! Service needs work.
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Gordon Biersch
Cuisine: Pub Food
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Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
12/9/2004
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Wow, this is a pizza place? Atmosphere was hip/casual, nice romantic low lighting and the service was super friendly. I'm currently doing low carb so I stayed away from the pizza, it was hard to, it looked and smelled like heaven! I had the chicken wings and a lovely mozzarella and tomato salad. I will be going back post diet!
Update
I cheated on the diet and had three orgasmic bites of Wayne's deep dish pizza, I'm only human and the pizza was well worth it!!!
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Little Star Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
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Western Addition |
12/7/2004
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Just had breakfast here this morning, the food was good and the service was WONDERFUL! We had many special requests and they were all met with a smile. Salsa Omlett was yummy! Again the service went above and beyond, they really took great care of us. We will be back often.
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Polker's Gourmet Burgers
Cuisine: Breakfast Hamburgers
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Polk St./Van Ness |
11/26/2004
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Healthy cows make great burgers! Skip the fries, they pale in comparison to the burgers.
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Burgermeister
Cuisine: Hamburgers Niman Ranch beef
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Castro |
11/21/2004
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I've never actually eat-in but I have ordered delivery from them many times and they have a wonderful Mango Prawn dish and the Eggplant is delish! Large portions at a very good price. If you get one of their take-out menus they usually have cupons for free stuff. Yummy-Yummy
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Jasmine Tea House
Cuisine: Chinese
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Mission |
11/8/2004
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It's not great pizza, however after a long night out, after some drinks, it tastes pretty good. Plus they deliver till' 3AM. So at 3AM it's perfect!
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Cable Car Pizza
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
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Mission |
11/7/2004
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This is the life! Drinking great Champage, eating sushi and enjoying a three man jazz band. Nice cozy/romantic place with lovely little mini livingrooms for groups or couples. This is perfect for a DATE! They have a very small outdoor patio for smokers. Be awear it's not cheap after all we are talking good bubbly here, so take someone special ;)
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The Bubble Lounge Champagne Bar
Cuisine: Small Plates Dessert
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Downtown |
11/7/2004
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Feel like a high-roller. The view is...WOW!!! Prices are not bad. If you have not been you should just for the view alone, but at least have a drink. I hear they have a hip night time scene, good music and lots of pretty people.
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Starlight Room Harry Denton's
Cuisine: American light fair
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Downtown |
11/5/2004
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I love the singing too!!! It makes me feel like I'm in a musical, all of a sudden the waiter breaks into song...GREAT FUN. The food is good and you get lots of it, so share.
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Max's Opera Cafe
Cuisine: Deli Dessert
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Civic Center |
11/5/2004
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More of a Bar with good food than a cafe. Lot's of bussiness lunches/dnners going on. Casual atmosphere. Outdoor patio and bar for smokers. Great cosmos.
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Cafe Mars
Cuisine: American (New) Californian
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SoMa |
11/2/2004
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Perfect place to sit outside, brunch and read the paper on the weekend. Relaxed atmosphere so you can go in your jammies and a coat if you want. It's very busy but I never seem to have to wait too long.
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The Grove
Cuisine: American Bistro Coffee Shops
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Pacific Heights |
11/2/2004
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Great value and fun presentation. The sushi bar is protected by a very small river that flows all the way around. Little boats pass by with sushi cargo. Be quick if you see something you want because once it's gone down river who knows if it will ever return. Quality is pretty good for the price.
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Sakanabune
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
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Outer Richmond |
10/31/2004
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Established in 1959, I'm guessing not much has changed. Atmosphere is uniquely Russian and food seems authentic but I really wouldn't know the difference. They offer a live one man polka band...lightshow included. When the Vodka starts flow'en I'm sure the dance floor is packed.
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Russian Renaissance Restaurant
Cuisine: Russian
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Outer Richmond |
10/31/2004
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Happy healthy cows make great burgers!
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Burgermeister
Cuisine: Hamburgers Niman Ranch Beef
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Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
10/17/2004
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Fun and creative atmosphere at this family owned and operated local spot. Great drinks and a beautiful bar. Typical Cal-Mex cuisine. Friendly service. Perfect weekend hang out.
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Leticia's
Cuisine: Mexican Tapas
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Upper Fillmore |
10/5/2004
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This place is like a trip back in time to the days of the speakeasy. Atmosphere is timeless, comfotable and very social. Ideal "meet for a drink" venue. Try the WILDBERRY MARTINI. Yummy tapas and great burgers. Plus they serve food till 2am, for the late night crowd.
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Harry's Bar
Cuisine: Eclectic Tapas Hamburgers
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Upper Fillmore |
10/5/2004
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Very popular weekend breakfast place. Usually a long wait due to shortage of tables, it's a very small place. Good regular breakfast fair. Service is FAST and friendly!
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Chloe's Cafe
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Noe Valley |
10/5/2004
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Perfect for a first date. Simple modern asian atmosphere. Close dinning quarters. Yummy light food that will not put you to sleep. Must try the ORANGE BLOOSOM COSMO it's divine.
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Slanted Door, The
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Embarcadero |
10/5/2004
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Hot fudge peppermint sundae is perfection. If you have not been...go!!
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Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
Cuisine: Ice Cream
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Fishermans Wharf |
9/29/2004
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Exceptional sushi. One of the best in the city, very friendly service, family owned and opperated. Go early. It's a small popular place.
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Kabuto Sushi
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
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Outer Richmond |
9/29/2004
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The best of the best! High quality organic produce and out-of-the-box dishes, however be prepaired to pay top dollar for the experience. Pick up their cookbook (about $20) and do it at home.
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Millennium
Cuisine: Vegetarian
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Downtown |
9/29/2004
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Really good specials, yummy garlic fries and very professional/friendly staff. Warm atmosphere.
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Kuleto's
Cuisine: Italian
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Downtown |
9/29/2004
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Fast, fast, Fast!! In and out in less than 5 min, even if there is a line. Do it right and get the Super burrito with all the extras. Chips not so good.
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Gordo Taqueria
Cuisine: Mexican
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Outer Richmond |
9/29/2004
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Great view of the beach, good grilled salmon and tasty beer.
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Beach Chalet Brewery
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Outer Richmond |
9/29/2004
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Come in from the cold and warm yourself with a coffee and a muffin. Great fresh squeezed OJ and daily specials. Cute bookstore/sf giftshop.
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Crissy Field Warming Hut
Cuisine: American Coffee Shops/Diners
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Marina |
9/29/2004
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Lobster special is just okay, you get what you pay for. Sports Bar type atmosphere...not my kind of place but I know lots of people who love it.
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Perry's
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Comfort Food
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Cow Hollow |
9/27/2004
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Volcano roll is a must! If you want you can watch the game at the sports bar next door and eat your sushi there. Service was very friendly but slow. Fish was fresh and good quality.
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Blue Fin Sushi
Cuisine: Japanese Asian
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Outer Richmond |
9/27/2004
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I have heard this place has the freshest seafood intown...I was not impressed with the food but the service was GREAT.
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Hayes Street Grill
Cuisine: Seafood
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Hayes Valley |
9/21/2004
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Really fun place to go with a group. If you are brave you can try your belly out for belly-dancing! iT'S A UNIQUE experience
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El Mansour
Cuisine: Moroccan
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Outer Richmond |
9/21/2004
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Food is okay, the main draw to this place is that it's open late.
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Mel's Drive-In
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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SoMa |
9/21/2004
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It's always a great time, food is good and hearty, drinks are always flow'n, great value. Try the chicken curry.
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Irish Bank, The
Cuisine: pub food Irish
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Downtown |
9/8/2004
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exotic mexican food, unique flavors, good prices, very tasty
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Tommy's Mexican Restaurant
Cuisine: mexican
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Outer Richmond |
9/8/2004
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beautiful new location, small portions, large menu, good nan bread but average food.
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India Clay Oven
Cuisine: indian
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Outer Richmond |
9/8/2004
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$2 valet parking, good food, good service and it's a non-profit so good karma!
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Delancey Street
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Embarcadero |
9/7/2004
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Always good. This location is fun because of all the people watching, plus it's a cheap thrill.
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In-n-out
Cuisine: Hamburgers
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Fishermans Wharf |
8/28/2004
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The place to see and be seen. Go early if you are not cool, rich and or connected. Fun place.
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Clift Hotel Redwood Room
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Downtown |
8/28/2004
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Beautiful atmosphere, great service and comfy bar. Great place to meet for drinks.
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Seasons Restaurant & Bar
Cuisine: Californian French
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Downtown |
8/25/2004
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Fun atmosphere and strong drinks. Good food and large portions. A bit of a singles hang out.
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La Barca
Cuisine: Mexican
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Marina |
5/26/2004
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Grand is the word, the formal dining room at the Grand Cafe is elegantly whimsical. This is one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco. The service has always far exceeded my expectations. The food is Californian with a heavy French influence. I've been many times and everything I've had from steak to fish was fantastic! You MUST try the Banana Cream Pie, I don't even like banana cream pie but this is unlike any other, it's pie with a French twist.
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Grand Cafe (Formal Dining Room)
Cuisine: French Californian
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Downtown |
5/26/2004
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Hip atmosphere, go for drinks and munchies. Try the onion rings or the Crab Martini.
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Park Chalet Garden Restaurant
Cuisine: American (New)
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Outer Sunset |
5/26/2004
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Historic setting and good food. Great place for a working lunch.
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John's Grill
Cuisine: Steakhouse
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Downtown |
5/26/2004
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Try the Chile Con Queso it's great. The margaritas are too strong and the food is just okay.
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Tia Margarita
Cuisine: Mexican
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Outer Richmond |
5/20/2004
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Great family place. The meat is superb and the service is great. Try the chocolate cake.
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House of Prime Rib
Cuisine: Steakhouses
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Polk St./Van Ness |
5/20/2004
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Great food at a great price. You must try this place, for the price it does not get any better!!
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Little Thai Restaurant
Cuisine: Thai
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Polk St./Van Ness |
5/6/2004
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Great place to take out of towners for the view. Food is good but the Italian esspresso is devine.
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Waterfront Restaurant & Cafe
Cuisine: Californian Mediterranean
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Embarcadero |
5/6/2004
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Fun and hopping wait staff. Try the Fried Tofu and Apricot Glazed Pork. Lots of veggie choices too!
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Nirvana
Cuisine: Pan-Asain
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Castro |
5/6/2004
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Very friendly wait staff and really Good burgers. Outdoor seating across from park is nice.
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Liverpool Lil's
Cuisine: English Pub Food
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Marina |
5/6/2004
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Atmosphere is Thai chic/romantic.Food is GREAT! Try the Stuffed Mushrooms and Red Curry Duck..yummy!
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Patpong
Cuisine: Thai
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Outer Richmond |
5/6/2004
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Urban chic atmosphere, fresh fish, and a DJ. Make reservations, it's a small popular place.
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Deep Sushi
Cuisine: Japanese sushi
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Noe Valley |
4/27/2004
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Great place for BRUNCH if you don't mind waiting. Great salads, try the one with baked apple rings, goat cheese and walnuts...I get it with the grilled salmon or tofu. Try it once and you'll be hooked.
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Savor
Cuisine: Mediterranean
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Noe Valley |
4/27/2004
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Leaning toward negative. Very predictable food, everyday american italian, not anything special
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Pasta Pomodoro
Cuisine: Italian
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Noe Valley |
4/27/2004
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A place your Mother would love, very cute.
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Lovejoy's Tea Room
Cuisine: Tearooms
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Noe Valley |
4/27/2004
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When you can't get to Paris go here. The atmosphere is authentically French. Good wine, tapas and cafe. Many French imported goodies. They allow dogs and smokers on the patio, but no smoking dogs ;) Very Euro.
UPDATE: they now offer a great price fix menu, 3 courses for $35. They don't skimp on the portion size, you will leave full and happy! Check out the photos above! Le Zinc is one of the best French Bistro restaurants in the city and a hidden neighborhood gem. I've had lunch, brunch and dinner; while all the meals I've had here were good, dinner is outstanding!
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Le Zinc
Cuisine: French (Bistro) Tapas
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Noe Valley |
4/27/2004
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Go before 7pm and get the dinner special. Great value.
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Hamano Sushi
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
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Noe Valley |
4/27/2004
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Pretty good sushi, atmosphere was painfully quite.
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Amberjack Sushi
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
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Noe Valley |
4/27/2004
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Best Chinese I've had in SF. Try the mango prawns.
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Eric's
Cuisine: Chinese
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Noe Valley |
4/27/2004
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Pretty place to take your Mother or any other "ladies that lunch"...don't forget your white gloves
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Rotunda
Cuisine: American (New)
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Downtown |
4/27/2004
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Alioto's is the kind of place that tourist flock to because they don't know any better. They say, "When my grandpa visited SF back in 1950 he ate at Alioto's so I will too." I would like to see the menu updated with some new imaginative dishes and an increase in quality of the old favorites. Also, service could be much more friendly and accommodating. Alioto's should strive to compete with the best restaurants in San Francisco as it did in days gone by.
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Alioto's
Cuisine: Seafood Italian
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Fishermans Wharf |
4/20/2004
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Fun atmosphere and yummy food. What more could you ask for?
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Cha Cha Cha
Cuisine: Caribbean Tapas
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Mission |
4/20/2004
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