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Eating Out
Guide to Drinking & Dining in San Francisco
San Francisco ranks as one
of the best culinary cities in the country. Rarely does a restaurant
disappoint. The variety of cuisines reflects the ethnic diversity of
the city. North Beach spills with locals and tourists in search of
Italian fare. Most of the eateries in this Italian section of town
serve high-quality pastas with Northern Italian sauces, using the
freshest ingredients. North Beach is also filled with cafés -
perfect for people watching.
In Chinatown, next to North Beach, the streets are crammed with
authentic Chinese restaurants, with enough menu oddities that it
seems more like Beijing than West Coast America. The city also
specialises in other Asian cuisines, with many excellent Thai,
Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese restaurants.
For Mexican food, fast-food taquerias fill just about every square
inch of the Mission district, San Francisco's Mexican and Latino
area. Most serve good quality, overstuffed burritos for under USD5.
Many of San Francisco's famed chefs focus on American cuisine, with
a French influence. Though prices can shoot through the roof in some
of the most upscale locales, there are plenty of affordable,
excellent-quality dining choices throughout the city.
PRICE GUIDE: (average cost of a main course):
 =
less than USD15,
= USD15 - USD25,
= USD25+
American
Boulevard
1 Mission Street
Tel:+1 (1)415-543-6084
Set in the historic Audiffred Building along San Francisco's
waterfront district, Boulevard's dazzling Belle Epoque(hand-blown
glass chandeliers, mosaic tiles, and views of the Bay Bridge)
matches the restaurant's excellent food. Chef Nancy Oakes creates
American cuisine with ethnic influences, such as the sautéed halibut
with mismo glaze served with shiitake mushrooms, asparagus and pea
tendrils sautéed with ginger shiso broth, daikon, enoki and radish
salad. The restaurant also features the only wood-burning oven west
of Chicago, used to serve oven-roasted organic chicken, rack of
lamb, and Niman pork loin, among other dishes.
Bix
56 Gold Street
Tel: +1 (1)415-433-6300
Tucked in a tiny alleyway in San Francisco's financial district, Bix
has been a favourite among the after work crowd for its food and bar
scene since first opening in 1988. Soulful paintings by local artist
Mark Stock don the walls, while the food is American with a dash of
elegance. Popular starters include Bix's summer organic heirloom
tomato cart, dressed tableside, while the chicken hash a la Bix and
roasted natural pork loin are dinner faves. As for the bar, which
runs the length of the restaurant, Bix serves speciality cocktails
and is known for its martinis.
Cozmos Corner Bar & Grill
2001 Chestnut Street
Tel: +1 (1)415-351-0175
Since its opening in November 2001, Cozmos has been steadily gaining
popularity as a Marina hangout. The brick walls and large central
bar give Cozmos a casual feel in this upscale region of town. Entrée
choices change daily. Some of the specialities include rare seared
Ahi with a sticky rice cake and stir fried Chinese long beans and
wasabi aioli, or fettucine with spring vegetable primavera and
roasted tomatoes. It's also possible to order small snacks to
accompany drinks, such as fried green olives filled with Gorgonzola.
There is an extensive local wine list. Reservations are recommended
for weekends.
French
Jardiniere
300 Grove Street at Franklin
Tel: +1 (1)415-861-5555
Jardiniere's exquisite interior manages to be elegant without
pretension. At its centre stands a circular mahogany and black
marble-topped bar and staircase leading to a mezzanine. The dome is
in the shape of an inverted champagne glass. California-French
entrees such as Niman Ranch red wine braised short ribs with
horseradish mashed potatoes or the duck confit salad starter with
pomegranates and toasted pistachios dominate the menu. Jardiniere
belongs to restaurateur Pat Kuleto, responsible for both Boulevard
and Farallon, and is popular with the symphony and opera crowd
because of its location.
Gary Danko
800 North Point at Hyde
Tel: +1 (1)415-749-2060
In the few short years Gary Danko has been around, it has become one
of San Francisco's premier dining retreats. Winner of the James
Beard award for best new restaurant in America a couple of years
ago, Gary Danko attracts high-end tourists, business suits and
moneyed locals. Its windows are darkened outside, while inside the
atmosphere is sleek and sophisticated. The California-French cuisine
is creative and always hearty, with appetisers like lobster salad
with mango, avocado, watercress, and lemon-curry vinaigrette, and
entrees like Moroccan spiced squab with chermoula and orange-cumin
carrots. Fixed-price menus are popular but diners have choices
within each category. The wine list is considered one of the best in
the city.
Italian
Rose Pistola
/
532 Columbus Avenue
Tel: +1 (1)415-399-0499
Smack in the heart of North Beach, Rose Pistola is a favourite for
its lively atmosphere and quality food. The menu is Ligurian, a
coastal region of Northern Italy, which translates to a variety of
seafood options. The Cioppino (Dungeness crab with rock cod,
calamari and mussels) is a popular choice, as are the inventive
pizzas. This is also one of the few North Beach restaurants that
serves Grappa. Reservations are recommended. There is live jazz
music Thu-Sun nights.
Asian
Slanted Door
1 Ferry Bldg, Embarcadero
Tel: +1 (1)415-861-8032
Slanted Door has made quite a name for itself on the San Francisco
dining scene. Its wide selection of California fresh Vietnamese
cuisine garnered such a steady following since opening in 1995. Some
of the favourites are the fresh spring rolls, caramelised shrimp,
and lemongrass tofu. All produce is organic. Save room for one of
the mouth-melting desserts. The very reasonable prices are a bonus.
Dinner reservations are recommended.
Khan Toke Thai House
5937 Geary Street, near 24th Ave
Tel: +1 (1)415-668-6654
Of all the Thai restaurants in the city (and there are a lot), Khan
Toke offers the most relaxing, enjoyable atmosphere. A host or
hostess takes everyone's shoes at the door and visitors sit on
cushions at low tables. Though the menu does not differ that much
from other Thai restaurants in the city, the wood panelling, carved
wood tables and a glass atrium filled with orchids add a romantic
touch. Entrees such as chicken in yellow curry with sweet potatoes
are very reasonably priced. The only drawback is the location, far
out in the Richmond District.
House of Nanking
919 Kearny Street at Jackson
Tel: +1 (1)415-421-1429
House of Nanking packs the crowds into its tiny interior. The
restaurant is very basic and not overly concerned with decor, but
the food is worth the long lines. Try the imperial rolls, tofu with
curry, or hot and sour chicken in garlic sauce or even better, ask
the waiter for recommendations. This restaurant does not take
reservations.
Ebisu
1283 9th Avenue
Tel: +1 (1)415-566-1770
Continuously voted best Japanese restaurant in San Francisco in
local polls, Ebisu is known for its creative special rolls. The
Swamp Roll, for example, has spicy albacore tuna, yellow onion and
seaweed salad, and the Arch Deluxe, combines soft shell crab, crab,
isowabi, cucumber, green onion, mayo and garlic. The food is
excellent, but the restaurant can get loud. Be prepared for long
lines, especially on weekends. Special rolls are priced daily, while
most sushi a-la-carte costs around USD6.
AsiaSF
9th Street at Howard
Tel: +1 (1)415-255-2742
AsiaSF takes the concept of dinner theatre to another realm. Elegant
drag queens are the entertainment as well as the waiting staff. The
menu is mostly California-Asian cuisine, with choices such as
grilled shrimp and herb salad, and sake steamed mussels. AsiaSF's
signature drinks are named after the "ladies", such as Leilani's
Chocolate Martini and Ginger's Sake Cosmo. The bar is also known to
have the best sake selection in the city. There are three lip-synch
performances an hour by the "gender illusionists". Reservations are
recommended, especially on weekends when the old-style nightclub can
get crowded.
Mexican
Maya
303 2nd Street
Tel: +1 (1)415-543-2928
Maya serves great Mexican food in a unique atmosphere with the
interior of the restaurant decorated with Mayan masks and other folk
art accoutrements. The food is much lighter than normal Mexican fare
- easy on the cheese and not nearly as greasy. Maya adds spice to
its seafood plates, such as the camarones azteca - shrimp flambé
with tequila, served with a huarache stuffed with black beans and
goat cheese with chile-chipotle salsa. The desserts are excellent as
well.
La Taqueria
2889 Mission Street at 25th
Tel: +1 (1)415-285-7117
La Taqueria, which has been serving more than 28 years, is located
in no-man's land in the Outer Mission, but for the adventurous, this
is worth the stop. Considered by many locals to be the best Mexican
in the city, La Taqueria uses fresh ingredients, unlike many of the
other small taquerias that leave the food sitting out all day.
Portions are not quite as overstuffed as the other Mission-area
taquerias, and the prices are a bit higher, but the quality of the
tacos, quesadillas, and burritos is worthwhile.
Seafood
The first place most tourists head for seafood is to Fisherman's
Wharf. The Wharf is fine for takeaway seafood cocktails, soup, or
crab, but the restaurants that line the Wharf tend to mass-produce
mediocre fare, often for a pricey sum. There are few that do seafood
entrees better than others such as A Sabellas. But unless eating at
the Wharf is a high priority, there are better seafood options in
the city.
Aqua
252 California Street
Tel: +1 (1)415-956-9662
After ten years in business, Aqua remains one of the best seafood
restaurants in San Francisco. The floral displays lend a comfortable
feel to this white linen restaurant. Chef Michael Mina is still
creating inventive dishes such as tapioca crusted Tai snapper,
imported white anchovy and asparagus salad, and truffled sweet corn
and carrot soup. Aqua is noted for its chef's tasting menu, which
costs USD85 per person. Reservations are recommended for lunch and
dinner.
PJ's Oyster Bed
737 Irving Street, between 8th and 9th Ave
Tel: +1 (1)415-566-7775
Though it's far from the city centre, PJ Oyster is well worth the
trip. The environment is upbeat and loud, and the menu varied, with
an emphasis toward New Orleans Cajun and Creole spices. Popular
dishes include the jambalaya and stuffed chile campana, Creole
shrimp smothered with trout catahoula, and calamari and habanero
penne roast. PJ's is also known for its soups, namely its New
England clam chowder. Reservations are recommended, especially on
weekends, when there is always a wait to get in.
Vegetarian
Millennium
Savoy Hotel, 580 Geary Street
Tel: +1 (1)415-441-2700
Millennium is not only the best vegetarian restaurant in the city,
it serves some of the tastiest fare, period. The gourmet dishes are
completely animal product free, meaning no dairy or eggs are used.
Organic produce is used whenever available, and the menu touts that
all dishes are cholesterol free. Tofu and other soy products are
staples in many dishes. The menu often changes, but entrées are
always inventive, such as the Asian Style Napoleon, with oyster
mushrooms, Japanese eggplant, smoked tofu, Asian vegetables, sesame
sauce, crisp filo, jasmine rice and kaffir lime coconut sauce. Save
room for the irresistible vegan desserts such as the Chocolate
Almond Midnight mousse cake. Reservations are recommended.
Bars
Though San Francisco isn't a super late-night city like its
counterparts on the East Coast (i.e. New York), it does have a
spirited nightlife in certain sections of town. The most
concentrated selection of bars and nightclubs are located in an area
called SoMa (South of Market), where locals come to see live shows
at venues like Slim's or hit the big dance clubs. Several dance
spots are located along Folsom Street downtown, while 11th Street is
a good spot for live music and bars.
Another area for drinks is in the Mission, around 16th and Valencia.
Bars like the Casanova Lounge and Dalva are local hangouts during
the week and crowded with bridge and tunnel crowds on the weekends.
Further out on Valencia, and into the Outer Mission, there are some
eclectic bars and clubs, such as El Rio, known for its Sunday
afternoon salsa parties, and 26 Mix.
Lower Haight features some grittier bars such as Noc Noc and
Nickie's BBQ, which is always packed for its weekend funk DJs.
Meanwhile, North Beach is the spot for outdoor cafés and
late-evening people watching. If you fancy something a bit out of
the ordinary though, there are more than enough to suit. These are
just a few from San Francisco's eclectic bar community - check out
the nightlife section as well for some truly weird and wonderful
venues to enjoy a drink.
Harry Denton's Starlight Room
450 Powell Street, on the 21st floor of the Sir Frances Drake Hotel
Tel: +1 (1)415-395-8595
Offering some of the best views of Union Square and downtown San
Francisco, Harry Denton's Starlight Room draws an upscale crowd of
swanky drink sippers. The hostesses are garbed in formal black gowns
while R&B, Motown and jazz music add to the ambience. There is live
music Tuesdays and Thursdays through Saturdays, and a DJ on Sunday
and Monday nights. Speciality drinks at Harry's include the Star
Struck - Remy red, crème de banana, galliano, and orange and lemon
juices (USD8). The drink menu includes a large selection of
aperitifs as well as an extensive wine list. Harry's serves gourmet
appetizers and pizzas.
Hurricane Bar
950 Mason Street
Tel: +1 (1)415-772-5278
Considered by many magazines and critics to have the best happy hour
in San Francisco, the Hurricane Bar, located in the Fairmont Hotel's
Tonga Room, is a lively, playful stop after a day of shopping in
Union Square. The happy hour, weekdays from 17h00-19h00, includes an
all-you-can-eat buffet with Polynesian treats for just USD6. Every
half-hour the tropical setting is inundated by simulated thunder,
rain, and lightning. The seating is in a square around a pool, and
each night a live band comes out to the stage by boat. The bar is
set up like a galleon, with the deck of the ship its dance floor.
Top of the Mark
1 Nob Hill
Tel: +1 (1)415-616-6916
Top of the Mark, set on the top floor of the Mark Hopkins hotel on
Nob Hill, boasts 360-degree views from any table in the room. Some
locals come for the live music Thursdays to Saturdays, including the
Thursday night swing session, but this is mostly a tourist bar. The
bar is known for its Top of the Mark Martini with a vodka and gin
mix. Martinis are about USD9.50 while appetisers range from USD10
tortilla chips to USD115 Russian caviar. Sunday champagne brunch
costs USD49 per person. There is a USD5 cover charge for the live
music after 20h00 Thu and USD10 after 21h00 Fri-Sat.
Buena Vista Café
2765 Hyde Street
Tel: +1 (1)415-474-5044
Since opening in the 1890s, the Buena Vista Café has become renowned
for its Irish coffee, serving an average of 2000 glasses of it a
day. This is the perfect resting spot for those visiting Fisherman's
Wharf, and an Irish coffee the perfect elixir for those cold, foggy
nights. The café's mahogany bar looks out onto the San Francisco
Bay.
Vesuvio Café
255 Columbus Avenue
Tel: +1 (1)415-362-3370
If there is one spot in San Francisco to connect with its Beat
Generation past, Vesuvio Café is it. The wood and stained glass bar
opened in 1948 and is filled with photos and other memorabilia from
the Beat era. Vesuvio was a regular hangout for Jack Kerouac and the
other Beat poets, one reason the corner street where the bar sits
was named Jack Kerouac Alley. Aside from North Beach tourists,
Vesuvio is still popular among local artists, writers, and the
after-dinner crowd. House drinks include The Jack Kerouac-rum,
tequila, orange and cranberry juice with lime.
Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant
1000 Great Hwy
Tel: +1 (1)415-386-8439
Housed in what used to be a national park museum, this oceanfront
brewery and restaurant is most notable for its views of Ocean Beach.
The home-brewed beers are the highlight here. In the evening, there
is often live jazz and a crowd at the spacious bar area. The likes
of Winona Ryder and Chris Isaak have been spotted at the chalet on
occasion, although it's mainly tourists propping up the bar.
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