Help! Advice needed for my upcoming trip to CA. I’ll have two nights in San Francisco, and I want to make the most of it since it’s one of my favorite cities and on my “Places where I could imagine living” list. The plan is to walk the city ’til my legs fall off and eat ’til I have the Joey Chestnut face going. I’m most interested in gourmet markets, hidden ethnic gems and eat-and-go kinds of places. Any and all suggestions are welcome and much appreciated!
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ooh, so many options!
My favorite places, in order:
Cordon Bleu, which is not french but Vietnamese (my brother swears by the #5, I prefer the #4. Regardless, ask for extra meat sauce!)
Burma Superstar – always super crowded. Try b*star a few blocks away – by the same people, and not too crowded, but I haven’t eaten there. Best time to get a table at Burma is lunch. If you don’t want to go out to the Richmond to eat, try Yuma in the mission.
Plouf – screw the fish dishes, it’s all about the mussels!
Sushi Zone – you need to get there at least 15 mins before they open, and it takes a good 40 mins to get served, but man o man it is my fave sushi joint in the US. get the Hawaiian #2 rolls, Spicy Mango Salmon, pretty much anything with Mango.
El Majahual – their pupusas are excellent
Foreign Cinema – best brunch. never been there for dinner, but heard that’s also awesome.
Cafe Jacqueline – you need reservations, and it’s $$$, but the souffles are amazing (thats all they serve). uber romantic.
Tartine – fabulous bakery
Chapeau – never been, but hear it’s excellent
If I had to make a single suggestion it’s to get a Mission style burrito
which is something that you really can’t find anywhere outside of SF. I’d
head to El Toro Taqueria or Pancho Villa and get a super burrito with al
pastor. They’re huge, and possibly the best meal ever.
For higher end restaurants, my favorites are:
Zuni (the chicken is amazing)
Farallon (seafood)
Bistro Yoffi (great mediterranean/new american)
Slanted Door (vietnamese)
I’d also check out the Ferry Building which has a lot of good food vendors, in particular Cowgirl Creamery which has an amazing cheese selection.
For quick bites I’d suggest:
Vietnam Restaurant – 620 Broadway in Chinatown/North Beach. Banh Mi sandwiches are awesome and like $3.
Petite Deli – 752 Columbus Ave in North Beach/Fisherman’s Wharf. The
prosciutto, edam, and hot peppers sandwich is amazing. Next door is XO Truffles which has great chocolates.
Za Pizza – 1919 Hyde St. in Russian Hill. Great gourmet slices with
cornmeal crust. I love the “potesto” (potato slices & pesto & garlic).
Yank Sing – Rincon Center (101 Spear St) and also 49 Stevenson St. in the Financial District. Good takeout dumplings.
Caffé Trieste – 601 Vallejo St in North Beach. Great beatnik coffee shop,
parts of the screenplay to The Godfather were written here.
Café Prague – 584 Pacific St. in Jackson Square/Financial District. Cool
eastern european coffee shop with goulash, good beer, etc.
For Chinatown sit down restaurants I like:
Hunan Home’s – 622 Jackson St.
R&G Lounge – 631 Kearny St.
I’d avoid House of Nanking – people tend to recommend it but it’s a greasy tourist trap.