Where to Eat in San Francisco?

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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!

2 Comments

  1. Posted July 18, 2008 at 12:30 pm | Permalink

    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

  2. vj
    Posted July 20, 2008 at 6:30 pm | Permalink

    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.

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