Slanted Door is one of the best restaurants we have ever eaten at! Also love Zuni Cafe on Market Street and Pizzeria Delfina in the Mission district (less expensive than Delfina next door), and just around the corner Tartine is a fabulous bakery.
Not for someone who wants casual food, but the best meal I’ve had in SF was at Kappa Japanese Restaurant. It’s a tiny little place hidden on the second floor in Japantown. It’s omakase style which means you let the chef plan the menu. You watch him prepare it and his wife serves. We had an amazing meal there. You have to like sushi and be adventurous. Sake was excellent too.
If you can arrange to be at a BART station that has parking at 9:30 AM, they have reserved spaces that open up at 10 AM for the late-comers. Pull into an empty space and wait 20 or 30 minutes in your car.
I like the Slanted Door also, except the waiters are not very personable. If you want more attentive service, eat in the bar. There’s also a very good Peruvian restaurant at 1.5 Embarcadero-- the name escapes me at the moment. Slanted Door is at the Ferry Building (1 Embarcadero) on the back side facing the bay.
You don’t want to come to S.F. without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. If you take BART into the city, you can catch Muni to Golden Gate Park. From Embarcadero (or any of the other downtown stations) take the escalator up to the next level (one level below the street level) and take the N Judah train to 7th St. GG Park is just a short 10-minute walk from there.
@jshain - sorry to be a stickler, but you want to take the N Judah to 7th Avenue, not street, if you’re headed for Golden Gate Park. I absolutely agree that the California Academy of Science, De Young, Arboretum, and Japanese Tea Garden, all located close in close proximity to that stop are worth a visit.
If you go to the de Young in Golden Gate Park, make sure to go up to the observation tower, where one of the bookstores is located. Superlative 360 degree views! There’s no admission charge if you just want to go up to the tower, and not the museum. (But the museum is wonderful).
Sorry, 7th Ave. Important distinction. Thanks. I would also encourage a visit to the Palace of Fine Arts. Exquisite neighborhood and views!
OK all you SF experts- quick question: I struggled with an anniversary gift for DS and his DW, so go them a gift certificate to the Absinthe group (Arlequin, Absinthe, Boxing Room, Bellota, Comstock Saloon) - have any of you eaten at any of these restaurants? Thoughts?
I’ve eaten at Arlequin Cafe and Absinthe Brasserie. Both good, although the service is rather indifferent at Absinthe (kind of typical for S.F. eateries, imo). I’ve heard Belotta is really good (!) but on the pricey side.
Thanks, @jshain. I figure they can pick the restaurant of their choice, and if the gift card isn’t sufficient. They’ll cover the rest. There was one $$$$$$$$$$ item on the menu that I looked at at Belotta. I am thinking they won’t select it (it was a steak for two).
jym - I’ve been to Arlequin, Absinthe and Boxing Room numerous times. I like them all, though Arlequin, which I like a lot, is a more casual cafe-type place. I think it’s a great gift especially since they can choose. These are three of my favorite restaurants in the area (Hayes Valley).
Thank you, @doughmom and @jshain. I feel much better. It (the gift card) should arrive in the mail to their home today or tomorrow, I think.
@ucbalumnus I didn’t know that! It’s been a couple of years since I’ve needed to park there during weekdays, and now that you mention it . . . I do remember there were machines, but never used them and didn’t know the price was less. Always just printed a pass. Thanks!
Another sidebar- I just found out how I will be spending my birthday-- marching in the San Francisco Gay Pride parade!! Anyone want to come by and say hi?? I’ll be walking with a particular “float” (PM me if you are in the area) . I think it will be a hoot!
^ @jym626 The largest parade in CA after the Rose Bowl! It is a very fun weekend…hope you have your hotel and restaurant reservations made as this is one of the busiest weekends in SF…Enjoy!
Hotel?? We just coincidentally happened to be coming to visit our kids ( DS#1 and hiswife, DS#2 and his girlfriend). We have a room at the DS#1 “inn”. =D> Their employer has a “float” and they asked if we wanted to be in the parade. Sounds like a blast!! Remember too, that 2 huge landmark Supreme Court rulings (DOMA decision [2013] and legalizing gay marriage [2015]) came down on 6/26. Would certainly be appropriate to hold the parade on that date.
True… on weekdays. Weekend parking is free and no punching the number into the machine is necessary-- at least at my local BART station in Walnut Creek.
S1 and DIL went to the parade last year right after the supreme Court decision. It’d be really fun to participate. Have fun, jym626.
DH and I did the dealing museum and Japanese tea garden last year. I’d be willing to go back if S2 is interested. Seeing the Golden gate bridge is absolutely a must. How could he travel all the way to SF and not see it.
Appreciate all the suggestions you’re making.
^Gotta love auto-correct… I think it’s DeYoung Museum.
This thread is making me miss San Francisco. My D lived there for 2 years and we visited many times.
If you’re near Bi Rite ice cream the line will be long but the wait is part of the experience.
Well if you are talking ice cream you have to have Humphry Slocombe. http://www.humphryslocombe.com/ I dragged my family to the Mission District, but it looks like you can get it at the Ferry Building now. Amazing flavor combinations - including some pretty out there ones.